2009 tOSU Defense discussion (official thread)

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Tresselbeliever

Middle LBer.

The defense starts in the middle. If you can't stop the opponent from getting five or six yards a pop up the middle, you are toast. I'm not sure we can just assume that the next guy is going to be as good as Laurinatis.

That wasn't exactly Laurinaitis' specialty. Spitler is more of a run stuffer.

[Tresselbeliever]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

That wasn't exactly Laurinaitis' specialty. Spitler is more of a run stuffer.

Laurinaitis did well in the middle, I thought. Spitler sounds like an intriguing prospect. But I wouldn't say his 'specialty' is stuffing the run before I had the chance to him in a live game.

[RB07OSU]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

That wasn't exactly Laurinaitis' specialty. Spitler is more of a run stuffer.

Agreed...many forget that many of his tackles came after5-6 yard gains. Not to say he wasn't a great player that will be hard to replace, as I think he showed up in the right spot in big situations. However, I think Spitler is going to do a great job for us and I don't think the drop off will be huge. If any position struggles I think it could be corner at first...I think a guy like Malcolm Jenkins is going to be real hard to replace without noticing a dropoff.

[ant80]

Originally Posted by ShakerBuck

They do replace Sanchez, but i believe his game against us last year was only his 2nd start.....they always reload at QB.

Actually it was his 5th start I believe.

And whoever is starting at QB for USC this year will have their 2nd start in the 'Shoe.

[NightmaresDad]

Originally Posted by ant80

Actually it was his 5th start I believe.

And whoever is starting at QB for USC this year will have their 2nd start in the 'Shoe.

So we need to stop the run in order to capitalize on his inexperience.

I'm sure we will be playing 3 LBs on 1st and 2nd downs in this game.
Most all of the good runs they had last year were on third and long and we went into nickel. Maybe just play straight up and play fast this year and see if our guys are up to it.

[generaladm]

CFN's '09 OSU defense preview by Fiutak:

What you need to know: It's hard to call the nation's 14th best defense a disappointment, but it wasn't quite the killer it was supposed to be. However, the Buckeyes allowed a mere 13.92 points per game and gave up more than 21 points to two teams, USC and Texas. This year's D loses all the star power at linebacker, and All-America corner Malcolm Jenkins, but it comes back loaded on the defensive front, especially on the ends. Thaddeus Gibson is about to blossom into a superstar pass rusher on one end, while Cameron Heyward has first round draft pick potential on the other side. Three starters return to the secondary led by corner Chimdi Chekwa, who should be the star now that Jenkins is gone. The spotlight will be on the linebacking corps that loses James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, and while there aren't any stars, Austin Spiller and Ross Homan lead a rock-solid group that should be more than fine.

Returning Leaders
Tackles: Kurt Coleman, 78
Sacks: Thaddeus Gibson, 5
Interceptions: Kurt Coleman, 4

Star of the defense: Junior DE Thaddeus Gibson
Player who has to step up and become a star: Senior CB Andre Amos
Unsung star on the rise: Junior LB Brian Rolle
Best pro prospect: Junior DE Cameron Heyward
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Gibson, 2) Heyward, 3) SS Kurt Coleman
Strength of the defense: Defensive End, Veteran Defensive Backs
Weakness of the defense: Linebacker Experience, Sure-Thing No. 2 Corner

more...

Scout.com: 2009 Ohio State Preview - Defense

[AuburnBuckeye]

Originally Posted by ant80

And whoever is starting at QB for USC this year will have their 2nd start in the 'Shoe.

I think Mustaine made a few starts for Arkansas, granted that was 2-3 years ago.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by AuburnBuckeye

I think Mustaine made a few starts for Arkansas, granted that was 2-3 years ago.

I don't think anyone even considers Mustain a legitimate threat to win the job anymore.

[AuburnBuckeye]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

I don't think anyone even considers Mustain a legitimate threat to win the job anymore.

Probably not, I was just throwing that out there.

[buck2006]

Originally Posted by NightmaresDad

So we need to stop the run in order to capitalize on his inexperience.

I'm sure we will be playing 3 LBs on 1st and 2nd downs in this game.
Most all of the good runs they had last year were on third and long and we went into nickel. Maybe just play straight up and play fast this year and see if our guys are up to it.

Good post I agree, if Moller is the starter at the SLB we may not need to change so much because he can play the star or the SLB spot. So it will be harder for teams to catch us in the wrong D set, as they have in the past.

[Yertle]

Originally Posted by BB73

The Ozone looks at the defense after spring practice.

Ozone

[/left]

I always love reading this kind of stuff each year, but I do wish it was a bit more objective. It seems like every position is full of too many top-notch players. Didn't anyone have a BAD spring (other than the ones who had small injuries)?

Anyways, good stuff.

[Buckskin86]

Kurt Coleman had a good line. Talking about the speed of this defense, he said, "It's like someone hit us with the shocks." (meaning defibrillators).

Wrapping up Big Ten meetings (Blogging the Buckeyes)

[OregonBuckeye]

If that doesn't get you pumped up, nothing will.

[BuckeyeMac]

I think a few big keys for this defense to play well this year is to not give up the home run plays and cause some turnovers. I think our Offense can put up some points, but it wouldn't be a good thing if the game was a shootout.

[osugrad21]

CPD

Ohio State Buckeyes' Austin Spitler shifts to outside linebacker

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter

Columbus- Austin Spitler spent three seasons backing up James Laurinaitis at middle linebacker, but it doesn't look like he'll be starting in the middle this season now that Laurinaitis is gone.
At Tuesday's second practice of the preseason, and the first open to reporters, it was junior Brian Rolle working the middle with the first team, while Spitler was the strongside linebacker and Ross Homan the weakside linebacker. In the spring, Spitler was sharing the middle with Rolle while also working at the strongside.
The linebackers were just one area of interest. Though plenty could change, with shoulder pads going on for the first time today and full pads coming Saturday, Tuesday's look made it clear what the coaches are thinking as they go about replacing 10 starters.
Defense: In the secondary, third-year starters Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell were the first-teamers, backed up by Jermale Hines and Orhian Johnson, though OSU coach Jim Tressel seemed to sound a warning for the seniors by noting how good Hines is. At corner, Chimdi Chekwa is one starter, while senior Andre Amos and junior Devon Torrence split the first-team reps at the other corner.

Cont...