2016 tOSU Really Basic Defense Discussion

[pnuts34]

The game was never close even though Clemson was winning after 3 quarters? Special teams is what won the game for Alabama. A KO Return for a TD and the well timed onside kick is what the difference is.

Clemson's offense put up 550 yards. The same problems plagued Alabama's defense. Their special teams came up big.

And almost 500yds was by one guy, Deshaun Watson! Im just saying that its been a little exaggerated that Saban can't beat spread, hurry up teams. I agree with @MililaniBuckeye that OSU would've put some serious points up against Bama, because had a better team. Clemsons entire offense was one guy. I think what someone stated about matchup problems being in favor of the Buckeyes being the reason more than just the hurry up offense being run

 

[buchtelgrad04]

And almost 500yds was by one guy, Deshaun Watson! Im just saying that its been a little exaggerated that Saban can't beat spread, hurry up teams. I agree with @MililaniBuckeye that OSU would've put some serious points up against Bama, because had a better team. Clemsons entire offense was one guy. I think what someone stated about matchup problems being in favor of the Buckeyes being the reason more than just the hurry up offense being run

Nobody said he couldn't beat the spread. He struggles with hurry-up, no huddle teams. That's fact. Look at how Oklahoma beat them. Why do you think Ole Miss beat them two years in a row? It's not because of just one guy. Clemson put up 40 points. Regardless of how many yards one guy put up, Alabama's defense still showed the same issues as always against dual threat QBs.

They didn't win because of defense.

 

[jwinslow]

That argument seemed to be nullified in the NC against Clemson. Clemson tried running a hurry up and Saban adjusted accordingly, and the game was never close. We can't keep comparing our win as it was now ions ago, Saban has adapted. Now its Urban's move

What? It was a one score game frequently.

Clemson put up 40 pts on them and threw for 400 yds and had 550 overall on o. Clemson lost because they absolutely refused to cover the Bama TE. Or field a competent special teams.

Clemson also could not run the ball like osu could, which is the real reason you can't compare that outing to what osu might have done.

It was one year ago and Bama was very lucky that they're always given mulligans for their stinkers while osu is disqualified for theirs (even if their stinkers are against title contenders).

 

[jwinslow]

Nobody said he couldn't beat the spread. He struggles with hurry-up, no huddle teams. That's fact. Look at how Oklahoma beat them. Why do you think Ole Miss beat them two years in a row? It's not because of just one guy. Clemson put up 40 points. Regardless of how many yards one guy put up, Alabama's defense still showed the same issues as always against dual threat QBs.

They didn't win because of defense.

You want to talk about one guy winning the game, try the Bama TE, or the outrageously terrible angles by the Clemson safety that triggered most of them.

 

[ScriptOhio]

SPRING REWIND: WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT OHIO STATE'S SAFETIES

With a pair of two-year starters and a position coach all gone, there’s little doubt Ohio State’s biggest defensive question mark comes at the safety position. Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell both left early for the NFL, while Chris Ash departed to become the head coach at Rutgers. As a result, the Buckeyes were left with some massive holes in the back end of their secondary.

The first step for Ohio State was finding a replacement for Ash, and Urban Meyer seemingly hit a home run with that hire by bringing in a longtime head coach — at both the collegiate and NFL levels — in Greg Schiano.

The next step for the Buckeyes came this spring. That involved finding replacements for Bell and Powell. That one was a little bit more complex.

With Erick Smith sidelined for all of spring as he recovered from a torn ACL and Cam Burrows held out for roughly half of practice before easing his way back into things following a foot injury last season, Ohio State had to do a bit of shuffling in its defensive backfield as Malik Hooker was the only healthy scholarship safety on the roster. Because of that, the Buckeyes moved both Eric Glover-Williams and Damon Webb to the safety room this spring and, as of right now, it appears to be a permanent change to add some depth.

“Going into the summer, that would be the plan,” Schiano said last week.

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...nd-what-we-learned-about-ohio-states-safeties

 

[pnuts34]

Even with big holes left by Bell and Powell, I think Hooker will be a star in this defense and Webb looks really good at S. His cover skills will be an amazing asset at S. The competition will be crazy and I think Burrows will provide great depth but his time may have passed at being a starter and Smith's injury opened a door for Webb, and I don't know if he can regain a spot as a starter in that backfield. That says a lot about the unproven taken we have at S.

 

[ScriptOhio]

2016 OSU Spring Positional Recap: Defensive End

How do the Buckeyes replace the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft in Joey Bosa? The same way they replaced John Simon in 2013 — with the next man up.

Ohio State will have seven defensive ends on the roster this season and three of them will be former 5-star prospects. And that doesn't even include last year's starter Tyquan Lewis, who led the team with 8.0 sacks and was second with 14.0 tackles for loss.

