Even though Niles Paul was a very talented athlete, the name mostly evokes memories of disappointment for Nebraska football fans.
In a nutshell, Paul did some good things during his Husker career but more often than not left most people the impression that he should have done more.
Paul was a fifth-round draft choice of the Washington Redskins in April. He was Nebraska’s leading receiver in 2009 and 2010. In the past decade, the only receiver who has had a better season stastically than Paul was Nate Swift in 2008.
Much of the anguish toward Paul and adulation toward Swift among the Husker fan base stems from the fact that Paul was a five-star recruit while Swift was not touted even remotely as high. Personally, I think recruiting rankings are a lot of conjecture but that’s another story for another time. Point being, at times Paul was a difference maker and at other times he was a flake and when you are supposed to be a difference maker, righty or wrongly, people remember the flake.
Most people equate the key to Nebraska’s offense being quarterback Taylor Martinez. When Martinez was healthy, the Husker offense was at times lethal. On the other hand, when he was saddled with an ankle injury the offense was ordinary.
However, it would be foolish for the Huskers to put all of their eggs Martinez’s basket. Even if the good Taylor Martinez shows up this season, quarterbacks that run as much as he does tend to get hurt or at the very least banged up. No one plays an entire football season at 100 percent, and if Martinez gets banged up enough that he has to beat teams with his arm then he is going to need help.
At running back, Rex Burkhead is very good and should have a breakout season stepping out from Roy Helu’s shadow, but I do not know anyone who would classify him as explosive. It is possible that the trio of freshmen backs behind Burkhead (Aaron Green, Ameer Abdullah and Braylon Heard) possesses some big-play ability among them, but they will have a difficult time getting enough carries between the three of them to show if off consistently.
The player that figures to be the key to Nebraska becoming an explosive offense is quarterback-turner-wide receiver Jamal Turner. Turner was moved to wide receiver despite the lack of depth at quarterback but Turner appears destined to stay at wide receiver after his performance in the spring game.
Turner had four receptions for 93 yards (an average of more than 20 yards per catch) and two returns of more than 50 yards (one punt, one kickoff) in the spring game. Granted, spring games can be misleading, but for a guy that should have still been in high school instead of in Memorial Stadium, it was an impressive performance, to say the least.
Obviously it is too early to tell how things are going to turn out for Turner. He may show flashes of brilliance before settling in to being an above-average yet unspectacular receiver. He may flame out completely and the spring game will serve as his best moment in college football.
The truth of the matter is that if a team has a playmaking wide receiver, it can make an average offense into a dynamic one, which I believe is a fair statement. Just ask Rod Rutherford. Who is that? Larry Fitzgerald’s quarterback at Pittsburgh who was in the conversation for the Heisman in 2003 almost exclusively due to Fitzgerald’s efforts. The impact of explosive wide receivers can be very large to an offense.
While Turner carries a lot of promise, expectations for his first season needed to be exercised with caution. Much like we needed to for Martinez last season. Watching the spring game, though, it wasn’t just his stats that were impressive. He’s just an incredible athlete and looked to be naturally suited for receiver and returner. So unless Bo Pelini’s defense suddenly got soft, Turner showed a lot of potential against some good defenders. He’s definitely a sleeper for 2011.
Showing posts with label Niles Paul. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Niles Paul. Show all posts
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Count on Pelini to make the punishment fit the crime with Paul
They are many things in life that are an inexact science.If there’s one thing I have learned about covering sports (both as a paid journalist for two weekly newspapers and as a recreational blogger) that “inexact science” applies on many fronts.
As Nebraska football fans, we can count junior wide receiver Niles Paul’s recent flap with the law among the discussion.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Paul has been suspended for the rest of spring practice after being pulled over early Sunday morning and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.The LJS also added that Nebraska State Patrol Lt. Mike Jahnke said Paul, 19, was also cited for driving with a suspended license and being a minor in possession of alcohol.Jahnke said Paul was pulled over at 2:08 a.m. Sunday after he was clocked going 53 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone. The traffic stop happened just south of Capitol Parkway West on U.S. 77, according to the patrol.
