Rumor has it there will be an announcement very soon involving Barney Cotton. 

Time for all you guys "in the know" to let the rest of us peons in on the news.

First I've heard of this "rumor".

Barney could be the coach at a different position next year, say TE coach.   

I heard he was being promoted to bathroom attendant.  Which makes perfect sense, considering the way our O-line has performed the last 5 years.

You really think the line wsa the problem? Let it go.

CatharticAphasia wrote: I heard he was being promoted to bathroom attendant.  Which makes perfect sense, considering the way our O-line has performed the last 5 years.

Yeah the offensive line had nothing to do with all of those rushing yards last year.

If there was any information, and I'm not saying there is or isn't, it would probably be on the premium board.

We've only been 7th, 16th, and 8th in rushing in the last three years. 

WalterPayton34 wrote: We've only been 7th, 16th, and 8th in rushing in the last three years. 

We were also one of the best against the pass until we faced a team that could actually pass the ball.  National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  OSU was very good but still faced no one to justify anything.  The rest of the conference was a joke and we didn't help that perception.  The Big 10 and NU needs to get A LOT better in order to change how we are viewed and this conference.

yutan87 wrote: 
 National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  

So I guess we don't have to read any more posts about how much Martinez turns the ball over compared to the rest of the nation?

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote: 
 National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  

So I guess we don't have to read any more posts about how much Martinez turns the ball over compared to the rest of the nation?

I assume you know what I mean.  If you are in a conference that doesn't throw the ball well at all, you are going to have a decent ranking in pass defense.  Enter a school like Georgia and a 400 plus yard game and that stat looks like a fraud as it was.  Turnovers are pretty universal as being a bad no matter what conference you are.

So...Cotton is going to start coaching the DB's? I'm confused.

yutan87 wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote: 
 National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  

So I guess we don't have to read any more posts about how much Martinez turns the ball over compared to the rest of the nation?

I assume you know what I mean.  If you are in a conference that doesn't throw the ball well at all, you are going to have a decent ranking in pass defense.  Enter a school like Georgia and a 400 plus yard game and that stat looks like a fraud as it was.  Turnovers are pretty universal as being a bad no matter what conference you are.

But Nebraska was in a conference that runs the ball well and defends the run well.  And they were the top rushing team in the conference.

Aaaaand two of those years the only BCS teams ranked higher than us were Oregon and Georgia Tech.  Both those teams play against GREAT defenses every week. 

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote: 
 National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  

So I guess we don't have to read any more posts about how much Martinez turns the ball over compared to the rest of the nation?

I assume you know what I mean.  If you are in a conference that doesn't throw the ball well at all, you are going to have a decent ranking in pass defense.  Enter a school like Georgia and a 400 plus yard game and that stat looks like a fraud as it was.  Turnovers are pretty universal as being a bad no matter what conference you are.

But Nebraska was in a conference that runs the ball well and defends the run well.  And they were the top rushing team in the conference.

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote: 
 National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  

So I guess we don't have to read any more posts about how much Martinez turns the ball over compared to the rest of the nation?

I assume you know what I mean.  If you are in a conference that doesn't throw the ball well at all, you are going to have a decent ranking in pass defense.  Enter a school like Georgia and a 400 plus yard game and that stat looks like a fraud as it was.  Turnovers are pretty universal as being a bad no matter what conference you are.

But Nebraska was in a conference that runs the ball well and defends the run well.  And they were the top rushing team in the conference.

You're both off base a bit, but close.  


It's about being able to run the ball WHEN YOU NEED IT in big games. You can pad stats all season long (even in a decent Conference) but it comes down to getting those critical yards in big games and in big moments.    Our OL has failed in that area for years.   Yes, the D was the bigger problem in 2012 - but the fact is our OL hasn't been a shadow of years gone by....   Rex, TM and others have actually made our OL look better than it is (see Rex's extra 3-4 yards on so many carries, and TM's zillion yard run in the CCG).

ToolFinder wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote: 
 National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  

So I guess we don't have to read any more posts about how much Martinez turns the ball over compared to the rest of the nation?

I assume you know what I mean.  If you are in a conference that doesn't throw the ball well at all, you are going to have a decent ranking in pass defense.  Enter a school like Georgia and a 400 plus yard game and that stat looks like a fraud as it was.  Turnovers are pretty universal as being a bad no matter what conference you are.

But Nebraska was in a conference that runs the ball well and defends the run well.  And they were the top rushing team in the conference.

You're both off base a bit, but close.  


It's about being able to run the ball WHEN YOU NEED IT in big games. You can pad stats all season long (even in a decent Conference) but it comes down to getting those critical yards in big games and in big moments.    Our OL has failed in that area for years.   Yes, the D was the bigger problem in 2012 - but the fact is our OL hasn't been a shadow of years gone by....   Rex, TM and others have actually made our OL look better than it is (see Rex's extra 3-4 yards on so many carries, and TM's zillion yard run in the CCG).

