Thad in at End, Heyward Slides Over
The depth chart for the Minnesota game is out and it looks like the switch at quarterback last weekend was merely the beginning of several much-needed changes.
Hello!In what will surely be perceived as good news from the fans that have desired a little more out of the Buckeye defensive front, senior Nader Abdallah has lost his starting job with Cam Heyward sliding over into his tackle position. Heyward has seen time at tackle the last two weeks, but this is the first time the position change has ever been formalized in any manner.
Heyward’s vacated end spot is now in the hands of Thaddeus Gibson — the the first pick in the spring game draft back in April. Gibson has always impressed in practice, but after making the move from linebacker to defensive end as a freshman, he got into a bit of trouble for a shouting match with a coach. He worked hard to get out of Tressel and Heacock’s doghouse and saw significant special teams action as well as snaps at defensive end. Against Wisconsin last season, he had a sack and a forced fumble and observers could see his upside from outer space.
The early knock on Gibson this season had been some deficiencies in the run-stopping department, but considering the lackluster play of the defensive line out of the gates this season, that minor hang-up appears tolerable, to say the least. A decent drop coverage guy for an end as well as a fierce pass-rusher, he’ll immediately improve the pressure the front is able to bring and he’ll get a good test with the Gopher’s Adam Weber this weekend.
Curtis Terry looks like he’s finally found a home and will back Lawrence Wilson up, while Robert Rose is listed as Gibson’s backup. Chekwa maintained his hold on a starting cornerback position over Donald Washington in what should be a cautionary tale to future players looking to get into a little somethin’-somethin’.
One other surprise on the defensive side of the ball is Etienne Sabino officially listed as the #2 MLB behind Laurinaitis. Austin Spitler had held that spot for the first four games of the season, but Sabino is forcing his own action.
If Tressel’s sarcastic answer after the Troy game about who the starting quarterback would be going forward left you confused (you’re banned from reading this site if it did), Pryor is listed ahead of Boeckman as the team’s starting quarterback. Ditto for center Mike Brewster, who is officially listed as the starter for the first time in his Buckeye career.
One curious note is the fact that Ray Small is still listed as the backup to Hartline, so maybe his punishment was only a one week thing. If there’s any single game he’s probably itching to get out there and play, it might be this Minnesota game as he was tattooed in that game way back in 2006 (and some would argue that hit has had lasting effects on him).
What’s amazing when you look at the depth chart is how young the team actually is now that some changes have been made. For a group loaded with so many seniors, especially 5th-year guys, the starting 22 only features 8 of them. I’m still holding out hope that Posey makes his move as well and if he can crack the starting lineup by season’s end, that’s all the better.
GJ Tressel. Shake things up and light a fire under the seniors to make them actually work.
Maybe JT should shake up the receiver core with someone not named ‘Brian’.
Hartline is finally progressing, but Robo seems lost. In my opinion, the half-hearted one-armed poor excuse for a catch attempt last week was a sign that A) Robo’s shoulder is limiting his play, and should keep him on the bench,
B) His heart really is not in it, and should keep him on the bench, or
C) It was a protest drop, for fellow captain TB, and should keep him on the bench. I know ‘C’ is a little out there, but seriously did he even try for it?
Also, Beanie is still listed on the depth chart but Rehring is not.
Both are injured and will not play, so why is Beanie still listed?
In the game against Youngstown, Robo bounced off the turf after making a catch in the endzone. He came up in serious pain and really has not been the same ever since.
That game was a painful waste of talent.
It appears JT has realized the obvious… too bad it came in game #4…………….. loyalty only carries you so far, but at some point you must produce to earn that loyalty. After watching the Ohio Game and the USC game, it is evident that A L L positions must be up for grabs and that everyone must continue to improve to keep their starting spot. ROBO appears to be a bit more uninterested/injured (??both??) than we know and he either needs to step it up or move over for the young receivers…. everyone must get over the fact that Boeckman is done and it is Pryor time now (good or bad).
Hopefully this is the beginning of changes that will lead to another Bit-10 title and bowl win…..
I agree with the fact that Robo should probably not be seeing the field, whether it be for injury rehab or lack of any interest to play. He has not shown that he is a captain for this team. I’m not one to get down on our troops, but he is our “#1″ receiver, and is just not showing me anything. There is a long line of great Buckeye receivers, game changing receivers, and he is just not playing like the next one. He has the talent, just not producing……
I think ski hit on soemthing…. Look at who the captains are this year and the (lack of ) leadership displayed by said Captains….
1. Boeckman
2. Laurinaitis
3. Robiskie
4. Jenkins
I submit to you that 3 of the 4 (maybe all 4) are not demonstrative leaders and have not done their jobs as team Captains. Leadership and motivation come from the top down in any orgainization. If Tressel puts the responsibilty on the Captains and they don’t see it through, then there is a problem. I honestly feel that this is the issue and not a lack of talent. OSU recruits a high level of talent year in and year out—- maybe the coaching staff should have more of a say in who the captains are from here on out instead of putting so much weight on the team’s input.
here here on the captains not stepping up to be team leaders so far.
