2009 Linebacker Discussion

[TheIronColonel]

Do you really think Spitler and Homan will see the field due solely to their seniority? These guys have only been kept off the turf by some really special linebackers. Neither of these two guys are slouches.

That being said, OSU hasn't shied away from playing freshmen is they're ready to prime time. If the rising sophomores and incoming freshmen warrant major PT, they'll get it.

 

[brutus2002]

All I'm saying is open the competition up. Yes I am saying that Homan's spot should be open to competition. Yes I am saying that Spitler should not get preferntial treatment because he is a senior. If Homan and and Spitler are the best then start them. If Rolle, Sabino, Moeller, or Hines is better start them. I really don't care about the names on the back of the jersey but I definately care about the one on the front.

 

[southcampus]

I'm not sure why so many Buckeye fans think that some positions aren't up for competition. Heck, look at what happened with the reigning All-Big Ten QB. JT is not afraid to start the player more likely to help the team. The best guy will play. If two guys are on a similar level, then in most cases I would expect the older guy to get the nod. Never would I expect Coach Tressel to start a weaker player over a stronger player unless there is more to the situation.

 

[brutus2002]

^I agree and thats why assuming Homan and Spitler will start is a mistake.

 

[southcampus]

I honestly think Spitler is our best MLB guy. For those of you at the scUM game this year, did you guys notice the HUGE hits he had? Sure, there was the one on McFluffy which was on TV but how about the one where he absolutely steam rolled a blocker on kickoff. WOW.
I know that kickoff coverage is an entirely different animal than playing MLB, but one thing I have noticed about big time programs is the big time players waiting in line quite often will stand out in special teams.

 

[generaladm]

I think seniors getting pt has more to do with consistency than loyalty. There are plenty of good athletes who go their full 4-5 years without starting a game. While there may be younger players who make more impressive individual plays, the coaches are more likely to start the guy who makes the right reads every time. It's possible that a second year player shows that level of maturity, but it's more common that someone with 3+ years in the system will be more consistent.

 

[k2onprimetime]

we are loaded at this position with so much young talent, i honestly will not be supprised who starts because they are all so good. Hell for all we know storm klien could come right in and take the other outside linebacker spot outside homan.

 

[pnuts34]

I'm sorry but I see Spitler putting in work in the Big ten and being completly exposed when we play USC and (more than likey) a BCS bowl game against top flight competition. I would start Sabino in the middle and have Homan and Rolle at the outside spots. I think Rolle is a baller, and he can fly just like the rest of the FL boys! He can cover a lot more of the field, same with Sabino, IMO

 

[NightmaresDad]

^I agree and thats why assuming Homan and Spitler will start is a mistake.

Homan will not start because he has seniority - he will start because he is the best LB on the team. He is the best LB in the Big Ten next year.

I see Sabino getting more snaps than Spitler - whoever starts doesn't mean that much.

Rolle and Bell will see plenty of time, too.

We will be in so much nickel anyway, Hines/Moeller splitting time at Star and Gibson/Williams at Leo, there won't be a whole lot of 3 LB sets except for USC, MSU, PSU, and Wisky.

Crap, we've got so much proven depth everywhere on D except CB, it shouldn't be too hard to keep a fresh crew out there all the time.

 

[Tjocelyn09]

Homan will not be the best LB in the big ten. If this was the cas he would have not gotten ran over by P.J. Hill in the WISC.

The arguement that Spitler could start at a lot of school is not a valid point. We are not talking about most schools. We are discussing the ohio state university.

Spitler will suffice in the Big Ten but we are trying to build a NC team.


Homan, Rolle, Sabino- should be the line up

Russell needs to be replaced, ASAP.

 

[southcampus]

I'm sorry but I see Spitler putting in work in the Big ten and being completly exposed when we play USC and (more than likey) a BCS bowl game against top flight competition. I would start Sabino in the middle and have Homan and Rolle at the outside spots. I think Rolle is a baller, and he can fly just like the rest of the FL boys! He can cover a lot more of the field, same with Sabino, IMO

I don't understand your logic. What do you mean by exposed? From what I have seen, Spitler is a very physical linebacker who plays similar to JL. If you are going by 40 times, according to Scout.com, Sabino, Rolle, AND SPITLER all ran 4.6 in the forty. From what took from your post is that you think Austin Spitler is too slow or something. To me, a 4.6 is a 4.6 no matter if your from Florida or not. Would like for you to clear that up for me.

 

[southcampus]

Homan will not be the best LB in the big ten. If this was the cas he would have not gotten ran over by P.J. Hill in the WISC.

The arguement that Spitler could start at a lot of school is not a valid point. We are not talking about most schools. We are discussing the ohio state university.

Spitler will suffice in the Big Ten but we are trying to build a NC team.


Homan, Rolle, Sabino- should be the line up

Russell needs to be replaced, ASAP.

You want to talk about "invalid point", Russell isn't even a linebacker and this is the linebacker thread.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

I don't understand your logic. What do you mean by exposed? From what I have seen, Spitler is a very physical linebacker who plays similar to JL. If you are going by 40 times, according to Scout.com, Sabino, Rolle, AND SPITLER all ran 4.6 in the forty. From what took from your post is that you think Austin Spitler is too slow or something. To me, a 4.6 is a 4.6 no matter if your from Florida or not. Would like for you to clear that up for me.

40 speed and play speed are completely different.

For the record I don't support the notion that Spitler is slow, just wanted to throw that out there.

 

[southcampus]

40 speed and play speed are completely different.

For the record I don't support the notion that Spitler is slow, just wanted to throw that out there.

I understand that, I was just trying to use his logic. Austin Spitler plays with reckless abandon out there, like most of our linebackers.

Bottom line, I think we have about 5-6 linebackers that will get SOLID playing time this year IMHO. They are all pretty good. I say we make a vBet..:)

 

[FF08]

When Rolle was getting a lot of PT at the end of the season in mop up duty he looked slow. In 07 he was the first guy down the field on KO's and in 08 he wasn't. Maybe he was dinged but he sure didn't look like the same player as 2007. After the LSU game I never thought Spitler would be disciplined enough to see regular playing time, but last year showed that he learned from those mistakes. Homan can flat out play. When he hits someone they stay tackled. TX tried to take advantage of him in coverage and couldn't. Sabino is too good to keep off the field. I think he'll start at Sam not Mike. Don't forget Sweat. Bell is an impact player. Hines and Moeller have the star position covered, two quality players who will jack you up. W-Homan/Bell/Rolle, M-Spitler/Whiting/Boren, S-Sabino/Sweat/Klein. If Spitler can't go or it doesn't work out Sabino moves to Mike and Sweat takes over Sam. Don't be surprised to see Bell subbed in on passing downs.

BTW Homan was not run over by P.J. Hill. The video clearly shows him being pulled down from behind by a Wisky OL.