While the media was not permitted to attend all of Tuesday's practice, we were able to get just enough of a peak of the Buckeyes' preparation for USC to jot down some interesting observations . Just four days before The Showdown At The 'Shoe, everyone is interested to see what the Bucks have in store as they seek revenge on Pete Carroll's Trojans. While Jim Tressel certainly did not show his hand to the media, there were some things of note that are worth mentioning in anticipation of Saturday's match-up:
- While the depth chart seemed to look fairly similar to last week's, a lot can change in a few days, and that was one of the main things that was under the microscope at Tuesdays practice. Anderson Russel, to the liking of many, was repping with the second team on Tuesday. Jermale Hines moved into his place at safety and we could see this look more often than not on Saturday night.
- While they will most likely continue to rotate, we did see more Devon Torrence at corner with the first team than Andre Amos while we were at practice. Torrence's tackling skills could come in handy against the Trojans' stable of running backs, but Amos's skills in defending the pass will be valuable against Damian Williams and David Ausberry.
- Ray Small made his return to practice after his reported "illness" and worked with the scout, second, and first teams today. Tressel said Small may or may not return punts this week, and even suggested there was a chance he wouldn't play, but from everything we saw today, it seems Ray will be full-go on Saturday.
- Another injured player, DeVier Posey, was back in pads today. We didn't see Posey participate in any 1 vs. 1 action, but I assume being in full pads meant he did individual drills earlier in practice. Expect Posey to have the green light for Saturday night and be a big part of the offense.
- Terrelle Pryor looked the most crisp I have ever seen him throw the ball. Observing a few practices in my time, Pryor usually goes through the motions at practice and it seems his balls lack the zip you'd want to see. This practice was different as Pryor's throwing game was sharp. If he plays like that on Saturday I like our chances.
- The tight ends and running backs were at it again in practice. Catching passes all day long, expect to see more of what we saw against Navy. Jake Ballard said after practice that he expects this to be a season long practice as Tressel really wants to use all of his weapons. That makes us smile.
- Austin Spitler still did not look as good as you would like him to. I saw him get burned by Jaamal Berry (emulating Joe McKnight) on a wheel route, which does not bode well for my confidence in him against USC's tight ends or full backs (see: Marcus Freeman vs. Stanley Havilli last year). On the other hand, Ross Homan looked very fast getting to the ball and did a good job wrapping up. Expect him to have to play a big part against the USC backs this week if the Bucks want to be successful in stopping the running game.
- John Simon got some snaps with the first team. Listed as part of the third pairing on the depth chart, this was interesting. Heacock must like what he sees out of All Flannel Tops so far and I wouldn't be surprised to see Simon get some valuable minutes this year.
- Finally, I still am in awe over the running backs. Boom is solid and Saine looks fantastic. The Bucks used some two back sets in practice today with Saine going in motion on some plays and running some passing routes. I would really like to see this come Saturday, as I feel both backs in the game together can be a really effective strategy.
Comments
TWO BACK SET FTW!!!!!!!!!!
now, let's hope this makes it to the field Saturday otherwise my trip HOME will be ruined.
Thanks for the update. That's good news about the safety position.
Someone had mentioned in a post earlier today that they would like to see Pryor, Saine and Boom in the backfield at the same time. I share these feelings and hope to see a sort of option run/pass giving TP2 the ability to keep it, pitch to boom or zoom or even toss it downfield. Having to cover that would be a nightmare. Excited to hear of Hines on the first team and would like even more to see Sabino mentioned as the starter before Sat.
yeah, great news about safety, hines looked good on saturday for the most part
also, i really don't know why we don't run at least SOME triple option. 4.33 40 or not, pryor is FAST and i think it's a damn shame we don't exploit that more often
that was me!!!
This practice may not tell us a lot Alex with Posey not working in the 1 on 1's, but who were our 3 WRs in a 3 WR set?
maybe if the buckeye internets collectively think about it long and hard enough...we can get tressel to spell spitler with sabino for the entire game.
spitler can play to his heart's content the rest of the regular season, but we need dudes with wheels against USC.
Exactamoondoe
Dang it, Spitler just isn't going to cut it. When you look slow against Navy and get burned several times, how much worse are you going to look against USC? I love the young man's work ethic and the fact he has stayed with the program this long, but Sabino is the answer.
How about "Da Bomb" rather thand "Sub-Zero"? I think as long as we don't tap B repeatly (i.e. spin) we won't fumble and we'll probably beat USC
MIKE would be pretty good for him, rather than the SAM. If he's hurt, he's a liability. If he's not hurt, yikes.
Big Ten Breakdown is on the BTN at 10:00 tonight. They'll go over game film and give pos and neg feedback. Interested to see what they'll say about the Bucks.
Are you talking about football or Mortal Kombat 2?
