McKewon: 2023 NU FB has one of weakest rosters I've seen at Nebraska

[Tell_Sackett]

8-4 ceiling but we’re about 3 injuries away from 3-9. Will take Rhule a couple years to build depth

This is my take too. We are thinner than Karen Carpenter at most positions. People aren't sold on Sims but if he goes down, we are in deep, deep trouble.

Our schedule is the main reason I have a modicum of hope we can get to 6 wins. It will never be easier than this slate.

Wisconsin should be worse, Cockeye isn't better, and neither is Minny, MSU or Purdoodoo.

Colorado is not good and neither is Northwestern.

We should have 2 gimmes...although we have learned there are no gimmes.

Maryland and Illinois could be more problematic than normal.

Michigan is the only game I can't envision us winning under any circumstance.

 

[...TrueColors...]

I mean the tape is out there, go watch it. Quite frankly i think you’re a retard if you think Nash is a good defensive lineman right now. What evidence do you have that he is a good player?

He consistently got blown 4 yards off the ball by our interior O-Line in the spring game and watching him try and get off a pass block and create pressure is comical. Piper was locking him up in pass pro 1v1 and that’s saying something.

You’re consistent in your defense of Nash so i’ll ask this as well.. you think he’s a sunday guy? All conference caliber? What’s your assessment of him.

1) He did not constantly get blown up by the interior and this is simply false.

2) In our 3-3-5 he’s not going to be called upon to pass rush.

3) I don’t know if he’s a Sunday guy. But I do know he showed steady improvement last year from game one to the final game.

What metrics will we use by thanksgiving to tell if Nash was a productive player this year? I’m letting you set the standard here.

 

[HerbRedman]

The thing about the QB situation (Corn's take that Sims is the worst QB of the last 20 years) - Martinez is probably the most talented QB we've had in 20 years, in terms of arm talent, athleticism, tools, you name it. Yet, he was the most frustrating QB I think I've ever seen. Fumbling the ball seemingly out of nowhere, putting the ball on his off arm while running for a first down and because of that it isn't a first down, and just the general lack of pocket presence and feel (see - 2021 Minnesota game and the safety). Granted he probably played with injuries and his HC was Frost.

In short - a HC and QB combo matter in college. Frost was confident, but cocky and his shortcomings displayed in Martinez's play. Sims might not have the talent, who is to say Rhule's coaching intangibles won't overshadow Sims' weaknesses.

Also... Sims worse than Tanner 'Pick 6' Lee? C'mon.

Also Tommy Armstrong let's be honest was not particularly great other than a good 6 game stretch in 2016. Also T-Mart toward the end when he was always injured and body was broken. Also A-Mart any yr other than his FR yr.

I actually think Sims is better then every one of those QB yrs. I have been incredibly down on Sims (his GT video is not impressive)...but I'm open to him being decent. Mainly because a lot of FB people from the southeast think he'll be good here. I'm open to being pleasantly surprised (my expectations are low).

 

[HerbRedman]

8-4 ceiling but we’re about 3 injuries away from 3-9. Will take Rhule a couple years to build depth

Yep this is actually the correct take. 2 injuries - I think if Sims and Scott both go down in game 1 (w season enders), you could be looking at 3-9.

But if the team stayed (relatively) healthy they could actually do 8-4. It's unlikely but they could do it w this year's schedule.

If I had to bet on Sims missing at least 2 starts due to injury unfortunately I would take that bet.

 

[Blakejc]

This is my take too. We are thinner than Karen Carpenter at most positions. People aren't sold on Sims but if he goes down, we are in deep, deep trouble.

Our schedule is the main reason I have a modicum of hope we can get to 6 wins. It will never be easier than this slate.

Wisconsin should be worse, Cockeye isn't better, and neither is Minny, MSU or Purdoodoo.

Colorado is not good and neither is Northwestern.

We should have 2 gimmes...although we have learned there are no gimmes.

Maryland and Illinois could be more problematic than normal.

Michigan is the only game I can't envision us winning under any circumstance.

Cockeye was a good QB away from having a really nice squad, and now they have a good QB. I like them more than Wisconsin at this point.

 

[Boondock_St_Sker]

define weakest...like they are not strong? S&C still sucks? weakest on a talent level? Rhule thinks this roster is pretty dang talented (but he's the corch, he's supposed to) weakest on what level?

btw, Fat Sam is still Fat Sam and I still don't like him...Eat a dick Sam...

 

[Huskers4420]

For those who used to frequent Taterville, Sam McKewon used to post under this handle, he also apparently moved to the new Tater site. Made an interesting comment today.

Kind of surprised how harsh he is on the current roster. It's a paper thin roster so I'll give him that. Also a lot of unknowns like Sims, Fidone, Sherman, Betts, Gilbert, etc. Definitely makes you want to hammer the UNDER on 6.0 wins in Vegas.


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Panda is the same guy that thinks Tominaga has a chance of getting drafted. Dude doesn't know how to evaluate talent at any sport.

 

[DuckSker]

1) He did not constantly get blown up by the interior and this is simply false.

2) In our 3-3-5 he’s not going to be called upon to pass rush.

3) I don’t know if he’s a Sunday guy. But I do know he showed steady improvement last year from game one to the final game.

What metrics will we use by thanksgiving to tell if Nash was a productive player this year? I’m letting you set the standard here.

Well i’d say his film and our record would be good metrics to start with. That’s kind of obvious no? Maybe even stats if that’s more important to you than film. Or how about if he gets voted to an all conference team by his peers and opposing coaches?

