Nebraska Cornhuskers: Taylor Martinez Must Improve Passing
The quarterback position could possibly be the most important position for the Nebraska Cornhuskers this season. The Huskers offense has been great at times, but also very inconsistent. Last season, if Taylor Martinez could not throw the ball accurately, the Huskers quickly went three and out.
It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that throwing the football has been a major weakness for Martinez. However, if off-season reports are to be believed, his footwork and throwing motion are greatly improved from a season ago. However, without a spring game for an opportunity to see improvements, fans are left with a hint of doubt if he really has improved.
For the Huskers, the biggest help Martinez can do not only for the offense but himself is to become a better passer. If the Huskers passing offense improves from 162.7 yards per game last season, to perhaps 200 ypg or a little more, that will force opposing defenses to be just a little bit more honest.
In his first half dozen games at Nebraska, Martinez was a Heisman candidate, highlighted by his 241 yards, four touchdown performance against Kansas State on ESPN. However, once the Huskers played the Texas Longhorns, the blueprint was set to defeat the Martinez.
If Martinez can improve his passing game, that will open up the number of running lanes he has. In those early games, Martinez burned opponents on the zone read. With Rex Burkhead usually at the running back, the defensive end must pick who to defend. If the Huskers passing game improves, that will force opponents to risk stacking the box and be beaten by the pass.
In the end, Martinez must make the correct read, but that passing will open up more running lanes. If and when that happens, this offense will become even more dangerous. That would cause a number of nightmares for opponents, but would give offense coordinator Tim Beck a plethora of options to draw up new plays.
Behind Martinez, Husker fans would like to see some more out of Brion Carnes. We have only seen flashes of him during games and just a little bit at the spring game two years ago. Martinez is not too durable, and it is imperative that Carnes gets plenty of experience early this season just in case something were to happen to Martinez.
Paul Troupe is the lead writer for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and San Antonio Spurs, while covering many major sports for RantSports. You can follow him on Twitter @gamin4HIM
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