Offensive Potential

[bshirt]

I think this will be our best offense since 2008.

I agree with that, hopefully Taylor can provide even half the passing attack Ganz gave us. If he does, we could be very dangerous on offense. I do think that our running game right now is well beoynd what it was in 2008, especially with Burkhead having some legit help.

So better than the 2009, 2010, and 2011 offense? That's not saying much

I knew that wouldn't take long. And I don't necessarily disagree.

Same here. Better than the 2009 offense wouldn't be saying much, but better than 2010 and 2011 would be pleasing because the offense was the strength of the team in 2011 and explosive for the first half of the season in 2010.

2010 & 2011 were scoring explosions relative to 2009. Especially considering 2009's offense had a sensational defense that gave them the ball endlessly. I don't understand why they're considered the same.

 

[carlfense]

Best offense since 2008. Defense roughly the same as last year. That's my expectations.

 

[Chaddyboxer]

Find the stat for fumbles and interceptions by Taylor in the games following the Wisconsin game. Maybe I'm forgetting a few, but I think he did really well last year.

No one seems to track that. Feel free to check it out yourself if you're curious.

I'm not really that interested. I'm pretty satisfied with Taylor's progress and the mentality that he brings to the team.

i want to see the progress under fire against some good teams this season......seeing is believing.

It's too bad you didn't see watch our games. Yeah, Ohio State wasn't a good "team" but their defense was. So was Penn State's. So was Michigan State's. Tmart was the "only" good thing we had going vs NW as our defense was absent, our wrs dropped passes everywhere (as usual) & our Oline was stuffed.

What you need to understand is that Tmart, Carnes or whoever we have at qb isn't going to magically change the play of our defense, Oline or wrs.

Good intelligent post Bshirt. I dig. People forget that those defenses were GOOD. For crying out loud....we were running all over the 5th ranked defense in the country in the Capitol One Bowl until our offense imploded and the team crapped their pants....

 

[Chaddyboxer]

We need a better defense this year....or some solid consistent production....or this is going to be another 3-4 loss season. However, I believe the defense will improve and we'll see more like a 1-2 loss season.

 

[Enhance]

The 2010 offense was a scoring explosion....at times. I would not want that offense back, even with a healthy team, if given the choice.

Look at the Missouri game - Helu had three runs where he wasn't touched at all, and we had one deep pass to Reed. Otherwise, the offense had three points. Against Kansas State, it was a similar story - several big Martinez runs, a huge run from Helu, a deep pass to Reed.

Then, we get to Texas - a team with better defensive speed and talent. They wiped the floor with our attack. Against Oklahoma, we scored early off of a big explosive play and then couldn't sustain a drive in the second half.

A big play, scoring offense is fun. But, when the chips are on the table, and you need to put together a 10 play 70 yard drive, could the 2010 Nebraska offense do it? Not consistently at all, imho. That's why I thought the 2011 offense wasn't as good, but we were more consistent in that one year than we ever were in 2009 or 2010 with Watson. If we didn't get the big play, we were screwed. Last year, I felt that if we didn't get the big play, we'd be alright.

 

[Enhance]

We need a better defense this year....or some solid consistent production....or this is going to be another 3-4 loss season. However, I believe the defense will improve and we'll see more like a 1-2 loss season.

I hope the new defensive line coach will help in this regard. We are not lacking talent on the defensive line, and we're often lauded for our strength and conditioning, yet there were too many times last year that far inferior offensive lines would shove us around. We consistently had rushers gash us for 5+ yard runs. Even against inferior competition we surrendered high rushing totals.

Pelini is a far wiser than me, but it doesn't take a genius to notice our defensive line simply wasn't that good last year, and our finishing 112th in the nation in TFL's shows this. We had no penetration, an inability to shed blockers and an inability to get consistent penetration from our linebackers. Pelini knows his scheme and I don't, but it shouldn't take a guy like Suh for us to have a good rushing defense. If it does, then I'm at a loss for words.

 

[Chaddyboxer]

The 2010 offense was a scoring explosion....at times. I would not want that offense back, even with a healthy team, if given the choice.

Look at the Missouri game - Helu had three runs where he wasn't touched at all, and we had one deep pass to Reed. Otherwise, the offense had three points. Against Kansas State, it was a similar story - several big Martinez runs, a huge run from Helu, a deep pass to Reed.

Then, we get to Texas - a team with better defensive speed and talent. They wiped the floor with our attack. Against Oklahoma, we scored early off of a big explosive play and then couldn't sustain a drive in the second half.

