|
Joining us for a spring practice discussion on all things Nebraska are fellow Big Red blogs Corn Nation, Big Red Network, and Husker Hype. My answers to this Q&A format are below and make sure to check out what the other fine sites have to say.
1.) Who do you think will come out of Spring Practice as the Offensive and Defensive MVP?
Defensively, Jared Crick will certainly be on everyone's radar as a possible pre-season All-American candidate. All he was able to do last season next to Suh was accumulate 73 tackles, 15 tackles for losses, 9.5 sacks, 4 pass break-ups, 16 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 blocked kick. With the departure of Suh, I absolutely expect Crick to become one of the leaders on and off the field for the Blackshirts. The potential for Crick to have a break-out season in 2010 on the national level is all there and I think that needs to begin with dominating spring ball.
Offensively, I think the two players coming into the spring with the most momentum from last season are Rex Burkhead and Niles Paul. With the implementation of the Wildcat offense, this gives Burkhead a tremendous opportunity to shine. His work ethic is second to none and although he was very good at the end of the 2009 season, imagine where he could of been if he wasn't out six weeks with a fractured foot. 2010 could be the year of the Rex.
2.) Nebraska appears to be switching to a spread-option style offense. How do you think this will affect quarterback and running back rotation and play?
If we do run a spread-option offense, then it won't affect the rotation much, if at all. This type of offense obviously is going to favor a more mobile quarterback and flat-out speed at the skill positions - if they're on your roster. Cody Green has every opportunity in the world to shine in this system, but by going off of what I saw in him last season, he still has a long way to go before I feel comfortable with him in any situation. And if Zac Lee stays as the de facto quarterback as he probably will, then I also don't want to see him running the ball nearly as much as he did towards the end of the season. He's a nice running quarterback for Division 2 football - not the Big 12. Although Burkhead and Helu will likely be 1 and 1A, I'm really anxious to see what Braylon Heard can bring to the table when he gets to campus. His film shows that he's made for the spread-option.
3.) Who do you think the starting QB will be coming out of Spring Practice and do you feel that his spot is safe until Western Kentucky week?
Even though Zac Lee's tendon surgery on his throwing arm will more than likely keep him out of spring practice, I'm sure that he'll be number one on the depth chart heading into fall camp and into week one - unless Cody Green becomes the next Vince Young overnight. Although I still believe he lacks instinct, isn't athletically gifted enough to play vs. BCS-caliber athletes, and makes terrible decisions, he's the only battle-tested QB we have. And even though Green was a turnover waiting to happen as he clearly lost confidence as last season wore on, he will enter the spring with an advantage on the rest of this group in Lee's absence. I don't see Latravis Washington as a threat for any playing time whatsoever, but I am excited to see what Taylor Martinez and a healthy Kody Spano can do. As I've said here before, I'm sure we are going to hear how whoever starts at QB has 'turned the corner' and looks great against back-ups in practice, but I need to see someone that can move the ball come this fall. Until then, this position will remain the biggest uncertainty on the team.
4.) Who will be the #1 Running Back coming out of Spring Practice? Some have questioned Roy Helu, Jr.'s durability and Rex Burkhead busted out on the scene showing he can do impressive amounts of damage himself.
Roy Helu demonstrated last year that he can't be expected to shoulder (no pun intended) the majority of the load at running back and remain healthy for the entire season. Look for Helu and Rex Burkhead to come out of spring practice as co-number ones and remain that way throughout next fall. Of course, that can change if one of these two becomes an All-American, but I think we'll see a very similar number in terms of attempts by season's end.
5.) Which defensive unit will look best coming out of spring ball and why?
Running Bo Pelini's match-up zone pass defense with one of the most athletically gifted secondaries we've had in some time should make this defense one of the best, if not the best defense in college football next season. Prince Amukamara, Eric Hagg, Alfonzo Dennard, and Dejon Gomes all excelled in the secondary in their first year with Pelini and should improve in the 2010 season as should last season's back-ups in PJ Smith, Lance Thorell, Anthony West, and Anthony Blue. And to think that we will see Ricky Thenarse in an unexpected return as well as have Andrew Green, Dijon Washington, and Lazarri Middleton all coming off their redshirt seasons. I wouldn't trade this unit with anyone's right now.
6.) Ndamukong Suh, Phil Dillard and Larry Asante all are likely to be chosen during the draft. Does Matt O'Hanlon get picked up in one of the later rounds, go undrafted and sign as a free agent or another route not mentioned?
I haven't heard whether or not O'Hanlon has grown several inches and gained 20 lbs. since last season, but if he wants any chance of getting drafted he better be running a sub-4.4 40-yard dash at Nebraska's Pro Day this coming Friday. In other words, no way he gets drafted. If O'Hanlon wants to give the NFL a chance, Coach Pelini can probably find a team that will allow him a tryout. No doubt he'll be considered a long shot to make a roster, but then again, he was a long shot to ever see significant playing time at Nebraska - let alone start for one of the best defenses in college football.
7.) Now for the obvious question on everyone's mind: What does St. Louis do with the #1 pick?
St. Louis drafts Sam Bradford if they keep the #1 pick. Detroit drafts Ndamukong Suh with the #2 pick if nobody trades up to #1 to take him. Suh, Kyle Vanden Bosch, and Dominic Raiola make the Detroit Lions watchable for one state other than Michigan.
 |
Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics. 
The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.
The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site.. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.
The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account! 
the needs of your applicationssacs, but you use a mouse instead of a screwdriver.