Life in the Red Group

Posted by: taco on August 22, 2010 2:52PM CST thats good new for Husker Fans...BO BIG RED

Posted by: otto on August 22, 2010 3:15PM CST Being a mobile QB is always a bigger threat, especiality one with exceptional speed to go with it.

Posted by: punt2win on August 22, 2010 3:18PM CST "Trust me, that's not the case." Sip good thing you didn't say Let me be honest with you, because then I'd say you were lying. My humble or not so humble opinion....not a chance, Lee will start and play as # 1 throughout the season.

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 3:22PM CST NUCORNDEVIL i agree with you entirely. we need to get all the QBs ready. cally would only play and practiceTHE guy. we will need them all. ala frazier berringer turman. osborne also used to let the quarterbacks be the holder on field goals and extra points. how about reesing and meier that was an interesting use of talent. depth is key. especially if our QB is expecting to run with the pig . injuries can happen. look at latravis washington. what a waste of athleticism. can he catch. what a shame. he is too gifted to languish in the wrong position. its not his fault.

Posted by: GBR001 on August 22, 2010 3:22PM CST This season will be so much interesting to follow . We need to limit our injuries though or else it will be like us killing ourselves. BAM!

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 3:26PM CST also use all the i backs and fullbacks. it builds depth, saves wear and tear, helps prevent injuries and builds team UNITY.

Posted by: Joe Silicone on August 22, 2010 3:30PM CST if Green falls to #3 on the depth chart i wonder if he's gone?

Posted by: salmon_slayer63a on August 22, 2010 3:42PM CST green looked shaky at best last year. lee had arm troubles, but never impressed me much. tmart- havent seen anything from him. however escapability is a word i like and he sounds like he has escapability. can he throw to 55+% accuracy?

Posted by: salmon_slayer63a on August 22, 2010 3:49PM CST heres the problem i see with all young qb's. they are afraid to make a mistake. getting in and out of huddles becomes hard, check downs become hard, coaches yelling at them. give a kid the riegns and let him play.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 3:54PM CST Martinez making a push a push is nice. Don't read to much into it however. To me it says he is now on equal footing with the others. and perhaps has edged ahead of Green. Still in question to me is the decision making which usually comes with experience. It is still a great problem to have. 3 guys that could get it done if called on. each with a unique skill set. Glad I am not coaching against this team.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 3:55PM CST What a breaking story. If Lee is according to this article not the lock on the starting position does this mean that Bo is now calling the shots on offence and not Watson? Bo has always leaned towards the run and now this comes out.

Posted by: CBHusker on August 22, 2010 3:57PM CST This kind of competition is always great to push players to be their best. Just hope it's settled in time for everyone to be synced in, timing wise. At least it gives slobs like us something to talk about till kick off(How many hours till then....or any real football for that matter?).

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 3:59PM CST As the battles rage on for several spots the1 sure rock we have is Alex Henry. His punting will give us great field position and he is a threat to score anywhere inside the 40. As I see it, he wins the Texas game for us.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 22, 2010 4:07PM CST Good afternoon everybody. Just because Martinez had a good day Saturday, just means that he had a good day Saturday. What he did he do in the last scrimmage,? How will he do in the next one? it's all about consistency. Doing it an a high level, every practice. The QB who does that will end up on top. The competition makes everybody better. PT - you are right about Henery, he is money. You cannot be successful without a good kicking game and we have a great one.

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 4:07PM CST ***Updated Starting QB Odds vs WKU**** Lee 1/1 Green 5/1 TMart 8/1 And for DBP on his "Who Starts at QB for the Big 12 games"..... Lee 3/1 Green 3/1 TMart 5/1

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 22, 2010 4:12PM CST Off subject, Sweet Lou's last game as a manager, Braves are a head 16-9 bottom half of the 9th. It's been a long, long year for the Cubbies. Another year without a World Series. What's amazing is that they sell out every home game.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 4:12PM CST Trash I think you had better reevaluate the QB start list. Lee 1/1 Green 3/1 Martinez 2/1 Sorry but speed makes up points. GBR

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 4:13PM CST Islander, How are you feeling today? Did everything come out ok?

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 22, 2010 4:17PM CST big red, won't know until this week. I am sure the Doctors will be reviewing things on Monday. Still tired but not as much. Getting geared up for the Huskers first game. Sept 4 is not far away.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 4:33PM CST Are we conceding the battle to Lee because he is the best QB or because we don't think Watson will go out on a limb with a rookie? I know I am out pretty much by myself here but I think we are underestimating Watson. Don't get me wrong. I am by no means dissing or counting out Lee. But if either of the other two prove to be more capable he will go with them in a New York minute.

Posted by: Fitzy on August 22, 2010 4:33PM CST I would not be shocked if Martinez plays his way into the job by conference play. But I think we will see all 3 Qb's play this year. Martinez may just be one of those special players that comes along once in awhile that has the instincts and special ability to play right away and be successful. I would like to remind everyone that he did win the California offensive player of the year award his senior year(no small task) while leading his team to I believe the top ranking in the country for HS teams in USA Today. #1 team in the country in HS... I am guessing the kid has that "it" factor. He did look pretty darn good in the spring game as well. I still would think that Lee has the edge for the first game, but Green or Martinez easily could develop enough to take that spot over. My money would be on Martinez for his elite athletic ability(speed and toughness). Tim Tebow, Eric Crouch, Tommy, showed that in college you do not have to be the best passer if you simply make plays and have the heart, toughness and leadership ability. TMart may be that kind of kid, maybe not. I bet we'll find out pretty soon. Bring the Pain- GBR

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 4:41PM CST 1 thing we know because he has said so. Bo is impressed.

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 4:43PM CST PT I completely agree with all you said. But, The Prophet goes by what is being said by coaches and based off past experience. You should know by now on my "personal" opinions.....but heart and head are completely different things in the betting world. That is why the odds are different getting into Big 12 play...

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 4:50PM CST BR1 I don't think I can put TMart up quite that high to start the season.... A #8 national ranking to start the season being carried in by a RS Frosh would be quite surprising. But he'll get his fair share of plays every game. That's why I considered making all three QBs 3/1 to start by Big 12 play....I feel that would be a more reasonable argument.

Posted by: Fitzy on August 22, 2010 4:50PM CST I was wrong... #2 in the country final ranking... From official Husker website.... Before Nebraska (Centennial HS) Martinez was a dual-threat quarterback for Coach Matt Logan at Corona's Centennial High School as a senior. Martinez passed for better than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns, and completed 61 percent of his passes. On the ground, Martinez added 750 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. His play helped Centennial to a perfect 15-0 season and a state championship, capped by a victory over De La Salle High, when Martinez threw for 243 yards. Centennial finished No. 2 nationally in the USA Today's final prep rankings. Martinez was named the Big VIII League's Most Valuable Player and also earned the Los Angeles Times' Glen Davis Player-of-the-Year Award. A first-team all-state selection, Martinez was the Inland Division Offensive Player of the Year, the Max Preps California Player of the Year and the Golden States Prep Southern California Offensive Player of the Year. That is the Bio of a special talent. He only played QB for like 1-1/2 years... he was a DB before moving to QB.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 4:53PM CST Trash, like I said earlier, it is a nice problem to have. Should either rookie win it is good to have a veteran in the wings. and a proven winner at that. The team will trust him. A beat will not be skipped regardless of how it plays out.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 4:58PM CST But Fitzy, Green is from Texas. According to some that alone makes him superman. He has to start or our Texas pipeline will dry up.

Posted by: flimflamfan on August 22, 2010 4:58PM CST Fortunately, opinions are for people who don't know, for certain. Therefore, I feel comfortable with my opinions. If Martinez, for example, wins the job, now or into the season, I'd have the same impression of him I'd have when other great athletic QBs won the job early in their careers. Guys of course, like Turner, Steve Taylor and Tommie. Guys who gave an immediate impression that they could take Nebraska to a title game, during their careers. Taylor didn't do that, but he was that type of athlete. So, I'd be really impressed if Martinez won the job and I'd feel good about Nebraska's future prospects (with that type of athlete).

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 4:59PM CST Wow Does anyone remember the last true freshman to plat at QB ? Martinez has that look and talent to do it again. Go big Frosh!