“I am aware of the situation involving Niles Paul, and have discussed it with him,” Husker coach Bo Pelini said in a released statement. “Niles has been suspended from the remainder of our spring practice, including Saturday’s Spring Game.”
It is possible that Paul’s suspension could go beyond the Spring Game. Paul started four games as a sophomore last season. He caught 23 passes for 214 yards and also handled kickoff return duties. His biggest moment came when he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to help Nebraska break open a game against San Jose State. Paul was also on the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 second team.How Pelini deals with the ramifications of Paul’s actions remain to be seen but one feeling you get with Pelini is that he will help youngsters in any way he can but he does not have much patience for knuckleheads.
While the Huskers struggled on the field with Bill Callahan as the head coach, the players generally stayed out of trouble. Yes, there were a few issues. Who doesn’t have them? But the players generally kept their noses clean.
When Pelini’s current boss, Tom Osborne, was the head coach, his biggest strength was often his biggest weakness. Osborne took on his share of “at risk” younsters. Sometimes it worked (i.e. Kenny Walker). Other times it didn’t (i.e. Lawrence Phillips). Throughout the course of any athletic season, a coach is going to face a discipline issue with a player or players. Even though I’m 36-years old, I find it pretty laughable to refer to college student-athletes as “kids.” Give me an ever loving break! Yes they are still young and impressionable but if they are old enough to vote or go to war in Iraq, then dammitt they are old enough to be accountable for their actions. If they haven’t been taught right or have had a tough upbringing then dammitt, teach them now!
Why? Because they will at times show poor judgment. Heck, 50 year old adults show poor judgment at times, too, so why should 18-21 year old college students be any different?These behavior issues can be something like talking back to a teacher or being disruptive in class, blowing off practice for unexcused reasons or even worse, alcohol or drug-related issues.Pelini operates with the approach of student-athletes need to realize that they are representing their school, their program, their community and their family from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night.
Some people might see that as a “holier than thou” statement, but I believe it to be true. Another term you hear a lot of when it comes to behavior issues is “zero tolerance.” Pelini held a meeting emphasizing such to the players after taking over as head coach last season. What exactly does zero tolerance mean?It means different things to different people. Some folks might interpret that term as any offense big or small, and you are kicked off the team. Period. End of sentence.
Zero tolerance is the concept of compelling persons in positions of authority, who might otherwise exercise their discretion in making subjective judgments regarding the severity of a given offense, to impose a pre-determined punishment regardless of individual culpability or “extenuating circumstances.”I see zero tolerance as implying that if you screw up, there will be ramifications. The severity of the offense then determines the discipline. I mean, seriously, should I get six months in jail if I park illegally on downtown O Street? I doubt it. In a nutshell, it’s about making the punishment fit the crime and also to a certain degree, the offender.
Paul in all likelihood was slated to be a starter at wide receiver. Therefore, he needs to be held to a higher standard. I wouldn't say it makes him a bad guy, but it was an idiotic, irresponsible decision that could have been very costly. I'd like to see a one or two game suspension, not only because of this act, but also because a message needs to be sent, to Paul, the rest of the team and the Nebraska community. For whatever reason, his license was already suspended, so he's had a run-in before. Driving with a suspended license, out at 2 AM, and while drinking alcohol (being underaged). Just idiotic, and I hope he realizes the seriousness of his actions and vows to never repeat them again.
As for making the punishment fit the crime, outcomes should go on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a youngster is caught downtown for spraying graffiti on the wall, then they should have to repaint a wall at school with graffiti — or something like that.Anything alcohol, drug or criminal-related that a youngster is guilty of must be dealt with in a severe fashion.I’m certainly all in favor of coaches, administrators and parents laying down the law, but one also has to consider the impact of those ramifications on the youngsters. It’s about considering the whole picture of the incident, not just the infraction in and of itself.
