I had planned on and really wanted to do a review of the defense against Purdue because complaining about all of Ohio State's offensive deficiencies can get old and this team played well against the Boilers on that side of the ball. With the challenges this team is facing, it's important to point out what they're doing well and the defense earned its share.
But when I got down to it, I quickly found out that this was taking quite a bit longer than the offensive reviews I've done in the past. Some of it was due to the fact that I had never done a defensive one before, but it was also a little trickier picking out the actors on defense with the camera following the offense. Didn't catch that nickel back's number before the snap? Tough luck.
Anyway, I'm hopefully a little prepared for the next attempt, but this is what I took away from watching film of the defense against Purdue:
Heacock likey. Abdallah got that first sack and the rest of the line stepped up.
Malcolm Jenkins is a Stone Cold Killer
Easily the best game of the year out of him. On the very first Purdue offensive play, he recorded a solo tackle on Sheets while getting blocked, holding a nicely set up swing pass to Sheets to two yards. Three plays later and his blocked punt springs Sabino for the only points the Buckeyes would need on the afternoon. He got in so quickly on the punt that he actually had time to adjust his angle to come across the foot of the punter. It's a shame we'll only get to watch him for six more games, but Chekwa is going to be special as well.
Man Coverage is Back in Fashion
Saw plenty of man on the afternoon. And blitzes out of it, even. In fact, Freeman blitzed out of man coverage on two of the first three plays when Purdue had the ball. Blitzes out of this formation were used all day to force early throws out of Painter as well as support the run defense. For the most part, it worked. I'm not sure if this is a Purdue thing or if Heacock has seen the light, but for one afternoon at least, it was a lot of fun to watch.
Hines on Runs, D-Wash on Passes
As expected, the Buckeyes employed quite a bit of nickel coverage against the Boilermakers. When down and distance indicated a probable running down, Hines was in the game as the 5th defensive back. When things got to 2nd and six or so, Donald Washington came out. As a result of this, Homan hardly saw the field, finishing with just one tackle for the day.
Is the Line Turning a Corner?
It was Purdue and all (particularly the 2008 Purdue team, which had just one touchdown in its previous 12 possessions coming in), but I am getting the feeling that Gibson is having an energizing effect on his linemates. At this point, he's just about good for one turnover per game and it's almost like the rest of them have come out of their slumber and realized they wanted to be part of the fun. The Wilson injury is a killer and they still struggle sometimes when teams run it up-the-gut at them, but there's a lot to be encouraged about. Quick question, though -- was the growth of the interior of the line retarded a bit by going against Rehring-Cordle-Person so often in spring and fall workouts?
Comments
"Quick question, though — was the growth of the interior of the line retarded a bit by going against Rehring-Cordle-Person so often in spring and fall workouts?"
Simply.............yes
Malcolm Jenkins is quickly becoming my favorite all-time Buckeye.
I've been contemplating that last question about the lack of growth from the DL. People naturally play up to their competition, but when you have our OL vs our DL in practice, there's not much room for growth on either end really.
I noticed we played man quite a bit against Purdue - that's why MJ and others were right on top of the receivers once the ball got in their hands. It's also why we held Purdue to 3 stinkin' points and why Painter struggled so much.
I'm not calling for man every play, but some balance would be nice. We've got some of the best corners in the country and hanging them back 10 yards is wasting them. I don't recall a single big pass play given up in that man coverage against Purdue, but I could be wrong.
And yes, I think the reason both lines are soft is because they were engaging in pillowfights all offseason and the offensive line probably got manhandled.
Oh, and Thad Gibson is a badass. I really think he's the next Vern.
Maybe, minus the absolutely ridiculously sized arms.
I've said this before but I really do think Chekwa is the best open-field tackler on the team, even better than Jenkins (which is saying something). I believe that's why Donald Washington is no longer a starter.
the ohio state university - home to the best thad's in college sports.
I'm surprised that Thad Gibson is still listed at 240 lbs. I know he's a converted Linebacker, but he looks bigger than that, and he definitely plays bigger than that.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c...
oh jesus christ. is this the seniors trying to save their collective asses from losing their spots to more hungry and talented underclassmen or do they truly believe The Todd is a better fit? I gotta think its the former.
i think you should devote an entire entry into your last thought - mentioned this in a post i made a few weeks past in regards to the trojans having 'competition tuesdays'.
two little girls pushing each other around might consider each other stiff competition.
good stuff as always - thanks!
He's gotta be bigger than 240 man, he's an absolute beast out there. Jenkins is easily my favorite buckeye cornerback of all time, but it's really hard to place him ahead of Hawk, Spielman, and Katzenmoyer in my heart of hearts. Also, I've really liked Matt Wilhelm too.
