2008 Position Breakdown: Tight End
Position Overview: Tight ends were never a significant means of production during the Bill Callahan regime. While this partly had to do with the fact that there were few dangerous options at the position – especially after Matt Herian went down to injury – it also represented a Callahan preference to throw the ball to wide receivers and running backs. How will this change with Shawn Watson calling the shots on offense? Time will tell.
Though this isn’t a position stocked with talent, sophomore Mike McNeill has turned the heads of the coaching staff as a potential difference maker in the passing game. McNeill brings speed to the position not seen since Herian’s glory days. Whether he can be a breakout weapon in the passing game remains to be seen.
Likely backing McNeill will be senior Hunter Teafatiller. Teafatiller has shown good hands on the field, but questionable judgment off of it. Assuming he can show some more maturity, Teafatiller is the Huskers’ most complete option at tight end. Behind McNeill and Teafatiller are sophomore Dreu Young and redshirt freshman Ryan Hill. Both are fairly unknown qualities, though Young did have one catch last year and reportedly had a strong spring.
Reason for optimism: McNeill, Hill and a few true freshmen (see “New Blood” below) raise Husker hopes that this position has a brighter future ahead. McNeill especially could be a breakout performer in 2008 and may provide match up problems for opposing defenses.
Reason for concern: From Todd Millikan to Gerald Armstrong to Johnny Mitchell to Sheldon Jackson to Tracey Wistrom, the Cornhuskers always possessed a legitimate threat at the tight end position. However, since Matt Herian’s unfortunate leg injury, NU tight ends have had nothing more than a minor role in the offense. Though there is some young hope, a talent upgrade is still needed here.
New blood: Ben Cotton was headed to Louisville until his pop got a nice job offer in Lincoln. The result was two Cottons for the price of one. Expect the younger Cotton to redshirt while hitting the weight room in 2008. Junior college transfer Tyson Hetzer enrolled to NU in January, but missed spring practice (and will miss at least part of Fall Camp) due to a knee injury. If healthy, Hetzer will bring some good size to the position. Kyler Reed, a true freshman out of Kansas is listed as a fullback on the team’s fall roster, but may add some athleticism to the tight end spot as well.
What to expect in ’08: There’s really nowhere to go but up for the Husker tight ends. However, if receiving threats do emerge, one only need look as far as Columbia, Missouri to see how much of an impact strong tight ends can have on an offense. McNeill’s progress will ultimately dictate how successful this position is in 2008.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
2008 Position Breakdown: Offensive Line
2008 Position Breakdown: Offensive Line
Position Overview: The big bodies are in place for the 2008 version of the NU offensive line to be outstanding. Perhaps nowhere else on the Cornhusker depth chart is there as much quality depth as on the line (running backs…maybe). Start with seniors Mike Huff and Matt Slauson at guard. Huff is a steady, if not spectacular, veteran, while a slimmed-down Slauson is still a big, physical mother who should be in his element leading the charge in a much more head-knocking running attack.
Sophomore Keith Williams will be the top back-up at guard and will push Huff for a starter’s spot throughout Fall Camp. Coaches and fellow linemen can’t say enough good things about Williams’ size, explosiveness and footwork. Fellow soph., D.J. Jones will also provide quality depth at guard. The line won’t drop off much when Williams and Jones, a highly-touted recruit out of Omaha, sub in.
Oft-injured Lydon Murtha will take a few steps to his left and replace Carl Nicks at the left tackle position in 2008. Since he arrived in Lincoln, Murtha has had coaches and pro scouts drooling with his measurables. A lean, graceful 6-7, 315 lbs. with long arms, Murtha is a prototypical NFL left tackle, and could play himself into being a first round draft pick next April. For all his physical abilities, Murtha has to prove he wants it bad enough to be an All-American caliber lineman. If new O-Line Coach Barney Cotton can help Murtha’s performance catch up to his physical skills, the Husker offense will be awfully hard to stop.
True sophomore Javorio Burkes showed “sky is the limit” kind of ability after burning his redshirt at the end of 2007. Burkes shows nice footwork for his size and possesses freakishly long arms (a big plus at the tackle position). Conditioning could be the only thing to hold Burkes back during his sophomore season. Sophomore Mike Smith will get the bulk of snaps backing up Murtha and Burkes, while redshirt freshman Marcel Jones will get his feet wet as well. Both Smith and Jones are rangy and athletic options.
