5 Fall Camp Questions - Offense

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

NE Statepaper

 

5 Fall Camp Questions - Offense

Zac Lee, Niles Paul among the players expected to emerge

by Samuel McKewon

 

August 03, 2009

 

The kids just keep back to school earlier and earlier it seems, doesn’t it? Strange that, right in the middle of the dog days of summer, you’ll have some 8-year-old trudging with his backpack into a hot school, hoping his lunch doesn’t melt in his metal lunchbox over on the food rack.

 

It’s really no different for college football teams, either, as Nebraska enters fall camp this Saturday, conducting nearly a month’s worth of practice before the first game, vs. Florida Atlantic, on Sept. 5.

 

Here’s five offensive questions as we enter the camp. For five more bonus questions, click here.

 

We know quarterback Zac Lee has the physical tools. Now – can he lead?

 

Lee presumably spent the summer cementing his relationship with Husker skill players and potentially treating his offensive linemen to a treat or two. In fall camp, does he emerge as a guy the offense looks to in tight spots, or does he defer to some of the more senior linemen? Clearly, the Husker offense no longer has Joe Ganz. But Lee has to leave his own imprint on the position.

 

Is Niles Paul ready to step up and break out?

 

Our ears perked up a little when NU running back Roy Helu, Jr., mentioned at Big 12 Media Days that Paul was Nebraska’s best receiver by far. Really? This wasn’t the guy we saw in 2008 running stop and curl routes, was it? Apparently, Paul’s going to be a deep threat this year, running the routes he wanted to run last year, and we’ll find out just how skilled and explosive a player he is.

 

Paul also has the ability to be a gifted leader, if he so chooses. He’s well-liked and has a strong personality. Does he become a vocal guy in 2009, or does he let the play do the talking?

 

Can Ricky Henry master the right guard position and win the job?

 

For Lee’s sake – and Nebraska’s sake – you’d hope so, as Henry’s emergence would allow Jacob Hickman to stay at center. Hickman probably projects to guard at the next level, but he should be much improved as the center this year – if Henry can win the job. Word is Henry’s plenty tough and physical – it’s just a matter of getting the offense and techniques down pat.

 

Two or three running backs?

 

Position coach Tim Beck seems to prefer three, but Helu and Quentin Castille are hungry for carries and plenty capable of carrying the load themselves. Will Beck and Shawn Watson allow for that to happen, or will the third running back see 5-10 touches per game, as was the trend in 2008? If so, who is the third running back? Lester Ward? Austin Jones? Collins Okafor? One of the freshmen?

 

Does the Wats Coast Offense change at all to fit the personnel?

 

Lee’s a fast guy, and a good runner. Nebraska now has more speed at the wide receiver position with Marcus Mendoza and Tim Marlowe. Does Watson try some wide receiver sweeps, more option, more zone read with QB keeps? Or does he keep what was ultimately a pass-heavy offense under Ganz? We suspect Watson has a few tricks up his sleeve, and we won’t see all of them until the Missouri game that opens Big 12 play.

[The Maudfather]

Good read. I am just ready for those crisp fall afternoons...

 

[knapplc]

If Watson doesn't modify the offense for his personnel I'll eat my hat. The guy knows what kind of engine he has under that hood, and they'll be moving the ball.

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Does the Wats Coast Offense change at all to fit the personnel?

 

Lee’s a fast guy, and a good runner. Nebraska now has more speed at the wide receiver position with Marcus Mendoza and Tim Marlowe. Does Watson try some wide receiver sweeps, more option, more zone read with QB keeps? Or does he keep what was ultimately a pass-heavy offense under Ganz? We suspect Watson has a few tricks up his sleeve, and we won’t see all of them until the Missouri game that opens Big 12 play.

 

My only comment about the whole article has to do with the offense play calling. Please, please, please, please, please, please, please to infinity...Watson...I implore you...please get rid of that wide-out screen play that was a huge epic fail against OU. Please...for the love of God and all that is hole. No more of that crap. Everytime I seen it my nerves were shot.

[knapplc]

I'd love to see them line up in that formation on the first play against OU, fake the pass, then dump it over the line to McNeill.

[RedDenver]

I'd love to see them line up in that formation on the first play against OU, fake the pass, then dump it over the line to McNeill.

Agree, or go deep to McNeil against VT.

[HighPlainsDrifter]

I wish it would be more of a power running game. In reality, I like whatever offense helps us win games.