If a dog is going to bite, he's gonna bite as a pup (AP Photo)The first day of fall practice saw the Buckeyes working in shorts and Tressel speaking to the press (video) for the first time since the Big Ten media event in Chicago. For a fanbase starving for information, today's fix hit the spot.
As Keith pointed out in the comments yesterday, Terry was indeed permanently moved to fullback, opening the way for Ross Homan to grab an early lead in the WLB battle.
With the quickness that this announcement was made, I'm envisioning Jamar the 2nd blowing holes in the line for Beanie all year long (he looks freakin' huge). Whaley and crew were more than adequate last season, but it's been a while since a Martin or Sualua were destroying linebackers on a regular basis. (Just imagine how much more effective that stiff arm will be if he can save its use for DBs...)
The Buckeye offense may look a lot like this when they line up for that first play of the opener:
| Robiskie | Boone | Rehring | Cordle | Person | Browning | Hartline | ||
| Boeckman | Washington | |||||||
| Terry | ||||||||
| Wells | ||||||||
Given the fact that it will be the Penguins of Youngstown State lining up against this offense in the opener, there's probably a better chance we'll see two tight ends, but you get the point.
The third receiver spot is still wide-open, and chances are it may remain that way, with several players getting looks well into the season. Still, I'm pulling for Taurian Washington. I think I've seen him catch about three balls in his career (including spring games) and all three have gone for six. One wideout that probably won't be featured in that group is Devon Torrence -- he's working exlusively with the cornerbacks and will be looking to find a spot on that side of the ball.
Not surprisingly, Pryor's name came up early and often. When asked if he could see snaps in the opener, the response was downright senatorial, if not illuminating: "if he earns it." You could tell how giddy the press were as they informed Tressel that Pryor wasn't wearing a black jersey like the other quarterbacks (Pryor quickly changed).
The two Dublin kids were held out of drills. Mike Adams is still recovering (quite speedily) from surgery and Jake Stoneburner was also shelved, but Tressel maintained that the team was free of any serious injuries.
| Heyward | Larimore | Denlinger | Wilson | |||||
| Freeman | Laurinaitis | Homan | ||||||
| Chekwa | Jenkins | |||||||
| Coleman | Russell | |||||||
The first team defense should look like the unit shown to the right. A pretty sick unit -- even excluding Donald Washington and his 20 starts at cornerback. Washington and tackle Doug Worthington's names came up right off the bat and trying to parse Tressel's words ("[he] has to get over some hurdles, but Doug's a good kid") I'd guess that Washington is out the first two games, while Worthington will probably have to sit the opener. Nothing firm was given and this is just my own opinion -- not based off of any super-secret inside stuff, but we'll probably all be the wiser in the next 10 days or so.
Homan at the WLB spot is interesting. He played a ton as a true frosh backing up Kerr and actually finished third among linebackers in tackles that year. Injuries gobbled up his season last year, but as redshirt sophomore's go, he's pretty damn seasoned. Freeman will be moving to the strong side, so the future trivia question of "Who replaced Larry Grant at linebacker?" just took a tricky turn.
All the talk about the offense and the defense, but today's sessions were special teams only. The Buckeyes, looking to improve upon their dreadful return numbers last season, figure to give Tressel's favorite aspect of the game plenty of time this year. Saine and Boom were singled out as looking great on kickoff returns, while Tressel offered that he believes Ray Small is as good as any returner in the country on punts. The Ghost may find his niche after all, but as Tressel also mentioned, the upfield team needs to create lanes for him to really blow up.
Finally, a bit of a downer, but Shaq Rowell didn't qualify and will look to get back to OSU in December if all goes well. I know how much he really wanted to be a Buckeye, so hopefully he'll be back in a few months.
Comments
I like how Sanzenbacher was the first name out of Tressel's mouth when pressed for a third wideout.
I can't believe how big Curtis Terry looks!! He could be a huge, pleasant surprise at FB this year.
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The first day wasn't much to see. Pretty vanilla. That photo link doesn't begin to convey just how broad Curtis Terry has become. He's put on a good twenty pounds. Just massive.
Sanzenbacher looks like he might indeed have the inside track on the third WR slot, but I'm still impressed by Washington. He's fluid, has good hands, and is elusive in coverage. He doesn't go over the middle well, though, and Sanzenbacher does.
I'm not sold on Sanzenbacher. Too small to play WR on a team with championship aspirations. Think USC has any white midgets playing wideout for them?
I heard James Scott isn't at camp. Maybe thats why we're recruiting so many DB's.
boeckman fett,
We should probably just put in all those calvin johnsons and randy mosses we have roaming the sideline.
Boeckman Fett-
While of Cuban descent, Gonzo was a small WR and he was mostly white. I have to disagree with you a bit, I think Sanzenbacher could be very effective, especially over the middle. He can catch the ball consistently in traffic, he will have a spot on the field.
Although, I still dream of Washington's catches in the spring game. Isn't nice to have pre-season discussions on who the 3rd wide-out will be, since there are 4-5 legitimate contenders.
Dane is 5'9" or 5'10" and 170 when wet. How long will he last going over the middle?
Washington: 6'2", 180
Posey: 6'3", 195
Stoneburner: 6'5", 230
I'm just saying...
