Suffice it to say Barney Cotton has faced a lot of criticism in recent years for the performance of the offensive line. Some of that has been depth, some of that, a lack of emphasis. So this season, John Garrison was promoted to a full-time offensive line assistant coach while Brendan Stai became an intern helping with the line as well. And we saw some improvement, especially earlier in the season. But at times, the line disintegrated (hello second half, Capital One Bowl). So the line was better...but not good enough.
Returning: Spencer Long (RG Starter), Jr.; Andrew Rodriquez (LG Starter), Jr.; Seung Hoon Choi (OG Spot Starter), Sr.; Tyler Moore (OT Spot Starter), So.; Jeremiah Sirles (2010 Starter-OT), Jr; Cole Pensick, Jr.; Brent Qvale, Jr.; Brandon Thompson, Sr.; Mark Pelini, So.; Jake Cotton, So.; Ryan Klachko, RFr.; Givens Mordi Price, RFr; Ryne Reeves, RFr; Zach Sterup, RFr; Nick Ash, Jr.; Mike Moudy, So.
Incoming: Paul Thurston, HS Verbal
Jon: The offensive line loses a fair amount of experience this season as Mike Captuo,
Jermarcus Hardrick and
Marcel Jones move on. Caputo was a second-team All Big Ten honoree while Jones earned Honorable Mention. Caputo had 27 total starts, Jones had 21 and Hardrick 13.
Long played well enough to garner second-team All Big Ten honors, quite an achievement for a walk-on sophomore that came out of nowhere. Moore had four starts this season, the most by a true freshman offensive lineman in school history.
It is driving me nuts that as a total group the young guys aren't getting more rotations - especially this year with John Garrison joining the staff along with Brenden Stai as a grad assistant. Clearly there was more focus on the offensive line, but the offense didn't change all that much in terms of productivity from 2010 to 2011. There are two conclusions one can draw from this - Barney Cotton is a marginal coach at best, or Bo Pelini prefers to run his team like the NFL, starters play and everyone else watches until injuries force a change.
Mike: Jeremiah Sirles played a lot in 2010, and frankly, didn't look that bad for a freshman. Not sure why he didn't see the field more in 2011, but he has to be a candidate for more playing time in 2012. The coaches heaped a lot of praise on Tyler Moore earlier in the season, but his playing time evaporated as the season went on. You have to expect those two are the leading candidates to take over at the tackle spots. But the freshmen who redshirted in 2011 were all fairly highly touted. Could they break through? Somebody or bodies need to make some sort of breakthrough this spring, because when Nebraska's offensive line struggles, it seems to be the bellweather for the entire team.
Jon: This staff says little to nothing about injuries to players except that they're used for excuses about why this didn't happen or that didn't happen. Sirles was injured this season.
Andy: For the first time in years, I thought I actually saw signs of attitude on the line again as there were some real games against excellent teams and players where they imposed their will at times including the first half of South Carolina. Then there were times when it all blew the fudge up. Despite the presence of Caputo and Jones, it was a relatively young group. I know Yoshii was a senior, but he was a first year starter and still a big kid in many ways. See him jumping around at whistles like a West Point plebe in the 2nd half of the USC game.
This is the least shit I've seen Barney take since his re-arrival, and I like the direction we've started to go. Started to. Yes, I'd like to see the younger guys get more meaningful snaps.
(And since my suggestions along the same lines that Carnes should have had some as well, and that QB competition be opened, somehow ballooned into I think Carnes should start, let me be clear: I'm not calling for any benchings, just more seasoning all around.) Maybe some missed assignments against Sun Belt teams & Wyomings & Chattanoogas become teachable moments that develop more depth and thus result in less injuries come Big 10 games.
In any case, I think Barney advanced them enough overall that he deserves a couple more years to see how much he can grow some of them. Besides, unless we decide the family beagle has promise as an H-back, there's no more Cotton pups at home to put on scholly. Oh yeah, work on the pass blocking. I don't think it's a case of Martinez "freezing in the pocket" when his helmet's being swatted as he's finishing a two-step drop.
