The depth chart overlook: sponsored by French'sSome brief post traumatic stress: inexplicably Andrew Miller is out as the principle backup/alternate starter at left tackle, and in his place is human turnstile Jim Cordle. Cordle's been a loyal statesman for the program, and deserves much credit as such for having played all 5 offensive line positions during his time in the program (center, rather admirably). That being said, Cordle was a de facto high occupancy vehicle lane to the quarterback's blind side Saturday against Purdue. Let's be clear: I absolutely abhor shortsighted football memes. From "the play calling/staff is to blame" every time the offense doesn't execute/show up, to "Ohio State needs more floppy bellies/Ohio State needs more trim 280 pound swift linemen" cliche du jour, to "Why isn't Ohio State recruiting the speed state more?", or whatever someone calling themselves [Insert Noun]Buckeye on a premium message board is postulating at any given moment. Unfortunately, Cordle actually makes the "[that lineman]'s just not athletic enough to play exterior line" stereotype ring true. But before you head to the Lane Avenue bridge, consider: these depth charts are, to some degree, a way to pay lip service to upperclassmen for their service. Particularly in Cordle's instance, let's hope he can find a way to spell time at left or right guard, but that reality doesn't ever necessitate him seeing any minutes of consequences at LT.
Moving on, two other notes on the offensive line this week, with freshman Marcus Hall potentially spelling J.B. Shugarts for rest (having already burned his redshirt) and fellow freshmen Jack Mewhort back off the depth chart again. I'm speculating that Hall's inclusion is more of as a place holder, and that if push actually comes to shove, Miller can spell Adams. Should Shugarts need a breather (or worse), ideally Cordle could be the man for the job (certainly better he see minutes at RT than LT). We learned in the middle of last week that Andrew Miller was finally given a clean bill of health, though had lost in upwards of 20 pounds battling a rather serious case of the flu. It may be unrealistic expecting Miller to be 100% back in game shape so quickly, but by the final 3 daunting games in November, he should be.
The other big news of the week is the absence of Dan Herron from the depth chart all together this week. Seven carry Brandon Saine (whom to his/the play calling's defense isn't exactly in charge of whether zone-read or speed option pitches are made or not) is still the starter, with frosh Jordan Hall listed as the top backup. Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the complete breakdown in West Lafayette was the absence of Boom's usual sharp blitz pickups and his very underrated blocking abilities. Say what you will about Saine's superiority making action come to fruition, Herron's ability to provide an extra second or two for Pryor (who's far and away biggest weakness is his ability to handle blitzes) can make the difference between a completion to Dane Sanzenbacher, and someone in an opposing jersey possessing the ball. Herron will be sorely missed again should he fail to get the medical clearance to resume regular action.
There isn't a single change on the rest of the offense. #2 is still the quarterback and will continue to be so; your cries for a coached/developed by the exact same individuals 2-star whom also whas a knack for putting the ball on the turf are duly noted. DeVier Posey was the only receiver who made himself be known last weekend, so it'll be up to Duron Carter and Dane Sanzenbacher to help make TP's life that much easier. Smart, crisp routes, gaining separation when possible, and simply doing what everyone expects and not dropping the easy ones will go a long way towards making the entire offensive machine operate succinctly. There's no need to mince words as to the o-line's expectations for Minnesota. They were phenomenal against a tremendous USC line; there's no real reason they can't be again.
The defensive side of the ball also sees a remarkable zero noted changes. This is a good sign in Cameron Heyward's case, as the injury he suffered last weekend left many of us waiting with bated breath. Doug Worthington will have a chance to atone for a mental gaffe he admitted was haunting him post-game, and Todd Denlinger looks to continue to hold down a starting position with Dexter Larimore still sidelined. Nathan Williams continues to make opposing quarterbacks pay the price for electing to accept athletic scholarships at Division 1 colleges and should continue to see his minutes rise. Rob Rose and Garrett Goebel could also see time depending on how Heacock divvies his rotations.
