Markese Stepp

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

I don't like calling out any of our players publicly since these are all young guys and 99% of them are doing the best they can. However, I just need to say that it is a damn good thing we had other options at running back this year than Stepp. There is a reason why he was buried on the depth chart at USC and it was not all injury related. For whatever reason, the dude has just not produced. And there were lots of us in the offseason who were counting on this guy to come in and have an immediate positive impact on the running back situation. But it is clear he either does not want to do the work necessary to stay in shape and to learn the offense, or he is just not that good. I liked what I saw from Johnson and Yant. Morrison too. I am especially glad to see Yant emerge since he is a big back like Stepp. Barring injuries, I don't think we will see very much of Stepp at all the rest of the season.

Now watch... Stepp will start against Michigan and rip them up making me look like a fool. But it will be just one more in a long line of my many public humiliations.

 

[John_J_Rambo_rivals315142]

anyone penciling in Stepp as the starter based on one game vs Notre Dame 3 years ago is clueless.

he's a nice depth piece. nothing more.

 

[Shimmer003]

I might be super slow on this, but I get the feeling Scott is stuck between building a culture and winning games now. Seems like we have some talented kids that could help us win now, but if he plays them, it undermines the long term culture. Not saying that’s stepp. But sounds like the case with Yant. Didn’t do what he was supposed to do in the off-season, showed up over weight and Scott didn’t let him play until he fixed it. Could be the case with Stepp and at WR too, but I don’t have that evidence. It looks like things are coming together now, let’s hope it stays that way.

 

[Pennsyhusker_rivals246774]

I might be super slow on this, but I get the feeling Scott is stuck between building a culture and winning games now. Seems like we have some talented kids that could help us win now, but if he plays them, it undermines the long term culture. Not saying that’s stepp. But sounds like the case with Yant. Didn’t do what he was supposed to do in the off-season, showed up over weight and Scott didn’t let him play until he fixed it. Could be the case with Stepp and at WR too, but I don’t have that evidence. It looks like things are coming together now, let’s hope it stays that way.

Yant was overweight and did not know the play book. So I doubt, at that point, that he was talented enough to make a difference. Frost had no choice but to bench him until he got it together. Stepp's biggest issue, as far as my untrained eye can tell, is that he has poor vision and misses holes that are there or, when he does get three or four yards beyond the line of scrimmage, he turns the wrong way and right into defenders. He also goes down pretty easy for a big guy and has no shake and bake. What impressed me about Yant was that he combined his size with a little speed, plus good vision and some hip swivel cutting. He just seems like a far more instinctive runner than Stepp. On the other hand, Stepp, when he has been in, has been the victim of some ****** offensive line play.

 

[tpmcg_rivals137159]

the depth chart has been entirely perplexing.
and i dont know how anyone could've got a feel with some of the blocking we've seen early on.
hopefully, last weekend is start, but i dont see how anyone could annoint anyone or count anyone out, at this point.

 

[donahues17]

I dont think Stepp has done too bad this year. Had 100 yards against Fordham. Even though its Fordham its still 100 yards rushing. Dint remember what his blocking or effort when he doesnt have the ball is like.

 

[cubsker_rivals142943]

he was the first one out to congratulate yant at one point. ran hard when he got a carry or two. don't really see a need to crap on him.

 

[leodisflowers]

Yant was overweight and did not know the play book. So I doubt, at that point, that he was talented enough to make a difference. Frost had no choice but to bench him until he got it together. Stepp's biggest issue, as far as my untrained eye can tell, is that he has poor vision and misses holes that are there or, when he does get three or four yards beyond the line of scrimmage, he turns the wrong way and right into defenders. He also goes down pretty easy for a big guy and has no shake and bake. What impressed me about Yant was that he combined his size with a little speed, plus good vision and some hip swivel cutting. He just seems like a far more instinctive runner than Stepp. On the other hand, Stepp, when he has been in, has been the victim of some ****** offensive line play.

Yeah, you are correct on the vision. He has horrible vision and I think Frost even eluded to it a little bit saying that the backs have had a tendency to just run up on the OL instead of where the hole is. I think Yant has decent vision and Rahmir is playing because he possesses some good vision as well. I also think this is what is hampering Sevion as well. Sevion is young and still has a chance, but you have to be able to see the hole and go.

