Tight end

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

The loss of Carter for this week's game is certainly a very big loss. No way you just simply "replace" that kind of talent.

That said, I don't think all is lost at that position. We do have some talented players besides Carter. Foster and Cotton do not have Carter's speed or elusiveness. But they are still pretty darn good tight ends. And with some practice reps for two weeks running routes I expect to see those guys as part of our game plan this Saturday. Foster did a damn good job getting open for that TD pass against Illinois.

I look for both of those guys to have solid games Saturday

 

[Headcard]

Cotton is a heck of a blocker, but we will miss the matchup problems CC gives defenses. I imagine a big chunk of the playbook will be out the window this week.

 

[GBRhuskers_rivals203711]

Neither Cotton or Foster have shown a resemblance of physicality setting the edge like Cethan Carter. This is a tremendous loss, especially considering Knevel and Conrad have been less than impressive.

Sam and Tre will need to elevate their edge blocking game, big time, with Carter out.

 

[crc_wood]

Time for foster to step up, and I think he can carry the position until Cethan comes back.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Neither Cotton or Foster have shown a resemblance of physicality setting the edge like Cethan Carter. This is a tremendous loss, especially considering Knevel and Conrad have been less than impressive.

Sam and Tre will need to elevate their edge blocking game, big time, with Carter out.

I think Cotton has been better than Foster in run blocking. I saw Foster get owned a few times at the point of attack against Illinois.
I am also a little higher on Conrad than you seem to be. I thought he played decently. But maybe you saw something I didn't. I did not track him that closely.
But I still think our two tight ends are decent players.

 

[rrthusker]

Look for Hoppes to get some reps.

 

[KingBlackshirt]

Is Snyder still injured at this point? Such a big recruit this would be his time to shine.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Look for Hoppes to get some reps.

I know the coaches have mentioned his name several times now. Hope they are trying to work him into the rotation

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Is Snyder still injured at this point? Such a big recruit this would be his time to shine.

I have no idea. Somebody else on here probably knows

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

Foster is one of my favorite players. No, he obviously doesn't have the athleticism of Carter. (That's actually an endearing quality to me - he's this hairy bowling ball of a tight end, making plays seemingly on enthusiasm alone.) But I think he has good enough hands to be effective in underneath routes. I didn't focus on him too much in the Illinois game, but I did notice him blocking out in space a few times. I also think he can motion back into a full back position to confuse what our personnel grouping is. Carter is definitely a loss. I doubt you will see too many jet sweeps run with Foster. But I can't get too upset at Foster getting a chance bang around in there for a full game, for the entertainment value, if nothing else. I really don't think physicality is the issue.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Foster is one of my favorite players. No, he obviously doesn't have the athleticism of Carter. (That's actually an endearing quality to me - he's this hairy bowling ball of a tight end, making plays seemingly on enthusiasm alone.) But I think he has good enough hands to be effective in underneath routes. I didn't focus on him too much in the Illinois game, but I did notice him blocking out in space a few times. I also think he can motion back into a full back position to confuse what our personnel grouping is. Carter is definitely a loss. I doubt you will see too many jet sweeps run with Foster. But I can't get too upset at Foster getting a chance bang around in there for a full game, for the entertainment value, if nothing else. I really don't think physicality is the issue.

I agree. Love the motor on that kid. He does lack a killer blocking ability, but I look for him to amp up his game this week.

 

[otismotis08]

Haven't seen much consistency from Foster. Way too many whiffs. Looks like the talent/athleticism may be there, but we can't afford whiffs.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Haven't seen much consistency from Foster. Way too many whiffs. Looks like the talent/athleticism may be there, but we can't afford whiffs.

Yes I agree. As I said above, I saw Foster get owned on a few plays. Not good. I don't know why, but I just think he will step up this week and play better. That is probably just wishful thinking on my part, combined with the fact that I like the kid's energy.

Time will tell. Cannot replace Carter, but I am hoping Foster and Cotton can get it done. I think they will.

 

[oldjar07]

I think we'll be fine. Carter has always played timid for his size, and I like Cotton.

 

[Night Goat]

Is Snyder still injured at this point? Such a big recruit this would be his time to shine.

Bump! What's the scoop with Snyder? When he was recruited he sounded like the 2nd coming of Jeremy Shockey.

 

[GBRhuskers_rivals203711]

Carter has always played timid for his size

I sure hope you're joking because if not, the above might be the most insane thing I've read on this website. And based on what's been posted here of late, that's saying something.

