Nebraska's QB Continuum

[GMoose]

absolutely not, let Martinez develop as a qb.

Not that I'm comparing these two players, but I wouldn't mind seeing T-Magic in a kerry meirer(sp?) Type role in which he practices with the qb's but lines up at wr.

BTW Nexus, the stats and articles you bring to this board are amazing. The offseason would seem even longer without the stuff like this you bring day in and day out.

I think there is opportunity for Martinez to line up in the slot. Our offense can be a whole lot more creative with TMart and Lee on the field at the same time. We can run various types of reverses, zone reads, option plays, hell even a reverse pass. The defense will start to take account of #3 when he is one the field, so he can be straight decoy or have run simple pass route and see what he can do. Either way it will make the defense vulnerable because they will take into account that #3 could get the ball in hands a variety of ways.

Sweet sig, Huskerscott

 

[huskerscott]

absolutely not, let Martinez develop as a qb.

Not that I'm comparing these two players, but I wouldn't mind seeing T-Magic in a kerry meirer(sp?) Type role in which he practices with the qb's but lines up at wr.

BTW Nexus, the stats and articles you bring to this board are amazing. The offseason would seem even longer without the stuff like this you bring day in and day out.

I think there is opportunity for Martinez to line up in the slot. Our offense can be a whole lot more creative with TMart and Lee on the field at the same time. We can run various types of reverses, zone reads, option plays, hell even a reverse pass. The defense will start to take account of #3 when he is one the field, so he can be straight decoy or have run simple pass route and see what he can do. Either way it will make the defense vulnerable because they will take into account that #3 could get the ball in hands a variety of ways.

Sweet sig, Huskerscott

Thanks, props to Huskerjock for putting it together for me. Every night before i go to bed im gonna stare at it and dream Rex tearin threw the Texas defense.

 

[bshirt]

Now, can the offense survive, even thrive, with a quarterback who has limited throwing ability? Absolutely. On his worst day, Martinez is every bit the passer that some of NU’s 1980’s quarterbacks were, and those teams did just fine

That's not how this team is built, and today's CFB world is a very, very different one from 1980 and 1990. I think if Martinez is to have any chance of being a QB, he absolutely cannot remain 25% passer. I also don't think Spano is 100% passer. He's got the knee injuries, yes, but I don't think pocket passer is a skillset description that he fits. But that's just because he came out of HS as a dual-threat.

Also, I think the knock on Zac as a runner is somewhat overblown. He showed some speed and guts against Kansas, for example:

Yes, so different it's hard to believe watching marginal programs like Navy and GT "winning" by running over people.

Look how much NU has offensively "improved" since going to the "wco/multiple/whatever it is" fluffball offense. Yeah, I'm sure a run based offense could never rival last year's multiple 99th rated offense. Things have just changed too much.

 

[GMoose]

Now, can the offense survive, even thrive, with a quarterback who has limited throwing ability? Absolutely. On his worst day, Martinez is every bit the passer that some of NU’s 1980’s quarterbacks were, and those teams did just fine

That's not how this team is built, and today's CFB world is a very, very different one from 1980 and 1990. I think if Martinez is to have any chance of being a QB, he absolutely cannot remain 25% passer. I also don't think Spano is 100% passer. He's got the knee injuries, yes, but I don't think pocket passer is a skillset description that he fits. But that's just because he came out of HS as a dual-threat.

Also, I think the knock on Zac as a runner is somewhat overblown. He showed some speed and guts against Kansas, for example:

Have ya watched GT in a bowl game since Johnson took over?! They've gotten killed both times, because the option attack can be defended very easily by 2 things: speed and planning. When GT played an SEC defense in LSU last year they didn't even score a TD. This year against Iowa who had more than a week to prepare for them, they got stood up. Also, GT has lost both games in the last 2 years when their opponents had a bye week before. Things have changed.

 

[sd'sker]

Now, can the offense survive, even thrive, with a quarterback who has limited throwing ability? Absolutely. On his worst day, Martinez is every bit the passer that some of NU’s 1980’s quarterbacks were, and those teams did just fine

That's not how this team is built, and today's CFB world is a very, very different one from 1980 and 1990. I think if Martinez is to have any chance of being a QB, he absolutely cannot remain 25% passer. I also don't think Spano is 100% passer. He's got the knee injuries, yes, but I don't think pocket passer is a skillset description that he fits. But that's just because he came out of HS as a dual-threat.

Also, I think the knock on Zac as a runner is somewhat overblown. He showed some speed and guts against Kansas, for example:

to be fair to Kansas, Kansas was just pathetic. they couldn't tackle a one-legged drunk man.

