Simplifying the playbook??

[tsteele316]

From today's Columbus Dispatch:

Buckeyes simplify offensive playbook

Friday, October 15, 2004
Tim May and Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

With their offense ranked 97 th in the country this week, the Ohio State coaches got out their scissors and commenced trimming down the playbook.

"One of the things we had to do as a staff was evaluate the whole situation and say, ‘What can we do at this time?’ " receivers coach Darrell Hazell said after practice yesterday. "When the guys get a little bit older in week seven or week eight, maybe give them a little bit more to work with, but right now we just needed to back off a little, do fewer things, and try to get better that way."

Along with sophomore quarterback Justin Zwick, there are six other first-year starters on the offense. Their inexperience has shown glaringly at times as the Buckeyes — 3-2 overall, but 0-2 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1992 — have searched for something that works consistently.

Hawk on the list


Junior linebacker A.J. Hawk made the first big cut in the competition for the Butkus Award, joining 11 other semifinalists announced yesterday by the Orlando Downtown Athletic Club, the award’s sponsor.

His competitors are Michael Boley of Southern Mississippi, Ahmad Brooks of Virginia, Kevin Burnett of Tennessee, Channing Crowder of Florida, Matt Grootegoed of Southern California, Spencer Havner of UCLA, Derrick Johnson of Texas, Lance Mitchell of Oklahoma, Kirk Morrison of San Diego State, Odell Thurman of Georgia and Leon Williams of Miami.

Hawk leads the Big Ten in tackles with 64.

Starters apparently ready


It was a week ago that coaches received the final word on middle linebacker Mike D’Andrea needing season-ending knee surgery. Yet nothing was announced until just before game time with Wisconsin.

Linebackers coach Luke Fickell said the starting lineup appears to be healthy going into Iowa. The only question is whether senior cornerback and co-captain Dustin Fox will start. He is expected to play, though, as he returns from a three-game break to let the broken bone in his lower left arm heal.

Tate impressions


Two players remember seeing Iowa quarterback Drew Tate when he was a record-setting high-school phenom in Baytown, Texas.

Linebacker Anthony Schlegel is from Highland Park, Texas, and said his father and Tate’s father are good friends.

Cornerback Ashton Youboty of Klein, Texas, said he competed against Tate in several seven-on-seven summer tournaments.

"He was good, he lived up to his hype," Youboty said.

Tate is a sophomore who played sparingly last season. He is not particularly big (6 feet, 185 pounds) but owns a strong arm and is mobile.

He has completed 65.6 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and six interceptions. He ranks fourth in the Big Ten in passing efficiency.

"He’s an exciting young guy," coach Jim Tressel said. "Each game you can see him getting better. A lot of movement. He’s a guy you better contain. He keeps the play alive."

Tate is Iowa’s fifth straight first-year starting quarterback, following Scott Mullen (2000), Kyle McCann (2001), Brad Banks (2002) and Nathan Chandler.

[ScarletArrow]

It might be time to borrow a page or two from Louisville's playbook - they lit Miami up.

In the end, talent and execution makes any playbook look good.

[ScarletInMyVeins]

I don't know how much more simple the playbook can get. Up until last week it seemed like we only ran a handfull of plays over and over and over again.

[Mudvayne]

I hope simplifying the offense doesn't mean punting on 3rd down.

[DA-Bucks]

Originally Posted by Mudvayne

I hope simplifying the offense doesn't mean punting on 3rd down.

Hey that Zwick shotgun quick kick is pretty damn effective! Don't make fun!

I think we could see a surprise 2nd down quick kick, that'd REALLY throw off the defense!

[slobberknocker]

nah dabuck we might see iso left and iso right then on 3rd it will be oh [censored] 3rd and 12 lets quick kick before we lose more yards.

[scooter1369]

Simplify our playbook? Great. That means we run off tackle 50 times a game and hope the defense doesn't catch on to what we're doing.

[craigblitz]

Scooter why are you so damn negative? I am sure we will see an ISO play here or there..hahah

Actually I think this is good, do it and do it well. Maybe by smaller play book they mean fewer sets and fewer reads. I do not careif we run the ball 50 times as long as we win.

Go Bucks

[tsteele316]

hopefully a simplified playbook means, just go block that guy in front of you and dont worry about any side-stepping nonsense. Go hit some guys and let the rb run.


of course, simplification probably means just limiting the number of plays used.