Husker question on Rivals Mailbag

[GSG]

Changes in LincolnChange has been the key word for Nebraska this year. How do you think the Huskers will handle life in the Big Ten? How do you see all the coaching changes impacting the Huskers' performance? Finally, do you think Taylor Martinez starts at quarterback?

Zac in Lincoln, Neb.

The change is coaching staff will have some effect, but I don't think it will be major. After all, the Cornhuskers have won at least nine games in each of their three seasons under coach Bo Pelini. Perhaps with Tim Beckmanb in charge of the offense the Huskers will be more explosive, but then they consistently were putting up big numbers last season until Martinez was slowed by injuries.

Although there were some issues between Pelini and Martinez (which led to rumors that Martinez might transfer), I'd bet Martinez will be directing the offense this fall. He's a major threat as a runner. Martinez does need to mature and develop leadership skills, but Pelini recently suggested he's making progress in those areas, too.

"I'm seeing a lot of good things from him," Pelini told HuskerOnLine.com, part of the Rivals.com network. "He's improved in a lot of areas. I think his leadership and how he's running the team has improved. I'm seeing a lot of good things from Taylor."

I think Nebraska fans will see a lot of good things from the Huskers this fall. In fact, they would be my pick to win the Legends Division of the Big Ten.

Some thing to remember: Teams that are new to conferences have a history of winning championships. Houston won the old Southwest Conference in its first season in that league (1975). In 1992, Florida State won the ACC title as a newcomer, as did Virginia Tech in 2004. Texas was a newcomer to the Big 12 (let's face it: four SWC schools joined the Big Eight) in 1996. TCU won the Mountain West in 2005 as a first-year member.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Nebraska joins that list of teams to win championships in their first season in a new conference.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1209163

 

[Roark]

I disagree with this gentleman. I would actually be super-duper surprised (and pleased) if Nebraska joins that list. Unfortunately, I don't see it happening.

 

[skersfan]

I think it is possible, but it truly depends on being able to finish the season healthy. I am very concerned about the attrition rate.

We see every year major players in the Big Ten knocked out due to losing their QB or top running back. I am not sure we are big enough and deep enough to survive it. Only time will tell.

But I like our chances of doing quite well this year.

 

[Scratchtown]

I think we could very well run the table this year. Each and every team is down in the big10 from a year ago, thanks in part to OSU having players and coach suspended.

Wisconsin lost alot of veteran Oline.

Michigan State, well i'm not sure on them i just don't think they were 11-1 good last year.

Michigan, new coach and staff (again)

Iowa, lost stanzi and key defensive players

I think that we possibly could be seeing Penn State twice, in the CCG. Thats just me though.

 

[bball_backer]

I think we could very well run the table this year. Each and every team is down in the big10 from a year ago, thanks in part to OSU having players and coach suspended.

Wisconsin lost alot of veteran Oline.

Michigan State, well i'm not sure on them i just don't think they were 11-1 good last year.

Michigan, new coach and staff (again)

Iowa, lost stanzi and key defensive players

I think that we possibly could be seeing Penn State twice, in the CCG. Thats just me though.

I'm beginning to think the same thing. MSU football never seems to live up to expectations, I don't seem they having another year like last. Wisconsin lost too much on the line and with Tolzien, and OSU will drop a couple early with the suspensions and possibly no coach Tressel all year (remember, NCAA still hasn't decided how they'll punish him and it almost certainly will be more than 5 games when they're done with him).

 

[Scratchtown]

I think we could very well run the table this year. Each and every team is down in the big10 from a year ago, thanks in part to OSU having players and coach suspended.

Wisconsin lost alot of veteran Oline.

Michigan State, well i'm not sure on them i just don't think they were 11-1 good last year.

Michigan, new coach and staff (again)

Iowa, lost stanzi and key defensive players

I think that we possibly could be seeing Penn State twice, in the CCG. Thats just me though.

I'm beginning to think the same thing. MSU football never seems to live up to expectations, I don't seem they having another year like last. Wisconsin lost too much on the line and with Tolzien, and OSU will drop a couple early with the suspensions and possibly no coach Tressel all year (remember, NCAA still hasn't decided how they'll punish him and it almost certainly will be more than 5 games when they're done with him).

Yea i forgot about Tolzien and his 74% completion percentage. I think we have the most battle tested group in the Big10, I would be kinda worried about Illinois if we played them, but we don't. I DON'T see them getting to the CCG either.

