What is the biggest concern...

[KillerNut]

you have about our team this season?

For me it is the offensive line. Not because I think it will be worse without our returning starters, (it couldn't have gotten much worse), but because I am affraid it will not be better. Chances are Zwick is going to be our starting QB, and unfortunetly Ross is going to be our starting RB, (at least to start the season). I don't know if Zwick is as tough as CK was, (not to say he is a whimp but CK was rather that tough), and I am concened what will happen to him if he gets beaten on like CK did last season. I also am worried about knocking teams off of the ball to open some big holes. We have learned that flydel does not have very good vision, so we are going to have to blow open some big ones.

Everything, offensively, is going to be determined by the offensive line. If we can protect the QB then I think we will pass the ball very effectively. If we can open up some holes I think we can keep the threat of the run in their minds.

It all is up to the offensive line. If they play well, I think another National Championship is a very real possibility. If not, hello Orlando.

[BuckeyeNation27]

i dont see us going to the NC. im hoping we get SC in the rose bowl.

im worried about WR. i think after santonio we have subpar returners...and the freshmen will have to carry the load. after watching ginn at the B33 game, i think he will want a shot at WR and if we are having trouble i think tress might give it to him.

[ZekeD]

Punter - we have been spoiled. We probably won 4 or 5 games this past two years we would have lost with an average punter.

[tibor75]

Running back.
Ross thus far hasn't shown himself to be more than a poor man's Derek Combs.

[bucknut11]

i'd have to say the O-line. any time you're breaking in 3 new starters with a new QB behind them, you have to be worried. I'm just hoping they can gel quickly and start knocking opponents off the line so that Ross can run and Zwick has time to throw the ball.

[Oh8ch]

I have to agree with Tibor (sorry, I couldn't think of any other way to phrase that).

I like Lydell and think he will deliver, but it is the only spot on the team where I have doubts. Too many health concerns for the only experienced players we have. I absoutely believe that after two years JT has Zwick and Smith ready to go. I believe the OL talent is there with more depth than we have had in some time - and that Bollman will have them ready. The receivers are there, the D is there.

My second choice would be punter, but after watching the turn around made by Sander and the emphasis JT puts on that dimension of the game I am pretty confident there as well.

That awesome 2002 class is entering its third season. If JT is who we think he is we have every right to high expectations.

[ashlandbuck]

Considering JT's offensive scheme, I'd have to say the O line is the greatest concern. A lot of holes to fill with a new QB to protect.
My biggest concern was the RB position, especially with the possiblity of Ross being injured and no depth. The spring game lessened my fears as I think the best tailback on the roster may be true freshman Tony Pittman.
I'd be surprised if Pittman didn't get a bunch of carries this year and possibly end up being the feature back. He sure looked special in the spring game.

[daddyphatsacs]

My biggest concern is at TB and punter. Until Ross and Hall can prove to me that they can stay injury free I have my doubts about them. I think that our incoming freshman have the potential to do something great while they are at OSU, I just do not anticipate seeing them do anything flashy this season.

With no running game, our offense will not click, much like what happened last season. We cannot constantly rely on our defense to bail us out of every game. Although I do believe that there will be no drop off in defensive performance this season under Snyder.

Punter also is a major "if" to me. Tressel has demonstrated how important a punter can be quite eloquently the past few seasons. In fact, I think that punting has won several games for us over that span of time. I just really hope that someone can step in and give us something similar to what Groom and Sander have given us the past couple of seasons.

[BrutusBobcat]

I think that most of it can be summed up as inexperience. On the oline (except Mangold), at QB, at WR (except for Holmes) and at punter, we are going to be breaking in players with very little gameday action. The upside is that this is a team that should get a lot better through the year.

I am not so concerned about RB, because we already know what we have there. If Ross or Hall perform above expectations, that's a bonus. If Pittman or Haw are able to make any kind of contribution, that's a bonus also.

On a positive note, I am becoming really hopeful about Ginn that he may have a Clarett-like impact, and that our previously woeful return game is about to get kicked up into gear. We have room to gain a lot of field position there.

[Brutus1]

Without a doubt, I'd say punter.

Although Ross is probably not the answer at rb (hope i'm wrong), at least we have a shot using someone among Joe, Haw, Parker, Pittman. Maybe having Joe back there for the whole season will help Ross and the o-line as well.