 

[deedsker15]

Now, can the offense survive, even thrive, with a quarterback who has limited throwing ability? Absolutely. On his worst day, Martinez is every bit the passer that some of NU’s 1980’s quarterbacks were, and those teams did just fine

That's not how this team is built, and today's CFB world is a very, very different one from 1980 and 1990. I think if Martinez is to have any chance of being a QB, he absolutely cannot remain 25% passer. I also don't think Spano is 100% passer. He's got the knee injuries, yes, but I don't think pocket passer is a skillset description that he fits. But that's just because he came out of HS as a dual-threat.

Also, I think the knock on Zac as a runner is somewhat overblown. He showed some speed and guts against Kansas, for example:

one thing you have to remember about these teams is the athletes you have. the reason that nebraska was so successful for all those years at running the option was because high schools around the nation did also. we also had a pipeline of nebraska kids willing to do everything they had just to be a wide receiver out there blocking. I want to see what GT can do if they continue to get big play receivers with there option attack. There just aren't as many high schools still running the option anymore.

 

[Husker_x]

Last I checked the quarterback is recruited as much for his ability to read defenses and manage an offense as his athleticism. I'm as excited about Green and Martinez as anyone, but of all our QBs, Lee is the only one with significant, meaningful experience at the position, and by all accounts the best passer. It's not that he CAN'T run, but he doesn't seem to enjoy it as much (chalk it up to an NFL dad). I think he took strides in the Holiday Bowl practices. He's not Eric Crouch and he never will be, but he does have a running dimension to his game, and unless someone else surpasses him with the mental aspects, he's our starter.

Calling it now.

 

[zoogs]

Last I checked the quarterback is recruited as much for his ability to read defenses and manage an offense as his athleticism. I'm as excited about Green and Martinez as anyone, but of all our QBs, Lee is the only one with significant, meaningful experience at the position, and by all accounts the best passer. It's not that he CAN'T run, but he doesn't seem to enjoy it as much (chalk it up to an NFL dad). I think he took strides in the Holiday Bowl practices. He's not Eric Crouch and he never will be, but he does have a running dimension to his game, and unless someone else surpasses him with the mental aspects, he's our starter.

Calling it now.

That's the big point IMO. I wouldn't leave it as "as much" - but rather "primarily." So when I said Lee's not a shabby runner, I guess what I mean is that he's mobile and he's very fast. I'm not judging him on the criteria of option QBs or RBs with vision and elusiveness, rather just on the level of 'pocket statue' vs 'guy who can make plays with his feet.' Lee falls into the latter category, which I think some of the talk about Lee tends to overlook. I mean, let's say Lee falls into a Drew Stanton mold or something. Then we got Tyler Martinez who's more like an Isiah Stanback.

A poster earlier made a nice breakdown of QBs by assigning points: Zac's a 7 passer, 5 runner, so that's a 12; Taylor is a 4 passer and a 8 runner, so that's a 12 as well, or something of that sort. I'd disagree because the two skills are not close to being weighed evenly. Sure, Zac doesn't look like Eric Crouch when he runs the option, but the option is what percentage of the offense, compared to making the right reads and making all the throws?

The nature of this offense is that the QB has a lot to handle. I mean, that's the nature of pretty much any offense, even Osborne's back in the day. It's the focal point of the entire O and a very demanding, high profile job. The criticism that it is too complicated is a little overblown too I think, because it basically comes down to being that complicated for the QB, and it pretty much has to be.

Georgia Tech and Navy are two teams in FBS that run option. Are there any others?

 

[suh_fan93]

I don't understand the emphasis on a 'running quarterback' right now so I'm probably the only one who thinks that's the last thing we should be worried about this year as an offense. Especially is Zac Lee is our quarterback or even Cody Green for that matter. The only guy I'd want running the ball from behind center is Taylor Martinez. Period. Just because Zac Lee had one, maybe two semi tolerable/decent runs last year does not equate to letting him run the ball even more. Zac see's a hole and puts both hands over the ball and runs straight as an arrow through the hole. Wait until he gets injured. With his running style it's only a matter of time.

I'd wish they'd squash the whole 'running quarterback' emphasis/talk unless they want to incorporate Martinez into the picture. This idea reeks of Shawn Watson showing once again that he really has no idea what he's doing and is grabbing at (all the wrong) straws at this point.

 

[Nexus]

Georgia Tech and Navy are two teams in FBS that run option. Are there any others?

Air Force and Army.

 

[Hunter94]

again, i don't see martinez playing any position but qb. Wats has spoken and he wants to see him through as a finished project at qb. to put him elsewhere and see Lee or Green get hurt and the other one be ineffective would be regrettable. having him run the ball and pitch it would fit the conservative philosophy, which i expect to see again this year...and the kid should be able to throw the ball some too.

relax, this kid will share time at qb this season.

