Tipping Point

[Husker_x]

by Sam McKewon

 

 

His eyes the size of saucers, the ball seemingly glued to his hand, Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez repeatedly surveyed a collapsing pocket in Saturday's Big 12 Championship and did what most redshirt freshmen with pressure, rust, poor mechanics and bad feet would do: He just stood there.

 

The Sooner waves crashed in and crashed in, ruining NU's chance at redemption, revenge and bragging rights. And perhaps turning this Husker offseason into a roller coaster.

 

Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson called the 23-20 loss to Oklahoma “a gut shot.” His critics will call it a pink slip. Others might call it Martinez's kiss-off to the Nebraska program before he heads to all those other BCS schools that apparently crave him at quarterback. Or maybe it's Barney Cotton's last stand.

 

We'll round up the usual suspects, ask the usual questions and call for the usual changes.

 

But it won't be that simple for head coach Bo Pelini. His decisions – to retain Watson, to hire Cotton, to pursue and promote Martinez at the cost of vocal leadership and experience, to shape the offense so it best serves his magnificent defense – are colliding with one another. He's trying to marry a Oregon-style QB to a West Coast offensive coordinator and protect both with a O-line coached by an old-school option guy. Throw in big, slow receivers who can't separate and an offensive tempo that resembles thick maple syrup, and you have an ungainly hybrid. It's a wonder it's worked as well as it did.

 

While the defense soars with athletes, cohesion and execution, the offense crosses its fingers and flips the switch, hoping the red lights on the Christmas tree twinkle in sync.

 

When they do, the Huskers get Roy Helu's 66-yard touchdown, or a lovely, daring 37-yard bootleg pass to Mike McNeill on 4th-and-1. When they don't, NU has receivers running routes for the sake of it while their quarterback double-clutches the ball and plays hopscotch around his linemen's feet.

 

Nebraska's offense was disjointed and tone-deaf. One minute Watson's a Tea Party conservative. The next, he's desperate to waste a down on a Wildcat halfback playaction pass to an injured quarterback running a deep post route. In one breath, Martinez is 90-95 percent. In the other, he doesn't run all night long, letting Helu and Rex Burkhead veer smack dab into OU defenders on the zone read.

 

T-Magic had a T-Meltdown. He lacked the confidence and savvy he showed at Oklahoma State and Kansas State. He looked discouraged and jumpy. Oklahoma sacked him seven times, and Martinez probably could have thrown out of five of them. This was Scott Frost, circa 1996 Arizona State. Why was Martinez out there? Why didn't Watson yank him, at least for a drive, for Cody Green?

 

“We talked about it,” he said. “We thought if there was a series to let him sit back and take a breath and look at it. But he's better when he just fights his way through it.”

 

Not Saturday night. Martinez got worse as he fought through it. So did Nebraska, which missed Niles Paul's ability to stretch a defense vertically and thus free up the underneath routes Martinez normally completes. OU had no one to fear, frankly. The Sooners rolled into the intermediate passing zones like the fog, and some of it wafted into Martinez's head.

 

Now, Green's no savior. But he was a guy who could hold a 17-0 lead. Who could scratch out a field goal in the second half. Who could progress to a second or third receiver and not be relegated to the quick slant as his primary mode of transportation. Who could throw a ball away.

 

Last year, when Green froze like a deer in the headlights, Pelini wisely pulled the kid and stuck Zac Lee in there. This year, Bo wouldn't do the same to Martinez, despite No. 3 sorely needing a drive to mentally regroup. How come?

 

Said Bo: “Because he's our starting quarterback, and he's healthy.”

 

You read the Husker Internet Illuminati long enough, and you get the sense that Bo is so enamored with Martinez's skills that he'd mortgage the future of NU's offense on it. Well, so be it. If Bo wants to hitch the Husker trailer to No. 3, do it, and we'll judge accordingly. Musical chairs at quarterback never works.

 

But hold the kid accountable. March him out there and make him answer questions. If LaVonte David can head to the Big 12 podium in his pads, then not field a single question because the only topic anyone is interested in is Martinez, then it's Martinez who should be up there. Make him lead from the front, not the middle of the pack. The longer he's the elephant in the room, the less respect teammates will have for him, and if Pelini means it when he says “it's all about those kids,” he'll hold their respect for Martinez above whatever lingering grudge he has against the press.