Out of the entire big 10 besides Penn State, I think Wisconsin will give us the most trouble because its in Camp Randall AND they are the MOST physical of any of the Big10 schools, regardless if they lost a lot of Oline, our Dline wasn't exactly stout last year. I still feel we can run the table though.

 

[da skers]

I think it is possible, but it truly depends on being able to finish the season healthy. I am very concerned about the attrition rate.

We see every year major players in the Big Ten knocked out due to losing their QB or top running back. I am not sure we are big enough and deep enough to survive it. Only time will tell.

But I like our chances of doing quite well this year.

I think the injury to a QB this year will be key. Tmart still isn't fully recovered from his ankle injury. And from some of the medical staff I know its the kind of thing that will normally linger in the average person 6-8 months will rest. For a good number of people it something that bothers them the rest of their life. They have "rubber ankles" and are prone to the injury reoccurring with some frequency. Since he "rolled" his ankle in practice the other week I'd say there is a good likelihood this might be a future problem as well.

That's part of the reason I was disappointed they moved JT to receiver so fast. We need a better back up plan in place. Not to mention it sounds like T-Mart has been pretty inconsistent in practice. He'll be lights out for a stretch and then its like no light is on for another. I've been traveling so its not something I've seen personally at practice but what I've heard from those who have.

 

[Scratchtown]

I think it is possible, but it truly depends on being able to finish the season healthy. I am very concerned about the attrition rate.

We see every year major players in the Big Ten knocked out due to losing their QB or top running back. I am not sure we are big enough and deep enough to survive it. Only time will tell.

But I like our chances of doing quite well this year.

I think the injury to a QB this year will be key. Tmart still isn't fully recovered from his ankle injury. And from some of the medical staff I know its the kind of thing that will normally linger in the average person 6-8 months will rest. For a good number of people it something that bothers them the rest of their life. They have "rubber ankles" and are prone to the injury reoccurring with some frequency. Since he "rolled" his ankle in practice the other week I'd say there is a good likelihood this might be a future problem as well.

That's part of the reason I was disappointed they moved JT to receiver so fast. We need a better back up plan in place. Not to mention it sounds like T-Mart has been pretty inconsistent in practice. He'll be lights out for a stretch and then its like no light is on for another. I've been traveling so its not something I've seen personally at practice but what I've heard from those who have.

People seem to forget about Brion Carnes. Carnes is the real deal fella's. If we have Martinez or Carnes in at QB i'll be happy. Cody 'Fumble Fingers' Green or someone else, then uh oh! we're in big trouble. I don't think Starling will see anything but a RS just because.

 

[Enhance]

I didn't know Tim Beckman was the Husker offensive coordinator. Seems like something you would want to confirm before you post an article.

 

[da skers]

I think it is possible, but it truly depends on being able to finish the season healthy. I am very concerned about the attrition rate.

We see every year major players in the Big Ten knocked out due to losing their QB or top running back. I am not sure we are big enough and deep enough to survive it. Only time will tell.

But I like our chances of doing quite well this year.

I think the injury to a QB this year will be key. Tmart still isn't fully recovered from his ankle injury. And from some of the medical staff I know its the kind of thing that will normally linger in the average person 6-8 months will rest. For a good number of people it something that bothers them the rest of their life. They have "rubber ankles" and are prone to the injury reoccurring with some frequency. Since he "rolled" his ankle in practice the other week I'd say there is a good likelihood this might be a future problem as well.

That's part of the reason I was disappointed they moved JT to receiver so fast. We need a better back up plan in place. Not to mention it sounds like T-Mart has been pretty inconsistent in practice. He'll be lights out for a stretch and then its like no light is on for another. I've been traveling so its not something I've seen personally at practice but what I've heard from those who have.

People seem to forget about Brion Carnes. Carnes is the real deal fella's. If we have Martinez or Carnes in at QB i'll be happy. Cody 'Fumble Fingers' Green or someone else, then uh oh! we're in big trouble. I don't think Starling will see anything but a RS just because.

I've seen BC and JT both in action. BC is only higher up because he was here last year. They are both very good, but JT has way more upside. Sure he has a miss throw or two but he's a much better athlete. And he's very close to being as elusive as a healthy TMart ans if someone said as fast or faster it wouldn't shock me. I know Beck is trying to ease him into the offense and let him see the field...but he's missing a lot by not getting QB reps.

 

[zoogs]

I think it is possible, but it truly depends on being able to finish the season healthy. I am very concerned about the attrition rate.

