Bold and Multiple

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Bold and Multiple: Watson has tons of Offensive Options in '09

 

Bold and Multiple

Commentary: Watson has tons of offensive options in 2009. Now - how to use them?

by Samuel McKewon

 

August 10, 2009

 

More speed. More weapons. A clearer vision. All the coaches on the same page. And a tight end corps that every team in the Big 12 not named Oklahoma would die for.

 

If Nebraska offensive coordinator Shawn Watson can simply find a consistent, dependable right guard – and junior Ricky Henry will be given every chance to be that guy – NU’s offense could hum even more than it did in 2008 when, over the last eight games, Watson’s crew was an excellent balance of run and pass, explosiveness and possession.

 

“They’re a great looking bunch,” Watson said of this 2009 version. “More explosive and faster than they’ve ever been.”

 

You already [know] the story of last year, of how Watson reassessed his offensive line and skill players practically in the middle of a 52-17 loss to Missouri, found that a simplified running game, based more on zone read principles, should be the Huskers’ identity, and promptly made adjustments before the Texas Tech game. It took about a quarter in Lubbock for the plan to click, but when it did, Nebraska kept the Red Raiders’ terrific offense off the field for most of the game.

 

NU still lost in overtime, 38-31, but head coach Bo Pelini remembered that contest at the Big 12 Media Days as his favorite of 2008, the one where Nebraska began to forge its identity.

 

In 2009, the plan will be, at times, more ambitious, taking advantage of an infusion of speed at the wide receiver position, and quarterback Zac Lee’s legitimate 70-yard arm. Wide receiver Menelik Holt talked about tempo, and the efficiency of Nebraska’s two-minute offense.

 

Might we see some no-huddle in the middle of the second quarter? We might. The Huskers, physically, are in terrific condition. And Watson has talented enough tight ends – Mike McNeill, Ben Cotton, Kyler Reed – to operate as Oklahoma does, alternating power sets and spread sets in the same drive, with the same 11 players.

 

OU’s no-huddle was so dynamic because it was equally explosive and punishing; opposing defenses couldn’t just run a nickel or dime against it, they had to keep linebackers on the field to stop the downhill running game. Those same defenses were then more vulnerable to covering a guy like tight end Jermaine Gresham, who habitually burned linebackers down the seam. Sub out a linebacker for a nickel corner, and Gresham would catch passes in front of the coverage. And OU’s running backs would make a killing on the outside zone play.

 

Yes, Sam Bradford operated the no-huddle like Nicola Benedetti plays a Stradivarius, but it was Gresham – and that terrific offensive line – that routinely presented the overwhelming mismatches.

 

Nebraska has McNeill, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior who had 32 catches for 442 yards and six touchdowns in 2008. And Cotton and Reed, who looks and runs like Gresham does. Reed has the fastest 10-yard dash time for a tight end in the history of the program. But all Husker fans needed to see was his catch and dash in the Red/White Spring Game.

 

McNeill confirmed he’d line up occasionally as a wide receiver, or as tight end in a “flex” set, out of which a lot – toss plays, bunch routes, play action stuff – can be run.

 

“As much as (Watson) wants to throw on us, at me, the better,” Lee said. “The more ways we can attack people, the better.”

 

And then you throw in NU’s young-but-fast receivers. Marcus Mendoza. Antonio Bell. Niles Paul. Brandon Kinnie. Khiry Cooper, who’s already “flashed” in the first couple days, Watson said Sunday.

 

Summer’s 7-on-7 drills were packed with big plays and daring tries from Lee for the deep ball.

 

“With Zac’s arm strength and the speed of the receivers we’ve got? I can’t wait,” Paul said.

 

But, simultaneously, the offense could be more old-fashioned, leaning on a experienced left side of the line – tackle Mike Smith and guard Keith Williams both return as starters – and two road-tested junior running backs – Roy Helu and Quentin Castille - north of 215 pounds.