Kurt Coleman, Kurt Coleman, Kurt Coleman. The senior, sure to be All-American safety graded out as a champion and then some against the Boilermakers and will look to continue being the vocal leader and leader by example alike for the secondary. Tip of the hat as well to Devon Torrence for recording his first career interception (with hopefully many more to come). Chimdi Chekwa will have the privilege (and challenge) of defending Eric Decker with Jermale Hines serving in the final starting secondary capacity.
Your specialists are identical to weeks prior. In review, Ray Small regressed to the mean dropping a costly punt, though Aaron Pettrey added another field goal to his season totals. Jon Thoma continues to be reliable though unspectacular. With little margin of error given the slow evolution of the offense, it could be up to this group to provide improved field positions, or even outright putting up the points themselves. Lamaar Thomas, we're still behind you brother. Take us to the promised land.
Comments
One thing I would like to say, as I read all the whining and crying over losing to a 1-5 team the past few days. Also the super analysis by that moron Dr. Saturday, who makes his "astute" observations from the couch like the rest of us. Purdue was a 1-5 team that was in every single game and had some unfortunate turnovers, and events that kept them from winning. They were not the bottom dwelling team that everyone is saying, Sure the record doesn't help us with [insert poll/voter] but they played hard and fast on defense and our line couldn't pick up their late shifts. So there, the better team lost or whatever, but this team is young and if next year they fail the high expectations everyone will have then, the talk of firing JT or benching Pryor, might be warranted.
But reality is that all of us are going to sit down on Saturday and root for the Buckeyes and watch a great defense and you know why? Because none of us want to miss that game where the offense pulls it together. So in closing be like a duck and let the loss roll of of your back like water. You can't live and die by what your team does on a Saturday, there are way too many other things out there to live and die from.
I thought I saw Marcus Hall on the field against Purdue, though I conducted amateur brain surgery to have all memories of that Saturday removed from my consciousness. If I'm remembering correctly, though, that'd mean Hall's redshirt is already gone. Might as well get him some backup work.
@tricky, while your encouragement is well-noted, the loss added to the preexisting frustration that is tOSU's offensive offense. Six games into the season and virus that plagues this team continues to rear its ugly head.
Finger-pointing abounds where there is failure, and for this 2009 team, failure includes the peek-a-boo O-Line, the Athlete masquerading as a QB, and the coaches (or lack thereof; see: OC). I hesitate to include the other skill position players because let's face it, they're out there at the mercy of the 1.5 seconds that the O-line gives them and the direction/routes the coaches tell them to run.
Expectations are always high for this team so for the majority of Buckeye fans, not meeting these expectations results in ridiculous verbal vomiting. Preaching logic is like trying to put out a fire with spit.
At the end of the day, losing to Purdue was completely unacceptable on every level and we all saw just how bad our offense really is. Consequently, we could be in for a long 2nd-half of the season.
...at least we wont have to suffer a humiliating defeat at the hands of USC or Florida again..... another loss or 2 gets us an opponent we can probably handle in a bowl game.
I agree with Tricky Dick.
We all have the highest of hopes each year for OSU. But in reality, they weren't supposed to be challenging for a spot in the NCG this year. Most people were praying for a Rose Bowl berth at best but most would except a Capital One Bowl or and Outback Bowl in a heartbeat.
Losing to a 1-5 Purdue team is bad but as we see with the other big name schools throughout the country...these things are bound to happen. An inferior team plays lights out and catches the favorite off guard.
I was extremely upset during and right after the game. But I have had a few days to calm down and I'm willing to give Pryor another shot. Vince Young did not hit his stride until he was a Junior. He was very inconsistent as a sophomore. I'm not taking all the blame off of TP but it shouldn't all be laid on his shoulders. The coaching needs to better prepare the QB and the O-line has to give him enough protection or he won't succeed. I dont care if Peyton Manning was the QB...if the coaching sucks and the O-line sucks, Peyton will suck.
OSU should be ready for next year's run. If they are still this inconsistent then I truly believe JT will be feeling serious heat. It is a very young team (How many seniors start? NFL caliber players start?).
+1.
Here is a serious question...
Lets say OSU goes 9-3 and heads to the Capital One Bowl to play LSU.