A big play, scoring offense is fun. But, when the chips are on the table, and you need to put together a 10 play 70 yard drive, could the 2010 Nebraska offense do it? Not consistently at all, imho. That's why I thought the 2011 offense wasn't as good, but we were more consistent in that one year than we ever were in 2009 or 2010 with Watson. If we didn't get the big play, we were screwed. Last year, I felt that if we didn't get the big play, we'd be alright.

I'd take consistent 1st downs rather than the big play. When you have consistent first downs...it typically shows that your offense can execute plays well and do it often. Personally...the 2010 offense was quite explosive and yes...relied on the big play. BUT the 2011 offense chipped away at teams and wore them out. The team made smart decisions and utilized the clock. Both offenses have their advantages and disadvantages.....During the 2011 season, however, this offense showed that it could score against some of the top defenses in the country.

 

[bshirt]

The 2010 offense was a scoring explosion....at times. I would not want that offense back, even with a healthy team, if given the choice.

Look at the Missouri game - Helu had three runs where he wasn't touched at all, and we had one deep pass to Reed. Otherwise, the offense had three points. Against Kansas State, it was a similar story - several big Martinez runs, a huge run from Helu, a deep pass to Reed.

Then, we get to Texas - a team with better defensive speed and talent. They wiped the floor with our attack. Against Oklahoma, we scored early off of a big explosive play and then couldn't sustain a drive in the second half.

A big play, scoring offense is fun. But, when the chips are on the table, and you need to put together a 10 play 70 yard drive, could the 2010 Nebraska offense do it? Not consistently at all, imho. That's why I thought the 2011 offense wasn't as good, but we were more consistent in that one year than we ever were in 2009 or 2010 with Watson. If we didn't get the big play, we were screwed. Last year, I felt that if we didn't get the big play, we'd be alright.

Most respectfully disagree about the 2010 Texas game. Texas sold out to stop our running game. Our wrs (& even SuperRex) catch half of Tmart or Lee's passes we win. They catch 75% of their passes we very well might have blown the game wide open. It wasn't so much Texas's defense (at all) that stopped us. It was our stone hands.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking our wrs dropping passes all game long is just par for the course so it really doesn't count. There's some truth to that but I'm sure you agree that at some point they simply must get better.

 

[bshirt]

There's only two things limiting this offense from reaching it's potential and becoming dominant; 1) our WRs hands and 2) our OLs focus. If our WRs can focus and catch the damn ball when it is thrown to them and if our OL can remember the snap count and minimize holding and other stupid mental errors there's no limit to what this offense will be able to accomplish.

I'd probably say:

1. OL. First and foremost.

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2. Taylor Martinez's decision making/ball security.

3. WR's hands.

If you look at every game after the Wisconsin game, Taylor Martinez was probably as good of a decision-maker that we could have asked for. All we need from Taylor is for him to work on his passing and make it more effective. After that, as long as he stays consistent and effective in every other area and makes steady improvement in game management like he has been doing, we will be really good offensively.

I would agree that he improved. He still needs to improve his ball security.

Find the stat for fumbles and interceptions by Taylor in the games following the Wisconsin game. Maybe I'm forgetting a few, but I think he did really well last year.

I don't have the fumbles but Tmart only threw three interceptions after the Wisconsin game (7 games). Heck, one was a Hail Mary with 2 seconds left in the 1st half vs Ohio State. That was vs some damn fine defenses too (Iowa, South Carolina, Penn St, Michigan St, Michigan & Ohio State).

 

[HuskerShark]

I don't have the fumbles but Tmart only threw three interceptions after the Wisconsin game (7 games). Heck, one was a Hail Mary with 2 seconds left in the 1st half vs Ohio State. That was vs some damn fine defenses too (Iowa, South Carolina, Penn St, Michigan St, Michigan & Ohio State).

Not bad.

 

[Enhance]

The 2010 offense was a scoring explosion....at times. I would not want that offense back, even with a healthy team, if given the choice.

Look at the Missouri game - Helu had three runs where he wasn't touched at all, and we had one deep pass to Reed. Otherwise, the offense had three points. Against Kansas State, it was a similar story - several big Martinez runs, a huge run from Helu, a deep pass to Reed.

Then, we get to Texas - a team with better defensive speed and talent. They wiped the floor with our attack. Against Oklahoma, we scored early off of a big explosive play and then couldn't sustain a drive in the second half.

A big play, scoring offense is fun. But, when the chips are on the table, and you need to put together a 10 play 70 yard drive, could the 2010 Nebraska offense do it? Not consistently at all, imho. That's why I thought the 2011 offense wasn't as good, but we were more consistent in that one year than we ever were in 2009 or 2010 with Watson. If we didn't get the big play, we were screwed. Last year, I felt that if we didn't get the big play, we'd be alright.