The center position belongs to junior Jacob Hickman. While not the most powerful member of the Husker line, Hickman makes up for it with technique and quickness off the ball. Relative unknown redshirt freshman Mike Caputo came out of spring football as the second teamer at center. This appears to be the one spot on the line where depth is somewhat lacking, however new Juco recruit Ricky Henry could impress enough during the fall to stabilize this position.
Reason for optimism: Like the running back position, the offensive line is an impressive mixture of experience and talented youth. Burkes, Williams, D.J. Jones and Smith are all sophomores. The Husker line could be good for a long time.
Reason for concern: Last season, the line excelled in pass protection, but less “Husker-like” when the team needed to grind out a three-yard-gain. Part of this was Callahan play calling. Part of it was that the defense often put a lot of pressure on the offense to score quickly. The talent and coaching appears to be in place for this to be a good run blocking line, but they will have to prove it.
New blood: If he can learn the system fairly quickly, Henry can provide instant help at guard and center. With so much quality depth ahead of him, scholarship recruit Brandon Thompson out of Texas will likely redshirt. It also appears, for now, that 5-star recruit Baker Steinkuhler will start out on defense, though this could change.
What to expect in ’08: This could be the most talented and deep Husker offensive line since 2001. While the depth is fairly young, Williams, D.J. Jones and Smith are each entering their third year in the system. Murtha and Slauson have NFL potential, while Huff and Hickman are heady veterans. If this group stays healthy and lives up to its potential, a Big 12 title is not an unreasonable goal.
Position Overview: The big bodies are in place for the 2008 version of the NU offensive line to be outstanding. Perhaps nowhere else on the Cornhusker depth chart is there as much quality depth as on the line (running backs…maybe). Start with seniors Mike Huff and Matt Slauson at guard. Huff is a steady, if not spectacular, veteran, while a slimmed-down Slauson is still a big, physical mother who should be in his element leading the charge in a much more head-knocking running attack.
Sophomore Keith Williams will be the top back-up at guard and will push Huff for a starter’s spot throughout Fall Camp. Coaches and fellow linemen can’t say enough good things about Williams’ size, explosiveness and footwork. Fellow soph., D.J. Jones will also provide quality depth at guard. The line won’t drop off much when Williams and Jones, a highly-touted recruit out of Omaha, sub in.
Oft-injured Lydon Murtha will take a few steps to his left and replace Carl Nicks at the left tackle position in 2008. Since he arrived in Lincoln, Murtha has had coaches and pro scouts drooling with his measurables. A lean, graceful 6-7, 315 lbs. with long arms, Murtha is a prototypical NFL left tackle, and could play himself into being a first round draft pick next April. For all his physical abilities, Murtha has to prove he wants it bad enough to be an All-American caliber lineman. If new O-Line Coach Barney Cotton can help Murtha’s performance catch up to his physical skills, the Husker offense will be awfully hard to stop.
True sophomore Javorio Burkes showed “sky is the limit” kind of ability after burning his redshirt at the end of 2007. Burkes shows nice footwork for his size and possesses freakishly long arms (a big plus at the tackle position). Conditioning could be the only thing to hold Burkes back during his sophomore season. Sophomore Mike Smith will get the bulk of snaps backing up Murtha and Burkes, while redshirt freshman Marcel Jones will get his feet wet as well. Both Smith and Jones are rangy and athletic options.
The center position belongs to junior Jacob Hickman. While not the most powerful member of the Husker line, Hickman makes up for it with technique and quickness off the ball. Relative unknown redshirt freshman Mike Caputo came out of spring football as the second teamer at center. This appears to be the one spot on the line where depth is somewhat lacking, however new Juco recruit Ricky Henry could impress enough during the fall to stabilize this position.
Reason for optimism: Like the running back position, the offensive line is an impressive mixture of experience and talented youth. Burkes, Williams, D.J. Jones and Smith are all sophomores. The Husker line could be good for a long time.
Reason for concern: Last season, the line excelled in pass protection, but less “Husker-like” when the team needed to grind out a three-yard-gain. Part of this was Callahan play calling. Part of it was that the defense often put a lot of pressure on the offense to score quickly. The talent and coaching appears to be in place for this to be a good run blocking line, but they will have to prove it.
New blood: If he can learn the system fairly quickly, Henry can provide instant help at guard and center. With so much quality depth ahead of him, scholarship recruit Brandon Thompson out of Texas will likely redshirt. It also appears, for now, that 5-star recruit Baker Steinkuhler will start out on defense, though this could change.