Would you want OSU to win and, as a result, the fan base forgets all about the coaching shortfalls that consistently rear their ugly heads. Then, the following year the OC and DC stink it up again and we are all back to square one.
OR
Would you want OSU to lose and, as a result, the OC, QB coach and DC are all fired. Tressel gives up play calling and the offense becomes more dynamic for a title run in 2010?
You're right, he absolutely did see time the last several weeks. I meant to get at that Hall's possibility of redshirting was gone. Thanks for catching the gaffe.
Neither is going to happen. You need to wake up. The coaches are working with the hand they have been dealt. The fans need to do the same. Fans complain about play calling v usc and now we see that playing not to lose was the right thing.
We win the game Saturday without turnovers. We stay in the game with 3 turnovers. We lose with 5. Plain and simple. Coaches have nothing to do with that. And sophomore QBs need time and support. I can't wait for Saturday and I know we can beat EVERYONE on our schedule and EVERYONE in the top 10 (except maybe Alabama).
Can we have an option on the pole for "Hire a real O-Line coach with a nasty attitude"?
That second scenario holds more appeal, but I think these two are the more realistic options:
1. OSU wins, no changes to the coaching staff, half the fan base is happy, half the fan base complains.
2. OSU loses, no changes to the coaching staff, half the fan base hopes for a better season next year, half the fan base complains.
Tressel's not going to make changes to the coaching staff after a 9-3 season, and even if he does, a chunk of the fan base (probably not the 50% I said above, but whatever) is still going to be unhappy.
Marcus Hall was the guy who executed the Matador block that sent Brandon Saine back for a 2-yard loss on our 3rd possession. On the next two plays, Jim Cordle executed a pair of Matador blocks to allow Purdue's DE a free shot at Pryor. The result: an ugly 3-and-out after recovering a Purdue fumble. Pathetic.
In summary, even though Marcus Hall has a ton of potential, I really want to see Shugarts in there on every play Saturday.
I'd agree with that. Like I just voted in the poll, give me the same five guys for the entire game, see if continuity leads to rhythm. But since that doesn't appear to be how the coaches roll, give me Hall over Cordle. Hall has time to get better.
Does Kurt Coleman play QB? Would he like to?
I don't see 9-3 as doable with this offense and this offensive coaching. Someone please explain to me how we're going to beat Iowa or Penn State with the status quo.
Given what I saw Saturday, I see our record heading into a bowl game as 7-5 or 8-4 at best.
So here's my question, what happens in Columbus if the 2009 Buckeyes end up with a 7-6 or 8-5 record AND Tressel says he's making no coaching changes for 2010?
You said "on the pole".
Might as well. Just let the magic happen.
Took the words out of my mouth.
The fact that Saine only had 7 carries is ridiculous. I don't want to blame this game on the ref's because we had plenty of chances to make something happen. That being said that is one of the worst games Ive seen in a long time. The strip that miraculously is given back to Purdue changed what could have been a 14-3 lead. The phantom holding call on Browning that degated a Saine touchdown (would have been his first this season) was ridiculous, and on the next play Pryor fumbled. That is at least 10 points they took away from us. And when I say they "took" the points away, thats exactly what they did. On a side note I still think that the offense can find some things that work and make a run to the Rose Bowl, to set up for a title run in 2010. That would be ideal, will it happen I think at this point it's 50/50.
I See 8-4 as a realistic record. I think we beat Minnesota, New Mexico state and muster up enough hatred to beat TSUN. Maybe it's just me but from the start I have never liked the way our O looks with TP running the show. Even our running plays with Beanie looked awkward and clumsy last year. I remember when TB came in to the TSUN game last year in mop up and through the TD strike to B Hartline and it just looked,well, fluid.
I rember in 01 when Bellisari got liquored up and an unknown Craig Krendzel came in against TSUN and a star was born. So to say we have no other option at QB just isn't true. Have faith we'll be bak, but to me TP running our offense is as awkward as TSUN running Dick rod's lame offense.
IT JUST DOESN'T FIT in Columbus or the Big Ten.
WHY ARE THEY PIMPING MICHIGAN GEAR ON THIS SITE. WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS!!!!!
