2010 tOSU Defensive Line Discussion

[BigJim]

Don't forget, Williams will make 8.

That was actually what made me ask the question. I had been thinking going into the season that OSU would have great depth on the d-line and missing Williams wouldn't be that big of a deal from a depth perspective but now I'm wondering if true WDEs are only 2-deep including Williams.

here's the participation report

Melvin Fellows was in the game as well

Do you know if he played in the first half?

 

[Buckeye86]

Do you know if he played in the first half?

Nope, I would have to watch it again.

JT Moore and David Durham are two young guys that can provide depth at LEO, but given that they didn't get any time last night, they might be redshirted unless they are absolutely needed.

 

[cjmik_75]

During the Marshall game tOSU had the D-Linemen in various positions (these guys are so versatile) to get a look at guys while Nate was out I'm sure. I definitely think this will lead to confusion for that young Miami O-Line and be the catalyst for causing turnovers and/or making tackles for loss.

Not much blitzing to speak of but the Marshall O-Line, outmanned all day and definitely not the talent level of the canes O-Line, didn't quit and are pretty good sized group in their own right.

Here are a few D-Line alignments I noticed from first quarter through the third quarter:

................................

LEO/WDE: Simon - hand off the groud - actually covering their TE on a pass route

DT: Goebel

NT: Larimore

SSDE: Heyward

.................................

LEO/WDE: Thomas

DT: Heyward

NT: Hankins

SSDE: Simon

This was the starting lineup but Simon and Heyward swapped - Larimore for Big Hank too.
.................................

LEO/WDE: Thomas

DT: Simon

NT: Larimore

SSDE: Bellamy

Homan and Sweat in @ LB after Rolle had the pick 6
..................................

LEO/WDE: Simon

DT: Heyward

NT: Hankins

SSDE: Goebel

Like this one alot Goebel played solid @ POA
.................................

LEO/WDE: Thomas

DT: Simon

NT: Hankins

SSDE: Heyward

Pick 6 on 3rd and 9 in the 2nd quarter - Thomas actually backed away in coverage pre snap - Simon and Heyward beat their men off the ball - Cam hits the QB just as he lets go of the pass

....................................


Considering the defense didn't have Klein, Williams or Johnson available it was great to see the coaches get the young pups out there on D.

 

[Buckskin86]

Pressure is on OSU Defensive Line to Produce Pressure
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS ? For a defense that is used to being the one applying pressure, Ohio State?s will face a bit of its own Saturday in the Big Ten opener at Illinois.

Lead by their deep and talented defensive line, the Buckeyes were among the best in the country in sacks and tackles for loss last season. After four games, however, the 2010 OSU defense has not been nearly as effective at creating pressure, at least statistically.

?It depends if you look at the stats or if you look at the game,? Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said after the team?s 72-20 win over Eastern Michigan.

?If you look at the game last week, I think we were able to hit the quarterback. Today we hit him pretty good, but they?re getting rid of the football quick.?

http://www.the-ozone.net/football/2010/Illinois/dlinepressure.html

 

[kolOhioState88]

yea stats don't mean anything. our dline has looked outstanding to me this year.

 

[Buckskin86]

Buckeye Bios: The D-Line - NBC4i

 

[Diego-Bucks]

I know this d-line hasn't gotten the sacks, but man, our 4 man sets (and sometimes even the 3) get CONSISTENT pressure. They are in the backfield almost every play. Simon, Williams and Heyward are simply too good to be blocked with any sort of consistency. This is our best defensive line in 10 years from top-bottom.

Yes, I'm aware I'm regurgitating a common theme this year. But I just needed to state the obvious.

Quick question though: who do we feel is the best lineman on this team? And why?

I think that Nathan Williams is the man, he has been getting TFL's in bunches, his pass-rushing ability is probably the best on the team and he drops back into coverage quite adeptly. Just delightful!

 

[cbrian815]

Williams can do it all but Cameron takes a lot of pressure off of the rest of the D line. He sees a lot of double teams and still beats them often. Heyward is the leader of that D line and I look for him to explode as we play better teams. He tends to show up big against the best teams. Best D line since 2002, although I thought last years D line was very good also. Go Bucks

 

[bukIpower]

If we are going to win this week it will be on our dline's shoulders....

Larimore, Heyward, and Hankins are going to have to play extremely big this week.

 

[k2onprimetime]

I hope big Hank plays alot this week.

 

[bukIpower]

I hope big Hank plays alot this week.

IMO, this could be a week where we see a lot of this Dline...

Heyward-Hankins-Larimore-Simon

Maybe even throw in Nate Williams at OLB haha... Seriously though in certain situations I wouldn't mind it. If I'm OSU I play heavy the first two downs and get them into 3rd and long situations. If Wisconsin consistently has 3rd and 2/3 it's going to be a grind. Get Tolzien in long yard situations and we'll take this game, and probably rather easily.

 

[cbrian815]

IMO, this could be a week where we see a lot of this Dline...

Heyward-Hankins-Larimore-Simon

Maybe even throw in Nate Williams at OLB haha... Seriously though in certain situations I wouldn't mind it. If I'm OSU I play heavy the first two downs and get them into 3rd and long situations. If Wisconsin consistently has 3rd and 2/3 it's going to be a grind. Get Tolzien in long yard situations and we'll take this game, and probably rather easily.

Williams drops back in coverage well and will play LB in the NFL. He is relentless, fast and active. He is very versatile for the staff to do a lot of stuff with him. Great player. Solomon Thomas will see time off the edge, as long as Goebel and Bellamy next week, I would imagine we keep them fresh all game long against wisky. Go Bucks

 

[bukIpower]

Williams drops back in coverage well and will play LB in the NFL. He is relentless, fast and active. He is very versatile for the staff to do a lot of stuff with him. Great player. Solomon Thomas will see time off the edge, as long as Goebel and Bellamy next week, I would imagine we keep them fresh all game long against wisky. Go Bucks

We will either do this or we will do the exact opposite ( I can see either one). One things for sure against a Oline like Wisconsins you don't want to put a backup in and have Clay go 40 yards. In a perfect world we make them go 3 and out every time they have the ball and the starters never leave the field.

We will surely see much more 4-3 though which plays more into our strengths IMO. We have more linebackers than secondary.

 

[k2onprimetime]

IMO, this could be a week where we see a lot of this Dline...

Heyward-Hankins-Larimore-Simon

Maybe even throw in Nate Williams at OLB haha... Seriously though in certain situations I wouldn't mind it. If I'm OSU I play heavy the first two downs and get them into 3rd and long situations. If Wisconsin consistently has 3rd and 2/3 it's going to be a grind. Get Tolzien in long yard situations and we'll take this game, and probably rather easily.

I think those four would be the best for Wisconsins power running game.

 

[Taosman]

I would imagine the regular rotation will be adjusted(strong run stoppers) for the team we're playing. When Wiscy lost their WR (Gilreath?) they lost a lot of explosion in their offense.