Qb has to make you nervous just based on the fact that no one has seen any serious game action. Maybe a platoon b/w Zwick and Smith could be a good thing. If neither works out, then perhaps Boeckman could get a shot, depending on how he looks in fall camp.

Sure, I'm worried about the o-line, but not as much as others seem to be. Sims and Mangold are solid and I've seen enough of Datish to know that moving to the inside is a move that plays into his strength. He's a big, strong kid who is made for run blocking. His pass blocking will improve with experience, but at least he'll have help and won't face the speed end rushers that could give him problems. I'm sure that he'll be solide on the inside this year be it at guard or center. If someone steps up to take the tackle spot opposite of Sims, then the line should be fine. It may take a little while, but they shoud be just fine (imo).

Wr is the least of my worries. We all knowe Holmes is going to be a stud. I'm lloking forward to seeing Roy Hall as a starter. If he's anything near what we expect, he'll be more than ok. The one guy who'll be a playmaker if given the pt is Gonzo. He's never talked about much, but he's fast, has good moves and can make plays after the catch. I think everyone's going to love him as a player. Throw in Jordan, and the others and someone will be a big help in the position.

My worry about the punter is that we just don't have alot to choose from, should one player bomb.

[AJHawkfan]

My biggest concern is at the QB position. No one has any significant playing time. Iff the starter struggles at the beginning of the season, it's going to make for a platoon situation, which in my opinion, is bad thing when you have 2 young QB's.

I believe the OL will gel through the summer practices and they'll be ok.

At RB I think we'll be alright. Having Ross and Joe both healthy ought to do wonders.

Punter is another area that concerns me. Tressel ball is playing tough defense and field position. The punter is key in winning the field position battle.

[Buckeye513]

I would say our offense in general, except our WR's.

[NoVABuck]

1. Punter - Hopefully whoever gets the job gets less work than Groom and Sander did the last two years, but we know better than anyone that a critical punt could play a large part in deciding a big game.

2. Pass Rush - Now that Will Smith is gone, we don't have a legitimate pass rush threat. It would be nice to see Jay Richardson step up and make an impact, because he is apparently that type of player.

3. Offensive Line - Hey, I love Olivea, Stepanovich, Clarke and Bishop - they helped deliver a National Championship. But I can't wait to see a more mobile, versatile offensive line. I think that's what we'll see this year, but hopefully there will be few growing pains. There definately will be some with 3 new starters.

4. Replacing Jenkins - MJ was a unique weapon that was the difference maker in many games the last couple years. He was a huge match-up problem for every team we faced because of his size and speed. I haven't seen Roy Hall do anything that suggests he'll be a similar headache for opponents and John Hollins appears to be strictly a possession receiver. I've been hoping Devon Lyons would be ready to play early because he has the size to be that guy. Based on what I've been reading about him, I believe he has a huge upside. Although he may not make much of an impact this year.

5. Lydell Ross staying healthy - If he can stay healthy, he can have a great season. I think he's got it in him.

6. Someone to step up to provide depth at RB - Joe, Hall, Pittman, Haw???

7. Zwick/Smith - Someone please step up and take the damn job for cryin out loud! Zwick is much more experienced working in the passing game. Zwick was a passing QB for 4 years in high school before he got to OSU, while Smith didn't even throw for 1000 yds his senior year. I think the experience makes Zwick the better option for a full-time QB, but it concerns me that Smith is still as close as he is. That tells me that Zwick has left the door open because of inconsistent play. Four years of high school as the man and two years as an understudy to a National Championship winning QB should be enough to prepare you, Justin. Get it done. Use Troy when you want to freak out the opponent - roll him out and throw bombs to Ted Ginn.

[RugbyBuck]

LOUIS HERE: "I would say, unquestionably, the linebackers. They, with the possible exception of Hawk, are all unproven in the Big Ten. I mean, Dios mio, Schlegel? Where did he play - for a service academy, in the Mountain West. Ooh, big [censored]in' deal. And Carpenter, he's got no experience and wouldn't be there at all, except for his dad. And the back-ups: D'Andrea has been a total wash-out and Kerr, hell, Steve Kerr is taller than him. Yep, middle of the conference as far as linebackers: No real talent and no depth."

Oh yeah, everybody's mothers suck.

[FKAGobucks877]

rugbybuck:

You bastard, you owe me a new keyboard, since I'll never be able to get the coffee out of this one. Hilarious.