This is my point of view on the receiving corp situation. It mostly coincides with what most of the above comments have said. I really believe that Robo is hurt or just doesnt care. The one handed attempt showed either one or both. What gets me is why at the end of the game he made a great catch in the endzone. Maybe just wanted that touch down. But, he could of had two. Hartline isnt doing to bad but it seems he has more drops already now then he did all of last year. Anyway, I like the idea of playing either Washington or Posey on the outside. Or even both to spread out the defense. They can put Robo and Hart on the inside and maybe get a mismatch with a safety or line backer. Of course thats if we run a 4 WR set. With TP starting now I think having those two wide receivers would be more beneficial. It would cause safeties to play a bit deeper so they dont get burnt and that could open up running lanes. They both run 4.3-4.4. Hart and Robo cant claim that. Robo and Hart to seem like really good possession receivers. They should just find themselves a pocket and sit there catch the ball get the yards for a first down. If they break one great but its time to let these young guys show what they can do.
Maybe Robo doesn’t like this change at QB. Maybe he’s good friends with Todd, and maybe they were looking forward to being captains together. But he’s still a starting captain, and when your fellow commander is taken out, then it’s all the more reason to be that leader you’re supposed to be.
Tressel said that Spitler was out with an injury.
Good catch, Wil. Evidently, Spitler could be out for a couple of weeks.
I think the observation by Steve is very observant… not liking the change at QB and looking forward to a joint rule as team captains… tough shit ROBO… get over it and move on. TP time is here–Boeckman is a good guy and a team player, but he is lacking the next level and is yielding to someone with more talent. Happens all the time–just business. Quit crying and lets win the damn conference title.
Just out, Beanie will be playing Saturday barring any setbacks the rest of the week. He looked good yesterday and had no lingering soreness in his toe. Personnaly, I think it is great that he could be back Saturday but, honestly I’d rather have him back against Wisconsin and not worry too much about this game. I still think JT will limit his touches just to make sure he is truly good to go. We need him for the long haul especially against Wisconsin and Penn State. Maybe Tressel will keep him to 15-20 carries and see how he does and feels after the game.
Hey Will, Hate to say I told you so about Boeckman. Anyway, I told you so.
Can’t wait to see Beanie with Pryor in there…. lets do this!
Beanie, Pryor, Herron and Sayne… can anyone say Pony
I am a buckeye fan first and foremost and just want the team to win regardles of how they do it, and I usually just read the blogs and not comment on them but it seems like about 98% of buckeye fans are in love with this pony formation with Beanie wells and Brandon Saine in the backfield at the same time. I might make up for the other 2% of Buckeye fans that thinks Brandon Saine is way way way overated except for one catch against LSU and one run against a careless Washington Huskie defense he has done absolutely nothing as a running back or kick returner that would show me why he so hyped and that he is gonna do great thing he just does not look natural at all whe he is playing, maybe this is a case of me being a cry baby or maybe it is a case of a guy who runs trackster and plays football instead of a football player who runs track, I don’t know maybe it’s just me
Alex, despite what some are saying about the Pony and Saine in it, I’d bet that most Buckeye fans share your sentiments on him.
Dittos to Alex. Saine has proven track speed, but no proven football speed.
There is a difference, just ask Mo Wells.
“Maybe Robo doesn’t like this change at QB. Maybe he’s good friends with Todd, and maybe they were looking forward to being captains together. But he’s still a starting captain, and when your fellow commander is taken out, then it’s all the more reason to be that leader you’re supposed to be.”
I don’t know – that doesn’t really account for him playing like crap in the OU and (to a lesser extent, because the whole team did) USC games.
I also am not sure what is up with Robo, but last week was only the latest. He dropped a couple of balls during the Ohio U game, was non existent against USC and then had the early drop vs Troy. Since the TD vs YSU, when he walked off with his arm dangling and in obvious pain, he has played timid and looks like he is afraid of getting hurt further. He still can show flashes, (his last TD and the pass called back for penalty as example), but he either needs to do it all the time or be benched.
As for Saine, until he shows he can run for more than 4 yards per carry, then he shouldn’t see the field. He ran for 267 yards last year on 60 carries, but 37 of those came on 1 run at the end of the Washington game when we could have taken a knee, and another 42 came against YSU on 10 carries. That’s 79 of his 267 yards. Otherwise he ran 49 times for 188 yards last year, or 3.8 YPC and no TDs. So far this year he has run the ball 16 times for 54 yards, with 20 of those coming on 5 carries vs YSU again. So taking that away, he has run 11 times for 34 yards or 3.09 YPC. So if you ignore 2 decent performances against YSU and 1 run against Washington, he has 60 attempts for 222 yards or 3.7 YPC and 1 TD. So far he kind of reminds me of Lydell Ross. A kid with great measurables , who only rarely shows it on the field. I know he is only in his 17th collegiate game, but he needs to show something soon, or he will be a 4 year back up.
Don’t overlook us this week, we’re comin’!!!
I don’t think a No-Beanie OSU squad is good enough to overlook anybody but I do find it funny that Gopher-Fan has jumbo coconut balls after quadrupling last year’s Win total against heavyweights Northern Illy, Bowling Green, Montana State and Florida Atlantic.
I have a feeling Gopher Fan is about to find out his team is still pretty sh!tty.
OSU got shi!t stomped by USC, and barely beat Troy and Ohio, who are much much worse than Bowling Green and Florida Atlantic. See you Saturday.