Dispatch
3/30/06
Quote:
Spring practice begins; questions need answers
Thursday, March 30, 2006
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The Ohio State football team opens spring practice today, a stretch of 15 sessions that culminates in the Scarlet and Gray Game on April 22 in Ohio Stadium.
The Buckeyes are coming off a 10-2 season that included seven straight wins to end the campaign, capped by victories over Michigan and Notre Dame. They finished fourth in the national rankings.
It could be an interesting spring. Although eight starters return on offense, nine new starters must be found on defense.
Gone are all three starting linebackers and the top four defensive backs from a defense that was ranked No. 1 in the country against the run and No. 5 overall.
That’s where OSU will start this spring, searching for replacements on defense while fine-tuning what should be an exciting offense.
Throw four early enrollees into the mix, topped by freshman running back Chris ‘‘Beanie" Wells, and stir in a kicker competition. Plenty of story lines await.
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Dispatch
3/30/06
Quote:
SPRING FOOTBALL
FIVE QUESTIONS
Thursday, March 30, 2006
By Tim May and Ken Gordon | THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Some national pundits are forecasting great things this fall for the Ohio State football team. To make those predictions come true, OSU must square away a few things in spring practice, which begins today.
Dispatch beat reporters Ken Gordon and Tim May examine five issues the Buckeyes must address this spring.
Question: Is replacing all three starting linebackers the most important task?
May: Yes. The Buckeyes relied on the versatility of that bunch — A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel — to do some great things last season. Plus, they were all seniors exhibiting leadership qualities. That part won’t be replaced in a few practices. But there is talent on hand, starting with the return from injury of Mike D’Andrea and Marcus Freeman, as well as James Laurinaitis, who was thrust into a full-time role as a freshman at season’s end because of Carpenter’s injury.
Gordon: The leadership is the key loss, I think. Linebackers call the defensive plays and make pre-snap reads and adjustments, so a lack of experience there can hurt the entire unit. In terms of scheme, though, I think linebackers are only third-most important to a defense, behind a solid line and a capable secondary. If you can pressure a quarterback and cover receivers, that’s a pretty good start. Which leads us to . . .
Question: Isn’t replacing the entire starting secondary a major concern, too?
Gordon: The departing linebackers have drawn much of the attention, but I think this is the area of most concern for the Buckeyes’ defense. Malcolm Jenkins looks ready at one corner, but OSU had better hope players such as Jamario O’Neal, Andre Amos, Sirjo Welch and Nick Patterson are ready, as well. That might be asking a lot.
May: Yes, but the situation in the secondary is similar to the one at linebacker, where Freeman and D’Andrea must step up because it’s their turn. Finding an active strong safety the likes of Donte Whitner might be the toughest chore. Like Carpenter at linebacker, Whitner gave them flexibility with their calls.
Question: Having quarterback Troy Smith back among eight offensive starters gives the Buckeyes a solid core. But who steps in for No. 1 receiver Santonio Holmes and for center Nick Mangold and guard Rob Sims, two four-year players?
May: Jim Cordle was the backup center going into fall camp last year before a foot injury knocked him out for the season. Now there is some talk that Doug Datish — last year’s left tackle — might move to center. And don’t forget about Steve Rehring, who missed most of last year after contracting pneumonia, and Alex Boone, who gained experience as a freshman.
Gordon: When it comes to the offensive line, I always believe majority rules. In other words, if you have the majority — in this case, three-fifths — of the starters back, you’re OK. If not, there’s trouble ahead. The loss of Holmes could be big, because it thrusts Ted Ginn Jr. into the No. 1 receiver role. He has had two years to learn the position, but is he ready?
Question: How about at running back, where 1,300-yard rusher Antonio Pittman is returning but is bothered by a hamstring pull? Does this set the table for incoming freshman Chris ‘‘Beanie" Wells to steal the show?
Gordon: You’re asking if ‘‘Beanie" is a leanie, meanie fighting machinie? He’s not lean, actually. He’s a muscular big-body, which should give OSU a formidable tandem. I think Wells earns playing time early, but not a starting spot, and the two split carries all season.
May: I believe there’s room for both, like Auburn showed a couple of years ago with Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown. At the same time, Maurice Wells appears primed to make a push, and just when we were ready to write off Erik Haw last year, he poked his head out of the doghouse and did some barking. Talentwise I think they’re loaded, with four distinct styles of backs. This might be the most fun area to keep an eye on this spring, primarily because Beanie Wells didn’t leave high school early just to watch practice.
Question: Punter A.J. Trapasso is back, but who do the Buckeyes have to replace outstanding kicker Josh Huston?
May: Ryan Pretorius, the former rugby player from South Africa, kicked well enough to handle the job last year. He just had a talented sixth-year senior ahead of him. It’s Pretorius’ job unless he flubs it big-time in the spring.
Gordon: We’re going to end this by agreeing? That’s no fun. But I have to concur. Aaron Pettrey will provide competition, but I see Pretorius winning. Then the question is whether there is any drop-off from the Mike Nugent-Huston days. Those two were so good, it’s unrealistic to expect the same level of production.
tmay@dispatch.com
kgordon@dispatch.com
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03-28-2006, 03:52 PM
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