Friday practice & Saturday Scrimage

[Enhance]

Unsportsmanlike Conduct said they heard that Cody Green led a touchdown drive on some of the first plays from scrimmage. They said something like "five plays in a row, boom boom boom, and they were in the endzone".

 

They also said that a lack of a pass rush was noticed during scrimmage.

[GMoose]

Unsportsmanlike Conduct said they heard that Cody Green led a touchdown drive on some of the first plays from scrimmage. They said something like "five plays in a row, boom boom boom, and they were in the endzone".

 

They also said that a lack of a pass rush was noticed during scrimmage.

Good to hear about Cody.

 

Was the lack of pass rush because they looked bad, or were they not going full speed?

[GMoose]

Unsportsmanlike Conduct said they heard that Cody Green led a touchdown drive on some of the first plays from scrimmage. They said something like "five plays in a row, boom boom boom, and they were in the endzone".

 

They also said that a lack of a pass rush was noticed during scrimmage.

Good to hear about Cody.

 

Was the lack of pass rush because they looked bad, or were they not going full speed?

[Oltmer]

Unsportsmanlike Conduct said they heard that Cody Green led a touchdown drive on some of the first plays from scrimmage. They said something like "five plays in a row, boom boom boom, and they were in the endzone".

 

They also said that a lack of a pass rush was noticed during scrimmage.

 

He did "lead" them on the first touchdown drive of the scrimage, it was the second or third run the O had, and it was against the 2nd team D. Green had one good pass that was for more than 5 yards that drive and most of the yards came from the run game. Now I'm not saying the kid didn't perform decent at all but he seamed to either struggle with D or had problems running the O which ever might have been the case.

 

While I sat there for the full scrimage I watched how well Green managed the O and how the rest of the QB's managed the O. Martinez clearly out performed everyone "that day". Green had good moments but it would come in glimpses. They rotated the D's with the O's so first stringers faced all three strings of defense and so forth for the other offensive strings. On the opening drive of the scrimage it was 1's vs 1's then 2's vs 1's then 3's vs 1's then 1's vs 2's and so forth etc.. So you cant just look at one drive in the scrimage and say oh man he looked good cause it just might have been against the 3rd stingers.

 

As far as the lack of pass rush, that was mostly due to the designed read option plays they were running. The O line is widening there gaps, aka instead of 1 1/2 paces between the lineman its now 2 paces. So that might have been a factor in being able to split the D line and make more steps for them to get to the QB. I did see for a fact that there were about 8 sacks in that scrimage. But 4 of them was on green shirt Spano.

 

The D honestly didn't realize how the O was going to come at them so it was alot of read and react going on. I know a few coverage busts happened but either the ball was over thrown or was uncatchable at times. Some of the passes also let the WR's out to dry and I'm sure that might have pissed them off a little.

[bshirt]

IMO this was the most positive thing I saw in Oltmer's report. I can't wait to see the difference a 100% healthy Zac Lee will make on our offense. I really don't see why people are so down on him being our #1. Is it because he's doesn't have the flash/speed of a Martinez or Green? Tell you what, if that bowl game was a glimpse of what we'll see this year, then I'm all in with Lee as QB1 & you should be too b/c we just made AZ look silly w/ him at the helm.

 

Regarding the bold:

I think people are down on Lee because he is, at best, an average Division I quarterback. I'll be the first to admit that the offensive line and wide receivers did Lee few favors. That said, his decision making is below average and he tends to lock onto receivers. That has nothing to do with his arm injury. Also, for all the hype in the off season about Lee's speed he runs robotically with no wiggle or vision. Lee will never make anyone miss a tackle.

 

Before I get accused of being too harsh, Lee does have some strengths. Lee throws a decent long ball. Lee is adequate at hitting timing slant routes. Finally, Lee might be the best quarterback on the roster. I'm hoping he improves his game significantly from last year before we hit the conference games.

 

(Also, don't focus too much on Lee's performance in the Holiday Bowl. Arizona was absolutely shell shocked from the first series on. Honestly, Nebraska probably didn't even have to throw a pass to win that game.)

 

Bingo.

 

Sure, Lee's experience is a good thing but the big upside simply is not there. As stated, he's an average at best qb. Period.

 

I'm on the Martinez bandwagon.....so, let the best man win!

[Igetbored216]

Regarding the bold:

I think people are down on Lee because he is, at best, an average Division I quarterback. I'll be the first to admit that the offensive line and wide receivers did Lee few favors. That said, his decision making is below average and he tends to lock onto receivers. That has nothing to do with his arm injury. Also, for all the hype in the off season about Lee's speed he runs robotically with no wiggle or vision. Lee will never make anyone miss a tackle.