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 5:00PM CST play not plat

Posted by: HuskerMonster on August 22, 2010 5:01PM CST I just hope Martinez or Cody can win the job for our future at the QB posish....I can't take another year of Zac's timid running while our talented young guys watch. If its really this close than go with one of the dudes that will be around next year to do it again.

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 5:04PM CST PT It is a nice problem, but I think it's time to name a guy (it has been for awhile in my mind) and just let the guy own it. He'll know there's two capable players behind him if he can't hold up his end of the deal....and the evaluation will be ongoing every game anyhow. The coaches have had plenty of time to judge these guys (2 years+ and counting). They should know what each brings to the table by now and what direction you "generally" (no pun intended) want to go with the offense.... Get the pressure off yourself Bo. If the guy named isn't cutting it, you've got two backups ready to roll.

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 22, 2010 5:05PM CST As for the Cubs, Islander, there are enough Cub "fans" you know the ones that come to the game with girlfriends in pink hats that are there to yell and get drunk and care about little else. There is no incentive to be any better because those dingbats will show up regardless. Fortunately, the Trib sold and I think this new owner cares about winning. He is jettisoning the veteran talent and committing to youth. For a fan base that has been exploited by ownership in the past there is hope now. Now if you really wanna wish on a star, find someone to take Zambrano's or Alfonso Sorry-ano's contract.

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 5:08PM CST Monster Good point. It's one I made last year and I agree for the same reasons this year. Nono So you believe what Bo says on the "offense control".....but not on the "open competition for the QB race"? How do you determine what Bo says is true and what is not? I need to know. I know he is a good poker player so what are his "tells"? This could prove valuable.

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 22, 2010 5:09PM CST Speaking of long lost players with talent....is Marcus Mendoza out of eligibility?

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 5:14PM CST Trash, this tells me that the youngun's mastery of the game is catching up to their athletic ability, thus minimizing the "Risk" factor. As intense as Bo's practices must be the pressure of a game may be a picnic.

Posted by: Fitzy on August 22, 2010 5:16PM CST Monster, you make a very solid valid point and I think you may have just nailed it. I do believe that Cody or TMart could win the job and that could be the deciding factor. The team is in position to win it all this year and they will be forced to go with the most dangerous weapon... and I don't see Lee being the most dangerous weapon out of those 3 QB's... Tmart would be a detriment to defenses every single play he was on the field. I also would not be shocked to see Tmart on the field with Lee or Green at the same time, you could run some pretty creative plays with 2 QB's on the field with different abilities like that. The thing is that Lee scares me every time he runs the ball. He looks like he is on the verge of getting hit by a mack truck at all times and losing the football or getting hurt or both. So if we want to go mostly drop back passing, lee is your man. If you want a legit dual threat, TMart or Green are the guys without any question. Green has the bigger arm, Tmart the better running ability. Tmart looked good in the spring game both running and passing. He does not throw a pretty ball, but was fairly accurate and makes plays. Cody still scares me when he throws the ball, because he has such a big arm... he has not shown me the accuracy or touch to go with it yet. If he could get that accuracy honed in, he is a very dangerous QB too. Bottom line, we are loaded... with the big 3 and then a guy like Brion Carnes who also looks like a fantastic dual threat kid who could be used down the road in the future. Anyone related to Tommy cannot be counted out. Then you got 1 or 2 coming in next year who are elite level prospects as well. I doubt Starling will pass on the MLB money if he gets drafted early as expected...

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 22, 2010 5:27PM CST Coach Pelini stated that the Huskers needed to up the play of QB. To me that means the QB is going to have to run more and take more hits in this balanced offense. That only makes the possibility of injury higher. I think that the coaching staff expects these guys to perform if the starter goes down. And if you practice well it ups your chances to play. Sounds like Tmart is stating his case. IMO we will need at least two QBs to get through this season. I hope all three can lead this team. It won't be long now until we find out whose guesses of the QBs were right.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 5:28PM CST In Lees's defense, If you knew that you had to play as the coaches have told you your backup is not ready,you have a banged up elbow and your O line should be in the hospital, how would you run?

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 5:28PM CST Nono So Bo is not telling the truth about Watson's control of the offense? But you said "he absolutely is".... I think you are using "selective reading/listening". It is easy to do when you're married so I do understand this thinking.....

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 22, 2010 5:30PM CST Well I would think one of the reasons a QB gets the starting nod over another will be how much of the play book he can comprehend. Last year it was reported that Wats gives the QBs a checklist the night before and they pick the plays that they know and feel comfortable with. I remember last year that Lee knew the entire 300 play edition of the Wats play book. Cody Green I think it was like 10% of the plays. That will play a lot in who is the starting QB. Wats does not like to start a QB that doesn’t know the entire play book. That doesn’t make much sense since it seems like they only use like 5 actually plays on game day. Lots and lots of bubble screens. Running out of the spread doesn’t appear to be too complicated. Although I will never understand handing the ball of 7 yards behind the center or running the option out of the spread. Next Question?

Posted by: ancient1 on August 22, 2010 5:31PM CST First as most of you know Martinez is not a true freshman. Second what he did in high school is about as relevant to this level college ball as college ball is to the NFL. Third the ability to run or the speed and illusiveness to scramble is nice but in the Huskers current offense the ability to pass comes first. If you think running is more important you better give him more than one back to option to or play action pass ala Frazier. Now, judging from the skill set of the younger and recuited QB's I do believe that is the direction the Huskers are going. I'm just not convinced they are ready to make that great a change in the offense now.

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 5:33PM CST Nono I have no doubt who runs the defense. But you still did not answer my one question. Why do you believe Bo on one thing. You said: "Bo says Watson is the expert with the offense and that is no doubt an absolute fact." And not when Bo says: "It's great competition. I see all three guys getting better. I think the picture has become a little bit clearer for us. But nothing's been decided yet." Is your "Speedwalk Spying" yielding you more information than your letting on?

Posted by: rluben on August 22, 2010 5:36PM CST I don't know if you can call T Mart a true freshman when he's already had a redshirt year while running scout team last year. True Freshman = first year on campus in my book. T Frazier and I think Steve Taylor started some games the end of his freshman year. Those are the only true freshman I can think of offhand that have started at QB for NE in my lifetime. Doesn't mean there weren't others, but I can't think of them...and if T mart gets the nod he WON'T be joining their ranks, he's a redshirt freshman.

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 5:40PM CST in order to get a glimpse of our future offenses direction look to the latest recruits at quarterback. it look like bo wants to go dual threat. Lee might start the first game but he had better not be complacent. the future is dual threat.

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 5:42PM CST PT Your attempt at the devil's advocate is admirable, but I don't think being an "indecisive runner" fits your categories. He did for one big time game and played overall very solid. I can't let that skew my thoughts too far yet, but I will be open-minded if need be.....

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 22, 2010 5:45PM CST With all the QBs on the roster it is a given that we'll lose some to transfer along the way. I can't blame them. I trust the coaches are handling this competition right and there isn't any division in the team because of the QB controversy. Thank goodness the players don't have the same attitude as us bloggers.

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 22, 2010 5:47PM CST Old School.......Lee is considered a dual threat QB.

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 5:48PM CST if Wats is the great quarterback guru that we keep hearing about then he needs to get them all ready. if lee decides to tuck it and run then he needs to run with authority. he supposedly has some straight line speed. its time to see it.

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 22, 2010 5:50PM CST Old School.....I agree!

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 5:51PM CST so far he hasnt shown much dual threat ability in the running department. he does not look like he can take it to the house on any given play. not knocking him, didnt cally recruit him. he hasnt looked very elusive, hasnt shown much speed and for sure hasnt been a bruising type runner. maybe he will show it this year. so far i have not seen it.

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 5:55PM CST lee needs to run with authority. he needs to be driven by the fact that two young guys are breathing down his back. give it your all zac. thats all we ask each guy selling out and giving it their all. to the victor goes the spoils. you know me i want to punish each and every team we face on both sides of the ball. i want them to limp out of lincoln and not relish coming back. The house of Pain.

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 5:59PM CST i loved that play when crouch devastated the poor db when running downfield. that should make the tunnel walk video every year. Bo looks like he is bringing back the toughness. thats what many of us hated about the callahan years. watson is a holdover. its up to him to show us he can bring it every game. i hope he does.

