Spring Themes: Battle to Be the Backup
16 comments so far
March 21, 2010 by
Nebraska's second season, Spring Football, is set to arrive this week. Few other places could follow 14 practices and a scrimmage as intently as in Nebraska. There will be a lot worth watching for Husker fans. You could consider the larger issues to be the themes for the spring period. So, I'll be addressing them that way - themes of spring. The first of the themes starts under center.
With incumbent starter Zac Lee out recovering from arm surgery, the other quarterbacks (most notably Cody Green) get the chance to emerge. While 14 practices in spring are important and the candidates to play are impressive, there are significant reasons to consider this competition exactly what is it - the battle to be the backup. Though, that doesn't mean the competition at quarterback isn't worth watching.
Tough to Beat the Incumbent
Before fans get too excited about the spirited battle to be the NU signal caller, it is important to remember one thing. At quarterback, as in politics, it is very tough to beat the incumbent. There are some very good reasons that Zac Lee will likely be the starter for Nebraska to open the season in September, no matter what happens in March and April.
First, experience matters. The quarterback's job - first and foremost - is to ensure the offense executes as planned. He is the trigger man, the person that gets them out of bad plays and into good plays. There is no better preparation for this other than game experience. Football coaches are notorious planners and very high anxiety people. They are not about to take chances at the spot unless they are forced to by injury or extremely excited about what they see in practice.
Next, returning starters at quarterback are almost always part of the championship recipe. Think back over the years you have been a football fan. How many teams can you think of that won a conference championship or national championship with a first year starter at quarterback? I can come up with only a few.
Second year starters are often more productive than they were the year before. Consider the case of Zach Taylor who put up respectable but modest numbers in 2005 only to turn around and be the conference offensive player of the year in 2006. The Nebraska coaches have made their investment in Lee, now the 2010 season is when they can best expect some sort of return.
Finally, give Lee a bit of credit. Yes, his inconsistent play in 2009 was enough to make fans scratch their heads (or worse). But, he does possess a very live arm and a good set of feet. This is a young man who played a good stretch of the season with an injured arm. It is fair to wonder if being healthy might lead to better downfield throws and a stronger will to run and absorb contact. It will interesting to see how he responds to competition. Remember, he didn't have any after Kody Spano got injured and Patrick Witt bolted prior to last season.
Green Leads the Way
Okay, now that I used 400 words and 5 minutes of your time telling you why this spring's quarterback competition doesn't matter so much, let's get in to the other side. Who is most worth watching this spring at NU? Cody Green.
No doubt, Husker coaches want this young man to develop and play. The physical talent is there in spades. Newly minted assistant coach Joe Ganz has taken a special interest in him. The coaches felt good enough to put him in to the fire as a true freshman.
He managed his way through a start against Baylor, but didn't shine (complete with an ugly pick-6). The lights were too bright against Oklahoma, and he gave way to Lee. And, he got some bowl game snaps. It's not a lot. But, he has seen what is expected at this level, which gives him a leg up on the other quarterbacks regardless of talent.
Nearly every discussion of Nebraska football over the next month will start with or include Green's name. In a few weeks, fans will pack Memorial Stadium, many with him on their mind. He's about to go into the fishbowl and under the microscope. This is his "mini-season". How he responds to hard coaching and serious scrutiny will go a long way to determining how real the quarterback battle is this fall.
Other Intrigue
It is not as though Green will be the only quarterback out there for NU this Spring. Competition abounds. Kody Spano returns from injury looking to turn heads and get back into the mix. Last season’s third-string quarterback, the physically imposing LaTravis Washington, is seeking to continue his development as a signal caller after switching from linebacker. And the athletically gifted Taylor Martinez is likely to make a splash, either under center or as a skill player.
What they are doing, exactly, may actually be more interesting than who is doing it. Nebraska's offense remains in transition. There is a lot of talk about being "multiple" and having an "identity", and they deployed the wildcat or "wild Husker" or whatever at the Holiday Bowl. It can be a bit vague or confusing to Joe Fan. But, if you want a clear snapshot at a team's offensive style, just look at what their quarterback is doing.
The running quarterback is back at NU. Forget how they line up. Just consider that of the four players competing this spring, three - Green, Martinez and Washington - are arguably better runners than they are throwers. That's all folks need to see, really. And, it is "live bullets" out there. The no-contact green jerseys are off. Quarterbacks looking to run had better have the will to really do it, because they will get hit. That might help sort wheat from chaff.
Backups Matter
Yes, Zac Lee is still in front. Yes, Cody Green will likely make a charge at the job this spring. Regardless of who wins the job outright, the backup matters nearly as much. A team's second string quarterback is always one play away from live action. Nebraska has designs on winning big in 2010. A capable backup quarterback makes their dreams of a great season a lot harder to derail. Even if this spring is the battle to be the backup, that is no small thing.
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Cali Husker Mar 21 10
Excellent article! Well researched, well thought out, well articulated. Great insights on the QBs. Loved it. Can't wait to see the improvements in the offense this year. We know they're coming. Also looking forward to seeing those new twists like the Wild Cat. Living near Corona, CA I can tell you Taylor Martinez is a very gifted athlete and what's more, he knows how to win. He'll certainly contribute this season and beyond.
Johny Davis Mar 21 10
Nebraska...get rid of the black socks...they don't work.
Pete Mar 21 10
If the offense improves as much as Bo seems to believe they will this year then I think we will have a very good team. Lee ran the ball well in the Holiday Bowl, but having an athlete back there like Green or Martinez could really open up the running game. Added depth on the O-line could pay big dividends this year. Burkhead will have a productive year for sure. Let's get it on.
