2008 tOSU Special Teams discussion (official thread)

[utgrad73]

Thanks, there's some good 1v1 action coming up, sparring back and forth (WR-DB).

Today was a pleasure, food beforehand (and during), access to roam all around (other than 1 team sideline), and photos at a kick scrimmage (with 1.5 hrs of regular play to boot).

Access to the team AND food? It doesn't get any better than this.

 

[jwinslow]

Access to the team AND food? It doesn't get any better than this.

Outback was on location, not sure if it was a sponsored thing or catered, but it was pretty awesome either way. (the food was up in press box) Last year we weren't even allowed to bring cameras to the kick scrimmage.

 

[jwinslow]

Stoney was causing some serious matchup problems on the fade routes... and his routes were pretty transparent.

Flash was pretty raw out there but made some outstanding catches when it looked like there was no chance. Dane as well.

(not sure if this is ST discussion, but it was at the ST practice)

 

[utgrad73]

How did Ben Buchanon (sp) look?

 

[jwinslow]

Buchanan did not fare much better than the rest, he made 1 of 3, plus one block that was erased by a flag. Awfully early to judge, however.

Edit: I forgot to mention one outstanding play by Ben.

Ben Buchanan rolled out right on a fake, threw back across his body all the way across to the left flats. He was absolutely crushed as he threw, but made the pass.

Dane scooped up the low pass, shook his man, bounced it outside and picked up a first down.

 

[generaladm]

Man-child

With all due respect, jwin, Beanie was a Man-child as a frosh and soph, there's no child anymore.

 

[jwinslow]

fair enough. 'unfair' might be a better adjective.

 

[utgrad73]

Buchanan did not fare much better than the rest, he made 1 of 3, plus one block that was erased by a flag. Awfully early to judge, however.

Edit: I forgot to mention one outstanding play by Ben.

Ben Buchanan rolled out right on a fake, threw back across his body all the way across to the left flats. He was absolutely crushed as he threw, but made the pass.

Dane scooped up the low pass, shook his man, bounced it outside and picked up a first down.

You knew I'd like the Dane comment didn't you? Who was his man defending him? That's OK, let's say he just made a good play and not single out the "defender".

 

[Jaxbuck]

Mr Ed's comments over at the Ozone didn't sound real promising.

What says you JW?

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

Buckeyes focused on good returns


By the Associated Press

Thursday, August 21, 2008

COLUMBUS ? It's a statistic that rankles Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, a man not easily rankled. His Buckeyes were dead last in the Big Ten a year ago in kickoff returns, and he's determined that won't happen again.
So the kick scrimmage Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Ohio Stadium took on particular importance.
Asked at the start of August workouts if he were giving special attention to special teams, Tressel said, "Absolutely. We were last in the world in kickoff returns. ... We're emphasizing that."
The Buckeyes weren't last in the world, although they were pretty close. They were 117th of the 119 bowl-level teams in kickoff returns, averaging just 17.65 yards.

 

[osugrad21]

Canton

OSU gets its kicks, and fails on some, during scrimmage
Thursday, August 21, 2008
BY TODD PORTER
[email protected]

COLUMBUS This was just a kicking scrimmage in an empty Ohio Stadium. Over and over again: kickoffs, field goals and punts. The least exciting of Ohio State's training camp scrimmages was held Wednesday afternoon, but it was as spirited as any scrimmage the Buckeyes hold.

It's because the losing team walks back to the Woody Hayes Training Complex.

That's a long walk after a practice in the hot afternoon sun. But James Laurinaitis and Heisman Trophy candidate Beanie Wells, nonetheless, hoofed it back. So did prized recruit Terrelle Pryor.

The Gray beat the Scarlet, 22-15, in what, at times, was a lackluster effort with blocked field goals and many misses.

However, starting field-goal kicker Ryan Pretorius drilled a 50-yarder. Pretorius hit 6-of-9 field goals, but missed on a 34-yard shot and from 43 yards.

Three field goals were blocked.

"I want to be perfect all the time, so I'm not happy about that," said Pretorius, the oldest player on the team at 29 years old.

Cont....

 

[osugrad21]

Blade

Special attention on special teams at OSU
Buckeyes lagged behind in kickoff returns despite successful '07 season
By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
COLUMBUS - When Ohio State gathered for its first practice of the 2008 football season, the agenda did not include a much anticipated first test for heralded freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor, or the installation of some innovative offensive wrinkles. The Buckeyes went to work on special teams on Day One, because while Ohio State was winning a third consecutive Big Ten championship last season and advancing to the national title game for the second straight year, there was nothing special about some areas of their special teams. "We were last in the world in kickoff returns," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said jokingly, while explaining his rationale for addressing the special teams area first.
Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Scout Free--Kick Scrimmage Shows Work To Be Done

BN$-Interception Helps Gray Squad Win Kick Scrimmage

BN Free--Kick Scrimmage Notebook: Pretorius, McQuaide, Pettrey, Trapasso

BN Free--Photo Gallery: OSU Special Teams Scrimmage

 

[generaladm]

Scout Free--Spotlight on long snappers Jake McQuade and Patrick Howe

Scout.com: Important (And Overlooked) Buckeyes

 

[osugrad21]

Scout$--Kicking Notebook: Specialists Not Concerned

The specialists discuss the various aspects of an average scrimmage and say the units will be fine.