The recruiting has been just fine at defensive end for the Buckeyes, so while replacing Bosa is not going to be easy, there isn't exactly a whole lot of panic around the program because of it.

Returning Starters: Tyquan Lewis (6-4 260, rJr)

Tyquan Lewis was held out of spring practice to rehab from January surgery to repair a torn labrum that he suffered a year ago. He played with the injury all through the 2015 season, but will be perfectly fine by this summer. One has to wonder what the Buckeyes could get out of a healthy Lewis over the course of a full season.

"He's a tough guy," defensive line coach Larry Johnson said this spring. "He's a mentally-tough guy. He's got great leadership skills and we can't wait for him to get back on the field right now. His role right now with the young guys has been tremendous, really tremendous. Tyquan is going to be a factor for us in the fall."

Others Returning: Sam Hubbard (6-5 265, rSo); Jalyn Holmes (6-5 265, Jr); Rashod Berry (6-4 245, rFr); Darius Slade (6-4 255, rSo)

Sam Hubbard and Jalyn Holmes ran with the ones all spring long, and both terrorized the Buckeye quarterbacks. Most expect Hubbard to win the open job, since he started twice last year when the Buckeyes were missing a starter in the front four. Whether that happens or not may ultimately depend on which of Hubbard and Holmes is the better run stopper.

Both Bosa and Lewis were excellent against the run last year, and there won't be much tolerance for that standard to be lessened in 2016. Holmes may be the most talented pass rusher on the roster right now, but it will be the most complete defensive end who gets the nod this coming season.
.
.
.
continued

Entire article: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Football/2016/News/2016-OSU-Spring-Positional-Recap-Defensive-End

 

[ScriptOhio]

2016 OSU Spring Positional Recap: Defensive Tackle

The Buckeyes entered spring camp not only looking for two new starters at defensive tackle, but looking for an entire rotation. Losing seniors Adolphus Washington, Tommy Schutt and Joel Hale thinned out the defensive tackle position, but it also left a huge void in the rotation.

It also didn't help matters when veteran backup Donovan Munger's playing days had to come to an early end this spring due to blood clots.

As a position group, this may have been the largest area of concern as Ohio State began spring camp. As they left it, however, it was impossible not to be impressed by the possibilities of the young talent on hand, as well as the emergence of two talented veterans.

Starters Returning: None

Others Returning: Jashon Cornell (6-3 275, rFr); Robert Landers (6-1 290, rFr); Joshua Alabi (6-5 295, rFr); Dylan Thompson (6-5 275, rSo); Davon Hamilton (6-4 300, rFr); Michael Hill (6-3 295, rJr); Dre'Mont Jones (6-3 280, rFr); Tracy Sprinkle (6-3 290, rJr)

Michael Hill (nose tackle) and Tracy Sprinkle spent the spring running with the ones the entire way. They are expected to be the starters in the fall. Hill started a bit last year in place of Schutt, and Sprinkle was in the rotation as well a year ago. Both players are entering their fourth year and they have enough experience at this point to be considered veterans.

"Mike's doing really well," defensive line coach Larry Johnson said this spring. "He's the force inside, the big guy inside that can take on the double team, and that's what we want inside to allow our other guys to go free. That's his job and he does it really well. He's had a really good spring. He started four or five games last year when we had some injuries and I think now he sees what he can be."

While Hill is expected to be the run stopper, Sprinkle's skills involve getting after the passer.

"He can really rush the passer, one thing that Tracy can do is really rush the passer," Johnson said. "You take that kind of skill, he's got great hips, he's got a great understanding of the game, very smart, so Tracy is a really good player for us right now."

Entire article: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Football/2016/News/2016-OSU-Spring-Positional-Recap-Defensive-Tackle

 

[ScriptOhio]

2016 OSU Spring Positional Recap: Linebacker

Like just about every other position on the Ohio State football team this spring, the Buckeye linebackers had to replace a void left by departed players who are now in rookie camps in the NFL.

Both Darron Lee and Joshua Perry were multiple-year starters for Ohio State, so not only do they take their talents to the NFL, but they also take their experience with them as well.

Of course, the Buckeyes still return second-team All-American Raekwon McMillan in the middle, so don't expect the nation to get all weepy at the predicament that Ohio State found itself in this spring.

Returning Starters: Raekwon McMillan (6-2 240, Jr)

Raekwon McMillan led the Buckeyes in tackles last season, and then led them in plenty of other ways this spring. He will be on various All-American lists this season, as well as mock drafts. Urban Meyer named him a captain back in the winter and he stepped into that role seamlessly this spring.

