2008 vs. 2002 Offensive Comparison

[ShakerBuck]

After comparing all Offensive units, the 2008 Offensive squad has deemed by BP to have superior OL, and RB units, while the 2002 team had stronger QB, WR and TE.

Kind of counter intuitive. you would think that the team that aired it out more, and had a more explosive offense (2008) would be have superior personnel at QB, WR at least.

Defense is up next...

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

After comparing all Offensive units, the 2008 Offensive squad has deemed by BP to have superior OL, and RB units, while the 2002 team had stronger QB, WR and TE.

Kind of counter intuitive. you would think that the team that aired it out more, and had a more explosive offense (2008) would be have superior personnel at QB, WR at least.

Defense is up next...

Those comparisons are a product of comparing 2002 RESULTS to 2008 POTENTIAL.

IF we win it all in 2008, Todd Boeckman will enter the pantheon of all-time Buckeye heroes and will be compared more favorably to CK.

 

[ShakerBuck]

Those comparisons are a product of comparing 2002 RESULTS to 2008 POTENTIAL.

I hear ya'. my point is the 2002 air attack was modest by anyones expectations. And TB is coming off a year in which he threw 25 td passes in his first year as a starter and has his entire WR corp back intact.

yet the 2 most important units included in that comparison (discounting OL for a moment) were judged to be superior in '02

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

I hear ya'. my point is the 2002 air attack was modest by anyones expectations. And TB is coming off a year in which he threw 25 td passes in his first year as a starter and has his entire WR corp back intact.

yet the 2 most important units included in that comparison (discounting OL for a moment) were judged to be superior in '02

That's because:

1. we compared them as quarterbacks, not as passers
2. OL matters (as you implied)

 

[Jaxbuck]

I hear ya'. my point is the 2002 air attack was modest by anyones expectations. And TB is coming off a year in which he threw 25 td passes in his first year as a starter and has his entire WR corp back intact.

yet the 2 most important units included in that comparison (discounting OL for a moment) were judged to be superior in '02

CK performed in the clutch in big games, TB did not.

It really is that simple.

Like DBB said, 2002 accomplished an undefeated season and NC, 2008 hasn't done anything yet. If they do what people are hoping for, then this whole series of threads will have to be reevaluated.

Untill then, most of these are an open and shut case in favor of the 2002 squad.

 

[ShakerBuck]

That's because:

1. we compared them as quarterbacks, not as passers
2. OL matters (as you implied)

Yeah, I understand why on the QB issue, that is pretty obvious...it was just worth mentioning that is seems pretty counter intuitive if you just looked at the numbers.

And re: the WRs it is obviously a function of the offensive gameplan used in '02 playing to the strengths of the QB. Looking at the receiver stats there is no way you could surmise that the wr corp of '02 was superior (.....except for wins of course)

 

[generaladm]

I think the WR analysis was based more on individual talent than stats. Jenkins was head and shoulders above everyone on both squads. I believe he was our last 1,000 yd receiver. Pretty impressive, considering the QBs and WRs that came after. I would have the composite WR corp like this: 1. Jenkins = Mr. Everything 2. Gamble = Speed 3. Hartline = Possession 4. Robo = Best 4th WR Ever.

The QB analysis was ripe with reverence for Krenzel's leadership and intangibles, along with the bitter taste after Boeckman's home stretch performance. TB's passing stats in his first season rival CK's career numbers, but CK will be regarded as the best OSU QB of the Cooper/Tressel era until the next national championship.

It's not necessarily counter intuitive to say that the 02 team had better a QB and WRs than 08 despite the disparity in stats. A big part of the equation that is not included in the comparison is overall team chemistry and play calling. After CK graduated, Tressel started talking more about big plays, which he considers 25 yds or more. His philosophy clearly changed when he felt he had the players to achieve higher goals in the passing game. Likewise, while the subsequent Ds have been very good, there has been an increased need to score more points, and by necessity, take more chances.