Is O'brien the real deal?

[husker2612]

As we all know the biggest issue of this teams lack of success is falling on Tommy. Im not pinning all issues on him but he is a big part. Odds are the mistakes he makes will not change drastically enough by next fall.

So O'brien seems to have a tone of hype coming in. Seems to be a good shot he will give Tommy competition for the qb spot. I really know nothing about him. Does he really have a shot to beat out a 2 year starter? It seems over the last 10 years we have had so many guys come in with tons of hype and nothing ever comes of them. Stanton being the most recent. So will O'brien be different?

 

[Marine8365]

Here is my two cents.....Living in SoCal, it is QB Heaven......POB plays in one of the most competitive areas in SoCal and has handled himself very well. What I think sets him apart from other Husker hopefuls from the past is he coming in early, already is used to playing in a somewhat pro style offense, even though they do run some zone read and he most importantly as stated above, played against great teams in SoCal.

Now will he start next year......a couple things are in his favor....1. He's coming in early to learn and compete. 2. TA just simply isn't getting it done.
3. HCMR can't afford another season like this........

I would throw him into the fire starting in January, let him compete with TA and the best man wins. Nebraska had no choice but to play TA this year, there simply wasn't any quality backups that could challenge him....that's changing in about 6 weeks.

The defense seemed to really improve as the year went on, especially the last 3 games....I'm assuming that will continue into next year. Talent at WR, TE and even OL has people waiting in the wings. We simply lack a QB that will make minimal mistakes.

As much as I hate to say this and add more pressure to POB, but he is clearly the future of Husker football starting in January, it's just that simple...

 

[MAG]

I hope so. If not O'Brien then someone needs to step-up. Next season NU has to get a QB some quality reps in real game situations in order to prepare for the 2017 season. Yes, Nebraska is still one season away from great success. TA is a senior next year so is Fyfe. All other qb's currently on the roster were recruited to play in a different system. 2017 is where the 'rubber meets the road'. By '17 the culture is installed and the transition is complete so NU better be playing for at least a conference championship or Riley and Co., including Eichorst, could find themselves in some serious hot water.

 

[scarletred]

I'm hoping he can come in like Rosen from UCLA who happens to be a true Freshman.

As far as Armstrong a leopard does change his strips especially playing 3 years sometime next year if he starts out of the gate some where along the line he will make the same mistakes again.

 

[mountainmann]

I think he is the real deal. A upgrade from the dumpster fire at QB for the last 6 years.

TA has regressed the last 2 games.

Picks against Rutgers and Iowa are just scary.

Wtf.

 

[YouGotSwatted!]

I'm optimistic but Let's tap the breaks and let him get on campus. We all remember where the second coming, Harrison Beck, got us.

 

[BigRedPimp]

I'm hoping he can come in like Rosen from UCLA who happens to be a true Freshman.

As far as Armstrong a leopard does change his strips especially playing 3 years sometime next year if he starts out of the gate some where along the line he will make the same mistakes again.

Let's not forget about a freshman QB named Tanner Mangum from BYU. He has thrown for 3,062 yds 21 TD's 7 INT's and 62% completion percentage.

I would take that from any QB in our system regardless of class...

 

[mountainmann]

There are plenty of Freshman that come in and make noise. Hackenberg, Kaaya, Magnum, etc.

 

[scarletred]

Let's not forget about a freshman QB named Tanner Mangum from BYU. He has thrown for 3,062 yds 21 TD's 7 INT's and 62% completion percentage.

I would take that from any QB in our system regardless of class...

But wasn't he older because of going on a mission and was a Red Shirt freshman?

 

[BigRedPimp]

But wasn't he older because of going on a mission and was a Red Shirt freshman?

Yes he's 22, but this was his first year (2015) back from his mission trip. As I said, I don't care the class of a QB we just need efficient production.

 

[headcard]

I love POB's skill set and demeanor, but there is no way to tell until the bullets start flying.

 

[mountainmann]

I haven't been this excited for a new QB since Blaine. Dude bailed after the Cally firing. POB is legit. His measurables are and his stats are off the charts.

TA had a mid 50s completion rate in Texas. Guess what it is now playing at a higher level in college?

Mid 50's maybe high 50's. Checking that now.

TA has been mid 50 s his whole career. The WR s deserve better. They are open a lot.

 

[jteten]

Nobody knows. Even If you think you know, you don't. We all hope that he is great at the next level, but won't know anything until he gets on the field, learns the system, and faces D1 defenses and schemes. He is an exciting talent for sure, but if TA had performed better over the last several weeks, this conversation wouldn't even be happening.

