2008 Buckeye Football Season

[davethewave101]

Henton's not ready in my opinion...

 

[DCBuckeye07]

I thought the D held strong though, specially in the second half, and wouldve been stronger sans some crucial penalties. The offense is the problem. First off, Boekman cant be our guy. Second, our playcalling looks too predictable...no grey area, its always run, and if run doesnt work...force it vertically.

 

[Westside]

Tressel changing coaching strategies...?

If we look at BCS title games as a measuring stick ...

A Mark Dantonio-coached defense beat one of the most talented teams in recent college football history. Jim Heacock's defenses have conceded large scores in the process of losing to two flawed teams. I think it is obvious what needs to be done. We have also shown an inability to defend spread offenses (either passing or running) during his tenure. Nothing personal toward Jim, but we need to move on.

 

[DCBuckeye07]

If we look at BCS title games as a measuring stick ...

A Mark Dantonio-coached defense beat one of the most talented teams in recent college football history. Jim Heacock's defenses have conceded large scores in the process of losing to two flawed teams. I think it is obvious what needs to be done. We have also shown an inability to defend spread offenses (either passing or running) during his tenure. Nothing personal toward Jim, but we need to move on.

IMO our defense didnt appear as glaring a problem as our anemic offense. Interesting the first thing you said, BCS games as measuring stick...I think we lack that mentality. Sure we own the Big 10 year in and year out. Big game...not so much

 

[Crayfish]

I think you certainly open up the QB position. Not that Henton becomes the de facto QB but at least Henton and hopefully Pryor have the opportunity to win the position. Competition breeds production. I also think that the tackling and pass defense between the tackles needs sured up. The issue was there were too many tackles made 5 yards down field and too many open receivers between the hash to deny this issue. Not sure if this was poor defensive playcalling, poor recognition, or just poor player performance but something has to give. There is too much top end talent on this defense to give up 5 scores in 6 possessions like they did tonight. This team has an incredible amount of talent, but they have to make plays on both sides of the ball.

All that said, the question was what can we do for next year. For this year, all we should do is thank our seniors for a great season, thank our team for the opportunity, and thank our instincts for knowing that we follow arguably the best all around team, both on and off the field, in college football.

 

[DCBuckeye07]

How about a QB that can make a decision in less than 30 seconds...that'd be wonderful

 

[(o) IoI /o\ (o)]

How about a QB that can make a decision in less than 30 seconds...that'd be wonderful

I hate to say inexperianced but that's all I can think of...He gets rattled and seems like he doesn't know what to do. He tries to force things to happen and continues to make bad decisions. For some reason (maybe it was the other teams talent level on D) but someone else said this and I agree, Pre-Illinios and Post-Illinios Todd are completely different...I just don't know what to make of it. Everytime I feel good about his play he seems to revert back when something doesn't go exactly to plan.

As far as it being Heacock's fault...I really don't know where to go with that. I don't think you can completely come down on him, there should have been a lot more communication between Jim and the rest of the coaches because when changes were finally made on D, it was too late.

 

[Shot-Ginn]

unless Todd has a great offseason, i say you prepare for Henton, and hopefully Pryor by returning to the spread offense used in 06, having Beanie provide a similar role as Pittman had, only more emphasized to help the new QBs.

 

[daveeb]

I'm not willing to quit on Todd yet, but he does seem to get rattled hardcore in big games. We were just spoiled with Joe Germaine, Craig Krenzel, and Troy Smith before Florida.

If he picks himself up and keeps on trucking along, he can do better. He just needs to remember that.

Another huge year from Beanie. Bigger role for Saine. Diminished role for Mo (Just because of who is coming in). Boom Herron should get some carries.

I want to see a really run heavy team.

 

[Westside]

Without wanting to sound pessimistic, I'm not sure that Henton is the solution we're looking for either. Boeckman deserves his fair shot to compete for the position next year, but his performance in the Illinois and LSU games this year will not help his cause. Basically, it's the same old OSU story; loaded with talent at every position but quarterback. With one or two exceptions in Troy and Krenzel, we have lacked dominant quarterbacks in recent memory. Unless we get Pryor, the problem will continue. Ironically, he is looking like a commit to our rivals, who always seem to be stocked at QB.

 

[OHSportsFan]

hmm, I'm not sure I'm easily willing to give Henton the job yet. I'll admit it, I'm not a fan of Boeckman at QB, he's a Buckeye and the Buckeye's QB, so I hope for the best, but what I mean is...he doesn't throw a very good ball (at all IMO), he doesn't have pocket awareness, and he turns the ball over.

However- OSU has a LEGIT shot a national championship run next season, with all the returning starters, including the all-important QB position. I'm not sure I'm willing to risk a rough season with a first-year starter with all the talent OSU will be loaded with next season, especially with the good things that OSU has already began to build with/around Boeckman.

Henton and Pryor, go ahead and compete for the job, I'd love to see them on the field throughout the year, but Boeckman will be a 6 year senior with a full year of starts under his belt, I like my chances with that.

 

[(o) IoI /o\ (o)]

hmm, I'm not sure I'm easily willing to give Henton the job yet. I'll admit it, I'm not a fan of Boeckman at QB, he's a Buckeye and the Buckeye's QB, so I hope for the best, but what I mean is...he doesn't throw a very good ball (at all IMO), he doesn't have pocket awareness, and he turns the ball over.

However- OSU has a LEGIT shot a national championship run next season, with all the returning starters, including the all-important QB position. I'm not sure I'm willing to risk a rough season with a first-year starter with all the talent OSU will be loaded with next season, especially with the good things that OSU has already began to build with/around Boeckman.

Henton and Pryor, go ahead and compete for the job, I'd love to see them on the field throughout the year, but Boeckman will be a 6 year senior with a full year of starts under his belt, I like my chances with that.

Agreed. Having a brand new QB come in next year without experiance and maturity, can lead to worse problem then we have now. I believe Todd is the starter next year, but definately needs work...I hope its a focal point for Tressel.

 

[ZoMaN504]

Agreed. Having a brand new QB come in next year without experiance and maturity, can lead to worse problem then we have now. I believe Todd is the starter next year, but definately needs work...I hope its a focal point for Tressel.

I agree, I think Boeckman will be the starter again, and I think he'll learn from this. When I first watched the game I thought, great not only are we going to lose again, but I bet Pryor goes to UM for sure now. Now though, I think Tress has a selling point for Pryor. He'll tell him that he has a chance to come and possibly get some early time like Tebow did (dif types of players, i know). It also sounds like big Vern may not be completely sold on leaving, I think he should stay like Dorsey and Long did, that's what makes guys become the elite, and if he does, I can fully expect him to make the same rounds on the award circuit Dorsey did. Freeman comign back will help the rest of these guys lean towards coming back i believe.

 

[joefoshow]

I think Jenkins goes but just because he is a great cornerback but i think he would like to stay for another shot at a national championship. I think Boone Gholston and James all stay, cause James Needs a little more tuning Gholston because he needs more time on the field to improve his stock. Boone cause he wasn't a dominate force. They all would like to come back to win a National Championship.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

With one or two exceptions in Troy and Krenzel, we have lacked dominant quarterbacks in recent memory.

I'm not sure you can say they were the exception to the rule. Krenzel and Smith were the starters for 4.5 of the last five seasons before this year.