An Extremely Early Look at the ‘09 Defense
Thaddeus Maximus is backAs a quick update to the question on juniors that might be considering an early departure, Ken Gordon spoke with Hartline Sunday afternoon:
I just spoke with him, and he’s still in the process of making up his mind. He said he has a few things he needs to bounce off his family and his fiancee before making a decision.
Not much to take away from that, but he is approaching a couple of events that may tip his decision:
In any case, the man redshirted in 2005, so he’s been at OSU for four years. He is getting married in May and will graduate in June, so he may view this as a logical stepping-off point for the next phase of his life.
For what it’s worth, Hartline is the only one of the juniors that Gordon thinks will opt for the draft.
Assuming he’s correct, let’s take a look at what the 2009 Buckeye defense might look like1.
Line: Wilson, Heyward, Worthington & Gibson
The only loss in this group is Nader Abdallah and on paper, it appears to be the saltiest unit Tressel’s had since 2002. If these guys put in the work, they could even eclipse that fabled group.
Gibson should be damn near unblockable and once teams realize that, the doubles he’ll get will only help the rest of the line. Lawrence Wilson (knock on wood) will play opposite Thaddeus with Nathan Williams and Rob Rose providing depth. With four very capable ends, the Buckeyes should have no issues getting pressure late into games all next season.
The interior of the line is in the same boat. Heyward, Worthington, Larimore and Denlinger, all guys that have been in town for what seems like 10 years, are all back for another go. Add the experience with some more time spent in the weight room and you can see why I’m probably more excited for this group than any other heading into 2009.
Linebackers: Homan, Sabino & Spitler
With Laurinaitis and Freeman graduating, the Buckeyes will need to replace two starting linebackers to play alongside Homan, who saw considerable time this season and proved effective as a run-eater.
Etienne Sabino and Austin Spitler look to be the most likely to step into those huge shoes, but luckily, having incredible size and instincts is often enough to make a great backer. Sabino should be a lot of fun to watch I can’t wait to see what another year of the strength program will do to him. Spitler is still best remembered for his roughing call on a punt block last January, but he’ll be a senior with good size. Look forward to a Schlegel-like season out of him with anything better as a bonus.
Other possibilities include Brian Rolle and Andrew Sweat. Don’t rule out Hines or Moeller could grow into one of the outside spots as well.
Secondary: Chekwa, Washington*, Coleman* & Russell*
There are a lot of question marks with this group as the three noted above with asterisks are still making decisions about whether to move on to the NFL. Assuming they all stick around, that’s a very veteran group that should be one of the better units in the nation next season.
However, I still think there’s a chance Ohio State loses both Washington and Coleman and if that happens, the secondary will be a little green — especially at corner/nickel. Coleman would certainly be missed, but Hines or maybe even Moeller are ready to step into the strong safety spot.
When you start thinking about who would replace Washington or who would step into the nickel against vertical teams (Hines/Moeller assuming that role against spreadish types), things get a little scary. Andre Amos and Travis Howard would probably battle for the open cornerback slot with the loser of said battle moving into the nickel. Other names to keep in mind are Donnie Evege, Orhian Johnson and Nate Oliver.
Outlook
The line is going to be fantastic — best we’ve seen in years and the linebackers should be fine, but if the secondary gets ravaged by early departures, the defense may have to lean on a fierce pass rush for a while. The flip side is that the rush should put the Buckeyes into more man coverage situations and that’s easier for younger defensive backs to pick up at this level.
It may be crazy optimism, but I actually think the defense will be better next season assuming no more than one of the three juniors in the secondary leave. Jenkins, Laurinaitis and Freeman are huge losses, but the line overcomes that and then some and the talent in the wings is pretty solid.
1 The forecasted lineup doesn’t include any of the incoming freshman because, technically, none of them have even signed.
Hines has got to play! Seems like the perfect safety to me. I’m not that high on any of the d-backs, but it would be a setback to lose their experience. I don’t know that any of them are coveted by the NFL. They would help themselves with strong senior seasons.
Coleman is expected, or at least from his grades he got from the NFL, to go in the 2nd and 3rd round and I would have to believe that Coleman would be the first to go out of the 3 in question. I think Coleman could move to the top of the second round with another year. The kid simply hit another gear when we hit confrence play and should be able to build off of that next year if he chooses to return.
As Jason mentioned, with the improved line play, the secondary will only look better, thus improving their stock. Not knowing any of their personal situations, I can’t believe any of them would benefit by leaving now – See Ashton Youboty.
