Notes: 'Old Taylor' is back, healthier

CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD Taylor Martinez has been slowed by an ankle sprain, but offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said the QB is close to 100 percent healthy. LINCOLN ? Quarterback Taylor Martinez is apparently practicing like his old self again. Now, Nebraska will need him to play like it.The redshirt freshman sprained an ankle against Missouri Oct. 30, and he's supposedly been getting healthier since then.The NU coaches have always been optimistic about Martinez's recovery, though the talented playmaker didn't play at Iowa State and was limited against Kansas. Their positive assessments continued Wednesday after practice.Offensive coordinator Shawn Watson said Martinez is close to 100 percent and should be fine for Saturday's trip to Texas A&M.?He's accelerating, he's making cuts on a dime, he's looked really good this week,? Watson said. ?It's like having old Taylor back.?Joneses keeping up at right tackleStarting right tackle D.J. Jones suddenly has a real backup, and Watson noticed a difference in practice.Junior Marcel Jones, who had been battling a back injury, played for the first time against Kansas last weekend and he's now splitting practice reps. It's given D.J. Jones some extra rest, while providing the first-teamer with a little motivation to keep working hard.?Having Marcel back is big. Our practices are different right now,? Watson said. ?D.J.'s a totally different player. I saw it on film (Tuesday) and in practice (Wednesday).?Watson not surprised Taylor is coachingIt's no surprise to Watson that former Husker quarterback Zac Taylor is pursuing a coaching job.Taylor doesn't have a full-time assistant spot at Texas A&M, but he's listed as an offensive quality-control aide. On game days, he has the responsibility of coordinating the Aggies' play-calling signals.Taylor was the starting quarterback at Nebraska in 2005 and 2006. He led NU to a 28-27 win at Texas A&M as a senior. During his playing career, Taylor possessed all of the necessary traits to join the coaching profession, Watson said.?He was made to coach,? NU's offensive coordinator said. ?He'll be a star in this business.?Huskers bracing for Aggies' MillerNebraska is not only bracing for the No. 1 rushing defense in the Big 12 but also the presence of Texas A&M defensive end-outside linebacker Von Miller.Miller was an All-Big 12 selection last year and the preseason co-defensive player of the year for 2010. Through 10 games, he has six sacks and 11 tackles for losses.?We've been studying him on film and I think he's a terrific player, probably one of the best I'll go against all year,? NU offensive tackle Jeremiah Sirles said. ?I can't say enough about how good he is and I'm excited to go against him.?Miller led the Big 12 with 17 sacks last season and four forced fumbles.?You've got to have the same motor as he does,? Sirles said. ?You've got to match his intensity, because if you let off the gas pedal and he's still going, he's going to get around you and he's going to hit the quarterback and he's going to make a play.?North crown at stake, again, at A&MNebraska tight end Mike McNeill approved of the call four years ago.The Huskers went to their two-minute offense and drove for a late touchdown to win 28-27 at Texas A&M in 2006. They clinched the Big 12 North with a pass from Zac Taylor to Maurice Purify.?I actually was calling for a fade to Maurice Purify,? said McNeill, who was redshirting and didn't make the trip. ?That's what I was saying. And sure enough that's how we won.?NU has won one Big 12 North title since (2009), but McNeill realizes how 2010 is setting up the same as 2006. A win Saturday night and the Huskers are headed for the Big 12 championship game.?I was just telling one of the strength guys that it's come full circle,? he said. ?My first year we got a chance to go to A&M and win the North, now as a senior I got a chance to go to A&M and win the North. It's going to be fun.?? Jon Nyatawa and Rich Kaipust Copyright �2010 Omaha World-Herald�. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.

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