What to Expect of Martinez as a Passer
Early in the career of Taylor Martinez, he looked like the second coming of Heisman winner Eric Crouch. A potent running threat and at best a capable passing threat. Those who tuned into the Big Ten preview of Nebraska over the weekend heard commentator and former coach Gerry DiNardo temper expectations that the offseason work by Martinez will result in dramatically improved passing. Using Crouch's career as a guide, what kind of progress might be expected then?
Unlike Martinez, Crouch wasn't the day one starter as a redshirt freshman. NU had been preparing Bobby Newcombe to take over for Scott Frost. It was only after injuries to Newcombe that Crouch was thrust into a starting role. That year he completed less than 49% of his passes, for fewer than six yards per attempt with as many interceptions as touchdowns. As a rusher, he showed flashes of his considerable talent with 4.8 yards per carry and 5 scores. Even going into his sophomore year, Crouch was prepared as a backup to Newcombe (and also saw time at receiver). By the third game of the season though, he'd seized the starting job. He finished the year as a nearly 52% passer, with close to 8 yards per pass attempt and a 7 to 4 touchdown to interception ratio. His rushing also improved to 4.9 yards per carry with 16 scores as he was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. The team finished 12-1 and second in the country as well.
Martinez regressed between his first and second years in most categories. Martinez completed over 59% of his passes as a redshirt freshman with 8.3 yards per attempt and rushed for nearly six yards per attempt with 12 touchdowns. As a sophomore the completion percentage fell to 56% and only 7.3 yards per pass attempt. His rushing also fell to 4.6 yards per carry with 9 touchdowns, though some of that may have been deliberate since Martinez was much more inclined to slide rather than finish his runs by being tackled. Martinez did improve his touchdown to interception ratio with 13 touchdown passes and 8 interceptions as a sophomore after 10 scores and 7 picks as a freshman.
If Crouch had a "sophomore slump" you could say that it came in his third year (his second as a primary starter). His completion percentage dropped to 48% with 7.1 yards per attempt. His touchdown to interception ratio dipped to 11 TD's versus 7 picks. His running continued to improve though as his yards per carry climbed to 5.7 with 20 touchdowns. If you consider Crouch's junior year as analogous to Martinez's sophomore year, then perhaps it will be Crouch's senior year that's the most telling about what's next for Martinez.
As a senior Crouch's completion percentage rose to nearly 56% and his passes gained 8 yards per attempt. Unfortunately, his touchdown to interception ratio fell to just 7 scores against 10 INT's. The good news would be that it was possible to improve his completion percentage by nearly 8%. That might translate to Martinez being a 64% passer. The bad news is that experience doesn't make one immune to mistakes in the passing game and so it might not be reasonable to expect huge gains in passing touchdowns or huge declines in interceptions. Crouch's rushing numbers also dipped slightly, but were still impressive.
As DiNardo put it, it's Martinez effectiveness as a runner that might ultimately be the most important aspect of his game. It was Crouch's rushing rather than his passing that made Nebraska a conference champion and that put the Huskers in a national championship game. Any offense is going to have to throw the ball at times and you need some efficiency there. Still, you probably can't look to the passing game as NU's best chance to hurt defenses. Taylor will have to be competent enough in the passing game to keep defenders honest, but it's his running prowess that will likely be the difference between a BCS bowl and the Outback Bowl for Nebraska.
8/14/2012
Laying all of the responsibility of passing percentage on the QB and none on dropped passes or routes run incorrectly is unfair. There is more pressure on Martinez this year as the weapons are there and better but until the stats of drops are factored in for Crouch, Martinez or any QB is unfair. When are receivers drop / catch ratios going to be posted?
Newton, NC
8/14/2012
Howard, good point about the drops…may I respectfully add another? When was the last time we had a decent offensive line? And, now that two of our better OL have departed, guess what’s in store for us this year…I hate to be negative but facts are facts…our head coach has his priorities skewed a bit…No. 1 should be providing the players with the best coaches on the planet. Not showing unyielding loyalty to his assistant coaches.
8/14/2012
If Taylor can get above the 60% mark AND keep his legs healthy our offense should click. After watching DVDs and B1G replays of games, it is frustrating to see so many decent throws by Taylor get dropped. That has to stop. I’d guess that’s 3-5 % points right there.