 

“Taking the pressure off Zac would be amazing,” Smith said. “If we run the ball, it takes so much pressure off him. People don’t think he needs to make every single play and throw the ball for 300-plus yards every game, so if we can start the year off running the ball, it’d be a big plus.”

 

Smith stopped short of assuming Nebraska would emphasize the run, however. Last year, the Huskers seemed committed to trying, and it didn’t really work. Watson then stuck Joe Ganz in the shotgun more often, kicked the zone read into gear, and the offense took off.

 

“We’re going to attack people the way they allow us to attack,” Lee added. “Not worry about experience or inexperience or anything like that.”

 

That was a common theme among Husker offensive players. Watson’s more about strengths and weaknesses instead of time served.

 

Whereas Missouri coach Gary Pinkel more or less declared the Tigers are returning to their 2006 offense to accommodate new quarterback Blaine Gabbert, Watson has divulged virtually nothing – in the spring game or in any of his comments – about how the plan might look in 2009. He hints at Lee’s “arm talent.” He likes his receivers. He likes the competition between Helu and Castille, but wants two more running backs ready to go.

 

You hear comments like that, and think maybe Watson wants to head back to 2001 Colorado, when the Buffaloes shoved the ball down the collective throats of the Big 12. Some in the press corps seem to think that’s an option.

 

I’m not so sure. The heavy sets didn’t work last year. And they often didn’t work when Bill Callahan, Watson’s mentor, tried them either. You recall the 2006 Big 12 Championship, when counter after counter, zone play after zone play, was stoned by Oklahoma’s defensive line. NU’s Zac Taylor was stuck out on an island that night, without much to help him beyond screen passes and the same medium-rare routes that hampered the Huskers through much of the Callahan era.

 

In 2009, it’s a new Zac Attack, and although Lee may not be as efficient or savvy as Taylor once was, don’t expect the offense to slow down or regress in terms of sophistication. Instead, Lee will have to learn to live and adjust where Watson now gameplans: On the cutting edge.

[Hunter94]

interesting, personally, i think they need to pass run 60/40 right from the start and let Lee find his rhythm, before the VT game.

[knapplc]

That catch/run by Reed in the Spring Game, when at least one DB had the angle on him and he outran the pack, was amazing. That was about the fastest I've seen a Husker pass catcher run.... ever? If not ever, it's been a long time.

[HuskerInLostWages]

That catch/run by Reed in the Spring Game, when at least one DB had the angle on him and he outran the pack, was amazing. That was about the fastest I've seen a Husker pass catcher run.... ever? If not ever, it's been a long time.

 

Going to have to agree, he just kicked in the afterburners and there was no catching him. I hope to see him do that this year against another team. In fact I hope to see him do it 10-20 times this year if not more...So what, i'm greedy.

[Drowning_in_the_Sea_of_Red]

In 2009, it’s a new Zac Attack, and although Lee may not be as efficient or savvy as Taylor once was, don’t expect the offense to slow down or regress in terms of sophistication. Instead, Lee will have to learn to live and adjust where Watson now gameplans: On the cutting edge.

Zac Attack?

 

Seriously, I love our offense. So many different ways to beat the opponent. The play calling in certain situations might not always be to my liking, but... damn. Can't wait to see these "new" guys in action.

[huzkerbob]

 

Zac Attack?

 

 

Wow Drowning, that clip was awful! I feel like my ears have just been raped! Bad link!!!

[junior4949]

That catch/run by Reed in the Spring Game, when at least one DB had the angle on him and he outran the pack, was amazing. That was about the fastest I've seen a Husker pass catcher run.... ever? If not ever, it's been a long time.

 

Wilson Thomas was the fastest WR I ever saw play here. I still remember on Crouch's long run when Thomas outran him to the end zone looking for someone to block. It's a shame we didn't use his speed more as a deep threat WR. I felt sorry for him not making it into the NFL because I always felt we should have utilized his speed and skills a lot more while he player for the Huskers. I kind of always felt his loyalty to Nebraska probably cost him millions and millions of dollars. If he'd have gone to a Miami or somewhere like that where they threw the ball, he'd have been a high draft pick.