QB Antonio Henton (transfer to Ga. Southern)

[GrizzlyBuck]

It is great to see that Henton has put his controversial problem behind him and come into practices with a good attitude and work ethic. Even if he does not play a role in the BCS NC game, his progression should add to tOSU's capabilities going into next season.

If you look at the type of QB's that JT and the staff have been recruiting lately, it is obvious that JT wants a QB with some escapeability, if not outright running ability. If I remember correctly, Robbie, Todd, and Joe B were all recruited prior (no pun intended) to Troy really establishing himself and showing the dimension added with an ultra-athletic QB.

I agree after seeing Auburn use a green freshman QB because of his ablity to run the spread, it does seem more possible that tOSU may give Henton a role in this game, maybe not though as this game is definately a bigger prize than a chicken sandwich (Chik-fil-a for you non Buckeye fans)

[Sportsbuck28]

That might be more due to Auburn switching to a no-huddle spread offense with their new coordinator than anything.

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by Seenile

I wouldn't be so sure. Remember an Old Miss (0-8 in SEC) team used a dual-threat qb very effectively against LSU, outgaining them 466-to-396. LSU could not stop him and if it wasn't for 4 turnovers (1 fumble at goalline, 1 int by other qb who was brought in on goalline, 1 legit int by qb, and 1 end-of-game toss) and a kickoff return by LSU, that game might have swung the other way.

Tressel does have a habit of saying we are going to do something and then doing it. He does this I believe because it forces other teams to prepare for more packages and playsets during their practices than they otherwise would. And if, during the game, OSU runs those packages at least a couple times, it causes the other team to be on their heels moreso than they would against an otherwise conservative offensive gameplan. A good example of this is when Tress says we are going to throw deep and sure enough, each game we take those long shots down the field to get them thinking so they don't stack the box.

One other thing we have to remember is that in the last two games, Boeckman has thrown 4 ints with QB ratings of 87 and 70. I don't think Tress is willing to bet the farm that Boeckman will get out of his slump. It is more a risk not to think of Henton in the gameplan, especially if LSU decides to stack the box with a few deep safeties to take away Beanie and Boeckman's strengths. That's why he moved Robbie to TE, to get Henton the reps. If he does go in, however, I think they will probably give him a limited playbook like Florida gave Leak last year against us (no passes beyond 15-20 yards) to minimize any mistakes he might make from inexperience. But from what I saw Old Miss do to LSU, I think Tress might prefer more of Henton than what you might guess.

Right, I understand what you're saying. But why should the Buckeyes try something that they haven't tried yet this season? I understand that Boecks has been struggling, but I believe Tressel will give Beanie the bulkload of work, and it wouldn't surprise me to see Beanie with 40 carries on the game. I also don't expect to see Boeckman pass that much because of his recent lackluster play. I just don't understand why you'd want to throw a QB with EXTREMELY LIMITED game-time experience out on the field in the National Championship because it is more unlikely that a young QB like that will fold under pressure than do extreme good.

[daddyphatsacs]

Again, I say this pretty confidently........if you are expecting Henton to play next week, you are going to be disappointed. It is not in the works as of right now.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by daddyphatsacs

Again, I say this pretty confidently........if you are expecting Henton to play next week, you are going to be disappointed. It is not in the works as of right now.

Just another level of preparation for LSU...just like formations to death just to add on to film work.

[Seenile]

Originally Posted by Mr. Clutch

Right, I understand what you're saying. But why should the Buckeyes try something that they haven't tried yet this season? I understand that Boecks has been struggling, but I believe Tressel will give Beanie the bulkload of work, and it wouldn't surprise me to see Beanie with 40 carries on the game. I also don't expect to see Boeckman pass that much because of his recent lackluster play. I just don't understand why you'd want to throw a QB with EXTREMELY LIMITED game-time experience out on the field in the National Championship because it is more unlikely that a young QB like that will fold under pressure than do extreme good.

I am not saying that they should or will play Henton in the NC game, it should be more like a backup plan. I agree that playing him would be risky. But if Tressel only takes the gameplan that he is going to run Beanie 40 times and not pass that much, that is also risky (especially in this day and age of football) and that may play into LSU's strength (Dorsey and Company) a little too much without the threat of stretching the field.

With Boeckman, we get that vertical stretch but defenses have figured out how to stop our long ball by dropping their safeties deep. We also can't count on the fact that Boeckman will have the time to get off deep passes nor can we count on the fact that his film study will correct something that he has been struggling with since the Akron game, floating his deep ball. Several of his early touchdowns would have been picks against better, more athletic defenders (like Illinois) and he had many more potential pics dropped by opponents (like Washington). I don't think Tressel is entirely comfortable with our INTs more than doubling last season's regular season number.

