Imani Cross...

[QMany]

I wonder if Burkhead is ever going to get his legs back? He didn't have a carry in the NFL last year. Probably because they ran his f'ing legs off of him his last season here. The guy could barely walk after the Iowa game.

In Rex's last season here, he had 98 carries. He was injured, but in the games he was able to play, he averaged only 12 carries per game.

He ran the ball a good amount his Junior year, particularly in big games. Are you attributing his lack of carries in the NFL to the amount of carries he had in college two seasons prior when he averaged 21 carries per game?

La'Veon Bell certainly didn't need to use his 29 carries per game in 2012 as an excuse for the Steelers in 2013.

Just trying to make sense of this convoluted argument.

 

[HuskerShark]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team. I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

 

[The Dude]

If Cross wasn't injured I'd like to know why his running style changed so drastically in the latter half of the year. He went from a tough, fluid runner to hesitant and easy to tackle. A play in the Minnesota games springs to mind immediately where he ran straight into contact, slowly, and went straight down.

Yeah I know exactly the play you're talking about. I remember thinking something didn't seem right. Guess I just kind of forgot about it because, well, we lost to Minnesota.

 

[Warrior10]

I wonder if Burkhead is ever going to get his legs back? He didn't have a carry in the NFL last year.

I think it has more to do with him not being a NFL type running back. If you really think he is anything more then a 3rd string guy in the NFL you're kidding yourself. Don't get me wrong, he is everything we should want our kids to grow up like. I am very thankful for his 4 years here and he was one hell of a college RB, but he was/is a college RB.

 

[Warrior10]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team.I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

I'd disagree. How is it clear that he is the most misused guy on the team? Part of the problem with Cross was we would bring him in on 2nd or 3rd and 3-4 and the D knew we were going to give it to him up the gut, imo. And I have no idea how you think he could be an every down back at this point. Now don't get me wrong, I love the attitude and work ethic he brings to the program, but he isn't an every down back RIGHT NOW. He doesn't have the vision, acceleration, break a way speed needed yet. Now I thought in the first couple games that he showed dramatic improvement in these areas, but he lost it vs quality opponents. Now as was mentioned he might have been injured, and if that is the case I don't fault him.

 

[QMany]

I wonder if Burkhead is ever going to get his legs back? He didn't have a carry in the NFL last year.

I think it has more to do with him not being a NFL type running back. If you really think he is anything more then a 3rd string guy in the NFL you're kidding yourself. Don't get me wrong, he is everything we should want our kids to grow up like. I am very thankful for his 4 years here and he was one hell of a college RB, but he was/is a college RB.

No! Rex's lack of production in the NFL is only due to our coaching staff's decisions in 2011, not his lack of talent compared to his peers or 2012 injury.

 

[knapplc]

If Cross wasn't injured I'd like to know why his running style changed so drastically in the latter half of the year. He went from a tough, fluid runner to hesitant and easy to tackle. A play in the Minnesota games springs to mind immediately where he ran straight into contact, slowly, and went straight down.

Yeah I know exactly the play you're talking about. I remember thinking something didn't seem right. Guess I just kind of forgot about it because, well, we lost to Minnesota.

I have just rewatched that game or I'd probably have forgotten it, too. Ugly game. Really weird to watch.

 

[True2tRA]

I wonder if Burkhead is ever going to get his legs back? He didn't have a carry in the NFL last year. Probably because they ran his f'ing legs off of him his last season here. The guy could barely walk after the Iowa game.

In Rex's last season here, he had 98 carries. He was injured, but in the games he was able to play, he averaged only 12 carries per game.

He ran the ball a good amount his Junior year, particularly in big games. Are you attributing his lack of carries in the NFL to the amount of carries he had in college two seasons prior when he averaged 21 carries per game?

La'Veon Bell certainly didn't need to use his 29 carries per game in 2012 as an excuse for the Steelers in 2013.

Just trying to make sense of this convoluted argument.

I edited it but you beat me to it. I had nearly forgotten his lost senior season to be honest. It was a shame. I'm not sure if that knee injury can be attributed to overuse and abuse that junior year or not. Fact was, he was overused that season, period. The short careers running backs have tends to be due to the abuse the knees take, so I don't think it's completely out of the realm of possibility that something lingered there. Did he ever really get over it? I'm assuming it's what held him out of last year in the NFL? Was he ever fully healed his senior year when the Nebraska staff put him into the game? Could his injury and recovery have been mismanaged? We could always ask Taylor. He may know a thing or two about mismanaging recovery.

