I think the Key to our D performing to the standard of the past two years is to be solid at every position--by which I mean having a player in place who will do his job, and not make many mistakes--with one "big name" at each level to draw attention.
For instance:
3 Solid DL, One Monster - I think we're fine here. Among Pitcock, Fraser, and Kudla, anyone who draws a double team will create an instant weakness elsewhere om the O line. Anyone else thrown in the rotation with 1 or 2 of these guys will keep us OK up front.
2 Solid LB, One Scary Dude - You're kidding, right? We've got 3 scary dudes on the field at any given time... and the backups are moderately frightening, as well. 'Nuff said. (BTW, I consider Freeman to be a Serious MoFo in training.)
3 solid DB, one Opposite-pole magnet (as in, the ball magically goes the other way...)
Here's where things get tricky. DB is te perceived weakness of our D, at least the past two years. I think this is more a reflection of defensive philosophy than of actual weakness. We will force you to beat us through the air, because eventually you WILL screw up, and we WILL make you pay for it.
Corners: Fox and E.J. Look for teams to test E.J. early on. If Tress is correct, he COULD be that magnet for us. Everyone throws at Fox, and the D allows it, because you may get the ball, will not get past Fox (SORRY to open up that can of worms again, folks.) The two-deep should be able to provide a couple of solid guys for relief, maybe nothing spectacular, but then again... if Ginn's mind is as quick as his feet, he could be out on the field locking things down ...
Safeties: Salley, Mitchell, Whitner, & Co. Prototypical
OSU safeties: good speed, good cover skills, solid center fielders, in other words. Oh, and if you cross their pass, they will cross your eyes for you... and you can try to focus on the little birdies flapping happily past.
The secondary will be tested early and often. I think they're up to the test.
Basically, I think that if you look at any level of our D, there is someone there for opposing OC's to worry about, and that's all we need. If you focus on our attention getters, everyone else on the field is good enough to get the job done. And GOD HELP YOU if you don't focus on those big-play guys, cause nothing short of Divine Intervention will keep them off of your ball-carrier.
DT Quinn Pitcock (official thread)
