For all of his great attributes as a runner when healthy, the frequent criticism of Nebraska sophomore quarterback Taylor Martinez are "He can't pass" or "His throwing motion is lousy."
True, Martinez will never be Tom Brady but even those who expect him to reach even the passing accuracy levels of recent former Husker quarterbacks Zac Taylor (2005-2006) or Joe Ganz (2008) are going to be sorely disappointed. Granted, Martinez is still very young and growing into his role as a passer but he hasn't really ever shown serious potential as a pocket passer or someone who can progress through four or five reads. He's never going to be throwing the pretty fade for a corner of the endzone touchdown and nor will he be expert a fitting a pass between an underneath linebacker and an over the top safety on a post route.
The promising thing about new offensive coordinator Tim Beck's scheme, at least based on what we heard throughout the offseason, is that these things shouldn't be as big of a weakness. What the offense should do is maximize Martinez's strengths, which are blinding straight-line speed and some experience with running an up-tempo, spread-option scheme.
For those who want Martinez to become Joe Montana, the Huskers don't need him to be a pinpoint passer, if the offense can get the defense to equally fear runs up the middle, options to the boundary, or screen passes to the likes of Kenny Bell or Ameer Abdullah. That's how Chip Kelly does it in Oregon. He makes defenses try to defend horizontally and vertically, while trying to catch their breath and make adjustments with minimal time against a no-huddle offense. If Martinez can get to the level of say Oregon's Darren James or Texas's Vince Young, rather than expecting he will become an NFL-caliber quarterback, that'll be fine.
Here are Nebraska quarterback statistics since 2004:
2004 - Joe Dailey - 2025 yds, 49.4%, 6.53 yds/att, 17 TDs, 19 INTs
2005 - Zac Taylor - 2653 yds, 55.1%, 6.17 yds/att, 19 TDs, 12 INTs
2006 - Zac Taylor - 3197 yds, 59.6%, 8.18 yds/att, 26 TDs, 8 INTs
2007 - Sam Keller - 2422 yds, 63.1 %, 7.45 yds/att, 14 TDs, 10 INTs
2007 - Joe Ganz - 1435 yds, 58.6%, 9.44 yds/att, 16 TDs, 7 INTs
2008 - Joe Ganz - 3568 yds, 67.9%, 8.50 yds/att, 25 TDs, 11 INTs
2009 - Zac Lee - 2143 yds, 58.6%, 7.10 yds/att, 14 TDs, 10 INTs
2010 - Taylor Martinez - 1631 yds, 59.2%, 8.32 yds/att, 10 TDs, 7 INTs
All quarterbacks listed from 2004-2009 combined for 575 rushing yards while Martinez had 965 on his own in 2010.
Other than Ganz in 2008 (67.9%), which of those years was any of the guys on this list a "more accurate passer" than Martinez last year? Obviously his yardage and touchdowns are down because he plays in a totally different offense but Keller was the only other one to really exceed Martinez's percentage last year and no one did it in their first year as a starter. Keep in mind, Keller started at Arizona State before transferring. In addition, we all remember how much help Martinez got from his wide receivers last year.
I'm not going to argue that Martinez gets any style points for how he looks in the pocket but he is serviceable as a passer. As for this business of throwing motion, people didn't like Phillip Rivers throwing motion either but that's turned out all right for him with the Sa Diego Chargers. Bernie Kosar nearly won a Heisman Trophy and started for years in the NFL throwing side-arm so I don't get hung up on how the delivery looks.
I'd like to see Martinez work through his progressions a little more as well but when he pulled the ball down and ran against Tennessee-Chattanooga, he got a first down more often than not.
Showing posts with label Joe Ganz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joe Ganz. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Sizing up Zac Lee expectations
While it is commonly believed that Nebraska football is on its way back under second-year head coach Bo Pelini, if there is one thing that tempers 2009 expectations it is breaking in a new starting quarterback.
The Huskers went 9-4 in Pelini’s first season and will have a new starting quarterback (most likely Zac Lee) to replace the graduated Joe Ganz. Most preseason prognosticators seem to pick Kansas to prevail over Nebraska in the Big 12 North for 2009 in part due to the return of its quarterback Todd Reesing.
Lee is the favorite to become Nebraska’s starting quarterback but mostly by default. Lee, who is a junior college transfer from San Francisco City College, will compete with redshirt freshman Kody Spano and true freshman Cody Green for starting duties at quarterback. Lee sat out the 2005 season before enrolling in junior college in January of 2006, giving him four years to use three seasons of eligibility at Nebraska, where he redshirted in 2007 and appeared in two games in a mop-up role last season. Lee is advertised as a quarterback that has a strong arm and good mobility.
So what are the realistic expectations we should have for Lee? Assuming that he winds up the starter – and there’s every reason to think he will.
In one respect, I would save all or any expectation until the 2010 season. For this year, the biggest thing Lee needs to do is execute the basics with the other more experienced components of Husker offense taking on the big load. That means the offensive line; receivers and the backs need to carry the team most of the season.