 

[scarletred]

Nobody knows. Even If you think you know, you don't. We all hope that he is great at the next level, but won't know anything until he gets on the field, learns the system, and faces D1 defenses and schemes. He is an exciting talent for sure, but if TA had performed better over the last several weeks, this conversation wouldn't even be happening.

But the truth be told he hasn't. And to win our division we need a better decision maker at QB.

 

[mountainmann]

Looks like TA was 57.8 ish in his senior year against HS talent. He is right about 54 to 55 his career here.

I say POB as a January enrollment does better than 55 perc with less Ints.

Let's all hope so.

His mechanics with him throwing off his back foot all the time. Into double and triple coverage etc., has to be stopped. Not changed. Stopped, like in not seeing the field.

I don't know if the storming out of practice is true. If it is, holy shit.....

 

[newAD]

Can't wait to see the spring game. This will be the most interesting spring QB battle since Ganz/Keller.

 

[redwine65]

ok so Armstrong vs O'brien. good start...so lets say we play ohio state, and we don't play Armstrong because ohio state will pick off any thing that moves..so we put O'brien in,
but he gets sacked and knocked out for 2 weeks. who else do we have to put in?
we can't put in Armstrong, cause he will get picked off, and O'brien is being helped off the field.

this is when riley can shine, and have that 3rd string juco qb from anywhere USA he got this off season. all the sudden he starts hitting passes, and urban is yelling at his dc to make it stop. but it won't stop, because riley knew that luck is just preparation and timing, predestined.

this mysterious 3rd string qb, came from the wrong side of the tracks, had a rough life, but is prepared to take advantage of the situation to the fullest, instead of house parties, instead of johhny stanton with groupies...he been working out in the basement of an abandon warehouse.

he's unaware of the media, or hype, or frivolous living, he's just a throwing machine designed to carve defenses to small pieces. he's not anti-social, but humble, and can talk briefly to the camera with brevity and precision. a natural at all qb aspects.

this is what riley is finding right now, this will be the only qb who can sit in a room with bradshaw and montana, and put on a 6th Super Bowl ring, where they stop at 5.

 

[jteten]

But the truth be told he hasn't. And to win our division we need a better decision maker at QB.

I'm with you. TA hasn't played well enough, but the annointing of a high school QB as the answer is nonsense. I hope he pushes TA, because he didn't have anyone behind him....at all.

 

[mountainmann]

I don't care who NU plays.

POB needs to be the starter over the Int machine and back foot throwing into double and triple coverage guy.

Hands down, no doubt.

I was watching the game with a non NU fan on Friday.

You know how many time I had to say, he does that all the time???

That was.. throws ints, throws into double and triple coverage. Under throws his receivers, etc.

A LOT!!!!

 

[chicolby]

Just curious, it seemed like the coaches liked Bush and/or Darlington going into the season and neither sniffed the field. Are we completely giving up on those two competing?

 

[scarletred]

Just curious, it seemed like the coaches liked Bush and/or Darlington going into the season and neither sniffed the field. Are we completely giving up on those two competing?

Good question to ask Riley and Lang. I didn't think Fife would be our backup after the spring and raises questions about the other two.

 

[bigbadjim990]

I just hope he isn't another Harrison Beck. I think that was his name. Cally's first supposedly big time QB recruit.

 

[TruHusker]

ok so Armstrong vs O'brien. good start...so lets say we play ohio state, and we don't play Armstrong because ohio state will pick off any thing that moves..so we put O'brien in,
but he gets sacked and knocked out for 2 weeks. who else do we have to put in?
we can't put in Armstrong, cause he will get picked off, and O'brien is being helped off the field.

this is when riley can shine, and have that 3rd string juco qb from anywhere USA he got this off season. all the sudden he starts hitting passes, and urban is yelling at his dc to make it stop. but it won't stop, because riley knew that luck is just preparation and timing, predestined.

this mysterious 3rd string qb, came from the wrong side of the tracks, had a rough life, but is prepared to take advantage of the situation to the fullest, instead of house parties, instead of johhny stanton with groupies...he been working out in the basement of an abandon warehouse.

he's unaware of the media, or hype, or frivolous living, he's just a throwing machine designed to carve defenses to small pieces. he's not anti-social, but humble, and can talk briefly to the camera with brevity and precision. a natural at all qb aspects.

this is what riley is finding right now, this will be the only qb who can sit in a room with bradshaw and montana, and put on a 6th Super Bowl ring, where they stop at 5.

This is football, not a made for TV drama.

 

[dinglefritz]

Just curious, it seemed like the coaches liked Bush and/or Darlington going into the season and neither sniffed the field. Are we completely giving up on those two competing?