What to expect in ’08: This could be the most talented and deep Husker offensive line since 2001. While the depth is fairly young, Williams, D.J. Jones and Smith are each entering their third year in the system. Murtha and Slauson have NFL potential, while Huff and Hickman are heady veterans. If this group stays healthy and lives up to its potential, a Big 12 title is not an unreasonable goal.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
2008 Position Breakdown: Receivers
2008 Position Breakdown: Wide Receivers
Position Overview: The most impactful personnel losses on the offense happened at wide receiver, where productive wideouts Maurice Purify, Terrence Nunn and Frantz Hardy completed their eligibility. Purify and Nunn especially were vital parts of the Husker passing game. In 2008, steady, experienced receivers Nate Swift and Todd Peterson return, but others will have to step up in order for the NU passing game to be a legitimate threat.
Swift will be a calming presence for the both the quarterbacks and the young receiving corps. A good route runner with better than average speed, he’ll be Joe Ganz’s go-to guy early in the season. Peterson also brings plenty of experience to the receiver position. While not as dynamic as Purify, his big frame and knowledge of the system will cause match up problems for smaller defensive backs.
While Swift and Peterson are known commodities, neither is really a “game-breaker” type of receiver and alone they are not enough for this group to be effective. The hope is one or more of a bevy of young and talented receivers can turn this position from a concern to a competitive advantage. Among those fighting to be the Huskers’ next breakout star are juniors Menelik Holt and Chris Brooks, sophomores Niles Paul and Will Henry and redshirt freshman Curenski Gilleylen.
Of this group, Holt most resembles Purify’s combination of size and athleticism. However, time will tell if he can match Purify’s production. Paul and Gilleylen both possess decent size and the blinding speed to stretch defenses, and with his 6-5 frame and 4.5 speed, Henry may be the most intriguing talent in the group. Brooks is a former blue-chip recruit who now has the opportunity to prove he can live up to his lofty star status. Again, there is plenty of potential here, but in order for NU to have a successful season, potential needs to turn into production.
Reason for optimism: Looking at the receiver situation from a glass-half-full perspective, this group is a good combination of steady veterans and young talent just waiting to explode.
Reason for concern: There were plenty of drops in the spring game. Purify and Nunn arguably had the best hands on the team. All the athleticism in the world doesn’t matter if players can’t catch the ball. This group needs to prove they have the hands to be Big 12-level receivers.
New blood: The incoming class includes WRs Khirry Cooper (assuming he doesn’t sign a contract to play baseball for the L.A. Angels), Steven Osborne and Tim Marlowe. Florida recruit Antonio Bell was still a qualification mystery as of this posting. Of this group, Cooper is the most likely to contribute in 2008 should he opt to remain a collegian.
What to expect in ’08: There was a moment in the spring game when Curenski Gilleylen sped past DB Anthony West and caught a long Joe Ganz toss in stride, and the crowd at Memorial Stadium collectively thought, “Okay, we may be fine at receiver.” Granted, it also may have indicated some issues in the defensive secondary, but we’ll ignore that for now. There’s always something exciting about the unknown, especially when the unknown might be great. That’s the way I feel about the wide receivers. There’s plenty of talent on hand, along with some key returning experience. Hopefully by the time the Virginia Tech Hokies come into Lincoln for the final non-conference game, we’ll have a much better idea who the next great Husker receivers will be.
Position Overview: The most impactful personnel losses on the offense happened at wide receiver, where productive wideouts Maurice Purify, Terrence Nunn and Frantz Hardy completed their eligibility. Purify and Nunn especially were vital parts of the Husker passing game. In 2008, steady, experienced receivers Nate Swift and Todd Peterson return, but others will have to step up in order for the NU passing game to be a legitimate threat.
Swift will be a calming presence for the both the quarterbacks and the young receiving corps. A good route runner with better than average speed, he’ll be Joe Ganz’s go-to guy early in the season. Peterson also brings plenty of experience to the receiver position. While not as dynamic as Purify, his big frame and knowledge of the system will cause match up problems for smaller defensive backs.
While Swift and Peterson are known commodities, neither is really a “game-breaker” type of receiver and alone they are not enough for this group to be effective. The hope is one or more of a bevy of young and talented receivers can turn this position from a concern to a competitive advantage. Among those fighting to be the Huskers’ next breakout star are juniors Menelik Holt and Chris Brooks, sophomores Niles Paul and Will Henry and redshirt freshman Curenski Gilleylen.