 

[Walleye 1]

he was the first one out to congratulate yant at one point. ran hard when he got a carry or two. don't really see a need to crap on him.

I don't see it as crapping on anyone. I just think alot of casual fans saw the he was a former 4 star recruit and a transfer from USC and just thought he would come right in and command the rb room. When in reality he is a nice of of depth but was buried at USC for a reason. I think he has had some injury issues throughout his career that maybe hampered his development.

Just my opinion

 

[RedBaloneyPony]

Yant was overweight and did not know the play book. So I doubt, at that point, that he was talented enough to make a difference. Frost had no choice but to bench him until he got it together. Stepp's biggest issue, as far as my untrained eye can tell, is that he has poor vision and misses holes that are there or, when he does get three or four yards beyond the line of scrimmage, he turns the wrong way and right into defenders. He also goes down pretty easy for a big guy and has no shake and bake. What impressed me about Yant was that he combined his size with a little speed, plus good vision and some hip swivel cutting. He just seems like a far more instinctive runner than Stepp. On the other hand, Stepp, when he has been in, has been the victim of some ****** offensive line play.

Our running backs the last few years have had god awful terrible vision on seeing the cutback, good to see yant has it.

 

[TruHusker]

Our OL play, up until last week, has been horrid. I played and coached RB's and there is not always a "hole" that everyone seems to think are there. What you see on TV is a long way from what a RB sees when he gets the ball and is reading through blocks.. Plays are designed to create an opening in an appropriate area at a certain time given pulling linemen and others, TE, etc. How many times have our backs, pick a name, been hit stone cold at the LOS?

I thought Stepp ran well in his few carries last week. His balance is excellent, not sure where that is coming from. It took more than one person to take him down. He has never been a shake and bake guy, even in HS. He is pure north and south which what Frost seemed to be looking for in this crop.

To me, he has actually looked better and held up better than I thought he might have given his lack of usage at USC. Fix this O line, and no it is not fixed yet, your backs are all going to get better.

 

[Suhrreal]

His film against Notre Dame shows his potential. He has known injury issues and some were saying he wasn't even going to be available this fall after his spring game surgery so too early to count him out, IMO.

 

[dinglefritz]

Our running backs the last few years have had god awful terrible vision on seeing the cutback, good to see yant has it.

To be fair, there hasn't been much for holes to cut back to the past couple of years......

 

[Chief Wiggum_rivals246870]

Marvin Scott - guess he is not going to get a shot?

 

[dinglefritz]

Our OL play, up until last week, has been horrid. I played and coached RB's and there is not always a "hole" that everyone seems to think are there. What you see on TV is a long way from what a RB sees when he gets the ball and is reading through blocks.. Plays are designed to create an opening in an appropriate area at a certain time given pulling linemen and others, TE, etc. How many times have our backs, pick a name, been hit stone cold at the LOS?

I thought Stepp ran well in his few carries last week. His balance is excellent, not sure where that is coming from. It took more than one person to take him down. He has never been a shake and bake guy, even in HS. He is pure north and south which what Frost seemed to be looking for in this crop.

To me, he has actually looked better and held up better than I thought he might have given his lack of usage at USC. Fix this O line, and no it is not fixed yet, your backs are all going to get better.

Most fans who haven't played RB don't realize how quickly things come at you when you get the hand off. It isn't as easy as some would think. It's very easy from the sofa with slow motion replay. Love the way Yant delivers a blow to would be tacklers instead of just crumpling like we've seen some of our backs do. He's a bad bad man.

 

[dinglefritz]

Marvin Scott - guess he is not going to get a shot?

Seems to be down the list. He could be dinged up. I like the way he ran the little bit we got to see him last year but I'm kind of thinking he might have been one they were referring to when they said some guys needed to practice more consistently. I think Marvin could start for a lot of P5 teams but you have to want to.

 

[inWV]

Gonna be hard not to play Yant after Sat night. It would seem Rahmir and Yant are now 1a and b, with Sevion and Stepp 2a and b. Rahmir is getting it done in all phases right now. Yant’s stiff arm is quite nice, he’s going to be a load to bring down. But the playbook is advancing now, and he has to know what he’s doing and where he’s going on the plays. He must be showing that in practice.

