QB Scuttlebutt
7 comments so far
March 17, 2009 by
As a former wide receiver--or split end in the parlance of the times--I hate giving more attention to quarterbacks. They already get it all (always have, always will) but as a Nebraska fan I've resigned myself to the fact that the QB race is going to be the dominant conversation of the spring and summer months.
In fact, QB scuttlebutt reared up again last week with a surprising announcement out of south Florida and an injury rumor floating about in the Internet ether dominating the (hypothetical) conversation.
If there's anything I like less than talking about quarterbacks it's talking about quarterbacks hypothetically. But at this point, and until next September, it's all hypothetical so if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Let's talk quarterbacks.
Marve Likes Corn
Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated reported on Saturday that former Miami Hurricane QB Robert Marve listed Nebraska as one of the six schools to which he would consider transferring. The fact that Marve was suspended twice last season by Miami for violations of team policy combined with his fairly middling numbers last year while splitting time with fellow freshman Jacory Harris led most Nebraska fans to shrug their shoulders at best and outright decry the prospect at worst. Those are both good reasons--along with the fact that NU won't graduate a QB currently on the squad for at least two years--to wonder if the Huskers should even pursue Marve. I haven't heard anyone in favor of the move profess anything stronger than a "why not" but I have one very good reason why not: Marve has triceps tattoos.
Now, I've been working on this theory for the past few seasons, collecting data, and it shows that QBs with tattoos on the back of their arms almost always aren't very good. Look no further than our own Joe Dailey. Bless his heart for enduring the difficult regime change and serving as Callahan's sacrificial lamb, but Tommie Frazier he wasn't and Dailey featured almost the exact same initials in swirly font tattoo that Marve does. Lyle Moevao at Oregon State has more of a half-sleeve thing going on--much like Sam Keller--but I'm still going to count it against him just like I count his 19 interceptions last year against him. Joe Webb of UAB? Ranked as the ninth most efficient passer in Conference USA last year.
I'm telling you, the evidence is irrefutable and I say that as a tattooed person. You don't want a golden arm full of ink. Linemen and linebackers? The positions where it pays to be nasty? You can never have too many tattoos. Just keep 'em off my quarterback. Unitas didn't need them and neither do you if you hope to win his award.
So that's why I don't think Nebraska needs Robert Marve. It's science.
Green's Mysterious Groin
None of the major Nebraska news sources outside of 1620 the Zone has even touched on the Internet rumor out there that Cody Green could be sidelined for spring practice with a groin strain (or something like that, it is a rumor). The fact that the mainstream media hasn't touched this highlights two things: 1) Nobody's been told that this is true, and, more importantly because it's not like we haven't seen rumor ran out there before, 2) How little it probably means in the long run outside of making the spring game marginally less interesting.
In fact, let's assume for the sake of argument that the rumor is true. Cody Green will miss all of spring practice. This sucks for Nebraska fans. Who doesn't want to see Cody Green next month? It sort of sucks for Nebraska as the QB corps is even thinner. But I don't think it sucks at all for Cody Green.
Oh sure, he wants to play and play now. All athletes do and he would (hypothetically) say as much if he were allowed to talk to the media. But if Green misses the spring it essentially silences all but the most starry-eyed contingent of fans touting him as a true freshman starter or even a contender for the spot.
I have a hard time coming up with a scenario where this is a bad thing. Remember, Green enters Nebraska as the most anticipated high school quarterback since Harrison Beck--last seen throwing one interception in four attempts during the Papajohns.com Bowl. Think Green will miss the attention?
Maybe. He is a quarterback after all, but in the long run it could be the best thing to happen to him. He'll still have a spring under his belt learning the offense and training with Dobson, but without any track record he'll have one very big advantage: He'll be another freshman (albeit a very talented one) who we have yet to see. The opinion on him will yet to be even partially formed and that's valuable.
Sure there will still be high expectations and slivers of the spotlight will find Green whenever he steps on the field, but it will be nothing near the onus he might have felt following a sterling spring game performance or even a pretty good one.
For that reason, I (hypothetically) say to Cody Green, "I hope your groin is okay."
And if it's not? Congratulations...hypothetically.