We can talk about wideouts all day long but whether or not this team can win it all doesn't hinge on the 3rd WR, it hinges on whether or not Heacock will man up on the outside or continue to lose playing zone against elite teams. Of course, this can only be done if the DL proves it can get enough pressure without the aid of blitz to help Heacock grow a pair.
I see what you are saying...I just think Todd may use the middle of the field more this year and Dane seems to be able to find the open spot and catch it in traffic. I guess that is a feature of this team though, so many WR's Tressel can throw in there.
However, as Principal Skinner stated, none of this matters if OSU's defense plays that soft zone against the speedier teams.
Boeckman Fett- Do you envision any WR's redshirting this year? There is a log jam.
Amen, Principal Skinner!!
As for the offense, I think we will see DeVier Posey on the field more than a little bit. He is big and fast, fast, fast.
But not as fast as Brandon Saine.........he has to get at least 10-12 touches per game.
Dane will be fine. I don't care how big he is as long as he catches the balls that are thrown to him.
Principal Skinner,
Mark Dantonio used a soft zone (often with 15 yard cushions) in the 2002 National Championship Game against Miami.
The difference was that the line stopped the run, the linebackers picked up everything else, and Miami obliged by throwing downfield (much like Ohio State tries to do). Florida and LSU picked up 5-10 yards at a time, something Miami never would have done.
Does that make FLA and LSU cowards? Maybe. But they were winning cowards.
Dantonio had to play Gamble and company off a little bit out of respect for Andre Johnson. Far as I can tell, UF nor LSU had an Andre Johnson.
TP looks nasty in that silver helmet.
Why is Ohio State playing youngstown state. They could have at least scheduled a BCS team
Vest is paying back, Nick. We won't see a 1-AA team again anytime soon. Next year is Navy & New Mexico State, following year is Marshall and Eastern Mich., year after that we have not scheduled 12th game yet and the year after that is Cal & UAB.
Those are all in addition to our usual Ohio MAC school and 1 Top 10 team.
Actually Principal Skinner if the D-line was able to get to the QB or stop the run then there would be no need to man up on the corners. Manning up on the corners would allow more pressure from the safeties and LB's to help out the DL.
Not too hard to block 4 d-linemen when you know the LB's and DB's are sitting back and not coming.
Scheme has to change.
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1) Heacock must do his HOMEWORK - this guy doesn't pressure Chris Leak when everyone knows if you hit Leak or pressure him he folds and makes mistakes in one game. THEEnnnn, turns around the next year and brings the house against Flynn in key situations where they need big plays and of course they make them.
2) Yeah - the receiving core is very suspect. All 3! You have to create some type of space/separation when you play against teams with speed. I like Robiskie and Hartline as players, but come on... No separation - no completions. As for the little guy picking up the 3rd spot. It'll be cute until we play another SEC team because they will usually be winning. However, once we get in a real dog fight and someone has to make a BIG play, I'm not excited about passing to a LITTLE guy. sorry.
3) Finally - whatever the plan is... STICK TO IT. Don't abandon the RUN like we like in BOTH Championship games. Stay Focused on the ennntiirree gaaamme plan. Don't panic. STAY FOCUSED! If you're NOT going to stay focused, then play Prior and Maurice Wells and open it up and try to score a LOT of points and keep the defense off balance.
When it doubt - see item #1(maybe just fire Heacock all together)? The game may have passed him by?
"Dane is 5′9″ or 5′10″ and 170 when wet. How long will he last going over the middle?
Washington: 6′2″, 180
Posey: 6′3″, 195
Stoneburner: 6′5″, 230
I’m just saying…"
But if you don't have the balls to get the ball in the middle that size does you nothing!
TLB
Navy, New Mexico State, Marshall and Eastern Michigan. Those are not exactly big name teams.
But they aren't 1-AA either
[...] you probably know by now, suspensions were confirmed for Washington and O’Neal. The press had attempted to ascertain the status of the two players when they spoke with Tressel on Monday, but he deftly moved the [...]
Boeckman Fett: you are wrong about Dane Sanzenbacher's size. He is not THAT small. He was 5' 10" and 180lbs coming out of high school, so I guess he's shrinking if you facts are correct.
But the kid is fast as hell, he has GREAT HANDS, and he's a smart player. I personally think he's a better player than Taurian Washington, but I am biased. I saw him play in high school at Toledo Central Catholic, and he carried the team on his back on the team's march to the state championship.
He is every bit as good, if not better than Anthony Gonzalez, and there are many similarities. Gonzo was about the same size and speed(fast), and both have great hands. BUT, one major difference: Dane has MORE HAIR. LOL!
I am a huge supporter of this kid, and if Tressel will give him the playing time, he will not be disappointed.
[...] time is Devon Torrence. Torrence, of course, came to Ohio State as a wideout last season, but was moved to cornerback at the start of fall camp due to the talented crowd at the receiver [...]
"Not too hard to block 4 d-linemen when you know the LB’s and DB’s are sitting back and not coming.
Scheme has to change."
TLB, that might be, but Miami still couldn't do it. And then when Wilhelm or Grant did blitz, Ken Dorsey was getting annihilated. Poe is absolutely right. As has been stated, it's up to the front four to disrupt things so that the opposing offense has to play into our hands.