• last year
Transcript
00:00 Welcome to the Kett Ericker Chronicles, the people show.
00:11 Checking the pulse of a little bit happier Husker Nation.
00:14 Ladies and gentlemen, this show is about the quarterback position, also a couple of injury
00:18 updates at the running back position and how that affects the offense and the quarterback
00:21 position itself.
00:22 And actually, I had different things I was going to say before I found out about the
00:26 unfortunate injuries at the running back position when it came to the quarterback position, but
00:31 I'll get to that shortly.
00:32 Real quick, if you're kind of like me, okay, and you believe that we need to know our quarterback
00:37 plan as a team going forward after Saturday's game, after we play La Tech, going forward
00:43 for the rest of the season as we get ready for Michigan and we get ready for Big Ten
00:47 play, the rest of our Big Ten games and the final eight games of the season, hit that
00:51 like button.
00:52 Alright, real quick, unfortunately Matt Roll announced at his press conference today that
00:55 Ramiro Johnson will miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder surgery, Gabe
00:59 Irvin will miss the remainder of the season due to a hip surgery, and Dwight Boodle is
01:03 out due to season-ending surgery as well, obviously.
01:07 Okay, nothing but love, prayers, and speedy recovery wishes for all of those players.
01:12 You know what, hit a like button to support them as well if you wish to do so.
01:16 Now, the next running back's up, okay?
01:19 Again, Anthony Grant's going to be the guy.
01:21 Wish those guys a speedy recovery.
01:23 In Matt Roll's words, it's his show, but I'll get to that in a second.
01:26 Okay, the next guy's up, Emmitt Johnson.
01:28 Five foot eleven, 190 pound freshman.
01:30 Now, he was kind of another third down type back along with Ramiro Johnson, so to speak.
01:36 Matt Roll said he's smart, competitive, quick twitch, great COD, change of direction.
01:42 He's like, he's one of those guys that's so competitive, if you said, "Hey, go play safety,"
01:46 he'll go do it.
01:47 Okay, so he's another guy that's got a lot of physical ability.
01:49 Okay, he'll be getting some reps as well.
01:51 And the next guy up at running back position is Quentin Imes.
01:54 Now, this is a big, powerful, eye back, downhill type runner.
01:59 Now, he may have a little bit more of a limited playbook, okay?
02:02 He hasn't been getting those same types of reps and things of that nature.
02:05 So a big, powerful back, going to have to catch up on the offense and that playbook
02:09 quickly.
02:10 Now, when it comes to Anthony Grant, he basically said he just wants him to protect the ball.
02:15 Great natural ability.
02:18 Like everyone can see that.
02:19 It's not lost on the coaches as well.
02:21 And he basically said, "It's his show now."
02:24 So I'm excited to see what Anthony Grant can do going forward.
02:27 All right, now a rule, when asked about the quarterbacks and quarterback position and
02:32 his experience with things like this, okay, in the past when it comes to deciding between
02:37 two quarterbacks or quarterback battles, so to speak, he said not a lot of experience
02:42 with the quarterback debate at the college level.
02:44 Now at Temple and at Baylor, he had young guys who around the fourth or fifth game of
02:49 the year of their careers would end up getting put in and then they just kind of stayed at
02:52 the quarterback position.
02:54 Okay, now he did experience this at Carolina with the Panthers.
02:59 He also doesn't want the quarterbacks to feel like there's a quick trigger, okay, or a short
03:04 leash if some mistakes are made.
03:05 Obviously you've got to execute to a certain degree as well.
03:10 One other random thing I thought was pretty cool, and Coach Rule said he got this from
03:12 Tom Osborne, Nebraska had over, for the first time this year, over 100 knockdown blocks
03:18 in their last game.
03:19 And Ron Brown is the guy that keeps track of these every game.
03:23 Now real quick, looking ahead, that's the last game, looking ahead to La Tech, I'll
03:26 do more on that later this week, most likely, they're explosive.
03:29 They can make big plays on offense, in fact they were down 17 to nothing in their last
03:32 game and came back and tied it up in a highly entertaining, highly scoring type game.
03:37 One thing, and I'm going to get to the quarterbacks, don't worry, that's the main crux of this
03:40 show, but there were other things that stuck out to me that Coach Rule said, and I'm going
03:43 to offer my thoughts on the quarterback position.
03:45 Defensively, playing great ball.
03:47 Let's be real, but they can get better.
03:49 Couple areas, force more turnovers defensively and get more pressure with straight four man
03:53 rushes are the two biggest things he wants to see them improve on against that explosive
03:57 Louisiana Tech offense.
04:00 Last thought, then we'll get to the quarterbacks.
04:03 When asked about his experience, his first home game here at the University of Nebraska
04:06 as the Huskers head coach, his experience at Memorial Stadium, he said, "Amazing experience."
04:13 And it was unlike any other environment he's ever seen.
04:18 Talking about Heinrich Harburg, he said, "Heinrich's respected by his teammates.
04:23 Pretty much on scout team all of last year, not even sure he was in meetings.
