Quarterbacks Produce in Spring Game
10 comments so far
April 18, 2009 by
Saturday’s scrimmage had the potential to be an ugly game. You had a quarterback with no starting experience and two more without even Spring game experience. Add to that two partial offense lines and some missing offensive talent (Niles Paul, Roy Helu, Kody Spano, Jaivorio Burkes) and things could have been ugly.
Instead the quarterbacks were very efficient, throwing five touchdown passes and completing two thirds of their passes. This was especially impressive given how relatively little got done in the rushing game and with no real threat of quarterback rushes.
If not for three pass break-ups, Zac Lee might well have been perfect on the day as he completed fifteen of 18 passes for 215 yards with three touchdowns. LaTravis Washington was a very respectable 13 of 21 for 190 yards with two touchdowns, much of that coming on a nice run after the catch by Kyler Reed for a 71-yard score. Cody Green even managed to go 8 for 15 for 81 yards. Not huge numbers, but not bad for a kid who should still be in high school.
Still, there are reasons to believe the numbers could be a bit inflated. First, the defenses were halved just like the offenses, which makes for some opportunities for big plays. Next, a few false start penalties were declined simply to keep the game moving apparently. Those are often drive-killers and make it particularly tough on quarterbacks. Especially when the red team offense goes 0 for 7 on third down. Finally, the weather was beautiful which isn’t going to be the case in November.
But whether you say they had advantages or not, the quarterbacks still managed to play a turnover free game and make the plays that were there to be made. Far better than seeing Joe Dailey playing with the entire top unit offense against the second unit defense and producing fewer than five yards per pass attempt and throwing an interception. For that matter, the quarterbacks outplayed last year’s unit and Joe Ganz went on to have a terrific season.
Considering the alternative, you had to be happy with what we saw from the NU quarterbacks. Indeed this could be a team that not only doesn’t take a step backward but takes a step forward this year, in part due to some good quarterback play.
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Greg Morrow Apr 18 09
How the offense is evolving, could be a linchpin to recruit the type of quarterbacks Osborne really wanted back when- dual threats that veer much more towards the passing side, instead of runningbacks who can pass. Osborne just wanted more speed at QB, he still wanted to pass it. I think that's what Watson is developing and what Pelini indicated he wanted.
In fairness to Daily, Callahan scaled down the offense about 0, almost bragged about it. About nobody was ready to run it by the '04 spring game and I think his receivers weren't up for it, either. I do wish Ross Pilkington would've given it another shot, for '05. He took a lot of flush hits to his back and sides and I don't think he liked that, too much. Oh and '04's offensive line...kinda sad to see the confusion on their faces. Daily's too.
All the new QBs can run. Hopefully Spano too, once the knee heals. Toss in Martinez, who seems for sure to be a QB now, the whole corps are essentially dual threats, in what's still a balanced offense. Looks like today's game had 56 runs and 54 passes.
I don't think anybody doubts though, that as vanilla as Wats ran his offenses, Pelini was double vanilla, with vanilla beans sprinkled in. All special for Howard Schnellenberger, Sept 5.
Bill in Iowa Apr 18 09
I was releived to see Washington can get it done a QB throwing. Can you imagine what he can do when he hangs up that green jersey and decides to tuck and run! We are talking about an ex-linebacker! At his press conference you can just see what a physical specimen this kid is...I think he will bring something to the table the other QB's don't have if only he can get the full playbook down. I am not saying he will be a starter, but he could come in and get it done if called upon.
I was really releived to see we have some WR playmakers who can be relied upon and the tightend position is just going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. McNeil is great...Kyler Reed may be better.
My assessment is that this offense has more weapons and depth than last year's team. I am not saying Lee is gong to be better than Ganz or there are going to be two WR's more productive than Swift and Pederson...but as a unit this offense has a lot of weapons at every position. They just need time to grow into their roles.
Dwayne Apr 19 09
I agree Bill. What I like about Washington is you can see the confidence which oozes from him after being at that position for just a little. That is definately something which is coming through from the coaching because I don't think they are overloading him like Daily was. I was impressed with his arm strength. The pass he threw across his body was on a line. That sort of stuff gives no time for defenses to react. And I'm sure his strength just may be his feet, which we didn't get to see. I'm much more pleased with the development of this position than ever before. What it does with Washington is gives the staff a very viable option at number 2 without relenquishing Green's redshirt.
JBLING22 Apr 19 09
wow... I was actually impressed with Washington on saturday... ( BY ALL MEANS LETS NOT GIVE HIM THE KEYS TO THE CAR JUST YET, but I think he did a great job for the little bit of time he spent with this offense..) It made me feel better.. Lee will be alright, Washington can actually throw and Green showed flashes....
Bill in Iowa Apr 19 09
I would love to see Washinton come in the game once in a while and run a special package of plays just for his abilities. What makes him very scary is he can really throw the deep ball w/ his canon, or he can tuck and run (from how I read the articles on him, he is most comfortable w/ the option.) With the weapons we have at TE and more deep threats at WR (like Bell and Mendoza)defenses are going to be very stretched. I am sure Lee has similar abilities, but w/ how thin we are at QB I am not sure if we want to risk having him run w/ the ball. Same goes for Spano, but Washington has the body to take the punishment (or dish it out) and he is just a little more expendable.
Huskerdeck Apr 19 09
Washington and Wildcat offense will go hand in hand. I think it would give teams fits with a man named Suh leading the way!!!!
Bill in Iowa Apr 19 09
Great point Huskerdeck, but we can't call it "Wildcat" formation for obvious reasons. Maybe something like "House of Spears" formation?
JBLING22 Apr 19 09
It would be interesting to see Lee and Washington in the Wildcat, but for that to happen they might want to get Washington to be able to catch or something else as well...
bnahusker Apr 20 09
I listened to the game online on the Husker network and MUST ask this question.
Is there a real chance that Washington can take the starting job from Lee?
I don't see Lee giving the position up, and it sounded like he did a great job. I'm just wondering if having 4 months to absorb the playbook will be enough to propel Washington to the top.
Once again, I see no evidence of Lee not being a great QB. I'm just wondering.
GBR!
Bob
Huskerdeck Apr 20 09
Bill in Iowa, how about the Bo-cat offense?