Loss of Witt Not Trivial
22 comments so far
February 26, 2009 by
The Lincoln Journal-Star’s Steve Sipple wrote a nice piece about why NU quarterback Patrick Witt left. In short, Witt was threatening to transfer to another school if Bo Pelini would not name a starting quarterback at the end of Spring practice. Rather than allow Witt to dictate the terms of a major coaching decision, he let Witt walk. It’s hard to see that as anything other than the right call on Pelini’s part. That said, the Huskers are not a better football team without Patrick Witt.
The depth chart going into spring likely would have had Patrick Witt at the top, followed closely by Zac Lee, with Cody Green and Kody Spano bringing up the rear. The expectation was that Witt and Lee would hold the top two spots and that Green could redshirt regardless of Spano’s progress. Witt and Lee would push one another to be better and Green and Spano would benefit from seeing how hard the older guys competed.
As of January 1, Witt was ahead in the quarterback race, so it’s entirely possible he would have won the starting job. Now Lee is a clear favorite and can win the starting job without performing at a level that would have edged out Witt.
There can be positives out of this. If Lee is the best quarterback for 2009 and Green the best to follow Lee, then Witt’s departure might provide more reps for both players so that they become better prepared to play. As a pocket passer, Witt also wasn’t much of a threat in the spread option game. The remaining quarterbacks all are able to make things happen with their legs. If Witt’s attitude of entitlement was detrimental, then getting that out of the locker room can help the unity of the team and reinforce Pelini’s position of not coddling players. So clearly his departure doesn’t have to be all bad.
But the Huskers have lost what had appeared to be their best option to replace Joe Ganz as of the Gator Bowl. They’ve lost a competitor to push Lee and the others. Cody Green could be drafted to be the backup quarterback and thus burn a valuable redshirt. So it’s hard to believe this makes the team better, even if Witt would not have won the starting job.
In addition, it probably won’t help Witt either. Witt’s main strengths as a quarterback were his frame and his mind. He was never going to dazzle you with raw athleticism. Mastering an offense over five years (as Joe Ganz did) seemed like a great way to win a starting job and to have a shot at playing pro football. But now Witt, will have just three years to master a new offense and he’ll have the transfer on his resume (to go with a few transfers he had in high school).
So while things could work out for all parties in this transfer, it seems likely that no one will really benefit from it in the end.
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Andy Feb 26 09
At what point do the coaches have to declare a redshirt? Can they wait until the 10th or 11th game of the season to do it? If so, ideally what could happen is Lee is named the starter, and Green the backup, with hopes that Green never HAS to see the field. In big wins, Spano could get the clean-up duty snaps, but we could have Green waiting in the wings in case a major injury occurs. That way, by the end of the season, if Green hasn't seen the field, there is still the possibility of redshirting. If that's the way redshirting can work.
Steve Feb 26 09
Hi Andy,
Thankfully, they can postpone a decision pretty much all season. The player doesn't burn the redshirt until he plays (and can even get a waiver if he sees just spot duty early in the season, like Barry Turner will seek).
But coaches want to get their top backup as game ready as they can since he'll be just one play away from having to carry the load. That makes you want to get as many live reps as you can. So if Green's a clear #2, I'd expect them to burn the redshirt (even if they didn't really have to).
Dwayne Feb 26 09
Steve,
On the surface your last sentence of your first paragraph appears to be true. However, we may never truly know the reality of that. In my mind, Witt is comparable to Keller and Lee might be comparable to Ganz. The reality of that is NU was a bit better with Ganz under center than Keller. Initially I don't like to see anyone leave NU prior to graduation, but sometimes things don't work out as bad as you initially fear. A question I've thought about recently is: How many quarterbacks have graduated after fulfilling four full years at NU in the past 5 years? I can think of two.
Ty Hughes Feb 26 09
Somewhat related, but a bit of a one off: what would happen if Barry Turner in his Sr. year breaks his leg, doesn't declare for the draft and then is NOT granted a medical redshirt? Does he go in the supplemental draft? Or is it pretty much assured that he is getting a medical redshirt so he can return for 2009?
Steve Feb 26 09
Ty,
It sounds like it's a slam dunk he'll be back. The Huskers have a pretty good track record in these appeal situations. I can't recall a player they expected back that they couldn't get back.
cvldfg Feb 26 09
I think Witt leaving is a positive for the team. Having a father-son combo like these two, seemed to be more of a problem then they were worth. Let them be someone else's headache. With that said:
You are going off the assumption that NEBRASKA will not be able to recruit another QB to run the offense in the next couple of years. Yes, I understand that it is not easy to get a top-flight QB, but we have 4 young QB's in the stable and if we keep flooding the system with QB's, you tell me, when are they all going to play?
