I know a lot of people are pretty high on the defensive line, the players, and the depth, however there is one thing that does concern me. Its our lack of a consistent pass rush from just the DL. How many sacks did we have last season 23. So looking at our DL ... I see a lot of big bodies ... that shouldn't have a hard time stopping the run, but a more difficult time getting to the QB, because there a bit slower. We don't have that sleek, monster pass rusher ... well maybe N. Spence, and A.Washington, but I think thats a lot of pressure to put on an incoming freshmen.
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From the rumors around OSU, John Simon has significantly improved his pass rush through work on his technique and using his hands. With a healthy Williams and/or Spence on the line, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the rush in 2012.
@BuckInBama:
You are absolutely right, and a lot of it has to do with the lineup put on the field last year by Heacock. When you've got a true NT (Hankins) playing End at times, you know you're struggling to find a pass rush from your DL. Other than Simon and Hankins, no one was able to consistently get pressure on the QB.
The other thing to keep in mind is OSU rarely has a guy with a "big" sack number. In Tressel's tenure, how many guys have registered 10 or more sacks in a single season? I don't know off the top of my head other than Gholston. Will Smith might have surpassed 10 in '02 or '03 but I'm not sure on that. Even a guy like Thad Gibson, who was known primarily as a pass-rusher, didn't put up monster sack numbers.
I'm not an expert on technique or anything like that by any means, but it seems to me Heacock must have coached up the DL to be more gap-sound, assignment-based, and "run-pluggers" than pinning their ears back and getting the QB.
I have a feeling under Urban and Vrabel (though Fickell may still hold some of Heacock's same philosophy), getting to the QB will be emphasized more. It also doesn't hurt that the new recruiting focus is on bringing in elite pass rushers, like Spence.
"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Sacks in a season is not very high on my list of stats. Sure it's fantastic to see an opposing quarterback get earthfaced but the idea of a pass rush to me is disrupting the quarterback's ability to make plays.
I would gladly take fewer sacks in exchange for more 3rd down passes being bauserbombed into 15AA due to our rushers.
/2cents
“The teams that don’t respect their coaches and don’t trust their coaches are the teams that go .500"
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Well I truly hope I'm surprised ... I do see where your coming from, as far as assignments went for the DL last year. I only hope we get a little bit more aggressive ... We don't have to have monster numbers from 1 player, but I want monster overall numbers ... Michigan State, doubled our sack numbers from a year ago almost tripled them in fact ... I just attribute so of passing defense issues on our lack of pass rush ...
@JedKat: I completely agree, but since we never see any stats from Ohio State as far as QB pressures or QB knockdowns, it's hard to use those as a barometer on how effective the OSU pass rush has been. Sacks is basically all we have, though I agree pressures/knockdowns are a more effective measurement.
@BuckInBama: And that's exactly what I mean, when you refer to MSU. They play a much more aggressive brand of defense with their front 4, and allow their LB's to make the run-stuffing plays. That's why a guy like Greg Jones becomes a two-time All-American - he's not competing with as many people for tackles. I can definitely see OSU playing more of that "in your face" defense that we are accustomed to seeing from the top-level SEC defenses.
"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
look, if you glance at a roster you know Ohio State has the best O-Line in the Big 10. we always are near the top. I think these last few years the Ohio State coaching staff has grown incompetent in almost all areas of the offense, defense and special teams. I was never confident going into any big game, it really wasnt bcuz of a talent issue. It was the incompetent "presenters" who didnt know how to "teach"--- assemble a proper gameplan versus a given opponent and make adjustments when that embarassing gameplan didnt work. Solution: Urban Meyer. He really is the answer to all our problems. whoa! I made him sound like Jesus Christ lol.
Kind of related, I think one of the main reasons we won against wisconsin was because of our huge defensive line we had out. It seemed like most of the game we had 4 defensive tackles as our lineup and they're o line just couldnt move us. However I agree that against most teams this is not a very good idea.
And that's what makes this group of D-linemen so amazing (along with the other future incoming recruits). The coaching staff has such flexibility in what they can do depending on the situation.
If it's 3rd and long, they can put in a group of quicker pass-rushers. If it's 4th and goal, they have 3-4 300+ pounders they can insert into the line. And there is really no drop-off in talent.
"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
Don't worry about sack #s. It didn't help that the LBs were mediocre at best so those occasional blitzes that could result in a sack from someone not on the D-Line didn't usually pan out.
Nathan Williams should be back by opening week. If he's his old self remains to be seen.
I agree with a few people it seems the D-line is full of big run stuffers, you have hankins,goebel, hale, bennett, bellamy now cris carter, those are all guys who are 290+ and most of them are 300+ we really don't have a speed rusher, I thought Steve Miller would be that guy but played mostly special teams. Thats why I really want the incoming freshmen D-L guys to get some playing time I think they can be more of the speed rusher guys in spence,pittman and washington. I think we need to get a couple tweener guys that are like 6"4 240ish and fast, to play more of a rush end who can get after the QB. Also I beleive when Meyer got hired he said the sack total was something he wanted to change becuase it was so low.
Versatility and depth are two variables that should lead to the entire defense being better as a unit. John simon is becoming an absolute monster. And I wouldn't sleep on michael bennett either. He he produced pretty well as a true freshman, and has the potential to do very big things this season. As a whole, the depth up front is crazy. So having any one guy with huge totals probably won't happen. Sure, simon is going to be a guy they probably lean on and leave on the field as much as possible. Plus if nate williams can get back to his former self, he will be a powerhouse off the edge. Opposing oc's and o line coaches are going to have their hands full.
This Dline will be scary good! They will be able to play with recklessness and aggression! They will make the rest of the D look a lot better than they are and they WILL get after the qb. The freshmen will play without any pressure and will give all Olines fits.. Who do you double team? Bennet will also have a huge impact this season.. I cannot wait!
I would love it if we can pull off a NY Giants pass rush and be able to dominate the line without blitzing, that would be amazing.
What do you guys think about who is going to be our speed rushers? I know simon is going to play more DE this year so he can be that guy, but who else do you see Noah spence and the other incoming DL guys making an impact and being a speed rush type player? I am looking for a guy like thad young, tall lanky and quick, who can step back in some pass coverage as well. Also a guy like bobby carpenter played a similar role he dropped down to the DL and also dropped back in coverage as a LB/DL hybrid player. I miss those days of Hawk,Carpenter, and schlegal that was a LB Crew and that defense was insanly good. Hope urban brings that back
Also Marcus freemen, james lauranitias and Mike D'andrea was on that roster as well in 05 talk about a stacked LB crew. go look at that roster and look at all the talent that was on that roster on offense and defense. I feel that coming back soon!
I think it's partially a product of teams' generally throw a lot of short passes against us because the significant talent advantage we have over them.