I agree wholeheartedly with this post. The seniors will be missed, and I’m a little worried about our secondary, but our much improved line will make things easier for our new look DBs. I really see Nathan Williams making a name for himself. Even with very limited time this past season, he usually made an impact.
If we do end up thin at CB, I saw a little bit of commit CJ Barnett on youtube, and the kid looks like a warrior.
Also, speaking of recruits, just heard on the rumor mill that OT Marcus Hall named Michigan his leader after his official visit. Not good. Word is that he and MI DT Will Campbell got along at the Army game.
I agree Flip, the post was spot on.
I know Jason didn’t mention the kids we have in this class, but Barnett could contribute early and ofter no matter who stays and who goes. Wood, who is a lock, should also see a lot of time and could play Safety which is where I think he will end up, but has the skills to play corner if we needed him to. Corey Brown could easily start next year if needed as well as Justin Green (However, I wouldn’t say he is a lock come the first week of February as I would Barnett, Wood, Brown and Green.)
also…
Hall did say Michigan was his “leader” after his visit this weekend, but I wouldn’t put too much stock in that comment. I’m not saying he wont play up North, but I think he could have took a visit to Central Michigan and would have made the same comment. Unfortunately, I think a lot more kids, not saying I wouldn’t, like the attention recruiting brings.
Edit – as I would for Barnett, Wood and Brown.
Yeah I was speculating that as well. Hopefully Hall is just attention whoring, not unlike Will Campbell.
Its a fact that Hall has changed his favorite school on his list more times than he has changed his underwear… Ohio State has remained his one constant though and all inside word is that he will be a Buckeye come Feb.
Here at Linebacker U and DB U, there’s always that 3-star somebody who steps up out of nowhere and becomes an All-American… For 2009, the question isn’t if, it’s who?
If we knew that they wouldn’t be stepping out of no where.
It’s always fun to look to next year. For me, however, I remain unconvinced our defensive line will be anything more than what experienced this year. We are pretty good off the edges but they are somewhat weak in playing the run.
The interior is where most of the concern resides. I don’t see these guys making such strides in the offseason where they become dominating. By most accounts, the defensive line was a major weakness this year and I don’t see it morphing into a strength over the offseason when the roughly the same players are in the mix.
I agree that the interior of the line has been a concern for a couple of years running, but I have high hopes they finally put it together next season. Some of those guys have been playing since 1973 and I thought they did a respectable job against Texas — all the while having to respect the passing game and the zone drops that go with that.
Good observation as usual, KC.
Brian Hartline must be on the dope.
Give him more then…I’ll pack his bags.
LOL!
Gibson = The 2009 Darion Scott Most Likely to Shank Someone pre-season award
Taddeus Maximus… the new gun show maybe? That dude’s a beast!
Who in their right mind thinks Hartline will do anything in the NFL?
I actually wouldnt totally mind if he comes back, a veteran to teach the young guys.
Corey Brown should be playing wideout, simple as that. Also, Doran Bell could sneak in some early PT as well.
“…a veteran to teach the young guys.”
I’m not so sure about that, unless he changes his attitude problem. That is within the realm of possibility.
Doran=Dorian
it’s a shame amos is constantly injured, because when he’s healthy he’s been very, very good.
Unless Nathan Williams goes on a multi-state crime spree, I fully expect him to start and play a lot more next year. He’s incredibly productive when he’s actually on the field and not in the dog house.
I agree, but do you start him over a healthy Lawrence Wilson?
We’ll see how effective and healthy Wilson is. I would count anything he gave us as gravy.
JE wrote:
“Unless Nathan Williams goes on a multi-state crime spree”
So, he’s 50/50 for next year?
LOL.
Lawrence Wilson’s situation has been extremely shitty since he got here, and at this point Nathan Williams has proven himself worthy of the starting job over him. Wilson showed a lot of promise but unfortunate injuries never really gave him a chance. I just don’t see Tressel not giving him that chance.
“I just don’t see Tressel not giving him that chance.”
I ran this through babelfish..
I think Wilson has a chance at some PT.
i like the optimism, but i dont see how we get better by losing our three best defensive players.
that being said, tim tebow is all that is man. thom breneman just told me he cured cancer and has developed the ability to fly. before lunch. and he got up at 10:45.
“i like the optimism, but i dont see how we get better by losing our three best defensive players.”