Bump! What's the scoop with Snyder? When he was recruited he sounded like the 2nd coming of Jeremy Shockey.

Pretty sure he got hurt in fall camp which set him back some. No idea about your JS comment, I assume there's some hyperbole in there, but it was a very nice recruiting win over Harbaugh.

 

[jackie_moon33]

Carter has always played timid for his size.

 

[oldjar07]

I sure hope you're joking because if not, the above might be the most insane thing I've read on this website. And based on what's been posted here of late, that's saying something.



Pretty sure he got hurt in fall camp which set him back some. No idea about your JS comment, I assume there's some hyperbole in there, but it was a very nice recruiting win over Harbaugh.

Yes, I'm serious. I don't think I've ever seen him break a tackle.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

Yes, I'm serious. I don't think I've ever seen him break a tackle.

First off, if you have never seen him break a tackle, you have not been watching closely.
Second, you are now changing the conversation. GBRhuskers was talking about Carter's ability to seal the edge in run blocking as opposed to Cotton and Foster. The topic was about physicality in run blocking.

 

[dockentwo]

First off, if you have never seen him break a tackle, you have not been watching closely.
Second, you are now changing the conversation. GBRhuskers was talking about Carter's ability to seal the edge in run blocking as opposed to Cotton and Foster. The topic was about physicality in run blocking.

In particular Carter made a great run against UCLA; which enabled us to maintain control of the game IMO.
There are other instances; where we started our run of season to season victory streak ( other than Iowa game turnover meltdown ) , Carter was a huge factor as the coaches played off his strengths.

 

[GBRhuskers_rivals203711]

Yes, I'm serious.

Yikes.

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

Yes I agree. As I said above, I saw Foster get owned on a few plays.

I rewatched the offensive plays from the Illinois game last night, focusing on Foster because of this comment. He seems to have a tendency to block with his hands and he should probably get a bit lower, but overall, I thought he was effective, enough, on most of his plays. He tends to pester more than pancake, but the pestering was enough to throw people off balance, tie them up, and mess with their angles. On Ozigbo's big screen play, Foster had to chip and then reach a linebacker. He did, but the linebacker was moving towards the play, and Foster got just enough of him to push him upfield to throw off his angle to the play. But the linebacker recovered enough that he was still going to make a tackle (chasing, slightly, because his angle was off), but Foster (and this is what I loved) stuck with him, reinitiated contact, and drove him past the potential tackle, springing Ozigbo for maybe another 15-20 yards. (Ok, while I loved the play, he was pretty close to a block in the back on the second part of the block.)
Because he stays high, he does have a tendency to get twisted and/or thrown by defenders. I'm thinking those are the blocks that look ugly. But, he's making contact (not whiffing) and tying them up for a bit. They look ugly, but the defender didn't make the play. As far as the sealing the edge plays, he was normally helping with the tackle and did fine. There where times the containment defender got upfield and Foster should continue to block him upfield. On one of those, he did great, but I think on a couple of others, it was a slight loss or stalemate, and the RB had to turn it in to avoid the defender. (Defender not making the play, but certainly affecting it.)
So, overall, he's certainly not textbook, but he seemed effective to me.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

I rewatched the offensive plays from the Illinois game last night, focusing on Foster because of this comment. He seems to have a tendency to block with his hands and he should probably get a bit lower, but overall, I thought he was effective, enough, on most of his plays. He tends to pester more than pancake, but the pestering was enough to throw people off balance, tie them up, and mess with their angles. On Ozigbo's big screen play, Foster had to chip and then reach a linebacker. He did, but the linebacker was moving towards the play, and Foster got just enough of him to push him upfield to throw off his angle to the play. But the linebacker recovered enough that he was still going to make a tackle (chasing, slightly, because his angle was off), but Foster (and this is what I loved) stuck with him, reinitiated contact, and drove him past the potential tackle, springing Ozigbo for maybe another 15-20 yards. (Ok, while I loved the play, he was pretty close to a block in the back on the second part of the block.)
Because he stays high, he does have a tendency to get twisted and/or thrown by defenders. I'm thinking those are the blocks that look ugly. But, he's making contact (not whiffing) and tying them up for a bit. They look ugly, but the defender didn't make the play. As far as the sealing the edge plays, he was normally helping with the tackle and did fine. There where times the containment defender got upfield and Foster should continue to block him upfield. On one of those, he did great, but I think on a couple of others, it was a slight loss or stalemate, and the RB had to turn it in to avoid the defender. (Defender not making the play, but certainly affecting it.)
So, overall, he's certainly not textbook, but he seemed effective to me.

