2008 Ohio State Offense

[generaladm]

Todd and Beanie aren't built for the spread. In '10, our personnel will be better suited for the spread. I'd like to see us take a page out of USC's '05 playbook. That offense was unstoppable.

I didn't mean a spread/option or run heavy spread, if that's what you thought. I'm just thinking about getting more of the WR talent on the field and creating coverage mismatches. Harrell, Painter, and Bacher aren't going to wow anyone with their legs, but both run a spread offense very well. If you mean that TB can make the types of passes required for the spread, you may be right, but I don't think it's out of the question. The spread we ran in 06 was not dependent on Troy's running ability, although it certainly didn't hurt. As for Beanie, he's built for anything. Spreading out defenders and making them respect the pass would only give him more room. Plus, he's not the only RB, Saine and Mo are very well suited for a spread. I'm not saying we should go to the spread exclusively, I and Pro Forms will be used, I'm sure. But some spread could open things up, and the staff has shown that they can call it very effectively.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I didn't mean a spread/option or run heavy spread, if that's what you thought. I'm just thinking about getting more of the WR talent on the field and creating coverage mismatches. Harrell, Painter, and Bacher aren't going to wow anyone with their legs, but both run a spread offense very well. If you mean that TB can make the types of passes required for the spread, you may be right, but I don't think it's out of the question. The spread we ran in 06 was not dependent on Troy's running ability, although it certainly didn't hurt. As for Beanie, he's built for anything. Spreading out defenders and making them respect the pass would only give him more room. Plus, he's not the only RB, Saine and Mo are very well suited for a spread. I'm not saying we should go to the spread exclusively, I and Pro Forms will be used, I'm sure. But some spread could open things up, and the staff has shown that they can call it very effectively.

All good points. I'm not sure if the two Brian's are built for the spread though. The more receivers on the field, the less space they have to work with. The two Brian's aren't going to make many people miss in small spaces. Guys like Dane, Small, Flash, Fields, and Jackson are perfect for it.

Beanie isn't built for the spread run out of the shotgun. You need RB's who can go from 0-60 like that. He needs those 5 yards before the handoff to get his momentum going.

 

[Buckeneye]

Beanie isn't built for the spread run out of the shotgun

idk; that run against Michigan in 06 was pretty damn nice.

 

[rocketman]

Beanie isn't built for the spread run out of the shotgun. You need RB's who can go from 0-60 like that. He needs those 5 yards before the handoff to get his momentum going.

Sadly, Beanie would be relegated to short-yardage situations in a running spread.

Our '09 and '10 rosters look to be perfectly suited to run the spread exclusively. However, listening to Tressel's interview with Jim Davidson would lead me to believe he would rather not do that in order to protect the QB. I think we'd do a little bit of both, depending on what works.

 

[generaladm]

All good points. I'm not sure if the two Brian's are built for the spread though. The more receivers on the field, the less space they have to work with. The two Brian's aren't going to make many people miss in small spaces. Guys like Dane, Small, Flash, Fields, and Jackson are perfect for it.

Beanie isn't built for the spread run out of the shotgun. You need RB's who can go from 0-60 like that. He needs those 5 yards before the handoff to get his momentum going.

Good points as well. I think Hartline would be excellent in the spread, he's quick, and can grab passes while in stride. Good for those quick slants that Gonzo used to catch like a machine. Washington and Stoneburner could be useful as well. The spread passing game isn't all about speed. What it does well is create favorable matchups with the DBs. Especially when motion is incorporated, getting a fast WR (we've got a few) on a safety; or isolating a tall WR on a shorter DB (Stoneburner vs. anybody) will create an advantage. Likewise, the layout of the WR routes can cause confusion in defensive assignments. Your right about the younger WRs being better suited for spread than the upperclassmen (glimpse into the future?). You can add Posey to that list, also.

I'm not sure if what you say about Beanie is %100 correct. Beanie can hit the hole in a flash, if it's there. I think sometimes he gives the linemen a chance to develop the play before hitting the after-burners. He has shown the ability to turn the corner on outside runs. Pittman could run out of the shotgun, and I don't think he's any faster than Beanie. He may have had a quicker first step, but it's hard to compare without seeing film side by side. Another aspect is having multiple WR sets forces opponents to go with a nickel or dime package. That takes a LB off the field and replaces him with a victim for the Stiffarm of Justice[copy].[/copy] One or both of the remaining LBs may have a zone coverage assignment, if a passing play is expected. If a delayed handoff or screen is set up properly, Beanie could have several yards of open real estate. Also, the spread doesn't have to be run out of the shotgun. A single back, 4 WR set still accomplishes the desired effect. Ironically, it seems to me that a lot of teams that run a passing spread out of shotgun have weak O-lines. The long snap just buys the QB an extra second. That all being said, Saine is the much better RB for a spread set. Imagine a play with 3 WR, a TE, and Zoom in the backfield; Zoom motions to a slot position and runs a fly route with a safety or LB trying to cover. Gone in 4.3 seconds.