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James moore Mar 17 09
Truthfully I would like to build up a program with guys who Coach Pelini has had his hands on throughout their entire collegiate career. Would I like to see Nebraska take a transfer who can help? Sure, but I just don't think that we need to muddle the situation at QB. We lost Witt, so that leaves Lee, Spano and Green. That's fine by me. Let's continue to recruit out of the High School ranks and build up some strategic depth at the position. I had the chance to watch Miami play quite frequently this past season and I just don't see it in Marve. Throws a nice ball with some zip, solid mechanics but it seemed that he couldn't handle the thought of having to COMPETE for the job with Jacory Harris. Didn't Witt transfer because he wanted a guarantee that he would be GIVEN the job? If Marve's not wiliing to COMPETE for his right to EARN the opportunity to be the man, then it is reasonable to assume that he might lack the mental toughness to survive a pressure-cooker like situation in game when the chips are down. . .
As a former college athlete and semi-pro as well I can tell you that it takes quite a bit of audacity to get suspended TWICE in your freshman year. Simply put, it takes some ba*ls to get suspended twice as a freshman. I look at the TD/INT ratio and can't help but wonder if even with experience would he still make the same bad decisions. Whatever character you have off the field, most likely will show when you are on it. . .
Mase Mar 17 09
I agree James. I don't think this is a situation we need to get involved with, and fortunately, I don't see Bo pursuing this guy. The pros just don't outweigh the cons. I would also not totally count out Taylor Martinez in QB talks. He will at least push everyone this fall. That guy is the real deal at QB.
JBLING22 Mar 17 09
MAse- I agree with you totally, you to James... But watch Martinez to be battling Green in a few years for the starting position, that is if Green dosn't take it over this year..
Its pretty easy to see that Martinez is the odd one out this year, but not because of talent.. If he would have been here in the Spring for spring practice, I would think he would be right in the mix.. However he wasnt so that leaves Spano, Lee, and Green.. Lee/Spano have the experience.. Thats right Spano is in the same boat as Lee when it comes to the experience advantage.. Green definately has the nudge when it comes to athleticism, with Lee a second behind him..
Also everyone appears to think this will be worked out in the spring, I don't think that will happen at all... Lee will be the number one guy as far as reps are concerned but come August all could change....
Take a look at Baylor's QB race last year (Pretty much the same comparison) except we hope they sucked much worse than we will next year.. Baylor had 3 guys with experience, A starter, a journey men and a Transfer but Griffin proved to be to good to be on the bench all the time.. The brought him in slowly, then he took over... IM NOT SAYING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN BUT ITS A POSSIBILITY.. FOR THAT MATTER WE MIGHT HAVE TO PLAY 2 QBS, If they are both ok , Im cool with that...
Greg Morrow Mar 17 09
Okay, I'll say it. Marve (rhymes with Favre) looks like Rex Grossman, who was a good college qb. I'm sure though, that he won't up with Nebraska.
No way. Unless, he hears about the "rumor".
Concerning young Green, I'm impressed there isn't any media type espionage, tracking down somebody who knows somebody.
I hope it's not athletic pubalgia. Remember Lanny Hopkins and DeAngelo Evans?
If so, they've GOT to take their time with it.
Much much prefer a baseless rumor.
Bill in Iowa Mar 17 09
I think Martinez becomes are number 3/4 qb, unless we are desperate to have him at safety. Both Green and Martinez will be redshirted and only called upon if we absolutely need them due to injuries or total ineptitude.
Spano and Lee will compete for the starting position. Lee comes in with college game experience and a little more maturity. Both have had a little time learning the system, but I would venture to guess Lee is a little ahead of Spano. But who knows? And lets not forget Spano was ranked, I think #8 on rivals as a dual threat qb when he was recruited. I think there will be a real competition for starting qb, but its certainly Lee's position to lose.
I don't see Pelini going for Marve, unless they feel they could use the depth, but I just don't see it. I definately think it would be an uneeded distraction.
Andy Mar 18 09
Along QB news, I saw this morning that Harrison Beck is transferring again to North Alabama.
http://huskerextra.com/articles/2009/03/17/football/doc49c05ba28b5ff285500522.txt
Thank goodness for Zac Taylor. He saved us from having to potentially endure 4 years of this malcontent.
Brandon Mar 19 09
You can add South Carolina's Stephen Garcia to the tricep tattoo list. I knew he had to be on there, just hadn't seen photographic evidence until today.