What to Make of Mendoza
8 comments so far
March 27, 2009 by
Among the big stories in the opening days of Spring practice has been the move of Marcus Mendoza from running back to wide receiver. For many fans, this was a welcome change. If you hadn’t already thought of it yourself, it’s likely you’d heard it suggested before. Quite simply, he’s a dangerous weapon that you’d like to see get on the field more. He’s also not built for the punishment of being a running back that takes 60-70% of the carries.
But if it was so obvious to move Mendoza, why didn’t we see this sooner? It seems likely that there were some other things to address to make sure it was the right move. First, the play of Quentin Castille against Clemson showed that he could become a workhorse back to ride for much of the season. Then, the added weight for Roy Helu should allow him to be more durable. If those two remain healthy, then 80% of the carries or more will be eaten up by the top two backs. If you’re seeking to get your best players on the field, it wouldn’t leave much time for Mendoza.
Next, is the number of other options available at I-back. Collins Okafor and Lester Ward are coming off of redshirt seasons and should have a fairly good working knowledge of the offense. Okafor was singled out by Helu as an up and comer. Rex Burkhead and Dontrayevous Robinson will certainly be limited as true freshmen, but could certainly be used in packages. Burkhead seems especially well suited to the spread option.
Then there’s the wide receiver situation. The Huskers will need to play at least six wide receivers over the course of the season. After Menelik Holt, Niles Paul, and Chris Brooks, they need to find at least three other receivers to feature in the mix. Even if guys like Brandon Kinnie, Curenski Gilleylen, Khiry Cooper, and Steven Osborne pan out there still may be room for someone with his skills.
Even if the Huskers may have liked what Mendoza had to offer at running back and they liked some of the other options at receiver, the move still makes sense. The Huskers stand to lose little at I-back but gain a real playmaker that can get on the field a great deal at receiver. Seems like a good move that a number of fans feel is overdue.
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tom Mar 27 09
That 185 lbs is what got me. I'm glad to see him at WR so he doesn't get broken as a running back. His Huskers.com bio says that as a senior in high school he caught 20 passes for more than 250 yards and 4 TDs. As a junior he got 10.64 seconds in the 100 and 21.6 in the 200 on the track. Last year, one of the things I thought we were missing was a burner who could get past the secondary. This may be what we're looking for.
James Moore Mar 27 09
The coaching staff seems well happy with the options available and we are at the beginning of our transition to a Florida-type attack. Both Dr. Tom Osborne and Coach Pelini both singled out Florida as a team to, well emulate, and the signs of this transition are becoming apparent. I don't think that we will give up our power packages and we will be certainly trying to create a formidable presence in the trenches especially to work the clock against a tired defense that's vulnerable to be pounded by a physical, downhill running game. . .
The moves of Washington and Medoza mean two things. First, and correctly pointed out here, the running QB is back. Second, with Mendoza getting shifted out to WR he still has IB skills with the ball and this could allow for a pre-snap motion into the backfield giving us a potential "Harvin or Maclin" playmaker on sweeps and options (NO I am not saying or implying that he will be either a Harvin or Maclin-type playmaker for us this year). Eventually you have to imagine that Burkhead could potentially be used as a Harvin-type too. . .
Interesting to say the least. The Spring Game is going to be quite fascinating to watch. . .
Mister Mike Mar 27 09
I was going to mention the WR jet motion into the backfield for end-arounds and options. That to me is the most obvious reason for this type of position change. I would've liked to see it last year from Curenski, but since it seemed like the guy had trouble catching a cold last year, I guess you couldn't rely on his ball handling skills. Hopefully that changes this year.
Greg Morrow Mar 27 09
Or, he doesn't play, save special teams.
This could be the (back to) beginnings of a team that is developing such depth, that genuine talent will have to sit and wait. Either because of more talented kids, or of course, walkons doing what they always do- take minutes from the seemingly more talented.
At this early early stage, this team has guys who remind me of decades past. Not in manner, player and coaching generations will be different, but with competitive depth.
The only thing missing is the very elite top end players, just enough sprinkled here and there. Besides Suh, anyway.
But, to truly go 3 deep at about 2/3's of the position groupings, makes this team top 25 in talent, imo.
Latimer Mar 27 09
Well i still think marcus Mendoza is Still good enough to play 3rd string Running back because of his speed! i really think that pelini is slipping..putting mendoza at reciever! he has the speed and cuts to be a real threat in the back field! keep him there and put wes cammack at the slot wr position....its the only smart thing to do...
Bill in Iowa Mar 27 09
I like how our coaches are not afraid to move guys around, especially when we need depth at a given position. Last year, it was Glenn at LB, which turned out to be brilliant. If the coaches are excited about putting Mendoza at WR, then he must have the goods, although he's a little undersized in a world of 6-4 wide receivers. There is plenty of depth behind Helu and Castille and if one of them gets hurt and we need Mendoza back at RB, I think he probably knows the offense well enough by now to go back to RB if we need him.
Dwayne Mar 28 09
Latimer,
No arguement about Mendoza's ability. You can still get the guy the ball in the backfield without dotting the i with him. I'm not opposed at all to shifting players to a place where they may fit and bring some depth where depth is needed. I agree with Greg, he's going to be moving around back there before the snap and then he'll be gone. OU had a shifty, small RB a few years ago that worked pretty well for them and he wasn't that big. I think he just needs to be on the field. I think what NU has lacked has been that player that makes 1 or 2 defensive players just simply miss him because of their shiftyness.
Bill in Iowa Mar 28 09
Dwayne, good points. I was thinking of the same thoughts, in particular with a 5-10 175 lb receiver K-State had by the name of Deon Murphy. In 2007 he ripped NU apart with a career high total of 5 reception for 106 yards.
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