Bush was no where near ready to play. He's TA without the experience. I dunno what the deal is with Darlington. He looked really good in the spring game but that's practice. Dunno if he has the arm strength they want and his concussion history may be an issue. We need somebody that can manage a game and not lose his mind throwing up prayers 8 times a game.

 

[TruHusker]

This is all not that complex. Nebraska has not had a QB with the necessary instincts for several years. Certainly, none that fit this offense. You can tell the good ones even in JH and HS as they have the certain "it" factor and can be coached to get better if they have the physical tools. Tommy has some good feet but clearly he is not meant for this type of offense. I don't even think he runs the base option all that well. It is obvious he does not see the field well and all of the coaching in the world is not going to fix that. Try to avoid putting him in those situations, you can't in big time college FB anymore. Look at LSU where the critics are all over Miles because he is dedicated to a rushing offense and can't seem to build a good passing game.

For the backups you have a former walk-on with good skills but clearly not to the level this offense needs. I have heard there is still concern about Darlington and concussions. I have no way to know if they are valid or not. AJ Bush was a two star kid recruited by Boston College, Cincinnati, Georgia State, K-State, Marshall, Toledo, and Troy. Bush was a late addition, Darlington has potential health issues and Stanton transferred to a Juco. Out of this group, Darlington would seem the be the best but at this point who really knows.

This is just one of the positions on this team that is thin and players are expected to perform in a system that at best does not mesh with them.

There are examples of freshmen playing well at QB and some that are not so good. Nick Saban will not play a true freshman at QB, says they can get mentally down too easily. I tend to agree with this thinking. If there are some good pieces around the QB then it might be different - excellent running game, good OL and a defense that gives you the ball often and doesn't put pressure on the O to score every time they have the ball. As good as California football is it is not close to DI football in this league. There are both the physical and mental aspects of the game and it may be too much. Everyone will say simplify but that is not the best thing to do - collapse the play calling on O because of one person. There should be some good pieces around POB next year but questions remain about half the O line and RB. Going into fall camp, the position is Tommy's and POB is learning preferably with a red shirt. The bad thing is, on paper, this team looks to be better so it will be interesting to see what happens. An injury or ten will make a huge difference.

 

[redwine65]

This is football, not a made for TV drama.

let me tell you about a juco recruit that came from the wrong side of the tracks and won a heismen.

 

[jteten]

let me tell you about a juco recruit that came from the wrong side of the tracks and won a heismen.

Pointing out the exception weakens arguments.

 

[TFrazier]

He better be good because he appears to be the only quarterback we are going to sign this recruiting cycle and it is obvious the staff has zero confidence in the backups based on TA's consistently inconsistent play this year.

I am hoping for a transfer senior to at least push TA. There has to be an average/competent quarterback at another university that could see an opportunity at Nebraska to play for one season. I wonder how Nebraska could put out the word that applications are now being accepted for the 2016 quarterback position.

 

[EyeLuvDaHuskerz]

I'm hoping he can come in like Rosen from UCLA who happens to be a true Freshman.

As far as Armstrong a leopard does change his strips especially playing 3 years sometime next year if he starts out of the gate some where along the line he will make the same mistakes again.

Rosen was regarded as the #1 HS prospect for a large portion of last season ... ended at #2 in the Rivals100. Rosen's freshman year success is NOT the benchmark for POB ... Rosen was a 5-star QB prospect and he certainly looks to fit the bill. Comparing POB to Rosen is a disservice to O'Brien.

 

[Marine8365]

So did anyone hear why TA walked out of practice? Very alarming.

Regarding POB, it's anyone's guess if he's the real deal or not.........But being the 30 time all american arm chair QB that I am, what other options do we have? I stated before, he's coming in early to play not to redshirt. If he redshirts, then we can fully expect another year like this year...

However, besides POB coming in.......our offense needs to become run heavy first....this offense is great for show and stats, but it won't win you ball games much. I think we all don't want to believe this season, but it became clear pretty quick that this would be a complete rebuild and it turned out to be exactly that.

In closing, yes it's absurd to say POB will start from day one, but it's not absurd to state that if he shows a better command of the offense and doesn't make elementary mistakes, chances are he will start.....He knows this, I know this, the coaching staff knows and so does the rest of Husker Nation........

 

[mountainmann]

Average 3.5 ints last 2 games. Let that sink in.