I know you can't account for injuries and other things that come up, but NOBODY, (not even BRN), EVER saw Joe Ganz as being the guy like he was last year. Let these guys make or break their own futures. I seriously don't think that competition will be a problem.
The sky is not falling because the father-son combo of Witt and Wittless are transfering. I much prefer, and like, the chances now of one of these guys emerging to lead the team in the future. Give this coaching staff some credit, (and time), to mentor this group. I have a feeling they know what they are doing better than any of us.
John Feb 26 09
Let's not overlook Spano - and Martinez. These are both quality men with great upsides. It's fun to watch this develop.
jude Feb 26 09
cvidfg:
"The sky is not falling because the father-son combo of Witt and Wittless are transfering
Well one of the main reasons that he's transferring is because of the father son combo of Zac & former NFL qb Bob Lee. So the headache
has been their for a while.
Also, Witt's so called demands were leaked by NU, the Witt's never said anything. Nonetheless Sipple reported that Witt felt that Lee was getting preferential treatment by the coaches ever since he stepped foot on campus.
Frankly I'm amazed that he's lasted this long.
JBLING22 Feb 26 09
I know nobody wants to hear this, but I think you have to realize we might have two qbs during the year if Green is as good as everyone thinks.. Yes Lee has the advantage of being in the program a year, and will likely start the season,but if Greens athleticism shows, old Bo might do a little re-un........If I remember right Tebo, wasn't the only one playing...
Dwayne Feb 26 09
NU will probably have a span of something around 10 years with only two quarterbacks to be enrolled for a full four years prior to graduating. I think that number is significant and needs to change and I think Bo's philosophy in getting players that enjoy and look forward to competition is only going to help. Everyone knows that a stout defense helps win championships, but until there is some consistency, system experience, and stability at the quarterback position, competing for championships will be tough.
HuskerDeck Feb 26 09
I agree with cvldfg completely. I think Bo and the coaching staff know what is best for the Huskers. This idea of transfering just because things don't go your way is in my opinion just another way of quitting.
darren Feb 26 09
Steve's headline got me to thinking...I have a pretty good head for Triva. So, does anybody remember Jay Runty? He was a QB at NU in the late 1990's. He was caught up in the mix with quite a few other great quarterbacks - Scott Frost (who transfered to NU, remember), Newcombe, Crouch. Yeah...so Runty went ahead and transfered. He was a pretty darn good athlete - still holds the vertical jump record at NU - but he was just the odd man out.
I've said before that Witt leaving hurts NU. You always want quarterback depth. But, how much different is it than Runty's departure, really? The only two things I can see are that Witt was the *assumed* frontrunner and that the Internet exists in a much bigger form, so people like us can analyze every word a player, parent or coach says.
And about the elder Witt - I don't know the man. Though, Jason and I had a chance encounter with him once. But, I will say this - sure he's involved. Show me a parent that isn't? Yes, many can take it overboard and try to run their child's career. But, I'm going step very cautiously before making any claims about what was or was not said. It's his child, after all.
Cal4Huskers Feb 26 09
It doesn't appear that anyone is taking Taylor Martinez as a serious threat to play quarterback. I watched him a lot here on the left coast and he is a phenomenal athlete. He was the offensive player of the year for Calif. and the player of the year in SoCal; need I say more. He simply knows how to win football games. He played one of the toughest schedules of any high school team and went undefeated. Missouri had a similar QB in Chase Daniel, who was also underestimated by the recruiting gurus.
bnahusker Feb 26 09
Maybe Chase was "underestimated" because he is slower than a Nebraska "O" Lineman! He fit the Missouri scheme, and was a winner. His arm and timing are fantastic but, I don't think that he is athletically on par with other QBs in spread offenses nor do I think is young Mr. Witt.
I wish him nothing but the best.
GBR!
Bob
Red Feb 26 09
OK OK Enough already. We get it, You like Patrick Witt. Enough about why you think this "hurts" NU.
Id rather have a single QB on the roster than a backup who puts himself above his team mates. That's what Witt did. Either by telling Coach Bo he had to name a starter, or by quitting on them by leaving the team. In either case, that's not something a team player does.
A guy who is willing to quit when he's #1 is not likely to be a "Competitor" and push the other guys.
You end your article by saying "it seems likely that no one will really benefit from it in the end."
WRONG. You have obviously never buckled it up. A self absorbed player who is in a leadership position can do tremendous damage to a team. Like a cancer, they can spread if not dealt with. If you think NU would be better off by trying to keep a player who doesnt want to be there or thinks he is above team rules, YOU HAVE NO PLACE DISCUSSSING FOOTBALL.
