Lyons in the Sea of Red.
All-Conference
Fish just doesn't have enough mean in him. He is way to hesitant when it comes to hitting people to be starting for us.
Starting Lineup guesswork
- Thread starter knapplc
- Start date
onlyHskrfaninIL
Starter
RedRedJarvisRedwine
All-American
Any particular reason why you see Thad taking over for Rome at mid season?
RedDenver
Heisman Trophy Winner
Could be, I have no idea. One of the backups at MLB or SLB might move over there too.
kchusker_chris
All-American
I'm a little shocked. I expected our defense to turn up the pressure this year...so I believe this says more about our DL strategy than about Martin's ability. He has the tenacity to hold down that starting spot...if we are intending on being an "attacking" line. If we're not...Ankrah (who, don't get me wrong, played well at the end the season) will be starting. The fact that Ankrah looks to be getting the #1 spot means we'll be hearing the word "contain" a lot again this season.
knapplc
International Man of Mystery
Ankrah has the body type to attack, as does Martin. In the 2011 Spring Game Martin was knifing through the line making plays in the backfield several times. I expected to see that last year... but nope. Not sure why, but they never used that.
The "contain" guy is Meredith. He's built like a bull and, while he can get the occasional pass rush going, being stingy against the run is his best attribute. I gather that he starts every game because he has a greater grasp of the playbook (one of Bo's favorite things) and because he's staunch against the run.
But for sheer highlight-reel stuff, I think we want Martin in there. I'm all for wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield, so my choice would be Martin and whichever of Camstache and Ankrah is most able to get penetration and make the QB make quick choices.
The "contain" guy is Meredith. He's built like a bull and, while he can get the occasional pass rush going, being stingy against the run is his best attribute. I gather that he starts every game because he has a greater grasp of the playbook (one of Bo's favorite things) and because he's staunch against the run.
But for sheer highlight-reel stuff, I think we want Martin in there. I'm all for wreaking havoc in the offensive backfield, so my choice would be Martin and whichever of Camstache and Ankrah is most able to get penetration and make the QB make quick choices.
Husker from Kansas
Starter
i know i am dedhoarse but i think the reason he looked so good in the '11 spring game was because of the line. they were still trying to figure out the new scheme that beck was putting in and it was probably the reason why martin looked as good as he did.
kchusker_chris
All-American
I think a lot of lines would have similar problems with martin. he's going to give up a big play around the edge every now and then...but I think he's the type of guy that could really get into the head of a QB. I can see Robinson reversing field and scrambling for a TD because martin was out of position, but I can also see Robinson reversing field and coming face to face with Martin, then face to turf with Memorial field. Then next time he thinks about reversing field he'll be a half step slower, and he'll be thinking about Martin the rest of the game. To me that's worth the risk of giving up a TD. We've seen teams do it to Taylor, we've seen him get hit a couple times and become useless in the ground game. martin brings that I think. maybe ankrah does as well...but i give the edge to martin.
Treand3
All-Conference
Guys I'm not big on:
Andrew Green - pretty solid coverage corner (probably our bet player in coverage in fact), but is small and was beat up on early last year when he was put up against bigger receivers. If he could learn the slot, I wouldn't mind him backing up Jackson there, but I don't want him on the outside, strong finish last season or not.
PJ Smith - Disappointed with his career after being big on him as a recruit. Hasn't made any big plays here yet. Another guy who's good in coverage (probably our best cover safety) but lacks everywhere else. I get frustrated when I see him playing and a much more talented Osbourne on the bench.
Cameron Merideth - Was probably the worst offender when it came to our line playing patty cake last year. Rewatching a lot of the games from last season, he OSU game in particular, he never gets pressure and is too weak to beat good lineman. If he's supposedly great in containment, he should be doing a better job against opposing Dual Quarterbacks.
What I'd like to see on defense:
DE: Eric Martin
DT: Thad Randle
DT: Baker Steinkhuler
DE: Joseph Carter
OLB: Alonzo Whaley
MLB: Will Compton
OLB: Sean Fischer
CB: Stanley Jean-baptiste
CB: Mo Seisay
NCB: Charles Jackson
S: Daimion Stafford
S: Courtney Osbourne
Andrew Green - pretty solid coverage corner (probably our bet player in coverage in fact), but is small and was beat up on early last year when he was put up against bigger receivers. If he could learn the slot, I wouldn't mind him backing up Jackson there, but I don't want him on the outside, strong finish last season or not.
PJ Smith - Disappointed with his career after being big on him as a recruit. Hasn't made any big plays here yet. Another guy who's good in coverage (probably our best cover safety) but lacks everywhere else. I get frustrated when I see him playing and a much more talented Osbourne on the bench.
Cameron Merideth - Was probably the worst offender when it came to our line playing patty cake last year. Rewatching a lot of the games from last season, he OSU game in particular, he never gets pressure and is too weak to beat good lineman. If he's supposedly great in containment, he should be doing a better job against opposing Dual Quarterbacks.
What I'd like to see on defense:
DE: Eric Martin
DT: Thad Randle
DT: Baker Steinkhuler
DE: Joseph Carter
OLB: Alonzo Whaley
MLB: Will Compton
OLB: Sean Fischer
CB: Stanley Jean-baptiste
CB: Mo Seisay
NCB: Charles Jackson
S: Daimion Stafford
S: Courtney Osbourne
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HuskerFowler
All-Conference
Osbourne has been hurt most his career. They put too much weight on Merdith to "get ready for the physical big 10" and he lost alot of athleticism, PJ has been trying to learn how to tackle for the last few years. Andrew Green is just fine, he is not small 6' 200 is good size for a corner, and he is excellent in run support. He went thru some growing pains last year and is better for it, expecting a huge year out of him, hes been busting his butt all offseason and Joseph said he would call him 5 times a week to ask him questions, hes been a film room junkie.
Evans is really picking up the defense and has gotten alot better at nickle. Hagg did such a good job there, we never noticed how important he was even thou the coaches kept telling us that. Evans admitted to being confused quite a bit last year not knowing where to line up, he will be better this year, but CJ will be hot on his heals if he doesnt watch out.
Evans is really picking up the defense and has gotten alot better at nickle. Hagg did such a good job there, we never noticed how important he was even thou the coaches kept telling us that. Evans admitted to being confused quite a bit last year not knowing where to line up, he will be better this year, but CJ will be hot on his heals if he doesnt watch out.
knapplc
International Man of Mystery
I heard they were putting weight on guys to bulk them up for the Big Ten. I think that's a mistake. The faster, more athletic SEC teams do very well head-to-head against Big Ten teams. I understand there's a chance of injury putting a smaller guy up against a bigger guy, but that's what depth is for. Meanwhile your speed is going to alleviate a lot of the physical mismatch.
Do we have to relearn the lessons of the 1980s all over again? I sure hope not.
Do we have to relearn the lessons of the 1980s all over again? I sure hope not.
Mierin
Assistant Coach
I thought I read that's what they did last year and that they got a new nutritionist/dietician. I hadn't heard anything about them doing it this year.
HuskerShark
Banned
I just watched College Football Live and they commented on how Urban Meyer whipped tOSU's linemen into shape and made them lose the gut that they had on them. I hope we do that with our guys too, to be honest.
Husker from Kansas
Starter
agreed, i know we will probably never have the natural athletes that the sec does, but i would love to see a bunch of huskers who have worked their tails of to become those kind of athletes. i know you cant get taller or alot of other things by working hard, but you can get stronger, faster, leaner, and more explosive.