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2008 tOSU Defensive Line Discussion

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Heacock Says Defensive Line Will be Improved in 2008
By John Porentas

There is a fair amount of badmouthing going on about the OSU defensive line this fall, specifically the interior of the defensive line.

The Buckeyes return four players who saw extensive action in the middle of the defensive line last fall, starters Doug Worthington and Todd Denlinger and top backups Nader Abdallah and Dexter Larimore. Despite the number of returners, the talk is that the interior defensive line could be OSU's weakness this season, primarily because it wasn't particularly strong last season, particularly against LSU and Illinois. Heacock says all the nay-sayers might be just a little bit out of line, because last year those players were all essentially first-year players and just getting their feet on the ground in big time Division I football.

"I thought they played well last year - for freshman," said Heacock. "I thought they did a great job for first-year player."

Heacock is careful to use that qualifier, first year players,when he makes that statement. He feels that a little too much may have been expected of the group last year due to their lack of experience. He also feels that the year of experience they got in 2007 will pay dividends this year, and now its his turn to have high expectations.

Cont'd ...
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The DL is clearly the part of the D I am most excited about this season.

We have the return of Wilson - who could have been a beast last season. Rose hopefully picking up where he left off two years ago and helping out at DT where we really need the help. Gibson getting a chance to finally show what he can do. One of our best ever Frosh in Heyward stepping it up. Denlinger, Worthington and Larrimore - all of whom were underclassmen. This HAS to be the area of greatest improvement on our D.
 
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It was good to hear Heacock say that Larimore was about "310, 315" pounds. Assuming that's 'good' weight, that extra bulk should help stuff the run inside. There were times last year where the better teams were able to push our DTs around.
 
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PD

Here is an interesting quote from the above article regarding how Heacock views on what he expects from our DT's. Personally, I would rather have bigger guys and if Larimore is up to 315 pounds that would be great. I think the inside push helps the guys coming off of the edge.
Here is Heacock's say:

"I read and hear a lot about our inside guys and not getting many (sacks), but if you look the years, inside guys aren't going to get as many as outside guys. That's a fact. Whether we want to believe it or not, that's the truth.

"For these guys, because they heard so much negative about their sack production, you can look back over the years and look back at the Ryan Picketts of the world, how many sacks did he have when he played? [He had eight in 37 career games, three in his final year.] And he was a first-round draft choice. And you go on and on.

"In our defensive scheme, we really try to control the line of scrimmage and let our linebackers run. We ask our defensive line to do a good job of keeping people off the linebackers and let them run, and that's what we've been good at. Sometimes that doesn't equate to great pass rush. I think they're going to be better there ... I know they're going to be better there this year."
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It all starts up front. If we can get steady tackle play, and a good push from our ends........it will free up the LB's, and all hell will break loose for our opponents. As it said above, we don't need sacks from our tackles. Simply put, we need mass........and people who wear down the interior offensive lineman. Once the big uglies start to get worn down, you then move a Heyward inside and let him blow by them with a great mix of speed and power. If this defensive line can put it together (which I think they will), this defense has a chance to be mentioned in the same breath as the all time greats at OSU.
 
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No-one said he was FAT, man! Dude looks good.

Yes, this line has the potential to be another Peterson, Scott, Smith, Anderson. (Sounds like a law firm.)

Of course, the beauty of college football is they could stink up the field.

That is to say, you just never know.. It's all going to come down to their desire, their schemes and keeping their health.

If they can control the line, then our other seven can beat any spread, West Coast, whatever you wanna cook up.

It will be interesting to watch them progress from practice field, to YSU, to a MAC opponent and then on to the USUC Condoms....
 
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The DL is getting rave reviews from practice. That's definately good to hear. There is a lot of athleticism on that line, if they can realize all that potential, they could be scary. I really think Gibson is gonna be a beast of a pass rusher this year, not Gholston-level, but enough.
 
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NFBuck;1229619; said:
The DL is getting rave reviews from practice. That's definately good to hear. There is a lot of athleticism on that line, if they can realize all that potential, they could be scary. I really think Gibson is gonna be a beast of a pass rusher this year, not Gholston-level, but enough.
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I think Gobson will be more disruptive than anything....he is going to force the QB to step up into the pocket because of his speed on the corner. That's why Rob Rose, Cameron Heyward, Dex, Todd need to get a strong pass rush up the middle this year.
 
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