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The last time Nelson started a game coached by Martz was in the 2017 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Running Martz’s intricate offense, the former East Carolina quarterback was his team’s MVP in the game. Martz heaped effusive praise on Nelson after that game and did not hesitate to go back to Nelson after Fleet starter Mike Bercovici struggled in Week 1, still trying to master the many facets of Martz’s offense.
Nelson completed 5 of 10 passes for 68 yards and an interception in his one quarter of action last Saturday. It wasn’t as successful as his Collegiate Bowl outing, when he went 11 for 18, with 102 yards passing, and a 1 yard scoring run, but operating under Martz’s guidance once again last week was like old times.
“It was very similar,” Nelson said. “What you see is what you get with (Martz). He does a great job of pulling out the best from his players. That’s the biggest thing I’ve noticed from him. He knows how to get the best out of you, whether he needs to get on you or pump you up a little bit. The more time we get with him, the better we get.”
Thanks to Martz, Nelson learned one other way he’d need to adapt to life in pro football. The quarterback used to sport a hairstyle that was equal parts 2019 Trevor Lawrence and 2004 Johnny Damon. No more.
“Once I got to (East Carolina) and I saw all these Southern boys with the long hair, I’d figure I’d give it a shot,” Nelson said. “In the NFLPA game, Coach Martz told me he really believed in me, but he also told me I needed to cut my hair. I was like, ‘Really, Coach?’ Then I’d go and spin my wheels in the NFL, so maybe it was the hair.”
Both were areas the coaching staff wanted to improve. The Legends averaged 3.6 yards per play and were 4 for 13 on third down against the Apollos.
“We have shown the ability to improve,” Legends quarterbacks coach Rich Bartel said. “Re-learning is always required from practice to after a game. Now that we had the game, we got a benchmark on what we need to do to get better.”
Bartel, who handles playcalling duties, hopes to propel the run game. He said that having a great rushing attack can open the offense.
“We have to run effectively,” Bartel said. “We can’t put ourselves in second and 11 by getting no gain. Right now, our focus is on positive run plays.”
A positive run game is vital. It allows for Legends quarterback Matt Simms to spread the ball around to different receivers. It also takes pressure off the defense by sustaining long drives.
“I think it’s about extending drives and making sure we duplicate what worked well,” Bartel said. “We also want to make things we didn’t do well a strength. That is the focus of the week.”
Thomas Andrews Jr.