2009 tOSU Secondary discussion

[brutus2002]

I have heard Jon Lynch comparisons from a reliable source. Jon could play a little. This source says Domicone and Johnson are our starters at safety next year.

Heck I was happy to hear Evenge gets some pub because none had said anything up till I read Amos' interview.

[RB07OSU]

Originally Posted by brutus2002

I have heard Jon Lynch comparisons from a reliable source. Jon could play a little. This source says Domicone and Johnson are our starters at safety next year.

Heck I was happy to hear Evenge gets some pub because none had said anything up till I read Amos' interview.

Evege But yes, it is exciting to hear our '08 secondary class is doing well, especially with my hometown boy Domicone representin'. Come to think of it, half of our DB roster is Dayton area: Barnett and Coleman (Northmont), Evege (Wayne), Amos (Middletown), and Domicone (Beavercreek).

[Oneshot]

Forget that: I'm sending Hines or Moeller. They are straight nasty.

EDIT: haha this was in response to whom I would send on a blitz from the secondary. Not the productive discussion occurring above.

[generaladm]

Originally Posted by RB07OSU

Evege But yes, it is exciting to hear our '08 secondary class is doing well, especially with my hometown boy Domicone representin'. Come to think of it, half of our DB roster is Dayton area: Barnett and Coleman (Northmont), Evege (Wayne), Amos (Middletown), and Domicone (Beavercreek).

Dayton area has meant success for OSU players under Tressel: Will Allen and Marcus Freeman (Wayne); Hawk, Mangold, and Nugent (Centerville). Anytime I see a DB coming out of the Dayton area, I have a good feeling. Just goes to show how valuable JT's connections are. I'd love to see Domicone tear it up.

[Buckskin86]

Last line of defense
Notes and quotes from a Tuesday evening of interviews with defensive backs and their coaches, as well as a "bonus" tidbit from an offensive lineman:

--- While it's true that four of OSU's five "starters" return (counting nickel back Jermale Hines), there's no doubt that the team is inexperienced at cornerback. It's also clear that the Buckeyes enjoyed a rare luxury last year, when it had three legitimate cover corners in Chimdi Chekwa, Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington (Jenkins and Washington are gone).

I found it interesting to hear CBs coach Taver Johnson on that subject. First, he said he's never coached a team that had three cover corners able to play at once, which gives you some perspective on its rarity (this is Johnson's 16th season in the business).

He also noted how the complexion of the defense might change without those proven cover guys. Might it make OSU more hesitant to blitz and leave DBs exposed?

"I think if we can get back to that (having three cover corners), I think you'll see a defense that will stay aggressive," he said. "But I'll tell you what -- having the front that we have right now, and even with some of our young linebackers, we have some guys up front that can get it done. So you can do some things to hide some corners when you have a front like that that can get after people."

Still, at this point, OSU has gone from showcasing its corners to possibly "hiding" them.


-- Also from Taver Johnson, an interesting insight into what happens when you blitz. By nature, a blitz is a risk, it leaves a hole somewhere in your scheme.

He was asked how good Jermale Hines was in coverage. Here was his response:

"He's pretty good," Johnson said. "He's obviously a better blitzer than he is a cover guy. So there will some things where he won't be as effective.

"And sometimes, he gets caught out there (in single coverage), and you?ve got to go with it. Sometimes, he's lined up on that slot and we're bringing pressure from that other side. So we tell our guys, `When you're blitzing, you better get home. . . .because somebody is hung out to dry a little bit."

That was an issue for OSU at times early last year. When they blitzed, they weren't getting to the QBs in time, and the back end was exposed a bit.

--- Safety Kurt Coleman was asked what he wanted to improve upon this season. He had a breakout year in 2008 as a junior, making four interceptions.

"I've got to keep making more plays," he said. "I kind of pay attention to the top guys in the nation -- (Tennessee safety) Eric Berry had eight INTs, so that?s kind of one of my goals. I have to try and do better at that."

Then, realizing he was sounding a bit too "me" oriented for his liking, he added,:

"But I really feel like as this team gets better and we do well, my stats will come. So I'm not really worried about how I do -- just more of what the team is doing."

