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...

['BusNative]

What I love about this receiving core is well coached they are in down field blocking. The last 2-3 seasons have produced tons of highlights where you see blockers either finishing blocks when the action passes them or keeping with the play down field.

With the good WR blocking and the overall experience and talent on this offense, Tress & Co. can run a ton of plays out of 3 and 4 WR sets, and Beanie can keep getting those excellent cutbacks, knowing his guys will keep with the play.

Getting excited again... I need to go back to BB73's relaxation thread.

[utgrad73]

All that competition at WR is going to make everyone that much better. Let's not rule out Sanzo. I know Dane is going to be in the mix in '08. I said it last year coming in that he would make an impact in '07, he may fill the spot as a possession type receiver again. But has picked up 10 pounds and he really has great technique. He could surprise us all again. That first year has no doubt seasoned him as a football player. Good to have more depth at WR, now if the QB improvises a bit more our offense will be a force to be reckoned with.

[bukIpower]

whats somewhat shocking to me is how our receivers are so well coached at blocking, but have trouble getting off a press coverage? You'd figure they'd go hand in hand?

[MUBuck]

Originally Posted by bukIpower

whats somewhat shocking to me is how our receivers are so well coached at blocking, but have trouble getting off a press coverage? You'd figure they'd go hand in hand?

Sarcasm font?

[Buckeyecty4]

Not overly excited about this upcoming WR unit..

No true #1 WR in my opinion.. Ray Small has not developed at all, and didnt see enough from the three frosh from last yr, to have me believe Washington, Dane, or Torrence can step up to be serious players this yr..

I love Posey, Stoneburner, and Lamaar, but how much can we expect from these guys in their true frosh yr?

I still think we are a year away from fielding a typical OSU WR unit..

[bukIpower]

no, I'm dead serious.... No sarcasm was intended... It's been already noted how our recievers struggle with the ability to get off the jam/press coverage. Teams like UF,Illinois, and LSU pressed our recievers and we didn't have an answer either time. So My question is why are our reciever physical in the running game but aren't physical enough to fight off DB's when running routes? Like I said, it would figure if you're good at blocking the DB away from the RB's that you'd be more than adequate at running a route when being pressed.

Also we definatly have a #1 reciever... ROBO is the best WR in the big ten this upcoming year, but IMO he's going to have more to prove this upcoming year than he did last year. Teams know where we like to run him, and teams will try and take that deep ball away from Robo.

I'm very excited about this WR core because honestly, we don't know much about them yet. Can Small make the impact we thought he would? Will Hartline break more TD's this year? Will Sanzo/Washington/Torrence step up and give us some options? Will Flash Thomas/Posey come in and give our pass game the game breaking speed??

Very very bright future next year...

['BusNative]

Originally Posted by Buckeyecty4

Not overly excited about this upcoming WR unit..

Ok, why?

No true #1 WR in my opinion..

Really?

So since 2004, tOSU has had 4 NFL receivers - 3 who went first round and have really contributed.

Let's look at #1 receivers


2004 - Santonio Holmes
769 total yards, 14 ypc, 64.1 ypg, 7 TD's

2005 - Santonio Holmes
977 total yards, 18.4 ypc, 81.4 ypg, 11 TD's

2006 - Ted Ginn Jr.
781 total yards, 13.2 ypc, 60.1 ypg, 9 TD's

2007 - Brian Robiskie
935 total yards, 17.0 ypc, 71.9 ypg, 11 TDs

So... no #1 receiver, except the guy who most clearly matches the last true #1 receiver who was the first overall receiver taken in his draft and is a major contributor for the Steelers?

Ray Small has not developed at all

Ray Small freshman year:
8 receptions, 68 total yards, 8.5 ypc, 6.8 ypg, 1 TD

Ray Small sophomore year:
20 receptions, 267 total yards, 13.4 ypc, 24.3 ypg, 2 TDs (started the year with an injury)

seems like improvement to me

and didnt see enough from the three frosh from last yr, to have me believe Washington, Dane, or Torrence can step up to be serious players this yr..

Dane (12 games) and Taurian (only 5 games) freshman year:
combined for:
15 receptions, 135 total yards, 2 TDs

Not a ton of exposure, but not nothing. Not to mention they played behind 1,896 total yards on 127 total receptions from the top 3 receivers and an offense that features a ridiculous RB...

I love Posey, Stoneburner, and Lamaar, but how much can we expect from these guys in their true frosh yr?

Umm, considering who they're playing behind, who knows? But when was the last time tOSU hauled 2 4-star receivers and a 5-star receiver?

I still think we are a year away from fielding a typical OSU WR unit..

I don't know what that means, but if this is an atypical receiving unit, its better, not worse.

['BusNative]

Originally Posted by bukIpower

no, I'm dead serious.... No sarcasm was intended... It's been already noted how our recievers struggle with the ability to get off the jam/press coverage. Teams like UF,Illinois, and LSU pressed our recievers and we didn't have an answer either time. So My question is why are our reciever physical in the running game but aren't physical enough to fight off DB's when running routes? Like I said, it would figure if you're good at blocking the DB away from the RB's that you'd be more than adequate at running a route when being pressed.

Also we definatly have a #1 reciever... ROBO is the best WR in the big ten this upcoming year, but IMO he's going to have more to prove this upcoming year than he did last year. Teams know where we like to run him, and teams will try and take that deep ball away from Robo.

I'm very excited about this WR core because honestly, we don't know much about them yet. Can Small make the impact we thought he would? Will Hartline break more TD's this year? Will Sanzo/Washington/Torrence step up and give us some options? Will Flash Thomas/Posey come in and give our pass game the game breaking speed??

Very very bright future next year...

Your last line was your best -

Our top 3 receivers were our 2006 #3, #4 and #6 receivers (depending on where you place Roy Hall - Robo, Hartline or both could be bumped a notch). Last year was a rebuilding year especially at WR. TONS of potential here.