jcollingsworth
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A Defensive State of Mind
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The whole issue of who should start at Quarterback for the Buckeyes seems to be a moot issue now.
Cardale Jones started against NIU and immediately threw two interceptions. One of which was too high, missing a wide-open Braxton Miller. JT would come in under the disguise of a rescue but would not be the lights out as we had grown accustomed to last year.
The Defense was the rescuers in this game. Specifically Darron Lee whose pick for six allowed a narrow victory. Without that pick it just may have delivered a whole new ending to the horrific show we witnessed from The Shoe on Saturday past.
Urban Meyer said the offense was “discombobulated right now!” Which is putting it mildly!
The Buckeyes offense had five turnovers and only averaged 4.5 yards per play. Yet in this unimpressive victory they managed to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 16 games.
All of Buckeye Nation expected the offense to come around in this game especially after their sluggish performance against Hawaii in the first half of last week’s game before coming around (somewhat) in the 2nd.
Could the stagnant offense have something to do with Herman’s departure and Warinner’s current plan? That may be too easy! But what is the problem with this offense?
Understand going into Big 10 play against an improving Indiana team on Oct. 3rd such an Offense will be detrimental to the entire scheme of things. The Defense has shown up every game. They look clearly to be capable to deliver each and every week – all season long. This is the only hope we seemingly have.
Championships are built on defense. Certainly at the higher level of the NFL anyway. But we are talking about the NCAA Division 1. How well will the Defense hold out against Connor Cook and Michigan State if the Offense isn’t capable of doing their share?
For the second straight week neither quarterback was particularly effective against an opponent Ohio State was expected to blow out. So who starts next week?
The consensus opinion seems to be piling on Cardale who has been ineffective. I don’t know if I like that. The young man is a proven commodity. But is it possible that his strengths are derived from coming off the bench, like from the pressure cooking environment that he was thrust into last season? Or something as simple as salvaging a game or giving JT some rest. I “personally” am a JT fan. I feel that he needs the reps to get back to what we witnessed last year. I am also a huge believer in Urban Meyer. I do not question anything he does because he is the General on the Field. I entrust that the end result will be satisfactory.
Now take it just as it is – this week the Buckeyes were lucky. Had Lee not made the pick that carried him 41-yards into the end zone – the end result just may not have been so satisfactory. But then again supposition is – well, a stab in the dark. The possibilities of Lee’s “miracle” not happening could have been labeled by the press as “Black Saturday” had the Buckeyes been lumped into the same disaster that Nick Saban and Steve Sarkisian both experienced this same day.
But it never happened. The Football gods have granted the Buckeyes a reprieve.
Now they need to make the best of this opportunity.
What does this all mean?
One quarterback needs to be given the chance to play without having to look over his shoulder. I personally feel that quarterback needs to be JT. He is a much more effective passer and seems to just sail along so much more smoothly when he is in his groove. Cardale is a fantastic back up. He proved that last year. Let’s stop ruffling the feathers of success.
Should Warinner be discussed? Absolutely! There seems to be something adrift here. Was Tom Hermann the genius behind the wheel of last year’s ride?
I don’t think so. But the Buckeyes need to figure it all out & soon.
And until they do – we as Buckeye Nation know that the Defense has this team’s back and will carry it until the explosive offense that we and the rest of the world know that exists on this Buckeye Team can sort out their problems and come back to the dominance that all 61 first place votes unanimously saw when they cast their ballot to list the Buckeyes at # 1 preseason.
In truth the Coaching Staff recognizes the issues at hand more than we can ever imagine. Our criticisms of lackluster play and this issue, or that issue, especially from such a talented team, is merely armchair therapy. We possess a love and hope for The Ohio State University and expect an equaling to last year’s magic, if not a sampling of total greatness. Is that unfair? I don’t believe so. But do understand that sometimes the magic runs dry. Houdini can attest to that.
A tide changes with the wind. This coming Saturday is another day, another team, and a new wind. The Buckeyes opportunity to get it together exists against the Broncos of Western Michigan. Carrying dreary play into their Big 10 Opener against Indiana the following week may have gut-wrenching results.
My feeling is Urban will make a decision and turn the tide. Look for this Offense to finally met the greatness that everyone has expected and that the Defense has already met.