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 6:01PM CST tommy frazier dragging gators and breaking away was also husker sweet. make the defense make the tackle every play. in the 4th they will want no more.

Posted by: Goldenrod Husker on August 22, 2010 6:09PM CST rluben. T Fraz was the first husker qb to start as true fresh not steve taylor

Posted by: Goldenrod Husker on August 22, 2010 6:13PM CST Your definately right on the true freshman part though. People been callin T. mart that for a long time now and i don't know why. He a RED SHIRT freshman. He was also a greaty safety in high school so im guessing he would fly to the ball on that side as well. I hope he starts at qb.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 6:22PM CST Old school: That brings back memories. WOW Remember a Warren Sapp talking all big and by the end of the 3rd quarter was breathing like a whale.A true and I use the word TRUE duel threat QB is one that is not afraid to run,not afraid to hit,and not afraid to stiff arm a defender. Lee may have the arm but his running abilities are far from desired. Lets give all the teams we play this year a taste of pain via the 90's. Everyone respecting us and afraid to play us. GBR in the house of Pain.

Posted by: HuskerMonster on August 22, 2010 6:24PM CST People always point to ZL's injury last year, but to me it is not as good of an excuse as it gets credit for. It seems to me that I remember cursing his decision making MUCH more often than thinking "he must be hurt because he just couldn't get the ball there..." I mean, we didn't even know he was hurt until after the season. I think if the injury was truly the cause for his spitty play, we would have been able to tell. Games he did good on? First 3 OOC games against terrible teams and then the Holiday Bowl where we practiced the plays we were going to run for a whole month.....just saying.

Posted by: otto on August 22, 2010 6:25PM CST Of all the QB's with "rb ability", which one is the "bull"? Green? TW is more of a bull than the other's I believe and a arm as well, where is he in the picture at this time?

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 22, 2010 6:42PM CST No nothing, ignore Trash, He spent a weekend in the boonies of Nebraska with a bunch of midget goats. Don't ask me what he was doing. I didn't ask.

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on August 22, 2010 7:11PM CST Lee is no match for Martinez as a runner and probably not for Green either, although Green didn't overwhelm anyone last year. Lee did run well in the bowl game. He'll never be Crouch or even Lord when it comes to running but he was enough of a threat to burn AZ when they left him open on the read option and also scrambling. I think that's enough, with his experience, and his superior passing makes him the starter. I hope everyone gets a shot at the field so we're experienced next year as well.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 22, 2010 7:13PM CST Regardless of stats, other than wins and losses, what else matters? Did you understand that question trash? The fact is, The General won 9 games last year. And it would have been 11 if the Defense would have lived up to its #1 ranking and stopped Texas and stopped VT. Decision making is heavily influenced by injury and mediocre receivers and a very crappy O line Green could not do it last year even when he was healthy. An injured General was better than Green and a healthy General surely will be as well. TMart? Really? He is just so fast? Did "sweet" in the red/white game? Really? Against the scout team defense? Really? Fortunately Bo is in charge. He can talk the talk, and most fortunately, he will walk the walk. Big General is Big for a reason and you all know it. Go Big General. So there.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 7:14PM CST Unfortunately our only way to form opinions is from what we read. And that is based on what the reporters are told by the coaches. Nobody knows what is actually happening in practice and we probably aren't going to. Bo played this game last year. Odds are he will play it next year as well. Guess we got to get used to it.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 22, 2010 7:14PM CST And you too nish.

Posted by: taco on August 22, 2010 7:20PM CST some people seem to think cody is never going to develope into the QB all thought he would be. others i talk to dont think he will ever be our starting QB period. is zac lee's arm as strong as before? look for t-mart to get a lot of playing time early this year...if not the starter. GO BIG MAY THE BEST MAN WIN.

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on August 22, 2010 7:21PM CST The Vikings are starting someone at QB named Favre.....is that Brett's son....grandson?

Posted by: Miami Beach Husker on August 22, 2010 7:22PM CST Sipple, by giving us some insigtful opinion for a change, based on some insider info, you have created one hot blog this evening... The canned, almost rehearsed quotes from Bo, Wats and Carl are necassary, but reveal very little. A tease, but not much more. It is better then total lockdown. The Big Red iron curtain is not where we want to go... i must say, Bo looks like a dental patient without novicane when he has to deal with the media. In pain, and can't wait to leave... He hopefully will get better as he matures as a head coach. Your insight gives the fans at home something to think about with the QB situation. Hard to believe Taylor can command the 200 page playbook with all the checks and adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Wats has created a very diffacult system to learn. Let's be honest. I guess we will find out soon enough if Taylor is that good, that smart, and that much of a quick study. Hope so. I look forward to more opinion based reporting. With your credentials, you have the ability to talk to those who possibly know what is really happening at closed door practices, and give us the skinney on something many care quite deeply about...NU football.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 7:23PM CST Naw that is just one of the old timers that has a little gas left in him.

Posted by: IM Hipp (formerly HPK) on August 22, 2010 7:25PM CST If we see all 3 QBs getting work, we are having a rough year. A QB needs time to develop timing the various receivers. They need time to develop timing with the O line. You need reps and game xp to develop timing. 3 QBs is chaos. Let's have one player rise above the rest and lead the Huskers to NC.

Posted by: Albino on August 22, 2010 7:28PM CST Woowhoo! Sounds good! Intense competition makes them all better. As others have said, give them all playing time so we have some depth. By the end of the Washington contest, we'll know who is clicking for the season. But the one we know has game, is Bo! GBR

Posted by: Gofor2 on August 22, 2010 7:40PM CST Found this today on SI.com: The future won't belong solely to the pro/spread hybrid. As the spread flourished this past decade, defenses adjusted. More teams adopted a 3-4, allowing more flexibility to spy a quarterback who might double as a fullback. That shift in defensive philosophy means it's time for a new-old offensive fad. And since bell-bottoms and platform shoes have already enjoyed minor renaissances, it seems only fair that coaches bring back that staple of the '70s football experience: the option. We're not talking about the occasional pitch play. We're talking about the holy trinity of the dive back, quarterback keeper or pitch. Paul Johnson, who probably has leisure suits and tearaway jerseys in his closet, has proven at Navy and Georgia Tech that the option still works. How well? In Johnson's second season at Tech, he won the ACC title. Most people think the option is a boring, grind-it-out scheme. Not true, said Tom Osborne, an option aficionado who coached Nebraska to national titles in 1994, 1995 and 1997. "Most of the zone plays you see now, if you block things perfectly, you may make seven, eight, nine yards," Osborne said. "If somebody misses a tackle, you might go a long way. In option football, if you execute correctly, you've got enough people to block everybody and theoretically score a touchdown on most every option play." The option could be the answer for teams that recruit great defenses but struggle to assemble great offenses -- we're looking at you, Nebraska and North Carolina. Had Nebraska run the option last year, the Cornhuskers probably would have won the Big 12 title. The three rarest specimens on the recruiting trail are, in order, elite defensive tackles, strong-armed quarterbacks and large, athletic offensive linemen. Nebraska already recruits elite defensive tackles, so that's not an issue. Running the option eliminates the need for the other two. Teams wanted former Cornhuskers quarterback Tommie Frazier as a safety, and he won two national titles running the option. Meanwhile, there is an ample supply of athletic, 6-foot-3, 280-pound linemen -- ideal for the trapping and cutting required by the option -- being ignored by most big-time programs. So what's the holdup? Johnson already has proven the option can work in a BCS conference. It's time to bring it back on a grand scale

Posted by: deadred on August 22, 2010 7:48PM CST i believe its green if green can fully get offense and i believe tmart ends up as WR because with all the QBS coming next yeAR and carnes theres a log jam at QB spot be nice if green or tmart emergy as leader with carnes having a year under belt RS bubba and maybe make the kid from texas a WR then you will have a ton of talent on field and a ton in waiting i believe green will start BUT WITH A SHORT SHORT LEASH

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 22, 2010 7:58PM CST The thing is UNL hasn't struggled on offense for years though.....it was pretty potent under BC and Watson..... I also do think if you commit to the option you edit out some high-powered recruits. Clem Kadiddlehopper from Benkelman may still believe those champions can be won by farm boys but it isn't the truth. I think that article is on some Barbara Streisand "The Way We Were" vibe, pandering to nostalgia. Nebraska running the option last year = Big 12 title is a reach, much like the Broncos drafting Tebow.

