Brandon Casteel from TOS wrote tonight that Urban stated on the Cruise for Cancer today that Jordan Hall was no longer a tailback, and would shift out to the hybrid slot with Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall.
For you scheme gurus, does this mean that we will see Hall and Hyde on the field at the same time (assuming Hall is the starter at hybrid). I grew so accustomed to Tressel's I-formation with the FB leading the charge that this talk about the hybrid player confuses me.
FYI, he also said it's Curtis Grant and Cam Williams at MLB and Josh Perry at one of the other LB spots. He loves the OL, says the DL may be one of top 5 in country by 2014, and Basil is starting punter right now with Frank E getting a shot.
wow great info. personally, the lb news is a little disheartening. im from durham nc and i was rooting for jamal marcus, still time obviously but still, rooting for the durham dude all the way. as far as jordan hall he NEEDS to make an early impact to be relevant at all on this team. we are getting crowded with skill players and i know he has game experience but how measurable is that experience when you are playing a new position and you are the least athletic and explosive on the depth chart at your position
It's not really that new for J. Hall. He was on the field with Hyde when they were both healthy last year (the Michigan State game is the one that sticks out to me). In this interview Urban also said he was the one guy they had going into last year that could make someone miss, so your assessment of Hall not being athletic and explosive is a bit off.
not sure how you got that from what i said. im saying hall is the least explosive between wilson, marshall and him. Hall can DO alot of things, the problem i have with him is that he HASN'T done those things for a number of reasons obviously, some of which were out of his control, but still. i have always personally thought were waiting for something that will never be with jordan hall, hopefully i'm wrong
I don't think it will be that big of an adjustment for Hall, Kevin. It's not like J. Hall is going on defense, aka Boren, ya know?
His experience is invaluable.
I'm more troubled no leaders have emerged on defense.
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners." Charlton Heston(1924-2008)
I think i might be a major jordan hall skeptic. I may be alone, but I am just tired of talking about him when there really is nothing to talk about. I understand part of that is injuries, part of it was the debacle that was the 2011 season, he did get suspended for receiving benefits after the tattoo scandal (if I remember correctly) he has been in the program for years now with what to show for it? A few touchdowns? I think he's an above average player, its not like im comparing him to lydell ross, but it just seems like we talk and talk and talk about hall and I just dont understand why. I also feel that in football a position change is a position change. He's going to be running new routes, blocking different people, utilizing a completely different part of the field so I dont necessarily buy into his experience putting him at any significant advantage. Still hope I'm wrong and that eventually we are talking about his production rather than his potential for production.
I don't think you're alone. I would call him serviceable at this point. However, the guy that gets paid the big bucks, and the guy who knows a thing or two about finding playmakers and coaching them, had this to say about him:
At this point that's more than you can say about Marshall and Wilson who haven't even set foot on a college campus yet.
I also think it's funny that a person who says "it just seems like we talk and talk and talk about hall and I just dont understand why" is the first person to chime in on this thread and...talk about Hall.
Thanks for the information ATB.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
I really like this move. Means more carries for Rod Smith.
The South will NOT rise again!
And more fumbles? *teasing. Rod Smith is certainly an exciting player, and I want to see him do well.
"Political correctness is tyranny with manners." Charlton Heston(1924-2008)
He didn't fumble a lot last year....I think he'll be more efficient holding onto the ball. Given more carries will give him more opportunities to either make big plays or....fumble more (if that happens...next man up. Hall's not a great RB anyway...not losing sleep on him going to slot). I'm holding out optimism on this subject. He's older and hopefully more confident about holding onto the ball.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
I really hope that Perkins and Marcus get a good shot this year. Both are physical freaks.
I wouldn't cheer for Michigan if they were playing the Taliban.
Under Meyer we have:
Outside receivers: vertical threats (Devin Smith and Corey Smith) and possession receivers (Michael Thomas, Evan Spencer)
Slot receivers: Philly Brown, James Clark,
Jalin Marshall
Hybrid-slot: Jordan Hall, Dontre Wilson,
Running back: power guys (Hyde, Dunn, maybe Ball) and shifty guys (Elliott) and wildcards like Rod Smith and Jalin (hopeful) Hurd.
Tight ends: Jeff Heuermann, Nick Vannett, Marcus Baugh.
Obviously not all positions will play congruently but after the line, qb, and two WRs that leaves room for three out of four positions: RB, slot, TE, or hybrid.
"Get him a body bag, Yeah!"
I think James Clark could fill in at slot too.
"if irony were made of strawberries, we' d all be drinking a lot of smoothies right now."
Biggest surprise is at LB. If Curtis Grant is ready to go I think the group should be pretty good.
I think that is an understatement.
"YOLO" = I'm about to do something extremely ignorant/stupid & I need an excuse to do it.
I take this as either great or terrible. Great is Curtis has finally lived up to his initial billing and is ready to lead the unit like a true MLB. The flip side is that Curtis is merely serviceable and no one else has been able to beat him out.
Let's hope its the former.
I'm leaning toward the former myself. We all know how blunt Meyer is. If Grant wasn't doing better he'd make a quip about it, even on a charity fundraiser. Something along the lines of any LB not named Shazier being non-functional or something.
"Sherman ran an option play right through the south" - Greatest.Civil.War.Analogy.Ever
That could be true although he has tended to be a bit softer with Grant. My bet is because he realizes that Grant has confidence issues, so it won't help those by publicly calling him out. These comments are inline with his previous statements.
hall better be ready because wilson and marshall are going to push him big time
Stay golden, Ponyboy.
^This
If they do, which I don't think they will, it won't be for a while. These are two guys that have never seen college competition, aren't early enrollees, and play different positions in HS than they will be playing in college. It isn't inconceivable that one of the young guys doesn't even see the field this year.
Hall has already learned a complex playbook, and has the veteran presence to be able to adjust to things at this level. Let's not make the mistake of thinking that guys will immediately translate smoothly to the next level just because they were playmakers in high school.
They both have more natural ability than Hall. His play book knowledge and experience is the only edge he has, for now. Remember, Urban has no problem playing guys with less experience.
I get that, and I'll eat my words if I'm wrong, but I think we'll see Hall get a pretty static share of carries/touches this year, without regard to the young guys.
It's definitely good to know that Meyer hasn't given up on Curtis Grant. I hope Grant uses this as an opportunity and motivation factor to prove himself and keep the job
Yes you'll see Hyde with Hall, Marshall and/and or Wilson on the field this year at the same time in different formations (not all four at the same time but Hall will be the slot position starter. BTW...thank you for not calling the slot position by a former player from FL who wore the number 12;-) I could see OSU's offense being much more dominant this year than we've seen in a while. I can't wait to see it...
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you."
"I love football. I think it is most wonderful game in world and I despise to lose."
Woody Hayes 1913 - 1987
i think marshall and wilson will end up beating hall out for touches. either way im hoping for the best and im glad he was moved out of the rb spot. i like hyde, smith, dunn, and elliot better
mark may wins douchebag of the year... again
Urban finally has guys to put in a depth chart for that position. He only had one guy last year and he got hurt... With Jalin and Wilson coming in he can now put it down with some depth. He simply couldn't do it last year because there was only one guy and it was new to the team... everyone new his position intent though.
I kind of wish we were still going into Braxton's sophomore year with these new guys coming in......It's going to be tough to say goodbye with all these weapons coming in. A couple years from now we'll have a newbie QB at the helm and we'll all be saying....imagine if we still had Braxton under center!!!!
"I'm One Bad Buckeye, and I approve this message."
Grant can open the Spring at #1 mike, but he won't be there for long unless he earns it.
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