"To say Raekwon wasn’t a leader last year is not true," said fellow linebacker Joe Burger this spring. "Obviously he had other guys like Joshua and Darron and the older safeties, but I think Raekwon can feel that extra responsibility. Now, instead of playing with the other guys and just being that leader, not really pushing others as much, he’s really felt the responsibility of, ‘Yeah, I’ve got to bring this young guy along. He may not be able to help us right away, but I can see in six months this guy can be a key cog for us.’ And so Raekwon has done a good job just extending his hand and helping the young guys get up and get going."

Others Returning: Dante Booker (6-3 233, Jr); Nick Conner (6-3 230, rFr); Chris Worley (6-2 225, rJr); Justin Hilliard (6-1 230, rFr); Jerome Baker (6-1 215, So); Craig Fada (6-1 230, rSr); Joe Burger (6-2 230, rSr)

Dante Booker (Will) and Chris Worley (Sam) ran with the ones since the start of spring camp and nothing that they did during camp changed their positions as starters.

Having been the respective backups to Lee and Perry the last two seasons, both Worley and Booker remained patient, but they also never stopped progressing. Now that their opportunities are in front of them, their coaches and teammates believe they are ready.

"Chris Worley and Dante Booker, they’ve been solid," McMillan said. "They’ve actually helped me out on the field. Chris Worley may not have played much on defense but he’s a seasoned player and he knows what he’s talking about. And Dante’s a tremendous athlete."

"Chris Worley, he’s a guy who has stepped up to be elite," Urban Meyer said. "He is trusted by his coaches right now."

"He is going to be a great leader for us," defensive coordinator Luke Fickell added. "He is a guy that has had to battle through. Guys that are handed things and things happen real fast for, are not always the greatest example to a lot of other people."

Entire article: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Football/2016/News/2016-OSU-Spring-Positional-Recap-Linebacker

 

[pnuts34]

Just looking at the depth chart should make any Buckeye fan happy. There is some serious depth at the LB position. To think, Baker could start for most of the B1G and he's a back up at OSU. Nick Conner and Justin Hilliard are two guys with few reps,but have the talent to be special, and the frosh are uber talented as well.

 

[ScriptOhio]

2016 OSU Spring Positional Recap: Safety

The safety position for the Buckeyes this spring was a significant worry based on the fact that they had to find two new starters and those starters had to be able to work in conjunction with each other in a very smooth and copacetic manner.

That was quite difficult to do when OSU began the spring with just two healthy scholarship safeties. For the first couple of practices, it was just Malik Hooker and Eric Glover-Williams. Once the Buckeyes got back from spring break, however, Damon Webb was moved over to free safety from cornerback and he played very well.

Toward the middle of the spring, veteran Cam Burrows returned, finally giving Ohio State an actual two-deep of scholarship players.

Despite the disjointed nature of the camp for the safeties, Urban Meyer and the defensive staff left spring pretty happy with what they had seen from the position.

Starters Returning: None

Others Returning: Malik Hooker (6-2 205, rSo); Damon Webb (5-11 193, Jr); Eric Glover-Williams (5-9 175, So); Cam Burrows (6-0 208, rJr); Erick Smith (6-0 202, Jr)

If you were looking for bright spots for the Buckeyes this spring, one of them would have been Malik Hooker at strong safety. Hooker's stellar performances in practice weren't new, as he became known for his interceptions even as a redshirt freshman still learning the position. This spring, however, he looked like a veteran and capped his outstanding play with a very impressive two-interception performance in the spring game.

"Since I’ve been here, Malik’s been making picks," said sophomore linebacker Jerome Baker. "I try to keep up with him but it’s hard. He makes a lot. Malik makes interceptions every day in practice."

"I didn’t really have expectations other than what people had told me about him, but working with him was enjoyable," safeties coach Greg Schiano said after spring ball. "He’s a football guy, he loves the game, studies the game. Made a lot of mistakes but also did a lot of good things. So we just have to eliminate the mistakes and keep making the good things better."

Entire article: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Football/2016/News/2016-OSU-Spring-Positional-Recap-Safety

 

[ScriptOhio]

HOW MUCH WILL OHIO STATE ROTATE THE DEPTH IN ITS SECONDARY IN 2016?

Kerry Coombs is aware of the young talent he and Greg Schiano have in front of them in Ohio State's secondary fighting to replace three multi-year starters. They recruited well to prepare for such losses, and just like any other position on the team, Coombs knows its performance revolves around it avoiding injury.

"Knock on wood — our depth is always relative to the players’ health," Coombs said this spring. "You know we’ve had different times when we would feel like in May that we had five or six guys capable of playing. And by August that wasn’t necessarily the case."

Players like Marshon Lattimore (hamstrings) and Damon Arnette (foot/ankle) are the most recent defensive backs that dealt with ailments in the immediate past but are back in the fold. Arnette made a significant jump in bowl practice and this spring, Coombs said, simply because he "had to."

