Castille dismissed from the team
20 comments so far
August 22, 2009 by
After some speculation regarding Quentin Castille's recent absences from practice over the last two days, Bo Pelini announced today that Castille has been dismissed from the team.
At this point no further explanation has been given and I wouldn't hold your breath waiting for one. That's not the Pelini m.o. Rumors will fly and maybe eventually we'll get some sort of explanation from the player (see: Cody Glenn), but for now the looming question is not "what happened" but rather where does Nebraska turn next?
Following the Castille announcement, Pelini cleared up the back up situation a bit saying, "Rex Burkhead is clearly the No. 2 running back right now." It's never ideal to go from a junior to a true freshman at a high profile position like running back but the simple fact that Pelini would come out and announce Burkhead's position amongst the backs certainly seems to lend credence to some of the hype he came in with. You don't get singled out in that fashion as a freshman who hasn't played a game yet unless you're performing at a pretty high level.
The real variable here is Marcus Mendoza. The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Mendoza started Saturday's practice with the running backs. You have to think he's in-line for a switch back to his original position after moving to wide receiver during the spring and ultimately that's a good thing. Mendoza impressed plenty of people in spurts last year with his speed and agility. The move out wide always seemed to me more of a "we have to get this guy touches" decision rather than a natural fit. With today's news, he's getting touches.
Nebraska also has Lester Ward, Colins Okafor, Austin Jones, and true freshman Dontrayveous Robinson in the mix.
So how damaging is the dismissal? On paper it's a serious blow. Nebraska's running game was supposed to be the foundation that would allow Zac Lee a little time to learn as he goes. His job just got a little tougher as did Roy Helu's. As the only proven commodity in Nebraska's current backfield, Helu's going to have to carry a heavy load.
We were all well aware of the question marks surrounding Nebraska coming into the season and running back wasn't thought to be one of them. Now it is.
Not to get too colloquial, but what are you gonna do? The world's not ending. They'll still tee it up two Saturdays from now and we'll get our first look at just who is going to help replace Quentin Castille.
With things like this, no disrespect to Castille, sometimes it's best to think like a coach: Who's next?
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OU7times Aug 22 09
Ouch!
HuskerFan4Life Aug 22 09
My biggest concern with plugging in a younger back is blitz pick up. I am sure all the younger back as well as Mendoza are quite competent to pick up the load and do well in the running game. It is going to be very tough on Lee if these guys struggle with blitzing linebackers.
Greg Morrow Aug 22 09
"Esprit drop."
I heard that expression used only once and I never forgot it. In the context of when it was used, it meant giving up right at the moment when utmost effort and heart were needed to meet the situation.
"In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing."
-- Theodore Roosevelt
It's a man's world.
But, often "dude" and "bro" think they run the show, too. The players will process this and there'll be a few who think it's unfair, even unrightous. I doubt though, that many will think the season's lost. More along the lines of "Quentin was a great teammate, but now we'll have to step it up" will dominate the tone.
Sure, we'll find out what he did. I don't need to know, but you'll read things. It didn't show up on the police blotter yet, at least.
Things like this happen often enough. In this case, this close to the opener, I like Pelini's public "boom, done" approach.
That the Rex Meister "clearly" scatted past the others means (to me) that he's got the pass protections down and he's "man up," physically. You always thought he was ideal, for the spread sets. So, there you go.
Quentin who?
WyoHuskerFan Aug 22 09
Back in the day Ahman Green filled in nicely for LP when he was dismissed. I still fondly remember AG took it to the house on his first carry against CU, but they ran a different O then. Rex will get the rare opportunity to shine in a major D1 program as a true freshman. Everything you hear about him is positive. Bo is pretty stingy with praise, so you gotta know he's impressed with the young man. It will be interesting to see the change in attitude and work ethic for the 3-4-5 RBs. Their chances of getting on field just improved greatly, and I believe they'll literally run with it. Big plus is I won't have to hold my breath everytime QC touched the ball.
GBR!
ackos Aug 22 09
Why is it so difficult to follow the rules? Man, ya get a free education; some hard work, and some luck at the end you step into a multimillion dollar job. Dumb.
Brandon Aug 22 09
Pass protection is going to be a HUGE part of sorting this thing out going forward. That part of it makes me a little nervous.
AustinHusker Aug 22 09
Not good news, man I hate to see stuff like this. The future looked so bright for him as well and the 1-2 punch would have been nice. Maybe it isnt a killer but sure would have been nice to have him.
GBR
AustinHusker Aug 22 09
Not good news, man I hate to see stuff like this. The future looked so bright for him as well and the 1-2 punch would have been nice. Maybe it isnt a killer but sure would have been nice to have him.
GBR
Huskerdeck Aug 22 09
When are these damn prima donnas going to realize this is a team sport and not a me sport. You have to think it was a repeating thing being the way Bo handled the Niles Paul, Andy Christensen and Tim Marlowe mess ups.
MUftw Aug 23 09
roflroflroflrofl
He probably refused the IV drugs or refused to kiss Pelini's um ego. Good for you Quentin.
See you all on Thursday
Dwayne Aug 23 09
Of all the positions over the years that have given the NU football program negative press, I back probably tops the list.
Senior fan Aug 23 09
Why didn't Bo use the Unity Council?
GBR
Dwayne Aug 23 09
Senior,
I think he did. He the only uno that matters.
Austin Aug 23 09
Q's going to be missed as a 3rd down back who can pick up the short tough yards and also pick up the blitz in pass protection. Even though we have several talented RB's we don't have anybody with Q's size and experience.
P.S. I heard Q got dismissed because of multiple failed drug tests (MJ).
Bill in Iowa Aug 23 09
I hope Rex lives up to his HS nickname, Superman! But relying on a Freshman as your #2 when your #1 rb has a tender ham string...that will keep all of us up at night.
Dwayne Aug 23 09
Bill,
Work some overtime, you'll sleep fine. I'm actually fine with the situation. There was just something about Q that I couldn't put my finger on. His passion for the game? Bottom line, losing any player affects your depth. I don't know. Let's see how it all plays out.
Bill Kerr Aug 24 09
Seriously... this news is not good.
That said, I am excited to get a look at Burkhead sooner than later.
KW Aug 24 09
Austin. I heard the same rumor about the failed drug tests. 5 of them in fact. But RUMOR is the key word. I for one was bummed about the news. I liked the Q-train. I guess his physicalness and running style reminded me of the days of ol'. His absence definitely is going to be noticed, but like Bo said: "It's a team sport." Now someone has to step up and fill his shoes. What ever Q did must have been pretty bad, considering he didn't get suspended first...just let go. I wish him luck. GBR!!
rick bushnell Aug 24 09
I watched Rex tear up the field in high school...and lrt me say....get your popcorn ready! He IS Superman! You'll see. Be prepared to be blown away. Go Big Rex!!!
Chief's Son Aug 26 09
I remember watching Eric Crouch, in his senior year at Millard North, almost singlehandedly beat a very good Papillion-LaVista team to win the Class A high school championship game. He came out of that game with about as much hype as Burkhead did out of Texas. It should be fun to watch the next Nebraska "Superman" play, and excel, as a freshman.