2009 Linebacker Discussion

[generaladm]

You all TOTALLY missed the context on that one...

He was saying that IF all of these things are true (including not missing a beat at corner) it won't matter if we don't:

• Develop a go-to receiver AND
• Develop a REAL fullback

By including "not missing a beat at corner" in his list of things that could happen and still not matter; it was clear to me that he was implying that it was very unlikely.

You are correct, Sir. At least in reference to me. I guess I skimmed over it more than I thought. I'll put a little of it on DL for dropping the hypothetical qualifier after setting it up, but re-reading it, I see his point. I still don't care for his writing. I guess I cherry picked the wrong example of why I question his analysis. Here's a couple more:

In fact, he [Jamel Turner] has so much work to do in the classroom as well as other off the field issues so daunting that he may never play college football.

Does he really think that a kid who's been in a few fights is going to be blackballed by every college football program in the country?

I will believe Fragel will play tight end when I see it.

Based on what? He later goes on to imply that Fragel is not a scholarship level player. Is it possible that the coaching staff picked a complete bust? If DL knows something we don't, he's not saying.

Until Posey finds his game and Small remembers his, Sanzenbacher will have to be the best receiver on the field.

Just a bad comparison, IMO. They all have different roles, and there are more possibilities. It's not like Sanzo really lit it up last year, he was usually the safety valve, so TP threw his way a lot. Not that there isn't truth to the statement, but you could easily switch around the names, and make an equally reasonable case.

My problem with all of these is: Why say it? And, why say it like that? The first two are especially distasteful because they are predicting the end of young athletes' careers before they've had a chance to start them in earnest. The statements themselves may turn out to be true, but it will have nothing to do with Long's insight. Fragel could have an injury and never recover, would that mean he was never a scholly level TE? The only thing proven if DL turns out to be right is that he exhibits no tact when it comes to covering student athletes. If DL has a teenage son, I wonder how he would take to a total stranger predicting how his college career will fizzle out.

The WR thing, again, why question Posey and Small to highlight how important Sanzo will be. I think it's a slight to Sanzo; that he's not an impressive player in his own right. Is it really insightful to say that Posey (a rising true soph) needs to step up his game? Every college player is expected to ramp it up from year to year. I'm more tolerant of criticism towards upperclassmen, they're expected to produce. I guess it's just the tone that irks me, but I've seen harsher criticism levied in a much more respectful manner by casual posters in BP's forums. And more insightful analysis, for that matter. DL, as a professional, should be held to a higher standard.

Sorry, guys. End rant #2. I'm done for the night, off to watch hockey.

Go Buckeyes!!!

 

[Taosman]

Much of the criticism of DL is just a "style" thing. His team info is as good as any of the so-called experts/insiders. If he didn't give his opinion, he would be very boring! :tongue2:

 

[Buckskin86]

Camp preview: Linebackers

Linebackers


SPOTS LOCKED UP (1): Austin Spitler in the middle

I don't get too much into "Mike" (middle), "Sam" (strong-side) and "Will" (weak-side), because your head will spin if you try and figure out what attributes are best at what spot, and who's playing where and why.

But mark this down: Spitler will be on the field the most of all linebackers this season. A fifth-year senior, he has had the misfortune of playing behind James Laurinaitis for four long years. But by all accounts, he has been a beast in the weight room and a highly motivated force on the field in the offseason. He's strong and tough and could have a big year.


SPOTS UP FOR GRABS (1.7)

I'm saying 1.7 because that reflects how often OSU has three linebackers on the field _ about two-thirds of the time last year.

The one clear competition is between Ross Homan and Brian Rolle at the weak-side spot. Homan is experienced and seems to produce whenever he's had the chance, which hasn't been that often, due to injury and playing third wheel to Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman. Rolle is a bit undersized but makes up for it with hustle. He has an infectious enthusiasm.

In three-linebacker sets, Tyler Moeller may be the leading candidate to play _ although the coaches certainly could move Homan or Rolle to get both on the field at once. Moeller has been a solid role player in the past, with a zest for blitzing. He could be pushed by promising sophomore Etienne Sabino or several incoming freshmen.

Camp preview: Linebackers (Blogging the Buckeyes)

 

[buck2006]

^^^
That?s a bold statement; camp has not even started yet. I could see Homan or Rolle being moved to MLB. I still think our best three LB?s are Moeller, Rolle, and Homan. Although not sure on the size of Moeller and Rolle could be an issue. I guess we will see soon enough!!!

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Ohio State Buckeyes football team might have two openings at linebacker

Tuesday, August 11, 2009 Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter

Columbus- Freshman Dorian Bell didn't sound very interested in waiting his turn when he talked about his future before the start of Ohio State's preseason football camp. As the Buckeyes started practice Monday, with the status of junior Tyler Moeller in doubt for this season, more playing time may be available at linebacker.
Moeller was released from Ohio State Medical Center on Monday after a hospitalization required by an apparent head injury. A source confirmed previous reports that Moeller had suffered the injury while with his family in Florida in July.
Moeller had been listed as the starting strongside linebacker during spring football. The Columbus Dispatch reported Moeller could miss the entire season as a result of the injury.
While Ross Homan, the only returning starter at linebacker, figures to take up most of the playing time at one position, there may now be two spots waiting to be filled by a group that includes senior Austin Spitler, junior Brian Rolle, sophomores Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat, and maybe even true freshmen Bell and Storm Klein.
"Hopefully, I learn everything, so hopefully I am going to start," Bell said recently, before reports surfaced about Moeller's injury. "I have the ability, I think, and I have the smarts for it."
Much of this is just an expression of the confidence the Buckeyes hope every player brings to camp, regardless of age. Bell was a five-star recruit, ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Pennsylvania last season. The No. 1 recruit in Pennsylvania from the year before, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, wound up starting in the fourth game a year ago.
"I play at any speed of any game. I can play anywhere at any time," Bell said when asked if he's expecting the game to change in college. "When I get everything down and know my plays, I'll be ready to play."