 

The fate of Watson is trickier. He should devise a simpler, more vertical passing game in the offseason, and start telling good friend Ted Gilmore to put wide receivers on the field who actually stretch it a little. Tight end Kyler Reed is Nebraska's deep threat. That's telling. But Watson's forged strong relationships with Green, Brion Carnes and incoming recruits Jamal Turner and Bubba Starling. Starling, in particular, is a once-in-a-generation talent. Bigger than Martinez. Just as fast. And a leader. NU's best chance of staving off Major League Baseball - and it's a slim chance at that - is to keep the OC.

 

Also, if you dump Watson, know this: You start over, for the fourth straight year, on offense. Heading into the gulag of a Big Ten schedule, is it really worth it? Watson's put two years into developing Martinez. Plus: Who does Bo know in the business? What would Tom Osborne pay?

 

Then again: Is Watson too amenable? Do Bo need a big-headed red rump to roll into town, command big bucks and run the show without his interference?

 

Nebraska's defense was tough and brave. The Blackshirts gave up 454 yards but Oklahoma had to earn it. None of it was free. OU punted seven times, missed a field goal, turned the ball over on downs twice and threw a pick. That's 11 empty possessions. You can't ask for much more.

 

And yet NU didn't win the Big 12 Championship. Because of the offense. Again.

 

The times, they could be a-changing.

 

LINK

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

But Watson's forged strong relationships with Green, Brion Carnes and incoming recruits Jamal Turner and Bubba Starling. Starling, in particular, is a once-in-a-generation talent. Bigger than Martinez. Just as fast. And a leader. NU's best chance of staving off Major League Baseball - and it's a slim chance at that - is to keep the OC.

 

Personally, at this point, I don't G.A.S. Watson will find a way to turn them into mediocre players.

[zoogs]

Good article, x. I like this one by Sam, who is pretty pro-Watson from what I've seen from, for what that's worth.

 

You read the Husker Internet Illuminati long enough, and you get the sense that Bo is so enamored with Martinez's skills that he'd mortgage the future of NU's offense on it. Well, so be it. If Bo wants to hitch the Husker trailer to No. 3, do it, and we'll judge accordingly. Musical chairs at quarterback never works.

 

Now THERE's some internet message board insider rumor mill stuff that made its way to the press. Just like Dirk's article a while back though, I don't think it's really off base. Bo really loves Taylor's skills with his feet. The thing is, that wasn't *there* against OU. So what gives? Why not Green?

 

Plus: Who does Bo know in the business? What would Tom Osborne pay?

 

Then again: Is Watson too amenable? Do Bo need a big-headed red rump to roll into town, command big bucks and run the show without his interference?

 

These are good questions. I think Bo really needs to just take a step back and let Watson breathe a bit. Or, mostly, stop being so enamored with Taylor's currently vacationing running ability to the point that you'd make the call to start him and then, not to hook him.

[HUSKERCR]

We heard the same hollow excuses for "staying the course" with

the Callahan-Cosgrove circus.

 

 

Enough is enough!

[WYHusk]

We heard the same hollow excuses for "staying the course" with

the Callahan-Cosgrove circus.

 

 

Enough is enough!

THIS.

[irafreak]

The excuse of losing recruits is a poor one. We have talent this year and look what happens. We have 2 really really good running backs. I can't think of a time Post Osborne that we've had 2 really good backs like this in the same season(s). We have 2 really good tight ends (one moved to reciever). Our wideouts are solid blockers. We have an explosive qb. We have a nasty oline that CAN run block (see wildcat). We have a big target in kinnie and a playmaker in niles.

 

We had enough weapons this season to CONSISTENTLY score at least a touchdown every game! Hell we have the greatest kicker in the history of college football and we still can't get him into range for a 50-60 yard field goal? Six points against A&M! Zero in the second half last night! There is no excuse for this. None.

[Hujan]

We heard the same hollow excuses for "staying the course" with

the Callahan-Cosgrove circus.

 

 

Enough is enough!

 

x 1,000,000

 

I haven't seen a coordinator so obviously worthless since Cosgrove.

 

CAN WE PLEASE PULL THE PLUG ON THE CALLAHAN EXPERIMENT ONCE AND FOR ALL?

 

It's like a horror movie where the dude just won't die. We need to exorcise the ghost of Callahan from this program now and forever.

[husker_hurdler]

T-Magic had a T-Meltdown.