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 22, 2010 7:59PM CST Gofor2, Really? There is an article out there stating that someone should pick up the option as a way to compete against the big boys. I'm waiting for the Ex Navy coach that's at George Tech to have a break out year. I watched BYU last year that disseminated the Sooners. None of their kids are great athletes. Just well coached kids that know their assigments. There traps and counters traps were a thing of beauty. I love it when Air Force comes to down. That offense is so basic but it works. ...Oh for the days of the option, there is no way the mad doctor Wats would ever revert back to that offense. It just isn't complicated enough.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 8:09PM CST Au Contrare. It is highly sophisticated. Just differnet formations is all.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 8:14PM CST The option is extremely hard to guard against. This would catch several teams off guard.

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 8:27PM CST DBP Other facts you should know: Against VT, Lee's offense had other opportunities to put that game away that resulted in FGs. He did not come through and forced the defense to make every play. The defense did not let us down at the end of the TX game, the special teams did. And, once again, how many TD opportunities were thrown away or the offense being unable to even get us into FG territory? No stats there, just facts.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 8:32PM CST Nucorn; Can we attract Watson to that playbook ?

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 8:35PM CST And if you want stats, I have Lee's numbers against his two biggest games (VT and Mizzou) prior to the elbow injury and likely much better health of the O-Line..... 25/63 (39% comp), 294 yds, 2TDs, 2ints. 16 carries for 45yds (2.8yds/carry) The game vs VT he obviously had won for us he was: 11/30 for 136yds and 2ints with 38yds rushing. Don't think anyone would of been pinning a victory badge in that game on the chests of the offense......

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 8:43PM CST Does anybody know What Tommie Frazier is doing now. I no he tried to coach at Doane I believe and was terrible at it. Then he tried a stint at fund raising for the U. After that i hve lost track.

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 8:51PM CST PT Sent you a message.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 9:02PM CST Thanks Trash.

Posted by: BenAr2 on August 22, 2010 9:10PM CST Lee has a much larger cranium than does T-mart.

Posted by: NickL on August 22, 2010 9:15PM CST Fitzy/BenAr2/whoever else.... I vote we annoint Martinez as Tay-Mart along the lines of Kenyon Martin's K-mart... I think it has a better ring to it, don't you?

Posted by: Trashman on August 22, 2010 9:18PM CST PT One more inbox.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 9:19PM CST No nicknames or interviews until he plays. You trying to get us locked out???? :)

Posted by: NickL on August 22, 2010 9:22PM CST Oh no! I wouldn't dream of it... But technically I saw him in the Red/White game. Guess that doesn't count though!

Posted by: BenAr2 on August 22, 2010 9:29PM CST "Regardless of stats, other than wins and losses, what else matters? Did you understand that question trash? The fact is, The General won 9 games last year. And it would have been 11 if the Defense would have lived up to its #1 ranking and stopped Texas and stopped VT." - DBP I'm your huckleberry. Of course nothing else matters than wins and losses DBP, except that you used a completely irrelevant stat (heavy sarcasm) to make a subsequent argument about why Lee didn't have more wins last year. And just to help you out, if you're trying to make a point about why our defense cost us one or more games last year, probably not a good idea to include in your argument the part about us having a #1 ranked defense. And while our defense wasn't the best defense in the country on every single play last year, our offense (under Lee) was pretty much the 99th best on every play last year . . . at least one side of the ball consistently lived up to its ranking.

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 22, 2010 9:30PM CST I want to see? PT, Trash? What is Tommie Frazier doing now? I need a new pair of his jammies

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 9:31PM CST Just joshin Nick. Can't take me to serious this late at night. Nice article about Burkhead on Husker Extra BTW. Really bragging up the O line and Barney. He knows where his bread is buttered.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 9:32PM CST BenAr2> yeah at 99Th being barely mediocre.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 9:34PM CST Alex Henry won most of those games.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 22, 2010 9:38PM CST Well, it has been fun. We will know soon enough who the QB is. Along with the safeties and a few other positions. NIte all.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 22, 2010 9:39PM CST Remember Frazier did not start until 6th game when he was a freshman. I think Tommie live in Lincoln now with his wife and family. Don't know what he is doing, though I do know that he does some speaking.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 9:41PM CST Night PT

Posted by: Albino on August 22, 2010 9:45PM CST Farley, Clem Kadiddlehopper is a friend of mine. He doesn't deserve your condescension. In addition, the option, when used well, has a remarkable track record. GBR

Posted by: big red 1 on August 22, 2010 9:56PM CST Farley: Championships can't be won by farm boys? Sun set down the glass, grab a paper bag and breath into it. It has happened three times and it will happen again. Now back to our sponsors message.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 22, 2010 10:02PM CST Farm boys are pretty good. Jerry Rice honed his running skill as a kid by chasing horses on the farm. Farm boys are real tough too. I am a farm boy and proud of it.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 22, 2010 10:07PM CST trash and ben The facts are simple. The offense led by the General put the corn in the lead against Texas and VT. Both with little time on the clock. Both times the Defense failed to stop them with the game on the line. Trash you can look at percentages and what ifs and what ifs, but the fact remains the lead was in the corns hands and the defense could not hold on. Bo mentioned several times last year about the lack of great defense at crunch time. That is all I am saying. And considering all the issues with the offense and Lee as you continually point out, the offense had the lead with a short time left on the clock 12 times. 2 times the hype could not win it for them. Just saying, you can pound the O all you want, but...........................

Posted by: Big Red77845 on August 22, 2010 10:13PM CST I agree with Old School...Washington has to much talent to be sitting. Too bad it's his last season, I would like to see him on the field somewhere. How about Special Teams at a minimum. Let the kid play some.

Posted by: Albino on August 22, 2010 10:59PM CST How about moving Washington to FB? I've always thought that a fullback who could pass would be a nice touch. GBR

Posted by: Gofor2 on August 22, 2010 11:01PM CST IH Your probably asleep right now dreaming of Husker glory, if your not or if you read this in the am, I need your help on something. Say if a farm boy was looking for some good fishing spots in the sand hills where would he go? He's been bucking bales, mowing hay, chasing cows and doesn't have a lot of time to explore. Any ideas to help out a farm boy?

Posted by: Albino on August 22, 2010 11:08PM CST Gofor2, I'm not IH, and he may have different suggestions but, on the east side of the sandhills, you might want to check out Pibel Lake. www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTIFmiKRi2U

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 22, 2010 11:09PM CST thanks college station, we need to get more guys involved mainly for team UNITY. it is that important. osborne knew this and i think bo is learning this. everone needs some skin in the game . i dont care if its the end of the game get many guys involved so they take ownership. you play harder for the guys next to you. they have been through the practices with you. UNITY is the key. get everyone involved. ozzy knew this. Bo is learning this. I play for Nebraska will mean something again. the N on the helmet is no longer meaningless as in the callasham debacle. Pride is one thing the huskers always brought to us average joe fans. the pride is coming back. its still not about Ws. it truly is about the WAY we play this game called football. those men on the team are us and we are them. its starting to feel good again....and not a minute too soon.Go Big RED

Posted by: TruBlueRed on August 22, 2010 11:19PM CST Everyone is spinning opinions so I shall do the same, I predicted after the bowl game on the blog here that Zac Lee would be the starter and Green would be battling for backup, and I still go with that. Lee has quicker feet and is quicker on his ball handling than Green.......from a good source , (does not mean Green can't outrun Zac in a long haul).......... Green needs to increase his accuracy and judgement. Lee played last year hurt behind a hurting offensive line.......so Trash's stats don't mean anything. How about the stat of how many interceptions Green almost had through the limited time he was in there? .....and he wasn't hurt If you don't know the whole playbook you aren't going to play........first thing they tell you when they hand them out. Plays are set up for upcoming games based on films and scouting reports and can vary from game to game, so you never know which plays for certain will be run, thus the need to know them all. I played around 30 yrs ago and they playbooks were pretty darn thick then, at least ours was. And yes if the defense had held at VT and TX we would have won the game. They had their moments when they didn't perform as well.......just not as many as a banged up offense;) This season Watson will show a multiple offense like was shown in the bowl game against a top 25 AZ defense and end up with a top 35 ranked offense, much to the chagrin of a few on here:) Green was hyped by the media to no end before he had earned it. Former players don't always make the best coaches as in T. Frazier

Posted by: Gofor2 on August 22, 2010 11:24PM CST Thanks Bino Here's the deal, one night several years ago we got IH talking fishing. He talked about some "hidden" spots in the sandhills, sounded pretty awesome, but he would not divulge there whereabouts. I've been trying since then to get it out of him. I've tried all shorts of ploys but so far nothing. He's a tough nut to crack. He had a high security clearance back in his day in the military so he's been around the block.

