Watched one of the Spring Practices

[mrandyk]

I wouldn't be surprised if he gets almost as many snaps as Abdullah.I will be shocked if he wins the #1 spot over a healthy Abdullah, just because of experience, but I think Cross will be our best back in over a decade. He has all the intangibles to be.

Barring injury, I dont see Cross getting more than 15 percent of carries next year. Yes he cut and he gained speed, but lets not assume he can run like Helu just yet. He is still a big boy.

With that said....we all crab about recruiting, but we stole this guy from tennessee a few days before signing day. Bigtime get.

We didn't steal him they cut him loose. They are most likely regretting that now

They probably got fired already.

 

[iowahusker09]

Ameer is not the only person on our roster who carries the football. Last year as a team we had 662 rushes. 15% practically doubles his workload. (up from 8 and some change last year)

We continue to pretend Ameer is a small back, incapable of handling a big ten workload. Forget that. He's a horse. Fast, elusive, great vision, and as strong as an ox. Total package.

Our offense is partial to speed anyway. I see Cross being a guaranteed 5 yards. But the odds of him breaking more than an 8 yard run? unlikely. The chance of him catching passes out of the backfield? unlikely. We need both in our offense.

Are you being serious about the bolded?

We continue to pretend Ameer is a small back and incapable of handling a big ten workload? Who has even said that? Its common sense, when you have another back, that is just as capable of being a game changer, you distribute the ball more, rather than overworking a player. Why would you count Martinez's rushes as part of the total? Had Rex not been injured, Ameer wouldn't have even seen 200, and Cross would have seen less.

Game changer? he scores touchdowns in the red zone because he is a monster. Why didnt we distribute it more last year? Why didnt Braylon get more carries? He was more than capable to be the number 1 guy here. He had a much higher ceiling and brought an immediate game changing and big play ability. If we didnt do it last year, were not gonna do it this year with a less talented back. All we have heard all spring is "faster pace" and Cross doesn't fit that mold. He provides an interesting dynamic, but I honestly dont forsee him ever being our premiere back.

Without Rex's injury last year, I agree. Ameer wouldnt have seen the field as much. But I would argue he was just as productive, if not more, than rex would have been anyway. I absolutely love Rex. We all did. But I think it was pretty easy to see that Abdullah just fits our scheme better. And arent we a program that stresses scheme more than most?

Why wouldnt martinez' carries be included? No he isnt a running back, but him pulling the ball out of ameers belly and taking off is the exact same as any other rush. Just like a jet sweep by turner, or anything else Beck comes up with. It just provides a more accurate explanation of how we distribute the football

Cross having 25% of carries last year is incorrect math. I dont even see how you came up with that?

Okay, i see what you did. 55/226

I think you just forgot to add the two together before you divided. Regardless, you have to use everyone's carries for that stat to make sense.

 

[HuskerNationNick]

Cross having 25% of carries last year is incorrect math. I dont even see how you came up with that? Could you elaborate on that please?

Elaborate what? Your inability to read and comprehend? I stated he got 25% of the carries that Ameer got. Typical twist to have a pointless argument. Its honestly amazing how much you know. Are you Beck, a coach, player or a GA? You sure seem like your underestimating Cross' abilities. I didn't count Rex's carries, because he simply won't be here next year, and if he would have been healthy, Ameer wouldn't have touched the ball even close to 200 times. I didn't count Martinez, because he isn't a RB. Heard, also got a good amount of carries, with being a Sophomore, but there are reasons he didn't get more carries.

I am sorry, from my understanding you were comparing Ameer and Cross from the beginning. I guess I should have been a mind reader and knew what you meant. :dunno

How do you figure he wouldn't get 15 percent of the carries, when he got 25% (55) of the carries that Ameer (226) got,

---------------------------------------------------

Okay, i see what you did. 55/226

I think you just forgot to add the two together before you divided. Regardless, you have to use everyone's carries for that stat to make sense.

Nice Ninja edit. Why would I add the two together, when I am stating that Cross got 25% of the carries that Ameer got?

 

[Dagerow]

I agree with others. While I like Cross, I don't think he is anywhere close to Abdullah. Abdullah is a beast. There is almost nothing I don't like about him. Cross has strength, determination and work ethic which is great, but he also has some limitations such as speed and elusiveness (which is hard to learn). Does that mean he is bad? No, of course not. But he brings different things to the table then Abdullah, which is a very good thing. Defenses will have to prepare for and adjust to both, making both backs (and the offense in general) more effective. That is kind of the point with Beck's offense: a diverse attack that spreads you out.