Last year, we planned on featuring Ginn like we plan on featuring Beanie this year and when we lost Ginn, we paid dearly for it. Had we had another week to prepare for Florida, knowing we were going to be without Ginn, we would have probably run right up the gut of Florida or used our TEs more (like what Miami did against us with Kellen Winslow, Jr. when we shut down Miami's deep ball and running game) rather than us playing into Florida's strength (fast DEs). Tressel is just being a boy scout right now so that if, God forbid, we were to lose either Beanie or Boeckman, he has the contingency plans in place.

With Henton, you get less of the vertical stretch but more of the horizontal one, so that you can keep the ball in play longer (like Troy Smith does for the Ravens now). This might help us be able to unlock some of our many underutilized (and, for the most of the season, unneeded) weapons (Ray Small, Brandon Saine, etc.) when we are playing for all the marbles. Illinois tonight (against USC) showed a predictability that Ohio State can ill afford, only mixing it up too little, too late and then fumbling away their chances. They probably should have taken more of a risk and played McGee sooner. For whatever reason, sometimes some QBs play better and some fold in certain situations. And look at all the risks Michigan took against Florida; not all of them paid off but their aggressive mentality on both sides of the ball is what won them the game.

If the Boeckman that played against Penn State shows up, then by all means don't change anything. But, especially after last year, we must expect the unexpected, adapt and overcome. No excuses. 2008 is our year. I can't wait for this game. Go Bucks!!!

[Buckeye89Fan]

Originally Posted by Seenile

FROM ESPN.com (after Auburn/Clemson Bowl Game)

Freshman quarterback Kodi Burns, receiving an expanded role in Auburn's new spread offense, scored on a 7-yard run in overtime to give the Tigers a 23-20 victory over Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Monday night.

Burns, who shared snaps with senior starter Brandon Cox, threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Mario Fannin in the third quarter and led Auburn with 69 yards rushing on 13 carries. Just like that, Auburn may have found its next starting quarterback.

Here's another argument for expanding Henton's role. Auburn is another team that fits the conservative offensive/strong defense; so is Virginia Tech. Both teams have struggled to find their offensive identify and both have started to use a two-quarterback system lately with much success. It may be a trend that only increases in the years to come and Tress, being a student of the game, I am sure is aware of this trend and will pull out all stops to right the wrong of last year.

It still worries me.. I know this was under Cooper and the QBs were Stanley and Germaine but a dual QB system just doesn't sit well with me. Now if they bring Henton in maybe 5/6 times in the NC I think it might be a little different but using 1 QB for a certain task and the other for another task just won't work.

[Zurp]

I don't think that Ohio State will win this game if they play any other kind of football than what got them to this game.
In my opinion, Henton should not play unless he's needed. And I hope he isn't needed.

[NJ-Buckeye]

I think the teams that win the bowl games are those that do things a bit different.. thus unexpected

[lvbuckeye]

Originally Posted by Zurp

I don't think that Ohio State will win this game if they play any other kind of football than what got them to this game.
In my opinion, Henton should not play unless he's needed. And I hope he isn't needed.

i hope we see Henton play becuse we're up 5 TDs in the 4th quarter...

[Sportsbuck28]

I think Terrelle Pryor said it best...

"Why change what you've done all year when your playing for a national championship?"

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Sportsbuck28

I think Terrelle Pryor said it best...

"Why change what you've done all year when your playing for a national championship?"

Here's why...

Originally Posted by NJ-Buckeye

I think the teams that win the bowl games are those that do things a bit different.. thus unexpected

[Sportsbuck28]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Here's why...

Well, obviously if you plan on winning you are going to have to make a few changes. My post was mainly directed at those that wanted to see us come out in a spread offense with Henton at the helm and run that for a lot of the game, because that wouldn't be smart in the first place, and JT definately wouldn't do that.

Sidenote: Jeesh we've got some versaitile QB's! One of them used to play minor league baseball, one is a duel threat, and the other one may get moved to TE!

[BuckEyeDr]

I'm guessing at 5 plays (+/-2) with Henton at QB used much like PSU's game. Mostly keepers, maybe one hand off, or one bootleg run/pass option to the TE.

This would not surprise me one bit, and I would welcome some change of pace. Even if LSU is expecting it.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Sportsbuck28

Sidenote: Jeesh we've got some versaitile QB's! One of them used to play minor league baseball, one is a duel threat, and the other one may get moved to TE!

He has been moved to TE and it's permanent...