Ohio State 2011 Off-Season Discussion
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WebFireWriterbuckeye;865559 wrote:Okay, troll. I misspoke and should have written IN THE PAST DECADE. Happy now?
Troll? Really? SMH
Lighten up Francis. -
Automatik
WebFire;865590 wrote:Troll? Really? SMH
Lighten up Francis.
Yeah I'd also consider you a troll. -
WebFireAutomatik;865614 wrote:Yeah I'd also consider you a troll.
Please. Cry about it why don't ya. If I'm a troll, then most everyone here is. -
Y-Town Steelhound
One thing about the coaching change is that you need to remember that it's the same staff. This situation is a lot different from a new coach coming in and changing everything. My guess is that Fickell will run a similar style to Tressel on both ends. -
Scarlet_Buckeye
dat dude;865580 wrote:I should have just stopped reading after the "scarlet and gray glasses" line. Then, I should have stopped after you identified Solomon Thomas as a "key defensive end." I did stop after the "abysmal linebacking core." Honestly, I'm not sure you're familiar with the roster. The WR corps is definitely an area of concern moreso than the group of LBs.
Your first two points, however, do have some bearing. How much, is obviously the unknown. An injury to Braxton is the only way this team loses five games, imo. The schedule is not that difficult and OSU has reloaded with talent. I would be disappointed if OSU was not 5-0 heading into Lincoln, Nebraska.
Solomon Thomas is a backup DE at a position we are VERY weak at (save Nathan Williams). OPEN YOUR EYES! Melvin Fellows is a Rs Soph, Garrett Goebel is a Jr (and not very good), Darryl Baldwin is a Rs Fr. ... who's going to play opposite of Williams? Who's going to spell relief? Yes... Thomas is a VERY important piece considering how thin we are at DE! -
OneBuckeye
http://theozone.net/football/2011/FallCamp/projecteddepthchart_defense_2.html
JT Moore has looked impressive in camp, and may have been able to beat out Thomas. We have plenty of great guys and depth on the DL. Just because you don't know their names doesn't mean they are bad.
STRONGSIDE DEFENSIVE END
(Editor’s note: After playing more inside last season, John Simon will slide out to play some defensive end in the absence of Cam Heyward.)
54 John Simon (6-2, 270, Jr.)
+91 Melvin Fellows (6-5, 270, rSo.)
86 Kenny Hayes (6-5, 240, Fr.)
57 Chase Farris (6-6, 265, Fr.)
NOSE TACKLE
(Editor’s note: Adam Bellamy is considered the top backup at every spot on the defensive line except Leo.)
53 Garrett Goebel (6-3, 290, rJr.)
93 Adam Bellamy (6-4, 302, rSo.)
68 Evan Blankenship (6-3, 288, rSr.)
95 Don Matheney (6-0, 310, Sr.)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
52 Johnathan Hankins (6-3, 335, So.)
*51 Joe Hale (6-4, 305, Fr.)
+63 Michael Bennett (6-3, 280, Fr.)
90 Darryl Baldwin (6-4, 290, rFr.)
WEAKSIDE DEFENSIVE END (LEO)
(Editor’s note: Solomon Thomas has missed a large chunk of practice time this fall because of injury, but even when he returns he must sit for the first five games of the season).
43 Nathan Williams (6-3, 255, Sr.)
50 J.T. Moore (6-1, 252, rFr.)
^98 Solomon Thomas (6-5, 255, rSr.)
88 Steve Miller (6-4, 245, Fr.)
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Scarlet_Buckeye
OneBuckeye;866194 wrote:http://theozone.net/football/2011/FallCamp/projecteddepthchart_defense_2.html
JT Moore has looked impressive in camp, and may have been able to beat out Thomas. We have plenty of great guys and depth on the DL. Just because you don't know their names doesn't mean they are bad.
LOL @ "just because I don't know there names..."
