Time For Taylor Martinez To Grow Up
Nebraska fans have many questions about the past two seasons and how head coach Bo Pelini has defended Taylor Martinez furiously, even after questionable calls (literally), decisions, lack of media time, etc. Bo has become furious at media members, specifically a writer for the Omaha World Herald, for comments and criticisms of the Husker quarterback.
Well, after two years, and a whole lot of nothing offensively in a while, it is time for Martinez to grow up and take the reigns.
Taylor, as a freshmen, came shooting out of the gates. In four of his first five games, he ran for 127, 157, 137, and then a monstrous 241 yards. He had 3, 2, 3, and then 4 touchdowns in those games, vaulting him into Heisman contention. Since that Kansas State game, however, Martinez has run for over 100 yards just four times, including the first two games this season, and the Huskers first home B1G 10 game against Ohio State.
Passing wise, Taylor has not done a whole lot of anything either. He has eclipsed 200 yards passing just three times in his career so far, and only twice last season. He has just as many games throwing for less than 100 yards.
I understand Taylor is not a good quarterback, but he has to do one or the other great if Nebraska wants to do something in the upcoming season. Nebraska’s offense stalled at times last season against far superior defenses. In the big time games, Taylor was non existent for the most part.
In his junior year, things need to change. Significant strides in his passing must happen. I do not expect a 70% completion percentage, but somewhere in the 65% +- 2 % range would be nice. Martinez ranked just 91st out of 115 qualifying quarterbacks last season based upon that percentage, while having even a 63% would put him at 43rd.
Taylor did throw for the 70th most yards by a player this season (2089), and he finished 58th best in the nation at 7.3 yards per attempt. His 13 touchdowns were good for a ten way tie at 70th place, but he also had 8 interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of only 126.5 last season, good for 74th place, but much less than D1 leader Russell Wilson at 191.
This off-season marks the time of change for Martinez and the Huskers offense. They are going to struggle mightily unless Taylor can turn those passing numbers around, as teams are just going to stack the box and make Taylor hurt them with his arm. At this point, no one is afraid of his passing game.
If Taylor makes huge strides though, that could be a whole different story come next year.
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