Projected Starting Line Up

[suh_fan93]

Does Martinez turn the ball over less especially in big games? In year 4 can he finally have the consistent season only 3 prior years of experience can give?

Who emerges from the LB spot and with all of the potential there could this turn out to be an actual strong spot for this maligned defense? Could we even possibly see a playmaker emerge out of this group?

Does this young DL remain as porous as last years unit or do they actually improve?

Does this years defense actually surprise people despite all of the newcomers or do they look as lost as they did at times last season?

Does Jamal Turner bust out this year or be underutilized as I thought he may have been last year? Does any backup QB see any time this year whether it be in a big game or in a game NU has a handly lead in?

So many questions...

 

[EZ-E]

Does Martinez turn the ball over less especially in big games? In year 4 can he finally have the consistent season only 3 prior years of experience can give?

Who emerges from the LB spot and with all of the potential there could this turn out to be an actual strong spot for this maligned defense? Could we even possibly see a playmaker emerge out of this group?

Does this young DL remain as porous as last years unit or do they actually improve?

Does this years defense actually surprise people despite all of the newcomers or do they look as lost as they did at times last season?

Does Jamal Turner bust out this year or be underutilized as I thought he may have been last year? Does any backup QB see any time this year whether it be in a big game or in a game NU has a handly lead in?

So many questions...

I don't believe you read the full post as I listed my expectations.

Next, show me a College Football team that doesn't have a single question on June 4th.

 

[suh_fan93]

Does Martinez turn the ball over less especially in big games? In year 4 can he finally have the consistent season only 3 prior years of experience can give?

Who emerges from the LB spot and with all of the potential there could this turn out to be an actual strong spot for this maligned defense? Could we even possibly see a playmaker emerge out of this group?

Does this young DL remain as porous as last years unit or do they actually improve?

Does this years defense actually surprise people despite all of the newcomers or do they look as lost as they did at times last season?

Does Jamal Turner bust out this year or be underutilized as I thought he may have been last year? Does any backup QB see any time this year whether it be in a big game or in a game NU has a handly lead in?

So many questions...

I don't believe you read the full post as I listed my expectations.

Next, show me a College Football team that doesn't have a single question on June 4th.

Umm....these are legimate questions that I have first off and not a slam to your post........

 

[Blackshirts007]

IMO Jamal Turner is the biggest weapon on offense. Get the dude the ball.

 

[Enhance]

Does Martinez turn the ball over less especially in big games? In year 4 can he finally have the consistent season only 3 prior years of experience can give?

Who emerges from the LB spot and with all of the potential there could this turn out to be an actual strong spot for this maligned defense? Could we even possibly see a playmaker emerge out of this group?

Does this young DL remain as porous as last years unit or do they actually improve?

Does this years defense actually surprise people despite all of the newcomers or do they look as lost as they did at times last season?

Does Jamal Turner bust out this year or be underutilized as I thought he may have been last year? Does any backup QB see any time this year whether it be in a big game or in a game NU has a handly lead in?

So many questions...

I think these are all legitimate questions sans the two bolded. I thought Martinez already had a very consistent year last year. He made mistakes like anybody else, but he played very well. Martinez is one of the three best players on offense.

And for the second question, I see this argument brought up a lot, and it's somewhat silly. Look at other programs around the country and you'll see exactly what you see here - the backup QB plays in mop up duty or after an injury. That's it. Quarterback is the most important individual position on an offense and you can't rotate it like you do other positions. I have absolutely no problem with our backup sitting an entire game, especially when we have Martinez.

 

[skersfan]

I agree that that happens, but we are in a deep hole if someone does not get quality time this year. Taylor has ran the show for 4 years, with hardly anyone getting game time snaps that mean a thing.

We bitched and bitched about how bad he was, but it was the same thing. Never taken a snap. I would agree if we were a drop back passing team, but we are not. These young kids need to get their feet wet. It is the same on both sides of the ball. Tell me you would not feel better about our defense this year if some of those that red shirted had played last year.

I am afraid we are going to be on the Hypsman run if Taylor plays like I think he can this year. Armstrong will never see the field. It is time to learn from mistakes, play the young kids, get their feet wet. Don't throw them to the wolves.

 

[EZ-E]

Does Martinez turn the ball over less especially in big games? In year 4 can he finally have the consistent season only 3 prior years of experience can give?

Who emerges from the LB spot and with all of the potential there could this turn out to be an actual strong spot for this maligned defense? Could we even possibly see a playmaker emerge out of this group?

Does this young DL remain as porous as last years unit or do they actually improve?

Does this years defense actually surprise people despite all of the newcomers or do they look as lost as they did at times last season?

Does Jamal Turner bust out this year or be underutilized as I thought he may have been last year? Does any backup QB see any time this year whether it be in a big game or in a game NU has a handly lead in?

So many questions...

I think these are all legitimate questions sans the two bolded. I thought Martinez already had a very consistent year last year. He made mistakes like anybody else, but he played very well. Martinez is one of the three best players on offense.

And for the second question, I see this argument brought up a lot, and it's somewhat silly. Look at other programs around the country and you'll see exactly what you see here - the backup QB plays in mop up duty or after an injury. That's it. Quarterback is the most important individual position on an offense and you can't rotate it like you do other positions. I have absolutely no problem with our backup sitting an entire game, especially when we have Martinez.

