BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
Murtha ready to step up
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 12:41:12 am CDT
His performance at Nebraska thus far has been something of an enigma. At 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, with impressive athleticism, Lydon Murtha seems to possess the requisite physical tools to be a standout offensive tackle. As a high school senior, he was ranked by recruiting guru Tom Lemming as the nation’s No. 1 prospect at his position.
Yet Murtha generally fell short of expectations, including his own, during his first three years on campus.
His objective this spring as he prepares for his junior season? “Basically just establish myself as a solid tackle,” said Murtha, a part-time starter at both left and right tackle in 2006. “I’ve gone through the whole rotation thing. Now I just want to establish myself as a starter. Basically just solidify a spot.
“It’s my junior year,” he added. “I should be a solid starter by now. I was hoping to do it earlier, but it’s not my choice. But this year is definitely my time to step up and play the game of football.”
A native of Hutchinson, Minn., Murtha has battled through spring practice as Nebraska’s No. 1 right tackle ahead of redshirt freshman D.J. Jones of Omaha.
Last season, Murtha played in a rotation of tackles that also included Chris Patrick, Matt Slauson and Carl Nicks. Patrick has since declared for the NFL supplemental draft, and Slauson has moved to right guard.
That leaves Nicks as the projected starter at left tackle, with Murtha determined to take over on the right side.
“So far, so good,” said Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, adding that Murtha has been “real solid” through a dozen spring practices.
Murtha’s foremost quality, Callahan said, is the ability to protect the quarterback from “speed rushers.”
“We’re seeing plenty of that this spring as we get matched up against (outside linebacker) Steve Octavien,” the coach said, referring to the use of Octavien as a rusher in obvious passing situations.
What’s more, “Lydon’s getting more consistent in his run blocking,” Callahan said. “He’s gaining confidence. He has outstanding ability to run and get on the edge. We’re trying to feature him in terms of what he does well.”
Murtha last season started twice at left tackle (against Missouri and Colorado) and once on the right side (Auburn). In 2005, he started two games at left tackle after redshirting in 2004.
He said he has struggled to find his rhythm.
“Last year, you’re just rotating and rotating and rotating, and it’s hard to get a good groove when you’re flipping sides and coming in and coming out (of games),” he said.
“It’s a lot easier when you can just solidify one spot and work at one spot. It’s easier to refine your technique and accomplish what you need to get done and not worry about different calls from different sides of the line.
“That’s when you become a really good football player.”
Murtha is mindful of Nebraska offensive line coach Dennis Wagner’s grading system. To be sure, Husker offensive linemen are intensely scrutinized during practice and games, although Murtha’s lack of consistency during the past two seasons didn’t require intense scrutiny to pick up. It was glaring at times.
“I think toward the end of last season I started to play a little bit better,” Murtha said. However, at times, “I wasn’t as aggressive as I should’ve been. That’s probably the main thing. Now I’m starting to know what I’m doing and I’m not making mental errors.
“It’s mostly about having tenacity. That’s what I’m working on right now, and it’s coming. I mean, so many people say you’re born with it, and you’re really not. It’s something you have to do mentally when you get on the field.
“Everyone’s different, and it’s something I have to work on.”
Murtha prefers playing the right side. As a right-hander, right tackle feels more natural to him, he said. Plus, he played right tackle all through high school, helping pave the way for current Nebraska wide receiver Nate Swift to rush for 2,000 yards as a senior tailback.
Murtha in 2003 was named Minnesota’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
Perhaps Murtha can now become a star at the college level.
“I’ve played in a lot of games (at Nebraska), but it was one of those things where I’m just in the mix,” he said. “Now I want to become a leader. I want to become a leader on the offensive line. Right now, I think myself as well as all the other linemen are stepping up and taking on bigger roles.”
js
BY STEVEN M. SIPPLE / Lincoln Journal Star
Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007 - 12:41:12 am CDT
His performance at Nebraska thus far has been something of an enigma. At 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, with impressive athleticism, Lydon Murtha seems to possess the requisite physical tools to be a standout offensive tackle. As a high school senior, he was ranked by recruiting guru Tom Lemming as the nation’s No. 1 prospect at his position.
Yet Murtha generally fell short of expectations, including his own, during his first three years on campus.
His objective this spring as he prepares for his junior season? “Basically just establish myself as a solid tackle,” said Murtha, a part-time starter at both left and right tackle in 2006. “I’ve gone through the whole rotation thing. Now I just want to establish myself as a starter. Basically just solidify a spot.
“It’s my junior year,” he added. “I should be a solid starter by now. I was hoping to do it earlier, but it’s not my choice. But this year is definitely my time to step up and play the game of football.”
A native of Hutchinson, Minn., Murtha has battled through spring practice as Nebraska’s No. 1 right tackle ahead of redshirt freshman D.J. Jones of Omaha.
Last season, Murtha played in a rotation of tackles that also included Chris Patrick, Matt Slauson and Carl Nicks. Patrick has since declared for the NFL supplemental draft, and Slauson has moved to right guard.
That leaves Nicks as the projected starter at left tackle, with Murtha determined to take over on the right side.
“So far, so good,” said Nebraska coach Bill Callahan, adding that Murtha has been “real solid” through a dozen spring practices.
Murtha’s foremost quality, Callahan said, is the ability to protect the quarterback from “speed rushers.”
“We’re seeing plenty of that this spring as we get matched up against (outside linebacker) Steve Octavien,” the coach said, referring to the use of Octavien as a rusher in obvious passing situations.
What’s more, “Lydon’s getting more consistent in his run blocking,” Callahan said. “He’s gaining confidence. He has outstanding ability to run and get on the edge. We’re trying to feature him in terms of what he does well.”
Murtha last season started twice at left tackle (against Missouri and Colorado) and once on the right side (Auburn). In 2005, he started two games at left tackle after redshirting in 2004.
He said he has struggled to find his rhythm.
“Last year, you’re just rotating and rotating and rotating, and it’s hard to get a good groove when you’re flipping sides and coming in and coming out (of games),” he said.
“It’s a lot easier when you can just solidify one spot and work at one spot. It’s easier to refine your technique and accomplish what you need to get done and not worry about different calls from different sides of the line.
“That’s when you become a really good football player.”
Murtha is mindful of Nebraska offensive line coach Dennis Wagner’s grading system. To be sure, Husker offensive linemen are intensely scrutinized during practice and games, although Murtha’s lack of consistency during the past two seasons didn’t require intense scrutiny to pick up. It was glaring at times.
“I think toward the end of last season I started to play a little bit better,” Murtha said. However, at times, “I wasn’t as aggressive as I should’ve been. That’s probably the main thing. Now I’m starting to know what I’m doing and I’m not making mental errors.
“It’s mostly about having tenacity. That’s what I’m working on right now, and it’s coming. I mean, so many people say you’re born with it, and you’re really not. It’s something you have to do mentally when you get on the field.
“Everyone’s different, and it’s something I have to work on.”
Murtha prefers playing the right side. As a right-hander, right tackle feels more natural to him, he said. Plus, he played right tackle all through high school, helping pave the way for current Nebraska wide receiver Nate Swift to rush for 2,000 yards as a senior tailback.
Murtha in 2003 was named Minnesota’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
Perhaps Murtha can now become a star at the college level.
“I’ve played in a lot of games (at Nebraska), but it was one of those things where I’m just in the mix,” he said. “Now I want to become a leader. I want to become a leader on the offensive line. Right now, I think myself as well as all the other linemen are stepping up and taking on bigger roles.”
js