There's nothing wrong or selfish about a guy looking at another top player and using that as motivation to improve. I found nothing wrong with what Coleman said -- I just find it humorous that he's been so drilled on the "team first" thing that he hurried to make it sound more palatable to the coaching staff.

Last line of defense (Blogging the Buckeyes)

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State football: Devon Torrence is worth watching
by Doug Lesmerises
Friday May 01, 2009

We're done with the receivers and both lines, so we're on to group four, the secondary. Turns out, we'll get to the other three groups next week.

Thought No. 1

Devon Torrence just looks like a corner.

I simply like the way he lines up opposite a receiver, his arms hanging loose like he has no worries that this guy is going to beat him. The way senior safety Kurt Coleman described him in the corner battle this spring was right - he's just the best athlete. Maybe fifth-year senior Andre Amos knows more, but Torrence isn't going to very often face a receiver that possesses a better package of skills.

Ohio State football: Devon Torrence is worth watching - Ohio State Buckeyes Football & Basketball Blog (OSU) - cleveland.com

Ohio State football: Orhian Johnson makes a quick turn from QB to safety
by Doug Lesmerises
Friday May 01, 2009

Thought No. 2

Orhian Johnson isn't the next Anderson Russell - he's ahead of that pace.

The 6-foot-2, 178-pound redshirt freshman, a high school quarterback who was recruited by the Buckeyes as an all-around athlete, took plenty of top-line snaps this spring as starting safety Kurt Coleman and backup Aaron Gant spent chunks of the spring on the sideline.

Remembering the transition that Russell, now a senior starter, made to safety at Ohio State, I asked safeties coach Paul Haynes if Johnson was in a similar place. Veteran teammates remembered Russell as a young safety running all over the place with little idea what he was doing - all because he had been a high school running back.

But Haynes said Johnson got more reps with the defense during he redshirt season than Russell did. And his football background was more helpful to his current duties.

"And at least with a quarterback, you're kind of learning the system and reading coverages and doing things like that instead of being a Wing-T fullback (like Russell)," Haynes said.

Ohio State football: Orhian Johnson makes a quick turn from QB to safety - Ohio State Buckeyes Football & Basketball Blog (OSU) - cleveland.com

Ohio State football: Safeties will keep the corners safe
by Doug Lesmerises
Friday May 01, 2009
Ohio State defensive backs

Thought No. 3

Safeties Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell make the second corner job slightly less critical.

In 2005, the Buckeyes got by with Tyler Everett and freshman Malcolm Jenkins basically sharing the second corner spot opposite Ashton Youboty partly because veteran safeties Nate Salley and Donte Whitner were there to lend a hand.

Ohio State football: Safeties will keep the corners safe - Ohio State Buckeyes Football & Basketball Blog (OSU) - cleveland.com

Ohio State football: Freshmen in secondary discussion, too
by Doug Lesmerises
Friday May 01, 2009

Ohio State defensive backs

Thought No. 4

Don't forget about Corey Brown.

Freshman C.J. Barnett, who enrolled early, took part in spring practice and fell right into place, running at third-team corner and making plays that made you notice him.

Brown, who can play receiver and corner and won't report until June with the rest of the freshmen, has the skills to play right away in some role.

Receivers coach Darrell Hazell said it probably will be on defense.

"We'll see how he comes in and where he's closer to the front, whether it's corner or wideout, in the first couple weeks," Hazell said.

Ohio State football: Freshmen in secondary discussion, too - Ohio State Buckeyes Football & Basketball Blog (OSU) - cleveland.com

Ohio State football: Anderson Russell joins Phi Delta Tressel
by Doug Lesmerises
Friday May 01, 2009

Ohio State defensive backs

Thought No. 5

Anderson Russell looks good bald.

The senior said Jim Tressel bugged him all spring about his choice to go with a shaved head, asking him if he was pledging.

"Yeah, Ohio State football," Russell said.

Ohio State football: Anderson Russell joins Phi Delta Tressel - Ohio State Buckeyes Football & Basketball Blog (OSU) - cleveland.com

[Tresselbeliever]

Originally Posted by generaladm

Yeah, I just can't put a lot of faith in Long's analysis when I read comments like this about the upcoming season:

I hope I don't have to explain to anyone why that's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read on an OSU website.

