Assistant Coach Jim Bollman (official thread)

[CleveBucks]

From the Dispatch...

"I just found out on Thursday these guys don’t use a blocking sled in practice," Johnson said. "I was shocked."

The OSU running game, meanwhile, has been on a slide since the departure of tailback Maurice Clarett after his freshman season in 2002. Then Johnson learned offensive coordinator and line coach Jim Bollman doesn’t use the sled.

"How can you teach people how to fire off the ball and block together, which our guys clearly are not doing," Johnson said. "That’s like building a house without a foundation under it."

"That was the worst performance of offensive linemen that I have seen on a Buckeye team," Johnson said. "But it’s because they don’t work at coming off as a unit.

"You’ve got these offensive linemen, big as they are, taking sidesteps before going forward. That’s why these defenses are gapping them (attacking the gaps between the linemen), and it’s why you see those running backs stutter-stepping sometimes. You can’t just keep blaming the backs. They need a place to run."

[Socky]

i totally agree,what is bolman thinking?

[exhawg]

As a lineman I hate sleds, but I think it is something that you have to do to be a good run blocker. They teach you to fire out stay low and drive. The 2 man sled is good for double teams because they make you stay even with the guy you're doubling with or the sled will spinout. I saw at least once in the game where the guard and center didn't stay together on the double and got split by the DT.

[blufftonbuck]

Seems weird to actually see this in print. I mean it has been all of the web boards but not by a former player. I have an idea there is a pretty good OL coach that has former Buckeye ties. I believe Lee Owens is up at Ashland??

[osugrad21]

That shocks me...


I thought the sled was a basic requirement?

Ok....my Bollman defense has just ceased.

[craigblitz]

This does seem bizzare to me..... And most know I am not the biggest Bollman fan, but before I jump him, I wonder what he does use to teach his oline to fire off the ball?

[scooter1369]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

That shocks me...


I thought the sled was a basic requirement?

Ok....my Bollman defense has just ceased.

I played line in HS and I can't fathom an O-line not using the sled. That's unheard of. I can't defend Bollman anymore either. This is just absurd.

[KillerNut]

I have been saying it now for two season, and this just furthers my frustration.

We do not block right. How did the Bears do blocking when Bollman was there? Horrible. What has happened since Bollman started coaching the offensive line? We have regressed. My biggest peave: Nobody fires out! Nobody drive blocks, or gets mean and nasty. You just don't see any pancake blocks, and I think it has to do with coaching. The talent is there.

Fire Jim Bollman has been a cry of mine since last year, this year I thought that maybe it was talent and we will see, then I thought maybe it is youth and inexperience, but it is becoming clear that he is just a failure of an offensive line coach.

I don't know if he would do it, but I would love to see Lachey get an opportunity.

[Airspace]

I don't care what they use - the Ohio State offensive line has been [censored] poor for the last 5 to 6 years. Minnesota does not have the talent we recruit but each year they look like a steam roller. What makes it even worse is the fact you know what they are going to do and they do it.

I would have thought by now that Tressel would have his recruits and system in place to play effectively. Instead we have an offensive line and play calling that leaves one dumb founded. How many times over the last few years that we have situations of 3rd and short (1 to 3 yards) and just can not get it done. I can not recount the number of times we had 3rd and 1 and just could not get it. It begins and ends with your offensive and defensive lines. And our offensive line is not getting it done.

[DEBuckeye]

Can you win the Iditarod without a sled? No.

Can you cruise down a snow-covered hill without a sled? No.

Can you race through the Great White North without a sled (snowmobile)? No.

Can you develop an effective offensive line without a sled? No.

That explains a lot.

[BuckeyeInTheBoro]

This can't be true.... can it?

[brutus2002]

I played free safety so I guess I will have to take the word of you O-liners. I know that the O-line does use the sled I would watch them. What Johnson said makes sense to me.

[JCOSU86]

This predates even JT. A few years ago, Fresno St. came to the Shoe. OSU had 4 tries from the 1 freakin' yard line to score a TD and came away with el zippo. Fresno Freakin' State. The Oline has not impressed me one bit since.

Is there a single defense in all of Div I college football that can't stop OSU's running game?

[scooter1369]

Originally Posted by JCOSU86

This predates even JT. A few years ago, Fresno St. came to the Shoe. OSU had 4 tries from the 1 freakin' yard line to score a TD and came away with el zippo. Fresno Freakin' State. The Oline has not impressed me one bit since.

Is there a single defense in all of Div I college football that can't stop OSU's running game?

Indiana

[FKAGobucks877]

Bollman uses that bull[censored] "zone blocking" technique (if you can call it a technique). I believe he even uses zone blocking on running plays, which is why he doesn't use the sled. One would think, however, after years of dismal failure, one would change their style.