2014 Huskers - biggest question marks?

[Dr. Strangelove]

This goes hand in hand with our field position struggles. The Iowa game comes to mind where Nebraska was constantly behind the sticks the entire game. I really hope we improve our punt return game (it can only go up, really) this season. For example:

I've seen a billion football games and I don't think I've seen teams do it quite like that.

The point of that video is how dumb the punt coverage is. Even if you know it's going to be a fair catch, it would still benefit the team to have a few more Huskers near the return man in the event of a muffed punt. If he doesn't field that cleanly we have no chance for a recovery.

 

[Guy Chamberlin]

My biggest question mark is the intangibles.

Which includes teamwide state-of-mind.

Which includes resiliency.

And focus.

Which has a lot to do with turnovers.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

This goes hand in hand with our field position struggles. The Iowa game comes to mind where Nebraska was constantly behind the sticks the entire game. I really hope we improve our punt return game (it can only go up, really) this season. For example:

I understand. Still a bad idea to leave your return man on an island like that. Even if you know it's going to be a fair catch, it doesn't make sense to let the entire team run by you and to continue standing there. At least have a few guys go back to assist in case of a muff. Why wouldn't a coach do that? Same outcome with a fair catch but a little more added protection.

 

[cg_8]

I don't know for sure, but I assume you only leave one guy back there for this reason:

Let's say he doesn't catch the ball. That leaves the ball jumping all over the place, which, with a couple guys back there that aren't paying attention to where the ball is or will bounce, it's not the situation you want to put your players in. If it mistakenly hits one of them, it's a live ball.

You might argue that he may muff it. Which is a possibility and happened too often than we wanted it to (muffed punt against Michigan), but a ball bouncing every which way with too many of our players back there is probably more risky. It only takes one of those extra guys back there to be engaged with an opposing player to get hit by the ball.

 

[True2tRA]

I don't know for sure, but I assume you only leave one guy back there for this reason:

Let's say he doesn't catch the ball. That leaves the ball jumping all over the place, which, with a couple guys back there that aren't paying attention to where the ball is or will bounce, it's not the situation you want to put your players in. If it mistakenly hits one of them, it's a live ball.

You might argue that he may muff it. Which is a possibility and happened too often than we wanted it to (muffed punt against Michigan), but a ball bouncing every which way with too many of our players back there is probably more risky. It only takes one of those extra guys back there to be engaged with an opposing player to get hit by the ball.

I've never seen anyone do punt returns the way Nebraska did last year. Zero blocking at all, and one man left on an island to field the punt is not how you do it. Period.
I see what you are trying to get at with your point about not having extra men back, but be realistic. Generally if teams do more than one, they do two PR's. Either way, it's not more than that, and both of those guys are watching the ball. It's not as if there's a bunch of guys standing around back there playing hot potato with it. Depending on which side of the field goes to one man calls the ball his and the other man goes up field as a lead blocker. Its not complicated so lets not make it so. Some teams may even put a third guy back but a bit ahead if those two, ten yards or do, just to take out the opposing teams "gunner" or "headhunter" whatever you want to call him.

What baffles me most is why would we not pick up any blocks? You could say we are playing safe and avoiding a fake in some of these instances, but if you look above, that Penn State Punter could have easily thrown to one of his eligible receivers for a first down if they had chose to fake it. So the next real question would be, if we aren't going to block for the PR man, why leave him on an island all by himself like that? Lastly, why if on an island, is Westerkamp fielding a punt right on the ten yard line like above, and in some cases even fielding some inside the ten last year? Again, it demonstrates a real lack of focus, awareness, and more so a lack of teaching and coaching. Still, at this level, some of this sh#t is no brainer stuff.

 

[74Hunter]

I just went back the other day and watched a few bits and pieces of some games and some of the scoring drives Beck, Armstrong, and the rest of the offense put together were masterful.

Oh I agree, when Beck was clicking and TA was feeling it we were dangerous. Teams always have to respect AA, so when TA and Beck can keep them honest it's beautiful. orderline unstoppabl

I must have watched a different team, but the Beck/TA combo reminded me more of the Watson/Zach Lee offense than an almost unstoppable offense.

 

[deedsker]

Yes we had terrible punt return teams last year that didn't block the punt, slow kick coverage down, or set up a return.

You example is still not the best evidence, although we understand what you are talking about.

 

[Landlord]

The #1 question mark (IMO) would be QB. Some great things have been said about Tommy Armstrong's leadership...we'll just have to wait & see on this one

This I don't feel is a concern at all. Tommy has proven to be a quality QB, and we only have one loss under him. Freshman growing pains, with an offense that wasn't built around him, it was built around Taylor and his fundamentals. I expect to see a different style offense and a much more sound Armstrong under center as well. With a (supposedly) better line, it should benefit him as well, especially if we aren't relying on 3rd string OL to start.

I think Armstrong proved last year to be a reliable QB. I see this as a question mark because it will be his first full season as 'the man'. Will he clean up some of those freshmen mistakes we saw last year? If Tommy gets injured, will Stanton or Fyfe be ready to lead the team to victory?

....how?

 

[kchusker_chris]

....how?

Because 5-6 months has gone by, so everything from a player's performance to Bo Pelini's approval rating has changed dramatically.

 

[Guy Chamberlin]

In the Penn State clip Westerkamp fair catches the ball at the 11 yard line.

That's borderline, but excuseable.

There were other games where he fair caught inside the 5 yard line.

That's a brain fart.

You have to know where you're standing, and if you have to look up or backpedal to catch the ball, you just let it go. Really basic stuff.

After a few muffs and turnovers early in the season, it looked like Nebraska gave up on punt returns entirely. Westerkamp was supposedly the most surehanded guy on the team. He was told to fair catch every ball and just get the offense back on the field. But too often we started with lousy field position, and that puts a crimp in the play selection.

 

[TGHusker]

Special teams and turnovers. -

On O: We have the runner, we have guys who can catch, Tommy will be better I hope,

On D: we have good LBs, a great pass rusher, and I think we will have athletic DBs even without SJB. I think the D may be the stronger unit this year - not because of talent but because of consistency.

We are doing a yo-yo thing here - one year the O is the strength of the team and the next it is the D - we won't be a championship team until both sides are strong -- unless you have SUH on your team - take away that one second and we had a championship team even with a very weak offense. Some times one game changer guy can make all of the difference. Can Gregory be that guy - maybe if he isn't doubled teamed all of the time or if others step up when he is doubled teamed. I predicted another 4L season on the poll thread. I'd like to be surprised by seeing better than expected performance from special teams, reduction in T.O. and both units playing up to their talent level.

 

[Hunter94]

In the Penn State clip Westerkamp fair catches the ball at the 11 yard line.

That's borderline, but excuseable.

There were other games where he fair caught inside the 5 yard line.

That's a brain fart.

You have to know where you're standing, and if you have to look up or backpedal to catch the ball, you just let it go. Really basic stuff.

After a few muffs and turnovers early in the season, it looked like Nebraska gave up on punt returns entirely. Westerkamp was supposedly the most surehanded guy on the team. He was told to fair catch every ball and just get the offense back on the field. But too often we started with lousy field position, and that puts a crimp in the play selection.

agree, a punt return for us was a dead play.....a weapon for most other teams. suxs......

 

[HuskerNationNick]

The #1 question mark (IMO) would be QB. Some great things have been said about Tommy Armstrong's leadership...we'll just have to wait & see on this one

This I don't feel is a concern at all. Tommy has proven to be a quality QB, and we only have one loss under him. Freshman growing pains, with an offense that wasn't built around him, it was built around Taylor and his fundamentals. I expect to see a different style offense and a much more sound Armstrong under center as well. With a (supposedly) better line, it should benefit him as well, especially if we aren't relying on 3rd string OL to start.

I think Armstrong proved last year to be a reliable QB. I see this as a question mark because it will be his first full season as 'the man'. Will he clean up some of those freshmen mistakes we saw last year? If Tommy gets injured, will Stanton or Fyfe be ready to lead the team to victory?

....how?

8-1 record with him. Sure he has had his faults, and solely his faults on some of his issues, you your negating all the issues he has had against him. A team who, in the snap of a finger, had to adjust or try to adjust to his timing, counts and voice. These are things the fans don't realize are vital. When a team practices with one guy, that being Martinez, they become one with how he runs things. From his calls at the line, to the timing of his throws. Adjusting to a new voice is not easy as well. Pulling Armstrong during times he was hot, and even when he was struggling didn't really help him improve like we would have wanted mentally. Not to mention, how many different lineman were we playing throughout the year? These guys aren't as efficient at the line as your starters, which doesn't fair well statistically for a QB, and even a RB.

If you could seriously say that this kid hasn't shown, most of the time, that he can be a quality QB, your just lying to yourself. Did he make a lot of mistakes? Yes. Are any of them fixable? Every single one can be.

 

[Landlord]

If you could seriously say that this kid hasn't shown, most of the time, that he can be a quality QB, your just lying to yourself.

First, saying that he can be a quality quarterback is very different than saying that he has already proven that he is a reliable quarterback.

Second, while I think he has potential and can be really good for us, proven and reliable are towards the end of the list of qualities I would attribute to him.

He went 7-1*** as a starter, but come on man, actually look into the statistic:

South Dakota State - Okay good job beating an FCS school I guess

Illinois - Ameer Abdullah carried us for 200+ yards against a team that finished 4-8. Tommy played pretty well.

Purdue - Threw three interceptions and completed 33% of his passes against a team that finished 1-11.

Northwestern - Threw three more interceptions and was bailed out by Ron Kellogg winning the game for him.

Michigan - Did a good job managing the game and reducing turnovers letting our defense wreak havoc.

Michigan State - Three fumbles inside our territory and an interception all by Tommy ruined any chance at winning this game.

Penn State - Played one series. Ron Kellogg won the game.

Georgia - Played very well but not great against a good but not great team and mostly did what was asked of him.

You're right - his mistakes are fixable. But you're saying that he has already proven himself to be reliable when, I mean, I just don't see it. Kody Spano could have won the first three games with both torn ACL's.

And Cody Green was undefeated as a starter so that's compelling.

 

[AngryHusker88]

The #1 question mark (IMO) would be QB. Some great things have been said about Tommy Armstrong's leadership...we'll just have to wait & see on this one

This I don't feel is a concern at all. Tommy has proven to be a quality QB, and we only have one loss under him. Freshman growing pains, with an offense that wasn't built around him, it was built around Taylor and his fundamentals. I expect to see a different style offense and a much more sound Armstrong under center as well. With a (supposedly) better line, it should benefit him as well, especially if we aren't relying on 3rd string OL to start.

I think Armstrong proved last year to be a reliable QB. I see this as a question mark because it will be his first full season as 'the man'. Will he clean up some of those freshmen mistakes we saw last year? If Tommy gets injured, will Stanton or Fyfe be ready to lead the team to victory?

....how?

Uh...well lets see...was 7-1 as a starter (6-1 really, Northwestern goes to Ron Kellogg)...dominated Illinois & Purdue...led a game winning drive against Michigan in their own stadium...hit Quincy for a 99 yard TD against Georgia & won that game. Bottom line is he won games.

I still see our QB position as an unknown...but the dude was 6-1 as a freshmen thrown in unexpectedly...so I'd say he was reliable last season given the circumstances...if you disagree, whatever I don't care