2008’s Pain Could Be 2009’s Gain
4 comments so far
September 9, 2008 by
Breaking a leg is never a good thing and for Barry Turner the injury has got to be disappointing and perhaps even devastating. But the silver lining may be that the 2009 Husker defense may be that much stronger as a result.
The Huskers entered fall camp with three seniors starting on the defensive line and three more in the top reserve roles. While that’s a great thing for 2008, it meant that in 2009 the Huskers would be breaking in three new starters on the defensive line and three more newbies in the often used second-string. It might be worth pointing out that the maligned 2007 defensive line had to replace four senior starters.
But the outlook for 2009 has changed substantially since that time. The dismissal of Kevin Dixon created an opportunity for a younger player to earn playing time (like Terrance Moore and Jared Crick). Turner’s injury moved Pierre Allen from a reserve role and into a starting role. Turner himself is said to be a good candidate to earn a fifth year due to medical hardship. That means the Huskers could now essentially return three starters along with some younger reserves.
In no way is Turner’s injury a positive. Kenny Wilson broke a leg and may never be the same player he was prior to injury. But every problem presents an opportunity and in this case the problems caused by Turner’s injury and Dixon’s dismissal now provides an opportunity to improve the outlook along the defensive line a year from now.
Did you enjoy this article?
Get Husker news by email
Follow us on Twitter
Related Stories: Defensive Line
Post a comment
darren Sep 09 08
Nice perspective, Steve. It's tough to see that longer-term vision when one of your best defenders goes out for the year.
Staying positive... I thought Allen played very well in relief last week. He has great range sideline to sideline. A former basketball star, he's very long-limbed. If he plays with good leverage and keep blockers off of his body by using his arms, he can be a solid player for NU right now. He'll need to be...
Travis Hanson Sep 09 08
As we all know injuries are part of football and while it's hard to see Barry out for the season it's just simply the way it is. I hope for his sake that he can get the medical hardship 5th season. It would be a shame for his college career to finish with him on the sideline.
I was at the game Saturday and was very impressed with Pierre Allen. He reminds me a little bit of Dwayne Harris of the '94 National Champion team. He's not as thick as Harris (muscular) but does have that big wingspan and great instincts that Harris had. The play in the 3rd quarter that he read the quaterback beautifully and dropped into the passing lane and almost made a great catch that would have likely been a pick six showed me that this kid has the instincts. The physical aspects will continue to come to him and I think he'll do well this season.
Sometimes through adversity the biggest gains can be achieved. Hopefully this is one of those cases...Time will tell.
JBLING22 Sep 09 08
I don't think there's any way Barry won't get a Fifth year of Eligibility... He played under the 20% required for it, and if would get rejected I don't see whom should be able to recieve it... He actually would have had a chance to play football later (Highbred Linebacker/ DE in pass rushing Situations) , so i don't the NCAA is going to screw this one up.
Bill in Iowa Sep 09 08
I was worried about next year's defense based on losing so many d-lineman, but now I am feeling much better. I still hope Merideth and Williams can redshirt...if possible. Next year you could see Allen and Turner on the field together at opposite ends. Hopefully, Suh stays another year and plays next to Crick, Moore, and/or the younger Stein. You got to feel good about next year's d-line.
Then you consider we only lose Glenn and Wortman at LB, and we have a lot of young talent there (I hope they develop some of these younger players at LB this year). In the secondary, we should only lose Murillo and we get Blue back at corner. With one year of the system under their belts, next years defense should be pretty salty.