2006 Ohio State Outlook: Defense

[RhodeIslandBuck]

2006 Ohio State Football Outlook & Preview

Defense
Overview- Last year, the Buckeye defense was ranked fourth in the nation in total defense and first in the nation in run defense, but the Buckeyes lose nine players from that juggernaut defense heading into 2006. But seriously folks, when was the last time Jim Tressel coached a bad defense. Unlike the past few years the defense doesn’t have to be great. Returning on the defensive side of the ball are defensive tackles Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins who started the second half of the season last year. One thing everyone remembers about last year’s Buckeye defense is the linebackers, all three are making millions in the NFL but Ohio State has a somewhat experienced group to replace the best linebacking group in the nation. The defensive backs are the big question mark, only one of the players has starting experience and the rest did not see much playing time on defense last year. This Ohio State defense is talented and blazing fast, they just have to prove that on the field.
Defensive Ends- Lawrence Wilson and Jay Richardson will have control of the starting job when the season comes around. Wilson has game experience from last year after starting in the Fiesta Bowl. Behind them are Alex Barrow, Vernon Gholston (who could take over the starting job during the season), Doug Worthington, and Robert Rose. Rose was ranked the number one high school defensive end in the nation last year by Rivals.com after a tremendous showing in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and will see a lot of playing time this year.
Depth Chart
LE

1. 87 Lawrence Wilson, 6-6, 270, So.
2. 78 Alex Barrow, 6-5, 275, So.
3. Doug Worthington, 6-7, 274, Fr.

RE

1. 99 Jay Richardson, 6-6, 276, Sr.
2. 50 Vernon Gholston, 6-4, 260, So.
3. 9 Robert Rose, 6-5, 260, Fr.

Defensive Tackles- This is the strongest position for the Buckeyes on defense, they return All-American Quinn Pitcock, and David Patterson to form one of the best defensive tackle duos in the nation. Following those two are Todd Denlinger, Nader Abdallah, and Joel Penton. Abdallah and Denlinger seem to be the favorites to be the starters in 2007. Denlinger had a great spring and will get a decent amount of playing time. This is a more than solid group that may not have a lot of depth but the starters make this one of the best groups in the country.
Depth Chart

1. 90 Quinn Pitcock, 6-3, 295, Sr.
2. 97 David Patterson, 6-3, 285, Sr.
3. 92 Todd Denlinger, 6-3, 280, Fr.
4. 98 Joel Penton, 6-5, 290, Sr.
5. 93 Nader Abdallah, 6-5, 310, So.

Inside Linebackers- The Buckeyes have strong group of athletes here, led by Indiana transfer John Kerr, as a freshman Kerr won defensive freshman of the year in the Big Ten and led Indiana in tackles. Behind Kerr is Mike D’Andrea, who was a highly touted recruited who has been plagued by injury throughout his career. Rounding out the group is Chad Hoobler and Mark Johnson. The Buckeyes have an experienced player stating and have D’Andrea waiting in the wings (if healthy) to contribute. Hoobler will see some playing time this year.

1. 52 John Kerr, 6-1, 233, Sr.
2. 5 Mike D’Andrea, 6-3, 248, Sr.
3. 46 Chad Hoobler, 6-3, 240, Jr.
4. 44 Mark Johnson, 6-4, 230, Fr.

Outside Linebackers- After losing an All-American and two first round NFL draft picks at this position, you will always experience atleast a bit of a drop-off. That doesn’t mean the Buckeyes will have horrible linebackers this year, it just means replacing A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter will be very difficult. Taking over hawk’s old job will be Marcus Freeman who sat out last year with an injury and got a medical redshirt. Taking over Carpenters role will be James Laurinaitis, who started in the absence of Carpenter in the Fiesta Bowl. Behind the two starters will be Junior College transfer Larry Grant, Curtis Terry, Thaddeus Gibson, and Ross Homan. Homan looked great in the spring game and will definently get his fair share of playing time this year. Larry Grant will as well.
Depth Chart
WILL

1. 1 Marcus Freeman, 6-2, 242, So.
2. 51 Ross Homan, 6-1, 237, Fr.
3. 55 Curtis Terry, 6-2, 234, Jr.

SAM

1. 33 James Laurinaitis, 6-3, 244, So.
2. 6 Larry Grant, 6-3, 225, Jr.
3. 37 Thaddeus Gibson, 6-2, 220, Fr.

Cornerbacks- If Ashton Youboty had stayed for his senior year this would have been a strength for Ohio State heading into the 2006 season, Ohio State would have two obvious starters and it would be one of the best cornerback duos in the Big Ten. Malcolm Jenkins now leads this group and is a definite starter at one corner spot. The other starting job belongs to former walk-on Antonio Smith, for now. Donald Washington and Andre Amos will be pushing Smith for that position for the entire year. Also freshman Kurt Coleman, who had a great spring will get a lot of playing time. Finishing this group off is Shaun Lane.
Depth Chart

1. 1 Malcolm Jenkins, 6-1, 202, So.
2. 14 Antonio Smith, 5-9, 195, Sr.
3. 20 Donald Washington, 6-1, 195, Fr.
4. 13 Andre Amos, 6-1, 180, Fr.
5. 4 Kurt Coleman, 5-11, 185, Fr.
6. 29 Shaun Lane, 5-10, 180, So.

