2008 tOSU Offensive Line discussion (official thread)

[JXC]

I was at the Purdue game last week and it appeared to me that the offensive line took a step backwards. The line has all the talent in the world, but they just aren't quite hitting on all cylinders. Blocks weren't being sustained very long, lots of missed blocking assignments, very little push on running plays, etc. Beanie was consistently having to break a tackle or two before even getting to the line of scrimmage. Pass blocking seemed pretty good for the most part. TP is holding on to the ball for too long at time, but hell he is a freshman and as good as he is, you just can't expect perfection.....yet:)

I agree except with the part about the pass blocking.

 

[OState29]

I was at the Purdue game last week and it appeared to me that the offensive line took a step backwards. The line has all the talent in the world, but they just aren't quite hitting on all cylinders. Blocks weren't being sustained very long, lots of missed blocking assignments, very little push on running plays, etc. Beanie was consistently having to break a tackle or two before even getting to the line of scrimmage. Pass blocking seemed pretty good for the most part. TP is holding on to the ball for too long at time, but hell he is a freshman and as good as he is, you just can't expect perfection.....yet:)

Offensive line play is about 60% effort, 30% technique, and 10% scheme, these guy just don't have the right mindset going into these games for whatever reason. Talent only gets you so far in the trenches, the effort and attitude has to be there every play.

 

[leroyjenkins]

The line may have appeared to take a step back, but perhaps the non threat of a down the field passing game, has made their jobs much harder.

 

[matt_thatsme]

I think there are so many factors that are contributing to a pathetic passing game.
1. The WR's just aren't getting much seperation, even against inferior secondaries.
2. TP hasn't developed good field vision yet.
3. Inconsistent pass blocking on the O-line.

 

[osugrad21]

Offensive line play is about 60% effort, 30% technique, and 10% scheme

A poorly designed scheme can kill an offense and OL technique at the college level is an amazing skill set...effort is great and is generally contagious on a team, but I'm not sure it is 60% of success.

 

[MaxBuck]

I've asked this question before, without a satisfactory answer. Is it possible that Bollman expects his linemen to perform in a scheme that is more difficult to execute than the ones most other teams use? I just cannot perceive of how our line play is among the worst in the nation.

 

[cincibuck]

The line may have appeared to take a step back, but perhaps the non threat of a down the field passing game, has made their jobs much harder.

How do you throw the ball deep when the O line can't hold the pocket? How can you throw deep when the running game is going no where? The difference in the offense now, versus the offense in August is that now there is a QB who can scramble when forced out of the pocket.

 

[RB07OSU]

I think there are so many factors that are contributing to a pathetic passing game.
1. The WR's just aren't getting much seperation, even against inferior secondaries.
2. TP hasn't developed good field vision yet.
3. Inconsistent pass blocking on the O-line.

Bingo. I put more of the blame on the OL because I thought they were better than this. However, sometimes Pryor has time but he is indecisive (with WR's open sometimes), so he gets sacked. Sometimes Pryor is looking for an open man and there isn't one. Sometimes Pryor gets hit before he can catch the snap. The problem is that there is zero consistency across the board for us and the only position that is consistent on offense is RB. If the OL was more consistent, it would fix a lot of more problems than the other positions though...it all starts up front.

 

[leroyjenkins]

How do you throw the ball deep when the O line can't hold the pocket? How can you throw deep when the running game is going no where? The difference in the offense now, versus the offense in August is that now there is a QB who can scramble when forced out of the pocket.

Im sure we could do a whole, "chicken and egg" argument, but while I understand your point what I am saying, is that until Defenses start respecting TP's down field passing game, then we will continue to see 8 in the box, and this problem will perpetuate.

 

[lvbuckeye]

you don't need a downfield passing game to clear out the box. give the QB a hot read or signal or whatever to throw the one-step pass to a WR. i've been talking about this since Illinois '06 at the earliest. when the D loads up the box and the field corner is looking in, why don't we EVER throw that quick pass to the field WR? it's guaranteed yardage, and if the WR can beat that guy, it's going for big yardage. USC did this a ton with Mike Williams.

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

The line on Ohio State? It's offensive at best

By Doug Harris
Staff Writer

Thursday, October 16, 2008
Purdue coach Joe Tiller applauded his defense for keeping Ohio State out of the end zone during a 16-3 defeat last week ? the Buckeyes tallied three field goals and a special-teams TD ? but Tiller should be careful not to give that unit too much credit for its performance.
Meager offensive outputs have become the norm at OSU this season.
In the Big Ten, the Buckeyes are a dismal 10th in total offense, while Michigan is 11th. The Wolverines probably deserve a pass since they're phasing in a new system with heavy player turnover, but OSU has no such excuse.
In fact, offensive problems have surfaced frequently during Jim Tressel's tenure. In his seven previous seasons, the Buckeyes have finished sixth or worse in the league in total offense six times. The lone exception was a second-place showing in 2006 when Troy Smith won the Heisman.
How can a program that consistently pulls in one of the top two recruiting classes in the conference be so feeble on offense? Some point to Tressel's play-calling, labeling it predictable, and others cite a lack of second-half adjustments. I'm no expert, but I believe the pillow-soft offensive line is to blame.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

BN$--Bollman Questioned About Offense, O-Line

Bolls discusses placalling, in-game adjustments, and the status of the OL.

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

Fans' worries duly noted by Bollman

Thursday, October 16, 2008 3:10 AM
By Tim May


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Jim Bollman might have a bunker mentality as a football season progresses, but the Ohio State offensive coordinator and line coach said he's conscious of the fans' disgust with the production of the offense. "I am more than aware of it," Bollman said yesterday.
With a 320.9-yard average through seven games, there is only one offense in the Big Ten that has been less productive (Michigan, at 291.5). Last week, the OSU offense, led by freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor, hit a pothole against Purdue, barely cracking 200 total yards and scoring no touchdowns against what statistically was the worst defense in the Big Ten.
Bollman was asked yesterday what he would tell fans who are fretting the malaise will continue. They think it could deep-six what is still a promising season, perhaps even Saturday when the Buckeyes (6-1, 3-0) play at Michigan State (6-1, 3-0).

Cont..

 

[TexasBuck]

http://forums.the-ozone.net/messages/99585.html

I just read on the O-Zone forum from a VERY reliable poster (Bucknik) that Adams and Shugarts are out for the rest of the year. Bucknik said the words were straight from Tressel.

 

[Dryden]

Confirmed

Ohio State football: Shugarts and Adams both done for the season - Ohio State Buckeyes Football & Basketball Blog (OSU) - cleveland.com

Ohio State football: Shugarts and Adams both done for the season
by Doug Lesmerises
Thursday October 16, 2008, 3:22 PM

Three five-star freshmen offensive linemen.

One starter.

Two season-ending injuries.

It's been a strange season for the best Ohio State offensive line class in years, with Ohio's Mike Adams, Texas's J.B. Shugarts and Florida's Mike Brewster, the best high school offensive linemen in their states, all figuring they'd have a shot to play this season.

Adams and Brewster, both projected as tackles, seemed to have the best opportunity to play, primarily because there was an obvious opening. Right tackle Kirk Barton had graduated, the only vacated spot on the line, and the coaches made it clear the competition was open.

Cont'd ...