Of this group, Holt most resembles Purify’s combination of size and athleticism. However, time will tell if he can match Purify’s production. Paul and Gilleylen both possess decent size and the blinding speed to stretch defenses, and with his 6-5 frame and 4.5 speed, Henry may be the most intriguing talent in the group. Brooks is a former blue-chip recruit who now has the opportunity to prove he can live up to his lofty star status. Again, there is plenty of potential here, but in order for NU to have a successful season, potential needs to turn into production.
Reason for optimism: Looking at the receiver situation from a glass-half-full perspective, this group is a good combination of steady veterans and young talent just waiting to explode.
Reason for concern: There were plenty of drops in the spring game. Purify and Nunn arguably had the best hands on the team. All the athleticism in the world doesn’t matter if players can’t catch the ball. This group needs to prove they have the hands to be Big 12-level receivers.
New blood: The incoming class includes WRs Khirry Cooper (assuming he doesn’t sign a contract to play baseball for the L.A. Angels), Steven Osborne and Tim Marlowe. Florida recruit Antonio Bell was still a qualification mystery as of this posting. Of this group, Cooper is the most likely to contribute in 2008 should he opt to remain a collegian.
What to expect in ’08: There was a moment in the spring game when Curenski Gilleylen sped past DB Anthony West and caught a long Joe Ganz toss in stride, and the crowd at Memorial Stadium collectively thought, “Okay, we may be fine at receiver.” Granted, it also may have indicated some issues in the defensive secondary, but we’ll ignore that for now. There’s always something exciting about the unknown, especially when the unknown might be great. That’s the way I feel about the wide receivers. There’s plenty of talent on hand, along with some key returning experience. Hopefully by the time the Virginia Tech Hokies come into Lincoln for the final non-conference game, we’ll have a much better idea who the next great Husker receivers will be.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
2008 Position Breakdown: Quarterbacks
2008 Position Breakdown: Quarterbacks
Position Overview: The return of starting QB Joe Ganz makes this position a strength for the 2008 version of the Big Red. After waiting patiently on the sidelines for more than three and a half years, Ganz got his shot late in the season and opened some eyes throughout the conference by throwing for more than 1,400 and 16 touchdowns in only three starts. While it’s also true that Ganz threw seven interceptions in those games, those picks seemed to be caused by Ganz trying to force throws to try to keep up with the piles of points being put up by opposing offenses. A more balanced offense with a stronger running attack will put less pressure on Ganz to do it all himself.
More important than the numbers, Ganz displayed strong command of the huddle and the feet to scramble for good yardage should the opportunity present itself. Mobility is an attribute NU quarterbacks haven’t had for a few years, and Ganz’s ability to scramble or possibly keep the ball on running plays will force defenses to be less aggressive. The Big 12 is absolutely stacked with quality signal callers, so don’t look for Ganz on any pre-season all conference lists. However, given his effectiveness during last season’s impromptu debut, the QB spot – the most important position on the field – should be in good hands.
One of the more intriguing depth chart battles going into Fall Camp, was the scrum for the number two QB job. Redshirt freshman Patrick Witt came out of the spring with a slight lead over sophomore Zac Lee. Both Witt and Lee are talented options, with Lee having the stronger arm and better quickness, and Witt having better command of the offense. While these are good options to have, neither Witt nor Lee has played a snap of Division I football yet. Long-time Husker Beau Davis brings a good attitude and will provide another level of depth on the depth chart.
Reason for optimism: Even the most optimistic Husker fans had to be surprised by Ganz’s ability to move the ball last season after he replaced Sam Keller. What can he do for an encore with a more effective running attack and defense that (hopefully) provides much better field position?
Reason for concern: Again, Witt and Lee are talented, but haven’t played in a real D-1 game yet. Getting them some snaps during the first three non-conference games will be key to their development and having them ready should…gulp…Ganz get injured.
New blood: Kody Spano enrolled early and joined the team for spring ball. Spano comes off an impressive high school career and is an accurate passer, but is green. He’ll most likely redshirt.
What to expect in ’08: Don’t underestimate the importance of agility at the QB spot. Ganz has already mentioned that the coaching staff has added some new plays to take advantage of his ability to run the ball. If he can stay healthy and develop a rapport with some new receivers, the offense has the potential to be better than last year’s squad.