Most respectfully disagree about the 2010 Texas game. Texas sold out to stop our running game. Our wrs (& even SuperRex) catch half of Tmart or Lee's passes we win. They catch 75% of their passes we very well might have blown the game wide open. It wasn't so much Texas's defense (at all) that stopped us. It was our stone hands.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking our wrs dropping passes all game long is just par for the course so it really doesn't count. There's some truth to that but I'm sure you agree that at some point they simply must get better.

No, I agree with what you're saying, but I think I look at it a little differently. The 2010 Texas defense surrendered 23 points in conjunction with an anemic offense, but also finished in the Top 10 in yards allowed - ahead of us, in fact. They were pretty good.

But, I think what you're saying somewhat supports my argument. I think Nebraska lost that game more-so than Texas won it, but they did exactly what they needed to do - stop our run, force Martinez to pass, and they did it pretty darn well. I bet if you broke down our wins and losses from that year, we'd have a significantly higher big play average in the wins than losses. But lets say, for arguments sake, we take away the Texas game. That stills leaves our poor performance after the first couple of quarters against Oklahoma, when we were incapable of getting a big play. I also completely forgot about the Texas A&M game which, despite our shafting from the referees, was a terrible offensive performance. When we didn't have the big play, we suffered.

But yes, I absolutely agree with your last part. At some point they simply need to get better - wr's, the lines, you name it. I like what we have at WR, and I like the potential that we have on the line, although, this year and next year are huge for Cotton. Martinez isn't even in the top 5 of things that worry me about this team.

 

[bshirt]

The 2010 offense was a scoring explosion....at times. I would not want that offense back, even with a healthy team, if given the choice.

Look at the Missouri game - Helu had three runs where he wasn't touched at all, and we had one deep pass to Reed. Otherwise, the offense had three points. Against Kansas State, it was a similar story - several big Martinez runs, a huge run from Helu, a deep pass to Reed.

Then, we get to Texas - a team with better defensive speed and talent. They wiped the floor with our attack. Against Oklahoma, we scored early off of a big explosive play and then couldn't sustain a drive in the second half.

A big play, scoring offense is fun. But, when the chips are on the table, and you need to put together a 10 play 70 yard drive, could the 2010 Nebraska offense do it? Not consistently at all, imho. That's why I thought the 2011 offense wasn't as good, but we were more consistent in that one year than we ever were in 2009 or 2010 with Watson. If we didn't get the big play, we were screwed. Last year, I felt that if we didn't get the big play, we'd be alright.

Most respectfully disagree about the 2010 Texas game. Texas sold out to stop our running game. Our wrs (& even SuperRex) catch half of Tmart or Lee's passes we win. They catch 75% of their passes we very well might have blown the game wide open. It wasn't so much Texas's defense (at all) that stopped us. It was our stone hands.

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking our wrs dropping passes all game long is just par for the course so it really doesn't count. There's some truth to that but I'm sure you agree that at some point they simply must get better.

No, I agree with what you're saying, but I think I look at it a little differently. The 2010 Texas defense surrendered 23 points in conjunction with an anemic offense, but also finished in the Top 10 in yards allowed - ahead of us, in fact. They were pretty good.

But, I think what you're saying somewhat supports my argument. I think Nebraska lost that game more-so than Texas won it, but they did exactly what they needed to do - stop our run, force Martinez to pass, and they did it pretty darn well. I bet if you broke down our wins and losses from that year, we'd have a significantly higher big play average in the wins than losses. But lets say, for arguments sake, we take away the Texas game. That stills leaves our poor performance after the first couple of quarters against Oklahoma, when we were incapable of getting a big play. I also completely forgot about the Texas A&M game which, despite our shafting from the referees, was a terrible offensive performance. When we didn't have the big play, we suffered.

But yes, I absolutely agree with your last part. At some point they simply need to get better - wr's, the lines, you name it. I like what we have at WR, and I like the potential that we have on the line, although, this year and next year are huge for Cotton. Martinez isn't even in the top 5 of things that worry me about this team.

Oh yeah, I'm a big Cotton supporter (undoubtedly the only one) and fully agree we "must" see improvement this year and especially after that. We've got boatloads of young road graders where previously we had huge depth & talent problems. So, he has the cards to play with now "and" an OC that's much more inline with his smashmouth mentality that I for one like very much.

So my friend, this is when he hacks it or doesn't. Right now. We'll see.....

However, once again, we'll just agree to disagree about that Texas game. I think if we simply catch the ball they would have had to play it straight and we'd have steamrolled Texas into the dust. Ha....it's ok to see it differently though.

GBR!!