04:28 Pretty much just ran scout team, not even sure he was in meetings, watching game film,
04:32 learning the offense so to speak.
04:35 Didn't travel with the team last year, not really a part of the team's plans, but his
04:40 teammates respect him for going through adversity last year and not complaining."
04:45 Now, there was a couple of fans who kind of equated, you know, they're like, "Hey, does
04:49 Heinrich kind of remind you of Brooke Beringer?"
04:50 And I'm like, "Man, that's a lofty comparison."
04:54 In ways.
04:55 We'll see how this unfolds over time, but in ways, especially when I heard Coach Ruhle
05:00 say those words.
05:01 Now, other coaches throughout the offseason thought that Heinrich would be a good tight
05:05 end, wide receiver, full back.
05:06 Okay, and at times this offseason, spring and summer, Heinrich was third or fourth on
05:11 the depth chart, but Ruhle wanted to see what he could do at the quarterback position.
05:15 He said, he pulled him aside one day, mentioned the other positions, you know, Heinrich wasn't
05:19 too enthused, but he's a team player, but Ruhle said, "I want to see what you can do
05:22 at the quarterback position.
05:23 And if I ever believe that a move for you elsewhere, I'm paraphrasing, would be better,
05:27 I'll let you know."
05:28 So it was kind of Ruhle's idea to keep him at the quarterback position and see what he
05:31 could do.
05:32 Now, if you've watched my show, I've been very clear on this for years.
05:36 I've been very clear.
05:37 I've always said for years, he has a big frame, big arm, and deceptive speed.
05:41 He has a high potential ceiling at the quarterback position.
05:45 That's always been my opinion.
05:46 Okay?
05:47 I don't know, right or wrong, you know, that was always my opinion.
05:50 All right, now real quick, and I want to thank the fans.
05:54 This show does not happen without the fans, without the people at home.
05:59 Okay, when I decided to go on my own, I literally asked on social media, should I go on my own?
06:04 What should I do with the Carriker Chronicles?
06:05 The response was overwhelming last winter.
06:09 Go on your own, Adam, we've got you.
06:11 And you have responded.
06:12 So I want to thank the fans and the people at home, because this show does not happen
06:16 without the people, without sponsors, and without people backing this show.
06:20 So I want to thank you, the fans, the people at home.
06:22 Also, if bills aren't getting paid, it doesn't make sense.
06:26 So do me a favor, okay?
06:28 DPS Concrete Construction, like this is real.
06:30 There's no script that I'm giving, ladies and gentlemen.
06:32 DPS Concrete Construction.
06:34 All right, if you're a general contractor, building owner, property manager, okay, you're
06:41 looking for concrete repair or work to get done in the Omaha metro area, like street
06:47 paving, all right, building floors, parking lots, the like, check out dpsconstruction.net.
06:52 Okay, they do a great job.
06:55 They're looking for great quality workers.
06:57 That was what was stressed to me more than even bringing in more business.
07:00 Jason Armstrong, the owner, is like, I want quality workers who do great work, and then
07:03 that's how I get quality business.
07:05 All right, check them out at dpsconstruction.net.
07:08 Now let's get back to that quarterback conversation, okay, debate, whatever you want to call it.
07:16 All right, controversy, everyone's going to avoid that because it's controversy, but we've
07:21 got a quarterback debate here at Nebraska.
07:23 All right, even if nobody else says it, that's my opinion.
07:26 Now when asked after the game Saturday, backtracking just a smidge, okay, last week when Heinrich
07:31 Harburg practiced well, the rule, this is on Saturday, after the game, he said the previous
07:36 week when Heinrich Harburg practiced well on Tuesday and Wednesday, he knew he was going
07:40 to start versus Northern Illinois.
07:42 When asked after Saturday's game again if Harburg's play has made it a quarterback competition,
07:46 again, people are going to avoid these things, and that's fine.
07:49 This is just my opinion.
07:50 I believe it's a competition.
07:51 I don't know that we've got a controversy, but a competition, a debate, whatever you
07:54 want to call it.
07:55 Rule said he won't talk hypotheticals, okay.
07:59 Because Nebraska found out on Saturday it can win with two quarterbacks.
08:03 So here are kind of my final thoughts on this deal.
08:07 They have a week, in my opinion, to figure out what they're going to do with the quarterback
08:10 position going forward.
08:12 Now when I first started to prepare for this show, prior to the running back injuries,
08:17 I was like, we've got to figure out who the starter is going forward, getting ready for
08:20 the number two team in the country in Michigan, defending Big Ten champs, and then the Final
08:23 Eight games, and we should be two and two.
08:26 No disrespect to LaTeX, can't overlook anybody.
08:29 But in theory, we're two and two going into our Final Eight games, and Nebraska better
08:32 get to a bowl game this year.
08:33 Like, that's been the bar no matter what.
08:36 Kool-Aid, non-Kool-Aid, you've been drinking all offseason.