Posted by: Gofor2 on August 22, 2010 11:27PM CST True Good one, I agree.

Posted by: Albino on August 22, 2010 11:31PM CST No, I can't match IH in that kind of insight. Good luck in your quest. :)

Posted by: Oklahoma Husker on August 22, 2010 11:37PM CST The option can work, in my opinion, the reason we were so successful in the 90’s was because everyone else switched to a pro style offense. Our defense adapted to defend that style of offense, while our offense became the premier option offense. We got the best option quarterback every year and didn’t have to compete against 119 schools for the best throwing QB. Opposing defenses recruits, and practiced to stop pro style offenses and then had 1 week to prepare for the best option offense in the nation.

Posted by: Gofor2 on August 22, 2010 11:46PM CST Exactly Okie Husker and when To had it to perfection, they could have a month, like Florida, and we still rolled. Bino, If you can help me in my quest, there's a reward.

Posted by: HuskerinBangkok on August 22, 2010 11:58PM CST We have a team built for a young QB. Experience at every spot and a SOFT schedule early means we could make the switch to either underclassman with some comfort that we should not lose even if the QB isn't perfect. I never felt Cody really got a fair chance, bu that coudl be because in practice he is making mistakes that limited their confidence. If Taylor is ready, bring him on. I just don't see Lee making enough plays. Certainly with his feet he looks as uncomfortable as Bo does answering questions about him.

Posted by: Trashman on August 23, 2010 5:19AM CST TrueBlue My stats were before the O-Line was banged up...they couldn't be that banged up 3-5 games into the season. And after that, every line in the country has some sort of of injuries regardless. And, Cody Green played behind the same hurting O-Line that Lee did....so why are his "near interceptions" any worse than the "near interceptions" Lee had which I will remind you are many. On top of that, Lee also had 2 more turnovers than TDs vs BCS opponents. He also had 5 fumbles, only one of which was lost. I'm hoping Lee turns the corner this year like most, but to blame all the problems on an O-Line?

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 6:27AM CST trash, At VT, a pretty good defense, Lee and the O got the lead. It is a fact the D could not hold it. At missouri the D allowed the corn to be down what 20 and lee and the O brought them back for the win. As you recall on the blog, when the corn was down by what 17, and the whiners, you included were bemoaning that fact, and surrendering, and crying I kept telling you, be patient it is not over....Be patient it is not over. As usual I was right. Go big "O"

Posted by: Nuke1970 on August 23, 2010 6:55AM CST According to posts I've read this year, we have enough talent on offense to field 2 or 3 teams. Maybe each QB gets his own team and they all come on the field at the same time. Wouldn't that really make the opposing DC's head swirl?

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 23, 2010 7:10AM CST I knew it, never should mentioned "farm boys" as people get all emo and hurt about it. Fact is. Tommie was from Bradenton, Florida Turner Gill, Dallas, Texas Broderick Thomas, Houston, Texas Ndamukong Suh, Portland, Oregon Mike Rozier, Condemn, er Camden, NJ....and it goes on an on Nebraska kids are for depth, valuable to push the stars, but the Ahman Green's are few and far between, if NU had to rely on Nebraska kids from North Loup Scotia, Anselmo and the like they would be lucky to win 2 games all year. The talent is not there. I've heard that crap for years about Nebraska "farm boys" and "kids" winning titles and it's Pollyanna garbage. The elite talent that wins titles comes from elsewhere, the walk-on program and depth is where the Nebraska kids come in, nothing more. The full blown option attack is in the past, just like the wishbone, it needs to stay there. You can't go back, it's useful to incorporate as part of the offense, but leave the past in the past.

Posted by: Bucksker on August 23, 2010 8:00AM CST Drinkin, You are right, the huskers have to have talent from the entire nation to be a top 20 team. But please don't dis the following All-Americans who are "Nebraska kids": Eric Crouch, Zack Wiegert, Russ Hochstein, Kyle Larson, Dean Steinkuhler, Danny Noonan, Derrie Nelson, Jonny Rogers, John McCormmick, Jerry Murtaugh, Bret Clark, Harry Grimminger, Jeff Kinney, Mike Fultz, George Andrews, Bob Martin, Rik Bonnes, Dave Rimmington, Mark Traynowicz

Posted by: TruBlueRed on August 23, 2010 8:20AM CST NuCorn, "T. Frazier is a better coach than Sean Watson right now?", I think Doane would seriously repudiate that statement:) Fact: T. Frazier did NOT do well as a coach at Doane.......the spin stops there;).......I have two kids that went to school there also but am not going to comment on this any further....suffice it to say I stick by my original statement that players are not always the best coaches Trash, you validated my thoughts,.....Lee was playing hurt all year, much of the year behind a hurt OL, Green was not playing hurt....... Just curious if Lee does start and do well,......what will some of the Watson and Lee naysayers be spinning on their posts:) Hopefully they can get past it and learn to cheer for them? :)

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 8:22AM CST Lest we forget. The Defense gave Alex henry a Chance to pin teams deep with his Leg. The D was able to hold them so we got the ball back in reasonalbe feild position. 1 or 2 1st downs put Henry in position for a field goal. As Bo has said many times, DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS were why we were successful. And it was by design. If you are gonna pick sides, pick the right ones.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 8:35AM CST And further more I support fully the QB that Bo AND Wats together pick as the starter. I (or anybody else for that matter) have no knowledge of what is happening in practice. I have no knowledge of how they are grading out on film. Any opinion I (or anybody else) have (has) makes for great blog talk before the season. but it is strictly guess work. Bo and Watson know.

Posted by: ARFFman501 on August 23, 2010 9:06AM CST I don't know why some are trying to blame Lee for the offensive struggles of last season. There were issues all across the board, injured RB, WR dropping catchable passes, fumbles by all positions, nobody chasing a backwards pass, and injuries all over the O-line. Lee by no-means is a great QB, but he is average+. I do think he ends up being the starter and it will be up to him keep it that way, but I will be behind which ever one gets the go.

Posted by: BenAr2 on August 23, 2010 9:09AM CST DBP, did the way that PT Husker put it make it more clear for you? The play of the defense, throughout the entirety of the season, had much to do with whatever success the offense had last year. To cherrypick one or two moments from an overall outstanding performance, and say "see, they could have done better" is comical, especially when the one you are defending was bad for much of the same season. DESPITE the consistently poor performance of the offense (whatever the reasons) we were in all of those games. Give it a moment to soak in.

Posted by: Albino on August 23, 2010 9:15AM CST The joy of condescension. Some guys can't live without it. In some ways, it is reassuring that Cally has at least one supporter left. And quite natural that he would be too cool for school.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 9:34AM CST Just opened the mail and found my 2010 football guide. Packed full of extremly valuable info on this years team and teams of the past. Just ask, I can now tell you.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 9:35AM CST Soaked in. The defense played really well, especially against the sunbelt teams. Bo also said PT, if you recall, that the defense had a lot of work to do especially at crucial moments. Certainly Henry scored some points. Certainly the O got him in a position to do that. Certainly Green got his chance and immediately was replaced by the injured General My point for VT and Texas is a fact. The O got the corn the lead. At the most important time (unlike the sunbelt games) the #1 D in the country could not handle it. Not blaming anyone (unlike some of you who blame the General) just stating facts. Now gbr

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 9:42AM CST We have not played Trivia for some time. What coach hold the highest winning percentage all time for NU. Hint. He also caqched the Basketball team to a conference title in the same year.