We see every year major players in the Big Ten knocked out due to losing their QB or top running back. I am not sure we are big enough and deep enough to survive it. Only time will tell.

But I like our chances of doing quite well this year.

I think the injury to a QB this year will be key. Tmart still isn't fully recovered from his ankle injury. And from some of the medical staff I know its the kind of thing that will normally linger in the average person 6-8 months will rest. For a good number of people it something that bothers them the rest of their life. They have "rubber ankles" and are prone to the injury reoccurring with some frequency. Since he "rolled" his ankle in practice the other week I'd say there is a good likelihood this might be a future problem as well.

That's part of the reason I was disappointed they moved JT to receiver so fast. We need a better back up plan in place. Not to mention it sounds like T-Mart has been pretty inconsistent in practice. He'll be lights out for a stretch and then its like no light is on for another. I've been traveling so its not something I've seen personally at practice but what I've heard from those who have.

That's disconcerting. Is TM improving as much as is being reported elsewhere, inconsistencies aside? I'm looking for that first-to-second year leap that a player in his position is primed to take. It is a shame if the injury problem stays with him his entire career.

 

[okaive]

Oh great, he jinxed us by mentioning past statistics. We are definitely doomed.

Also, this is from "Zac" in Lincoln. Hmmm wondering if it is Zac Lee? hahaha

 

[BigWillie]

Is TM improving as much as is being reported elsewhere, inconsistencies aside?

I'm going to keep my Taylor opinions to myself, just for fear of a mob frenzy around here.

But I will say that Brion has made his case this spring and has made things interesting heading into the fall, if that means anything.

 

[walksalone]

I didn't know Tim Beckman was the Husker offensive coordinator. Seems like something you would want to confirm before you post an article.

Yeah, he's awesome. Way better than that Beck guy.

 

[da skers]

I think it is possible, but it truly depends on being able to finish the season healthy. I am very concerned about the attrition rate.

We see every year major players in the Big Ten knocked out due to losing their QB or top running back. I am not sure we are big enough and deep enough to survive it. Only time will tell.

But I like our chances of doing quite well this year.

I think the injury to a QB this year will be key. Tmart still isn't fully recovered from his ankle injury. And from some of the medical staff I know its the kind of thing that will normally linger in the average person 6-8 months will rest. For a good number of people it something that bothers them the rest of their life. They have "rubber ankles" and are prone to the injury reoccurring with some frequency. Since he "rolled" his ankle in practice the other week I'd say there is a good likelihood this might be a future problem as well.

That's part of the reason I was disappointed they moved JT to receiver so fast. We need a better back up plan in place. Not to mention it sounds like T-Mart has been pretty inconsistent in practice. He'll be lights out for a stretch and then its like no light is on for another. I've been traveling so its not something I've seen personally at practice but what I've heard from those who have.

That's disconcerting. Is TM improving as much as is being reported elsewhere, inconsistencies aside? I'm looking for that first-to-second year leap that a player in his position is primed to take. It is a shame if the injury problem stays with him his entire career.

I will say the biggest area I've seen in improvement is that the younger guys are following his leadership better. Last year McNeil and Williams were pretty "unhelpful" when it came to supporting their QB. There was a lot of tension that was unnecessary and frankly piss poor Sr. leadership there when it came to backing T-Mart. By seasons end you could really see the O-line step up when Green or Lee where in, but maybe take some plays off when Taylor was in there. That kind of stuff is bullsh#t and I know that Garrison won't put up with it this year.

I haven't been able to see a whole practice as of late so I can't tell you personally if his game has improved or not. I know he's improved some and has a lot more confidence in this offense. Its my understanding Wednesday was a damn good day for the offense and some younger guys are probably overtaking some older guys at spots. I know the coaches are still frustrated with several turnovers by the QB but its not just with Taylor. It sounds like all of them are throwing a pretty catchable ball if your on the defensive side of things. Lots of INT's for TD's and a the like.

Last year several people thought BC was the best "all around QB" on the team. He wasn't the best passer (Green) or the best runner (T-Mart)or have the strongest arm (T-mart)but he didn't have the peaks and valleys of the other two. I think he's having a pretty good spring and understands whats going on. Everyone describes him as "smooth". I wish he had a little better arm strength to get the ball where it needs to be a little bit better.

Personally I wouldn't count out Spano either. He's much much healthier and the practice I saw early on he was probably the best of the day at reads and the like. I think they might have a good solid 2 and 3 this year.