As Nebraska football fans, we can count junior wide receiver Niles Paul’s recent flap with the law among the discussion.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Paul has been suspended for the rest of spring practice after being pulled over early Sunday morning and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.The LJS also added that Nebraska State Patrol Lt. Mike Jahnke said Paul, 19, was also cited for driving with a suspended license and being a minor in possession of alcohol.Jahnke said Paul was pulled over at 2:08 a.m. Sunday after he was clocked going 53 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone. The traffic stop happened just south of Capitol Parkway West on U.S. 77, according to the patrol.
“I am aware of the situation involving Niles Paul, and have discussed it with him,” Husker coach Bo Pelini said in a released statement. “Niles has been suspended from the remainder of our spring practice, including Saturday’s Spring Game.”
It is possible that Paul’s suspension could go beyond the Spring Game. Paul started four games as a sophomore last season. He caught 23 passes for 214 yards and also handled kickoff return duties. His biggest moment came when he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to help Nebraska break open a game against San Jose State. Paul was also on the 2008 Academic All-Big 12 second team.How Pelini deals with the ramifications of Paul’s actions remain to be seen but one feeling you get with Pelini is that he will help youngsters in any way he can but he does not have much patience for knuckleheads.
While the Huskers struggled on the field with Bill Callahan as the head coach, the players generally stayed out of trouble. Yes, there were a few issues. Who doesn’t have them? But the players generally kept their noses clean.
When Pelini’s current boss, Tom Osborne, was the head coach, his biggest strength was often his biggest weakness. Osborne took on his share of “at risk” younsters. Sometimes it worked (i.e. Kenny Walker). Other times it didn’t (i.e. Lawrence Phillips). Throughout the course of any athletic season, a coach is going to face a discipline issue with a player or players. Even though I’m 36-years old, I find it pretty laughable to refer to college student-athletes as “kids.” Give me an ever loving break! Yes they are still young and impressionable but if they are old enough to vote or go to war in Iraq, then dammitt they are old enough to be accountable for their actions. If they haven’t been taught right or have had a tough upbringing then dammitt, teach them now!
Why? Because they will at times show poor judgment. Heck, 50 year old adults show poor judgment at times, too, so why should 18-21 year old college students be any different?These behavior issues can be something like talking back to a teacher or being disruptive in class, blowing off practice for unexcused reasons or even worse, alcohol or drug-related issues.Pelini operates with the approach of student-athletes need to realize that they are representing their school, their program, their community and their family from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to bed at night.
Some people might see that as a “holier than thou” statement, but I believe it to be true. Another term you hear a lot of when it comes to behavior issues is “zero tolerance.” Pelini held a meeting emphasizing such to the players after taking over as head coach last season. What exactly does zero tolerance mean?It means different things to different people. Some folks might interpret that term as any offense big or small, and you are kicked off the team. Period. End of sentence.
Zero tolerance is the concept of compelling persons in positions of authority, who might otherwise exercise their discretion in making subjective judgments regarding the severity of a given offense, to impose a pre-determined punishment regardless of individual culpability or “extenuating circumstances.”I see zero tolerance as implying that if you screw up, there will be ramifications. The severity of the offense then determines the discipline. I mean, seriously, should I get six months in jail if I park illegally on downtown O Street? I doubt it. In a nutshell, it’s about making the punishment fit the crime and also to a certain degree, the offender.
Paul in all likelihood was slated to be a starter at wide receiver. Therefore, he needs to be held to a higher standard. I wouldn't say it makes him a bad guy, but it was an idiotic, irresponsible decision that could have been very costly. I'd like to see a one or two game suspension, not only because of this act, but also because a message needs to be sent, to Paul, the rest of the team and the Nebraska community. For whatever reason, his license was already suspended, so he's had a run-in before. Driving with a suspended license, out at 2 AM, and while drinking alcohol (being underaged). Just idiotic, and I hope he realizes the seriousness of his actions and vows to never repeat them again.