 

[schuhbdoo]

Last I checked the quarterback is recruited as much for his ability to read defenses and manage an offense as his athleticism. I'm as excited about Green and Martinez as anyone, but of all our QBs, Lee is the only one with significant, meaningful experience at the position, and by all accounts the best passer. It's not that he CAN'T run, but he doesn't seem to enjoy it as much (chalk it up to an NFL dad). I think he took strides in the Holiday Bowl practices. He's not Eric Crouch and he never will be, but he does have a running dimension to his game, and unless someone else surpasses him with the mental aspects, he's our starter.

Calling it now.

That's the big point IMO. I wouldn't leave it as "as much" - but rather "primarily." So when I said Lee's not a shabby runner, I guess what I mean is that he's mobile and he's very fast. I'm not judging him on the criteria of option QBs or RBs with vision and elusiveness, rather just on the level of 'pocket statue' vs 'guy who can make plays with his feet.' Lee falls into the latter category, which I think some of the talk about Lee tends to overlook. I mean, let's say Lee falls into a Drew Stanton mold or something. Then we got Tyler Martinez who's more like an Isiah Stanback.

A poster earlier made a nice breakdown of QBs by assigning points: Zac's a 7 passer, 5 runner, so that's a 12; Taylor is a 4 passer and a 8 runner, so that's a 12 as well, or something of that sort. I'd disagree because the two skills are not close to being weighed evenly. Sure, Zac doesn't look like Eric Crouch when he runs the option, but the option is what percentage of the offense, compared to making the right reads and making all the throws?

The nature of this offense is that the QB has a lot to handle. I mean, that's the nature of pretty much any offense, even Osborne's back in the day. It's the focal point of the entire O and a very demanding, high profile job. The criticism that it is too complicated is a little overblown too I think, because it basically comes down to being that complicated for the QB, and it pretty much has to be.

Georgia Tech and Navy are two teams in FBS that run option. Are there any others?

Paul Johnson is the current GT coach and came from Navy, the other two option teams that come to mind. Army and Air Force. So the option attack is used by these type of teams.

These teams don't have the ability to recruit as other teams do so they tend to favor the option attack.

When is the last time you heard of a 5 star QB heading to one of the military schools to show off his skills?

These teams get good athletes and try to run schemes that these athletes can run.

We need a true dual threat guy. Defenses will be able to stop a running QB but if that QB can scramble and hit receivers on the run, watch out!!! (Carnes has quick feet and throws on the run very well)

I don't see Carnes reshirting, so once he gets up to speed he will be the QB of the future going forward.

 

[Whistlebritches]

It looked like to me in the Holiday bowl that all the Zac Lee runs were designed runs for him. Even if they looked like an option it appeared to me that Zac had no intention of pitching the ball. He decided before the ball was snapped what was going to happen and it made him a more confident runner with no worries of having to pitch or make a read on the fly.

At least once this season I'd like to see Zac, Rex, and T-Mart all lined up in the backfield at the same time. That's a wildcat formation.

 

[junior4949]

Now, can the offense survive, even thrive, with a quarterback who has limited throwing ability? Absolutely. On his worst day, Martinez is every bit the passer that some of NU’s 1980’s quarterbacks were, and those teams did just fine

That's not how this team is built, and today's CFB world is a very, very different one from 1980 and 1990. I think if Martinez is to have any chance of being a QB, he absolutely cannot remain 25% passer. I also don't think Spano is 100% passer. He's got the knee injuries, yes, but I don't think pocket passer is a skillset description that he fits. But that's just because he came out of HS as a dual-threat.

Also, I think the knock on Zac as a runner is somewhat overblown. He showed some speed and guts against Kansas, for example:

How long has Johnson coached at GT? He's running an option offense with players that were not recruited to run the option. I wouldn't call the option dead or say things have changed based upon his results in just two years at GT. If you're calling a 24-14 loss in a bowl game as getting killed, I urge you to go back and look at some of Nebraska's bowl losses particularly in the late 80's and early 90's. If a team has the right players, the option is still a viable offense.

 

[GMoose]

Now, can the offense survive, even thrive, with a quarterback who has limited throwing ability? Absolutely. On his worst day, Martinez is every bit the passer that some of NU’s 1980’s quarterbacks were, and those teams did just fine

That's not how this team is built, and today's CFB world is a very, very different one from 1980 and 1990. I think if Martinez is to have any chance of being a QB, he absolutely cannot remain 25% passer. I also don't think Spano is 100% passer. He's got the knee injuries, yes, but I don't think pocket passer is a skillset description that he fits. But that's just because he came out of HS as a dual-threat.

Also, I think the knock on Zac as a runner is somewhat overblown. He showed some speed and guts against Kansas, for example:

Did you watch the Orange Bowl? It was never nearly as close as the score makes it look like it may have been. GT had 155 yards of offense!

And yes, Paul Johnson did not recruit those players, but aside from Joe Webb from UAB, I don't think there was a better pure-option QB than Nesbitt in the NCAA. Not to mention an all-ACC running back un Jonathan Dwyer. Oh yeah, and Demaryius Thomas, a first round wide receiver.