Future Nebraska Offense? Could Mirror Florida Gators
11 comments so far
December 19, 2008 by
This season saw a change in offensive philosophy mid-season. The first few weeks the Huskers looked like the west coast offense of the Callahan years. Limited production and a huge blowout loss to Missouri sent the coaches to the drawing board and we began to see more spread formations which lead to a higher production in the running game and kept many defenses off-balanced while the Huskers achieved balance in ending 8-4 heading into the Gator Bowl. Assuming Rex Burkhead and Cody Green end up in Husker red as their verbal pledges suggest, the Nebraska Offense? may begin to reveal its true colors in the coming seasons.
If you want to watch what Nebraska wants to become, set your Tivo to Fox at 7 PM on January 8. You'll see two teams full of ridiculous talent and high powered offense. The Huskers want to become that. High powered. Some would suggest we are high powered already but I don't think we are near as good offensively as Shawn Watson and Bo Pelini want.
Way back during the coaching search era (okay, it wasn't that long ago, but in my mind it was) I recall several interviews or snippets with both Tom Osborne and Bo Pelini revealing their hopes for what Nebraska's offense would ultimately become. Both men's answers always included one team and that is the Florida Gators.
Cody Green has mentioned in previous interviews that he was surprised to get wooed by Shawn Watson early on but Watson told Green that he had the skill set the coaches were looking for: can run the option well with a great arm as well. Does the name Tim Tebow ring a bell? Green has carried his team into the state championship game to be played tomorrow by using both his feet and his arm. In the quarterfinals game, Green went off with his legs, rushing for over 200 yardsin the first half.
Now add Burkhead into the mix. Burkhead has all of the tools. He can run, make people miss, and will fight for the extra yards. But what may send him over the top are his hands. The kid can catch a football. He is a homerun threat with his feet and can be utilized in the slot at times as well.
With much talk of trying to figure out what the coach-described Nebraska Offense? really is, my best guess is that we haven't even seen it yet. I think the coaches are trying to fill this class with some stud playmakers on offense that will allow them to eventually run their dream offense. Only time will tell. First things first though, let's get these guys signed.
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James Moore Dec 19 08
This could very well be the future for us. It seems that we're slowly moving in this direction. Again, I've mentioned this too many times here, but I truly believe that the style of no-huddle that Oklahoma runs is not only perfect for us but the future of football on all levels. Green and Lee add the additional element of mobility to the QB position that Bradford cannot bring to the table as a credible, every-down option to be potentially available on the ground. We've been utilizing one-back/spread principles since Texas Tech and the efficiency that the zone ground game got against Colorado was superb. We know that we can execute the zone stretch/read very well and that we've got the slips as a staple part of the current offensive package as well. To further give evidence of this possible move look no further than the increased emphasis on perimeter blocking by wideouts. This is ESSENTIAL for all spread teams (I would put to you that the very special offensive line that Oklahoma has is complemented by the HUGE advantage they have on one-on-one perimeter blocking matchups during run plays because of the size and physical nature of their Receiving Corps). Slowly but surely it does seem that this could end up being our ultimate destiny offensively. . .
jude Dec 19 08
James Moore ...... Lee again.
Just take a look at his rushing numbers for
his big JC year.
http://old.coasports.org/Football/statistics/ccsf.htm#ind
-7 years for the year.
Someone is selling the Kool-aid big time.
Dwayne Dec 19 08
In two or three years, NU fans are going to see an offense start with and revolve around these two players, Green and Burkhead.
darren Dec 19 08
I wouldn't peg the offensive identity or evolution around those two players quite yet. Don't get me wrong, I value those guys, big time. I just wrote a post gushing about both of them.
The point is that their recruitment shows that NU will continue to try to be "multiple" on offense, meaning a QB-run game. An yes, it will very likely out of the spread. Though traditional option can be en vogue too.
But, all spots will be a competition...a very *serious* competition...under this coaching staff, both next year an moving forward. Lee and Witt will battle. Green and others will be in the mix. Burkhead joins a crowded house in the backfield, etc etc. Competition makes all of them better.
I think every fan following NU can see things building, and that is very refeshing to see.
tom Dec 19 08
jude, in your response to "-7" yards, I hope you realize that sacks are counted against yardage gained for quarterbacks in college. By the way, that's the third time I've seen that link on our site and someone complaining about that stat. I think someone's got a vendetta against Lee! I have seen him gain positive yards on film, so I know it's out there. If someone can find for me his total yardage gained with the sacks taken out, then I will shut my mouth if those numbers aren't impressive.
bob Dec 19 08
Bo and the whole offensive coaches will get the right players to play the right offense to get the job done. If that is a reflection of the Florida offense then that is because it is the right offense for the nature of college football these days, not just because Florida runs it. Who had the right offense when we played Florida the last time? It is just perception if you have the right athletes and the right coaches at any given time you can win with any offense, Right now people think Florida has the "right" offense, it depends on the coaches philosophy, not who is doing what right now.
Greg Morrow Dec 19 08
Here's a nice story in today's LA Times about Taylor Martinez. http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-centennial19-2008dec19,0,6145408.story
Nice prospect. A ways still, till signing day. Hopefully a Pac 10 team like Oregon doesn't make a play and nab him with a promise that he'll be their qb.
Third and two, whatcha gonna do? Pass it, pass it, rah rah rah!
I think further attempts to mix in some "powers" as Callahan might say, will happen too. Can't totally give up on that. You need to at least show it.
As long as nobody transfers out, Nebraska has a stable of quarterbacks, the next couple of seasons, that should breed some top competition. Just not next year, where the next guy will struggle. But, at least he'll have a running game and a more improved defense as backup. A lot more than Zac Taylor had to work with, in '05 and even Joey, to start this season.
Duel threat quarterbacks are simply college quarterbacks playing the college game. As some have mentioned, Chase Daniel may not play a snap in the NFL. Nothing wrong with that, imo. He goes into perpetuity as a very, very good college qb. The type of which, is all Nebraska needs.
Oh, and another option at third and two.
Jeff Dec 20 08
Great article!
I gave you props on my site, huskersgameday.com
I think the Huskers are going to give Cody Green every chance to win the starting job.
Green and Helu, along with Q, would give the Huskers speed in the backfield that hasnt' been seen since 2001.
darren Dec 20 08
Jeff - I agree. Nice artile, Renny. Folks can get used to hearing from Renny a lot more moving forward, and this site is better for it.
I drop by huskersgameday pretty often. Good stuff. lots of material. Thanks for the props over there. But, our site is called Big Red Network (not "Report", that's some other guys.) :-)
Or you can call us BRN, because you are cool.
Ah, friendship in the blog-o-sphere.
Bill in Iowa Dec 20 08
Great article Renny. I like how you have focused our attention on what the NU offense will look like or what the coach's want it to look like once their new recruits become men.
I think we have to keep in mind that Watson still wants to run heavy sets and power football with big fullbacks. Don't forget, we didn't abandon those heavy sets until we realized we just don't have the personel for that at this time. Also, notice, we seem to be recruiting big fullback and/or north and south running backs, both last year and this year. The LJS reported:
The fifth known commitment in NU’s 2009 class, Robinson is the first running back on the list. The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has been clocked in the 40 at 4.5 seconds. “Just a north-and-south runner,� he said of his style. “I can do anything.�
I agree with your article, we are still going to see some option (Green) and some spread running attack (Burkhead), but when Watson say "multiple", I think he means it. So, once we have the personell, look for power running game as well. In that case, we might look a little bit like Oklahoma!
Jason Jan 21 09
Some folks are discussing this article over on the ESPN Boards.