The post A Defensive State of Mind appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The whole issue of who should start at Quarterback for the Buckeyes seems to be a moot issue now.
Cardale Jones started against NIU and immediately threw two interceptions. One of which was too high, missing a wide-open Braxton Miller. JT would come in under the disguise of a rescue but would not be the lights out as we had grown accustomed to last year.
The Defense was the rescuers in this game. Specifically Darron Lee whose pick for six allowed a narrow victory. Without that pick it just may have delivered a whole new ending to the horrific show we witnessed from The Shoe on Saturday past.
Urban Meyer said the offense was “discombobulated right now!” Which is putting it mildly!
The Buckeyes offense had five turnovers and only averaged 4.5 yards per play. Yet in this unimpressive victory they managed to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 16 games.
All of Buckeye Nation expected the offense to come around in this game especially after their sluggish performance against Hawaii in the first half of last week’s game before coming around (somewhat) in the 2nd.
Could the stagnant offense have something to do with Herman’s departure and Warinner’s current plan? That may be too easy! But what is the problem with this offense?
Understand going into Big 10 play against an improving Indiana team on Oct. 3rd such an Offense will be detrimental to the entire scheme of things. The Defense has shown up every game. They look clearly to be capable to deliver each and every week – all season long. This is the only hope we seemingly have.
Championships are built on defense. Certainly at the higher level of the NFL anyway. But we are talking about the NCAA Division 1. How well will the Defense hold out against Connor Cook and Michigan State if the Offense isn’t capable of doing their share?
For the second straight week neither quarterback was particularly effective against an opponent Ohio State was expected to blow out. So who starts next week?
The consensus opinion seems to be piling on Cardale who has been ineffective. I don’t know if I like that. The young man is a proven commodity. But is it possible that his strengths are derived from coming off the bench, like from the pressure cooking environment that he was thrust into last season? Or something as simple as salvaging a game or giving JT some rest. I “personally” am a JT fan. I feel that he needs the reps to get back to what we witnessed last year. I am also a huge believer in Urban Meyer. I do not question anything he does because he is the General on the Field. I entrust that the end result will be satisfactory.
Now take it just as it is – this week the Buckeyes were lucky. Had Lee not made the pick that carried him 41-yards into the end zone – the end result just may not have been so satisfactory. But then again supposition is – well, a stab in the dark. The possibilities of Lee’s “miracle” not happening could have been labeled by the press as “Black Saturday” had the Buckeyes been lumped into the same disaster that Nick Saban and Steve Sarkisian both experienced this same day.
But it never happened. The Football gods have granted the Buckeyes a reprieve.
Now they need to make the best of this opportunity.
What does this all mean?
One quarterback needs to be given the chance to play without having to look over his shoulder. I personally feel that quarterback needs to be JT. He is a much more effective passer and seems to just sail along so much more smoothly when he is in his groove. Cardale is a fantastic back up. He proved that last year. Let’s stop ruffling the feathers of success.
Should Warinner be discussed? Absolutely! There seems to be something adrift here. Was Tom Hermann the genius behind the wheel of last year’s ride?
I don’t think so. But the Buckeyes need to figure it all out & soon.
And until they do – we as Buckeye Nation know that the Defense has this team’s back and will carry it until the explosive offense that we and the rest of the world know that exists on this Buckeye Team can sort out their problems and come back to the dominance that all 61 first place votes unanimously saw when they cast their ballot to list the Buckeyes at # 1 preseason.
In truth the Coaching Staff recognizes the issues at hand more than we can ever imagine. Our criticisms of lackluster play and this issue, or that issue, especially from such a talented team, is merely armchair therapy. We possess a love and hope for The Ohio State University and expect an equaling to last year’s magic, if not a sampling of total greatness. Is that unfair? I don’t believe so. But do understand that sometimes the magic runs dry. Houdini can attest to that.
A tide changes with the wind. This coming Saturday is another day, another team, and a new wind. The Buckeyes opportunity to get it together exists against the Broncos of Western Michigan. Carrying dreary play into their Big 10 Opener against Indiana the following week may have gut-wrenching results.
My feeling is Urban will make a decision and turn the tide. Look for this Offense to finally met the greatness that everyone has expected and that the Defense has already met.
The post A Defensive State of Mind appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...