2011 Linebackers Discussion

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State Buckeyes coach Luke Fickell wants his linebackers to weigh in more
Published: Friday, September 30, 2011
By Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer

Tackling a problem

Tackles for the Ohio State linebackers through four games this season:

Andrew Sweat: 30

Etienne Sabino: 19

Storm Klein: 13

Ryan Shazier: 11

COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Luke Fickell still checks in on the Ohio State linebackers a little more often than he does the other position groups. The first-year head coach of the Buckeyes can't help monitoring the players he served as a defensive assistant.

"Probably a little too much at times," Fickell said Thursday. "But it's what you know best, and sometimes that's where you spend most of your time."

He also knows he needs more from the linebackers as Ohio State enters Big Ten play against Michigan State on Saturday. There are three ways that may happen: By senior Andrew Sweat getting healthier than he has been this season; by freshman Ryan Shazier reaching equal status with Ohio State's top three linebackers in terms of playing time and expectations; and, maybe, by freshman Curtis Grant changing positions.

What the linebackers have done so far during Ohio State's 3-1 start hasn't been good enough.

"One thing we need to get better at is leadership," Fickell said, while praising the linebackers for their effort. "What we had there in the past, we had guys very comfortable at making some calls and some changes, whether they're right or wrong. I can't sit here and tell you that [2010 starting middle linebacker] Brian Rolle made every correct check. He had a lot of checks you didn't want him to make, but he made them knowing that's what he wanted and with some confidence, and everybody followed suit."

cont..

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2011/09/ohio_state_buckeyes_coach_luke.html

 

[buckeyebri]

I did not anticipate the struggles that this group has had this season. I would have expected a much more aggressive group who had solid technique. I think it is time that Shazier and Grant get to see more playing time.

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

I did not anticipate the struggles that this group has had this season. I would have expected a much more aggressive group who had solid technique. I think it is time that Shazier and Grant get to see more playing time.

I agree... it seems like every game I watch... Sweat seems a step slow... Bino is running a 4.3 40 in the wrong direction, Klien is the same thing... they have a really problem shedding blocks... I know Fickell was our LB coach last year...So i'm not sure whats going on, but our system of only playing 3 LBs all year continues. I agree Shazier is nothing but a heat seeking missle... who rarely seems to miss on KO returns...

I'm sorry if this is considered bashing, this is just my arm chair observation after baking in the 100 degree heat all summer down here.

 

[osugrad21]

LBs have definitely been a disappointment.

Sweat has been average this year. Great effort guy but getting swallowed up in the trash too much. He seems a half step behind so often...great kid, great Buckeye but not the marquee guy we were hoping for.

Bino flashes something special...then looks stuck in concrete. He has so many tools...but someone needs to plug them in.

Storm Klein has not flashed at all to me...waiting on plays near the LOS but everything seems to on the backend of a gain. He is another one that has the tools but hasn't found his niche yet.

I'm all for more Shazier and letting Grant get in and learn.

 

[craigblitz]

I think that is a great assessment Grad. I keep thinking Sweat is hurt because he is just a step behind and seems a little slower then last year. Maybe not having Homan and Rolle is having this come to light.

Sabino.... I have not even seen the flashes you are seeing. Kid is just not a fundamentally sound/good LB right now.

Storm - Doesn't seem to be out of position as much as Sabino but does nothing that flashes....

I didn't think we would miss Newsome and Bell this much.

BTW what is the status of Whiting? Have not heard anything on him.

 

[Brandon26841]

I think Shazier has shown that he needs to see more meaningful playing time. Curtis Grant, though? Why? Because he's a 5 star prospect? Same thing with how people bitched and moaned for years to play Sabino, and well... you're getting him now and he's looked like quite an average player as a 4th year junior. I don't know if he'll ever be an impact player here, and there's nothing terrible about that. Not all big time blue chippers are going to pan out. Grant's supposedly not ready to play, and until he is I don't want to see him out there.

Honestly though, I think the LB's may be the weakest part of this defense.

 

[k2onprimetime]

We should put Sweat at Mike, and put Shazier at Will.

 

[Brandon26841]

We should put Sweat at Mike, and put Shazier at Will.

Sounds good to me. Shazier's going to make some mistakes, but he's going to make some plays as well. I guess we've just been spoiled with the great LB play of recent years, but man... these guys have been pretty average. There just seems to be a slight lack of athleticism and WAY too many bad angles.

 

[Poe McKnoe]

We should put Sweat at Mike, and put Shazier at Will.

Sabino at LEO?

 

[k2onprimetime]

Sabino at LEO?

Its worth a shot...

 

[bucknut502]

Sabino at LEO?

I had mentioned that too. When I was watching LSU, they were talking about how they are faster this year because they moved Corners to Safeties, Safeties to Linebackers, and Linebackers to Ends. Moving Bino to the LEO spot would make sense with Nate Williams out. Then we could play Shazier more. I also think we should be playing Clarke at Safety, or at least over Howard...

 

[Buckeneye]

they were talking about how they are faster this year because they moved Corners to Safeties, Safeties to Linebackers, and Linebackers to Ends.

Ahh yes, "SEC speed".


You'll see how this holds up against a large, athletic and physical Alabama front with RB's that enjoy contact.

I fully expect them to dominate that game.

 

[Brandon26841]

Can Sabino even rush the passer that well, though? I've heard about his supposedly great athleticism, but where does this come from? I've never really seen it on the field, and just from looking at his scout profile I see "aggressiveness, shedding ability, size" as his strengths and "pass coverage" as his weakness. People have been acting like he's some freak athlete for years; is that just because he's a 5 star guy from Florida? Is his speed even above average? I can't really tell.

It'd be worth a shot though. It's kinda hard and even unrealistic to switch positions mid-season (this isn't NCAA 12), but with the team sorely missing Williams and Shazier looking like he should playing more, I could see it. It's not going to happen, though. Maybe they should of moved him to LEO a few years ago; prevent him from playing out in space and just let him attack.

 

[Taosman]

Good coaching is recognizing what a players strength is and putting them in a position to maximize their talent.
Sweat hasn't had enough experience to make him better. He's doing the best he can. He may have peaked.
'Bino looks lost more times than not. His best asset is his blitzing/pass rushing. Why not put him on the edge where he doesn't have to think as much which negates his speed? He'll be better at the end of the season.
Klein is slowly coming along, but it will take time. Bet Grant will pass him eventually.
Shazier needs to be on the field full time! Any mistakes he makes he makes at full speed! He's making plays all over!

 

[AuTX Buckeye]

Good coaching is recognizing what a players strength is and putting them in a position to maximize their talent.
Sweat hasn't had enough experience to make him better. He's doing the best he can. He may have peaked.
'Bino looks lost more times than not. His best asset is his blitzing/pass rushing. Why not put him on the edge where he doesn't have to think as much which negates his speed? He'll be better at the end of the season.
Klein is slowly coming along, but it will take time. Bet Grant will pass him eventually.
Shazier needs to be on the field full time! Any mistakes he makes he makes at full speed! He's making plays all over!

True.... But I've never understood why we basically only play 3 LBs the entire season... its been like that since I can remember. I would think it would be good to rotate some guys in there .... inexperienced guys with the experienced ones early in the games get them some experience... who knows... never played or coached organized football..