Last season, Ganz opened the year with the return of his share of experienced supporting cast members. Sure the Huskers scored a combined 120 point in the first three games against Western Michigan, San Jose State and New Mexico State but also needed two non-offensive touchdowns to pull away from San Jose State 35-12.
One thing that bodes well for Lee is that production issues early last season had less to do with Ganz and more to do with an emphasis on a power running game which the Huskers lacked personnel to effectively run. As a result, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson began to spread defenses out which created lanes for Ganz, Roy Helu, and Marlon Lucky.
I do not expect Lee to explode but I anticipate that he will make things “look easier” because he possess more natural talent than Ganz. The hardest thing to replace about Ganz will be his leadership.
Ganz was undeniably a big reason Nebraska won nine games last season but he also helped seal the team’s fate in the four losses. I put Ganz in much the same category as Zac Taylor in that both are tough guys and gamers but also spotty in the clutch. Their mistakes often stemmed from trying to do too much.
The situation is different this year. Lee does not have to be a hero. The Huskers have a pretty solid line, proven running backs, and the makings of a stout defense. Taylor and Ganz, especially Taylor, really didn't have either of those things with any consistency.
That leads me to believe that Lee will be more than up to what is expected of him. Keep in mind, the Lee era is also coinciding with the stabilization of Nebraska’s identity on offense (multiple/balanced). As a result, we will see more of a solid running game as opposed to running the ball just for the sake of doing it.
Watson found what works found and the O-Line is no doubt getting the reps on it in practice.
Lee in a much better situation than Taylor and especially Joe Daily were in under Bill Callahan’s coaching staff. Lee has had two complete seasons and while injured his first spring, he had three springs to get an understanding of the offense and what it means to compete at the Div I-A level.
He also has offensive teammates that are totally on the same page, as much as a college program can reasonably have. Everybody around him knows what to do. The 2004 and 2005 clubs were trying to find guys who could fit and grasp the system. D-linemen were made O-linemen. You also had a fifth year senior safety (Willie Amos) moved to receiver. Taylor paid a physical price; a Nebraska QB should never again have to pay.
Lee, however, has had the same quarterback coach and coordinator throughout all three years. The biggest thing to keep in mind with Watson is that he is also more practical with college limitations, than Callahan and Norvell were. They were fully immersed in their West Coast Offensive philosophy.
It was one thing to add numerous playbook volume for say Rich Gannon when the Oakland Raiders were on their way to a Super Bowl appearance in 2002 because a) Gannon was an NFL veteran and b) at the pro level, it is a full-time job. Whereas in the college game, there are limitations on how much time they can spend on football.
The Huskers went 9-4 in Pelini’s first season and will have a new starting quarterback (most likely Zac Lee) to replace the graduated Joe Ganz. Most preseason prognosticators seem to pick Kansas to prevail over Nebraska in the Big 12 North for 2009 in part due to the return of its quarterback Todd Reesing.
Lee is the favorite to become Nebraska’s starting quarterback but mostly by default. Lee, who is a junior college transfer from San Francisco City College, will compete with redshirt freshman Kody Spano and true freshman Cody Green for starting duties at quarterback. Lee sat out the 2005 season before enrolling in junior college in January of 2006, giving him four years to use three seasons of eligibility at Nebraska, where he redshirted in 2007 and appeared in two games in a mop-up role last season. Lee is advertised as a quarterback that has a strong arm and good mobility.
So what are the realistic expectations we should have for Lee? Assuming that he winds up the starter – and there’s every reason to think he will.
In one respect, I would save all or any expectation until the 2010 season. For this year, the biggest thing Lee needs to do is execute the basics with the other more experienced components of Husker offense taking on the big load. That means the offensive line; receivers and the backs need to carry the team most of the season.
Last season, Ganz opened the year with the return of his share of experienced supporting cast members. Sure the Huskers scored a combined 120 point in the first three games against Western Michigan, San Jose State and New Mexico State but also needed two non-offensive touchdowns to pull away from San Jose State 35-12.
One thing that bodes well for Lee is that production issues early last season had less to do with Ganz and more to do with an emphasis on a power running game which the Huskers lacked personnel to effectively run. As a result, offensive coordinator Shawn Watson began to spread defenses out which created lanes for Ganz, Roy Helu, and Marlon Lucky.
I do not expect Lee to explode but I anticipate that he will make things “look easier” because he possess more natural talent than Ganz. The hardest thing to replace about Ganz will be his leadership.
Ganz was undeniably a big reason Nebraska won nine games last season but he also helped seal the team’s fate in the four losses. I put Ganz in much the same category as Zac Taylor in that both are tough guys and gamers but also spotty in the clutch. Their mistakes often stemmed from trying to do too much.
The situation is different this year. Lee does not have to be a hero. The Huskers have a pretty solid line, proven running backs, and the makings of a stout defense. Taylor and Ganz, especially Taylor, really didn't have either of those things with any consistency.
That leads me to believe that Lee will be more than up to what is expected of him. Keep in mind, the Lee era is also coinciding with the stabilization of Nebraska’s identity on offense (multiple/balanced). As a result, we will see more of a solid running game as opposed to running the ball just for the sake of doing it.