TF, impossible for me to disagree with you  on that.  I think that our O line has gotten the wrath of many on this board and has deserved some of that.  There have been so many times that we have played some teams that appeared to be weak on the DL only to see them in the backfield time and again. 

My point on seasonal statistics is that it can certainly be skewed by the competition faced throughout the year.  The Big 12 was known as a passing conference and the Big 10 as a conference that runs the ball predominantly.  When we come  out of the Big 10 as one of the best in the country against the pass, it can give a false sense of reality.  Georgia exposed that reality as they seemed to do whatever they wanted through the air.

If Cotton ends up doing something else and the line doesn't improve, I guess we will be in the same boat as when Watson, Gilmore and others have left.

Garrison and Cotton swap position jobs? The 'stache is also Assistant Head Coach, so they may be moving him to something a bit less time consuming to focus more on admin stuff that Bo hates - and where he won't run off another talented lineman.

Our success on offense has been despite spotty line play (lack of ability to block the edge, WAY to many off-sides penalties, holding penalties - essentially they don't look ready to play at times, which is unacceptable).

Talent at Tackle is a big part of it - not Barney's fault - and overall I like how our interior line plays. I don't think it is a complete train wreck - but if we are moving Garrison to take over - 2 thumbs up.

Garrison and Stai know just a lil' bit about blocking.  And pancakes.  Oh the glorious pancakes.

I thought Nebraska ran the ball very well when needed against some teams when they had to do it. They ran for 313 against a good Michigan State defense. 282 and 259 against Wisconsin. 239 on Georgia. 223 on tOSU. 260 on UCLA. I'd say that even in the games they lost they ran the ball well.

I can't recall play by play, game by game. But I seem to remember the Huskers with the lead in some close games closing the games out by running the football. I think the o-line did a good to great job this year in run blocking and they should be given credit for that. If you want to bash them on pass pro..I totally get it. But don't let that cloud the fact that the run blocking was exceptional.

Jimbosc wrote: Garrison and Cotton swap position jobs? The 'stache is also Assistant Head Coach, so they may be moving him to something a bit less time consuming to focus more on admin stuff that Bo hates - and where he won't run off another talented lineman.

Our success on offense has been despite spotty line play (lack of ability to block the edge, WAY to many off-sides penalties, holding penalties - essentially they don't look ready to play at times, which is unacceptable).

Talent at Tackle is a big part of it - not Barney's fault - and overall I like how our interior line plays. I don't think it is a complete train wreck - but if we are moving Garrison to take over - 2 thumbs up.

I totally agree with this.  Way too many defensive ends and tackles slipping by the outside.  I would blame about half of TM's fumbles on getting blindsided in the backfield.  In the last 5-10 years I have never seen so many missed assignments that led to TFL.  Even up the middle.  Seems like we have a guard taking on a defender to his left or right and the nose tackle coming in untouched to nail the back as he's getting the handoff.  Or slipping across the line untouched as the QB is trying to run an option play.

bigredtxtoks wrote: I thought Nebraska ran the ball very well when needed against some teams when they had to do it. They ran for 313 against a good Michigan State defense. 282 and 259 against Wisconsin. 239 on Georgia. 223 on tOSU. 260 on UCLA. I'd say that even in the games they lost they ran the ball well.

I can't recall play by play, game by game. But I seem to remember the Huskers with the lead in some close games closing the games out by running the football. I think the o-line did a good to great job this year in run blocking and they should be given credit for that. If you want to bash them on pass pro..I totally get it. But don't let that cloud the fact that the run blocking was exceptional.

The weakness in our O-line primarily is in pass blocking, specifically on the outside. How many times did a tackle olé a pass rusher, resulting in a blindside sack or fumble? I know it led directly to scores against UW and OSU.

And the absolutely god awful blocking against Wisconsin's 2 man front was just embarrassing.

saunders45 wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote: I thought Nebraska ran the ball very well when needed against some teams when they had to do it. They ran for 313 against a good Michigan State defense. 282 and 259 against Wisconsin. 239 on Georgia. 223 on tOSU. 260 on UCLA. I'd say that even in the games they lost they ran the ball well.

I can't recall play by play, game by game. But I seem to remember the Huskers with the lead in some close games closing the games out by running the football. I think the o-line did a good to great job this year in run blocking and they should be given credit for that. If you want to bash them on pass pro..I totally get it. But don't let that cloud the fact that the run blocking was exceptional.

The weakness in our O-line primarily is in pass blocking, specifically on the outside. How many times did a tackle olé a pass rusher, resulting in a blindside sack or fumble? I know it led directly to scores against UW and OSU.

And the absolutely god awful blocking against Wisconsin's 2 man front was just embarrassing.

+1    I don't think it is a strength issue.  It apears to be scheme and missed asssignments.