I agree with Chekwa comment. He's gonna be a stud, if he isn't already. My all-time Buckeye man-crush has to Eddie. The picture of him running away from the entire Notre Dame defense is a thing of beauty. Plus, the National Championship nachos are my all-time favorite appetizer.
Emac, it's funny you mention the picture of Eddie George burning Notre Dame - I have a picture on the wall in this room, framed, of Antonio Pittman scoring the clincher in the '06 Fiesta Bowl. Behind him, with one arm raised in the air and a fist clenched, is Eddie George, screaming at the top of his lungs.
Too bad Antonio wound up on such a bad team in the Rams. When it comes to all-time favorite Buckeye backs, I think Antonio's massively underrated, especially considering he came after the dark days of Lydell Ross.
I agree Pittman was underrated he was a great back here, big plays and a tough runner one of my five favorites. Watching replay of MSU vs Northwestern game on ESPNU and Ringer is a great back it will be good to see Homan on field alot and see if Russell or Coleman and can make some plays up around the line of scrimmage but i am worried about play action.
Don't be too worried about the play action. Hoyer has a tendency to over throw his mediocore receivers. Mark Dell is good. The TE White is good too. But calling them good would put Hartline just below good at decent and Robo at pretty good.
I live up here in EL and have great respect and appreciation for the Spartans but OSU should can easily and should win this weekend.
All time fav buckeye... Antoine Winfield. He is, pound for pound, the best OSU player I've seen. Dude's a badass.
MSU has two TEs: Gantt and Celek. Gantt has been the more productive of the two. Also, I watched the MSU-NU game, and WR Cunningham has stepped up for Dell. Outside of an almost sure TD drop, he seems like a legit threat.
Josh, Winfield is #1 for me as well. Easily the best Buckeye pound for pounder.
But there's good news -- he has sons. The Little 'Toine Legacy Pipeline:
Off the field, Winfield mostly hones his paternal instincts by hanging out with his wife, Erniece, and their three sons, Antoine Jr., 8; Austin, 5; and Ethan, 2.
LINK (PDF)
Josh, Jason,
WORD. Winfield was freakin incredible. I love Jenkins, and he's easily the best since 'toine, but there was something about that little dude...what was he, like 5'3 and 110lbs? It sure did seem like it, but he laid serious wood. That guy sold every fiber of his body out on every single play. I have distinct memories of him flying through the air-both feet off the ground-punishing a running back dumb enough to take a sweep out wide against Winfield. Dude was awesome.
Speaking of other awesome corners, forget not that a fellow named Shawn Springs also once turned his headgear into a silver bullet.
Damon Moore and Mike Doss weren't too bad either. But I'd still put Jenkins above them...and yes, I know they were safeties, not corners.
So, in sum...Jenkins is good, better than every DB since Winfield (Moore, Clements, Plummer, Doss, Fox), but I'd struggle to say he's above the likes of Winfield and Springs.
And #5 is going to be pretty good. Why, though, can no TV commentators ever get his name right? Chim-i-dee-Cheek-wah is w-r-o-n-g...
I'll probably take some flack for this, but I've always been partial to Chris Gamble. He gave up on some plays and burned us a couple of times (hello, Wisconsin 2003), but he was the sole true skill player Athletic threat on that 2002 team. Jenkins was more of a complete receiver and less of a burner. Gamble playing both ways, in those heated games during that season; he was an animal to play 120 snaps. And he saved our ass several times that season. I won't call him the best ever, but the guy definitely deserves credit as one of the key and often unsung components of that National title run.
I heard that Matt...He was special. It speaks volumes about him that he still starts in the league at a position he didn't start playing in college until halfway through his, what? next to last season?
Not sure if he was the only guy on that team playing straight outta the athlete bag, there were a couple DLineman that were monster athletes on that team too. And Cie Grant...
Gamble is anything but unsung, including an animal.
Lest we not forget the fortitude of one Will Allen, because where there is a Will Allen, there is a way.
For sure Dirty 6, i agree with the D-lineman being sick athletes, but I was keeping that comment qualified to just the players at the skill positions during that season
Don't forget Archie.
I personally am a big Doss fan. Its to bad he didnt do much in the pros. Also, did anyone see the game Winfield had for Minnesota last week against the Saints. Freaking amazing. He is still lighting people up. I never was a big fan of Gamble, he has turned on a bit in the pros though. He has done well for himself. The one player I remember and was a big fan of was Na'il Diggs. He was a player. I dont know maybe its the last name but I liked watching Diggs paly with Kat back in the day.
Yeah, Diggs was a pretty special linebacker. He totally needed another year at OSU, I always thought he jumped kinda early. Pretty good though.