Nebraska Football: Finishing the job is important for the offensive line
The entire Nebraska Football team should follow this mentality.
Nebraska Football wants to finish the job. They have made that much clear early in the offseason and throughout spring practices. After a 4-8 mark in the 2018 season, there are certainly a lot of things that were left on the table. However, it seems that the players are beginning to realize that this Nebraska Football team could be really good. With a new coach last season in Scott Frost, I wouldn’t fault the players at all if they were unsure about the team’s direction moving forward. Now, there seems to be a clear blueprint, both of expectations and what it takes to win.
More from Husker Corner
- Former Nebraska football star returns to the program in new role
- Travis Hunter injury uproar has some Nebraska football fans reminding Colorado about Adrian Martinez
- Nebraska Football: Freshman RB in line for big playing time
- Nebraska Cornhuskers News: Heinrich Haarberg has believer in Rhule, more
- Nebraska Football: Matt Rhule faces tough decision between Heinrich Haarberg and Jeff Sims
Much of it starts with the offensive line. Nebraska allowed 30 sacks on the season last year. Although that put them 77th in the country, and although that is not a bad mark by any means, there is certainly room for improvement. With the veteran offensive line slated to step on the field in 2019, that number should improve. It has to, as an inefficient line will be the thing stopping the Nebraska Football offense from functioning on all cylinders.
Matt Farniok wants to get the offensive line clicking on all cylinders again. There were stretches where the play was exceptional last season. However, if they want to contend with the best teams in the Big Ten Conference, they need to be able to put together solid games in stretches, and not just save their best for a few contests. It can certainly be done, and I am excited to see what this line can put together. It will be a pivotal year for the entire offensive unit, and Farniok knows that. He said as much to Parker Gabriel of the Lincoln Journal Star.
"“We have to get bigger, we have to get stronger and faster,” Farniok said. “The games we (lost), we were right there neck-and-neck, and we have to get that. That’s what we’re working on now, is finding that extra step so that instead of being almost there, we are there.”"
Finishing the job is what I am gathering from this. I would say that’s a good motto for the entire team, finish the job. It could make the difference between a 4-8 season and an 8-8 season. Anytime you get quotes like this from an upperclassman leader, it is very encouraging. Especially on the offense of line, where their presence is needed every single game on every single snap, it can only lead to good things in the future. I’m excited to see what this unit can do.
It will be a position I will be watching especially, during the course of preseason camp. Lineman do not get enough love as it is, and I will be excited to see who stands out. I’m sure a lot of the veteran guys will do fine. Rather I am interested to see some of the names we have not heard about or who may be flying under the radar. Especially on the line, those types of players can make a huge impact.