I know plenty of the names. I follow OSU closer than most on here. Just because JT Moore is "filling in" for Solomon Thomas doesn't mean that JT Moore is good. It can just as easily mean we have a gap/hole at a position and we're in some shit.
John Simon is a BEAST, but he's not a DE; he's better suited for DT.
Melvin Fellows hasn't done much in the past years to prove that he can be the "fill in." I hope and pray it's him (because I think he's our best choice/option), but the fact remains... the position has been there for him to swoop in and take it, and he hasn't.
Kenny Hayes is a true Fr. Do we really want a true Fr as 1st string DE?
Nathan Williams is great. He's got the other spot on lockdown.
J.T. Moore is blah. And he's a Rs Fr. I'm not looking to have a Rs Fr. as our 1st string DE.
Steve Miller is a true Fr. It ain't going to be him.
How anyone can look at our depth @ DE and say there's "plenty" / "there's a bunch of good young guys there (just because you may not know there names)" is truly laughable. We have a glaring hole/weakness there and I'm baffled as to why no one can acknowledge this! -
OneBuckeye
Fellows and Moore are both legit they just haven't got their shots yet. Bellemy played awesome last year when he got in. Did you not watch the sugar bowl? He made several fantastic plays. Joe Hale has stood out in practice as well. Nathan Williams, Jon Hankins, Cameron Heyward all made impacts as freshman on the d-line don't think these kids somehow can't.
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Scarlet_Buckeye
OneBuckeye;866232 wrote:Fellows and Moore are both legit they just haven't got their shots yet. Bellemy played awesome last year when he got in. Did you not watch the sugar bowl? He made several fantastic plays. Joe Hale has stood out in practice as well. Nathan Williams, Jon Hankins, Cameron Heyward all made impacts as freshman on the d-line don't think these kids somehow can't.
I'm expecting BIG things from Joe Hale. I am VERY excited about him. I think he will have a John Simon-like first year.
I'm also expecting Jon Hankins to continue his dominance. Hankins has proven that he can be a valuable force in the middle. I feel very comfortable with Hankins and Hale as our DTs. In fact, I'm even going to dare say they're probably the best DT pairing we've had in quite awhile.
Nathan Williams is a stud. He'll lockdown the one end.
That just leaves the other end for discussion...
...And when I look into my crystal ball, I just don't see anyone stepping up. I mean, sure someone will step in and be serviceable, but are we really looking for servicable only? I want someone who can step in and lockdown the other end. Someone that won't be a clear weak spot. And I don't see that. I hope I'm wrong; heck, I'd love to be wrong. -
OneBuckeye
Scarlet_Buckeye;866243 wrote:I'm expecting BIG things from Joe Hale. I am VERY excited about him. I think he will have a John Simon-like first year.
I'm also expecting Jon Hankins to continue his dominance. Hankins has proven that he can be a valuable force in the middle. I feel very comfortable with Hankins and Hale as our DTs. In fact, I'm even going to dare say they're probably the best DT pairing we've had in quite awhile.
Nathan Williams is a stud. He'll lockdown the one end.
That just leaves the other end for discussion...
...And when I look into my crystal ball, I just don't see anyone stepping up. I mean, sure someone will step in and be serviceable, but are we really looking for servicable only? I want someone who can step in and lockdown the other end. Someone that won't be a clear weak spot. And I don't see that. I hope I'm wrong; heck, I'd love to be wrong.
Simon will be there most of the time this year. We need to the bigger bodies like Hale, Hankins and Bellemy in the middle to clog the inside run against teams like wisconsin. We need Simon's speed on the outside against teams like Nebraska and Miami. I worry more about the Oline and WRs. Historically our defnese has always played well and always had players step up. -
Automatik
WebFire;865707 wrote:Please. Cry about it why don't ya. If I'm a troll, then most everyone here is.
I think you're the one crying my friend. I'm just calling it like I see it. Get some new material and kindly fuck off.