As for making the punishment fit the crime, outcomes should go on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a youngster is caught downtown for spraying graffiti on the wall, then they should have to repaint a wall at school with graffiti — or something like that.Anything alcohol, drug or criminal-related that a youngster is guilty of must be dealt with in a severe fashion.I’m certainly all in favor of coaches, administrators and parents laying down the law, but one also has to consider the impact of those ramifications on the youngsters. It’s about considering the whole picture of the incident, not just the infraction in and of itself.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
2009 Nebraska football: kick returns/coverage
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at kick return and kick coverage:
Looking back: The common memory most people have of the Bill Callahan era was that special teams were an afterthought. Remember how we used to bristle at Santino Panico’s constant fair catches and paltry 3.1 average on punt returns in 2004? Remember also Tierre Green and Brandon Jackson averaging a rather pedestrian 19.2 and 21.1 yards per kickoff return?
Then in 2005, the punt return was actually a weapon with Terrence Nunn (10.4 yards) and Cortney Grixby (18.3 yards).
Kick returns and kick coverage was one of the few areas, if not the only, where Nebraska did not progress significantly in Bo Pelini’s first season as head coach.
The return game progressed somewhat as Nebraska improved from 8.2 yards per punt return from 2007 to 2008 but the kickoff return average was a virtual stalemate going from 21.2 to 21.8. The coverage unit averages against, however, did not improve. Nebraska allowed 21.9 yards per kickoff in 2007 and 23.9 in 2008. The Huskers allowed opponents to average 6.5 yards per punt in 2007 and 9.5 in 2008.
While the offensive return game was not bad, it was not a weapon either. While the coverage units were not a sieve, they were far from championship material. In fact, the most effective way for Nebraska to cover kicks were either punter Dan Titchner directional kicking or Adi Kunalic booting the ball out of the end zone.
Looking ahead: With Kunalic and Alex Henery both being juniors, the Husker placekicking game is the least of their worries. The biggest concern is replacing Titchner even though he seldom blasted a big punt.
Nebraska needs work in this area if is to get back to being a championship material program. The coverage units were average at best and occasional below that level.
Niles Pauls and Nate Swift showed flashes of brilliance but also fumbled at critical times against Clemson and Kansas. Luckily for the Huskers, neither mishap cost them a win.
Special teams is often referred to as the third phase of football but it’s a phase every team needs because there will inevitably be days where the offense or defense struggles.
Looking back: The common memory most people have of the Bill Callahan era was that special teams were an afterthought. Remember how we used to bristle at Santino Panico’s constant fair catches and paltry 3.1 average on punt returns in 2004? Remember also Tierre Green and Brandon Jackson averaging a rather pedestrian 19.2 and 21.1 yards per kickoff return?
Then in 2005, the punt return was actually a weapon with Terrence Nunn (10.4 yards) and Cortney Grixby (18.3 yards).
Kick returns and kick coverage was one of the few areas, if not the only, where Nebraska did not progress significantly in Bo Pelini’s first season as head coach.
The return game progressed somewhat as Nebraska improved from 8.2 yards per punt return from 2007 to 2008 but the kickoff return average was a virtual stalemate going from 21.2 to 21.8. The coverage unit averages against, however, did not improve. Nebraska allowed 21.9 yards per kickoff in 2007 and 23.9 in 2008. The Huskers allowed opponents to average 6.5 yards per punt in 2007 and 9.5 in 2008.
While the offensive return game was not bad, it was not a weapon either. While the coverage units were not a sieve, they were far from championship material. In fact, the most effective way for Nebraska to cover kicks were either punter Dan Titchner directional kicking or Adi Kunalic booting the ball out of the end zone.
Looking ahead: With Kunalic and Alex Henery both being juniors, the Husker placekicking game is the least of their worries. The biggest concern is replacing Titchner even though he seldom blasted a big punt.
Nebraska needs work in this area if is to get back to being a championship material program. The coverage units were average at best and occasional below that level.
Niles Pauls and Nate Swift showed flashes of brilliance but also fumbled at critical times against Clemson and Kansas. Luckily for the Huskers, neither mishap cost them a win.
Special teams is often referred to as the third phase of football but it’s a phase every team needs because there will inevitably be days where the offense or defense struggles.
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