Randy Sands Mar 21 10
I basicly don't care if they go out there naked with Big Red tattoed to their butts as long as they play hard and don't embaress them selves. Bring the Blackshirt attitud back, take no prisoners, and make everyone in the nation be very afraid to step on the field against them. This is Nebraska every team in the nation needs to know this not cake walk. Bring your A game on both sides of ball. Be prepered for an old fashion ass wuping!!!
Stephen Johnson Mar 21 10
Martinez got my attention when I looked at his high school info. He seems like a winner. He just finds a way to win. That is a key capability for a Nebraska QB. It is not always who has the best arm or the fleetest of feet. They guy who can make something from nothing is the one that gets the job done. I want to see him and not have the offensive cord. try to pound a square peg in a round hole like he did with Green last year. Let each QB develop his own talents and run and pass. (In that order).
Boz Mar 21 10
Yippee you finally realize that you are the backup to OU and UT. Granted I did not read the article but we all know where NU's place is in the order of real football teams in the Big12. Glad to see the BRN finally letting you in on what everyone else knows across the country. You can not lose to Iowa State at home and 6 weeks later be the best thing since sliced bread. Back down to earth a crashing you will go..as my drunk friend Billy Sims said "Boomer"
darren Mar 21 10
Boz - thanks for dropping by and not saying anything even remotely related to the topic. You, sir, are awesome.
Also, just a refresher...NU 10, OU 3. I was there and had a good time. Sooner fans, not so much.
Nobody gets intimidated by teams that went 8-5 and won the Sun bowl, just FYI.
Grant Mar 22 10
Is it just me, or has this site caught a wave of trolls that didn't previously bother us over here at BRN?
tjsterb Mar 22 10
I bet Boz is'nt even from Oklahoma, just another hater
Boz Mar 22 10
to tjsterb: why am I a hater? I always drop by because all of Nebraska is saying "we are back" some even saying "It's our time for a National Championship run". You beat our third string players..so yes you won. The problem with the NU fan base is like the GOP, in that they think they are the answer to the government and you all think you are now the answer to college football. They continue to show nothing (I did say no didn't I?) and NU's fan base has nothing to show anyone that they are back either. THanks for dropping by.
CrazyStallion Mar 22 10
I don't believe Lee is the certain starter to open the season.
NDHuskerFan Mar 22 10
I know I'm only stoking the fire here, but for Boz's sake, lets take a look at the starters for OU in the season opener against BYU and compare them to the starters they employed against the Huskers.
Pos:BYU-NU (starts up to and including NU game)
QB: Bradford - Jones (6)
HB: Brown - Brown (4)
TE: Ratterree - RB: Murray (4)
TE: Hanna - WR: D. Miller (4)
WR: Tennell - Tennell (3)
WR: Broyles - Broyles (7)
LT: T. Williams - T. Williams (8)
LG: B. Simmons - Eldridge (8)
C: Eldridge - Habern (8)
RG: J. Jones - Good (4)
RT: C. Brandon - C. Brandon (3)
I'll first point out the obvious difference of starting the BYU game with a 2 TE and 2 WR set vs. the 2 RB 3 WR set they opened with against Nebraska.
So lets look at the supposed "3rd String" players that Nebraska beat.
The changes made were at QB and on the O-Line. Sure losing your Heisman QB and having to bring a guy in for his 6th career start hurts. But remember, Nebraska started Cody Green in this game. It was only his 2nd career start. They later brought in Zac Lee who only had 7 career starts up to this point in his career. Both NU QBs had limited game experience outside of their starts. Jones had meaningful playing time in both the BYU and Texas games in which he didn't start. Everyone knows the Sooners had questions on the O-line. But they did have 31 of a possible 40 starts up to this point in the season. I would hardly say that's 3rd string. I haven't even touched the defenses yet.
Guess how many starters were different for OU on defense between the season opener and the NU game. None. Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. All 11 players started the season opener and the Nebraska game.
Bottom line is this Boz. Do a little research before you start throwing out defenses like "but they beat OU's 3rd string players".
I don't mind Husker haters. When your team is historically good, that will happen. But I question how you can fill your days reading about a team you don't even like. Outside of the Big 12 blog and occasional links on various Husker sites I don't really care to read about OU or UT. I do cheer for these teams in their bowl games though. I'm a conference unity type of guy. But please, PLEASE, do some research before you post!
tks Mar 23 10
@NDHuskerFan
lol, u just gave Boz a "what did the five fingers say to the face?"
*slap*
verbal beatdown lol
Jason Mar 23 10
If I could give out gold stars for outstanding contributions, today it would go to @NDHuskerFan.
Thanks for unemotionally expressing an opinion and backing it up with facts.
You're welcome here any time.
TempeHusker Mar 23 10
I don't normally read the comments or reply but this small set just made my day. Glad I took the day off work to research the start of spring practices. GBR
P.S. NDHuskerFan, you should come down and tell these Sun Devil fans whats what for me.
huskerbb Mar 23 10
I understand what you are saying about an experienced quarterback--and the comparison to Taylor and pointing out Lee's injuries is valid. However, I don't think Lee is the guy to lead us to the promised land. One decent game (Holiday Bowl) does not erase a season of mediocrity (or worse). His statline for the Big 12 Title game read something like 6 for 19 for 39 yards zero TD's and THREE picks. C'mon. You can't tell me Green, Washington, or the waterboy couldn't put up numbers like that.