Agreed to all of the above. First and foremost, Suh_fan, I apologize as I've had a few to drink tonight. Shouldn't have been that jumpy. I will counter the QB question with another one though:

When was it that we had the luxury of getting other QBs reps? Last year, it would have been STUPID to burn Armstrong's shirt. Absolutely stupid. We would have gone full retard to do that and you never go full retard.

This year, if we beat UCLA we should be able to line up and win every other game between that one and Michigan on the fact we will just be flat out better than everyone else. I hope to see us develop a ton of depth in between those two games at every spot on both sides of the ball.

Again SUH_Fan, apologize for the short fuse of mine with the other post.

 

[Enhance]

These young kids need to get their feet wet. It is the same on both sides of the ball. Tell me you would not feel better about our defense this year if some of those that red shirted had played last year.

I again would argue the quarterback position is different than any other, with facets that make rotating and getting "their feet wet" implausible unless necessary. The best quarterback on our team is Martinez by far and away given his knowledge, experience and athleticism. What point does it serve to risk a scoring opportunity and pull Martinez in favor of a less experienced quarterback - a quarterback that has different timing, knowledge and understanding of the game? I see almost no benefit.

And as EZ-E pointed out, burning Armstrong's redshirt last year in favor of a couple of plays a game is unfathomably stupid and risky.

We are handling our QB situation like we almost always have and like almost every other college does. Your backup QB plays when you're winning big, losing big, your starter is playing poorly or gets injured. The only other prerequisite is if the backup has earned playing time (like Berringer did after starting for nearly a full season). Otherwise, your starting QB plays all the snaps because he gives you the best chance to win, and I have no problem treating the QB that way because he's the most important individual player on the team.

There's certainly benefit to playing younger players at other positions if it's worth it. But, again, I insistently believe the QB is a different beast and is not subject to the same type of playing time rules like other positions are.

 

[Mierin]

I think some people are still stuck in the 90s. We were rarely ahead by enough points last year to put the back ups in any earlier than we did, imo.

 

[Danimal]

Not sold on Imani Cross?

Nope.

Rather see him put the size back on and focus on being a good powerback, maybe getting a little work at FB and H-back too. Sacrificing size to be an every down back won't work IMO. He's a litte quicker now but still looks very average running outside. Frazier is as good an every-down back. Taylor and Newby will be better.

 

[huskered17]

Not sold on Imani Cross?

Nope.

Rather see him put the size back on and focus on being a good powerback, maybe getting a little work at FB and H-back too. Sacrificing size to be an every down back won't work IMO. He's a litte quicker now but still looks very average running outside. Frazier is as good an every-down back. Taylor and Newby will be better.

They haven't used Cross correctly since he has been here, why start now. GBR!!!

 

[suh_fan93]

Does Martinez turn the ball over less especially in big games? In year 4 can he finally have the consistent season only 3 prior years of experience can give?

Who emerges from the LB spot and with all of the potential there could this turn out to be an actual strong spot for this maligned defense? Could we even possibly see a playmaker emerge out of this group?

Does this young DL remain as porous as last years unit or do they actually improve?

Does this years defense actually surprise people despite all of the newcomers or do they look as lost as they did at times last season?

Does Jamal Turner bust out this year or be underutilized as I thought he may have been last year? Does any backup QB see any time this year whether it be in a big game or in a game NU has a handly lead in?

So many questions...

I think these are all legitimate questions sans the two bolded. I thought Martinez already had a very consistent year last year. He made mistakes like anybody else, but he played very well. Martinez is one of the three best players on offense.

And for the second question, I see this argument brought up a lot, and it's somewhat silly. Look at other programs around the country and you'll see exactly what you see here - the backup QB plays in mop up duty or after an injury. That's it. Quarterback is the most important individual position on an offense and you can't rotate it like you do other positions. I have absolutely no problem with our backup sitting an entire game, especially when we have Martinez.

Agreed to all of the above. First and foremost, Suh_fan, I apologize as I've had a few to drink tonight. Shouldn't have been that jumpy. I will counter the QB question with another one though:

When was it that we had the luxury of getting other QBs reps? Last year, it would have been STUPID to burn Armstrong's shirt. Absolutely stupid. We would have gone full retard to do that and you never go full retard.

This year, if we beat UCLA we should be able to line up and win every other game between that one and Michigan on the fact we will just be flat out better than everyone else. I hope to see us develop a ton of depth in between those two games at every spot on both sides of the ball.

Again SUH_Fan, apologize for the short fuse of mine with the other post.

No worries EZ. Your thread got my mind thinking and since I couldn't really do an actual projected lineup which you did a heckuva job with I simply started thinking about the what if's of this season. So many things could play out in terms of players stepping up (Ankrah just as an example) and if Taylor could get those turnovers down and this defense surprised some people... Oh man. I can't wait to see if anyone emerges at linebacker given their potential.

Wish I had a few drinks last night too btw! lol

 

[The Dude]

I'm skeptical that an improved Imani Cross will be 4th string.

 

[StPaulHusker]

Nice job, EZ. It will be interesting to revisit this thread once the season starts. I see nothing to really argue about on your picks. I am holding out hope that Cross comes out in the fall and surprises everyone. Which I think everyone is hoping for as well.

 

[QMany]

They haven't used Cross correctly since he has been here, why start now. GBR!!!

How would you use him, coach?