02-08 S Comparison

[jwinslow]

Presuming they all got together and bought a Juggs machine, right?

True. Let's hope NCAA 09 is not a foreshadowing.

Of course, having Clark, Feagin/Threet, and others passing their way should help.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

I'm not sure any '08 S has reached Nickey's level of consistent play, let alone the game-changing Allen and three-time consensus AA Doss. However, unlike the DL comparison (which is simply in another galaxy imo), I like the upside of our safeties to trend upward this season. It will be hard to be as special as Doss & clutch as Allen, but 21 & 4 can develop into a special bunch in their own right.

I imagine Allen will remain the greatest nickel back we'll ever see under Tressel, in terms of production for 1 season. INT sealing Cincy win, INT sealing UM win, blowing out pro-bowler McGahee's knee (unfortunate, but huge), etc. 03 wasn't bad either, stonewalling McLendon.

Exactly

Experience is arguably more important for safeties than for any other position on the defense, and we made a HUGE upgrade in experience over last year at that position. As a result, I expect that we'll see a tremendous improvement in the play of our safeties this year.

That said... So many people have given other positions to '08 on the basis of depth - This one would go to '02 on the basis of depth even if you factor Mike Doss out of the equation. But you can't factor Doss out.

So even though I expect huge improvement in the '08 safeties, they still won't match the '02 guys.

And I agree that the difference in DL is even bigger.

 

[jwinslow]

That said... So many people have given other positions to '08 on the basis of depth - This one would go to '02 on the basis of depth even if you factor Mike Doss out of the equation. But you can't factor Doss out.

O'Neal and Clifford might have made this one closer, had they kept it together

 

[RB07OSU]

Everyone talks about the question marks on the D-line, but our safety play is just as questionable for me. There is a reason Jenkins had to play safety on passing downs.

This one should be as big of a no-brainer as the DL comparison.

I agree with you. Other than DT, this was our biggest weakness. I think Coleman will step up with gains in the weight room and hopefully Russel is healthy. Anyways, '02 in an easy choice.

 

[msj2487]

I imagine Allen will remain the greatest nickel back we'll ever see under Tressel, in terms of production for 1 season. INT sealing Cincy win, INT sealing UM win, blowing out pro-bowler McGahee's knee (unfortunate, but huge), etc. 03 wasn't bad either, stonewalling McLendon.

Not to mention Allen was also the one who stopped the unbelievable comeback from BG the week after NC State with an INT with 10 seconds or so to go, and he had that 100 yard return against SDSU to help give us the advantage of 16-13.

But I agree, '02 in a landslide as of right now and its not even close!!

 

[Jaxbuck]

The one thing I'll say to keep in mind is that for all their experience and leadership, Doss and Nickey weren't very good in coverage. In fact I'd be so bold as to say Nickey was terrible in coverage.

Still '02 in a landslide but just wanted to be fair, I've been pretty critical of the current guys so far this summer.