 

[Treand3]

I agree with others. While I like Cross, I don't think he is anywhere close to Abdullah. Abdullah is a beast. There is almost nothing I don't like about him. Cross has strength, determination and work ethic which is great, but he also has some limitations such as speed and elusiveness (which is hard to learn). Does that mean he is bad? No, of course not. But he brings different things to the table then Abdullah, which is a very good thing. Defenses will have to prepare for and adjust to both, making both backs (and the offense in general) more effective. That is kind of the point with Beck's offense: a diverse attack that spreads you out.

I agree. Cross will bring a different element to the offense. He doesn't need to be what Abdullah is or will be. He'll provide an important role for the offense though imo.

 

[iowahusker09]

[\quote]

Elaborate what? Your inability to read and comprehend? I stated he got 25% of the carries that Ameer got. Typical twist to have a pointless argument. Its honestly amazing how much you know. Are you Beck, a coach, player or a GA? You sure seem like your underestimating Cross' abilities. I didn't count Rex's carries, because he simply won't be here next year, and if he would have been healthy, Ameer wouldn't have touched the ball even close to 200 times. I didn't count Martinez, because he isn't a RB. Heard, also got a good amount of carries, with being a Sophomore, but there are reasons he didn't get more carries.

I am sorry, from my understanding you were comparing Ameer and Cross from the beginning. I guess I should have been a mind reader and knew what you meant. :dunno

How do you figure he wouldn't get 15 percent of the carries, when he got 25% (55) of the carries that Ameer (226) got,

Math.....still wrong. For every time cross touched the ball, Ameer touched it 4 times. Between those two, that means Cross rushes the ball 1 out of every 5 times. Or 20 percent of the time. But once again, very poor poor way to explain how we distribute the ball. But im not going to teach you anything on huskerboard that your math professors couldnt

:frenchy

Amazing how much I know? I mean, you cant teach speed. Someone doesnt just get exponentially faster in the span of 3.5 months (since we last saw cross or anyone else on the field) Speed is the ability in question here, and it is what has been questioned since Nexus posted his highlight video on the recruiting board.

Back to what I said about scheme....Ameer fit our offense better than rex. Ameer is a faster back. Before ameer who was our back in becks offense? helu. Extremely fast. Look at the guys we have recruited the past few years? Green, Heard, abdullah, Cross, Taylor, Newby. Cross is really the only massive massive back. Newby is 200 lbs but the other guys are smaller and faster. Its a fine line in the big ten. We need size, due to the fact that a tiny guy would get eaten in the B1G, but our scheme desires speed above all else.

 

[HuskerNationNick]

Math.....still wrong. For every time cross touched the ball, Ameer touched it 4 times. Between those two, that means Cross rushes the ball 1 out of every 5 times. Or 20 percent of the time. But once again, very poor poor way to explain how we distribute the ball. But im not going to teach you anything on huskerboard that your math professors couldnt

:frenchy

Amazing how much I know? I mean, you cant teach speed. Someone doesnt just get exponentially faster in the span of 3.5 months (since we last saw cross or anyone else on the field) Speed is the ability in question here, and it is what has been questioned since Nexus posted his highlight video on the recruiting board.

Back to what I said about scheme....Ameer fit our offense better than rex. Ameer is a faster back. Before ameer who was our back in becks offense? helu. Extremely fast. Look at the guys we have recruited the past few years? Green, Heard, abdullah, Cross, Taylor, Newby. Cross is really the only massive massive back. Newby is 200 lbs but the other guys are smaller and faster. Its a fine line in the big ten. We need size, due to the fact that a tiny guy would get eaten in the B1G, but our scheme desires speed above all else.

The math I gave isn't who carried it the most out of a total amount. Its based on a percentage of how many carries Cross got, compared to Ameer. What YOU are arguing.

I was under the impression when you lose 15 pounds, that allows you to gain speed that you didn't previously have. This puts him at around 210-215. Right where Adam Taylor is coming out of high school. Taylor is also bigger and slower than Newby. Your facts again are wrong.