Jon: There's a fair amount of young talent, and it should be quite a battle to see who wins the starting spots next season. Klachko and Reeves, in particular, should have seen quite a bit of growth from the strength and conditioning program. The key will be finding a center, Caputo's replacement, and again, getting experience and depth going so the line can last an entire Big Ten season intact.
So what's your thoughts? Are you feeling encouraged about the development up front (five guys return with starting experience), or are you still worried about the line.
The offensive line has consistently been the weakest part of our team for the past 4 years.
Barney Cotton has been in charge of the offensive line for the past 4 years. Coincidence? I dont think so. I personally am tired of the excuses (injuries, depth, experience, new conference, etc…) and just want them to produce. I wanted Carl to take Barney to FAU with him but since that hasn’t happened we’re stuck with him for at least another year.
nateforchiefs - January 18, 2012
I Am Not Encouraged
Until we actually see the opposing defenses spend less time in the backfield than our own personnel, I have no faith in Cottons ability to produce an O line that can compete at the level necessary to keep Nebraska out of the company of the middle of the pack wanna-be’s.
UltimaRatioRegum - January 18, 2012
We have talent
Next year it’s time for that young talent to grow up. If they don’t, it’s on Barney Cotton. Overall though, I felt like this year’s O-line was more consistent than last year. I think having some extra help from John Garrison was beneficial. It’s too bad that they ended the year on such a negative note. They stood toe to toe with a good SEC team for one half, but in the second half they were dominated. That game basically sums up what we’ve seen from Cotton’s O-lines in Lincoln. Suddenly great, followed by inexplicably awful.
Billgrip - January 18, 2012
I think there will be a noticeable jump in the program next season.
We’ll be returning starters on the offensive line (and elsewhere on offense) and we’ll have a full year of tape to watch for many of our Big Ten opponents. That should be a HUGE help to this team. Our first normal season in three years. It’ll be a painfully quiet off-season.
I don’t think our defense was that far off this season either, Michigan and Wisconsin treated as anomalies. We’ll be more aggressive next season.
I see 10-2 for the 2012 season, with a split of Michigan/Ohio State and one other loss, either to Minnesota or one of our non-conference games (just to keep the “Fire Bo” train FIRED UP).
We go to the championship game IF we beat Michigan, followed by Rose Bowl with a win over a rebuilding Wisconsin, despite a good night by Monte Ball.
If we don’t beat Michigan, we get a BCS game on the virtue of Ohio State’s absence from post-season play. And because the prospect of a BCS game gets most Nebraska fans excited, or something. We probably end up playing the winner of a crappy Big East.
We drop to 9-3 if we drop both Michigan AND Ohio State, but I don’t see that happening.
Regardless, another 9+win season! FIRE BO PELINI. THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
Salt Creek and Stadium - January 18, 2012
I'm a bit less optimistic than you
The key for our success next year on both the offensive line and the team as a whole is consistency. The offensive line’s inconsistency this year was maddening at times and often defied logic.
Obvious example: First half of the South Carolina game, our line is shoving them all over the place. We hold the ball for 20+ minutes in the first half and only a string of incredibly lucky breaks for SC has them ahead (much less close) at halftime. Still, I thought no matter, the offensive line is playing well and with that type of ball control, their defense will be shot midway through the third quarter. Well, um about that….
If we can develop the kind of consistency that Osborne’s teams showed, both showing up for every game and not having a derpy quarter or two in games that we were otherwise playing well in, then we’ll be well positioned for at least 10 wins. If we have more of the same next year, we’re probably looking at 8 wins as my amateur eye tells me next year’s schedule will be marginally more difficult because of our non-conference slate.
jdhusker - January 19, 2012
Our offensive line got blown up by the Northwestern defensive line.
Burkhead was dodging blockers in the backfield all day long that game. I am officially done with Barney Cotton and want him to go coach the Iowa O-line, they deserve it.
nateforchiefs - January 19, 2012
I stand by my optimism.
Salt Creek and Stadium - January 19, 2012
From left to right next year
Peat – Rodriguez – Long – Qvale – Moore
(with Sirles in place of Peat should he surprise us and go elsewhere)
Long really looks like an old school center. And Qvale has to show up sometime, as much as we’ve heard about him every single off season the past 4 years.
brutus1382 - January 20, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Corn Nation to post a comment.