2008 tOSU WR discussion (official thread)

[BB73]

From the Ozone's early look at the 2008 offense.

ozone.2008

...

The Buckeyes return numbers of competent receivers, all receivers with whom you can win, but the receiving corps would serve the offense much more effectively if someone emerges as a big-play guy. Most likely candidates of the returners are Small and Washington.

The Buckeyes signed three wide receivers this year. Two of them, Devier Posey and Lamaar Thomas, have the potential to be big-play receivers. The third, Jake Stoneburner, also has the potential to be a special kind of problem for a defense. Stoneburner has good speed and is huge for a wide receiver. At 6-5, he creates mismatches in the secondary, the kind of mismatches that can demand double teams, and that often opens up other aspects of an offense.

Returning Scholarship Players:
Brian Hartline (6-3, 190, rising redshirt junior),
Brian Robiskie (6-3, 195, rising senior),
Ray Small (6-0, 175, rising junior),
Dane Sanzenbacher (5-11, 189, rising sophomore),
Devon Torrence (6-1, 190, rising sophomore),
Taurian Washington (6-2, 180, rising sophomore)

Returning Walk Ons:
David Lisko (rising 5th-year senior),
Dan Potokar (rising redshirt junior),
Kyle Ruhl (rising redshirt freshman),
Garrett Hummell (rising redshirt freshman)

Newcomers:
Devier Posey,
Lamaar Thomas,
Jake Stoneburner

[jazzman]

I expect a breakout year from Ray Small. I think this is gonna be the year that he stays fit and improves considerably over the year. I am hoping to see Robiskie improve as far as being more physical and breaking up those underthrown passes. Hartline is gonna be dependable as ever.

I expect Jake and Posey to be impact players from day one. Lamaar, I would think would be red-shirted.

Overall we are looking really good at WR! I am also excited to see that we've got Chris Fields for '09....that guy has speed to burn the secondary of any team!

[MililaniBuckeye]

Further down in the article there's a section on the "Passing Game", in which there's a paragraph that reads:

If the passing game is to really be effective a receiver will have to emerge that will strike fear into the hearts of defensive backs and defensive coordinators, a receiver that can get separation and will command extra attention. Likely candidates for that role are Small, Washington, Torrence, Thomas and Posey. Someone in that group must step up to be the deep threat in the Buckeye offense if the OSU passing game is to be really effective.

I guess Robo doesn't fit the bill...

[martinss01]

first thing we need to work on is the deep ball. i seem to remember us having more problems getting the ball to the receivers than the receivers getting open.

[matcar]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Further down in the article there's a section on the "Passing Game", in which there's a paragraph that reads:

If the passing game is to really be effective a receiver will have to emerge that will strike fear into the hearts of defensive backs and defensive coordinators, a receiver that can get separation and will command extra attention. Likely candidates for that role are Small, Washington, Torrence, Thomas and Posey. Someone in that group must step up to be the deep threat in the Buckeye offense if the OSU passing game is to be really effective.

I guess Robo doesn't fit the bill...

Robo was as good at anyone of getting separation on most routes, but I don't think he fits the bill on the speed burn. Robo is just plain good with technique, but it's not his speed that scares defenses.

[Taosman]

Nothing that a couple better deep throws for TDs won't fix.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by matcar

Robo was as good at anyone of getting separation on most routes, but I don't think he fits the bill on the speed burn.

There's a CB on Washington's roster that would disagree with you...