HuskerfaninOkieland Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Link LINCOLN - In Steve Octavien's running battle to understand his injury problems, the Nebraska linebacker has found the latest one to be most perplexing. Octavien might not have been finishing the Texas game on Oct. 21 had he not asked to be on the field. Octavien wouldn't have been injured had he not asked to play. It's enough to leave a guy talking to himself in the training room. "It's made me think, 'Man, maybe if I didn't ask to go in . . . ' " Octavien said Wednesday. "But I was trying to make a play, so I really don't care. Things happen." The past two seasons have taught us that they happen to Octavien at cruel times and places. The broken leg vs. Maine to start 2005 and the subsequent lost season. The pulled hamstring at Southern Cal on Sept. 16 that laid him up the next four games. The ankle injury vs. Texas that sat him down the following two weeks. "That gets frustrating," Octavien said. "You know how that goes. But I can only control what I can control. I'm just trying to stay healthy for the rest of the season, so I can help the team out." The 6-foot, 235-pound junior from Naples, Fla., possesses the skills to really benefit NU in its final three games. But in his unintentional route to becoming one of this team's great enigmas, Octavien has yet to string together three games of note. Indications were that it might have been ready to happen when Octavien was on a roll against Texas, making a team-high 10 tackles (two for losses), forcing a fumble and breaking up a pass in the 22-20 loss. When the Longhorns took possession with 2:17 left after a Husker turnover, Octavien went to defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. "I thought maybe I could create something," Octavien said. Two plays before Texas kicked the winning field goal, Octavien was pivoting as taiback Jamaal Charles chop-blocked him on a short run by quarterback Colt McCoy. Octavien twisted his ankle, but said the damage spread to his shin. "It's like an area they can't even pinpoint," he said. "They don't even know really what's wrong with it. It's just hard for me to get on my toes and run. But now that pain's gone." Octavien, the backup weakside linebacker to Bo Ruud, hardly played at Oklahoma State and then was held out of the Missouri game with starting middle linebacker Corey McKeon. Octavien said he could have played against the Tigers, but with the extra rest was able to go at about 90 percent in the 28-27 win at Texas A&M. Against the Aggies on Saturday, Octavien made one of his two solo tackles behind the line, and he also deflected a third-down pass on a blitz. "My ankle still bothers me here and there, but it doesn't really affect me in the game," he said. "And my hamstring doesn't hurt any more at all." Thus the optimism, especially with NU having a bye week before playing Colorado on Nov. 24. Octavien said he weighed in Tuesday at 236 pounds, good news considering his size was being questioned during the offseason and into training camp. The injuries have aged him, he said. But he's plugged along as well as possible and kept believing that there's plenty left to salvage. "We have this game, the Big 12 championship and also the bowl game," he said. "We'll see what I can do. Plus, I've got another year." Quote Link to comment
cmb23 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 I hope he can really live up to what we all expected. "We'll see what I can do. Plus, I've got another year." Hey Steve.....just make sure you stay away from Golden Corral next year!!! Quote Link to comment
Syzygyone Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 To me, Octo has the mental attitude the the coacing staff needs to elicit from EVERY Husker. Be thinking that you could make the play and when you get a chance, Go out and play with wreckless abandon. Quote Link to comment
cmb23 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 To me, Octo has the mental attitude the the coacing staff needs to elicit from EVERY Husker. Be thinking that you could make the play and when you get a chance, Go out and play with wreckless abandon. You want a guy to play with ferociousness and intensity, but also within his position. If a guy just plays thinking he can make every play and with wreckless abandon it's not best for the team. Sure...you may light up a RB in the backfield right when he gets the ball and draw "OOOOoohhhhsss" from the crowd, but do it again and it's a play fake that is going right over your head. Please reference LaVar Arrington for this case in point. He makes a highlight play once a game (when he isn't hurt) but misses 3-4 where he has put himself out of position by trying to make the BIG play. Just my opinion. That being said....go knock someone's helmet off Steve-O! Quote Link to comment
Syzygyone Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 To me, Octo has the mental attitude the the coacing staff needs to elicit from EVERY Husker. Be thinking that you could make the play and when you get a chance, Go out and play with wreckless abandon. You want a guy to play with ferociousness and intensity, but also within his position. If a guy just plays thinking he can make every play and with wreckless abandon it's not best for the team. Sure...you may light up a RB in the backfield right when he gets the ball and draw "OOOOoohhhhsss" from the crowd, but do it again and it's a play fake that is going right over your head. (Well, not if he hits with such ferocity that the opponent fumbles and we recover Please reference LaVar Arrington for this case in point. He makes a highlight play once a game (when he isn't hurt) but misses 3-4 where he has put himself out of position by trying to make the BIG play. Just my opinion. That being said....go knock someone's helmet off Steve-O! Point and Distinction well put but I'd like to think that you don't put anyone in the game that doesn't play their position properly. Quote Link to comment
Hawkeyehusker Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 It's nice to have Octavien back to 100%, or at least close to it. This week off really helps. Quote Link to comment
HuskerFanInGreenBay Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 You people think Octavien has the potential to play in the NFL? Quote Link to comment
cmb23 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 I personally don't. He has only shown flashes of being really good. But injuries some weight issues, and the rumors of an attitude issue now and then probably will cause teams to look elsewhere. His best chance is to probably have a solid season next year, keep in shape and keep working and get prepared for free-agent signing. Quote Link to comment
DJR313 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 and the rumors of an attitude issue now and then probably will cause teams to look elsewhere Incognito was a 3rd round draft pick and starts at center for the Rams... Quote Link to comment
cmb23 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 and the rumors of an attitude issue now and then probably will cause teams to look elsewhere Incognito was a 3rd round draft pick and starts at center for the Rams... L.P. was a 1st round draft pick and turned a bunch of teenagers into speedbumps with his car...if you are going to use that as a counterpoint. Quote Link to comment
papersun87 Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 He seems to have a great attitude about it . . . obviously not happy with all his injury problems, but still content to wait it out and let it heal. I thought he was nothing short of superb against Texas. Can't wait to see him back at 100%. Quote Link to comment
BIGREDIOWAN Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 I think he will help us punish sCUm I just want him to stay healthy and get through the Big XII game and our bowl game!!!! He is definately a force to be dealt with when he's healthy!!!! Quote Link to comment
DJR313 Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 and the rumors of an attitude issue now and then probably will cause teams to look elsewhere Incognito was a 3rd round draft pick and starts at center for the Rams... L.P. was a 1st round draft pick and turned a bunch of teenagers into speedbumps with his car...if you are going to use that as a counterpoint. Yet the Rams didn't overlook his personal problems and look elsewhere... Quote Link to comment
HuskerJosh82 Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 and the rumors of an attitude issue now and then probably will cause teams to look elsewhere Incognito was a 3rd round draft pick and starts at center for the Rams... L.P. was a 1st round draft pick and turned a bunch of teenagers into speedbumps with his car...if you are going to use that as a counterpoint. Yet the Rams didn't overlook his personal problems and look elsewhere... Yeah thats the rams damn fault. Quote Link to comment
xHuskersX Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 If Steve can stay healthy next year, he will get drafted..I would like to see him around 230 though Quote Link to comment
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