 

Before I get accused of being too harsh, Lee does have some strengths. Lee throws a decent long ball. Lee is adequate at hitting timing slant routes. Finally, Lee might be the best quarterback on the roster. I'm hoping he improves his game significantly from last year before we hit the conference games.

 

(Also, don't focus too much on Lee's performance in the Holiday Bowl. Arizona was absolutely shell shocked from the first series on. Honestly, Nebraska probably didn't even have to throw a pass to win that game.)

 

Hmmm...if you didn't have Lee in there I could have sworn you were talking about Ricky Stanzi.

 

So, if you don't love it, leave it...USA number one!

[robsker]

I had a unique privledge of being one of the many coaches to attend the UNL coaches clinic. We were allowed on the field for the entire Friday practice and Saturday scrimage, not to mention the numerous hours spent with the coaching staff. Here is just some of my observations from my time there.

 

O-line has along way to go, Smith appered to struggle alot during both practice and scrimage. Obviously he seemed comfortable when he was alowed to play guard but he often looked frustrated and just plain sloppy when having to manage the center duties. The staff is really working on basic techniques and procedures. The kids seem to be coming around but not everyone is catching on right away.

 

Expect single/double back read options for a base offense this year. They are hitting the A gap hard alot this spring and it is a big emphisis from the coaches about reading the ends and being able to pull back and run when needed. The QB's are working alot on reading the defenses and getting out into open space to make plays with there feet.

 

Martinez is the real deal! During practices and scrimage no one managed the offense better than Martinez. His ability to tuck and run at the right times and overall decision making had him hands down the number 2 guy. I would even go to say that his throws were better than Green's.

 

Zac Lee is still number one, alot of people might not like this but even though he wasn't allowed to throw he looked like the best QB on the field in drills and awareness. Now how that translates when he is back in the saddle could be different but he looked impressive when he did compete against the other QB's and you can just tell everytime he was supposed to throw that he really wanted to. I think that desire and drive is helping him in a big way this spring.

 

Cody Green, the kid has tallent and a presence. The only problem is that he is still inconsistent. He didn't show anything that says he improved since last season. His throwing ability leaves to be disired but you can tell he is working on that. His ability to tuck and run seemed slow compaired to Martinez. Cody spent the most time with the number 1 offense but didn't seam to be able to manage what the staff was asking him to do, yet.

 

I'll add more later since I'm out of character space...

 

If Green really has not improved over last season, as seemingly is the case --- you saw him --- then unless the Fall is a time of MASSIVE, MASSIVE, HUGE improvement, it is time to consider a position switch for Cody. If he is still reckless and clueless then (in fall) he still is characterized by bad decisions then I'd say TE or, well.... not sure where to put him... but QB, no.

 

I never did understand the Green hype. He really was not that big a recruit. Others had him as an athlete and not a QB and very few looked at him other than us. How is it that some are inclined to think that Green was a big national recruit. he was solid, but not big. he may pan out... but unless things really change, it is unlikely that he'll be a Qb of note for NU. Probably not even a QB at all.

 

he was a 4 rivals 250 prospect with offers from boston college, texas a&m, texas tech, houston, miss st, baylor, and okie state. So according to rivals he was #173 on the rivals 250. Thats a pretty solid recruit.

 

gotta agree with robsker on this one, Green was our biggest recruit two years ago but hell both carnes and turner appear to be better qb prospects.

 

from everything im hearing i would agree with the OP that martinez will be #2 by the time the season starts....

 

 

Indeed. His offers were from boston college, texas a&m, texas tech, houston, miss st, baylor, and okie state. Where was texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Michigan, USC, Florida, Oregon, Ohio State, Florida State, Penn State, Oklahoma, ---- big time recruits generate interest (and offers) from some, most, or all of these. So... Green was a solid but not a major recruit. And, I could be mistaken here, but I am under the impression that several (at least) of those who did offer him had him as an athlete with the notion that he might not end up a QB (or even begin as one).

 

This is not to take anything away from the young man --- it is however to take away the unrealistic expectations. Based on all first hand reports up to this point, Green does not appear to be a D1-ready QB. Maybe in a few years. But as of now, there is no reason to think that he can be a viable QB by Fall. Who knows, I might be surprised some day... but right now nothing would suggest that he'll contribute next year at QB.

 

The number of offers or who offered still doesnt take away the fact that rivals saw him as the 173rd best prospect in the country, which is pretty good. You were right he didnt have the Texas or Alabama or Florida but those also dont recruit like nebraska. Those schools offer maybe 50 kids a year, and thats a big maybe. You were right he wasnt a five star gotta have him prospect but he also asnt a question mark offer. Texas A&M offered him as a quarterback, and so did houston ond baylor.