Watson found what works found and the O-Line is no doubt getting the reps on it in practice.
Lee in a much better situation than Taylor and especially Joe Daily were in under Bill Callahan’s coaching staff. Lee has had two complete seasons and while injured his first spring, he had three springs to get an understanding of the offense and what it means to compete at the Div I-A level.
He also has offensive teammates that are totally on the same page, as much as a college program can reasonably have. Everybody around him knows what to do. The 2004 and 2005 clubs were trying to find guys who could fit and grasp the system. D-linemen were made O-linemen. You also had a fifth year senior safety (Willie Amos) moved to receiver. Taylor paid a physical price; a Nebraska QB should never again have to pay.
Lee, however, has had the same quarterback coach and coordinator throughout all three years. The biggest thing to keep in mind with Watson is that he is also more practical with college limitations, than Callahan and Norvell were. They were fully immersed in their West Coast Offensive philosophy.
It was one thing to add numerous playbook volume for say Rich Gannon when the Oakland Raiders were on their way to a Super Bowl appearance in 2002 because a) Gannon was an NFL veteran and b) at the pro level, it is a full-time job. Whereas in the college game, there are limitations on how much time they can spend on football.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
2009 Nebraska football: Position outlook -- quarterback
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at quarterback:
Looking back: When you put up the numbers Joe Ganz amassed it’s hard to be underrated but he played in a conference that included Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Colt McCoy (Texas), Graham Harrell (Texas Tech), Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State), Todd Reesing (Kansas) and Robert Griffith (Baylor).
Ganz spent the better part of three seasons behind Joe Dailey, Harrison Beck, Zach Taylor and Sam Keller. However, when replacing an injured Keller in a 28-25 loss to Texas, Ganz made his mark. In that game and 17 subsequent contests, Ganz threw 45 touchdown passes, including two in the Huskers come-from-behind 26-21 Gator Bowl win over Clemson.
Nebraska has certainly had better athletes at quarterback (Tommie Frazier, Turner Gill and Eric Crouch to name a few) but when it comes to toughness, leadership and other intangibles, Ganz has few peers.
Looking ahead: Whether it’s Zac Lee, Patrick Witt, Kody Spano or Cody Green, the stats might be good but replacing Ganz’s leadership will be tough.
Lee and Witt figure to be the two primary combatants. Whoever the quarterback is, however, we will not know anymore in August than we know now. Because Nebraska was seldom in any blowouts in 2008, Lee and Witt did not receive many snaps. The only experience they received was mop-up duty and those situations do not lend themselves to getting a true picture of what a player is like.
Lee has experience from the Junior College level, much like Zac Taylor when entering the program in 2005. He also has the mobility necessary for Nebraska’s offense, which took on concepts of the Spread combined with the West Coast Offense.
Witt, however, might have the edge as far as size (6-4 to Lee’s 6-2) and experience within the system but is more of a pure drop back passer.
As far as the measurable talent, Green might have the edge on all three and while he is already on campus taking courses, it’s hard to imagine a true freshman not redshirting his first season under Bo Pelini much less playing significantly.
Time will tell but because of his mobility and playing experience beyond high school, my early money is on Zac Lee.
Looking back: When you put up the numbers Joe Ganz amassed it’s hard to be underrated but he played in a conference that included Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Colt McCoy (Texas), Graham Harrell (Texas Tech), Zac Robinson (Oklahoma State), Todd Reesing (Kansas) and Robert Griffith (Baylor).
Ganz spent the better part of three seasons behind Joe Dailey, Harrison Beck, Zach Taylor and Sam Keller. However, when replacing an injured Keller in a 28-25 loss to Texas, Ganz made his mark. In that game and 17 subsequent contests, Ganz threw 45 touchdown passes, including two in the Huskers come-from-behind 26-21 Gator Bowl win over Clemson.
Nebraska has certainly had better athletes at quarterback (Tommie Frazier, Turner Gill and Eric Crouch to name a few) but when it comes to toughness, leadership and other intangibles, Ganz has few peers.
Looking ahead: Whether it’s Zac Lee, Patrick Witt, Kody Spano or Cody Green, the stats might be good but replacing Ganz’s leadership will be tough.
Lee and Witt figure to be the two primary combatants. Whoever the quarterback is, however, we will not know anymore in August than we know now. Because Nebraska was seldom in any blowouts in 2008, Lee and Witt did not receive many snaps. The only experience they received was mop-up duty and those situations do not lend themselves to getting a true picture of what a player is like.
Lee has experience from the Junior College level, much like Zac Taylor when entering the program in 2005. He also has the mobility necessary for Nebraska’s offense, which took on concepts of the Spread combined with the West Coast Offense.
Witt, however, might have the edge as far as size (6-4 to Lee’s 6-2) and experience within the system but is more of a pure drop back passer.
As far as the measurable talent, Green might have the edge on all three and while he is already on campus taking courses, it’s hard to imagine a true freshman not redshirting his first season under Bo Pelini much less playing significantly.
Time will tell but because of his mobility and playing experience beyond high school, my early money is on Zac Lee.
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