02-08 CB Comparison

[Pfef73]

If there was one knock on the '02 defense, it was that teams could pass the ball at a relatively decent rate against them. Last season, the Buckeyes had the country's top ranked pass defense, which is remarkable considering that their opponents were almost always playing catch-up. To put that in perspective, the 2nd best pass defense was Notre Dame's, and teams threw on the Irish 62 times less over the course of the season, the 5th lowest total in the NCAA. This comes in stark contrast to Ohio State's, who was pretty much in the middle of the pack in this department.

I can't recall a Buckeye better at busting up screen passes and supporting the run defense from the cornerback position in recent history than Jenkins. As for Washington, I thought he was an underrated contributor to the defense, as I noted in the weeks leading up to the championship game.

The reason that Jenkins can move to safety during Nickel packages isn't because the starting safeties are inept defenders like their 0 interceptions would leave one to believe (Kurt Coleman is pretty good in coverage for his position, although Russell's play did leave room for concern last season), it's because the depth at the cornerback position -- namely the emergence of Washington and Chekwa -- allowed the coaches to put Jenkins a position where his strengths can best be accentuated.

This may be the only position groups of the running series of '08 vs '02 that I have no problem voting on before the season begins, because the secondary was much better than people gave it credit for in 2007.

 

[msj2487]

I'm going with 08, and it's not all that close. The 08 two deep at CB is the best we've had in ten years, and that's got nothing to do with potential. Jenkins and DWash have seen considerable playing time since 05. With that duo, it's basically like having two #1 CBs.

How did DWash see considerable PT in 05? He redshirted then. Basically DWash's '06 was Jenkins' '05. I agree they're both extremely talented and all, but I can't see how Jenkins has been all that head and shoulders above Gamble, so if Gamble = Jenkins, then I still say Fox is slightly better than DWash at this point in his career. As many have stated before, maybe after this season will DWash be considered better than Fox, but until then I'm sticking with '02 and its a very close call!

 

[Jaxbuck]

Potential for '08 cuts both ways.

How are we going to feel looking back if Washington serves a two game suspension and either due to his rust or his replacements being green we have a problem at that position vs USC?

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Potential for '08 cuts both ways.

How are we going to feel looking back if Washington serves a two game suspension and either due to his rust or his replacements being green we have a problem at that position vs USC?

Not worried one bit. If Washington is rusty, Chekwa has plenty of experience and I'm very optimistic about Amos. CB is not a position to be concerned with.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

It was already pretty well known that D. Wash would probably miss the first two games. The recent story moves it from probably to "almost certainly".

But nothing I've heard suggests that D. Wash won't be practicing. While the lack of game minutes won't help, and while he might lose practice reps to others who have to get ready for YSU and OHIO; I don't expect this to be that big a deal.

With 4 new starters on the Trojan OL, and with the reports from off-season conditioning (hope they're true); I'm hoping that Dirty Sanchez won't have time to wait for D. Wash's man to get open more than a few times.

Definitely not good news that a starting CB and a backup safety are going to miss the first two, but I'd feel worse if it were the other way around.

(JamO was originally reported to be in the same "boat" as DWash)

A different 4-letter-word that begins with 'b' may or may not have been involved.

 

[generaladm]

How did DWash see considerable PT in 05? He redshirted then.

Yeah, I got a little confused. I was thinking of his fumble recovery in the Texas game, but I forgot which Texas game it was. It's hard to keep track of all the great DBs that come thru OSU!

 

[OSU_D/]

CB playmaking often relies on the D-line

This may take it a bit OT, but I didn't see this angle mentioned. I feel that Gamble/Fox were given more opportunities to make plays b/c the dline in 02 forced opposing qb's into bad situations. I think Jenkins/Washington w/ the 02 line would show that they are a little better as a combo than Gamble/Fox.

 

[msj2487]

Yeah, I got a little confused. I was thinking of his fumble recovery in the Texas game, but I forgot which Texas game it was. It's hard to keep track of all the great DBs that come thru OSU!

Haha its all good, I was little confused myself when I read your post and thats why I clarified things to see if thats what you meant.