I'm excited for Hankins to get some serious PT this year. I remember a few times when he got on the field last year thinking....who the in the hell is that fucking giant?! He looks to have the NFL D-tackle mold.
I also disagree with some of the posts about our LB's being a weak spot. We ALWAYS reload at that position. When is the last time we had a less than average group of linebackers? -
Commander of Awesome
jordo212000;855404 wrote:Why the F is Herron even sniffing 1st team snaps? He's gone until mid-season. Stop wasting time on him. Get him up to speed around 3rd game of the season. Until then devote plenty of opportunities to the extremely green young guys.
Why is still even on the team? He sucks, Jamal Berry is a beast, play him. -
WebFireAutomatik;866277 wrote:I think you're the one crying my friend. I'm just calling it like I see it. Get some new material and kindly fuck off.
I'm excited for Hankins to get some serious PT this year. I remember a few times when he got on the field last year thinking....who the in the hell is that fucking giant?! He looks to have the NFL D-tackle mold.
I also disagree with some of the posts about our LB's being a weak spot. We ALWAYS reload at that position. When is the last time we had a less than average group of linebackers?
Who pissed in your wheaties? Eat a dick. -
Automatik
WebFire;866360 wrote:Who pissed in your wheaties? Eat a dick.
Awwww is that a tear I see. -
Commander of Awesome
Last time we had an avg group of LBers was this past season IMO.
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WebFireAutomatik;866366 wrote:Awwww is that a tear I see.
Yeah. I'm so sad that Automatik told me to fuck off on an internet message board. Mommyyyyyyyyyyyyy! -
se-alum
Scarlet_Buckeye;866219 wrote:LOL @ "just because I don't know there names..."
I know plenty of the names. I follow OSU closer than most on here. Just because JT Moore is "filling in" for Solomon Thomas doesn't mean that JT Moore is good. It can just as easily mean we have a gap/hole at a position and we're in some shit.
John Simon is a BEAST, but he's not a DE; he's better suited for DT.
Melvin Fellows hasn't done much in the past years to prove that he can be the "fill in." I hope and pray it's him (because I think he's our best choice/option), but the fact remains... the position has been there for him to swoop in and take it, and he hasn't.
Kenny Hayes is a true Fr. Do we really want a true Fr as 1st string DE?
Nathan Williams is great. He's got the other spot on lockdown.
J.T. Moore is blah. And he's a Rs Fr. I'm not looking to have a Rs Fr. as our 1st string DE.
Steve Miller is a true Fr. It ain't going to be him.
How anyone can look at our depth @ DE and say there's "plenty" / "there's a bunch of good young guys there (just because you may not know there names)" is truly laughable. We have a glaring hole/weakness there and I'm baffled as to why no one can acknowledge this!
You seriously think Simon isn't going to be good on the other end? I see Williams and Simon both being virtually unblockable, especially w/ Big Hank commanding a double team. Defense is the least of my worries this year. Also, you left out Bellamy, who played VERY well in the Sugar Bowl last year. -
OneBuckeye
Summary of some tweets.
Bauserman had 50% of reps and Miller 40% with the ones today.
Berry sat out today with a hamstring issue. Hopefully this doesnt turn out to be more than that.
Devin Smith Stuggled today at WR. Reed and Spencer caught everything thrown their way
Micheal Bennett making rotations on the Dline with the ones today.
Nate Williams was out today and Moore played in his spot.
Carlos Hyde looked great again today... better than Rod Smith. -
OneBuckeye
More notes. Looks like Roby is locking down the starting CB and Doran Grant has moved into the 2nd team DBs.
General
This will be the last open practice before the jersey scrimmage on Saturday, where some people expect one of the quarterbacks to win the starting spot.
The team practiced exclusively on the grass fields this morning (compared to the turf fields they have been practicing on).
Coach Cooper made an appearance this morning on the sidelines.
