A Fairly Clear Decision
Husker fans will spend the next four or five months wondering who the starting quarterback will be in the fall and who the starting signal caller should be. The two top candidates (in the eyes of fans anyway) are probably Taylor Martinez and Brion Carnes. The choice for Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini should be pretty clear, there's just one key variable that will probably be the difference.
Nothing is really known about Brion Carnes as a collegiate quarterback, but between the spring game and his high school film, he looked like the second coming of Joe Ganz. That is, he was a mobile quarterback that can throw accurately on the run. A guy who can make plays when protection breaks down. A very good college quarterback.
Through five games last year Taylor Martinez looked like the second coming of Eric Crouch. He'd averaged more than ten yards per rush and more than ten yards per passing attempt. He'd rushed for 12 touchdowns and passed for three more. The only chink in his armor to that point was the three interceptions and six fumbles (two of them lost). He had a rough day against Texas (aided by dropped passes) but then followed it up with a gem against Oklahoma State where he passed for five touchdowns and 323 yards and rushed for 112 more.
From the Missouri game (where he was injured) onward, Martinez ceased to be the rushing threat that he'd been early in the year. Over the last seven games (two of which he missed), he managed just two passing touchdowns and one rushing. He was also sacked seventeen times, threw four interceptions, and fumbled seven times (losing two). If Martinez continued at that second half pace he wouldn't have a great deal of job security. You'd take a Joe Ganz type over Martinez down the stretch.
But if it appears Martinez is back to being the Crouch-esque performer he was prior to his injury, he'd be the clear choice. Bo will have plenty of opportunity to observe Martinez prior to the season. He'll see whether Martinez is back to being the home run rushing threat that he had been early last season. If he's not, then the job would seem up for grabs and Carnes would be a prime candidate to claim it.
4/25/2011
Excellent article Steve. I have to say, the Big Red Network is my favorite Husker site and this article is why. You put it plainly and succinctly. If he is the Taylor Martinez of early last year, he’s golden. If he’s the Taylor Martinez of after the injuries, he’s done. Simple as that. Question is, all the hype out of camp suggests he is really back to his old self. It would have been nice to see him show a little of that old spark in the Spring game though. Would have put a lot of speculation to rest. I think at this point, assuming he’s healthy come game time, it’s really a confidence game for him…he needs it. We’ll see.
4/25/2011
We all seem to be overlooking the possibility of Starling. If, a massive if, he plays ball for the Huskers, he could be a front runner also. But if he doesn’t, it’s obviously between these two players. I know it’d be strange but why not start Carnes against UTC and see how he plays on a bigger stage? If he doesn’t respond well, throw Martinez back in. Either way, were on the edge of yet another heated QB battle in Lincoln. And to be honest, I love it.
4/25/2011
This shouldn’t even be a topic. Taylor will b starter. Whether oe enot he finishes
4/25/2011
IMO, UTC is not a bigger stage than the spring game, and the only thing to prove there is whether Taylor is healthy. It’d be maybe like going against the scout team as far as competition. One quarter of play should show if Taylor is healthy, then give the backups some practice. Same with the rest of the first team squad, give them one quarter, then play backups. If we need 2 quarters to feel comfortable with the score, it’s going to be a long year.
4/25/2011
STop talking about Starling…. EVen if he plays at NU, He is not the type of player who can come in as Freshman and Start DAY ONE… Did any of you see any of the collegiate all-star game… They had to develop a few plays that he could run as a QB .. He is not the answer day one, he’ll need time
Taylor Martinez will start, if not Green will, and then Carnes .. Carnes has a one up on Bubba because hes had a year to get use to the speed of the college game, and he also had a spring to get ready
San Diego, Ca.
4/25/2011
T-Magic just has to be improved in a reasonable way, that you’d expect a 2nd year starter to be. Which, can be a big improvement.
An offense genuinely designed for his strengths… That will accommodate his aggressive wants. He’s your dual threat, he’s the prototype. Just like Carnes. Remember, before he got clipped, Martinez showed good leg strength and drive, along with the speed.
Poor Joey was never a prototype. Always seeing prototypes recruited, to bypass him. But like you say, Steve, a very good college qb. A technician, who could stretch it out for a 1st down. Good for him, when he finally got that starting job for the season and played with those fantastic senior receivers and McNeil.
What Nebraska needs though, is a game breaker, not a technician.
At the top schools, a lot of technicians hold the clipboard and give some hand signals.
You know if T-Magic’s at full strenth, he can take it to the house. You also know how that can open up the passing lanes, for a receiver (or two) with some quicks, of his own.
I’d be soo impressed, if Brion Carnes up and beats him out.
Then, I’d be thinking of past legends.