Safeties- The Buckeyes lost two very good players here in Nate Salley who graduated and Donte Whitner who entered the draft a year early and was picked number eight. If Whitner were returning this would be one of the best defensive backfields in the nation. The man that will be replacing Whitner at strong safety will be Nick Patterson who won the starting job over Brandon Mitchell who will see time at nickel back. The starter at FS will be Jamario O’Neal who had a great spring game and won the job over Anderson Russell who will see most of his playing time at the ‘star’ position. The players that round out this group will be Curt Lukens and Grant Schwartz.
Depth Chart
FS

1. 3 Jamario O’Neal, 6-1, 190, So.
2. 21 Anderson Russell, 6-0, 190, Fr.
3. 36 Curt Lukens, 6-3, 215, Jr.

SS

1. 23 Nick Patterson, 6-2, 210, So.
2. 32 Brandon Mitchell, 6-3, 205, Sr.
3. 24 Grant Schwartz, 6-0, 200, Fr.

I'll have a Special Teams outlook around this time tommorrow.

[Zurp]

I thought Ohio State typically used "strong" and "weak"-side linebackers - not "right" and "left" linebackers. To tell you the truth, though, I wouldn't be able to tell you who played which spot, most of the time.

[RhodeIslandBuck]

Originally Posted by Zurp

I thought Ohio State typically used "strong" and "weak"-side linebackers - not "right" and "left" linebackers. To tell you the truth, though, I wouldn't be able to tell you who played which spot, most of the time.

Just changed that, thanks for telling me, must have slipped my mind.

[bkochmc]

One other small correction... Ross Homan will be a freshman not a sophomore. Other than that nice article.

[RhodeIslandBuck]

Originally Posted by bkochmc

One other small correction... Ross Homan will be a freshman not a sophomore. Other than that nice article.

Thanks, just changed it.

Geez, I'm missing alot of stuff today

[HangOnSloopy]

At SS whats up with Patterson in front of Mitchell?

[RhodeIslandBuck]

Originally Posted by HangOnSloopy

At SS whats up with Patterson in front of Mitchell?

As of now, Patterson is the starter.

[scarletngray]

Thanks, again and nice job.

BTW - I believe because of shoulder injuries Lukens has now been switched to WR. Playing D is just too much wear and tear.

[RB07OSU]

CB will be very interesting this year. Smith is getting the nod as the starter right now but I tend to think that Coleman, Amos, or maybe Washington takes over the starting job. I think Coleman ends up being the NB and Amos takes over the starting job. He impressed me very much in HS and I think he is our best cover corner on the team. But then again Smith could really surprise us this year. Like I said, it will be very interesting.

[crzykillernut]

I thought there were rumblings that Lane was no longer with the team. What officially is his status?

[SanClementeBuck]

RhodeIslandBuck: Thanks for your excellent write-up, especially for people like me who really don't know too much about who will come behind our talent pool at LB. Good show!

[sandgk]

Am I the only one who thinks (hopes?) that the DE play will be far more dynamic this year than last?

Last year it majority contain and collapse. This year I expect to see a lot more rush-DE play. Heavens, I can even foresee Rose getting looks early in the year in rotation. (His Army All-American performance was a tour-de-force).

[Best Buckeye]

Originally Posted by sandgk

Am I the only one who thinks (hopes?) that the DE play will be far more dynamic this year than last?

Last year it majority contain and collapse. This year I expect to see a lot more rush-DE play. Heavens, I can even foresee Rose getting looks early in the year in rotation. (His Army All-American performance was a tour-de-force).

I agree with you, I believe we have better suited DE's, rather than using a linebacker as a down rusher there sometimes , Wilson is supposed to be a real beast. Wilson will help create overall better performance by raising the bar more evenly for both ends. And this in turn will improve the whole line play.
Both Richardson and Gholston (who I think will turn some heads if he stays healthy, I believe he was the starter last year) will do a great job at the other end.

[RB07OSU]

Originally Posted by crzykillernut

I thought there were rumblings that Lane was no longer with the team. What officially is his status?

Still with the team as far as I know but he is likely transfering next year if not this year.

[scooter1369]

Originally Posted by sandgk

Am I the only one who thinks (hopes?) that the DE play will be far more dynamic this year than last?

Last year it majority contain and collapse. This year I expect to see a lot more rush-DE play. Heavens, I can even foresee Rose getting looks early in the year in rotation. (His Army All-American performance was a tour-de-force).

A lot of the scheme last year was for our DE's to take on blocks and let our Linebackers make plays. That's why Kudla got pressure everyonce in a while. Tackles expected him to concentrate on conatainment and to initiate contact. When he didn't, his quickness made it near impossible for the Tackle to recover in time to stop him.

I would expect to see the D-line much more aggressive this year while the linebackers get their sea legs.