 

[HUSKERFAN66]

I might be super slow on this, but I get the feeling Scott is stuck between building a culture and winning games now. Seems like we have some talented kids that could help us win now, but if he plays them, it undermines the long term culture. Not saying that’s stepp. But sounds like the case with Yant. Didn’t do what he was supposed to do in the off-season, showed up over weight and Scott didn’t let him play until he fixed it. Could be the case with Stepp and at WR too, but I don’t have that evidence. It looks like things are coming together now, let’s hope it stays that way.

Agree with your first sentence. Only reason I can fathom we haven't seen yant really until now. They stuck to their guns you're not going to play until you get your weight back down. They've sent mixed messages in the past and it didn't fair well. Also another clue that sf will get another year

 

[Dean Pope]

anyone penciling in Stepp as the starter based on one game vs Notre Dame 3 years ago is clueless.

he's a nice depth piece. nothing more.

He wasn't brought in as a transfer to be a depth piece. So I think clueless is a little strong, but I'm sure he wasn't promised anything.

I think the main reason he isn't playing a lot is that he's simply not the same back as he was a few years ago before all of those injuries. He's still got power and heart but he's a step slow.

 

[steinek11]

He wasn't brought in as a transfer to be a depth piece. So I think clueless is a little strong, but I'm sure he wasn't promised anything.

I think the main reason he isn't playing a lot is that he's simply not the same back as he was a few years ago before all of those injuries. He's still got power and heart but he's a step slow.

Stepp probably liked his odds to take the mantle from Mills, a similar style back. He'll be lucky to get 4 carries a game here on out. Yant has hit his stride, Rhamir too. Gotta go with the hot hand

 

[JOHNNY N]

Most fans who haven't played RB don't realize how quickly things come at you when you get the hand off. It isn't as easy as some would think. It's very easy from the sofa with slow motion replay. Love the way Yant delivers a blow to would be tacklers instead of just crumpling like we've seen some of our backs do. He's a bad bad man.

Same guys yell at the TV when Martinez doesn't see a wide open dude.

 

[beaglehusker]

So you don't like to do it but start a thread anyway, ok.

 

[dinglefritz]

Same guys yell at the TV when Martinez doesn't see a wide open dude.

I think QBs are no different that RBs. Some QBs seem to have eyes in the back of their head and have no problem finding open guys. IMO, Adrian doesn't have great "vision" for finding open receivers. That missed opportunity on the first play of OT at MSU was glaring. He was rolling to that side. That should have been a relatively easy find in the middle of the field. That said, getting hit and sacked as much as he has hasn't helped his "vision". Some guys process the visual information seemingly or have better peripheral vision than others. I need the "shrugging shoulders" emoticon here.

 

[inWV]

He wasn't brought in as a transfer to be a depth piece. So I think clueless is a little strong, but I'm sure he wasn't promised anything.

I think the main reason he isn't playing a lot is that he's simply not the same back as he was a few years ago before all of those injuries. He's still got power and heart but he's a step slow.

Stepp did not know of Yant’s possible upside (nor did we) when he decided to transfer. And if the Oline can stay on a trajectory of better play, Stepp will produce when he gets his touches.

 

[dinglefritz]

Stepp probably liked his odds to take the mantle from Mills, a similar style back. He'll be lucky to get 4 carries a game here on out. Yant has hit his stride, Rhamir too. Gotta go with the hot hand

I'm done making predictions about our RBs. I like them all.

 

[JOHNNY N]

I think QBs are no different that RBs. Some QBs seem to have eyes in the back of their head and have no problem finding open guys. IMO, Adrian doesn't have great "vision" for finding open receivers. That missed opportunity on the first play of OT at MSU was glaring. He was rolling to that side. That should have been a relatively easy find in the middle of the field. That said, getting hit and sacked as much as he has hasn't helped his "vision". Some guys process the visual information seemingly or have better peripheral vision than others. I need the "shrugging shoulders" emoticon here.

My point is that the vast majority of people have no clue how hard it is for quarterback to see open receivers down the field. Just because you can see it clear as day on the telecast has nothing to do with what you can see from behind the line of scrimmage with a rush coming.

 

[Mack In Motion]

He'll be lucky to get 4 carries a game here on out. Yant has hit his stride, Rhamir too. Gotta go with the hot hand

Wouldn't be too certain of that. This staff is not afraid to change backs week to week, for better or worse.