He's saying that Torrence can come in and be just as good as Jenkins. Torrence is no doubt a talent, but I doubt that he's going to be just as good as Jenkins his 1st year. Also, Duane is high on Barnett and thinks he's a 3 and done player.

[RB07OSU]

Originally Posted by Tresselbeliever

He's saying that Torrence can come in and be just as good as Jenkins. Torrence is no doubt a talent, but I doubt that he's going to be just as good as Jenkins his 1st year. Also, Duane is high on Barnett and thinks he's a 3 and done player.

I wonder if Duane has even seen C.J. in person at corner? Barnett is a heck of a prospect but he has a LOT of work to do technically at corner. I'm not even sold that he is a corner and not a safety. I think he is going to be a good one too but not a three year and done guy. Btw, this needs split to DB discussion.

[DaddyBigBucks]

Originally Posted by Tresselbeliever

He's saying that Torrence can come in and be just as good as Jenkins. Torrence is no doubt a talent, but I doubt that he's going to be just as good as Jenkins his 1st year. Also, Duane is high on Barnett and thinks he's a 3 and done player.

Originally Posted by RB07OSU

I wonder if Duane has even seen C.J. in person at corner? Barnett is a heck of a prospect but he has a LOT of work to do technically at corner. I'm not even sold that he is a corner and not a safety. I think he is going to be a good one too but not a three year and done guy. Btw, this needs split to DB discussion.

Ahem

[BB73]

Originally Posted by DaddyBigBucks

Ahem

FYI, I moved those 2 posts from the LB thread into the DB thread since no other positions were discussed in them.

[billmac91]

i just get the feeling we'll be going bend but don't break a majority of the year, with a huge emphasis on 4 man fronts getting pressure on the QB. I just think they will be very cautious with Chimdi, who has been beaten all over the field in his last 2 public appearances, and the lack of experience between Amos and Torrence needs to be handled with care. I just foresee a lot of safety help with Coleman and Russell, and prob fewer LB blitzes.

Outside of Terrelle Pryor, I'd day the next two most important players that will determine our success are Thaddeus Gibson and Cameron Heyward. They need to dominate in a manner Justin Tuck and Michael Strahan dominated during the Giants super-bowl run. It helps when a front 4 can get the QB in less than 3 seconds without a blitz package, and it sure makes everyone else look good.

[kippy1040]

There have always been threads and posts about many positions for players at Ohio State, such as the QB's, the Linebackers, offensive lineman, our wide recievers and mainly alot of our running backs. We seem to be very much interested to follow the recruiting levels of these skilled positions, with the hopes of a conference title and a possible national championship game.

The focus being is that without these skilled positions our chances of being victorious are pretty nill. For me i have always wondered about the strength of our defensive backfield corp and weather or not they coould really make a difference in the outcome of some critical games. Maybe i did not word that right but i think most of you know what i am getting at. I have observed in many situations over the span of my interest in OSU football that over and over defensive back get called for interference. I know they are all judgement calls but it still bothers me. And i keep asking myself when are we ever going to see a big change in this part of Ohio State defensive football.

Every year i always pay attention to our DB's and hope that this is the year
that this part of football could be one of our biggest strenghts other than the linebackers or offensive lineman. It just seem we are really strong at the defensive lineman positions. The year that i thought we had our strongest corp of DB's was 2002. I kind of thougth they played a major role in the BIG 10 title and the National Championship game. Maybe being a defensive backfield player is probably the hardest position to play. And to get four players at those position to come together as "1"unit is asking alot. Maybe its just a '" throw the dice on the table & wait and see" type of situation. I think it is probably an area that is one of the hardest parts of football to coach. "Go Bucks"

[Bucky Katt]

Originally Posted by kippy1040

There have always been threads and posts about many positions for players at Ohio State, such as the QB's, the Linebackers, offensive lineman, our wide recievers and mainly alot of our running backs.

Kinda like this one?

2009 tOSU Secondary discussion

[kippy1040]

I think the moderators will merge this post into that thread for 2009 D-secondary. Did not know it was out there. My Bad.

[BB73]

Originally Posted by Bucky Katt

Kinda like this one?

2009 tOSU Secondary discussion

I can't find the primary discussion.