Coombs felt confident in saying Lattimore, Arnette and Denzel Ward join returning starter Gareon Conley as the top four players at corner upon Ohio State's exit from spring practice. Schiano wouldn't disclose his starters at safety in April, but Malik Hooker and Damon Webb — a converted corner — lead following solid springs.

The exact depth chart won't be released for a while, but the amount of talent in the secondary beyond those already mentioned is staggering. Erick Smith and Cam Burrows remain in the fold at safety albeit coming off injuries and Eric Glover-Williams was one of four members of Ohio State's 2015 recruiting class to play as a true freshman. Glover-Williams worked at safety this spring while Joshua Norwood remains at corner.

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...ate-rotate-the-depth-in-its-secondary-in-2016

 

[ScriptOhio]

Buckeye Linebacker Depth is Young, But Talented

Ohio State will take the field with two new starting linebackers this season. Darron Lee and Joshua Perry are off to the NFL, and juniors Chris Worley and Dante Booker will now take their respective places.

A dip in production won't be tolerated, even if it is likely unavoidable given the losses.

Even though Worley and Booker were backups last season, they have had a fair amount of experience on defense, but that's not the case for the players behind them.

The Buckeyes will open the 2016 season with nine linebackers on scholarship, and six of them will be first or second-year players. Barring a miracle, they are going to need defensive and special teams production from half of those players.

Jerome Baker saw the field a bit as a true freshman last season, but middle linebacker Nick Conner and Justin Hilliard ended up redshirting due to injury as rookies. Hilliard was a 5-star signee out of Cincinnati and Conner was one of the best stories of the spring of 2015.

All three players are from Ohio, but according to Baker, the group is close for more reasons than just geography.

"I never really thought of it like that," he said regarding their home state. "We’re all just brothers and that’s what it is. We’re brothers on the field and off the field. We’ve got each other’s back regardless, so we don’t think about it like that. We’re just brothers."

Entire article: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Football/2016/News/Buckeye-Linebacker-Depth-is-Young-But-Talented

 

[ScriptOhio]

STARTERS APPEAR SET, BUT DEPTH REMAINS A QUESTION FOR OHIO STATE'S DEFENSIVE LINE

Ohio State received an early preview of its 2016 defensive line in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame, albeit unexpectedly.

Officials ejected defensive end Joey Bosa for targeting in the first quarter following his head to Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer, Larry Johnson's unit had only one starter from earlier in the season available — defensive end Tyquan Lewis.

"Oh my goodness, that was a kidney shot," Urban Meyer said of Bosa's ejection after the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame 44-28. "

With defensive tackle Adolphus Washington suspended and a rotation at the other tackle spot, it upped the pressure on a host of defensive linemen to get the job done so Ohio State could end its season on a winning note.

"We were playing with some cats out there that I didn't know were going to be playing," Meyer said. "But they played hard and did fine against a very good team."

Lewis is back for 2016 after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery and should be 100 percent by the time fall camp starts Aug. 7. Redshirt sophomore Sam Hubbard is primed and ready to start opposite of Lewis, but Johnson has not named starters on the interior. However, Mike Hill and Tracy Sprinkle took first-team reps this spring and likely will get the nod.

"I thought they made a lot (of progress)," Johnson said of his unit in April. "Especially the guys on the inside. Really was an evaluation for the inside guys and since we took two guys and moved them inside for the very first time. Different world, different way of playing and at the end of the day after 15 practices I thought they really improved."

Those two guys Johnson mentioned are Jashon Cornell and Dre'Mont Jones, "two puppies" Meyer said have to be ready to contribute this fall. Here is a breakdown of each scholarship player on the defensive line ahead of camp.

TYQUAN LEWIS
We start with Lewis, the man that led the Buckeyes in sacks last season with 8.0. He also tallied 14.0 tackles for loss in what turned out to be a breakout sophomore campaign.

Lewis faces two hurdles in his hunt to put forth similar numbers in 2016: His health and the fact Joey Bosa now plays for the San Diego Chargers. Lewis' offseason shoulder doesn't appear like it will be an issue — he and Urban Meyer both said this spring they expect him to be 100 percent — but if he suffers a setback it would take one of the best players on the defensive line out of Ohio State's lineup.

Bosa took loads of attention away from Lewis and even Sam Hubbard last season. There is a reason he went third overall in the NFL Draft. Teams now turn their eyes toward Lewis, a budding star who Johnson wants to be his next NFL export.

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...ins-a-question-for-ohio-states-defensive-line

 

[pnuts34]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...nte-booker-the-buckeyes-next-freak-linebacker


I know that its BR, but its still a pretty good article on Booker.