What is our weakest unit?

[Oh8ch]

The ones missing Tuf and Jordan. I think it's really that simple.

Perhaps.

But our secondary had its worst game in a long time - and Combs is gone.
Our receivers had their best game in a long time - and Smith is gone.
Our LBs had a game reminiscent of Iowa - and, well..

There is some experience in our secondary. Sheffield and Arnette are 4th year players. Wint is a 3rd year player.

Not ready to panic, but not impressed.

 

[bigfrankfoota1]

New LBs have some growing to do. That’s to be expected. I’d like to see more experienced players like Hillard or Jones get a shot.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I still say Safety overall after re-watching that first game.

There is more experience and depth at LB. At Safety you have Fuller and then 4 Soph's and 2 freshman who as a whole, obviously are no where near ready to play at the required level.

Wint and Pryor couldn't separate from each other and the other 4 couldn't take the job from those two.

OSU is a balky hammy away from a critical weakness that the worst of opponents can exploit.

 

[kujirakira]

Perhaps.

But our secondary had its worst game in a long time - and Combs is gone.
Our receivers had their best game in a long time - and Smith is gone.
Our LBs had a game reminiscent of Iowa - and, well..

There is some experience in our secondary. Sheffield and Arnette are 4th year players. Wint is a 3rd year player.

Not ready to panic, but not impressed.

To be fair, I feel pretty good about the CBs. Arnette still has his moments occasionally, Sheffield is looking more like an NFL guy, and Okudah had a terrible outing - but I think he'll figure it out like so many recent CBs in the first couple games.
The Safeties and LBs ... not very confident. Not at all.

 

[OH10]

Hard not to be disappointed watching Baron Browning on Saturday with delayed reactions and bad angles.

At safety, I’m surprised Okudah and Wade aren’t getting looks there. These team is so deep at so many positions that there has to be a way to get the best athletes in the field.

 

[bukIpower]

Perhaps.

But our secondary had its worst game in a long time - and Combs is gone.
Our receivers had their best game in a long time - and Smith is gone.
Our LBs had a game reminiscent of Iowa - and, well..

There is some experience in our secondary. Sheffield and Arnette are 4th year players. Wint is a 3rd year player.

Not ready to panic, but not impressed.

This wasnt close to Iowa man... Everyone is on our Lbers but the big hitters were on Young, Jackson, Wint and Pryor.

Mistakes at LB were far less fatal than DL and S.

With that said I'm not sold on the LB coach at all

 

[bukIpower]

Hard not to be disappointed watching Baron Browning on Saturday with delayed reactions and bad angles.

At safety, I’m surprised Okudah and Wade aren’t getting looks there. These team is so deep at so many positions that there has to be a way to get the best athletes in the field.

Yes I'm shocked too... wasnt Okudah considered a Safety? Also Arnette has the size to play there.

If we play mostly man then stick a corner back there to cover. Wade/Okudah/Williamson are better than every safety not named Fuller.

 

[jwinslow]

Okudah was the #1 corner in HS, was the 3rd corner when Ward skipped the bowl and continues to play a lot in that role. Moving him out of that spot is a rather large gamble and a fairly confusing one.

1) He's the #1 corner next year, and a starter if anyone goes down with injury. With as much nickel as they run, he's practically a starter now.

2) He's built like a corner (as is Wade). He'd really struggle to cover tight ends. Williamson is much more stout but also shorter (for such assignments).

If you want a safety who can cover but still hold up against the run, I'd like to see Amir Riep get more reps. I also wonder how far Proctor has to go mentally to get on the field, because his ball skills are undeniable.


Guys like Pryor & Young made mistakes but also flashed their athleticism when they executed properly. Wint really struggled athletically in the last game.

 

[buckeyboy]

I thought Okudah's PI calls were a bit weak. I felt he was step for step with his WR. the first one looked like he got his feet tangled up with the WR. The second one was called because he had his hand on the WR shoulder. In in any case, I thought he did ok. In any case, his skill and coverage skills are evident. I think he'll be fine.

 

[Arch2H]

LB's, OL, then DB's

 

[bukIpower]

Okudah was the #1 corner in HS, was the 3rd corner when Ward skipped the bowl and continues to play a lot in that role. Moving him out of that spot is a rather large gamble and a fairly confusing one.

1) He's the #1 corner next year, and a starter if anyone goes down with injury. With as much nickel as they run, he's practically a starter now.

2) He's built like a corner (as is Wade). He'd really struggle to cover tight ends. Williamson is much more stout but also shorter (for such assignments).

If you want a safety who can cover but still hold up against the run, I'd like to see Amir Riep get more reps. I also wonder how far Proctor has to go mentally to get on the field, because his ball skills are undeniable.


Guys like Pryor & Young made mistakes but also flashed their athleticism when they executed properly. Wint really struggled athletically in the last game.

I'm fairly confident Okudah was considered. Safety at some point in his recruitment but at any rate I agree with what you say.

Particularly about Wint in that physically he just didn't look like he belonged. I mean we got killed by the Oregon States speed guys. If he is out there for meaningful snaps that honestly will worry me.

Other than that I'm ok with the defense

 

[jwinslow]

I'm fairly confident Okudah was considered. Safety at some point in his recruitment but at any rate I agree with what you say.

Particularly about Wint in that physically he just didn't look like he belonged. I mean we got killed by the Oregon States speed guys. If he is out there for meaningful snaps that honestly will worry me.

Other than that I'm ok with the defense

I think there was chatter that Okudah could get on the field at safety earlier since Fuller was an unknown at that point.

I think people are finally realizing how underrated Damon Webb was. OSU has spoiled our fanbase with an unbelievable run of elite DBs but Webb was a really steady performer for this defense for the past two years.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Not worried about LB. Once Tuf returns as a steady force in the middle it's going to help younger players settle down.

As for the safety spot, it's open audition 2002-style (McNutt -> Underwood -> Gamble) until someone earns the spot. What we don't want is repeat of 2013 when we stuck w/ the veteran even though the position wasn't performing.

 

[Dryden]

My biggest concern coming out of Oregon St is that apparently nobody in the back seven is fast enough to run down a skill position player that breaks free?

It’s difficult to reconcile all the pub of Sheffield’s track exploits this summer with the fact the only player on the team that ran anybody down over 60 yards was Isaiah Prince.

 

[kujirakira]

Im going WRs. They may be 8 deep... but nobody has established themselves as a #1... not even a #2.
Until they prove they wont drop several TDs each game...

Was close with LBs, but i cant fault new guys for previous guys' mistakes and scheme. This is the same group of WRs that has been inconsistent since Thomas...
Hartline has his work cut out for him.

Waiting for Saturday to cross this one out.
I'll thoroughly enjoy eating this crow if it happens, and hopefully Hartline begins a 2nd lucrative career here.