"QB Or Not QB, That Is the Question": (At Least For Nebraska in 2010)

I apologize for the 'cheesy' comment using a great Shakespeare quote from one of his greatest works in 'Hamlet'.

But for Husker football fans, this is no laughing matter.  Especially for a team that struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball looking for solid QB play during its entire 2009 season.

While the Huskers find themselves rolling into the 2010 season without their beloved and future NFL stud in Ndamukong Suh, the biggest question that most were asking is: 

"Who will be our QB".

As the saying goes, if you have two QB's, you don't have one.

While the incumbent starter in Zac Lee was on the sidelines during Spring Football, a very much expected war was to be waged between Cody Green and Taylor Martinez to see whom would challenge Zac come fall.

And after the Spring Game that was played just last Saturday..........?

We still don't have a real answer.  At least not an answer from a large, urging, and speculating crowd of Husker fans of who 'should' be the starter at QB for 2010.

The only real noticeable item that came out of Spring Football for the Huskers, is that we have a near dead-lock at the proverbial #2 position rolling into the fall.  Therefore, when we really look at it, not much has changed.

Without going into much more detail about the race, let's take at look at what each player has coming into August for the Huskers.

Zac Lee:   The Junior College transfer is entering his Senior season at Nebraska.  As the incumbent starter, most would believe that the job is his until someone shows they are better.  Maybe not better, but at least better for the team. 

One only has to look back to last year's National Championship team in Alabama to realize the importance of a player that has been in the 'system' long enough to know the 'checks' and 'balances' of running an offense. 

While McElory didn't do many eye-catching things last year, he did have a handle on the Alabama playbook, and was savvy enough to get the Tide into good situations regardless of the play called from the sideline.  He had an 'it' factor when the Tide needed him the most, and flawlessly guided their offense towards success with little credit to his execution and knowledge of football.

Zac Lee, for the Huskers, isn't all that different.  He has spent enough time in the program and has the smarts to absolutely know the ins and outs of the offense.  You hear the common quote of "coach on the field", but it doesn't echo more powerfully than when you talk about guys like McElory and Lee. 

Is Greg McElroy the most gifted QB on Alabama's sideline?  No.  And it likely isn't even close.  The same can be said of Zac Lee. 

With that said, knowledge can be king in College Football, and we just saw some mental magic last year out of Greg McElory.  Can Zac be that kind of guy for Nebraska? 

Absolutely no question in my mind. 

Cody Green:   The heralded recruit out of Dayton, TX, is the phenom that many a Husker fan is looking for to guide the Huskers during the 2010 season. 

At 6'4" and a now confirmed 235 pounds, Cody possesses the physicality and physical skills that Zac simply cannot match up to, and no, not even arm strength.

During Spring Camp testing, Cody set a QB record for the 10 yard dash.  Yes, you read that correctly.  What is likely one of the biggest, if not biggest, QB in Husker history, Cody Green just eclipsed a record that not even Tommie Frazier, Scott Frost, Eric Crouch, or Steve Taylor could ever out-perform. 

What is really amazing, is that a 10 yard dash is 'supposedly' built for the more explosive 'little guy' than it is the bigger more powerful player.  Cody tested out above them all.  And set a new Husker record for the position.

Now for the reality.

After a titillating burst down the sideline during mop-up time during an expected Sun Belt team blow out, the bar was set.

Cody was supposed to surplant Lee, and become the next Tommie Frazier .  

That didn't happen.   At least not yet. 

While given the huge opportunity, Cody didn't quite make it happen.  In fact, he nearly cost Nebraska a win over Baylor in his 1st career start due to his poor and ineffective play combined with a 'pick 6' in the second half that needed a great defensive effort to save the game. 

The next week, the Husker staff decided to start Cody in the biggest game of his career against Oklahoma.  One of, if the not the biggest, game of the Huskers entire 2009 season. 

Ouch.  It was readily apparent that Cody just wasn't ready for prime time, and was eventually replaced by Lee. 

Even though the Huskers pulled out the victory, we were nearly doubled up in yardage and yet again, needed a great defensive effort to pull out the game.

(Did I say 'great' defensive effort?  No, I surely meant one of the best in Husker history to pull that one off.) 

Not ready for prime time, Cody was yet again relegated to 2nd string.  A season ending 5 out of 6 wins culminated the Husker schedule largely due to Cody being on the sideline.........learning and not participating. 

Now the stage is set.  Is Cody ready to supplant Zac?  Or does he have another guy clipping at his heels?

Taylor Martinez:   This guy was simply named the California Player of the Year back in his senior season of High School football.

Problem?

Nobody wanted him to play QB.

Well, outside of Nebraska.  We were willing to give this spectacularly talented individual a shot to play QB. 

If it didn't work out, Taylor was to play safety or some DB role like every other school wanted him to play.. 

The reality?  Taylor has made a definite name for himself in Husker spring ball.   So much so, that he is now in a solid 2-man battle with Cody for the 2-hole heading into the fall.

Can Taylor be the starter for Nebraska come fall as a redshirt freshman?  

Absolutely.

With the Husker offense moving towards a more spread influenced offense, the agility and process of a play-maker at QB becomes more and more important.

While Taylor may not have the innate knowledge of the Husker offense, he has certainly turned some eyes in Spring Camp that he is the winner that he was in high school.

If you are looking for an 'it' factor, Taylor may have that 'it' that Zac or Cody just might not have.

Not blessed with the physical skills that Cody has, or the vast amount of offensive knowledge that Zac has, Taylor has a 'winner' type attitude and play written all over him.  

He simply has a difference-maker type attitude about him. 

With all that said, what does Husker football have to look forward to in the fall?  Especially at the all-important position of QB?

Coming into the fall, Husker fans will definitely find themselves in a 3-man possibility of a guy playing QB.

As said before, if you got two, you don't have one.  You got THREE?  You definitely don't have one.

What Will or Might Happen?

The starting QB against Washington in week 3 is not settled. 

Not even close.

Who will break out in fall camp?  Really hard to say right now.

The incumbent starter definitely has a vast head start over Cody or Taylor, but that can be overcome rather quickly. 

Especially with the improved physical and mental abilities of the two challengers ready and willing to make it happen.

Did anything get solved in Spring Camp?  Nope. 

Do Husker fans honestly know who our starter at QB is for the first game?  Nope.

.........bring on Fall camp.  Will we find him then? 

The coaches are simply looking for a guy to separate himself from the competition.

Either way, I'm thinking we'll be fine regardless of who they choose.  I don't have a horse in the race, so I'll simply ask 'You' as to who it should be?