08:39 So we need to know after this game, versus LaTeX, hopefully we're two and two, going
08:43 into Michigan, our Final Eight games, Big Ten play, going at least 500 down the road.
08:48 I think there's opportunity for more.
08:50 I talked with former Husker great Jay Foreman today, and he sees even more potential opportunity
08:54 for wins, but we'll see.
08:56 We've got to know what we're doing with the quarterback position.
08:57 To me, that man who's the starter.
08:59 Now I will say this, when you're down running backs, if you've got a running quarterback,
09:04 he can almost kind of pseudo-step in as a running back, to a degree.
09:08 And if you've got two running quarterbacks, let me just talk about this.
09:13 You could potentially rotate them.
09:14 And I know the old saying, you've got two quarterbacks, you've got none.
09:17 I'm not advocating for this, I'm saying there's three options.
09:19 Heinrich Harburg is a starter, Jeff Simms is a starter, or some sort of a rotation,
09:24 which I'll dive into.
09:25 But up to this point, the most carries a running back has had in a game so far, one time, was
09:32 Gabe Irvin versus Colorado.
09:35 No running backs had even 20 carries this year.
09:36 Meanwhile Jeff Simms had almost 20.
09:38 19 versus Minnesota.
09:39 Harburg 21 versus Northern Illinois.
09:41 So quarterbacks have kind of been used as running backs to this point.
09:47 So let me get back to this.
09:49 Now rules are going to say otherwise, and he should say this, that it doesn't have to
09:54 be decided, that it can change from week to week.
09:57 And obviously things are fluid, and that's what he should say.
10:00 And I understand things can be fluid.
10:01 But, and obviously, you can't take Lautech for granted, they're not a powerhouse.
10:07 Jeff Simms did warm up before Saturday's game.
10:10 Obviously he didn't play.
10:11 Health does play a factor into this.
10:13 This is assuming Harburg and Jeff Simms are both healthy.
10:16 You don't exactly have to know who your quarterback is and your quarterback plan going into the
10:19 game Saturday, but you need a really good idea coming out of it, in my opinion.
10:24 Is Harburg the starting quarterback?
10:26 Is Simms the starting quarterback?
10:29 Is some sort of a rotation?
10:32 Again, when I talk about this, personally I would start Harburg.
10:37 And it depends on what happens this week in practice.
10:39 Rule made that very clear.
10:40 Personally I would start Harburg.
10:41 And I would see how the game goes.
10:43 But I wouldn't be opposed to Jeff Simms having a small package of plays.
10:47 And if he starts Jeff Simms, he starts Jeff Simms.
10:49 Not my call.
10:50 Just my opinion.
10:51 Harburg's starting, based on how this week in practice looks.
10:55 Both quarterbacks healthy.
10:57 But what if you gave Jeff Simms just a small package of plays?
11:00 When you simplify things, a lot of times you allow a player to not think as much.
11:03 They don't have to think as much.
11:05 They can play faster, less mistakes.
11:07 And where we're down to one main running back and other guys who are stepping up, maybe
11:10 it's not a bad idea to take the load off of Anthony Grant just a bit.
11:14 Someone who's fumbled, done better the past couple weeks, but the less of a load.
11:17 I'd like to see him get 20 carries or more going forward.
11:20 Take care of the ball better.
11:21 Simplify things for Simms.
11:22 Maybe Harburg starts, maybe he doesn't.
11:24 But those are just my thoughts.
11:27 In summation, practice matters most.
11:29 Personally I'd start Harburg.
11:31 Small package for Simms to see what he can do.
11:34 He did earn a single digit in the offseason.
11:37 Simplifying might help him.
11:39 But at least know your plan after the game this Saturday.
11:42 Whoever your starter is, and whatever your plan is, going forward into those final 8
11:47 or 10 games.
11:48 Alright ladies and gentlemen, I hope that all made sense.
11:53 Now I've got three questions for you.
11:56 Number one, quarterback, battle, debate, controversy, whatever you want to call it.
12:00 Who would you start this Saturday for Nebraska?
12:02 Heinrich Harburg or Jeff Simms or how would you handle the quarterback situation?
12:06 Number two, and I saw the unfortunate news, former Husker quarterback and current FAU
12:13 quarterback Casey Thompson-Torres ACL.
12:15 Ladies and gentlemen, once a Husker, always a Husker.
12:18 In the comments below if you'd like to wish well going forward in a speedy recovery.
12:24 Also it was interesting, Ruehl was asked about turf versus grass.
12:30 And he talked about, this is all based on Aaron Rodgers getting hurt, he talked about
12:33 how he thinks grass is 10-18% safer.
12:36 It depends on how many teams are using it, but that's why his grass fields, his practice
12:39 fields are grass fields.
12:40 In Manchester United a few years ago when they used one of his team's fields would only
12:44 use the grass field.
12:45 Let me know your thoughts on that and all your football hopes and dreams will come true
12:49 at Carriker Chronicles.com.
12:51 So go check it out at Carriker Chronicles.com.
12:55 And always remember to throw the ball.
12:56 (burps)