Position Overview: The return of starting QB Joe Ganz makes this position a strength for the 2008 version of the Big Red. After waiting patiently on the sidelines for more than three and a half years, Ganz got his shot late in the season and opened some eyes throughout the conference by throwing for more than 1,400 and 16 touchdowns in only three starts. While it’s also true that Ganz threw seven interceptions in those games, those picks seemed to be caused by Ganz trying to force throws to try to keep up with the piles of points being put up by opposing offenses. A more balanced offense with a stronger running attack will put less pressure on Ganz to do it all himself.
More important than the numbers, Ganz displayed strong command of the huddle and the feet to scramble for good yardage should the opportunity present itself. Mobility is an attribute NU quarterbacks haven’t had for a few years, and Ganz’s ability to scramble or possibly keep the ball on running plays will force defenses to be less aggressive. The Big 12 is absolutely stacked with quality signal callers, so don’t look for Ganz on any pre-season all conference lists. However, given his effectiveness during last season’s impromptu debut, the QB spot – the most important position on the field – should be in good hands.
One of the more intriguing depth chart battles going into Fall Camp, was the scrum for the number two QB job. Redshirt freshman Patrick Witt came out of the spring with a slight lead over sophomore Zac Lee. Both Witt and Lee are talented options, with Lee having the stronger arm and better quickness, and Witt having better command of the offense. While these are good options to have, neither Witt nor Lee has played a snap of Division I football yet. Long-time Husker Beau Davis brings a good attitude and will provide another level of depth on the depth chart.
Reason for optimism: Even the most optimistic Husker fans had to be surprised by Ganz’s ability to move the ball last season after he replaced Sam Keller. What can he do for an encore with a more effective running attack and defense that (hopefully) provides much better field position?
Reason for concern: Again, Witt and Lee are talented, but haven’t played in a real D-1 game yet. Getting them some snaps during the first three non-conference games will be key to their development and having them ready should…gulp…Ganz get injured.
New blood: Kody Spano enrolled early and joined the team for spring ball. Spano comes off an impressive high school career and is an accurate passer, but is green. He’ll most likely redshirt.
What to expect in ’08: Don’t underestimate the importance of agility at the QB spot. Ganz has already mentioned that the coaching staff has added some new plays to take advantage of his ability to run the ball. If he can stay healthy and develop a rapport with some new receivers, the offense has the potential to be better than last year’s squad.
Monday, July 28, 2008
2008 Position Breakdown: Running Backs
2008 Position Breakdown: Running Backs
Position Overview: More than any other position on the 2008 Husker squad, the running back spot is stacked with quality and quantity. Start with senior Marlon Lucky, the Big 12’s leading returning rusher. With Lucky, we all know what to expect. He’s an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield, and is very good, if not spectacular, in nearly every other aspect of the running game. Lucky’s experience and versatility will be extremely valuable for the Big Red as they work to reestablish the power running game and give the young receivers time to develop.
Sophomores Roy Helu and Quentin Castille will provide ample depth behind Lucky. Helu turned plenty of heads during spring practice and made news by earning “co-first team” status with Lucky on the team’s pre-fall depth chart. Helu is a potent mix of toughness and quickness and clearly has the trust of the coaching staff. Like Helu, the sky is the limit for Castille. He brings 4.5 speed and 240 pounds of muscle to the table. Ask safety Rickey Thenarse how it feels to knock shoulder pads with Castille.
I may be a homer, but it doesn’t seem like a stretch to say all three of these backs could be playing in the NFL some day.
Providing further depth and an added dose of speed will be redshirt freshman Marcus Mendoza. Essentially an unknown quantity (last seen he fumbled a few punts and caught a swing pass for a touchdown in the spring game), Mendoza could be used as an occasional change-up speed back when the situation dictates.
Speculation is that Husker fullbacks may actually carry the ball again in 2008, after serving almost exclusively as blockers under the Callahan regime. Steady senior Thomas Lawson will likely begin as the starter, while Justin Makovica (it’s good to have a Makovicka in the backfield again) will man the second team.
Reason for optimism: There are plenty of reasons. Lucky is pre-season All Big 12, Helu has the coaches raving and Castille could potentially be better than either of them. Add in that the backs behind Lucky are all sophs or younger, and this position should be good for a while.
Reason for concern: For all his talent, Castille needs to hang on to the football. If the team is to pull off some upsets this year, the Huskers will need to be able to count on the sophomore from Texas in goal line situations.