I would have no problem at all if they ran a 2 TE I-Form every down, as long as they move the ball. With Beanie, especially, it makes sense to go for a couple of quick strikes early, and then control the clock once a lead is established. The D can take care of the rest. But, it's fun to ruminate over all the possibilities available with the ridiculous amount of talent we have. I can't imagine how many scraps of paper with play diagrams sketched out are littering the offices of the offensive coaches these days. Is it Opening Day yet?

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I love it. All we really have to debate nowadays is which way we should crush our opponents.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

idk; that run against Michigan in 06 was pretty damn nice.

Believe that was run out of the I-formation. I know it was definitely from under center.

 

[jwinslow]

Believe that was run out of the I-formation. I know it was definitely from under center.

1. Shotgun, zone-read style handoff (someone else can better answer if the OL also followed suit. may just have been a decoy by troy)
2. Shawn Crable play - key for success
3. Kirk Barton crushing a wolverine, who crushed a ref. Lined up at TE (they were right!)
4. Morgan Trent speed catches up after 60 yards. In the endzone.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6x7Vax2RMA"]YouTube - Chris Wells TD Run - OSU/UM 11-18-06[/ame]

 

[OregonBuckeye]

My mistake then.

 

[generaladm]

Believe that was run out of the I-formation. I know it was definitely from under center.

1. Shotgun, zone-read style handoff (someone else can better answer if the OL also followed suit)
2. Shawn Crable play - key for success
3. Kirk Barton crushing a wolverine, who crushed a ref. Lined up at TE (they were right!)
4. Morgan Trent speed catches up after 60 yards. In the endzone.

YouTube - Chris Wells TD Run - OSU/UM 11-18-06

Wow! response in 7 minutes, with video! They oughta start callin' you "Flash", jwin!

FWIW, I always remembered that play as being from under center, too. And I always watch it 4-5 times whenever I run across it! Looks like Beanie was intending to take it all the way left, before Crabble made him juke. Looks like the O-line was sliding to the left (except for TE), Beanie just found a seam between the LT and LG. Datish destroyed the DLT and pushed him into a LB. The LB on the right got caught in the LT block. Bye, bye, Beanie!

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Wow! response in 7 minutes, with video! They oughta start callin' you "Flash", jwin!

Don't give him too much credit. He uses bpspy.

 

[jwinslow]

 

[daddyphatsacs]

I pretty much agree with all his points; expect he still has to firmly develop his passing mechanics and footwork - especially behind center and in play-action. There's far more than just running. I'll admit though, having a trigger man that can run a 4.4 is sweet, but there's a bit more to it than that.

I agree that there is much more to the college game than just running. Troy Smith is your prime example. Once he started using the pocket, that is when he really excelled. It's hard for me to try to judge Pryor's playaction skills (ect) to the point, mainly because most high school QB's aren't too solid in that area at this point. What I look for is "it"..........something that I think TP certainly has. You can't coach it........look at what Vince Young did at Texas. Most of his big plays were unorthodox. Look at Brett Favre, most of his big plays are the same. Great QB's find ways to make big plays in critical situations. I think that TP will be that kind of guy at OSU.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Here is just some food for thought on the Jr to SR jump in productivity from some big years in recent past.


QB:
1994 Bobby Hoying 2,335 yds
1995 Bobby Hoying 3,269 yds

1997 Joe Germaine 1,847 yds
1998 Joe Germaine 3,330 yds

2007 Todd Boeckman 2,379 yds
2008 Todd Boeckman tbd


WR:
1997 David Boston 73 for 970
1998 David Boston 85 for 1,435

2007 Brian Robiskie 55 for 935
2008 Brian Robiskie tbd

RB:
1994 Eddie George 1,442 yds
1995 Eddie George 1,927 yds

2007 Chris Wells 1,609 yds
2008 Chris Wells tbd


I'll take any or all three to follow the pattern.

 

[jwinslow]

I'll take any or all three to follow the pattern.

Have any interior line statistics for me? :p Perhaps what they graded out on average each season?