Last year he had 5 solo tackles, zero TFL’s, zero sacks and zero QB pressures. So it shouldn’t be hard to improve statistically speaking

If you think the whole goal is to eat up double teams and that’s absolutely it than you’re the reason we’re 4-8. He needs to be able to get after the ball carrier and QB as well. That’s what GOOD NG’s do.

“Do nothing but eat up double teams Johnny, that’ll win us football games”

 

[Jim14510]

The thing about the QB situation (Corn's take that Sims is the worst QB of the last 20 years) - Martinez is probably the most talented QB we've had in 20 years, in terms of arm talent, athleticism, tools, you name it. Yet, he was the most frustrating QB I think I've ever seen. Fumbling the ball seemingly out of nowhere, putting the ball on his off arm while running for a first down and because of that it isn't a first down, and just the general lack of pocket presence and feel (see - 2021 Minnesota game and the safety). Granted he probably played with injuries and his HC was Frost.

In short - a HC and QB combo matter in college. Frost was confident, but cocky and his shortcomings displayed in Martinez's play. Sims might not have the talent, who is to say Rhule's coaching intangibles won't overshadow Sims' weaknesses.

Also... Sims worse than Tanner 'Pick 6' Lee? C'mon.

Martinez arm talent was ok. It wasn't anything great. Probably the most athletic qb and overall talent we've had in a while.

His biggest fails were accuracy and decision making. The fumble stuff you can fit under decision making on at least half of them.

 

[Jim14510]

Cockeye was a good QB away from having a really nice squad, and now they have a good QB. I like them more than Wisconsin at this point.

They were an offensive line, RB, QB, and at least 2 receivers away from being good.

 

[Carm]

The fumble stuff you can fit under decision making on at least half of them.

He also had small hands - not a joke

 

[Bootleg11]

i wonder what fat Sam would do to change the roster situation since he’s a know it all sonofabitch

Get his ass Doc

 

[slattimer]

However, I don't believe Jeff Sims can effectively execute any offense

I think this is pretty far off if you watched the spring game…

 

[HerbRedman]

I think this is pretty far off if you watched the spring game…

Correct. He looked like a very competent game manager in the spring game.

 

[slattimer]

The offense has some solid pieces.

Personally think Fidone if stays healthy is an all American type player. Seeing him in practice. He’s “different”.

I don’t think Irvin is overrated. But nothing special. Solid back.

WR core I like Kemp. He’s a stud. Washington is solid. Betts has shown flashes when not flaky. There’s potential.

I think Sims will fit in fine with this offense because he’s very solid in the RPO game. And solid in the PAP game. And that’s what they need.

What will doom the offense is a dogshit OL…..which we may very well still have.

 

[slattimer]

Correct. He looked like a very competent game manager in the spring game.

His strength from what I saw in practice and the spring game. RPOs. He throws glance routes well. And is pretty accurate on those. That’s a big advantage. He’s good enough in the run game, both Q and read game to be pretty effective.

 

[...TrueColors...]

Well i’d say his film and our record would be good metrics to start with. That’s kind of obvious no? Maybe even stats if that’s more important to you than film. Or how about if he gets voted to an all conference team by his peers and opposing coaches?

Last year he had 5 solo tackles, zero TFL’s, zero sacks and zero QB pressures. So it shouldn’t be hard to improve statistically speaking

If you think the whole goal is to eat up double teams and that’s absolutely it than you’re the reason we’re 4-8. He needs to be able to get after the ball carrier and QB as well. That’s what GOOD NG’s do.

“Do nothing but eat up double teams Johnny, that’ll win us football games”

What would you be looking for in his film to where we can all agree he sucked or he was good?

What is a good baseline for what an average to above average player at his position would be able to achieve as far as stats go?

I’m not making any argument about eating up double teams being the only job of an interior DL. It is A job of an interior player. It is not THEE ONLY one. Curious as to why your head jumped here.

 

[DrinkItIn]

Where were these poignant assessments over the past five years? I can't seem to recall any of these kinds of statements from the "local media" in previous years.

While he may have a valid point, it's not as if he's providing us with groundbreaking insights or observations. At this stage, there are numerous uncertainties, and acknowledging that fact is all that truly needs to be expressed.

 

[...TrueColors...]

Where were these poignant assessments over the past five years? I can't seem to recall any of these kinds of statements from the "local media" in previous years.

While he may have a valid point, it's not as if he's providing us with groundbreaking insights or observations. At this stage, there are numerous uncertainties, and acknowledging that fact is all that truly needs to be expressed.

A wise friend of mine once said the only time Sam and Sip know things about Nebraska football is when they’re suppose to know things.

Jeff Sims might be the least known starting QB that Nebraska has ever seen. What do we know about him? Basically nothing. That’s incredibly rare at Nebraska to fly this far under the radar.

Point being is I think there might be a concentrated effort to keep things low key this off-season. I don’t mind it. If there’s nothing to talk about we don’t need to fuckin create it. Nobody gives a fuck who we project to be the 3rd team nickel on the team.

 

[1HuskerDad]

The key will be if we can RUN THE DAMN BALL. We improved in that aspect later in the year it seemed. Getting two or three 6-8 minute drives per game will make your defense look so much better! I have confidence that the coaching staff will be all on the same page this year which will help from a strategy standpoint too. It seemed like we had two separate offensive coordinators with Frost and Whipple countering each other early in the season. Culture should be much better this year. Tops is 8-4 while the bottom I feel is 5-7 with this team.