 

[iowahusker09]

Whoops mixed up Taylor and Newby. My mistake. Doesnt change my point, or how much sense it makes. Yeah, Cross has dropped 15 lbs and that will help him be lighter on his feet. Im a kool aid drinker, but im not blind, and Cross will ever be a speedy back. Its great to have a guy like him, like others have posted. Great change of pace and great short yardage back. But a premier back? nah. Not with the depth we have. My point in a nutshell....15% is a generous gauge of his carries for the year (compared to our total rushes) Hes not going to take carries from Abdulllah.

 

[mwj98]

Were they doing individual drills, or did u get to see them in team?

I am I.....it was pretty cool. They started out as team........the offense was running plays with speakers playing very loudly in their faces.......Coaches were signaling in from the sidelines. Then they went to individual drills. Watching cross do ropes...and with his size, it was impressive. Also, one really impressive drill was watching the receivers. They did this drill in between cones, but they were taking very choppy steps and going around them. They looked like ballerina's. Bell's footwork was outstanding. Also, he is bigger in person than I thought.

All in all just watching them, I came away feeling a little different than I did after the season. I know it's just practice, but they looked very organized. We will just have to wait until the season. One thing I did pay attention to was Armstrong. I believe he was #4. He looks stout. real zip on his passes. They had him and Kellogg switching off during the second team.

 

[HuskerNationNick]

Another interesting stat for you, on your comment about Cross being that player you never see break more than an 8 yard run...

Cross- 55 attempts, 8 being 10+ yards, 4 being 20+ yards, 44 yard long

Abdullah- 226 attempts, 32 being 10+ yards, 8 being 20+, 45 yard long.

Pretty odd that this slow, over rated RB has 25% of Ameer's carries, is only 1 yard short of Ameer in longest run, and is 4 runs under 20+ yards.

I am not taking anything away from Ameer, just showing you that I think your absolutely wrong thinking Cross won't get sh#t for carries, and he won't be very valuable. Your underestimating this kids abilities and speed.

 

[mwj98]

Whoops mixed up Taylor and Newby. My mistake. Doesnt change my point, or how much sense it makes. Yeah, Cross has dropped 15 lbs and that will help him be lighter on his feet. Im a kool aid drinker, but im not blind, and Cross will ever be a speedy back. Its great to have a guy like him, like others have posted. Great change of pace and great short yardage back. But a premier back? nah. Not with the depth we have.

That had to be what it was. 15 lbs and he looks very light on his feet and quicker.

 

[mwj98]

I have a really neat picture to share...can't figure out how to post!!!

 

[HuskerNationNick]

I have a really neat picture to share...can't figure out how to post!!!

Easy way, is to upload them to Picasa Web and copy/paste them on here.

 

[Haspula]

Looks exactly like Eddie Vanderdoes

 

[iowahusker09]

Another interesting stat for you, on your comment about Cross being that player you never see break more than an 8 yard run...

Cross- 55 attempts, 8 being 10+ yards, 4 being 20+ yards, 44 yard long

Abdullah- 226 attempts, 32 being 10+ yards, 8 being 20+, 45 yard long.

Pretty odd that this slow, over rated RB has 25% of Ameer's carries, is only 1 yard short of Ameer in longest run, and is 4 runs under 20+ yards.

I am not taking anything away from Ameer, just showing you that I think your absolutely wrong thinking Cross won't get sh#t for carries, and he won't be very valuable. Your underestimating this kids abilities and speed.

His 40 yard run was against arkansas st

Big ten stats (the ones that matter)

vs wisconsin DNP

@OSU 1 rush 13 yards

@NW 1 rush 3 yards

vs Mich 2 rush 4 yards

@MSU DNP

vs PSU 8 rush 22 yards

vs MINN 10 rush 19 yards

@ Iowa DNP

Any football fan, even if they knew nothing about nebraska or cross, could tell he is a short yardage guy. In the games he got more than 3 rushes, he avged 2.8 and 1.9 ypc. There is nothing that leads me to believe he would take carries from anyone? In close games, he was a nonfactor. Most of that is probably due to the fact that he was a freshman. But even still, when he got his shot against inferior opponents, he didnt do very well.

And stop saying 25 percent. Ive explained it multiple times. That percentage makes ZERO sense. I have the impression that im arguing with a 15 year old. If so, im embarrassed