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 23, 2010 9:43AM CST dbp....your analysis of the defense is getting a little old. A blind man could see that our D played at a very high level....the statistics reflect this. And the statistics reflect the poor play of the offense. I'm not sure why you keep beating that dead horse over and over and over again.

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 23, 2010 9:47AM CST The VT game had a dropped pass in the end zone and something like 30 yards of offensive penalties that stalled a drive that was on the seven yard line.....and it's the defense's fault?

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 9:48AM CST Stats reflect nothing. Facts are facts and never get stale. You can overlook crunch time if you want flea, but the corn had the lead twice in key games and could not hold it. The defense played great all most all of the time. The Offense played poorly almost all of the time. Even with that being said, there should have been two more wins. You can acclaim the defense all day long, but Bo knows.

Posted by: BenAr2 on August 23, 2010 9:49AM CST "Not blaming anyone . . . " Actually, your blaming the defense for Lee not having 2 more wins is how this started. If you want to focus on a couple of minutes out of a great season, please do so, but don't come on here and blame the defense for losing games, it makes no sense, especially when the ones you are trying to glorify had a miserable season.

Posted by: DebTu on August 23, 2010 9:52AM CST Option football is fun. Thinking of NC game v. Florida and poor Spurrier. However, as TO said in the article option plays need good blocking. Didn't see a lot of that last year. I think we remain in top 10 with decent QB, good O line and fab defense. With great QB, excellent O line and fab defense, well you know were I'm going with that!

Posted by: BenAr2 on August 23, 2010 9:52AM CST Hey, look at that DBP, you just blamed the defense again . . . nice! Your 9:35 post says that you aren't blaming anyone . . . what gives?

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 9:53AM CST First and Foremost, DBP is a great button pusher. This button has worked many times in the past. Obviously it is still working

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 23, 2010 9:55AM CST dbp......since it is a team game of offense defense and special teams why don't you make lists of all the good and bad plays each of these parts did and compare the lists......maybe a bar chart would make it clearer for you.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 9:59AM CST Who is the all time leading letter winner at the University of Nebraska?

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 10:01AM CST By the way, he won letters in 4 sports.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 10:08AM CST PT, Sheesh, you got a new book and now you are the quiz master. ben, no blame just facts. I need to find that column by Sip where Bo makes his comments about the defense and Suh agreed. Also I expect the offense to average 24 points plus a game and the defense to allow only 8. 14 and 0 is in the cards. PT, I am not pushing buttons, I am only stating the truth. "You can't handle the truth?"

Posted by: Fitzy on August 23, 2010 10:13AM CST This Tommy over Watson thing is about as "mental" a conversation as I have ever seen on here... Watson is thought of as one of the better OC's in the country... Nick Saban at Alabama recently wanted him to be OC for the Tide and offered BIG money... Nick Saban is probably the top college football coach in the country right now and knows a little something about good coaches. No disrespect intended, but I don't see anyone knocking down Tommy's door, offering a job at a big time program like that now or in the future. Tommy was one of, if not the best college QB that has ever played the game, but playing experience alone does not make a coach. He is not even in the same solar system as Shawn Watson as a coach. I am guessing that this could be Watson's last year either way, if the offense does good or bad. If they do great, he will likely be in line to get a head coach gig somewhere and likely would take the chance at this point in his career. If they do bad again, I would have to think that Pelini would make a move and maybe let him go and most likely promote Tim Beck to OC from RB coach with the move to the Big Ten... Beck likes to run the football and would seem to make sense of keeping the "hire from within" aspect that I would expect from Bo. Beck's presumed playing style would seem to fit well within the Big Ten. Watson has paid his dues and is a great coach... I expect he will be ready for a new challenge one way or another at the end of this season and will have opportunities. Just speculation of course. Bring the Pain- GBR-

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 10:17AM CST DBP, Truth, as you know, is in the "eye of the beholder".

Posted by: BenAr2 on August 23, 2010 10:18AM CST DBP, I can sum up the facts from last year: Offense sucked Defense great Are we done?

Posted by: punt2win on August 23, 2010 10:21AM CST DBP..when you initially came out with the Defense failed in regard to those lost games I thought it was innovative and a creative way to support the General. Now I'm starting to think you might be serious. sheeez.

Posted by: bigred-Ore on August 23, 2010 10:26AM CST Two factors that I believe will play in: 1. Maturity; I believe that Zac's age and time in the system will be a factor. QB is one position where this is an advantage. 2. Leadership; Who do the other 11 guys want leading them to war? Who can shake up the huddle or calm it down, as need be. Who has the eyes that the other eleven look into with the game on the line and see no fear? Athletic ability is huge but it is not the whole package.

Posted by: Albino on August 23, 2010 10:26AM CST Boy, it sure is time for the season to start. This crew is so antsy for real issues based on actual games, that the disputes have veered off into the bizarre.

Posted by: Albino on August 23, 2010 10:28AM CST PT, does your new book have any Devaney humor in it? Better Devaney humor and Osborne prayers than vice versa! LOL

Posted by: TomOs on August 23, 2010 10:33AM CST I dont think Bo likes tattoes, therefore Lee will start.. over TMart.. my best assesment.. so far.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 10:35AM CST Sorry albino but it is a G rated Book.

Posted by: TomOs on August 23, 2010 10:38AM CST but Bo may be getting a tattoo by Conference time

Posted by: ARFFman501 on August 23, 2010 10:40AM CST I too believe Beck will be offensive coordinator next year, but I don't think he is run heavy. He was a WR coach at Kansas so I believe he would run a balanced system.

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 23, 2010 10:43AM CST Fitzy, I agree that this may be Watson's last year as OC. But only if he takes another job elsewhere. After reading the OWH article about the Ameritrade dude's analysis of Coach Pelini I don't thnk he'd fire Watson. The offense would have to be off the wall bad in order for Coach to let him go....

Posted by: fleaflicker on August 23, 2010 10:47AM CST My depth chart: 1. Lee 2. Martinez 3. Spano* *Green transfers to TT

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 10:50AM CST Flea, Trash wll put you in a dumpster.

Posted by: Albino on August 23, 2010 10:58AM CST G-rated Devaney: Future All-American & Pro-Bowler Bob Brown is loafing through practice. Devaney spies someone sitting in the stands, watching the scrimmage. Devaney to Brown: Bob, see that guy in the suit sitting up there? You may may be surprised, but he's an NFL scout. They like to sneak into practices to get a sense of the work ethic of possible draft choices. Slam! Bam! Brown starts laying people out. (Of course, Devaney has no idea who the fan in the stands is.) GBR

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 11:04AM CST Predection. Wats will name a starter prior to the first game. He will also name the backup. It will be subject to change week by week. Some will be dissapointed, others won't. All will have ongoing oppinions about it.

Posted by: TomOs on August 23, 2010 11:10AM CST Someone had some stats on TMart earlier that I read, thought I'd throw this in for CG... but maybe most already knew this.. In leading the Broncos to the state title game, Green produced more than 1,000 yards passing and nearly 800 rushing yards in six playoff games. In the 4A state title game, Green passed for 329 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for 94 yards. Green topped 200 yards passing nine times as a senior, including a pair of 300-yard games. He rushed for more than 100 yards eight times, including 270 yards against Brenham in the state playoffs

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 11:12AM CST Ben you are done. And yes PT the truth is in my eyes. "I can see clearly now the rain is gone....Nothing but .............................

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 23, 2010 11:23AM CST PT- good prediction and insight. We will see how it all plays out. Regardless who Wats names as starter, imo we are in good hands.

Posted by: HuskerInCO on August 23, 2010 11:29AM CST POWERHUSKERS, I have thought about that too. I don't really care about who is 'officially' #1 RB because I think Helu and Rex are going to be fairly interchangeable. However, I definately want to see if D-Rob is holding down the #3 spot and how Lester Ward is doing. After watching the season again over the past few months, I really like his running style. Fast and strong runner.

Posted by: TomOs on August 23, 2010 11:29AM CST Bo would say "they are even, but it is becoming more clear"

Posted by: Albino on August 23, 2010 11:32AM CST For a versatile backfield, move LaTravis Washington to fullback. Seriously, this could pay huge dividends!