A Senior doing his best matador impression is worse than a Freshman.
+1 for Hall... Give me Hall over Browning too.
lol @ offensive offense
If that 1.5 seconds gives reason to forgive the other skill positions, why doesn't forgive the athlete masquerading as a QB?
I will never have any desire to see Ohio State lose, ever. That is (insert NSFW word here) stupid. Maybe I'll pull for a pro team I like to lose so they get better draft picks, but I will be caught dead before I want Ohio State to lose a football game.
I heard on the fan that Saine only carried the ball 1 time the 2nd half.
Question....
1) Would you rather have TP or Taint Forcier as your starting QB right now?
2) Would you rather have TP or Taint Forcier as your QB going forward for the next year or two?
As evidenced in recent history, it's gonna take a lot more than few bad losses for us to see some changes. What exactly, I don't know. They would need to reach a whole new level of fail.
well said but there are too many people like myself who just live and die for this team - why - because its the only team we care about and want the best for them at all times.
Freudian slip
how about dropping three in a row against psu, iowa, and michigan to end the season?
How is the Dave play different than the Power O? Do we not pull a guard on the Dave play? I distinctly remember seeing Bryant Browning hustling across the line after the slow developing hand-off, inevitably arriving too late, after Boren/Homan blows their seal block.
????? Where can I go to see this great defense that you mentioned? They have been poor the last 2 weeks and have not been able to get off the field!!! How about some 3 and outs if they are such a great defense.
I think everyone says they don't expect a title, but deep down inside we feel our program should be able to compete for one every year. 2002 is still fresh in our minds, a year similar to this one, tough veteran defense and no real identitly on offense. But we were capable of winning every game we played in, and did. Throw in the most heralded recruit to come to Columbus in 25 years, and BOOM, we really had higher expectations for this team than we did for the NC team. I remember a conversation on this board, with 11w staff, about how Pryor could be a Heisman darkhorse, aaah memories.
I see OSU football being alot like American politics. Right now, the conservative Tresselites are in power after taking over for the more liberal Coopertarians. But, as with politics, the citizens grow tired of political talk, like "we need to get better" and "sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don't". The people want real results. So now, the Coopertarians are starting to grow in number again. Maybe the Tresselites will start a war to turn things back to their favor again. Stay tuned.
Please keep all political references to Antebellum-era political divisions. President Van Buren would have wanted it that way. (Huzzah!)
All I am saying is, I hope you aren't like that guy in the video. I got pissed at the FL loss, the LSU loss of course I was livid. I also had to deal with SEC chants and nonsense at every turn. It would literally ruin my week. Something clicked on Saturday and Sunday (Browns fan here too.) I have got better shit to do than be mopey after a loss. I took my kids out and played tennis and went to a carnival with them on Sunday (I don't even watch my Browns on Sundays, unless I have nothing to do). If you let these young kids develop and be happy when they do =, great, and you may see something special like 2002. But if they lose and you are absolutely devastated, can't move, no longer social, then your priorities are in the wrong place. In the words of a great man
Walter Sobchak : "You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don't wanna know about it, believe me."
I mean he said this: F&@# it Dude, Let's go bowling!
You are smoking weed if you think this team would beat Florida. It would be as bad as 41-14 if not worse.
forcier hands down
Maybe they get enough business from OSU fans buying the gear just to burn it.
Is it Saturday Yet,
Well said, brother.
I'd say for Darrell Hazell to piss off Jim Tressel on Saturday or Jim Tressel piss off Darrell Hazzell. The guy who is mad will make all the play calls. Hey, when your angry your usually more aggressive, right? Oh and for Bollman we'll just have Jim Heacock piss him off so his line plays better since Jim and Jim are in the booth together and Jim Heacock is pissed off enough which is why our D plays well. I'd like to think of the law firm of Jim and Jim will suit us well, well isn't that Jimmy?
Coaches have nothing to do with turnovers? If 4 of them come from one player, that player should've been benched after 2. That is on the coaches.
That may be the dumbest analogy in human history.
