Wide Receivers Key to Unleashing West Coast Offense
6 comments so far
June 25, 2007 by
Not since Irving Fryar or perhaps even Johnny Rodgers have the Huskers had a receiver that was a major offensive weapon. Sure when you factor in the return game a guy like Bobby Newcombe becomes a bigger factor, but offensively (at wingback) he was mostly an afterthought.
The west coast offense was supposed to change all that. No longer would the big-time receivers like Roy Williams take the field at Memorial Stadium only in a visiting jersey. Remember how helpless the Huskers looked against Andre Johnson in the 2002 Rose Bowl? Now the Huskers could give their opponents a taste of their own medicine.
But in three seasons under Bill Callahan, Maurice Purify has been the only real game-breaker at receiver and now his future is very much in doubt. The next great hope is 2007 recruit Niles Paul. But he’s not the first highly touted prospect brought in under Callahan. Chris Brooks, a highly regarded Missouri product, has yet to make his presence felt after two seasons in Lincoln (one of which was a redshirt year). Junior college transfer Frantz Hardy has shown flashes, but the skinny wideout caught only 14 balls in 2006.
This year promises more production as Sam Keller loves to go deep. With him pulling the trigger, we’re likely to see the receivers put up bigger numbers. But it’s not Keller that needs to be the playmaker. Nebraska must find the receiver or better yet receivers that opponents can’t match up with and exploit those match-ups consistently. The receivers need to make big plays after the catch. Only then will we see the promise of the west coast offense truly fulfilled.
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Gregory Jun 25 07
I didn't get a great "vibe" about Brooks, the first time I read his bio. "Dad" is a little much for a freshman, not to mention maintaining a relationship with his baby's mother. I'm impressed that he's still on the squad. At this point, I'll be satisfied if he remains a good citizen and gets his degree. Some guys don't improve enough after H.S. and there's no shame in that, to me. I just like to see guys stick with the program.
Anyhoo, an accurate, legitimate deep threat is something Callahan has been thirsting for, his whole tenure here. Confidence will permeate the offense and there should be a few more inches of space, for the underneath routes. I think it makes that big a difference.
This year, finally, we see Callahan use the entire "repertoire", with the offense and the entire team renewed and chomping at the bit!
scott Jun 25 07
I hope Todd Peterson gets more passes thrown his way this year. ever since his freshman season (a true freshman nonetheless) he has shown that he is not only reliable but seems to have the intangibles like his size (6'4" 210 lbs) and a knack for being open on big downs. especially since we will likely lose Mo for some amount of time he gives us a viable deep threat AND a guy who will make the big catch in traffic. this may all be in my head, but i believe the guy has some serious untapped potential and this group of receivers should dominate secondaries come fall. GBR!!!
Mark Dann Jun 25 07
What is the reality with Purify's situation?
Is he out, gone or just suspended for a few games. Or do we not know yet?
Steve Jun 26 07
Mark,
"Indefinitely" is pretty indefinite. Assuming he keeps his nose clean, many folks have him back for the USC game but even that might be in doubt. I can't imagine he wouldn't be back by Missouri (if he's back at all).
Nick Jun 28 07
"Nebraska must find the receiver or better yet receivers that opponents can’t match up with and exploit those match-ups consistently"
Who doesn't want that?
Steve Jun 28 07
Nick,
The key word there is "must". It's not about wanting, it's about needing. The Huskers don't have a running quarterback anymore (which are still hard for college teams to defend). In 1995 you could have receivers like Clester Johnson, Brendan Holbein, and Jon Vedral and dominate because you didn't have an offense with receivers as a primary weapon.
That's changed. Baylor can run their spread, but with their lousy receivers what good does it do? They still finished 11th in the conference in total offense.
If the design of your offense is to attack with the pass, you're going to need more than Nate Swift and Terrence Nunn. Not to bash those guys, but against teams like USC, OU and Auburn, they can't produce even 50 yards.
Do you think A&M didn't know we'd be looking at Purify late in the game? They did, but they were just helpless to stop it. It's that kind of player (Limas Sweed and Malcolm Kelly come to mind) that make passing offenses viable for teams with championship aspirations. Without that kind of player, a passing offense doesn't make sense. FSU won national championships with guys like Vanover and Warrick. Miami with Irvin and Johnson.
If you can't get that kind of player, your passing offense will not be special, plain and simple.