Thursday, March 1, 2012

On the surface, Heard's move to corner makes sense

According to a Life in the Red blog entry from the Lincoln Journal Star, Nebraska running back Braylon Heard will move to cornerback this spring, Nebraska coach Bo Pelini said Thursday.


"I think he has the ability to be really good there," Pelini said.

Heard, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound sophomore, rushed 25 times for 114 yards (4.6 per carry) in a backup role at running back last season. The Huskers, however, return All-Big Ten running back Rex Burkhead as well as experienced sophomores Ameer Abdullah and Aaron Green.

The fact that Heard was caught in a three-way logjam behind Burkhead coupled with the fact that he played both running back and cornerback at Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, makes sense why Pelini moved him to cornerback.

Pelini also said that while the change was presented to Heard, the move was ultimately the player’s call. While it’s too soon to know how the move will play out, it would appear to makes sense because you need to try to make everyone happy. Heard is also very talented but like anyone wouldn’t be happy if he's a fourth or fifth string running back. However, with the likes of freshman Charles Jackson and JC transfer Mohammed Seisay coming in, will this make a difference? I think Nebraska will have pretty decent depth, but if Heard tries it and is good at it, might as well see what happens.

However, when I first heard rumblings about this a few weeks back I liked the idea. Those three sophomore backs (which would have included Heard) are all very skilled athletically and it's pretty much a must that in their second year you find ways to get them on the field. It's going to be difficult enough finding touches for Abdullah and Green, much less wide receivers Kenny Bell and Jamal Turner, with Burkhead back there, so this should ease a little anxiety in the backfield that must certainly be transpiring.



It may also be a revelation that Heard may have been the farthest from getting significant touches, or he is the most athletically skilled so that his services are most needed in the secondary.

I always feel somewhat bad when a kid changes positions, but it can often be for the better (see Prince Amukamara). It’s safe to say that Amukamara fared pretty well in that position.

Heard may have maximized his potential at running back. Hopefully, this move is about Pelini finding the best way to maximize skills. Nobody who saw Marcus Mendoza play could give me any legitimate reason why the guy shouldn't have been on the field. He was a hell of an athlete, speed to burn, and aside from any underlying reason I do not know, he should have been on the field.



Mendoza is not the only example of players spending their careers in position rotation. I trust Pelini to find the right spot for these guys, but to pretend Pelini doesn't make mistakes is boneheaded. He has made mistakes, and will continue to make mistakes. Switching positions is a tough thing to do, and even the best coaches don't always nail it. You just plain don't have a lot of time with these young men. That's why it is much easier to spend a year or two scouting and recruiting your needs, and plugging in players at the positions you desire. That gives you far more time to get a feel of their overall skills and strengths. By the time most of these kids reach Div. I football, it should be pretty clear to just about everyone what they are best suited.



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