It also feels good to have a QB “problem” for the first time in a long time. With guys now into Becks system for the second year, Taylor should be able to see the bench and the #2 man (Brion or Tommy) should get some in game mop up time even if it’s only a few series of downs.
Not to get negative but I remember seein quite a few (to darn many) momentum/drive killing O-Line errors too. Those do nothing but put Taylor in a situation he shouldn’t have been in. GBR
8/14/2012
Very interesting article.
When comparing Martinez to Crouch, one difference that I see between the two is that Crouch was much more aggressive and fearless running the ball. I think back to Crouch’s career…game after game where Crouch took a beating running the ball on option keepers…and he bounced up after every play. Rarely did he ever avoid contact with defenders…and a few times he seeked contact (the play at Iowa in ‘99 comes to mind…Crouch knocking that safety on his ass on his way to score…legendary). Perhaps this willingness to sustain punishment running the ball is because (correct me if I’m wrong) Crouch came from an option offense at Millard North…and was recruited as an option quarterback at Nebraska (option quarterbacks at Nebraska always knew being a physical runner was part of the deal…it was a mentality they had to show up with). Martinez was recruited by Watson (and Carl) to run more of a spread option type of offense. To me, as I watch some of the top spread option offenses in the country (Oregon), spread option is more of a finesse type of offense, at least compared to the triple option ran by NU in the 80’s and 90’s. Just thinking about a triple option qb running down the offensive line and towards the defensive end…you have to be aggressive to make the end committ to you before the pitch to the running back. Even though Martinez runs a different version of the option, he still seems a bit hesitant on some of his runs…especially runs up the middle and into traffic.
Having said that, this is in no way an indictment of Martinez. As a Husker fan, I consider NU lucky to have a player that possesses the athleticism and world class speed like Martinez at qb…even if his throwing motion is a bit unorthodox. Perhaps this year he can show a little more aggressiveness & tenacity running the ball.
Helena, Montana
8/14/2012
I, too saw a lot of dropped passes..and very few what I would call great grabs that other team’s receivers seem to make. If the pass was great and right on the numbers, it was dropped all too often, especially at critical times… and if was a difficult pass, well, we nearly never caught them.
8/14/2012
I recall K. Bell making a terrific catch, v Minnesota I think, that most would not have made, turning completely around to grab it with extended arms.
Lincoln, NE
8/14/2012
grendel, How much of Taylor avoiding contact was him being hesitant, and how much was the coaches telling him to avoid the big hit/slide etc. The coaches clearly instructed him to avoid injury. Wonder how much Carnes development played into this.
8/14/2012
many of his passes are off target either directly at the body , behind or above and behind the receiver as oppose to a step or two in front allowing the receiver to run into the catch ....anyway if the guy touches he is suppose to catch
8/14/2012
Taylor’s not a big juke you out of your seat type of runner though. He’s a straight line speed guy, who if you give him an inch, he’s gone. He can simply out run any defender on any team. His burst within his first 3 steps is what makes him so incredible…and so dangerous. After his first 3 staps, he’s traveling faster than an arrow being shot out of a bow. Think about that. Even TO said he’s got a faster first 3 steps than anyone he’s ever had. But his passing game has to, and should improve…if only to open up more running opportunities for himself and others. Nebraska will always be a run first team, but more balance is neccessary and I think Tim Beck wants a much more prolific passing game to go along with the running game we’re already so good at. Makes a heck of a lot odf sense to me. He has to make the other teams we play respect what he can do as a thrower. He has to be able to make better decisions on the fly, in short be a better QB and I think he will. Everything is pointing to it. Usually when someone is that dedicated and sacrifices outside things (like a nice spring break in So Cal) to go work on his skills, that produces results. We’ll see them…kinda hard not to frankly. What I want to see is the Martinez of old burning teams with his running like he did in early 2010, a-la Kansas State. He says he hasn’t felt better since he was a red shirt freshman and there will be more running by him. And also remember, 2nd year in the system and another year older…all of which bodes well for an improved T-Magic!