Easy, by gaining 3 to 5 that are better! oooops, sacriledge.
I still have high hopes for Nate Oliver.
I think we will be better just because of the d-line. We really lose nothing at middle linebacker with sabino and holman. The back seven should be better overall with the exception of MJ leaving. I just hope we learned that we must bring pressure every game.
On offense Boom showed me he is ready to get 15 to 20 touches a game if needed. Pryor just needs to get more reps with the wideouts and he will over the spring and summer. I would love to see him at wideout in the redzone he is such a great athlete that all we need to do is throw it up and he’ll come down with it. 6′5 235 vs 5′9 190 I like his chances with his basketball background.
Im not gonna go as far as saying we lose “nothing” in the middle.
Laurinaitis was labled overrated so often, that he was actually underrated. Alot was lost on him trying to be a do-all linebacker. I wasn’t ever to terribly impressed with Freeman though. He was rated much higher than Animal coming out of high school.
Anyone know whats up with Jake Stoneburner???
I always thought he could be that match-up problem we need at WR>
What do you guys think about our chances next year? A rebuilding year, or competing for the B10 title again? We’ve got a tougher schedule next year, and with some of the departures on the team, not sure how next season is going to play out.
Non-Conference Games
9/5 – Home vs. Navy (good start to the season)
9/12 – Home vs. USC (don’t even wanna think about this game just yet)
9/19 – “Away” game vs. Akron in Cleveland (haha, not really)
10/31 – Home vs. New Mexico State. Halloween game, should be fun (I’m still a student on campus :) )
Toughest games –
Home – USC
Home – Minnesota
Away – Penn State
Away – Michigan (Of Course)
Forgot to Mention, the game vs. Iowa at home in November should be tough also.
and the “away” game in Cleveland is against Toledo, my bad ;)
I say 10 wins and a BCS bowl at the minimum.
lolwut
Other than the bowl game (lol), where do we get the third loss, pogue???
Any team with a chance (Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois) we play at home.
Besides, Wisconsin loses everybody, Iowa lose Green(90%0ffense) , Illinois MIGHT be tough.
Face it, if you thought the B10 was down this year, wait til next!!!
was on rivals today and noticed they now rank OSU’s class 2nd… anyone know why we jumped?
and scout has us 1st, what’s going on? i thought we were 4th until just recently, did we pick up someone new or something?
Looks like #1 in each service, but no new signees.
http://rivals100.rivals.com/content.asp?cid=823591
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/769196.html
Check the date on that. That’s from 7/2/2008. Old news.
Maybe they just upped the rankings/grades/whatever of a few players.
both of those links are from july 08… guess i was wrong then, we’ve been first for quite some time apparently.
I think July of ‘08 is just when the articles were first created, but they’ve since been updated many times.
I can’t believe no one has suggested that Bryant Browning switch his position from right tackle to defensive tackle. Haven’t you guys seen him play in the trenches?!??! The dood is SICK! For serious man, every time I saw him play this season, his opposing player never even touched him after the the ball was hiked. Opposing players didn’t even bother to lay a hand on the Matador.
He’d be a monster defensive tackle, Big Daddy Wilk eat your heart out.
lol
http://www.thewizofodds.com/.a/6a00e553e551d18834010536c03921970b-pi
haha, they captured him perfectly
as a matter of fact, i can’t even tell who’s who on half of those
You mean those are 2 different people!?!?!?!?!
Hines would have to play boys. Sorry about the lack of posts lately, but my job at the NYS Dept. of Education was axed because our governor could not keep his dick in his pants. UGH! Anyways, my heart is still broken from the Fiesta so when I glue that shit back together and get a job I’ll be posting regularly again.
Laaaaaaaaaaaaateeeeeee
Good luck, Ski. Head to the Big Apple. Plenty of jobs there.
Sorry to hear Ski. Good luck.
that does indeed suck to hear. hope you find something soon =)
Small said today that he will return for his Senior year. I know some will not look at this as GREAT news or that Small coming back was a must! (which I would agree), but I hate when people say “addition by subtraction” and I think Small has the ability, he just needs to get his head in the game.
Hartline and Washington will announce tomorrow… I feel the same way about Hartline as I do Small (Could be great if he puts in the effort and becomes a “Team Player”, but wont be bummed if he leaves) Washington on the other hand is a guy we need to come back.
As I said before, I’ll pack Hartline’s bags if he wants.
Coleman annouced today he is staying.