[Nexus]

I wonder if Bo would be open to hiring another OL coach that specializes in pass blocking? Let Barney focus on run blocking. People might not realize this but both Devaney and Osborne had 2 OL coaches on staff throughout their HC careers at NU. Each OL coach specialized in run and pass blocking. Milt Tenopir and Dan Young are the most recent examples of this with Tenopir in charge of run blocking while Young coached pass blocking.

[MCAT800]

If there are any changes they will be voluntary, like leaving for a new job. Unfortunately, I believe stay the course is the MO for this program. Remember TO is not a knee jerk guy so I don't think he will let Bo make any changes to the staff.

[zoogs]

I wonder if Bo would be open to hiring another OL coach that specializes in pass blocking? Let Barney focus on run blocking. People might not realize this but both Devaney and Osborne had 2 OL coaches on staff throughout their HC careers at NU. Each OL coach specialized in run and pass blocking. Milt Tenopir and Dan Young are the most recent examples of this with Tenopir in charge of run blocking while Young coached pass blocking.

 

Someone would have to leave, wouldn't they? You are only allowed so many coaches.

[Nexus]

I wonder if Bo would be open to hiring another OL coach that specializes in pass blocking? Let Barney focus on run blocking. People might not realize this but both Devaney and Osborne had 2 OL coaches on staff throughout their HC careers at NU. Each OL coach specialized in run and pass blocking. Milt Tenopir and Dan Young are the most recent examples of this with Tenopir in charge of run blocking while Young coached pass blocking.

 

Someone would have to leave, wouldn't they? You are only allowed so many coaches.

 

I should've clarified that my suggestion applies only if there were a staff shake-up. If it did occur, I'd much rather see Ron Brown take over both WR and TE like he did during the Osborne/Solich eras. That'd free up one position which would allow Bo to have 2 OL coaches.

 

But you are correct. FBS schools are only allowed 1 head coach, 9 assistants and 2 graduate assistant coaches.

[Enhance]

The article touches on this as do some of you, but I want to say it all anyways.

 

If you're going to point the finger in this game, the finger should be pointing to Watson and the thumb should be pointing to Cotton.

 

For Watson, he has lost six games in the last year because of the inability to score one touchdown. Save one 66 yard run and one trick play/Wildcat filled drive, Nebraska only managed two field goals in three quarters and no touchdowns. They fumbled 4-5 times and it looked pathetic.

 

And the play calling..my god. We dominated the first quarter on runs between the tackles and the Wildcat. Then, you spend the entire second half calling the zone read against a defense that had far more speed on the outside than they had sure tacklers on the inside. OU did not change much of their defense in the second half of the game, yet you changed your offense to one that involved run, pass, pass, punt. Martinez had some bad throws, yes, but he also should have had more help from the run game than he did. (Side note - our offensive line was not fast enough to pull to the outside to block last night, yet we kept doing it over, and over, and over)

 

For Cotton, what's up with the offensive line, man? They have been a model of inconsistency all year. They sometimes play with bad technique, they don't blow anybody off of the ball, and they get RIDICULOUS penalties (false starts) all the time. And it's definitely not a strength issue, because Dobson is a fantastic S&C guy. Every unit can have a bad game, but the offensive line played poorly against SDSU, Texas, Texas A&M, and played bad against Kansas. One could also argue that they didn't play well against Idaho, when our offense was responsible for only 24 points against a rather meager defense.

 

Overall, the point is this - Nebraska has lost six games in the last two years because of poor offensive execution when a defense was playing about as well as you could hope for. For every good offensive performance, we get one equally bad one. How much do you want to bet Nebraska plays well in their bowl game offensively?

 

I can't sit here anymore and defend Watson and the staff. The offense's preparation is far different from the defense and so is the ability to execute. Bo came to Nebraska to first fix the defense, and he kept some offensive staff members as well as hired comfortable ones in order to allow him ample space to fix what he needed to fix. Mission is accomplished, bro. The defense is back and has been for two years now. It's time to start putting people on the OTHER side of the ball that can make this into a championship team. Right now, I don't believe Watson or Cotton are capable of this.

[TheCheshireCat]

This is kind of a sh**ty situation. We have a lot of good players coming in and we might lose quite a few if Watson leaves. On the other hand, we might have the same old story next year if Watson stays.

[Hunter94]

know this, nothing will change as long as Cotton and Wats are here......nothing! time for Pelini to fish or cut bait!