DeVier Posey was the only receiver who made himself be known last weekend, so it’ll be up to Duron Carter and Dane Sanzenbacher to help make TP’s life that much easier.
correction: devier posey was the only receiver who pryor sets his missle lock upon last weekend.
i've got good tone..... firing!
Wow that's not a bad analogy, comparing Top Gun to this season; TP in the role of Maverick, the brash and talented, if undisciplined hotshot QB; Dan Herron as Goose, his mate in the backfield who was untimely taken from us, and whose blitz pick-up skills we now miss dearly; Jim Tress in the role of the bald-headed Aircraft carrier Captain, who appreciates TP's skills but cannot reign him in; Nic Siciliano in the role of Commander Tom Skerrit, who loves TP but only talks to him and doesn't do much in the way of training; Dane Sanz as Iceman, who is cool and efficient, and who thinks TP's hijinks and throwing high over the middle will end up getting him killed. I'm sure this list can be added and perfected, the analogy more fully-developed. Discussed, fellow children of the 1980s.
I can live with Bollman as OC because in reality he isn't the OC...Tressel is the real OC. But for crying out loud get a OL coach and a real QB coach.
I'm sacrificing chickens to jo-boo. I don't know what else to do. We'd kick ass in 1959 with this team /shrug
Back to reality. Get the O-line a REAL coach and things will get better. Question is does JT have the cojones to let one of his Y-town Wise Guys go? Does a Joe Pesci type coach need to get figuratively all phone to the melon a la "Casino" on these guys? Answer: yes.
As for TP. I dunno. He might be a wash, it happens. There is enough Siciliano info out there to show he is in over his head at QB coach. More nepotism at play. I can has Joe Daniels pls?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
lmfao
this is the man in charge of developing (perhaps) one of the greatest Buckeye athletes of all time; https://www.nmnathletics.com/V... FAIL!!!!! HILLARIOUS! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING!!! RIGHT?
You know, I look forward to coming here every day and checking out what people have to say, but no one ever has anything new to say anymore. Pryor is terrible, Tressel sucks, Bollman sucks blah blah blah. At least last year we were all creative in what we complained about. I remember people talking shit about the scoreboard operator, the first down chant, and all kinds of other stuff. Can we PLEASE find some new material?
There once was some interesting and informed posters here.
BTN is showing one of the greatest comebacks in college football history:OSU 41 Minnesota 37 right now!!!!! This was long before Pryor sucked and Tressel was terrible, Bollman blew and we uninformed posters had a forum to express our disinteresting passion for our beloved Buckeyes.
Can I please get an O.H???????????
I suffered through 22 years(1980-2001) of mediocre football and never lost faith in "THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY" Now all the sudden our once in a lifetime recruit hasn't panned out and everyone is ready to start jumping off of skyscrapers. An important lesson will be learned here and if we happen to land Braxton Miller then we better not anoint him "Braxton in Lebrons Cleats:)" This is a team sport and few recruit better than we do. We have to talent now we just have to put it back together piece by piece. We'll find out how bad Pryor wants it in these next few weeks. If it doesn't work out we'll move on just like we did without MO C.!!!!
an excellent point about Mo C, sir
I'm pretty sure if Pryor wore a visor like Greg Frey did in '89, his problems would go away.
We 'moved on' without Mo. C? Am I the only one who remembers the '03/'04 ground game?
Never did attend OSU, but I do have immediate family who did. Only started following blogs about a year ago. Never knew anyone directly associated with the football program, but one of my good friends and former teammates, played TE at the end of the Cooper era, John Lumpkin.
So, I'm not sure what qualifies one to be a fan, an "informed fan" or a "fairweather fan". I am sure though, that my heart aches every time we lose, like my first GF just dumped me again. So just like every other human being emotionally invested in something, I say things I don't mean.
I also am sure I don't care who thinks what of what I say. And Im pretty sure anyone posting comments with the same frequency as I do, doesn't know enough football to judge who knows what either. So let's just all do ourselves a favor and not start to turn being an OSU fan into some BS douchebag high school click.
"Time and change will surely show
How firm thy friendship ... OHIO!"
Thank you Iball, well said.
Thank you iball, Well said!