 

[inorbit]

ok so Armstrong vs O'brien. good start...so lets say we play ohio state, and we don't play Armstrong because ohio state will pick off any thing that moves..so we put O'brien in,
but he gets sacked and knocked out for 2 weeks. who else do we have to put in?
we can't put in Armstrong, cause he will get picked off, and O'brien is being helped off the field.

this is when riley can shine, and have that 3rd string juco qb from anywhere USA he got this off season. all the sudden he starts hitting passes, and urban is yelling at his dc to make it stop. but it won't stop, because riley knew that luck is just preparation and timing, predestined.

this mysterious 3rd string qb, came from the wrong side of the tracks, had a rough life, but is prepared to take advantage of the situation to the fullest, instead of house parties, instead of johhny stanton with groupies...he been working out in the basement of an abandon warehouse.

he's unaware of the media, or hype, or frivolous living, he's just a throwing machine designed to carve defenses to small pieces. he's not anti-social, but humble, and can talk briefly to the camera with brevity and precision. a natural at all qb aspects.

this is what riley is finding right now, this will be the only qb who can sit in a room with bradshaw and montana, and put on a 6th Super Bowl ring, where they stop at 5.

I like the way you think, it is a beautiful thing.

 

[HudsonValleyHusker]

I'm optimistic but Let's tap the breaks and let him get on campus. We all remember where the second coming, Harrison Beck, got us.

Lets hope POB doesn't play in a band.

 

[TruHusker]

Pointing out the exception weakens arguments.

exactly - there are exceptions to every rule.

 

[dockentwo]

A WH writer described TA's game as a 5th grade sandlot talent - thats what he takes it down too - plus or minus a grade. He could have gotten much better and seemed to have some positives; but went back to his way. Nice way to party start for such an important game coming up. If others want to wreck their futures by a strike if TA doesn't remain the golden child let them. TA should have to earn it.
This whole thing is crazy; bring in some qb's and let others play for experience. We just lost 7 games coddling. IN 1968 after 2 bad years Devaney brought in 5 qb's and made statements and challenges; compete or go. Jerry Tagge, Van Bronson; Jeff Kinney ; an all american db and another that earned honors on D I believe. They created Modern day N football and won.

 

[TruHusker]

So did anyone hear why TA walked out of practice? Very alarming.

Regarding POB, it's anyone's guess if he's the real deal or not.........But being the 30 time all american arm chair QB that I am, what other options do we have? I stated before, he's coming in early to play not to redshirt. If he redshirts, then we can fully expect another year like this year...

However, besides POB coming in.......our offense needs to become run heavy first....this offense is great for show and stats, but it won't win you ball games much. I think we all don't want to believe this season, but it became clear pretty quick that this would be a complete rebuild and it turned out to be exactly that.

In closing, yes it's absurd to say POB will start from day one, but it's not absurd to state that if he shows a better command of the offense and doesn't make elementary mistakes, chances are he will start.....He knows this, I know this, the coaching staff knows and so does the rest of Husker Nation........

If you want him to come in an just hand the ball off he can probably do that. Name another P5 team that does that successfully and consistently? Miles at LSU is lucky to not get canned because he is a run first and foremost kind of guy and can't seem to find a good passing game. This team is a long ways from being a run heavy first team and I don't see these coaches making it that way.

 

[Husker Sledge]

Just curious, it seemed like the coaches liked Bush and/or Darlington going into the season and neither sniffed the field. Are we completely giving up on those two competing?

If Darlington never plays ( which seems to be the case), we have nobody behind Tommy. Bush and Fyfe shouldn't even be playing Div 1 ball. Gotta live with Tommy or hope POB can come in and get the job done. 5* Georgia guy ain't coming here.

 

[Marine8365]

I should have further clarified run heavy.....How about a run game that can win you games in late November? We are balanced, but at least to me, it's a little misleading because we aren't really a team that can consistently run between the tackles...

 

[studed]

Average 3.5 ints last 2 games. Let that sink in.

riley qb throw int. sean mannion nfl qb. threw 54 int. derek anderson nfl qb threw 57 int in 3 years. matt more nfl qb threw 31 in in 29 starts.

 

[mountainmann]

riley qb throw int. sean mannion nfl qb. threw 54 int. derek anderson nfl qb threw 57 int in 3 years. matt more nfl qb threw 31 in in 29 starts.

I think you can look at those stats from those 3 qbs and be alarmed.

I find it hard to say TA's name and think of him as an NFL QB without puking in my mouth as I say it.

I would take those Ints if it meant that the NU QB was going pro.

TA had the trend of throwing almost 57 ints in one 1 season.

I don't think comparing TA to 3 NFL QB's is fair to TA.

If Mike Riley puts QB's in the NFL that is a good thing. The sad part, there isn't a NFL type QB on the roster right now.

Hopefully Riley can get some here.