2008 Linebacker Discussion

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

epsn.com

Buckeyes' linebackers a tag-team effort

September 11, 2008 12:01 PM


Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- They certainly didn't plan it that way, but the tag-team interception by James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman last Saturday encapsulated what has been a profitable long-term partnership at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes led Ohio 19-14 in the fourth quarter when Freeman, the team's somewhat unsung strong-side linebacker, read quarterback Boo Jackson's eyes and tipped a pass with both mitts. Laurinaitis, the award-winning All-American, adjusted to the ball and dove for his eighth career interception.
As usual, most of the credit for the takeaway went to Laurinaitis, whose superb skills, speed, toughness, tattoos and compelling back story -- if you've been in Azerbaijan for the last 20 years, his dad was "The Animal" of pro wrestling fame -- make him Ohio State's obvious front man. Following Chris Spielman, Andy Katzenmoyer, A.J. Hawk and others in a line of dominant Buckeyes 'backers, Laurinaitis already owns a Butkus Award, a Nagurski Trophy and a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.

[ginn421]

Is Curtis Terry still an option at SAM? Our run defense needs a BAMF to lay the wood on ballcarriers & play tough, and I've always wondered why Curtis was never really in the discussion at LB after his injury.

Freeman can slide back to WILL where he has proven success, and Terry steps in at SAM during obvious running downs. Thoughts?

[craigblitz]

I fully support Freeman back to the Will for sure!!

[buck2006]

Terry will never play LB'er. We just have better players sorry. Everyone calls Terry a run stopper I do not get it. The guy has 17 tackles in 4 year and is a run stopper? Our LB's are fine our d-line is the problem. All moet every play at SC a line was in the face of our LB's hard to make plays that way.

[ginn421]

Originally Posted by buck2006

Terry will never play LB'er. We just have better players sorry. Everyone calls Terry a run stopper I do not get it. The guy has 17 tackles in 4 year and is a run stopper? Our LB's are fine our d-line is the problem. All moet every play at SC a line was in the face of our LB's hard to make plays that way.

17 tackles after splitting meaningful time in only one season is not horrible...go back and watch the Texas and MSU games in 2006 and tell me he is not a run stopping linebacker and a tough SOB.

[buck2006]

Originally Posted by ginn421

17 tackles after splitting meaningful time in only one season is not horrible...go back and watch the Texas and MSU games in 2006 and tell me he is not a run stopping linebacker and a tough SOB.

I know Terry had a couple of plays in those games but he started 6 or 7 game in 06. 17 tackle is not good at all. Come on now ture freshman who had only been on the team for 1 year had more tackles. If he was all that some of you make him out to be he would be starting. He is a Buckeye and I wish him well, but there is a reason he is not a starter.

[ThirdGenBuckeye]

Originally Posted by buck2006

I know Terry had a couple of plays in those games but he started 6 or 7 game in 06. 17 tackle is not good at all. Come on now ture freshman who had only been on the team for 1 year had more tackles. If he was all that some of you make him out to be he would be starting. He is a Buckeye and I wish him well, but there is a reason he is not a starter.

Injuries.

[ginn421]

Tackles aren't the only way to measure success. Have you seen Terry lately? The man is HUGE and would at least be able to hold down the strongside to free up others to make the plays.

[Buckrock]

Originally Posted by ginn421

Tackles aren't the only way to measure success. Have you seen Terry lately? The man is HUGE and would at least be able to hold down the strongside to free up others to make the plays.

I have seen him. He is a speciman with ink on his arms. Unleash the fury!!! He was a good rush end 2 years ago.

[NightmaresDad]

Originally Posted by buck2006

Terry will never play LB'er. We just have better players sorry. Everyone calls Terry a run stopper I do not get it. The guy has 17 tackles in 4 year and is a run stopper? Our LB's are fine our d-line is the problem. All moet every play at SC a line was in the face of our LB's hard to make plays that way.

If the only time a LB can make a play is if he is unblocked - then they aren't worth a [censored].

If Terry isn't mobile enough anymnore to play LB, then transplant his heart into someone who is.

I suggest some people on here find some film of Tom Cousineau and Randy Gradishar. You will see guys who were virtually unblockable. AJ Hawk was pretty good, too.

[billmac91]

Originally Posted by NightmaresDad

If the only time a LB can make a play is if he is unblocked - then they aren't worth a [censored].

If Terry isn't mobile enough anymnore to play LB, then transplant his heart into someone who is.

I suggest some people on here find some film of Tom Cousineau and Randy Gradishar. You will see guys who were virtually unblockable. AJ Hawk was pretty good, too.

Without much background in the X's and O's of football, it still seems like there is just something wrong with our scheme. Especially when you watch teams like Miami, Oklahoma, Auburn, and especially USC.....whom, play after play, have someone untouched getting to the QB.

Why are our blitzes always picked up? I could be wrong, but I really don't remeber many times where USC knocked Todd on his ass by only rushing 4. Their blitzes ate us up.

Why don't our blitzes eat anyone up once we step up to that caliber of team?

[bukIpower]

I think we tip our hand before the play even starts...


I'd rather see our defense pretending like they've got an assignment else where and then as the ball is snapped turning and running toward the QB. Too many times you see our blitzers creeping into the picture as the QB is getting ready to snap the ball. We show blitz and rarely do we not follow through with it.

[Buck Kid 66]

I think we tip our hand before the play even starts...


I'd rather see our defense pretending like they've got an assignment else where and then as the ball is snapped turning and running toward the QB. Too many times you see our blitzers creeping into the picture as the QB is getting ready to snap the ball. We show blitz and rarely do we not follow through with it.

bingo We give the other teams line time to think and make the right adjustments.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by NightmaresDad

If the only time a LB can make a play is if he is unblocked - then they aren't worth a [censored].

If Terry isn't mobile enough anymnore to play LB, then transplant his heart into someone who is.

I suggest some people on here find some film of Tom Cousineau and Randy Gradishar. You will see guys who were virtually unblockable. AJ Hawk was pretty good, too.

...add to that the fact that some of the best defensive plays are made without making a tackle.

[buck2006]

Sorry I like Terry but there is a reason he is not a starter. Yes you can make a good D play with out making the tackle, but you do have to make some. So you are telling me if all our LB's made 10 - 20 tackles a year that would be a good thing. Terry has made 17 in 4 years.