 

[TruHusker]

I think QBs are no different that RBs. Some QBs seem to have eyes in the back of their head and have no problem finding open guys. IMO, Adrian doesn't have great "vision" for finding open receivers. That missed opportunity on the first play of OT at MSU was glaring. He was rolling to that side. That should have been a relatively easy find in the middle of the field. That said, getting hit and sacked as much as he has hasn't helped his "vision". Some guys process the visual information seemingly or have better peripheral vision than others. I need the "shrugging shoulders" emoticon here.

I have only been saying this for three years while it was blamed on his shoulder and everything else. Great kid, excellent leader, just has that one weakness, we have to deal with it. People talk like this just happened! REALLY?

 

[Cedric_rivals191091]

I don't like calling out any of our players publicly since these are all young guys and 99% of them are doing the best they can. However, I just need to say that it is a damn good thing we had other options at running back this year than Stepp. There is a reason why he was buried on the depth chart at USC and it was not all injury related. For whatever reason, the dude has just not produced. And there were lots of us in the offseason who were counting on this guy to come in and have an immediate positive impact on the running back situation. But it is clear he either does not want to do the work necessary to stay in shape and to learn the offense, or he is just not that good. I liked what I saw from Johnson and Yant. Morrison too. I am especially glad to see Yant emerge since he is a big back like Stepp. Barring injuries, I don't think we will see very much of Stepp at all the rest of the season.

Now watch... Stepp will start against Michigan and rip them up making me look like a fool. But it will be just one more in a long line of my many public humiliations.

You state that he was buried on the depth chart at USC for reasons not injury related. Source? If it is simply your guess you might want to say so. Also, you say it is "clear" he does not want to put in the work or learn the offense. Based on what? An awful lot of conjecture here without anything of substance

 

[VictoryRed]

Heck our Oline is a work in progress leaving everybody guessing about our RB's. I've been on the Yant bus since the spring game , he just has " it ".

 

[dinglefritz]

My point is that the vast majority of people have no clue how hard it is for quarterback to see open receivers down the field. Just because you can see it clear as day on the telecast has nothing to do with what you can see from behind the line of scrimmage with a rush coming.

DT chasing you and a 6-7 OT in front of you tends to make your vision a little murky no doubt. Again, things come at you sooooo fast at game speed. I remember one play where I was a lead blocker on a toss sweep for our other halfback. Out of the corner of my eye I caught an ILB coming full blast to tackle my trailing buddy. I had maybe a tenth of a second to get my shoulders turned and get enough of him to prevent him from stopping a long TD. I got knocked on my *** but I did my job. It was UUUGLY on film. Coach kept playing it back and forth with the whole team laughing their asses off but hey.... It's funny how painful memories stick with you...

 

[inWV]

From what I've seen, both Rahmir and Yant have some wiggle when needed. That is less apparent with Stepp and Morrison.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

DT chasing you and a 6-7 OT in front of you tends to make your vision a little murky no doubt. Again, things come at you sooooo fast at game speed. I remember one play where I was a lead blocker on a toss sweep for our other halfback. Out of the corner of my eye I caught an ILB coming full blast to tackle my trailing buddy. I had maybe a tenth of a second to get my shoulders turned and get enough of him to prevent him from stopping a long TD. I got knocked on my *** but I did my job. It was UUUGLY on film. Coach kept playing it back and forth with the whole team laughing their asses off but hey.... It's funny how painful memories stick with you...

Yet there are QBs at every level who are able to see these open receivers on a regular basis.

 

[dinglefritz]

Yet there are QBs at every level who are able to see these open receivers on a regular basis.

And there are still guys playing at a very high level in the NFL who sometimes miss wide open receivers. Cousins cough cough... Carr last night on a 3rd down threw short of the sticks to a covered RB when he had a WR open in the middle of the field a couple of yards beyond the markers.

 

[RealTucoSalamanca]

And there are still guys playing at a very high level in the NFL who sometimes miss wide open receivers. Cousins cough cough... Carr last night on a 3rd down threw short of the sticks to a covered RB when he had a WR open in the middle of the field a couple of yards beyond the markers.

C'mon Dingle, I am just saying that there is no need to make hitting open receivers as the most difficult thing a QB will do.

