2008 tOSU Defense discussion (official thread)

[osugrad21]

CPD

Competition stiff on Ohio State's No. 1 defense


Thursday, January 17, 2008Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus -- Ohio State's No. 1-ranked defense is losing two starters in senior linebacker Larry Grant and junior defensive end Vernon Gholston. But the Buckeyes will throw three formerly injured regulars back into the mix, so maybe a 12-man lineup is the way to go next year.
With nine starters back, there will be 181 games of starting experience among 16 different returning players. With so few spots open, players who have been biding their time will find it hard to punch their way into the lineup.
Two players forced to red shirt by injuries, defensive end Lawrence Wilson (broken leg) and linebacker Ross Ho man (torn foot tendons), are the leading contenders to take over for Gholston and Grant. But linebacker Curtis Terry, who started three games in 2006 before sitting out all of this season with a foot injury, also will be back as a fifth-year senior.




Cont...

[osugrad21]

CPD

OSU's projected starting lineup on defense in 2008



Thursday, January 17, 2008

[Oneshot]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

CPD

OSU's projected starting lineup on defense in 2008



Thursday, January 17, 2008

DE -- Lawrence Wilson"
DT -- Nader Abdallah/Dexter Larimore
DT -- Doug Worthington/Todd Denlinger
DE -- Cameron Heyward/Robert Rose
OLB -- Marcus Freeman
MLB -- James Laurinaitis
OLB -- Ross Homan"
CB -- Malcolm Jenkins
CB -- Donald Washington
SS -- Kurt Coleman
FS -- Anderson Russell


That. Is. Dirty.

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by Oneshot

DE -- Lawrence Wilson
DT -- Nader Abdallah/Dexter Larimore
DT -- Doug Worthington/Todd Denlinger
DE -- Cameron Heyward/Robert Rose
OLB -- Marcus Freeman
MLB -- James Laurinaitis
OLB -- Ross Homan
CB -- Malcolm Jenkins
CB -- Donald Washington
SS -- Kurt Coleman
FS -- Anderson Russell


That. Is. Dirty.

Curtis Terry (not convinced he won't start) - Rolle - Spitler - Gibson - Chekwa...

We have several backup linebackers and at least one DB that would not only start anywhere else in the Big 10, but would be the marquee player on most other Big 10 teams. And they are providing depth in Scarlet and Grey.

Dirty? That's straight up filthy.

[Muck]

Don't forget Alex Barrow in the rotation

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by Muck

Don't forget Alex Barrow in the rotation

Holy crap. Apologies to Alex.

How freakin' talented is a team when their message-board-fans allow a guy like Alex to slip their minds when rattling off a possible roster? Yeesh.

[Kickdown02]

I'm going w/ a darkhorse at outside linebacker: Rolle
That dude is a tackling machine. Brings speed.

[OregonBuckeye]

Homan was splitting reps with Freeman before he was injured and he looked good. I think he'll get the nod.

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

Homan was splitting reps with Freeman before he was injured and he looked good. I think he'll get the nod.

I agree. He has the ability to play all 3 spots IMO too. Terry will be in on running situation though, without a doubt in my mind.

[Sportsbuck28]

Not to mention a frosh like Sabino, Sweat, Goebel, Mobley, or Nathan Williams will most likely see playing time..

Filthy, filthy indeed.

[MUBuck]

Originally Posted by Oneshot

DE -- Lawrence Wilson"
DT -- Nader Abdallah
DT -- Doug Worthington
DE -- Cameron Heyward
OLB -- Marcus Freeman
MLB -- James Laurinaitis
OLB -- Ross Homan"
CB -- Malcolm Jenkins
CB -- Donald Washington
SS -- Kurt Coleman
FS -- Anderson Russell

Assuming this is the starting lineup, I decided to take a glance at what the second team may look like. Using last year's depth chart...

DE -- Alex Barrow
DT -- Dexter Larimore
DT -- Todd Denlinger
DE -- Robert Rose
OLB -- Brian Rolle/Curtis Terry
MLB -- Austin Spitler/Mark Johnson?
OLB -- Thad Gibson/Tyler Moeller
CB -- Chimdi Chekwa
CB -- Andre Amos
SS -- Jamario O'Neal
FS -- Aaron Gant/Nick Patterson

This is not even including incoming freshmen. Absolutely disgusting. I wouldn't be surprised if 25% of our games are shutouts.

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by MUBuck

Assuming this is the starting lineup, I decided to take a glance at what the second team may look like. Using last year's depth chart...

DE -- Alex Barrow
DT -- Dexter Larimore
DT -- Todd Denlinger
DE -- Robert Rose
OLB -- Brian Rolle/Curtis Terry
MLB -- Austin Spitler/Mark Johnson?
OLB -- Thad Gibson/Tyler Moeller
CB -- Chimdi Chekwa
CB -- Andre Amos
SS -- Jamario O'Neal
FS -- Aaron Gant/Nick Patterson

This is not even including incoming freshmen. Absolutely disgusting. I wouldn't be surprised if 25% of our games are shutouts.

I know some of those LBs played FB in high-school. Move one to fullback/H-back and you still have great depth.

[GrizzlyBuck]

Next years defense is so talented and deep as to be scary, sort of like all of the latin phrases going around. No wonder we are so hated.

[rocketman]

Originally Posted by Kickdown02

I'm going w/ a darkhorse at outside linebacker: Rolle
That dude is a tackling machine. Brings speed.

I don't really know much about X's and O's but from a scheme perspective how can you get a guy like Rolle, with the unique abilities he has, on the field more often?

[Buckeneye]

I get the willies going over the starters and even the backups...

Our defense is our safety net, is it possible this year could be one of the best?....ever