ESPNs position group rankings B1G

[n.e.husker]

Specialists

 

1. Nebraska: Boy, did we mess this up in the preseason by ranking the Huskers 11th out of 12. Though we wrote at the time that Nebraska would almost certainly outperform its low rankings, we thought replacing star punter/kicker Alex Henery would be tough. Not really, as Brett Maher was one of the best punters and kickers in the league and the country. Freshman Ameer Abdullah was a star in kick returns, finishing ninth nationally in that category. So just remove one of the ones from that preseason number, and then we've got it right.

 

Defensive Backs

 

 

5. Nebraska: The Huskers had the Big Ten's best defensive back in Dennard, who shut down arguably the league's top two receivers (Marvin McNutt, B.J. Cunningham) in Nebraska victories. But the group's overall performance was a bit underwhelming, as opposing teams attacked the deep middle and caused some personnel shuffling. Opposing teams completed just 53.2 percent of their passes against Nebraska, the lowest number in the Big Ten. Hard-hitting safety Daimion Stafford emerged for a group that loses Dennard and veteran safety Austin Cassidy.

 

 

Linebackers

 

5. Nebraska: Depth was not a strong suit for the Huskers by any means, but there was no better linebacker in the league and few better in the nation than All-American Lavonte David. He had 133 tackles and countless big plays. Will Compton came on as the season wore along to provide a good complement to David. Finding consistent play elsewhere at the position was a challenge for Nebraska.

 

 

Defensive Line

 

7. Nebraska: The biggest disappointment from the preseason, as the Huskers tumbled from their No. 1 ranking last summer. Jared Crick's season-ending injury hurt the production, but he was not putting up huge numbers before he tore his pectoral muscle. Cameron Meredith, Baker Steinkuhler and Eric Martin had some nice moments, but Nebraska wasn't nearly as fierce up front as we thought it might be.

 

 

Offensive Line

 

3. Nebraska: Despite injuries and inexperience, the Huskers' line held together pretty well in 2011, especially when you consider they operated in a new offensive system. Nebraska finished third in the league in rushing, as the front five paved a path for Rex Burkhead and Taylor Martinez. Nebraska did a decent job limiting sacks and tackles for loss and kept Martinez healthy for the season.

 

 

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

 

9. Nebraska: The Huskers must improve their overall passing game to take the next step as a program, and that includes a receivers group that had an up-and-down season in 2011. The good news is that Kenny Bell emerged as a potential star as a redshirt freshman. But Brandon Kinnie and tight end Kyler Reed failed to build on strong 2010 campaigns and were invisible for large stretches. Nebraska must hope Quincy Enunwa and Jamal Turner develop to go along with Bell.

 

 

Running Backs

 

2. Nebraska: Rex Burkhead wore an "N" on his helmet, but it might as well have been an "S" on his chest. The player nicknamed "Superman" triggered a Nebraska rushing attack that ranked 15th nationally. Burkhead racked up 284 carries for 1,357 rush yards and 13 touchdowns. Although the Huskers didn't show a ton of depth at the position, young players like Ameer Abdullah have bright futures.

 

Quarterbacks

 

5. Nebraska: Taylor Martinez's improvement wasn't easy to measure in statistics. His completion percentage dipped to 56.3 in 2011, and he had far less of an impact running the ball over the last half of the season — he failed to run for more than 56 yards and did not have a rushing touchdown in the final seven games. But Martinez got better as a game manager and leader and remained a dual threat defenses had to account for. And he learned to protect the ball better, throwing just three interceptions in his final eight games.

 

 

http://espn.go.com/b...ngs-specialists

 

I guess im on an espn kick lately, boredom/offseason = bad things.

[krc1995]

wow- not a single rushing td in the last 7 games for TM. I did not realize that

[knapplc]

wow- not a single rushing td in the last 7 games for TM. I did not realize that

 

That's why I disagree with their #3 ranking for our O Line. Far too often we failed to seal blocks and plays that could have been bigger broke down - not just for Martinez, but for all the backs.

 

Martinez has his own issues to deal with, which he'll either fix or get passed on the depth chart for, but that stat is as telling about the O Line as it is anything else. Rex's TDs also went down in that stretch, from nine in his first six games to just six over his last seven, including getting shut out against Michigan and South Carolina. When opponents stacked up against the run, we couldn't overcome it.

[B.B. Hemingway]

Offensive line is ranked too high, Defensive line, and WR's are ranked too low.... We return the same DLine as we had the last half of last season, that should get us better then 7th.... And based on potential alone or WR's should be higher then 9th....Martinez didnt do our Wideouts any favors, hopefully that footwork, and release point of the ball can change that for Martinez....

[redout22]

D-line definitely under played this year.. Special teams was a great surprise though

[lo country]

TE and WR, no way are we that low. I guess though I am jaded as I look at potential vs actual 2011 season results. I guess as of yet, we have no McNutt or Cunningham or Blackmon or Jefferies etc who has stepped up and can dominate. ntil we do, we will be looked at as not having good/great receivers.

[Blaze1up]

Ow ! D and wideouts, not so good.

[Excel]

Got a link to the RB page?

[gamecocks]

Those were rankings for last year, right? Not rankings for this next year.

[Husker 93]

Yes I believe those were post season rankings, and I think other than the OL.....pretty accurate.

[bshirt]

Offensive line is ranked too high, Defensive line, and WR's are ranked too low.... We return the same DLine as we had the last half of last season, that should get us better then 7th.... And based on potential alone or WR's should be higher then 9th....Martinez didnt do our Wideouts any favors, hopefully that footwork, and release point of the ball can change that for Martinez....

 

Well, our WRs haven't done Tmart or Z. Lee any favors either the last three years.

[huskered17]

I just wonder with another year and his ankle fully healed, is he ready to take that next step. Martinez seemed to get better as the season went on, as far as protecting the ball, not taking risks throwing it, and managing the offense. I can see him getting better as a passer, and the % stuff was not real accurate, when you think of some of the drops that happened and stopped some crucial drives. He will never be a great passer, but we do seem to have the players around him so he won't be asked to do more than he can handle. JMO

 

GBR!!!