Not to shoot my mouth off, but I know some of the coaches and have been told of an offensive wrinkle they may add next year that will mean knowledge of the system wont be as important as it has been in the past. Those of you who know football can probably figure out what that wrinkle is, but if not, im not spilling the beans here.
However, because of the wrinkle, dont count out Cody Green next year.
darren Feb 26 09
Well, Red, thank you for dropping by.
I appreciate your perspective and input. But, lecturing people on who or who isn't "qualified" to talk about football is a bit harsh. Don't ya think?
I think not wanting people who think they are "above" the group or a system is kind of a universal truth - not just one that applies to football. It's true in every business, group, team or association. Steve's point is that "Hey, seriously, we have one less experienced QB. That has to count for something."
Like I said in my comment above. It's not like this is the first time this has every happened at NU, so it isn't as if BRN is sitting around crying about this kid.
So, maybe dial it down a bit with who knows more about what. Or, who gets to have an opinion.
Oh, and your insights about the "new" offense - please be specific or be silent. The idea that NU would go to a zone read scheme that is simplified and requires basically one or two choices before the snap isn't exactly new. Many, many fans (and, yes, some of my other sources) have seen that coming. It's kinda popular right now in college football...
And, nobody is counting Cody Green out. At least I'm not. You don't have to look much farther than Terrell Pryor to know what is possible in year 1.
Steve Feb 26 09
Red,
Decaf, brother, decaf...
I get the sense that you read most of the piece, but it appears you missed at least one sentence: "It's hard to see that as anything other than the right call on Pelini's part."
Witt is what 19, 20? The best outcome would have been to change his attitude (and his Dad could probably have helped in that department), then the Huskers aren't out an experienced quarterback. If you kick every player off the team at the first sign of a bad attitude, you'll pretty quickly be out of players. Much of the time, a player can learn to get with the program and put their selfishness aside, it benefits nobody in this case that Witt couldn't or wouldn't do that. It could have been a valuable life lesson, but instead he took his ball and went home.
Nebraska's out a quarterback and he's out an opportunity. This probably hurts the team most this year, but it also hurts if they needlessly burn a redshirt for Green that they would have used later.
I love the "new wrinkle" and in all honesty, I was sort of pulling for Lee to win the job for that reason. But that doesn't mean you want to lose a kid from your two-deep when it can be avoided.
But make no mistake, I totally agree that either that attitude had to go or Witt did. I just think it's too bad it had to be the latter.
JBLING22 Feb 27 09
CAL4HUSKERS
I totally agree with you that Martinez is a great quarterback , especially at the highschool level, and just might be the type of guy we want at QB in the future. The only thing is that I don't think its proabable that he will get in the mix this year.Its going to be hard enough for Cody Green to come in "Green" so to speak, and he at least he gets to go through spring training.. Martinez doesn't get that luxury and it will be damn near impossible to get that play book down in the month of August... However, if Green dosn't get on the field this year, It would be a very interesting deciscion on whom gets the nod in the next two years.. He has the tools, just like Green and if we can keep both these guys on the roster, I think we have a lot to look forward to in the QB position.. If Green does however get on the field this year its going to be extremely hard for Martinez to catch up.. Either way we need to see both these guys on the field in some position... The good thing is that even if Martinez would beat out Green in the future, could you image a 6-4 Green at reciever...
Red Feb 27 09
darren not sure what your talking about. The zone read is a play we have been running the last few years. Not sure how anyone could consider that a new wrinkle.
That is not what i was talking about. Sorry but im not going to take your "be specific of be silent" advice (what are you a jesuit brother or something?). The wrinnle is something other teams have adobted in the last few years, but something NU hasnt adopted... yet.
Dwayne Feb 27 09
Here's the new wrinkle. Suh under center. Keep that on the down low.
WOW Feb 27 09
"That said, the Huskers are not a better football team without Patrick Witt."
I beg to differ with this statement in as much as you used the word "Team".
It is a truism that Nebraska's offensive capabilities are negatively effected by the loss but as much as we all have witnessed this entire program is in need of every aspect that word embodies.
Whether or not Patrick Witt could have become the "Team" player that Nebraska needs will never be known but it seems evident that he wasn't showing as much of it as was required by Coach Pelini.
Just my nickles worth.
JR
B_B Feb 27 09
Wow, its amazing how much can be said about Witt transfering when at the end of the day he's gone. Im just anxious to see what spring and summer bring. In my mind Pelini is getting the right ingredients for NU. I hate seeing a talented athlete leave Nebraska as much as the next guy, fortunately I dont think that left us short on talent. As far as having competition for fellow players to bring out their best, well if anyone can fire up and motivate a group of kids to play, its Bo! He'll get the very best out of every one of them, I have no doubt.
GBR!!!!!!!