 

[oldjar07]

I might be super slow on this, but I get the feeling Scott is stuck between building a culture and winning games now. Seems like we have some talented kids that could help us win now, but if he plays them, it undermines the long term culture. Not saying that’s stepp. But sounds like the case with Yant. Didn’t do what he was supposed to do in the off-season, showed up over weight and Scott didn’t let him play until he fixed it. Could be the case with Stepp and at WR too, but I don’t have that evidence. It looks like things are coming together now, let’s hope it stays that way.

Idk, Scott can't afford to have good players stuck in the doghouse. I know Brown has the talent to play and be one of our better receivers. His speed alone would help other receivers get open and would really open up this offense. We seem to have a few of these guys every year who are super-talented kids, but Frost can't get them on the field and it's a problem.

 

[73 Red I]

I think QBs are no different that RBs. Some QBs seem to have eyes in the back of their head and have no problem finding open guys. IMO, Adrian doesn't have great "vision" for finding open receivers. That missed opportunity on the first play of OT at MSU was glaring. He was rolling to that side. That should have been a relatively easy find in the middle of the field. That said, getting hit and sacked as much as he has hasn't helped his "vision". Some guys process the visual information seemingly or have better peripheral vision than others. I need the "shrugging shoulders" emoticon here.

Always easy to see the openings after replay.

 

[The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy]

Yant was overweight and did not know the play book. So I doubt, at that point, that he was talented enough to make a difference. Frost had no choice but to bench him until he got it together. Stepp's biggest issue, as far as my untrained eye can tell, is that he has poor vision and misses holes that are there or, when he does get three or four yards beyond the line of scrimmage, he turns the wrong way and right into defenders. He also goes down pretty easy for a big guy and has no shake and bake. What impressed me about Yant was that he combined his size with a little speed, plus good vision and some hip swivel cutting. He just seems like a far more instinctive runner than Stepp. On the other hand, Stepp, when he has been in, has been the victim of some ****** offensive line play.

I think the offenders of lousy O-line play all season were still false starting against NW in garbage time. Good thing they were demoted and the game was out of hand before their lousy play could hurt us!

Sad they are still making dumb mental mistakes as a benchwarmer. Obviously they are not interested in competing back into a starting position! smh

 

[Kakdawg]

I don't like calling out any of our players publicly since these are all young guys and 99% of them are doing the best they can. However, I just need to say that it is a damn good thing we had other options at running back this year than Stepp. There is a reason why he was buried on the depth chart at USC and it was not all injury related. For whatever reason, the dude has just not produced. And there were lots of us in the offseason who were counting on this guy to come in and have an immediate positive impact on the running back situation. But it is clear he either does not want to do the work necessary to stay in shape and to learn the offense, or he is just not that good. I liked what I saw from Johnson and Yant. Morrison too. I am especially glad to see Yant emerge since he is a big back like Stepp. Barring injuries, I don't think we will see very much of Stepp at all the rest of the season.

Now watch... Stepp will start against Michigan and rip them up making me look like a fool. But it will be just one more in a long line of my many public humiliations.

I was never sold on him. He was a bigger back with straightline speed but now he isn't even that big. The speed would be fine if he had any kinda vision whatsoever but he has NONE. I've never seen someone run into the back more than him than I can remember.

I like Rahmir for being tough and staying with it but his vision isn't the best either. Last week was the second time I seen our RBs this year make someone miss (Ervin did it earlier) Crazy thing is it came from our biggest back on the roster.

We give the line a lot of **** and they deserve it but man our RBs vision has been some of the worse that I've seen. I mean all of them minus Yant Saturday. Rahmir made a couple decisive cuts and juke moves finally Saturday as well. The line can only do so much. Once they get you to the 2nd or 3rd level you gotta make a guy miss.


Holla

 

[FargoNDHusker]

I'll venture to say at this point we still don't really know what's going to happen from here out. Rahmir has been the most consistent running/blocking/receiving etc, Yant had a great game against a really bad defense and will likely get a heavy workload this week, Stepp and Morrison haven't done anything to prevent other guys getting some run. If Johnson or Yant have bad games against a really good defense this weekend the whole conversation could shift. This staff clearly doesn't have a true 1 in their eyes and I don't think one game against Northwestern changes much.