Mike Riley began this week’s news conference by recapping the injury status of the team after the Rutgers game.
Mike Riley rules out Kalu and Newby for Illinois game. Says Aaron Williams was injured on targeting playing but should be OK. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 25, 2017
Center Cole Conrad is coming back this week. Riley hasn't seen WR Stanley Morgan (neck) but hoping he'll be ready.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 25, 2017
While Conrad could be ready to play, I think Michael Decker on Saturday showed he’s an upgrade over Conrad.
Other injured players (Bryant, Knevel, Farniok) still working way back. #Huskers
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 25, 2017
Likewise, I think Nebraska found alternatives that are just-as-good, if not better at those positions Saturday.
#Huskers injury notes: Kalu and Newby still out. Morgan, Bryant, Reimers, Knevel, A Williams, Farniok, Conrad, all ?’s at varying levels.
— Joe Quinn (@JoeESPN590) September 25, 2017
Riley, on Farniok wearing a big club to protect his wrist: "He can't hold. That might be a bonus."
— Eric Olson (@ericolson64) September 25, 2017
Mike riley says if Bryant is out Wilbon gets start and other guys play even turns too
— Sam McKewon (@swmckewonOWH) September 25, 2017
Considering that Bryant’s knee has held him out the last week, it would seem unrealistic to think he’ll get the majority of ball carries moving forward even if he plays.
Riley says he hasn't had any new discussions with CB Chris Jones about possibly playing this year. Until he's cleared to play, no news.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 25, 2017
It’s all moot until he’s cleared to practice anyway.
Some spotlight players from the Rutgers game?
Riley: "A big deal" for De'Mornay Pierson-El to have the long punt return to set up one of Nebraska's touchdowns last weekend.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 25, 2017
Riley said Luke Gifford "had one of his very best games as a Husker" & felt Carlos Davis "was a physical force." Lamar Jackson improving.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 25, 2017
Now, about that offense: it sounds like Mike Riley may be joining Team “Run The Ball”. When asked about the passing game, it sounds like he wants to do it less now.
"We have to balance out our offense where we don't have to necessarily have more attempts, but be more effective in passing," Riley said.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 25, 2017
Riley says Nebraska protected QB Tanner Lee "better" vs. Rutgers. Coaches have to be thoughtful of routes they put into games.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 25, 2017
Again, another reason to keep Decker in the lineup.
Where does Lee need to improve? "Obviously choices," Riley says. Sometimes he's been "disrupted" by protection too.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 25, 2017
Riley said QBs, like Lee, have to understand that sometimes it's not going to be a great play, for various reasons, so don't make it worse.
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 25, 2017
So then we get to the elephant in the room: why not bench a struggling Tanner Lee? It’s not quite as simple as some fans (and media guys) think:
Riley says QBs went through physical and mental evaluations in spring and fall camp. Lee "is our best opportunity to play well."
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 25, 2017
Riley feels Lee at QB still offers Nebraska best opportunity to play but "we leave the door open to competition as it goes."
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 25, 2017
There’s a key point in there that’s worth digesting a bit. Let’s think back to 2011 when Bo Pelini was roundly criticized by some fans (and a World-Herald features writer) for not benching Taylor Martinez after some rough play against Wisconsin. In order to bench a player, you have to have a replacement player available who you feel won’t be significantly worse. Without naming names, Riley is making it clear that he believes a struggling Tanner Lee is still a better option for Nebraska than playing Patrick O’Brien (who hasn’t taken a snap in a game since high school) or burning Tristan Gebbia’s redshirt. (And if you think that nobody could be worse than Lee has been, I offer the name Joe Bauserman as an example.) And since we haven’t seen O’Brien play, we really have no choice but to accept the coaches’ assessment of the situation for now.
Lee knows he has room to improve, and has to.
Tanner Lee: "I need to stop hurting the team with turnovers. That's something I'm well aware of."
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 25, 2017
Lee says he's aware of how critical his mistakes have been. Will continue studying and preparing and working with coaches.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) September 25, 2017
"Our offensive line has been taking pride in the hard work they've been putting in," Tanner Lee said, noting running game "was huge."
— Brian Rosenthal (@GBRosenthal) September 25, 2017
Lee said Michael Decker is an extremely smart guy (North grad, of course) and was great at articulating what he was seeing on the sidelines.
— Brian Christopherson (@Husker247BC) September 25, 2017
There’s that Decker guy again, for what it’s worth...