Cont...

 

[ShakerBuck]

What about Jermale Hines? Is he strictly a Safety now?

 

[OSUbuckeye09]

What about Jermale Hines? Is he strictly a Safety now?

I was wondering the same thing. I was always felt like he was a very skilled linebacker with exceptional speed. but i Also like him as a safety. Of course Homan has deserved a spot as a linebacker which i feel he's a great outside backer. I do like Spitler filling the middle with such a big physical body. As far as Bell I Really feel he has what it takes to atleast come in sometime this season and make a push for the starting spot. Has Sabino made any progress, he was such a hyped player last year but wasnt really talked about in the spring game..

 

[Buckskin86]

-- When the team had three LBs on the field, they were Austin Spitler, Ross Homan and Brian Rolle. When they went to nickel, I most often saw Spitler and Homan out there, but I may have missed some reps where the looks were different.

-- Speaking of LBs, I thought it notable that freshman Storm Klein was running with the second team. In spring, he was third-team. He was joined on the second team by Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat. Freshman Dorian Bell was third string.

Moeller out for year; offensive line nearly set? (Blogging the Buckeyes)

 

[BB73]

tOSU LB unit ranked 30th nationally by CFN

CFN

1. Florida
2. Penn St
4. Iowa
16. USC
21. Mich St
30. tOSU
50. TSUN

Cont'd ...

 

[buck2006]

tOSU LB unit ranked 30th nationally by CFN

CFN

While I think that is a little low, we lost two three year starts to the NFL. With only one LB?er with real game experience as starter I guess it make sense. Like with any preseason poll it?s not where you start that matters but where you finish that counts!!!!

 

[tonystarx]

While I think that is a little low, we lost two three year starts to the NFL. With only one LB?er with real game experience as starter I guess it make sense. Like with any preseason poll it?s not where you start that matters but where you finish that counts!!!!

Yeah, I never pay much attention to preseason unit rankings. It's just window dressing seasoned with some bias in an effort to sell subscriptions. What with the talent we've recruited recently OSU will be fine. Like you said it's where you finish that counts.

 

[TheIronColonel]

tOSU LB unit ranked 30th nationally by CFN

CFN

Shouldn't that read "1. Brandon Spikes"? I bet no one here (save maybe our resident Gators) could name another Florida LB without cheating.

 

[buck2006]

Yeah, I never pay much attention to preseason unit rankings. It's just window dressing seasoned with some bias in an effort to sell subscriptions. What with the talent we've recruited recently OSU will be fine. Like you said it's where you finish that counts.

Agree we will be just fine!!!!

 

[osugrad21]

Vindicator

OSU linebackers have a great desire to play

Published: Tue, August 18, 2009 @ 12:00 a.m.

COLUMBUS ? Etienne Sabino is neither choosy nor demanding when it comes to where he might fit in with the Ohio State defense this season.
?I just want to get on the field,? the sophomore linebacker said. ?I want to play on the field. That?s all I want. If I am on the field helping my teammates, I?ll be comfortable wherever they put me.?
That slight hint of desperation is understandable. The loss of Tyler Moeller for the season because of a serious head injury suffered on a family vacation stole the headlines last week. But the Buckeyes still have at least eight capable and highly touted candidates for the three linebacker spots.
?The competition is going to be intense,? junior Brian Rolle said.
This week is the crescendo for that intensity, starting with the first two-a-day practice Monday headed toward the jersey scrimmage Saturday. It will be the closest the team will get to real-game conditions before the season opener Sept. 5 vs. Navy.
For the linebackers, this week will be like an extended game of musical chairs. NFL draftees James Laurinaitis, a two-year captain, and Marcus Freeman left two of the three chairs open. Ross Homan is the lone returning starter, at weakside linebacker.
?Those two guys were great guys; James was a great leader and so was Marcus,? Sabino said. ?But right now we?re all just trying to show what we can bring best to the team.?
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

Linebackers Homan, Rolle determined to fill some big shoes for Ohio State's defense

by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday August 26, 2009, 10:40 PM


UPDATED: 11:06 p.m.

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerLast season, Minnesota's Brodrick Smith found out the difficulty of outrunning the agile legs of linebackers Brian Rolle (36) and Ross Homan (51). Both players will now have significantly greater roles in anchoring the Buckeyes' defense.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Freshman linebacker Dorian Bell had a question for Ohio State junior Brian Rolle recently. "How can you run so fast all the time?" Bell asked.
"If you get used to running fast, that's all you can do is run fast," Rolle told him.
Rolle's throttle is so stuck, he couldn't help himself at Monday night's public practice, plowing over running back Dan Herron on a play when nothing like that was supposed to happen.
"I was like, 'My bad,'" Rolle said. "I just like running fast."
Before Ohio State fans bask in the quotes of the personable, 5-11 ball of energy from Florida, let's be clear. Ohio State is not going to be better at middle linebacker. Three-year All-American James Laurinaitis slid until the second round of the NFL draft, but has already won the starting middle linebacker job with the St. Louis Rams.
Cont...