Offensive Coordinator Shawn Watson

Nebraska Football Weekly Press Conference
Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, Neb.)
Pre-Big 12 Championship Game vs. Oklahoma

 

On Oklahoma's offense and keeping their defense off the field
"It's a good defense for them. They're an up-tempo offense. They do a great job getting a lot of plays off. Keeping the ball and possessing the ball is important on our part."

On if they ever thought about mimicking their up-tempo offense
"We've thought about doing it. We've actually, in our no-huddle tempo, we have that kind of tempo, but we're still developing a younger player at quarterback. We've been a little bit slower in our development in it. We have a similar type of tempo. They are majoring in it because they have a veteran quarterback, and he is pretty handy at executing that style of offense. It's something we hope to grow to."

On what this game means in terms of making the season successful
"When we started the season, the goals are always the player's goals. Our goal as a team has always been, because they said it, was to be the Big 12 champions. It's important, obviously, for our players because they've worked all winter, all summer, worked through the season. It's an important game for them and for all of us."

On the offense now compared to going into the game last year
"We're totally different. We're healthy, healthy on the offensive line to begin with, healthy at tailback, it's a totally different make-up because of where we were at this time last year and where we are today. We're obviously still working through quarterback with Taylor (Martinez), it's just a totally different style of offense that we're running a lot to do with our health and the direction we were able to take."

On injuries to players
"It's just part of the game, every season there is adversity. Usually the adversity that comes up for a coach and a team is injuries. It's how you manage them and how you handle them that counts. I've always believed this; you have to tweak yourself to manage wins. We've been able to do that, sometimes it hasn't been real pretty but we've found a way to do it. We've won as a team, which is putting every aspect into it, kicking, offense, defense, and found ways to win."

On the 20-hour week becoming an issue
"Not really.  You teach things based on schemes, or concepts or principles; however you would like to refer to it. Really nothing changes for our offensive line, how we use the different players or pieces is what changes. We have enough scope and enough vision during spring ball, during two-a-days and during training camp and as we develop into the season, to keep those things handy and always out there in front of our players, so that when we do make adjustments, adjustments we may make during the season because of an injury for example, it's an easy tweak. I think the scheme allows us to do that, how we set ourselves up and how we prepare ourselves in advance of a season, spring ball and training camp being those two periods. "

On how far Cody Green has come
"He's a totally different player. I think you can see every time he walks out onto the field, his demeanor has changed. I thought he managed a really good game this past week. He did a really nice job on the passing game. We didn't ask him, obviously, to do a lot, but he was pretty on target with everything he did. His confidence just continues to grow and the confidence his teammates have in him and what he's doing. Cody is a totally different player from a year ago to what he is today."

On what he needs to see from Taylor Martinez in practice to know he can contribute Saturday
"He needs to be able to run our offense."

On if there is a potential of sitting Martinez during the Big 12 Championship for a bowl game
"Not really. We're going to keep it day to day and just see how far Taylor goes and what he can and can't do. If need be, I think Cody, obviously is playing good ball right now and Zac (Lee) is healthy again, has been on the mend, but is healthy now and ready to go. I feel good about our quarterback situation."

On if he would feel more comfortable if they commit to a starting quarterback on Thursday or Friday
"We'll do whatever is necessary. Bo and I are on the same page, we'll do whatever is necessary. We build our plans; both guys can do equally what we want to get done in a plan. We always have Plan A and Plan B ready, always. It gives us the affordability to use time."

On what he expects Martinez to do today
"Every day (athletic trainer) Mark (Mayer) is pushing him a little more each day. Today I'm sure he'll be out of it (the boot) and moving around a bit. We'll see what we can get."

On Oklahoma's defensive end Jeremy Beal
"Great player, I think he is one of the best players in our league defensively and especially at his position. He is a kid that plays with a lot of speed, gets to the football, a really good football player. He's been a good football player for a number of years. I think in this year in particular, you really feel him on the field. When you watch film, he is a good player. He's like the Von Miller from Texas A&M, he reminds us of him."

On how he would like the threat of Rex Burkhead throwing the ball impact how teams defend them
"Just knowing that they can. When you know that there is a passing option there and we're not afraid to use it, it kind of makes you think a little bit more about how you play that specific package. We've done a nice job, as we've tweaked ourselves personnel-wise, things that coaches would look for, we've adjusted ourselves so we hide our intentions. That's helped us out and it's helped us out using him as a thrower."

On the scrutiny that the offensive coordinator at Nebraska goes under
"It's just part of the deal. It's that way everywhere; it's just the way it is.  You don't worry about those things because those things are things we control in our room. We work hard to put together plans and we don't worry about it, at least I don't, I could care less."

On why it is that way everywhere
"I think that is everywhere though, it can be either side of the ball. It's just the way our world is today."

On if last year's offensive struggle in the Big 12 Championship Game inspired players this year
"Yeah, absolutely."

On the offensive line and the lack of run last year, how he's seen it progress this year
"They've come a long way. I think obviously, it's such a different dynamic.  That's where you have to begin, the dynamics are so different. Now you have 11 guys that are actually up and working. Depth is a huge factor. The younger players that weren't even involved last year have added to that and added competition. The whole makeup of that position in particular is totally different."

