in·dis·pen·sa·ble
[ˌindəˈspensəb(ə)l]ADJECTIVE
absolutely necessary:
"he made himself indispensable to the parish priest"
synonyms: essential · necessary · all-important · of the utmost importance · of the essence · vital · must-have · crucial · key · needed · required · requisite · imperative · invaluable
antonyms: superfluous
Of course, it's far too early at this point to know with much certainty who Ohio State's most indispensable player will be in 2017. We don't even know who will actually be starting at several key positions. But based on what we do know now, who do you think it will be?
Hey - it's a long offseason - the topic can always be revisited later.
Keep in mind, we're not necessarily talking about the best defensive player on the team. Sure - it's important how good the player is. But in this case, considerations such as depth and/or the abilities/experience of the players at positions surrounding a given player could be just as important - if not more so.
To put it another way, who could the Buckeyes least afford to do without?
In a year in which Ohio State will see three of it's starting defensive backs from 2016 selected in the first round (probably) of the NFL draft, one might be tempted to think the lone returning starter from that secondary should be the almost automatic choice as the defense's most indispensable player in 2017.
But as a certain old coach has been known to say: "Not so fast, my friend".
While there was no shame in being the weakest link in a secondary that talented - safety, Damon Webb didn't play well enough consistently to necessarily be considered the defense's "most indispensable player".
But considering the importance of the position (the last line of defense), his experience should, at least, keep him in the discussion. Plus, a significant improvement in his second year as a starter is certainly not out of the question, by any means.
Greg Schiano is in his second year as the Buckeyes' defensive coordinator and safeties coach. So far, he's been able to work wonders - last season, with a very inexperienced defense. It won't be terribly surprising if he is able to coach-up another excellent secondary - featuring perhaps, yet another breakout star at safety.
Denzel Ward was able to rack-up considerable playing time at corner last year. He might be the only player from last year's defense who did not actually start that still might qualify as indispensable.
Of course, a lot of that also depends on how well Damon Arnette (a primary back-up last season) has progressed and if JUCO transfer, Kendall Sheffield, is as good as they're saying he is.
Plus, two 5-star freshmen have already joined the team as early enrollees. Naturally, it's too early to say with any certainty - but, somewhat incredibly, corner may wind up being an area of strength this year - again.
Ohio State is losing last year's starting middle linebacker, Raekwon McMillan to the NFL. It appears the starting (strong-side, hybrid) "walkout linebacker" from '16, Chris Worley, will be filling that void. McMillan was the Buckeyes' leading tackler last season and a team leader. As great as he was, one gets the feeling he may have been underappreciated by many writers and fans.
McMillan was excellent at shedding blocks from O-linemen and TEs from all kinds of angles - and still making the play. That may be the greatest challenge for Worley who is, naturally, more accustomed to playing in space. But he's had a lot of game experience - he definitely has the football smarts - and more than enough athleticism to excel at MLB. There is absolutely zero proven depth backing him up, however. He easily qualifies as a candidate for "most indispensable defensive player".
Jerome Baker returns at weak-side linebacker. He played extremely well after stepping in for the injured Dante Booker at the beginning of last season. Of course, Booker is healthy now - and he is a natural fit at Worley's old SLB spot.
While largely unproven, the depth at both outside positions looks very impressive. In fact, an argument could be made that OLB is one of the top few strongest areas on the entire team.
As good as the returning starters at defensive end are, Ohio State is far too deep at each position to consider either of them as the defense's most indispensable player. Seriously - does anyone really think Nick Bosa or Jalyn Holmes would be a big step down from any defensive end in college football? A downright silly question - isn't it?
Dre'Mont Jones will be returning at "3 technique tackle" after an absolute breakout season in 2016. And the player who actually started at 3 in last year's opener, Tracy Sprinkle, will be back for the '17 season. There's plenty of up-and-coming talent lined up behind those two, as well. So many viable options, none of the 3s could really be described as "indispensable", in the true sense of the word.
Michael Hill played well in his first full year as the starter at "1 technique tackle" - a position that, by it's very nature, lacks glamour and doesn't tend to accumulate gaudy stats. However, at this point there really isn't another proven, true, double-team-demanding nose tackle type of monster on the roster.
Hill's primary back-up last season, Robert Landers, played as well in spots as could realistically be expected for a player of his size (6'1" - 283lbs) at that particular position. He would actually be better suited to play 3 - where as discussed above, there is already excellent depth.
The lack of depth (for a true nose type) shouldn't matter much - if at all - in most games. But when the Buckeyes face some of the more elite teams - with stronger O-lines, it could become an issue.
If the 1 technique tackle is not enough of a "force of nature" to absolutely demand a double-team in the middle of the O-line - obviously, that extra blocker becomes available to help elsewhere. Naturally, that could have an adverse effect on the end or tackle to either side of him. And remember, last season's star middle linebacker will be playing on Sundays this year.
A quick, smaller, gap-shooter at 1 is fine in certain situations - but that won't get it done as an every-down nose tackle. At least, not at the elite, championship level.
So - in my view, it's a toss-up between Chris Worley and Michael Hill for "most indispensable defensive player" - with perhaps, only the slightest edge going to Worley. For that matter, one could call them MIDP 1 and 1a - right in the middle of the D.
Of course, I would be interested in other points of view.
By the way - hopefully, since this is a topic on defense, it will not devolve in to a referendum on the pros and cons of the returning starter at quarterback - but with some fans, ya just never know - /s -