Excellent analysis. And yes, I was talking about the plays where Foster gets stood up and twisted around. I did not see him whiff on any play but one. Still, I would like to see him really drive his guy off the line instead of getting stood up, twisted and pushed backward a step

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

Yes, I'm serious. I don't think I've ever seen him break a tackle.

Just leaving this here for you then.

 

[Cornicator]

Is Snyder still injured at this point? Such a big recruit this would be his time to shine.

By all accounts, he can't block anyone and is really just a big receiver with no concept of physicality. The kid has great hands and runs well, but in this offense, the tight end needs to be versatile to keep the defense on their toes.

He played almost exclusively out of the slot in HS for a team that ran a wide open Spread throwing the football 50 times per game. He basically came to Nebraska without much discipline in the weight room or much understanding how to be physical.

Oddly enough, his top 2 choices going into signing day were Michigan and Nebraska, two of the more physical offenses in the Big Ten.

Kid is still young though. Hopefully he grasps some of the expectations of the position in this scheme. Don't forget about Jack Stoll. He is a really good player who has been recovering from surgery prior to the season. He will be a factor going into next year, along with David Englehaupt.

Hell, some insiders are saying they think Englehaupt starts from day one in 2017.

 

[Cornicator]

I think we'll be fine. Carter has always played timid for his size, and I like Cotton.

Carter has incredible value in this scheme because they often use him as a run / pass option for Tommy Armstrong. He is incredibly versatile, and one of the most physical players on the team.

In fact, If you were to list 10 favorable reasons why NFL teams are taking long looks at Carter, physicality in the run game would be at the top of the list.

 

[BigBL87]

No question there will be a drop off at TE with Carter out. Simply can't just replace that kind of talent. I don't think it's the end of the world, though, as Cotton and Foster are servicable to good. They just aren't the threat that Carter is.

I would be alot less concerned about Carter being out if Westerkamp wasn't also out. I know they are two different positions and that we are relatively deep at WR, but having two of our best receiving options out hurts bad. Add in Ozigbo being out, and that's alot of our offense on the bench. I think we can still beat Indiana, just won't be as easy especially considering how hot they are right now.

 

[oldjar07]

Just leaving this here for you then.

There was one guy he ran over, but immediately ran out of bounds. The only other one is where the defender was just getting up off his ***. My point still stands.

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

There was one guy he ran over, but immediately ran out of bounds. The only other one is where the defender was just getting up off his ***. My point still stands.

Troll. No it doesn't. He blocks people into the stands and is soft, okay.

 

[oldjar07]

First off, if you have never seen him break a tackle, you have not been watching closely.
Second, you are now changing the conversation. GBRhuskers was talking about Carter's ability to seal the edge in run blocking as opposed to Cotton and Foster. The topic was about physicality in run blocking.

I posted before he did. I'm not saying Carter is not a good TE. He is, but he's not as great as some on here think. I think Cotton would do just fine filling in for him as I don't think there would be a huge drop-off in the run game or the pass game.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

There was one guy he ran over, but immediately ran out of bounds. The only other one is where the defender was just getting up off his ***. My point still stands.

So what is your point then? That Carter is overrated and we won't miss him that much??? I doubt few, if any, on here would agree with that.

 

[oldjar07]

So what is your point then? That Carter is overrated and we won't miss him that much??? I doubt few, if any, on here would agree with that.

My point is that we'll be fine at TE with Carter out. I think Cotton is a good backup and there won't be much dropoff. I didn't mean to deride Cethan Carter at all. He's a good player. I just think Cotton is a very serviceable backup.

 

[NorthWillRiseAgain]

My point is that we'll be fine at TE with Carter out. I think Cotton is a good backup and there won't be much dropoff. I didn't mean to deride Cethan Carter at all. He's a good player. I just think Cotton is a very serviceable backup.

Does Cotton break tackles?

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

My point is that we'll be fine at TE with Carter out. I think Cotton is a good backup and there won't be much dropoff. I didn't mean to deride Cethan Carter at all. He's a good player. I just think Cotton is a very serviceable backup.

We cycle tight ends frequently. Cotton's total number of plays isn't going to increase that much; Foster's will. So, in that sense, Foster is replacing Carter.