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 11:56AM CST tomos Excellent answer.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 12:02PM CST BC, Sip, Is today Labor day?

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 12:05PM CST Was there no practice today or is this one of the days the Media can't be there?

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on August 23, 2010 12:21PM CST I haven't heard...will the media be allowed to cover the W. Kentucky game or did the PPV get cancelled as well? Perhaps the announcers will not be allowed to comment on injuries. :)

Posted by: TomOs on August 23, 2010 12:22PM CST R the 2 a days done.. I think school has started.. just wondering

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 12:23PM CST pt, was that a trivia question from yur new book?

Posted by: apolishwarhorse on August 23, 2010 12:29PM CST I saw both Cody and T-mart on campus today and I'll say this. Cody sure has the looks and cockiness of a qb.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 12:29PM CST Drive, Pinnicle sports reported that the Media will be allowed at practice 3 day per week. Starting Now.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 12:33PM CST Nebraska Farmers unite with the corn Click There is a similar push in Boulder from the "Naturally High Medical herb growers and dispensaries"

Posted by: punt2win on August 23, 2010 12:39PM CST apolishwarhorse.....cockiness? Looks or acts, or both?

Posted by: apolishwarhorse on August 23, 2010 1:00PM CST Both, walking around the middle of campus, shouting at people etc.

Posted by: Trashman on August 23, 2010 1:15PM CST apolish So in other words....very good spirits? There could be a lot of reasons for this for a college student..... But I still like the info.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 1:21PM CST trash, of course you do. "false bravado"

Posted by: Trashman on August 23, 2010 1:33PM CST DBP This makes sense that you would understand this "false bravado" concept well... Hawk's been using it for years. And what is with Lil' Hawk getting the pine? He seemed to be the better "thrower" with less scrambling ability. Hanson is more "dual". I bet this disappointed you.

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 23, 2010 1:38PM CST Silicon has a point, I wonder if the media will be able to cover the games? Will there be post games interviews after the games? I can see Bo limiting post game interviews to….him May be Bo will tell Game Day to take their Game Day somewhere else Next Question!

Posted by: Fuzzy on August 23, 2010 2:08PM CST Fitzy - "Watson is thought of as one of the better OC in the country" ?????? By whom? No one thinks that, his name has never been mentioned by anyone in the media outside of NE, he's never once had an ounce of recognition outside of his own program. Hell, the last two years he has had to scrap his own game plans mid season because they didn't work or fit his personnel, and last year was running an offense that he admitted he didn't know much about with a QB who had no experience running it. That is about all I need to know this guy is a clown. He is the one person on staff who keeps us from being a completely legitimate - how long Bo puts up with his ineptitude is beyond me.

Posted by: N_trepid on August 23, 2010 2:09PM CST I'm thrilled to hear that the competition is this close and this intense. I don't think we can accurately judge Lee by last year's performance, and Green was a redshirt freshman looking at his first start. Lee brings meaningful experience, a thorough knowledge of the offense and excellent passing. Green and Martinez bring youth, mobility and increased athleticism. We need ALL of these guys, and we need them pushing each other. Happily, we're getting just what we need. Last year we went at least six deep in our running backs, owing to injury. In '94-'95, we were starting our third quarterback, Matt Turman. EVERY player is important to our success. I'll support whoever the coaches choose, and I'll expect to see continuing progress from the guys behind the starter. NONE of these guys are quitters, and all show great potential. GO BIG RED

Posted by: winredwin on August 23, 2010 2:10PM CST I predict that there will be a starting QB... he will wear a red jersey and get the snap from the center. I also know for a fact that said QB will look to throw or hand it off to the RBs... if those options break down, look for the QB to RUN. Dont ask me where I got my info... ancient chinese secret matey!

Posted by: N_trepid on August 23, 2010 2:13PM CST For those who asserted that homegrown farm boys aren't going to get the job done.... ....Tom Rathman, Jeff and Joel Mackovicka and Cory Schlesinger leap immediately to mind. Hope Tyler "Big Red" Legate continues the tradition! GBR

Posted by: winredwin on August 23, 2010 2:18PM CST Home grown Heismans, Crouch and Rodgers. Home grown NFL rock star, Ahman Green. Lots of Nebraska kids get the job done. Even O'Hanlon redeemed himself late in the season and proved he could walk the walk. Its the 5 star flops like Lucky and Philips that should come with a grain of scrutiny. Not is all as it seems on paper.

Posted by: PlyNeb on August 23, 2010 2:22PM CST Since the Nebraska boys are so good, why are we wasting our money recruiting anywhere else? Lock down the borders and we can beat anybody. Right!

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 23, 2010 2:24PM CST Don't for get Scott Frost, He was corn grown

Posted by: N_trepid on August 23, 2010 2:32PM CST PlyNeb, like dancing with straw men? No one is suggesting that we only recruit Nebraska. I'm just pointing out that quite a few guys who got no recruiting attention found great success at both the college and pro ranks after walking on at Nebraska. Good God, but I weary of the ridiculous sniping on these boards. Can't wait for September 4th.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 2:51PM CST trash, don't change the subject. yur mancrush is cruzing campus "talking the talk" so it is said. He has been unable to walk the walk. Can't beat out a guy with a bad win. as an aside, cody will be like cody...........riding the pine go big O

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 2:54PM CST add the "g" And also, I trust Bo to make the right decision. He balked last year, by playing your mancrush, but fixed it quickly. That is Bo and Bo knows

Posted by: N_trepid on August 23, 2010 2:57PM CST drivebyposter, Aren't you a CU fan?

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 23, 2010 3:02PM CST He he, DBP likes Bison but hate wagon drivers. and has a walking pot plant for a friend.

Posted by: TruBlueRed on August 23, 2010 3:03PM CST Corn, That is what I said, that not all players make good coaches......so we are in agreement. TD Tommie was an outstanding college QB, he just couldn't transfer that to college coaching.....doesn't mean he isn't a nice guy or degrade what he did during his playing days. There is a reason he isn't coaching anymore and Watson still is:) How many QB's during Gills's coaching tenure went on to play as QB's in the NFL? Nebraska had some good "teams" back then. Good coaching brings out a lot of the talent. And yea, seriously, Doane has had some good talent before. I take it you haven't watched a lot of their games over the years;) You may be surprised if Saban still thinks Watson is a good coach........or maybe not. Anyway I support him especially after the bowl game last year, until things are proven differently this year. I also support whoever starts at QB even though I throw out my opinion on who I think may start and opinions as to why. Hopefully in expressing my opinions I don't denegrate to unintentional "bashing" as some do (obviously not on this blog however) :)

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 3:04PM CST trepid, I like the buffs I like the corn I like the badgers I like the gators (all the same) I have explained why before but basically I have some sort of ties with all of them except the corn. I became a fan of the corn when the good Dr. went for two because ties are for Kiddie Soccer. It is how I did my business before retiring and always thought of him in tough business situations. I went for it. Lost a few, but won more. gbr trep gbr

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 3:10PM CST And nish is correct. Wagon Drivers are not my favorites in anyway shape or form. Always on some sort of probation issue. And nish the walking plant is lurking.

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 23, 2010 3:12PM CST Speaking of strawmen.....calling me a Callahan supporter is ludicrous...although I do say if he would have fired Cosgrove and replaced him with someone competent he might still be here...but that's another conversation. I've noticed most of the people listed have been fullbacks...not the position where coaches select the elite athletes to play Yes, there is the occasional Crouch and Green etc....but UNL did not win multiple titles as a direct result of recruiting and playing Nebraska kids. The "material" as Beano Cook likes to say that wins titles comes from elsewhere....If this was Broward and Dade counties....you could probably just recruit that area and have a BCS caliber squad....with the powerhouses of Northwestern High.....etc....but Elgin Pope John won't cut it. Cry in your Dorothy Lynch dressing if you need to....but greater than 9 times out of 10, Nebraska kids are complementary, not difference making athletes. Condescension and arrogance is saying small town Nebraska kids would compete on equal footing playing schools where the difference-making athletes come from....like Northwestern High, Ft. Lauderdale's Thomas Aquinas or Miami Central High.....the best in Nebraska gets blown out by Rockhurst in K.C. let alone those schools.

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 23, 2010 3:15PM CST Just for you nish. This will probably bring stepn back as well.

