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2009 tOSU Defense discussion (official thread)

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Oneshot;1589383; said:
This defense is definitely the best since 2002.

What else competes? 2003 maybe, then 2005?

But I'm pretty sure this defense is better than 2002. Don't laugh - if we had any back like MoC we would be undefeated (and that's not a knock on Boom and Zoom, believe me).

I think if someone does the unit by unit comparison, 2009 comes out on top. I would do it, but god knows I can't remember the entire 2 deep from 2002.
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The 2003 D was very good, but got gashed pretty bad by scUM. 2005 was also very good, particularly at the end of the year. I'd put this years edition over both at this point. If they do the damage I think they're capable of against Iowa and scUM, and then the bowl game...it will rival 2002 IMO.
 
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Oneshot;1589383; said:
This defense is definitely the best since 2002.

What else competes? 2003 maybe, then 2005?


I think if someone does the unit by unit comparison, 2009 comes out on top. I would do it, but god knows I can't remember the entire 2 deep from 2002.
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Agreed, I have been saying that all year long. On the defensive line this defense is definitely the best we have had since 2002. Heyward is the best prospect we have turned out in a very long time and that's saying a LOT. I think he could be an all-time great if he stays for all four years. Gibson is a great speed end, as is Williams. It starts up front, we get such a great push that it takes the pressure off of the LB's. When you have fast LB's roaming free and a very good secondary, with probably the best safety since Will Allen, then you have a great defense. These guys have been put in some bad positions this year by our offense. If they were playing alongside a great offense (one that controls the ball consistently), I think they would be better than the 2002 unit.

If the core from this group returns for next year I think they have the makings for being one of the best to ever play at OSU.
 
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Eh..
Our defense is great--no doubt about that.
But 2002 D stifled Miami's offense (34-win-streak Miami). Our D has done some incredibly impressive things, but they haven't faced an offense the calibre of that Miami team. Now if we did, I think we'd do pretty well--but I wouldn't say this D is 2002 yet. After bowl season, though, especially if we play Oregon, we might get a better idea.
 
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Tresselbeliever;1587741; said:
If Heyward comes back, this D is the best in the nation.
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I agree. Question though, who starts at SDE if Heyward doesn't come back? This year Rose and Wilson are awesome backups. Next year... Will Simon have to slide down? Can any other DEs put enough weight on to be a SDE anchor?
 
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I suppose we should be cautious when comparing the current defense or next year's potential defense to the 2002 tOSU defense.

That defense, which featured players like Doss, Grant, Will Smith, Gamble, Anderson, etc., was extraordinary. The NFL drafted 11 upperclassmen from that group (2003 and 2004 draft). That was one special group.
 
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daddyphatsacs;1589433; said:
Heyward is the best prospect we have turned out in a very long time and that's saying a LOT.
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id still put gibson at the top of the list. not to take anything away from cam's psu performance. he was an absolute beast. but gibson has been a monster all year.

if the two of them come back out d is going to be vicious.
 
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Originally Published: December 29, 2009
No stars, lots of production for OSUComment Email Print Share By Adam Rittenberg
ESPN.com

LOS ANGELES -- Jim Heacock made a statement Tuesday that would have drawn eye rolls or blank stares back in August.
Jim Heacock loves the way his squad plays team defense.
"The strength of our defense," Heacock said, "is the defense."
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Every coach says things like that before every season, and Heacock, Ohio State's co-defensive coordinator, is admittedly no different. The subject of team defense ranks high on the coaches' clich? chart, somewhere between taking it one game at a time and giving 110 percent.

The fact that Heacock can make the statement just days before the Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi is the significant part. Team defense isn't just some vague goal for Ohio State. It's a fact backed up by 12 games of evidence.

The Buckeyes' ability to embrace team defense throughout the season is the biggest reason why they're here, preparing to face No. 7 Oregon on Friday at the Rose Bowl (ABC, 4:30 p.m. ET).

"You always talk about that, you want to have a great team defense," Heacock said. "I don't know if I've ever in my coaching career had a group of guys that really fit that description more than this group. There's nobody that's got the ego that's out of control. There's nobody that's about 'Me.'

"Individually, I don't know how good we are. Collectively, we've been able to play fairly sound."

Take a look at Heacock's definition of "fairly sound."

Ohio State led the Big Ten in total defense, rushing defense and takeaways, ranking fifth, fifth and tied for fourth nationally in those categories, respectively. Ohio State also ranks fifth nationally in points allowed, 13th in third-down conversion percentage, 17th against the pass and fifth in first downs allowed. In addition, it leads the nation in first-down rushing defense and fewest runs of 10 or more yards allowed, according to ESPN Stats & Information.

?Individually, I don't know how good we are. Collectively, we've been able to play fairly sound.?
-- Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock
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Without a doubt, the Buckeyes' defense was the most dominant unit in the Big Ten this fall.
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Rose Bowl: Ohio State Buckeyes' no-name defense ready for Oregon Ducks challenge - ESPN
 
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