- How great is it to be discussing football? Urban has certainly made some mistakes, but what he has established at Ohio State in terms of a culture of respect, work ethic and brotherhood is truly commendable. Welcome back Coach Meyer.
- Coach Day, if it’s possible to have a silver lining in this mess, it is the fact that you have placed yourself in the cross hairs of a big-time program with a multi-millon dollar salary for next year. We’ll miss you, but maybe you will find your way back here in the same capacity that you now hold.
- Offense
- Haskins impressed this old QB coach. Goodness knows there have been plenty of strong-armed QBs who weren’t very good. I knew you had a rifle, but I wasn’t ready to anoint you after the Michigan game as others were. I’m now getting the oil ready. I loved how quickly you went through your progressions and how quickly the ball leaves your hand. And, if your ball placement is remotely similar throughout the season, then we’re in for a treat.
- Mike Webber, you are now our poster child for overcoming obstacles; well, I guess Isaiah Prince should probably be on that poster too, but I digress. Great effort and burst.
- The O-line is legit. The leverage and balance were outstanding. I can’t really single anyone out because they were all terrific.
- Okay, I am going to single out Jordan. I remember one high snap, but even that one was within the safe zone. We knew he could block, but now we know that he can safely get the ball to the QB as well.
- I don’t know if it’s maturity, experience or Coach Hartline, but the receivers looked great. They caught the ball with their hands and there weren’t any drops that I can remember.
- Our tight ends appear to have the same basic role as years past, which is to say that there is much more emphasis on blocking than receiving. However, let me go on record right now as stating that Ruckert is very good at.......blocking. Go back and watch the tape if you don’t believe me. Look, he will certainly improve with more muscle and experience, but his balance and overall technique is solid. He certainly won’t be a liability in that regard, which was the fear.
- Defense
- If, when we’re on defense, you have your eyes anywhere but on 97, then I would suggest you fix that problem going forward. This kid is so special. He is simply elite in every phase of the game.
- In fact, our D-Line appears to be as advertised. I loved Jones’s two sacks, but the play that will be replayed ad nauseum in the film room today is his effort when he made the tackle on the screen pass 30 some yards downfield. This kid is an athlete who will soon make lots of money.
- Werner is great in space and has a great motor. He doesn’t do as well when he’s in the box, but I don’t think he’ll be a liability there either. I thought Harrison played well for a first game also.
- Browning is worrisome. He just meanders into the scrum with no sense of urgency and gets lost in the wash. This was just one game, so I’m not ready to cast him aside yet, but yesterday’s play makes me wonder if his future is with his hand on the ground. It’s certainly not the debut for which we had hoped.
- For what it’s worth, Hilliard played with aggression and was able to defeat blocks. Needless to say, it’s great that Borland has healed so quickly.
- Okudah’s first PI was legit, his second one, not so much. Sheffield played well, and Arnette did not stick out one way or another, which is a good sign for a dB.
- Based on what I saw yesterday, It scares me that Wint was on the field. He just looked like he was running in mud the whole game. It is therefore troubling that he was even in the running for a starter’s position.
- I’m not sure Pryor is the answer either.
- The good news is that we will get back a potential All-American when Fuller returns. The bad news seems to be that whoever mans the other safety position will be a sizable downgrade from Webb. In limited reps, I loved the intensity of Wade. The kid is a stellar athlete with decent size and cover ability. Based on yesterday alone, I can’t help but think that he could be a Vonn Bell in the making.
- You heard it here first: Togiai will have a tree in the grove before he leaves. His center of gravity is crazy low - which is a great asset for a lineman - and, his balance and lateral movement is excellent. He will play and play often this year.
- Special teams
- Except for Arnette’s lapse in concentration, great job.
- I’d love for anyone with intel to speak to McCall’s fall on the returner depth charts. The obvious answer is that there were too many drops in camp. All I know is seemingly whenever that kid has the ball in his hands, good things happen.
- Overall, great effort and a solid first week. The only worry will be mitigated when Borland and Fuller return. I’ll also be eager to see how Munford holds up against an elite pass rusher, but otherwise all systems seem to be go.
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Bullet Points
9/2/18 at 10:34a in the OSU Football Forum
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