Cody Green Gives Clue to NU’s Offensive Future
While Big Ten Media Days produced a number of quotes and interviews, it wasn't particularly revealing about the future of Nebraska's offense. But an interview that former Husker and future Tulsa quarterback Cody Green gave to the Tulsa World, did provide some insight of what's ahead.
Green's stated reason for transferring was particularly revealing:
"The new offensive coordinator switched up the offense from what I was recruited to do," Green said. "It started changing at the beginning of last year and it fully changed in the spring. They're going to be predominantly more of a run team, even more than they were last year."
The article also said:
Green said he enjoys running the ball, but prefers passing.
There are a few ways to interpret these remarks. The implication seems to be that not only will Nebraska be running the ball more, but that the quarterback will be running more. That's certainly possible, yet the article doesn't specify whether it's the whole offense running more or the quarterback running more. Is Green rejecting the idea of running more, handing off more, or both?
Given the talents of Taylor Martinez, you'd suspect the quarterback will have more plays designed for him to run. Still, you can think of the Wisconsin offenses of recent vintage and they ran the ball a lot without having the quarterback run. In either case, many of us brought up on Tom Osborne football will welcome it. Sure, you can move the ball and score some points by throwing early and often. But the best friend of a dominating defense is a ball control offense. The return of a pounding, wear down your opponent, type offense may be back. To some fans, that's more exciting than if they'd hired Mike Leach.
8/2/2011
I’d actually prefer if Green could throw the ball or run it well. Unfortunately, he can’t. He does seem to fumble pretty well. How would he ever make it in the NFL? I can hear him now, “Um, i was drafted to play for this team, but I can’t because this offense is not something I’m used to it. It’s changed from what I know. So, um, I guess I better transfer”. Sounds kinda like he will be riding the bench when he gets to Tulsa unless their QB situation is that they have no other guys.
8/2/2011
Green’s comment seems to conflict with the general assumption that the offense is going to look like Kansas of 2007. Maybe more of an Oregon fast tempo offense (Crick’s comment) that runs first with an out of pocket passer to avoid sacks is what it will mimic most.
Hard to swallow that we are going to be a running team. Rex is superman but behind him is still a group of “Jimmy Olsens” until they can prove otherwise.
8/2/2011
Doug,
Some guys don’t ever plan on playing NFL ball.
On the other hand, Bret Favre will make it to the HOF after fumbling/throwing interceptions more times than he threw touchdowns.
Cody Green might not ever be another Bret Favre but just remember that being a QB is not as easy as it looks from the recliner.
He chose a different path and I personally wish the young man nothing but luck.
8/2/2011
I also wish Cody Green well. He always seemed like a good kid.
However, my head tells me that he has never even showed a FLASH of being a QB at the D1 level… much less the NFL.
It isn’t like he hasn’t had the chances.
That said, I hope I am wrong.
8/2/2011
When people talk about Nebraska fans being classy, they’re obviously not referring to Doug.
The article was about this year’s offense.
Cody Green has moved on.
So should you.
8/2/2011
we will be more of a run team, and that includes the Qb on passes.. With a QB like Martinez and Carnes a smart offensive coach rolls him out of the pocket and lets him throw( or hold on to and run, if no ones open..) Kansas did that with Reising, .. Now if we had pocket QBs it would be a different story but thats not what we have.. Taylor can throw just as good or bad on the run, so why not have him outside were he can do damage with his feet
8/2/2011
CROWE1856. I do not think that Doug’s comments are out of line regarding talking about Cody Green (who I wish well at Tulsa or wherever he might play in future) since this was an article about Cody talking about the Nebraska offense this year…so it is fair to refer to him since he was talking about Nebraska’s offense for 2011. If anyone needs to move on it is Cody… why would he even bother talking about Nebraska’s Offense? He should just focus on Tulsa and any questions about his Husker past should get the comment “I am focused on Tulsa”.
8/2/2011
Cali- I think if we had a transfer come in and the press inquired as to his motives & why he left, most fans would appreciate someone who is respectfully honest & open as opposed to someone who gives a “no comment.” Now if the kid were badmouthing NU, I’d say sock it to him, but that’s not how I interpret Green’s words in The Tulsa World article.
As it relates to this entry on Big Red Network, Cody is the source, not the story, therefore I don’t see need to talk junk about someone who by most all accounts was a solid kid & a good teammate.
8/2/2011
The type of QB’s we have been recruiting the past couple years have telegraphed the direction that Pelini wanted this offense to go from the beginning. Most def co’s have struggled to contain a QB who is a run threat and Pelini has always said that is very hard to defend. Unfortunately for Green he has virtually no running ability and therefore no future in this type of scheme. I don’t blame him for moving to a team that features a drop back QB. Best of luck to him. I think Oregon is better comparison for what we are going to see out of Martinez this year, b/c it compares well to Massoli, more so than Reising. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcYzU6EPXXo
8/3/2011
@Bill, it is well documented that Green is one fast mother, just has problems deciding when to go and then to tuck it and run.
I hope that he lands on his feet down there, if he wants passing, i think tulsa is a great school for him.
8/3/2011
Cody Green is a great young man. He played mediocre football for the Huskers. He did seem to lose his confidence and fumbles were awful. I also wish him well at Tulsa. It’d be great to see him do great.