 

 

Spot on. That was what I was trying to say as well. He was a solid recruit (solid by national standards --- and quite a significant recruit by NU standards, as NU does not compete well for national recruits). But it seems that people have the expectation that he is to be this great QB that everyone wanted. He was and is not such a player. The key things that, I surmise, made him as highly rated as he was (which was somewhat high, #173) was his amazingly mature frame and measurables at such a young age. To be a legit 6' 4" and 220+ pounds of basically solid muscle with a really nice array of track numbers (40 yard dash) etc. will draw some attention to be sure. However, even in watching his HS tapes one can legitamitly question whether he is a true QB or an athlete playing QB. I'd surmise that our coaches were hoping that they could develop him as a QB and that he would master the scheme and contribute. Like any recruit its somewhat a crap-shoot as to whether it will pay off. And with Green it may ultimately pay of --- but so far, that has not been the case (nor are things progressing in such a way as to predict much success).

 

Another in this thread mentioned that Carnes and Turner were better HS QB's. Such is almost certainly the case. I'd argue that Taylor Martinez was more successful as a HS QB as well. He won as much or more (as a team member), won more awards, had better numbers (I am reasonably sure) and looked better on film. But.... Martinez did not then (nor does he now) strike such an imposing figure (he is what, 6'0" and 190 vs 6'4" 220+). Pure arm strength goes to Green as well. The imagination is heightened when one sees the imposing figure of Green as a 17 year old --- where one wonders what an athlete like that might be able to do (which again is why he most likely was rated as high as he was --- as opposed to being ranked based upon concrete performance to that point. But if you look at success as a HS QB, Martinez was at least (if not more) successful both as a leader and as an individual, than Green. No, he did not have the physique or arm strength or power as a runner --- but as a package, he was at least the same caliber --- and yet even here, with Martinez, the question of QB vs athlete as QB is legitimate.

 

That Martinez is rising above Green at this point really should not surprise anyone.

 

One final note. It appears that judgment, decision making, and picking up scheme are still major problems for Green as the reports coming in are that he either hesitates, misses an opportunity, fails to pull the trigger or pulls the trigger when he should not. So... theoretically, these are problems that experience can fix. We'll see. But, at the very least folks, don't expect Green to emerge in Fall as "the man." he might... but nothing to date would suggest that he will.

 

As for Martinez... he has a better chance of emerging (as the #2). That said.... unless Zac Lee cannot (for health reasons), he almost certainly will be "the man" next year (as in #1). All this Green or Martinez stuff is for the backup and will have significance next year only if Lee gets hurt (or cannot heal well from his current injury). The year after will be a Green vs. Martinez vs. Carnes issue (if all are still QB's by then).

 

well said, couldnt have said it better myself sir

 

I'll give you a reason why Green was looked at as a savior....Josh Freeman and Blaine Gabbert. The Skers finally got a high profile QB to sign on the dotted line after 2(higher profile) QBs ditched us. We didn't have much of a choice than to label Green this way. Just a thought......

 

Excellent post. I could not agree more. We were burned twice and so when we got one... well we heaped on him perhaps more expectation than truly warranted.

[iruletheskool]

If Taylor Martinez looks good running and throwing, then I would say that puts him in the starting job.. same goes for Green....

[M I K E]

I wouldn't be too surprised if Green fell below Martinez, which isn't a knock on Green. It sounds like Taylor is really developing well, and may have caught up to Cody.

[girlknowsfootball]

From what I have heard... Martinez is very young Eric Crouch like. The kid runs fast, he cuts well, makes decisions quickly, has a good dual threat arm, and leads well. He's about the same size as Crouch too.

[Enhance]

Regarding the bold:

I think people are down on Lee because he is, at best, an average Division I quarterback. I'll be the first to admit that the offensive line and wide receivers did Lee few favors. That said, his decision making is below average and he tends to lock onto receivers. That has nothing to do with his arm injury. Also, for all the hype in the off season about Lee's speed he runs robotically with no wiggle or vision. Lee will never make anyone miss a tackle.

 

Before I get accused of being too harsh, Lee does have some strengths. Lee throws a decent long ball. Lee is adequate at hitting timing slant routes. Finally, Lee might be the best quarterback on the roster. I'm hoping he improves his game significantly from last year before we hit the conference games.

 

(Also, don't focus too much on Lee's performance in the Holiday Bowl. Arizona was absolutely shell shocked from the first series on. Honestly, Nebraska probably didn't even have to throw a pass to win that game.)

 

Hmmm...if you didn't have Lee in there I could have sworn you were talking about Ricky Stanzi.

 

So, if you don't love it, leave it...USA number one!