He hasn't developed a dominant offensive linemen yet. If we have a chance to move him or get rid of him, I say do it.

ToolFinder wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote: 
 National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  

So I guess we don't have to read any more posts about how much Martinez turns the ball over compared to the rest of the nation?

I assume you know what I mean.  If you are in a conference that doesn't throw the ball well at all, you are going to have a decent ranking in pass defense.  Enter a school like Georgia and a 400 plus yard game and that stat looks like a fraud as it was.  Turnovers are pretty universal as being a bad no matter what conference you are.

But Nebraska was in a conference that runs the ball well and defends the run well.  And they were the top rushing team in the conference.

You're both off base a bit, but close.  


It's about being able to run the ball WHEN YOU NEED IT in big games. You can pad stats all season long (even in a decent Conference) but it comes down to getting those critical yards in big games and in big moments.    Our OL has failed in that area for years.   Yes, the D was the bigger problem in 2012 - but the fact is our OL hasn't been a shadow of years gone by....   Rex, TM and others have actually made our OL look better than it is (see Rex's extra 3-4 yards on so many carries, and TM's zillion yard run in the CCG).

How many drives where the running game was working were prematurely ended because of a fumble?  I'll bet it is a significant number.

How many drives where the running game was working were prematurely ended because of a fumble?  I'll bet it is a significant number.

..........AND pass interceptions too

The OL was not our weak link last year.

......perfect every play?.....no one out there is either.

LinvingProog wrote:

ToolFinder wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote:

bigredtxtoks wrote:

yutan87 wrote: 
 National stats mean squat when you face teams that aren't any good.  

So I guess we don't have to read any more posts about how much Martinez turns the ball over compared to the rest of the nation?

I assume you know what I mean.  If you are in a conference that doesn't throw the ball well at all, you are going to have a decent ranking in pass defense.  Enter a school like Georgia and a 400 plus yard game and that stat looks like a fraud as it was.  Turnovers are pretty universal as being a bad no matter what conference you are.

But Nebraska was in a conference that runs the ball well and defends the run well.  And they were the top rushing team in the conference.

You're both off base a bit, but close.  


It's about being able to run the ball WHEN YOU NEED IT in big games. You can pad stats all season long (even in a decent Conference) but it comes down to getting those critical yards in big games and in big moments.    Our OL has failed in that area for years.   Yes, the D was the bigger problem in 2012 - but the fact is our OL hasn't been a shadow of years gone by....   Rex, TM and others have actually made our OL look better than it is (see Rex's extra 3-4 yards on so many carries, and TM's zillion yard run in the CCG).

How many drives where the running game was working were prematurely ended because of a fumble?  I'll bet it is a significant number.

How many drives were killed by an O-lineman jumping offsides?  It seems to happen...EVERY...SINGLE....GAME.  And once it happens for the first time in a game, it seems to snowball.

As for rushing yards, it can all be encapsulated with Taylor's run vs. Wisconsin.  Taylor made chicken salad out of chicken $h*+, period.  The blocking was abysmal yet we netted what, 80+ rushing yards?

Not to excuse Taylor's turnovers, but how much of it is him pressing because he's running for his  life.  Would any of you have wanted to stand back there the past few years?

This. Some of you need to raise your standards just a little. How many All Americans has he developed? First round draft picks?
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--- tigers8833 wrote:

He hasn't developed a dominant offensive linemen yet. If we have a chance to move him or get rid of him, I say do it.

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huskertodd2003 wrote:
This. Some of you need to raise your standards just a little. How many All Americans has he developed? First round draft picks?
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--- tigers8833 wrote:

He hasn't developed a dominant offensive linemen yet. If we have a chance to move him or get rid of him, I say do it.

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We haven't had a first round draft pick from the O line in nearly 20 years.  I love to bash Cotton as I think he is a dolt as a coach but we have had a few O line coaches since 95 which would be the last time we had a O lineman drafted that high.  I do believe that when NU figures it out and gets back to making the trenches the most important part of the team, you will stop seeing decent team stomping a fresh one into us each time we see prime time tv.

huskertodd2003 wrote:
This. Some of you need to raise your standards just a little. How many All Americans has he developed? First round draft picks?
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--- tigers8833 wrote:

He hasn't developed a dominant offensive linemen yet. If we have a chance to move him or get rid of him, I say do it.

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Exactly.


We can cherry pick stats, games, etc to make just about any position on offense shine.   But the fact is 1st and 2nd rounds of the NFL draft tell us who the bulldozers are - and Cotton ain't putting squat in those rounds.    Nebraska football absolutely cannot return to the elite with an elite OL.    Impossible.

Maybe I missed something, but has Cotton been reassigned at this point?

Here's my biggest problem with Cotton. He's not great at anything. If he were an excellent recruiter and average coach, I could probably live with that. If he were an excellent coach and average recruiter, I could live with that too. The problem is, he's at the very best, average at both. Average isn't good enough for Nebraska.