 

[HuskerShark]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team.I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

I'd disagree. How is it clear that he is the most misused guy on the team? Part of the problem with Cross was we would bring him in on 2nd or 3rd and 3-4 and the D knew we were going to give it to him up the gut, imo. And I have no idea how you think he could be an every down back at this point. Now don't get me wrong, I love the attitude and work ethic he brings to the program, but he isn't an every down back RIGHT NOW. He doesn't have the vision, acceleration, break a way speed needed yet. Now I thought in the first couple games that he showed dramatic improvement in these areas, but he lost it vs quality opponents. Now as was mentioned he might have been injured, and if that is the case I don't fault him.

I guess I'm probably one of very few who see Cross as an every down back. IMO he's extremely misused because like I said, many times, Ameer will get 4 or 5 carries straight up the gut, we'll be chipping our way down the field, and we'll be at about midfield. Then they'll bring in Cross, go to shotgun formation, and most of the time dial up 3 pass plays that don't even use play action, and punt. When we do give him the ball, we send him on a stretch play or a sweep. For him to be successful, he needs to be run downhill on quick-hitting run plays. He's a power back, but Beck tries to use him like he's Barry Sanders.

That's my observations I guess. I agree that he has looked pretty hesitant at times, but he's also shown flashes of being very dynamic.

 

[True2tRA]

I'm with ya Huskershark. Cross is very capable. He looked slimmer and a bit quicker. Still that bruiser mentality though, and the guys built like a Mack truck. Why couldn't he be an every down back?

 

[QMany]

Did he ever really get over it? Was he ever fully healed his senior year when the Nebraska staff put him into the game?

He certainly looked healed on his 57 yard TD in that game before the happened injury.

I'm assuming [our coaching staff's decisions in 2011 are] what held him out of last year in the NFL?

Of course you are.

 

[Hunter94]

Not trying to be a jerk, but their are countless threads discussing this.
I appreciate you bringing a discussion to the table(and know it is the offseason, so we are all stressed for material).

Cross will lose carries to Taylor/Newby this year.

So what if it's been discussed? They are a new member and maybe they can provide a different angle. It's one of the biggest topics for the year and we will all see this discussed many times over the next year.

+1....agree, too damn many thread police!

 

[True2tRA]

Did he ever really get over it? Was he ever fully healed his senior year when the Nebraska staff put him into the game?

He certainly looked healed on his 57 yard TD in that game before the happened injury.

I'm assuming [our coaching staff's decisions in 2011 are] what held him out of last year in the NFL?

Of course you are.

I guess it's an invalid point then. Imani is hurt. Rex was fine and not overused. Ameer Abdullah should get 85%-90% of the carries. This staff has not mismanaged playing time in the past. You're right. I'm wrong.

 

[Hunter94]

It's clear that Imani Cross is the most misused player on the team.I hate that whenever he comes into the game, we usually dial up 3 straight pass plays and settle for a punt. The guy can be an every down back if used correctly.

I'd disagree. How is it clear that he is the most misused guy on the team? Part of the problem with Cross was we would bring him in on 2nd or 3rd and 3-4 and the D knew we were going to give it to him up the gut, imo. And I have no idea how you think he could be an every down back at this point. Now don't get me wrong, I love the attitude and work ethic he brings to the program, but he isn't an every down back RIGHT NOW. He doesn't have the vision, acceleration, break a way speed needed yet. Now I thought in the first couple games that he showed dramatic improvement in these areas, but he lost it vs quality opponents. Now as was mentioned he might have been injured, and if that is the case I don't fault him.

I guess I'm probably one of very few who see Cross as an every down back. IMO he's extremely misused because like I said, many times, Ameer will get 4 or 5 carries straight up the gut, we'll be chipping our way down the field, and we'll be at about midfield. Then they'll bring in Cross, go to shotgun formation, and most of the time dial up 3 pass plays that don't even use play action, and punt. When we do give him the ball, we send him on a stretch play or a sweep. For him to be successful, he needs to be run downhill on quick-hitting run plays. He's a power back, but Beck tries to use him like he's Barry Sanders.

That's my observations I guess. I agree that he has looked pretty hesitant at times, but he's also shown flashes of being very dynamic.

he might be a different guy if he got the ball 15 times during any one game.....but we will never know, because that won't happen. the coaches should know what he brings, practice should bear that out.

 

[Hunter94]

Did he ever really get over it? Was he ever fully healed his senior year when the Nebraska staff put him into the game?

He certainly looked healed on his 57 yard TD in that game before the happened injury.

I'm assuming [our coaching staff's decisions in 2011 are] what held him out of last year in the NFL?

Of course you are.

I guess it's an invalid point then. Imani is hurt. Rex was fine and not overused. Ameer Abdullah should get 85%-90% of the carries. This staff has not mismanaged playing time in the past. You're right. I'm wrong.

Cross would fit in well in the Minnesota offense, they like gashing teams for 5-7 yards, play after play....Beck likes the chance to hit a home run every play.

A ball control offense would fit Cross just fine.....we don't play that game anymore, although some games we damn well should!