DiNardo is an old option guy too so that may be influencing his statements a bit. I think Taylor will blow some people away…and in the process blow right by them!
Helena, Montana
8/14/2012
With our Oline, TM will have a lot of trouble managing to get 3 steps…in any direction. It’s also hard to set up and throw perfect passes when you’re running for your life because of ppoor Oline play. I’m becoming more and more disillusioned about Bo’s ability to either coach or select coaches that can inspire and improve young playerss skills.
Helena, Montana
8/14/2012
Any time a team or numerous players don’t play up to it’s (their)potential, it’s always the coaches problem and fault.
Take a look at our local Carroll College coach, Mike Van Diest, 12 straight Frontier titles in 13 years, 6 NA1A National titles, a 157-22 record and .877 winning percentage during those years. Van Diest came out of the U of Wyoming, same place as Coach Devaney, he also coached at Northwestern, U of Montana, and U of Mass.
I understand that the Frontier Conference doesn’t rank with the Big 10, but the players are just as good, ( and nearly as big) as any I’ve watched, and in many cases better. Watching Carroll players dismantle opposing teams offenses and defenses, overcome difficult situations, and win against some of the best NA1A teams in the country is awesome to say the least, and brings back memories of U of Nebraska’s better days.
8/15/2012
DennisR…what are you thinking man? Are you mad? We have barney Cotton as coach of the O line…they’ll dominate for sure!
8/15/2012
Tadage. I agree with your observation that its clear Taylor was told to avoid contact.. his freshman year he would hit the sideline and when a defender closed hit a second gear.. last year he would just stepout.. Unfortunately with Brion he just didn’t grasp the offense ( his admission)last year but hopefully with his progression and Tommy and jr hopefully the coached will let taaylor do his thing… Its almost here.. Go Big Red!
8/15/2012
I agree that Taylor won’t have much success unless the O-line is solid. I would like to ask, when did we stop tracking Pancake blocks? Is there a new rule in college football that the Offensive Linemen are not allowed to maintain there blocks for more than a second. If you go and watch the film when Crouch was QB you’ll see most of the Defensive Linemen laying on their backs and our Offensive Linemen still blocking 5 and 10 yards downfield.
I look at the film from the last 2-3 years and the O-Line is making perfect technique blocks for 1-2 seconds then they release their man only to stand and watch as that Lineman breaks off the block and makes the tackle. They are letting up off their block like it’s their job. A friend of mine was a lineman for NU when Crouch was the QB and the stat that he was most proud of was his pancake blocks. For you youngsters out there who have only seen NU play in the last 5 years, a pancake block is when the Offensive Lineman not only maintains their block until the whistle blows but they actually put the Defensive Lineman on the ground. Again, unless there has been a rule change that I am unaware of, I would like to see the O-line tracking those stats again.
8/15/2012
In my opinion, we have had the talent up front, and definately have (had) it coming into this season. The problem from the beginning has been barney cotton. We have his kids on our team so we can’t get rid of him. The guy has 2 assistant coaches and an intern and they still can’t coach an o line. The guy is worthless and the only reason he has a job is because his kids can play. The o line will suffer until he is gone.
Helena, Montana
8/15/2012
I also noticed a lot of lineman just standing around after a play, WTF, they should all be blocking until the whistle blows or be making a pancake sandwich out of somebody. Either we aren’t perfecting our blocking prowess through training and reps, or we have a coach that thinks those HS kids should already have those skills. It’s a coaching problem for sure.
Why should so many defenses be able to put such tremendous pressure on our QB that all he can do is run out of bounds in order to avoid a sack or attempt too many low percentage passes? There’s nearly always more opposing defensive players in our backfield than NU players trying to make a play.
Oldham,SD
8/18/2012
Every since Swift & Peterson left our wrs have been dropping passes with remarkable consistency everywhere. But never a word about that from the genius media. Or that they forget what route they’re supposed to run. Or that they can’t block a munchkin.
Add to that nobody with an IQ of a gerbil could possibly compare Crouch’s road-graders to the fluffy Oline we’ve had for years. Or TO vs Callawatts as OC? Lol! Maybe Beck will improve, a lot, we’ll see.
Just that our qbs need a better pass completion ratio. Over & over & over.