Arrivals, Departures and Position Switches Underscore Spring's Importance
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March 9, 2010 by
Believe it or not, Husker fans, football is just a few weeks away. Well, spring football, anyway. Nebraska's spring practices start on March 24th. While most of the attention thus far has been placed on the opportunity for a budding competition at quarterback, there are other little items that might prove to be more important (if not quite as interesting) as that battle. Spring is a vital time for the team's development. So, it is worth paying attention to all of the comings, goings and position switches that are made among the NU roster.
Arrivals
When players arrive on campus in time to participate in spring football with the rest of the squad, it can be a real help to their development. It allows them to get a feel for the speed of the college game as well as begin learning the schemes and techniques the coaches teach. So, keep an eye on early arrivals Jermarcus Hardrick, Chase Rome and Jay Guy.
Hardrick stands to gain the most. He is widely considered a candidate for playing time this fall along the offensive line. And, as a junior college player, could be a bit more ready to adapt to the top level of college. Coming right out of high school, defensive linemen Guy and Rome don't appear to be in line for playing time in 2010. But, still, getting more acclimated earlier could pay dividends later on in the season and their careers.
Departures
It's a hard truth, but things don't always work out for players. It could be for any number of reasons but there is the inevitable truth that some players leave the team or can't play any more. So, every spring and fall, there is some roster turnover. This spring is no exception. When the new roster was released last week, Quentin Toailoa's name was not on it. Toailoa was a part of the 2008 class and has not participated the last two years. So, his not being on the team does not deal an immediate blow, but it does cut in to the team's depth.
Also, a few other players are rumored to be leaving the team due to medical issues. Offensive lineman Cruz Barrett and defensive tackle Ben Martin are both still listed on the roster. But, I am hearing more and more that their careers as Huskers may be over. While both players would be seniors this season, neither constitutes a major loss on the field. Barrett has not played a meaningful snap for NU. Martin contributed some early in his career but has since all but disappeared. Still, the loss of all three players represents a lot of big bodies. Maybe the three early arrivals cancel that out in some way.
Switches
Finally, position changes are often good to get done in the spring. It gives players more time to adjust and adapt to a new role, without the pressure of game preparation and competition. Spring is primarily about learning.
Reviewing the Husker roster and comparing to last year's tells me that the coaches feel pretty solid about where they have people positioned. Maybe my memory is failing, but it appears that only redshirt freshman Cole Pensick has made a move, going from defensive line to offense. Pensick now appears to be slotted to play center for NU.
I suppose that is an important switch, when you think about it. Nebraska loses 36-game starter Jacob Hickman at center and replaces him with Mike Caputo. There wasn't anyone listed behind Caputo before that I could tell. Enter Pensick. And, despite the fact that the book and movie "The Blind Side" characterize the importance of a left tackle (Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award? What?), center is arguably the most important spot on the line.
Hello! He touches the ball on every single play. But seriously, the center makes the most line calls and is responsible for almost as much as the quarterback. It is a vital role. And, if Caputo gets nicked up the way Hickman did last season, the development of young Cole Pensick merits a close watch.
No doubt, there will be some interesting story lines that develop for Nebraska this spring. But, mostly it starts with who is on the roster, who is off of it, and where they are positioned on the team.
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Bill Mar 09 10
I agree, Darren.
Sandra Bullock is a TERRIBLE actress.
That movie wan't even that good.
{gag}
Dwayne Mar 09 10
I think the most important spot on the line is the player a team can most ill-afford to lose, and that in my opinion is based upon depth at number two or three, and/or talent of the player that is lost, and maybe even the type of offense a team runs. In other words, it may switch from one season to the next.
And that's one reaseon why people are saying Colt McCoy is a bigger loss to Texas than Suh is to NU, at this point in the season. Crick is a proven commodity and Gilbert isn't.
Austin Mar 10 10
Are any of the new recruits going to be switching positions? I know Chase Rome will be moving to DT, but I thought I read somewhere that one of the many DE recrits will be making the switch to OL. I think it was Ashburn...?