[Husker] Offensive linemen playing time

[JEN_SENS]

Someone like Mann could get sick and lose his spot, because he simply can't 
play very well right now. His illness was extremely debililtating and he 
lost something like 35-40 pounds as well as significant conditioning and 
lifting time. I have not heard how he is bouncing back. It would be 
wonderful if he could be healthy and ready for the Fiesta Bowl (Positive 
thoughts only) and for the combine.

If Mann could perform anywhere near normal capacity he would be playing. 
Byford is adequate. Remember the first game Mann was back, they put him in 
the game even though he was really not conditioned. I would not be surprised 
if Byford is not even second team center following spring practice.

As Dick said, Nicks is a completely different situation. He was recruited to 
come in and start this year. However, because of various reasons, he was not 
able to come as early as the coaches wished. He missed significant 
conditioning and instruction time (informal player workouts). The plan has 
been to move Slauson inside because he is more of a natural guard than 
tackle. Until recently, the team has been stronger with Slauson at tackle. 
Apparently now the switch to guard will not happen until spring.

Gerald

By the way, as his career  winds down, wish the best for Greg Austin, one of 
the gutsiest players to wear the red.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "RMiller" <miller.ra at sbcglobal.net>
To: <husker at tssi.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2006 6:22 PM
Subject: [Husker] Offensive linemen playing time


>I found this OWH article on competition amongst offensive linemen 
>insteresting:
>    http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=528&u_xid=13&u_sid=2288075
>
>  It at least attempts to tackle a topic I've been wondering about this 
> year. That is, how can someone (Mann) be a 3 yr starter, get sick and miss 
> a few games, be replaced by someone who played 1 set of downs the previous 
> 2 years, and then practically never play again despite all reports that 
> he's fine.
>
>  Here's a quote from Slauson, who has been receiving praise for the last 
> 1.5 yrs as one of the most promising young linemen at NU. He's apparently 
> now clearly the 2nd team right tackle.
>
>  "I've got to compete with Carl (Nicks), who's coming off a (1) great 
> game. If I have a great practice week and he doesn't do so well, then I 
> might step in. But if he keeps on performing like he performed, I'm going 
> to be second string, and I'm fine with that."
>
>  Here's the specific thoughts I'm having. I'm wondering if anyone else 
> might have further insight:
>
>  How can a 2nd teamer (like Byford & Nicks) who saw extremely limited 
> action then move into the starting lineup (due to injury) and now be 
> clearly the better player? If this player was so much better all along, 
> why did it take an injury for them to supplant the starter? If it's a 
> close call, why would the 2nd teamer be getting more playing time, like a 
> 50/50 split?
>
>  Perhaps I'm flawed in my observation that the new 1st teamers were 
> getting practically no playing time before the injury triggered promotion? 
> I'm not aware of any stats that might contradict my limited TV game 
> observations.
>
>  Roy
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