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 23, 2010 3:23PM CST Let's look at it from another example as well. Why aren't all the small-town kids that Wyoming signs elevating them to the top of the heap in college football? You would think that the born and bred Cowboy kids, just like the Nebraska kids would elevate them to elite heights if it was true. Surely Nebraska farm kids from Callaway aren't that much different from small town kids in Sheridan, Wyoming. I think it has more to do with the fact that Wyoming wouldn't even get its coaches in the door recruiting elite talent like Ndamukong Suh, Mickey Joseph, or Fabian Washington.

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 23, 2010 3:25PM CST That walking plant always makes me laugh. Kind of like what Wyatt Earp said to Doc Holiday, “You make me laugh Doc” Whatever happened to Step? Did he get caught up in the media ban? Most cases Step knew more about what was going on with the Red than the media. At least he self-proclaimed

Posted by: TruBlueRed on August 23, 2010 3:30PM CST Corn, from your comment that Tommie suiting up was the only way to help the talent at Doane, I assumed you had seen some of the games.....my mistake. I agree, don't know if Tommie has been asked to coach since or not, just pointed out that Watson is currently coaching and Tommie is not. I do know former players and some coaches so probably have a better idea than you what went on.....however that would serve no purpose. Maybe Tommie will be coaching in the near future, who knows. My opinion is that Watson is by far a better coach than Tommie, an opinion exactly opposite to yours.......I suspicion a poll may correlate with that thinking but who knows? I will agree to disagree with you. Go Big Red! Win 'em all with the coaches and players and fans united.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 3:33PM CST Every so often a small town like Callaway get 1 kid that can play anywhere. the law of large numbers means they will not have teams of them. The connelly kid from Hyannis come to mind. No one is even remotely trying to say that we can survive with a team full but you must acknowledge that there are a few. We would be remiss not to find them and play them. Sheeez.

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 23, 2010 3:39PM CST Farley, Can you imagine where the Husker would be had Callahan retained Bo as his DC? We probably would be Celebrating our 8 and 9 National Championship. Although the pictures of the All Americans would have been taken down and stored in the basement

Posted by: N_trepid on August 23, 2010 3:42PM CST Drinkin' wit' Terrel Farley, My God, but this is tiresome. Didn't Dean Steinkuhler hail from Burr, NE, population 66? He won both the Outland and Lombardi, and went on to a successful NFL career, didn't he? Didn't he play on an 8-man team in high school? Was he an "elite" athlete? I think so. Zach Wiegert was from Fremont, wasn't he? Won the Outland Trophy in '94, and went on to a very successful NFL career. Obviously, examples abound. All I'm tring to say is that an offensive lineman playing six-man football in small town Nebraska still has a chance to earn a starting spot at Nebraska, and could very well go on to a successful career in the NFL. I'm glad we have that pride, that hunger, that desire. I would give anything just to have been talented enough to have been allowed to show up on a Husker roster. I don't discount the contribution our home-grown talent can make. I celebrate it. Again, NO ONE is arguing that we can succeed with in-state talent alone. I think many of us are just very, very proud of the quality talent our state HAS produced. Good Lord, you couldn't find this many straw men in a thousand Nebraska corn fields....

Posted by: TomOs on August 23, 2010 3:44PM CST Lets see one of daughters class in Colorado had 4,500 students... the town she was born in NE would have 49.. are u telling me its a numbers game..

Posted by: N_trepid on August 23, 2010 3:45PM CST drivebyposter, You are not the only person I've met who became a Husker fan because of Osborne going for two.... It's a good reason, explains much, and says quite a bit about you (all favorable).

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 3:46PM CST N, I am trying to support you. It is the same arguement we hear when a small town kid get picked over someone from Omaha. keep fighting. You will never win but keep fighting.. You are not alone.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 3:55PM CST I know this is girls so it does not count but My daughter had 23 kids in her graduating class. She was recruited in 2 different sports by 5 different BCS schools along with an array of other snaller D 1 programs. They find them where they are.

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 23, 2010 3:56PM CST and that's what I am saying too, there are the sporadic homegrown talents that emerge....but for every example you list, I bet you could list 10 times that amount from elsewhere around the country that made UNL the elite program that it is today Mickey Joseph, LeRoy Etienne and the New Orleans, Lousiana connection Mike Rozier, Jammal Lord etc. from New Jersey.... I see no reason to be butthurt over Husker talent coming from near but mostly far in all of this. AGAIN, I recognize there has been talent in this state that has played a role in Nebraska's success, but the consistent winning has more to do with the elite athletes recruited from talent-rich areas of the country.

Posted by: TomOs on August 23, 2010 4:02PM CST It is well proven that Devaney turned the program around in the early 60's with recruiting of Black athletes.. when other areas would not.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 4:04PM CST that would be true in almost any program you can name. USC Texas and fla might be exceptions because of the huge pool they draw from. But the rest of us take what we want from the home state and then spread out wings. What are we arguing about anyway. I forget.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 23, 2010 4:06PM CST Tom, For sure he did not find many of them in small town Ne. :)

Posted by: Fitzy on August 23, 2010 4:06PM CST Fuzzy- Google "Shawn Watson Alabama"... Nick Saban was interested... so if that is nobody, I guess you are right. That is when Nebraska gave Wats a substantial raise if you do not recall... you don't go with a substantial raise like that unless the coach is in demand elsewhere.

Posted by: Fitzy on August 23, 2010 4:13PM CST Let us not forget that Nebraska had one of the best offenses in the country just a couple short years ago.... I will say again that last year was a fluke caused by lack of depth due to injuries... I expect we will see a very good offense take the field this year. We may now see a top defense paired with a very good offense... seems the coaches and media feel the same way, that is why you see the Huskers ranked in the top 10... they obviously feel like the offense will be much better as well. They saw what the team could do in the Holiday Bowl when relatively healthy.

Posted by: N_trepid on August 23, 2010 4:18PM CST Terrel Farley, It's a combination of the two. We've had some stellar talent, as you've demonstrated by naming them, and that talent has known tremendous success playing side-by-side with some homegrown Nebraska beef. Sneer all you want about our fullbacks, but there sure were a lot of NFL careers made by guys who received no significant national recruiting attention, weren't there? Not all blue-chippers turn out to be Mike Rozier. Home-grown heroes like Matt O'Hanlon somehow wind up starting under Coach Bo Pelini? How does that happen? Was Pelini not recruiting talent at safety? By the way, thanks for the journey down memory lane. I have very fond memories of everyone you just named. (Etienne was an absolute beast. I about puked when Mickey Joseph got thrown into the bench and broke his leg.....Saw Rozier send two opponents to the sideline, not to return, after he ran them over on the same play. The sound made after he lowered his head sounded like a rifle. Jamaal Lord, my God, he was the best athlete on that team. We could have used five of him.) Anyway, PEACE. (And GO. BIG. RED.)

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 23, 2010 4:44PM CST leroy etienne got his a$$ handed to him by UCLA please dont brag on leroy. dont ask us why he wasnt up to snuff that game either. we knew the truth. many of us knew him.

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 23, 2010 4:48PM CST quit trying to divide us on here drinkin . we do not need that. a team takes everyone. the biggest bs on here is that the scout team guys are hardly recognized. they are a huge part of our success.

Posted by: Old School Husker on August 23, 2010 4:52PM CST jamaal lord was destined to be a great safety. see also carl crawford. that snafu changed everything.

Posted by: N_trepid on August 23, 2010 4:59PM CST BTW, one last example of homegrown talent, an Omaha boy who played center for Nebraska, last name Rimington. I think they named some little trophy after him.... GO.BIG.RED.

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 24, 2010 3:52PM CST The point was out-of-state kids, the sporadic Crouch or Green and the elite athletes in general have more to do with the success of the UNL program than any 2 star or walk-on from Columbus Scotus. Some Nebraskans like to get caught up in the fantasy of Nebraska kids from the wind-swept plains irrigating fields in the morning and arriving in the afternoon to take out the Florida Gators on a national stage, it's just not true. I'm not trying to be divisive, I'm just trying to get rid of that foolhardy nonsense, most Nebraska kids are there to provide depth, not be the difference maker that wins games with a few notable exceptions as mentioned above.