New blood: Freshmen Collins Okafor from Omaha and Lester Ward out of Brenham, Texas will join the fray in the fall. Both seem to be good candidates to redshirt in 2008.
What to expect in ’08: New running backs coach Tim Beck brings not only excellent recruiting connections, he also helped develop some strong running attacks while at Kansas. In the last few seasons, Beck helped turn KU’s Jon Cornish and Brandon McAnderson into 1,000-yard backs. His presence, along with pre-season vows from Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson and O-line Coach Barney Cotton to reemphasize a smash mouth running attack, should result in big yardage out of the running back spot.
Position Overview: More than any other position on the 2008 Husker squad, the running back spot is stacked with quality and quantity. Start with senior Marlon Lucky, the Big 12’s leading returning rusher. With Lucky, we all know what to expect. He’s an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield, and is very good, if not spectacular, in nearly every other aspect of the running game. Lucky’s experience and versatility will be extremely valuable for the Big Red as they work to reestablish the power running game and give the young receivers time to develop.
Sophomores Roy Helu and Quentin Castille will provide ample depth behind Lucky. Helu turned plenty of heads during spring practice and made news by earning “co-first team” status with Lucky on the team’s pre-fall depth chart. Helu is a potent mix of toughness and quickness and clearly has the trust of the coaching staff. Like Helu, the sky is the limit for Castille. He brings 4.5 speed and 240 pounds of muscle to the table. Ask safety Rickey Thenarse how it feels to knock shoulder pads with Castille.
I may be a homer, but it doesn’t seem like a stretch to say all three of these backs could be playing in the NFL some day.
Providing further depth and an added dose of speed will be redshirt freshman Marcus Mendoza. Essentially an unknown quantity (last seen he fumbled a few punts and caught a swing pass for a touchdown in the spring game), Mendoza could be used as an occasional change-up speed back when the situation dictates.
Speculation is that Husker fullbacks may actually carry the ball again in 2008, after serving almost exclusively as blockers under the Callahan regime. Steady senior Thomas Lawson will likely begin as the starter, while Justin Makovica (it’s good to have a Makovicka in the backfield again) will man the second team.
Reason for optimism: There are plenty of reasons. Lucky is pre-season All Big 12, Helu has the coaches raving and Castille could potentially be better than either of them. Add in that the backs behind Lucky are all sophs or younger, and this position should be good for a while.
Reason for concern: For all his talent, Castille needs to hang on to the football. If the team is to pull off some upsets this year, the Huskers will need to be able to count on the sophomore from Texas in goal line situations.
New blood: Freshmen Collins Okafor from Omaha and Lester Ward out of Brenham, Texas will join the fray in the fall. Both seem to be good candidates to redshirt in 2008.
What to expect in ’08: New running backs coach Tim Beck brings not only excellent recruiting connections, he also helped develop some strong running attacks while at Kansas. In the last few seasons, Beck helped turn KU’s Jon Cornish and Brandon McAnderson into 1,000-yard backs. His presence, along with pre-season vows from Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson and O-line Coach Barney Cotton to reemphasize a smash mouth running attack, should result in big yardage out of the running back spot.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
2008 Position Breakdown: Kickers & Punters
Hey there Husker fans. We're just over a week away from the start of Fall Camp, and although there are absolutely no signs of autumn here in Arizona, in my heart and my mind it's time for football. In the remaining days before the fall practices get rolling, I figured I'd break down the 2008 Cornhuskers one position at a time.
Since this is the first of the series, it seemed only fitting that we "kick things off" with the kickers and punters.
Kickers and Punters
Position Overview: The Huskers' kicking game appears in good hands, err...feet with the top two place kickers Alex Henery and Adi Kunalic (both sophomores) senior punter Dan Titchener all returning. In 2007, Henery didn't miss a kick, splitting the uprights on all 45 extra point attempts and going 8 for 8 on field goal attempts. With his accuracy, Henery will most likely remain the go-to guy on field goals from 45 yards and in, while Kunalic's big leg will handle the longer attempts. While Kunalic is certainly capable of handling the full-time kicking duties, make no mistake he was brought in to put kickoffs in or near the end zone. In 66 attempts last year, Kunalic held opposing teams to a touchback 28 times -- roughly 42 percent of the time. Though it wasn't reflected in last year's defensive stats, forcing an opposing team to start at or inside their own 20 yard line is a considerable competitive advantage for a defense.