Sabino needs to be on the field. Rolle might be too small for the middle. Rolle is a beast on the edge and in open space. Holman seems like a great fit at mike. So Rolle, Sabino, and Homan would be the line-up. Combined that with Hines, Gibson, and Williams and you got alot of speed out there.
did anyone honestly think Tress was going to show all of our best packages and plays the week b4 SC comes to town?
no pistol. spread the field once or twice. ran up the gut on a 4th and 2(best believe if we NEED a 4th down and short, tress will put Pryor on the edge with the option to run and pass).long story short, we will see the open more innovative offense we showed glimpses of in the Fiesta Bowl... I think our offense can make plays agaisnt this untested trojans D...if we can jump out early and force the trojans to abandon the running game, i think our D line can force Barkley into some big time mistakes...GO BUCKS!
great report. cant wait for saturday night.
i feel confident in these young bucks. since 2003 ohio state is 8-0 agaisnt frosh Qbs(i know this kid is supposed to be the second coming, but..)
oh and if you guys see anything REALLY cool or special, please dont report it, i know pete carrols minions are spying....
oh yea, also love that were giving someone else a shot at safety...21 hasnt improved since '06
The two-back set with Saine and Herron on either side of Pryor, giving the chance for read-option in either direction, will be incredibly hard to stop if the blocking is there.
That's a big if.
Bruce Feldman Twitter on Christian Ponder:
# I like Ponder. He looks like the best QB FSU's had since Weinke (not sure how much that's saying)..Seems like a more polished Craig Krenzel -- 6:48 PM Sep 7th from web.
I'll keep our unpolished Craig Krenzel and the 2002 national title, thank you very much.
For what it's worth, Feldman has said in the past that he was a huge OSU fan growing up and that his favorite player in childhood was Chris Spielman.
This is the best news I've read about the team in awhile.
*Crosses fingers for Saine and Boom in the Pistol*
Which reminds me - I was really, really excited to see the reverse to Saine on the opening kick off. Say what you will about Tressel's conservative second half, but that was definitely a progressive call and one that I think is a harbinger of (good) things to come.
I've never seen Sabino make a real life tackle.
he does damage on special teams. Also had a blocked punt for a TD pay attention Poe.
the blocking is fine its on the backs to break a tackle sometimes. watched the replay on espn last night and herron ran like ross on that 4 and 1. He could have broke a huge run if he popped it outside. Berry might be the answer but tressel didn't even give him a shot. I'll tell you this though Saine is a better back then Herron.
tampa buckeye is heading home for the big W. I'm bringing the flask and some florida speed with me.
You know what? I have done everything within my superstitious power to ensure victory this week, including running a 1/2 marathon, with beer and cigars as my training regimen, eating white castles and pork rinds and hanging out with in- laws. My point is, whatever you guys gotta do to get your mojo working, yous guys gotta do it. I did my part.
It was Washington, Sanzenbacher, and Carter...Thomas was next in and made a nice catch....Small played a bit.....As you said it may not tell us alot...I wouldn't be surprised to see #21 starting at FS, but if today was an indication, Hines will play as much, if not more than Anderson
I am still confused on the use of Denlinger for TE. I realize the younger tight ends are thin for the blocking downs but you have tackles and guards on the team that could block on the edge if you want an extra guy. Miller came in as a tight end. Move him out a spot and slip Shugarts in there.
The fourth and one issue was Denlinger missing his assignment which leads me to much of my desire to see him only of defense.
you know tress turns to 11w for all his coaching tips.
I'm worried about JT playing it so close to the vest (ha) against Navy- I'm sure he's got formations, plays, and tendencies set up to go, but none of it has been tried on a real live defense. And USC's defense is very, very live (also young).
he's talking about NFL Blitz, the original one from 1997, before they added the Browns, haha.
you have to actually tap the triggers twice to spin (playstation). Otherwise it's turbo. You also fumble from stiff-arming too much, so we have to watch for that.
TP clip on Jimmy Kimmel live tonight, what a hoot, the one where Pryor makes an a$$ of himself by saying about M. Vick "he deseves a break" "I mean everyone murders people or".... have we got a team leader or what? How the heck are we able to watch the Buckeye's with a straight face this season. I mean how can you not want to start laughing when this guy takes the field?
If George Michael taught me anything, it's that ya gotta have faith.
Spitler is way too slow to be covering any backs alone.
"Terrelle Pryor looked the most crisp I have ever seen him throw the ball." I LOVE THIS!
I would like to say for the record that I have liked Saine since he was a Freshman. I knew there was a good running back in there somewhere. I still like Herron though. I think he'll be solid too.
Ill advised action(wearing the Vick eye black) and poorly executed quote(you really don't think he meant that everyone kills people, do you??) He is a kid though.
Just win baby!
Have you ever seen Bull Durham? Nuke is an all world talent, but gives some stupid quotes to reporters? So Crash has to pull him aside and give interview lessons to him. We need Crash to step up on this team lol. Stick to throwing and running, and the only sound bites you want to give the media are ones like, what a great team effort. I'm just focusing on doing my best and good lord willing we'll win lol.
jim
I think we all are going to be a bit shocked how naive TP really is, Tressel has said he is a very caring person so maybe we shouldn't take this M. Vick crap too seriously. I hope he matures fast because the Buckeye's are depending on him to be the leader. This is going to be a long season. It will be interesting to see how Pryor reacts to playing against younger talent from So Cal. that's another interesting angle.