On how the dynamic of a conference championship game differs from the regular season
"I think in the championship game the obvious thing is that the atmosphere is just different. It's a championship atmosphere. You feel it in your preparation and week's work. There is a championship at the end and that is what makes it special. There is an electricity that is in the air, which is the best way to describe it. There is a lot of excitement; you're going to have a national audience. The stakes for a championship is the thing that makes it special."

On if he second-guesses the offensive coordinator when he watches a game on TV
"No, never. You just don't. There are things that happen that you don't know. There are a lot of things going on behind the scenes that you don't know. Everybody manages their situation. The objective is to manage wins and what it takes to win. Sometimes you have a quarterback who is ready, sometimes you don't, a guy who is developing, you try and protect him or you have injuries in key position that handle the football, whether it be receiver or running back, whatever it is. You have to manage it. Unless you know the man's plight, you don't (second guess). I understand what goes on in the business."

On if he gets e-mails from fans
"No, I don't. I wouldn't read them if they came in."

On how much of a short field do they give Alex Henery
"Alex is a huge weapon. You get Alex inside the 35 yard line, you have points. Alex adds a lot to how you manage the pre-red zone and the red zone and what you do. Alex is a huge weapon because he is automatic, I've only been around a couple that are like him. He's pretty much automatic points."

On when was the last time he didn't know if Alex would make a kick
"Never, really. When we put him out there we know what his distance is. We know going into a game where he is good at, based on the conditions more than anything else in an outdoor stadium especially. I don't even think twice about it, Alex making a field goal. I know he will."

On playing Joe Broekemeier
"Joe had put together two really good weeks of practice and played really well for us. You could just feel him on the practice field, you saw it on tape. Really he deserved the opportunity to get out there and play. He would have, no doubt in my mind, played earlier for us had he not been injured. He's had somewhat of an injury-plagued spring and training camp and even during the season he's battled injuries. This was the first time we really had him healthy. Our players would tell us during the winter and during the summer, what an impact he was making on seven-on-seven or drills or whatever they were doing. Joe's always had the talent, he is just a playmaker. You could see it; we've just never really had him healthy. Having him back and healthy over the last two weeks especially, we've felt him in practice and saw it on film. He deserved the opportunity to play and won that chance."

On Oklahoma's defense
"It's a lot to do with the scheme and the talented players that they have. They do a great job of coaching those things. The scheme is obviously tied into tackles for losses and turnovers as well as the players that are playing. They have good scheme and talented players."

On what it's like to be part of this type of finale
"It's a really awesome opportunity to be honest with you because throughout football there are only a couple of rivalries and teams you look to and say when those two schools get together it's a special get together. Nebraska and Oklahoma throughout the ages has been there. To play Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game is an awesome experience."

On the impact of Niles Paul's injury to the offense
"We do a lot of things with him and targeting him and getting him involved. Losing him, it stings you a little bit, but the other part is you have good players behind him and it's their turn to step up. That is what Joe did last week. He stepped up when called upon. That is what players are supposed to do, step in and serve their role. That's what I thought Joe did a great job of. You miss Niles because of all that he's given you and what he's put into it, but you just have to move on. That is what we do, we move on. Getting back for the bowl game, that will be awesome."

On if he's ever had to drastically switch an offense during the season like last year to this year
"No, it's what we had to do. You don't bat an eye; you just do what you have to do. How we put ourselves together in the very beginning is what allows us to do that without it being a huge transition for everybody in the building, for all our players. We've kind of kept our scope broad enough to where we'll able to do that and not disrupt us, never like we had to last year, no."

On if Nebraska's number of rushes and passes reflects his personality
"Not really, it's just where we're at. It's developing a young quarterback; we're developing Taylor and still developing Cody. You want to be balanced and my nature is to be balanced. As we move along and they develop, you'll see more balance."

On how Rex Burkhead has developed in the wildcat
"Rex is a unique player, he brings a lot to the table with his ability to pick up whatever. Like I said, he could pick up a golf club and be good at it in two weeks. He is a player who has that unique feel for football, for the game. Having background as a quarterback obviously aids him and helps us. It's a real easy thing to do in terms of developing that aspect with Rex because he's been there and has done it. He allows you to do a lot more with it than maybe some other players would because of his experience in it and his understanding of the game, his ability to transition into whatever you ask him to do. He gets it, you teach it to him on the board and he takes it right to the field and does it the first time perfect. He is just a unique player and has a great understanding for the game."

On if they thought about using the wildcat in last year's Big 12 Championship
"Not because of the tailback situation, Rex had just come off an injury and Roy (Helu Jr.) was beat up. We just didn't have the pieces at the time."

On what a win on Saturday and a BCS bowl would mean for the program
"All those things obviously are big. Being in a BCS game is everybody's goal. It would be a huge step for us, because every year we've continued to get better and we've had to work through some issues as we've gone along, but we've gotten to where we want to be."

On why Taylor doesn't have a headset on when he's not playing and is on the sidelines
"Sometimes what I've done with him is tell him to watch the game. I always talk to him, usually the first guy I do talk to is him and then after that I'll talk with Cody, for example this past Saturday and ask him what he's seen. I try to keep his mind clear so he can see it and make sure he is seeing the things he needs to see as a quarterback from that perspective. I'm always trying to develop him."