2008 tOSU WR discussion (official thread)

[buckeyes_rock]

Originally Posted by RB07OSU

Another good point. It's only been two games and I still see this group turning it around, but as you said, I am seeing Florida, USC, Oklahoma, etc. getting open. Beyond that, the teams those guys have played are likely much better teams than YSU and Ohio. Cincy is supposed to have a good secondary and OU ripped them apart.

As for the cover 2...that was the one we ran. We would press the WR inside to the LB's or safeties and take the underneath routes area. I don't know, it just seems to me I remember RoBo and Hartline being a lot more open last year as opposed to this year, where defenders are all over them. I especially remember Holmes, Ginn, Gonzo, etc. being more open as well.

I know that we probably haven't run very complicated routes yet this season, so hopefully tomorrow we'll see guys a little more open. But I couldn't help but go back and watch a few clips of Troy throwing the ball to compare the "separation" by the receivers. Now I know TGII is a once in a lifetime player, but wow did Troy have some guys wide open sometimes. With Ted, Gonzo and Santonio in those clips...

Now granted, Troy could also thread the needle, but it's sure nice to see a guy with 3 steps on his defender every once in a while. I'm so looking forward to watching these guys step up in the Colliseum. With the right mindset and the right playcalling, these WRs definately have the tools to make things happen. We'll just have to wait and see who steps up tomorrow night.

[buckeyes_rock]

A few quotes about the receivers. Interesting that Hazell says because of Posey's explosiveness, he'd like to get him a few snaps this week.

The-Ozone, Ohio State Football, Wrestling, Softball, Basketball, Hockey, Baseball and More

[utgrad73]

Ohio State Football, Basketball, Hockey, Baseball, Wrestling, Softball, and More

About half way through this video, coach Tressel talks about challenging other WRs. Coach Hazell thinks that Hartline and Robo were getting too many snaps and they aren't quite as fresh. So they will be rolling in the other WRs and stepping up the competition. I suppose we'll see Posey, Flash, Washington, Dane, and Ray. Look for more action for these guys and Pryor connecting in an aerial show.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Ohio State football: Playing more receivers

by Doug Lesmerises Friday September 26, 2008, 2:03 PM



D.L.Brian Robiskie, left, and Brian Hartline might see the field a little less this week.


This might be code for "more DeVier Posey," but Jim Tressel said Thursday that receivers coach Darrell Hazell thinks he's been playing starters Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline too much and they haven't been as fresh as the coaches would like.
This is interesting since the Brians combined for three touchdowns last week, all on pretty good downfield catches, after scoring one touchdown combined in the first three games. Robiskie's drop of a potential gamebreaker still seems odd - he claimed he just dropped it, but if the one-handed attempt had something to do with his nagging right shoulder injury, you can understand why he'd want to keep that information as quiet as possible. Because he's clearly going to keep playing.

Continued......

[GrizzlyBuck]

I thinkit's great that their will be a better WR rotation. This will help next year by giving the returnees more experience and it will help this year by getting the hungry youth on the field. The Brians are solid recievers, but there is nothing wrong with hearing the footsteps of competition and staying fresher. I look for improved production not only from the Brians but from the youngters as well.

[pnuts34]

I think the Brians are an alright combination, but nothing that scares anyone nationally! I honestly don't think that Brian Hartline or Ray Small should start or play that much next year(of course depending on how they do in the spring) due to all of the more talented WRs we already have, and the talent that's coming into Columbus next year. We have assembled the greatest amount of talent at that position in the Big ten, but yet our coaches choose to play experience over talent. Unlike teams around the nation(USC, and Georgia for example) that play the best players, and think that players should learn as they play. You can't learn too much sitting on the sidelines. I think that Posey, Flash, Stoneburner, and Washington have better talent than Small and Hartline. No knock to either player, they have been great examples of what you want in a Buckeye player(at least Hartline is, I don't think Small has done much in his Buckeye career) but they don't bring that speed and threat of a big as the guys mentioned, and the kids coming in. I can't wait to see James Jackson, Posey, Flash and Chris Fields as targets sounds so scary when you have Pryor at QB.
Just my 2 cents fwiw!

[Rookie]

The rotation caused a little trouble today with some substitution penalties, but all in all its a good move. It gives the WR's more time to recoup in between snaps and play at their top speed when they're on the field.

Great plays today by Robiskie. One hell of a catch, and some great route running. Also a great job on forcing the pass interference call on that overthrown fade route by Pryor. He's definitely grown over the past four years. It's too bad he has to leave us next year.

On a side note, its good to see Small returning kicks again. I really think he is trying to make a turn around this year regarding his play. It's showed previous to the Troy game, he was the Buckeyes leader in all purpose yards, it also showed in the USC game when he was the only one to create separation.

[bukIpower]

I think when we go shot ginn formation we need to put in Thomas instead of Herron....

When Thomas caught a short route ealier today I thought he was one block away from housing it. We need to find ways to get him involved with his legs.


Backfield of Beanie, Pryor, and Thomas

With Robo, Hartline and Posey out wide.