Will the line be better this year absolutely. If we want to be the team we think we can be the line has to be better. We had 27 sacks last year so we would have to almost double that to get to 50. I dont think it will happen but i think it's possible. I mean we are TOSU so we have the talent and we return alot of experience. My guess is we will get close to forty and i would be very happy with that.scarletngray;1517228; said:
Youth Movement at Defensive End Faces Challenge from Determined Veterans
By John Porentas
OSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock told reporters last fall that his duo of incoming defensive ends, Nathan Williams and Keith Wells, was perhaps the best pair of freshmen he has had at that position at Ohio State. That is high praise from a coach that had Will Smith and Darrion Scott as incoming freshmen to mention just one of the impressive pairs of ends Heacock has seen.
Nathan Williams
As a true freshman last year Williams burst onto the scene as playmaker and this season is working with the first defensive line after off-season shoulder surgery. Wells, however, did not have the opportunity to shine last year due to a series of injuries he addressed in the off-season.
"Last year I was kind of devastated with injuries," said Wells.
"I dislocated my shoulder twice, so after the Texas game I went on ahead and had labrum repair surgery.
"The labrum is in your shoulder and is pretty much the muscle tissue that keeps the ball in the socket.
"All in the off-season, the summer and the spring, I've been rehabbing and getting my strength back so I can go out and compete."
Wells is in camp and champing at the bit to prove himself as a player who can make the same kind of impact that his classmate Williams made last year. Wells' biggest obstacle to that goal will be the formidable talent already on the OSU depth chart at his position. To see the field Wells will have to displace players like Thaddeus Gibson or Lawrence Wilson, both of whom are pure defensive ends, or even players like Cameron Heyward or Robert Rose, both of whom can play inside or outside. Despite the wealth of defensive ends, Wells is not deterred.
Keith Wells
"That doesn't discourage me," said Wells.
"I feel like once I'm at my point, the point where I want to be, there won't be any competition for me."
Bold words, but Wells thinks he can walk the walk to back up the talk. He also knows that is a major challenge.
With USC on the horizon, Ohio State ponders some new looks on defensive front
by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter
Thursday September 03, 2009
Marvin Fong/The Plain Dealer
Ohio State's Doug Worthington (84) will likely be lined up more as a defensive end than a tackle in the Buckeyes defensive formations if the team uses a three-man line more frequently.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State fans know the Buckeyes' defensive line is the deepest and most experienced part of the team. The potential success of the defensive line won't hinge only on personnel, because Ohio State should be offering some new defensive looks up front this season.
It may be hard to judge against Navy's triple option on Saturday, because that offense is so unique. But when the Buckeyes line up against USC on Sept. 12, they won't be trying the same old things that didn't work a year ago in that 35-3 loss in Los Angeles.
A base 4-3 team in recent years that offered more of a 3-4 look on passing downs, Ohio State in practice seems to be using that 3-4 as its go-to defense, with pass rusher Thaddeus Gibson standing up and roaming from one side of the line to the other with some freedom.
That look isn't completely new, but it's tweaked and more frequent. Also, the Buckeyes are offering a 50 base defense at times, with three down linemen and Gibson standing up outside one tackle and the strongside linebacker, Austin Spitler or Etienne Sabino, offering a bookend by doing the same on the other side.
The main idea is to offer a variety of looks in a variety of circumstances without changing personnel.
"Going from a 4-3 to a 50 completely changes everything," said OSU senior offensive tackle Jim Cordle, who has been facing the changing looks in practice. "They can shift in and out of it and totally throw off an offensive line."
BigJim;1540886; said:
