First Glance: Nebraska awoke to find itself in a strange new conference.

[knapplc]

I don't think you're going to get any argument that a player suffering multiple injuries probably won't perform well. What I've been saying, and what Joyner's analysis shows, is that Martinez has the potential to be a fine QB, and he showed flashes of that last year. There's no need to exaggerate that claim.

 

[kchusker_chris]

I don't agree with this in regards to the secondary: "none of the holdovers projects as an All-American" - I think Dennard will definately make a name for himself this year, I see him having All-American potential without a doubt.

Check out the first posted comment on the bottom of the article.

haha - you really should see someone in regards to your message board addition.

 

[iowahusker09]

I don't think you're going to get any argument that a player suffering multiple injuries probably won't perform well. What I've been saying, and what Joyner's analysis shows, is that Martinez has the potential to be a fine QB, and he showed flashes of that last year. There's no need to exaggerate that claim.

Youre exactly right knappic, its hard to make an argument that martinez wont play well next year. But dont you still have some concerns? I am really hesitant to buy all of the martinez stock. As someone who broke his ankle in high school i know that it never really goes away. It is so easy for it to be re-sprained, especially when you are making the cuts that he will be expected to.

I am not worried about his mechanics. Some people are just weird and can make terrible mechanics work a la phillip rivers.

I think his biggest problem last year was the inability to look at his second and third reads. Now he was only a red. fresh. so he has plenty of room to grow and at this point he is literally as raw as you could be. If he is going to be a successful passer he is going to need to dedicate himself to becoming a student of the game. We are going to run a lot this year but being a one dimensional running team ESPECIALLY in the big ten will not be successful. I have supreme confidence that Beck can teach him everything he needs to know, but its all on his work ethic this offseason.

 

[knapplc]

I don't think you're going to get any argument that a player suffering multiple injuries probably won't perform well. What I've been saying, and what Joyner's analysis shows, is that Martinez has the potential to be a fine QB, and he showed flashes of that last year. There's no need to exaggerate that claim.

Youre exactly right knappic, its hard to make an argument that martinez wont play well next year. But dont you still have some concerns? I am really hesitant to buy all of the martinez stock. As someone who broke his ankle in high school i know that it never really goes away. It is so easy for it to be re-sprained, especially when you are making the cuts that he will be expected to.

I am not worried about his mechanics. Some people are just weird and can make terrible mechanics work a la phillip rivers.

I think his biggest problem last year was the inability to look at his second and third reads. Now he was only a red. fresh. so he has plenty of room to grow and at this point he is literally as raw as you could be. If he is going to be a successful passer he is going to need to dedicate himself to becoming a student of the game. We are going to run a lot this year but being a one dimensional running team ESPECIALLY in the big ten will not be successful. I have supreme confidence that Beck can teach him everything he needs to know, but its all on his work ethic this offseason.

Definitely! The good: Taylor Martinez was good last year. Good enough to make the Freshman All-American team, good enough to break records, good enough to be the first Freshman to start the season at QB in Husker history. I could go on.

The not so good: He fell off a CLIFF when he got injured. Hard to speak to the severity of his injury. I did not like his sideline demeanor. I did not like his behavior in interviews. I did not like many of his decisions with the ball - in the pocket, on the ground and while "passing" (ie, the Brett Favre-ian upfield chucks he displayed). I did not like what I heard about possibly quitting the team. I did not like.... a LOT of things. I could go on.

The mitigating factors: He was a Redshirt Freshman. He was injured. He was the victim of a disconnect in offensive scheme/philosophy. Allegedly there was friction between Martinez and his position coach. His supporting cast was far from perfect far too often - the line, his WRs, etc. I could go on.

The book on T-Magic is far from written. Maybe we've just read the Intro - or maybe it was a novelette and that's all we get. Short story long, I have a ton of concerns about the guy, and a ton of hope. I'll be happy to see what he's done with himself in the Spring Game, and ecstatic to watch the Fall opener.

I like where Martinez put the bar last year. This year's starter is going to have to meet or exceed that level to get the job. I'm happy with that level of production for a season.

 

[bshirt]

The article has it's flaws, but nicely summarized the issues with Martinez and our offense last year as follows:

Chalk it up to the accumulated injuries, the inexperience of a redshirt freshman in his first season as a starter, the very public frustrations with coaches that nearly drove him off the team. Martinez was one-dimensional, and when he lost that dimension – by the limitations imposed by both his body and opposing defenses – the operation ground to a halt.

Many of us have talked about this at length. Some say it was Martinez getting hurt that caused our offense to stumble. Others say it was the largely one-dimensional nature of our offense. I think the smart answer is that it was both.

The answer is clear for Beck: Put Martinez in situations where he can keep defenses honest with his arm and things will be okay. I fully expect him to do that. I honestly think that people are going to be surprised with how quickly we pick up the new offense and how effective we will be next year.

The one-dimensional nature of the offense, or the one-dimensional nature of Taylor Martinez? Taylor was just not a threat via the air when he wasn't a threat on the ground.

But I think as long as he doesn't get hurt, we won't see that same situation again next year. And if he does get hurt, I expect someone to be ready to step in if Martinez can't go in.

Well, duh....

Take away Dan Marino's arm and what do you have? Take away Z. Lee's arm (if anybody would even notice) and what do you have?

Why the hate for qbs who are greased lightning with their feet, zoogies? You must have hated Frost/Frazier/Crouch. Oh well....