One could make an argument that Titchener was the defensive MVP for last year's Husker team. Though the 2007 D was rarely able to keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard, it clearly wasn't Titchener's fault. This will be Titchener's third year as the starting punter and in that time he's only had one kick blocked while showing a proficiency for killing kicks deep in opposing territory. Last year, he averaged just over 41 yards per punt. In the unlikely event of an injury, Henery, a former high school soccer star, would likely step in as Titchener's understudy.
Reason for optimism: All three main guys return along with long snapper T.J. O'Leary and holder Jake Wesch.
Reason for concern: For all their efficiency last season, the place kickers were never put in a win-or-lose pressure kick situation. Will they step up when/if a clutch boot is needed?
New blood: No real newbies here, although we will see some new faces returning punts and kicks. Youngsters like Prince Amukamara, Marcus Mendoza and Niles Paul will fight it out to see who nabs the return jobs in the fall.
What to expect in '08: For whatever reason, Bill Callahan wasn't a big fan of kicking field goals. Granted, every coach would rather put up six points instead of three. Still, Callahan was abnormally averse to sending the kicking unit out in typical field goal situations (that's why Henery only went 8 for 8). While it would be against Bo Pelini's aggressive nature to be conservative with the kicking game, I would guess the Huskers will utilize the kicking crew more often in 2008.
Since this is the first of the series, it seemed only fitting that we "kick things off" with the kickers and punters.
Kickers and Punters
Position Overview: The Huskers' kicking game appears in good hands, err...feet with the top two place kickers Alex Henery and Adi Kunalic (both sophomores) senior punter Dan Titchener all returning. In 2007, Henery didn't miss a kick, splitting the uprights on all 45 extra point attempts and going 8 for 8 on field goal attempts. With his accuracy, Henery will most likely remain the go-to guy on field goals from 45 yards and in, while Kunalic's big leg will handle the longer attempts. While Kunalic is certainly capable of handling the full-time kicking duties, make no mistake he was brought in to put kickoffs in or near the end zone. In 66 attempts last year, Kunalic held opposing teams to a touchback 28 times -- roughly 42 percent of the time. Though it wasn't reflected in last year's defensive stats, forcing an opposing team to start at or inside their own 20 yard line is a considerable competitive advantage for a defense.
One could make an argument that Titchener was the defensive MVP for last year's Husker team. Though the 2007 D was rarely able to keep opposing offenses off the scoreboard, it clearly wasn't Titchener's fault. This will be Titchener's third year as the starting punter and in that time he's only had one kick blocked while showing a proficiency for killing kicks deep in opposing territory. Last year, he averaged just over 41 yards per punt. In the unlikely event of an injury, Henery, a former high school soccer star, would likely step in as Titchener's understudy.
Reason for optimism: All three main guys return along with long snapper T.J. O'Leary and holder Jake Wesch.
Reason for concern: For all their efficiency last season, the place kickers were never put in a win-or-lose pressure kick situation. Will they step up when/if a clutch boot is needed?
New blood: No real newbies here, although we will see some new faces returning punts and kicks. Youngsters like Prince Amukamara, Marcus Mendoza and Niles Paul will fight it out to see who nabs the return jobs in the fall.
What to expect in '08: For whatever reason, Bill Callahan wasn't a big fan of kicking field goals. Granted, every coach would rather put up six points instead of three. Still, Callahan was abnormally averse to sending the kicking unit out in typical field goal situations (that's why Henery only went 8 for 8). While it would be against Bo Pelini's aggressive nature to be conservative with the kicking game, I would guess the Huskers will utilize the kicking crew more often in 2008.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
A Good Read
I just got done reading a very good book about college football. It is called "Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer," and while it has nothing to do with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, it is a funny and insightful look at what it means to be a fan from the perspective of a journalist who also happens to be a huge supporter of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The author, Warren St. John, purchases an RV and imbeds himself in the Alabama RV tailgating culture. Along the way he encounters plenty of characters, crackpots and crazies. I read quite a few sports books, and highly recommend this one.
Got any good suggestions for books on college football? Let me hear 'em.
The author, Warren St. John, purchases an RV and imbeds himself in the Alabama RV tailgating culture. Along the way he encounters plenty of characters, crackpots and crazies. I read quite a few sports books, and highly recommend this one.
Got any good suggestions for books on college football? Let me hear 'em.
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