Here are my thoughts from the Husker Spring Game 2010.
Defensively, for the first time in a few years, I didn't walk away able to site a "break out" or outstanding defensive player. Whaley had the most tackles, Prince had good coverage, Dennard made some nice tackles in space, but there was no "wow, that guy is going to blow up offenses next year". This is somewhat a good sign - the defense played very well as a unit and the few big plays were as much outstanding offensive plays (Niles had an all-Pro catch on the sidelines) as they were clear defensive breakdowns.
While the defense was vanilla, there were are toppings - I did see a blitz from Fisher and a few stunts on the defensive line -- neither caused a change for the offense as both passes were thrown in their normal progressions and timing.
Offensively. Now for a different story.
Niles Paul had a great game. Great catches and demonstrated attitude on the field. Helu is nimble and looked fast and elusive. Rex is Rex. Fast and decisive and hard to stop with the first touch.
On to the quarterbacks.
Who did the best job running the offense? Spano. He is Joey Ganz. Overlooked, assumed to not have the skillset, but threw into single coverage, appeared to make some adjustments at the line of scrimmage and created passing lanes. Never seemed rattled or forced.
Who, mark my words, is not going to be "it" because he doesn't seem to have "it". Green. For a guy of his size, he doesn't deliver a hit. For a guy with great stats, seems slow and doesn't make anyone miss a tackle. For a guy with two starts, this is a player that seems to lack focus and throws into double coverage too often. To use an analogy, compare him to a pitcher in baseball. This guy can throw 95 miles an hour, but somehow has an ERA of 6. Lacks control and seems much more likely to strike out batters with no one on than when the bases are loaded. In other words, seems to perform his best when the pressure is low. I just don't see him taking that next step and being a leader, the guy who when it's 3rd and 2 on the last drive of the game that you let him do whatever he wants. I know he's young, I know he's got three years to come around, but I just don't see it in his performance -- the flashes of brilliance are all in our heads and not on the field.
Washington throws the best and worst ball on the team. When he's on, wow, the zip and the touch and the accuracy. When off, wow, it's Scott Frost's first year all over again. Washington seems a bit in over his head when the first or second reads are gone. He took repeated sacks, but looks like a guy that should be a nightmare flushed out of the pocket, but had narry an interesting run. Wrong guy, wrong time, wrong position?
Martinez. He makes Rex look slow and indecisive while making Helu look like he has no moves. This guy has Crouch's burst and "one move" skill AND has a second move. Crouch, for all his prowess got by on making the first guy miss or get a poor tackle attempt and then caused defenders to mis-read his crazy speed and take poor angles. Think of the great Crouch 97 yard run against Missouri, it was one defender at a time all the way down the field - one move wonders at sprinter speed. Martinez does some of the same, lots of arms reaching toward him as he shakes by, however, it seems even more effortless, like someone running through a crowded airport, it takes effort to not run into people, but it almost seems they aren't trying to stop him. He is rough on the passing game - threw into double coverage several times. Tends to stare down a receiver some, but clearly has enough arm to throw deep as needed. Not nearly polished enough to generate the type of season record we expect this year. But he's got 4 years and a big dose of "it".
Lee. He'll have to start. I fear he's a little too much of a Sam Keller. Not mature enough for the leadership role this requires. He's got to get a total grip on the offense, his running has to be way improved, and be a lot more of Joey Ganz in his field general skills. Martinez is too green and Green is too "Mike Grant".
Here is what I'd do. I'd develop Martinez for a situational package approach for 2010 - against some teams you see him 5 plays and others get 25 plays. As the season progresses, Martinez develops into the true backup. I would use Spano as my true backup early in the season and redshirt Green. The only chance for Green is for him to have an awakening which is probably more about time in the program than a few snaps as a backup.
Who will we miss the most in 2011? Alex Henery. Watching Ali miss two long field goals reminded me how much I've taken this guy for granted. He's simply amazing on kick offs, punts and crushing buffaloes.
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