Open to Receive
15 comments so far
April 2, 2008 by
Even this early in to Spring Practice, it is fairly obvious to everyone following Husker football closely that there will be a renewed emphasis on the running game. But, that doesn't mean NU won't be putting the ball in the air at all. With an offense already installed and starting quarterback who has meaningful game experience, it could actually be a recipe for a more efficient passing game. The variable is the receiving corps. Can a couple of steady seniors and a crop of talented newcomers fill the void created by some important departures?
Who's Gone?
Nebraska's receivers have lost both top-end talent and long-term production from 2007. Mo Purify had NFL caliber skills and the knack for making big catches. He led NU wide receivers in catches, yards and touchdown receptions last year. His playmaking will be missed. Terrence Nunn didn't always come up as big as Purify, but he was one of the most productive receivers in NU history, and helped bridge the offensive transition during the last round of coaching changes. He and his Playboy model girlfriend will both be missed. Franz Hardy's speed and great afro also used up their eligibility.
Senior Leadership
The good news for NU starts with two seniors at the top of the depth chart. Nate Swift caught 36 passes for 520 yards and three touchdowns last year. Swift has shown flashes of brilliant play, but also has an unfortunate tendency to drop balls he shouldn't. The 6'4'' Todd Pederson also returns. Of his 18 catches in 2007, five went for touchdowns. The former walk-on player caught 359 yards worth of passes, with a 19.9 yards-per-catch average that led NU. Pederson also has made clutch catches (3rd downs, 2-point conversions) in his career. These two seniors must lead the way for NU's passing game to stay on track in 2008
Step On Up
The Huskers have a number of talented players seeking repetitions and improvement this spring, with eyes on playing time and catches come Fall. Menelik Holt tops the list. At 6'4'' and 220 lbs, he appears to be the player most able to fill the physical void created by Purify's departure. Holt saw the field some last season, too. Four catches for 97 yards don't amount to too much, but experience in the offense and in game action set him apart from the rest of the group.
Next on the list of possible contributors is a pair of sophomores, Niles Paul and Curenski Gilleylen. Paul is a fan favorite who made one catch last year - for which he received a standing ovation. The cousin of Ahman Green played almost exclusively on special teams (a waste, if you ask me), and is itching for the chance to show is significant talent on offense. Gilleylen is a prototypical slot receiver. At 6'0'' and 210 pounds, he almost looks more like a running back. But, make no mistake. That kid is fast....like 10.22 seconds in 100 meters fast. Expect him to be in the mix for playing time.
There are a few other names to keep your eye on. The 6'5'' Will Henry looks like a giraffe with a helmet on. He could present serious match up problems for smaller corners. It's anybody's guess when the light bulb will come on for Chris Brooks, who is now entering his junior season. And Ohio transfer Matt Donahue is reportedly the fastest Husker. Any one of them could factor in to the equation if they have a productive Spring.
Ron Gilmore returns to coach the receivers and they all have some experience catching passes from Joe Ganz. So, the continuity and familiarity should be helpful to a group whose development is pivotal to NU's air attack.
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Dwayne Apr 02 08
With a new position coach, Swift and Pederson may become more valuable than many people think, especially over the summer, if the younger corp is expected to contribute early. I always had hoped Brooks would do more than what he has shown but that may have been the previous coaches philosophy with lack of reps as well. Who knows? And what do you mean Playboy model girlfriend?
darren Apr 02 08
Nunn dates Jordan Monroe who is a Playboy Playmate. I thought about including a link. But I know most folks use this site at work. Google away if you want. :-)
Jason Apr 02 08
Dwayne: For historical background. (Safe for work.)
Dwayne Apr 02 08
Ok. Thanks for the link. I must be living under a rock or something and the last magazine subscription I recieved was Consumer Reports I believe. That was years ago, thanks to the information super highway. And who said nothing good ever came out of Iowa?
Carlinthemarlin Apr 02 08
Matt Donahue has to sit out a season as a transfer. Although he could still play a role in the spring, I guess.
darren Apr 02 08
Great point, Carlinthemarlin. (Duh, Darren).
Oh the silly NCAA and their "rules" regarding transfers. ;-)
Husker Mike Apr 02 08
I'll throw another name out there as a slot receiver... Marlon Lucky. Not full time, mind you. But if Roy Helu and Quentin Castille develop the way I think they can, you've got to get them on the field. But not at the expense of Marlon Lucky...but you also need to keep in mind where Marlon was most productive, and that was catching passes and outside runs in space.
I think you can do a lot of things with Marlon Lucky if you move him around the field. And with the depth we have at I-back, getting him some snaps at receiver could really open up a lot of options (pun intended!) for this offense.
bnahusker Apr 02 08
Some of us get away with more than others at work! Now, where's that link?! hehehehe
GBR
Bob
Katie Apr 02 08
Curenski Gilleylen - I really hope he turns into a great wide receiver. What a GREAT name!
It will be fun to watch this new batch of receivers develop.
BigRedKoolAid Apr 02 08
For the receivers coach that would be Ted Gilmore. Ron Brown coaches tight ends.
darren Apr 02 08
Holy factual error, batman. Thanks KoolAid man for pointing out my "hybrid" name there. Yes, I meant Ted Gilmore.
Maybe I was just imagining an unstoppable combination of the two of them. Or maybe I should quit posting these things at night.
cvldfg Apr 03 08
Darren, I don't think you should have drank all the cough syrup before you posted.
From what it sounds like, NU should have plenty of talent to spread around the field on offense.
HuskerMike, I agree. Marlon, I think, can be used a lot like Marshal Faulk. I don't want to see them go crazy with the offense, but they should, easily, be able to confuse defenses with unusual looking offensive looks.
bnahusker Apr 03 08
Some of these comments help explain my frustration with the offence over the last few years.
I remember when Big Red didn't worry about "confusing" defenses. They dared you to stop them. I understand that we need diversity in the offence, and that deception is a part of the game, but it is my opinion that the previous staff went too far. The motto seemed to be "If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull#&%@".
I do like the improved attitude that I've picked up on so far, and hope that our optimism isn't as misplaced as it was 4 years ago.
GBR!
Bob
donfl Apr 03 08
bnahusker, I was one of those whose optimism was misplaced, but I do have to admit that at least BC brought our offense into the 21st Century. It is Watson's job now to make it work. If BO can perform miricles with thils defense like he did when taking over for Craig Bohl we will be just fine. Git er Done. GoBigRED. Scuse me, just watched Dan Whitney on CMT last night.
Greg Morrow Apr 03 08
This could be the year that Callahan's emphasis on tall receivers (arriving as freshmen) could start to pay off. To think, he probably won't see a play of it.
This unit has the best mix of height and speed, I can recall. No really little guys, until a couple of frosh show up, late summer.
I'm hoping this is the year that competition reveals some players who have all conference ability, actually demonstrated in winning efforts and not trying to catch up, TD for TD. Swift and Peterson as 5th year guys, along with Ganz and the returning Marlon (excite me a little, now that I think about it!) That's a huge talent break, for a 1st year HC.
Ganz as a 5th year distributor, could surpass Zac's amazing '06 season, when really, Zac was finally down pat with the offense.