I tend to side with what guy is saying here. The OLine definitely had some issues at times and could use some upgrades, but the yards per game isn’t a fluke. I think we the coaches are addressing the offensive weaknesses this off-season with a few new OLine pieces and better QB options. That should help in the red zone and with more sustained drives.
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huskerpower22
New member
What's the latest on Nesta Jade Silvera? If he is coming to Lincoln, isn't today the day we will find out?
Toe
New member
Well good for Iowa, I guess? I'd still rather have a bunch of older & more experienced guys on the line.
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huskerpower22
New member
I think that is why Raiola was brought in to develop what we have. I think the talent is there and we added two nice pieces and would bet we add another one after spring ball. I am happy you mentioned better QB options as I feel Martinez deserves just as much of the blame as people are putting on the O-line.
GretnaHusker14
New member
I think since he is a grad transfer and Grad school classes dont start for another week he still has a week to decide. Could be wrong.
BigRedBuster
Active member
I think this is where we see 2AM was both a blessing and a curse. He was able to mask a ton of major issues on the O line. And, as much as people are going to disagree with this, so did Frost's play calling. But, it was a curse in crunch time when, for whatever strange reason, both 2AM and play calling didn't work.
For this reason, I'm very glad Thompson is mobile. He should have the ability to scramble when needed. Hopefully, the O line is much better so he doesn't have to do it as much as 2AM did.
B.B. Hemingway
Donor
Maybe I've missed it on here, but what's the plan at Center?
Husker in WI
New member
I think it's pretty much try everyone who could play there, and settle on who fits best. If Teddy's back some people have been floating Corcoran, and then really any of the interior guys could do it. The switch to Center went really well for Farmer a few years ago, and Matt Farniok is on an NFL roster as a Center. Developing guys there is not as hard as we've made it look, I think Austin just never bothered developing a backup because Cam was good and any potential backups were more likely to be needed at G/T.
Personally I like the sounds of Teddy at LT and Corcoran at C, but my guess is Nouili or Hixson. I think Lutovsky, Williams (transfer from Northern Colorado), and the losers of the Tackle battles are probably too big to be Centers and we'll find 2 Guards out of that group. Hixson has already played some Center, and Nouili was a pleasant surprise -for the most part.
gossamorharpy
New member
The o line was pretty embarrassing throughout the year, that being said, I actually put more of the scoring/redzone troubles on frosty/lubick and QB play moreso than the O line. Clearly we could move the ball despite some s#!t a$$ O line fundamentals yet couldnt do s#!t to punch it in for 7.
Too many head-scratching play calls/formations within the 10 yard line (100% on coaching) and too many errant throws and missed reads for wide open TD throws (2AM)
I'm really looking forward to some sound qb play for what feels like the first time in close to 14 years
RedSavage
New member
JJ Husker
Donor
This^^^
I think the play calling and situational decisions haven’t received their fair share of the blame. Whereas 2AM has received more than his share IMO. We all could easily see Adrian’s strengths and weaknesses. I have trouble blaming him for much when he so often wasn’t put in a position to succeed. He gave us everything he was capable of. There was too much play calling predicated on avoiding certain things and being left with no other options due to factors beyond his control. Straighten out the O line and the play calling and some RB and WR issues and 2AM would’ve been just fine. It’s a copout to simply blame him for not having the “it” factor in crunch time.
Gorillahawk
New member
Is there very many 6'6" centers? I worry that he may struggle with leverage because he's so tall and someone could easily get underneath him,
BigRedBuster
Active member
Yep.
Prime example. Mathew Stafford. This is his 13th year in the NFL and this is only his 4th year making the playoffs. He finally won a playoff game by dominating the competition. He didn't all of a sudden become a great QB. He finally got on a team that has good players around him.
I would put some of the blame on last minute drives to win games failures on the O line also. OK....you're in a passing situation. Everyone knows you're going to pass. Frost has to call passing plays. Way too often the defense was on top of 2AM before he could even make a pass.
Hopefully, that all improves so we aren't in as many last minute drives to win games this next year. And...because we are actually winning.
Guy Chamberlin
Active member
No one on Earth would say our special teams were great. Why would they?
But to make this the equivalent of your comment, I'd have to say we need to replace all 11 players on the return team.
There is reason for optimism simply because it's hard to imagine special teams getting worse. There's reason for optimism on OL because new players, new coaches and new schemes will likely bring improvement to a team that had a Top 20 offense with situational problems.
Does that make sense, Mr. Crabbypants?
Hedley Lamarr
New member
I'm simply saying in the grand scheme of things we didn't have an extremely young OL compared to some of our peers and I don't like that excuse. In all actuality Frost and his staff did a terrible job when they arrived at recruiting enough competent depth at the OL spot. Which is obviously why we are where we are.