Pre-Snap Read

P.S.R. Op-Ed

I Don’t Stand Corrected — Yet

By Paul Myerberg   //   Sep 6, 2010

Pelini played his cards close to the vest: maybe he knew was he was doing at quarterback.

I was very vocal in my support for Zac Lee in last week’s Nebraska preview, writing — and I’m slightly paraphrasing here — that Nebraska’s national title hopes hinged on Pelini’s decision under center: Lee, and the Cornhuskers had a chance; anyone else, in my opinion, indicated that Pelini was viewing the future as more important than today. We found out on Saturday, roughly 35 minutes before Nebraska took the field against Western Kentucky, that Pelini had opted for redshirt freshman Taylor Martinez, not Lee. Nebraska’s second quarterback? Sophomore Cody Green — leaving Lee as the third quarterback, the emergency quarterback, a role ill-suited for the returning starter. Then I saw Martinez take his first carry 46 yards for a score, and I began to see why the redshirt freshman had earned such raves throughout the spring and fall: why his own teammates were glad when he missed a day of practice in August, as they were tired of chasing him around.

So was Western Kentucky, from Martinez’a first carry through his last. He showed a burst not seen at the position for Nebraska since Jammal Lord, if not Eric Crouch. Speaking of Crouch — who was sublime as a college quarterback, though currently wooden as a studio analyst — the former Heisman winner was the last redshirt freshman quarterback to start for the Cornhuskers prior to Martinez’s debut on Saturday.

The similarities between the two are immediately apparent — and the likeness between the pair was being drawn shortly after Martinez burst through the Western Kentucky secondary on his first touch. Even after a single game, it’s clear that Martinez is a better athlete than Lee; it might not be a stretch to say a “far better athlete,” judged on what we saw on Saturday.

Then I remember two things: one, it was against Western Kentucky; and two, Nebraska fans marveled at Lee’s performance against Sun Belt opposition a year ago, many with similar resumes. Well, not exactly the same as the Hilltoppers — W.K.U. has since changed coaches and philosophies, to be fair — but the same old, run-ragged, second-tier Sun Belt squad, with slightly different window dressing. Having put it that way, I’m far less likely to be bowled over by Martinez then I would otherwise, and there’s no doubt that Nebraska could have played either of its three potential starting quarterbacks in Martinez’s stead and had roughly the same result: 49 points, 536 yards of total offense, a nice blend of run and pass.

There are three quarterbacks capable of running this offense, after all: the third, Cody Green, was widely expected to be out of the running during the last week of fall camp. That wasn’t the case, as Green was Nebraska’s second quarterback off the bench, spelling Martinez in the second quarter and playing a solid portion of the second half. His day: 5 of 6 for 66 yards and Nebraska’s lone passing touchdown with another 17 yards on the ground.

So the reports of Cody Green’s demise were greatly exaggerated. He’s obviously part of this offense, particularly if Pelini and offensive coordinator Shawn Watson desire to combine Martinez and Green to make one whole quarterback. Martinez is the runner, Green the better passer. Together, it’s a better pairing than Nebraska would get from Zac Lee alone, I’m afraid to say. And there, believe it or not, is my early idea as to Pelini’s train of thought at quarterback.

Two young players, one a runner, one a passer, are greater than one solid senior, even if the senior brings the more complete individual package of talent to the table. Again, this might be what Pelini is thinking.

Which brings me to Lee: it must be disappointing for the senior, who played through injury last fall and worked his way back into playing shape over this past off-season, to be relegated to third-string duties. I wouldn’t go as far as to say it’s unfair, but it’s certainly disappointing. In Lee’s favor, in a strange way, might be a lingering injury; perhaps he’s still not fully healthy, still battling back from the arm surgery that cost him much of the off-season. Perhaps Pelini is still playing his cards close to the vest — does he know any other way?

Perhaps Lee needs two weeks to recover fully, merely needs to take a few snaps in each of Nebraska’s first two games to shake off rust. Maybe, just maybe, Lee will return to the starting lineup against Washington, sending Martinez and Green back into secondary roles. This pair’s future will come, if it hasn’t already.

Another thing I wrote when discussing Nebraska a week ago: the Cornhuskers’ position battle at quarterback was the biggest, most important competition in the country. I based that on my forceful belief that Lee, not Martinez, and certainly not Green, gave Nebraska its best shot at a sixth national title. I don’t stand corrected in this belief — yet. Martinez played well in his debut, but his performance is tempered by his opposition. As for why it’s Martinez, not Lee in the starting lineup, I can only wonder whether Lee is still injured; whether he played his way into Pelini’s doghouse during his 2009 performance; or whether Martinez is really that good, and deserving of the starting nod.

Tags: Bo Pelini, Cody Green, Nebraska, Taylor Martinez, Zac Lee

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