Getty ImagesHeading into Nebraska’s game against Wisconsin Saturday, the Cornhuskers will bring a much-improved Taylor Martinez into the Big Ten opener for both schools.
Martinez this season has thrown nine touchdowns against just one interception, ranking first in the conference and 10th in the country in passing efficiency. Numerous observers have been impressed with the growth as a passer the junior has seemingly undertaken, with the notable exception being a defensive member of this weekend’s opponent.
Here is a sampling of Badgers starting defensive end David Gilbert‘s midweek comments when asked about Martinez’s progress:
“It still looks like he’s skipping rocks out there to me.”
“He still can’t throw. I’m just going to say it. He still can’t throw. He’s not going to beat us with his arm.”
Bret Bielema‘s response to Gilbert’s comments?
“He’ll be skipping rocks on the sideline with me for the first play,” the UW head coach said, referring to Gilbert being “benched” for the first defensive snap of the conference tilt. “That’s just not what we are and who we are.”
It appears that Bielema is using Gilbert’s very public ripping of Martinez as a teachable moment for both the player and his teammates.
“The kid is going to learn,” Bielema said. “As a head coach I’ve got to remind my guys all the time that the things we say and the things we put in front of the media… you said it, now you’ve got to play it.”
Clearly he hasn’t been watching Husker games, too busy losing and playing terrible.
Wisconsin was supposed to run away with the Big Ten title. They might not even win their division, when 2 teams are unable to win it, and the other teams are Purdue, Illinois, and Indiana.
Good call dude. Way to look like an idiot.
It’s probably best to not talk smack, when you aren’t very good.
Taylor isn’t throwing like Marino, but he’s not throwing like Taylor last year. He has improved. Film shows it.
Taylor has improved, however when he gets pressured he really scares me. He is also makes some crazy bad option pitches. If we can protect him, and establish a running game, he can rack up some yards. It also doesn’t hurt that his receivers are better this year.
Wisconsin is a great school and they have a great program, but to be quite honest neither team is playing well enough to talk crap.
Agree’d. Even funnier when a team playing as bad as Wisconsin has a player running his mouth.
Key is the defense, they have to play better, wrap up, and keep Taylor on the field. Taylor has to return the favor and keep them off the field. No excuse that offense shouldn’t shred some of the defenses this year.
Is Taylor Martinezzz hurt yet????
Uh, am I missing something? Why is he being benched? He’s right, Martinez is awful.
Just curious…what does benching a player for one down really teach them? This just sounds like a PR thing. I guess having everyone now see the comments he made and the way it makes him look is the real punishment.
Didn’t Wisconsin have to bench their starting QB for poor performance?
If that’s not the pot calling the kettle black I don’t know what is!
For anyone to say Martinez is improving is stating the obvious, because it’s easy to improve when your starting on the ground floor. The Wisky player didn’t say anything, any NFL scout wouldn’t say next year. In terms of development at the QB position Nebraska seems like one of the worse places to go. Unless you just plan to hand the ball off to a decent RB, most of the time. Hey maybe Jacksonville will draft him?
Im a Wisconsin fan… That said, The Badgers are horrible all around this year. You could easly say that they should not have won any of the games this year. They are just not as good as most (including myself) thought they would be this year. I see a 42-17 loss tomorrow. I alse see a 4-5 loss team this year…
Hope Im wrong!!!
Go Badgers!!!
Considering how badly Wisconsin sucks balls this year, you’d think this tard would have the sense to keep his pie hole shut before they get b!tch slapped on Saturday.