The team was practicing field goals today, and Big Hank got his hand on one after pushing right up the middle of the line. Add it to the list of things that Big Hank will be awesome at.
Coach Drayton and Coach Vrabel continue to lead their players by example, with Vrabel running ahead of his players from drill to drill and Drayton demonstrating a blocking technique himself very nearly full go.
The team did a full go drill in which the all three units on offense and defense rotated in after one play each in rapid succession.
Offense
Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller continue to separate themselves in the QB competition. They split time on the first and second team between themselves almost exclusively today. Kenny Guiton was running with the third team.
Jaamal Berry was out with a hamstring issue today which he stretched on the side and iced during practice.
Jordan Hall continues to be the #1 back with the offense, with Carlos Hyde still looking like #2. Rod Smith did get some time with the first team today as well, although it was primarily during passing drills.
The offensive line depth chart I noted in my last update remains the same.
Freshmen WRs Devin Smith and Evan Spencer continue to work with the second team and continue to impress. They will be good down the road, very good. Evan Spencer in particular was impressive today, hauling in 3 nice catches in a row at one point during passing drills.
Defense
Freshmen defenders Doran Grant, Michael Bennett, and Steve Miller all received time with the first team defense today.
Bradley Roby continues to look like the second CB opposite Travis Howard, although as mentioned, D. Grant did get some time with the first team today.
I made a note of which safeties played closer to the LOS in my last report. Upon further review today, the safeties change alignment based on the look the offense is in. So on some plays Orhian Johnson plays back in ?center field? on defense, and on other plays C.J. Barnett does.
The defensive line went with a big look today that took the LEO off the field. The players on the field (from left to right) were: John Simon, Adam Bellamy, Garrett Goebel, and Johnathan Hankins. Interestingly enough, Christian Bryant was on the field as the star during this look along with Andrew Sweat and Etienne Sabino at LB.
Ron Tanner was getting time on the third team at safety (along with Zach Domicone).
The depth chart remains largely the same minus the notes in this update (although the freshman getting time rotated in with the previously established players still getting on the field). -
OneBuckeye
Melvin Fellows out with more knee issues. Ongoing injury. He will be a good one if he can stay on the field.
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dat dudeScarlet_Buckeye;866219 wrote:LOL @ "just because I don't know there names..."
I know plenty of the names. I follow OSU closer than most on here. Just because JT Moore is "filling in" for Solomon Thomas doesn't mean that JT Moore is good. It can just as easily mean we have a gap/hole at a position and we're in some ****.
John Simon is a BEAST, but he's not a DE; he's better suited for DT.
Melvin Fellows hasn't done much in the past years to prove that he can be the "fill in." I hope and pray it's him (because I think he's our best choice/option), but the fact remains... the position has been there for him to swoop in and take it, and he hasn't.
Kenny Hayes is a true Fr. Do we really want a true Fr as 1st string DE?
Nathan Williams is great. He's got the other spot on lockdown.
J.T. Moore is blah. And he's a Rs Fr. I'm not looking to have a Rs Fr. as our 1st string DE.
Steve Miller is a true Fr. It ain't going to be him.
How anyone can look at our depth @ DE and say there's "plenty" / "there's a bunch of good young guys there (just because you may not know there names)" is truly laughable. We have a glaring hole/weakness there and I'm baffled as to why no one can acknowledge this!
What the hell makes you think Solomon Thomas was better than ANY of those players you just named? What exactly has he done? The one pick in the Sugar Bowl??
Like I said, the fact you label him as a "key defensive end" tells me all I need to know.
Oh, and Michael Bennett (a stud recruit from last year's stellar class) will be in the rotation on the front line as well. -
OneBuckeye
From elevenwarriors.com
Anyway, here are some random observations from Thursday's full-pad practice. (And an uncut interview of birthday boy Luke Fickell).
Tyler Moeller, Jamaal Berry, Solomon Thomas, Jeremy Cash, and Ron Tanner all had yellow "injury" jerseys on.
The Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions had scouts in attendance. Unsure of why the Browns had a scout there, seeing as their roster is stacked full of talent for the next decade.
Stan Drayton plays no games. During receiver pass-blocking drills, Drayton must've been fed up/wanted to prove a point, because he singled out Devin Smith to go against him. Things deteriorated for Smith quite quickly, as he was thrown to the ground repeatedly by Drayton, while Smith's fellow receivers yelled at him to get back up.
Boom Herron runs hard. Some folks have chips on their shoulder. Herron appears to have developed enough to fill an entire Lay's bag. I was about 50 yards away from him and could almost feel the anger he was running with. Also, later in practice during Red Zone drills, Boom was standing near the sidelines barking encouragement to his teammates. These are the things people point to when they call somebody a "leader". It was quite obvious to see Boom is using all of this adversity for motivation.
Verlon Reed continues to impress, making one wonder how far he could've been had he played receiver in high school.
Christian Bryant had a nice pass-break up during one sequence today.
Kenny Hayes put big Cris Carter on a spin-cycle during one play.
Travis Howard had a nice, athletic break-up on Verlon Reed on the sidelines.
Orhian Johnson & CJ Barnett appear to be your starting safeties this year.
Rod Smith had a bouncing run up the middle that would make Roy Hodgson say, "he had the balance of a veteran sailor in the middle of a sea storm."
Jake Stoneburner, when split out wide, looks like a natural. Had some very smooth catches today.
Joe Bauserman had some of the better throws today. Anything down the field came from Bauserman.
Braxton Miller displayed some accuracy problems, but he also showed flashes outside of the pocket. On one of those scrambles, however, he unleashed a pass which set the game of football back five years. (It looked like he had gripped the cone of the ball and attempted to throw it like a tomahawk).
While Pryor had those gliding runs to the outside, Braxton shows great cutting ability. One play in particular, he was going to the sidelines and easily cut back between two defenders. Granted, quarterbacks weren't live today, but the speed (and genius) of the cut would have caught the defenders off guard anyway.
Expect Carlos Hyde to be a big time contributor this year.
Orhian Johnson, Christian Bryant, and Travis Howard appear to have their own congratulatory handshake, and it's awesome.
Evan Spencer had some nice catches today.
T.Y. Williams is going to be a monster once he gets the whole "catching the football" thing down. He's about three heads taller than anybody on the team and it's hard to envision a cornerback in the country that could stop a fade-route in the corner to him. He had some drops today but he also had a nice catch for a touchdown.
The Red Zone could be quite the adventure this year. There were multiple over and under thrown balls which were easily broken up by cornerbacks. Obviously, having a four-headed hydra at your running back position could help, but it's hard to envision the Buckeyes throwing the ball a lot in the Red Zone.
During the Red Zone drills, the defensive line destroyed the offensive line, repeatedly. Braxton did escape pressure one time and turned an almost certain loss into a 12 yard gain. When Bauserman came in, the blocking got better, allowing Bauserman to hit T.Y. Williams for the aforementioned touchdown.
Drew Basil was 2/2 from 42 yards out. Cleared both kicks quite comfortably.
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dat dudePositive news on the recruiting front, as Adolphus Washington just named OSU as his leader. Couple that with him and Stanford continuing to insist they will play together, and that could be a big coup for OSU.
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Scarlet_Buckeye
Commander of Awesome;866378 wrote:Last time we had an avg group of LBers was this past season IMO.
I tend to agree, with the exception of Ross Homan. I think that kid was pretty good. Rolle would have been great, just unfortunately he was undersized. -
WebFiredat dude;867290 wrote:Positive news on the recruiting front, as Adolphus Washington just named OSU as his leader. Couple that with him and Stanford continuing to insist they will play together, and that could be a big coup for OSU.
Washington would be a good pickup. He still has Michigan in his top 6, but it sounds like it's OSU's to lose.