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2011 Secondary, or DBs, Discussion

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Orhian Johnson is the only returning starter in Ohio State?s defensive backfield, but he finds himself facing serious competition to keep his spot. The junior safety is running with the starters now, but his position isn?t etched in stone in part because the backfield is one of the deepest areas of the team.

C.J. Barnett, who started at safety last season until he was injured in week two, was on the field with Johnson and the first-team defense this week, and Travis Howard has nailed down one of the corners. But coaches also like what Christian Bryant, Zach Domicone and Tyler Moeller bring to their positions, and some insiders believe it will be hard to keep all of them off the field.

Bryant went in for an injured Moeller at Illinois last year and played well for two games before sitting out with a foot infection. Domicone has also been noticeable in the plays he has made thus far in camp, and Moeller, back for a sixth year, is holding down the nickel back position ahead of Bryant.

When the only returning starter can?t be certain of his job through no fault of his own, it would seem to be a sign there?s going to be fierce competition in the backfield for the next couple of weeks. And that?s a welcome problem for the coaching staff.
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http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2011/08/19/rumblings-8-19-art-guudq5fq-1.html
 
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2011 Defensive Backs Discussion

There didn't appear to be a thread for this year. Mods can merge if I missed it. (not that they need my blessing)

I have a very good feeling about this year's DB corps. I think I say that every season, but this squad is quite different, being the first backfield in years that is not anchored by multi-year starters. There is, however, an impressive amount of talent and potential at every position.

Barnett and Bryant showed great upside last year, albeit in limited action. CJ seemed to mature by the minute on the field, and had all the looks of a playmaker before his injury (just over 2 games?). Bryant played with a fearlessness that is rarely seen in freshmen. What both players have in spades is instincts. Both seemed to handle the adjustment to the college game in no time at all, and looked natural reading plays and flying to the ball. Hard hitters, to boot.

Johnson has showed improvement after looking confused in his early appearances. With another off-season under his belt, I expect him to be solid, but still not really natural at his position. I think the days of him being a liability are mostly over, but I just haven't seen enough indication that he can make above average plays against top competition.

I would consider Bryant the better choice at FS, but obviously the coaches think otherwise. Perhaps the staff thinks it is better to have a backup at Star who can match the impact that Moeller brings. If Moeller can play nearly every snap at Star, I would like to see Bryant start at FS by mid season. I do hope that Johnson has a breakout year, but Bryant is special.

Howard is a legit #1 CB, in my eyes. He may not have that intimidation factor of the true greats (yet), but he's got the skills and mindset to make teams pay for challenging him. He was showing that he could be an impact player by the end of last season. The other CB spot I can't even try to predict. Roby and Clarke would seem to have the physical tools, so that's a start. I imagine that the rest of the personnel will be able to cheat to their side, should they have trouble with reads.

And the glue that will hold it all together is Tyler Moeller. If he can play close to what he has shown in the past, he can make any defensive backfield a formidable one (scUM excepted). His range and quickness in making reads is almost like having an extra man on the field. Not only does he free up the CB and S on his side, but he is able to support on plays that would be well out of range for most players.

I don't know if "blessing in disguise" is appropriate when discussing Tyler's situation, but if there's one thing this year's Buckeye team needs, it's leadership on the field. If there's one player who can show the team how to put everything else aside and just go out and play football, it's Tyler Moeller. It is only due to his misfortunes that he is still eligible to play this season, but his presence will be invaluable to the team.

With the DL and LBs looking solid and athletic, I would think the backfield will be able to let the plays come to them. I just don't see many teams that will be able to run the ball effectively (Wisky and NEB will pose challenges). Most teams will be forced to abandon the run, and that will allow one of the front 6/7 to drop back. There should be plenty of support in pass coverage, unless teams go 4-5 WR. Even then, isolating the short-side CB or FS would be an opponent's best bet. But with Howard, Barnett, and Moeller/Bryant on the field, you can't isolate a DB for long. They all have great closing speed, and can either play the ball or go for a jarring hit. Which brings up the eternal question, "Which hurts worse, having a Buckeye Leaf covered helmet re-arrange your internal organs, or watching the pass intended for you go the other way for six points?"

Go Buckeyes!!!
 
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generaladm;1974704; said:
Johnson has showed improvement after looking confused in his early appearances. With another off-season under his belt, I expect him to be solid, but still not really natural at his position. I think the days of him being a liability are mostly over, but I just haven't seen enough indication that he can make above average plays against top competition.

I would consider Bryant the better choice at FS, but obviously the coaches think otherwise. Perhaps the staff thinks it is better to have a backup at Star who can match the impact that Moeller brings. If Moeller can play nearly every snap at Star, I would like to see Bryant start at FS by mid season. I do hope that Johnson has a breakout year, but Bryant is special.

Howard is a legit #1 CB, in my eyes. He may not have that intimidation factor of the true greats (yet), but he's got the skills and mindset to make teams pay for challenging him. He was showing that he could be an impact player by the end of last season. The other CB spot I can't even try to predict. Roby and Clarke would seem to have the physical tools, so that's a start. I imagine that the rest of the personnel will be able to cheat to their side, should they have trouble with reads.
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OJ is probably the most improved DB this camp. Look for a break out year. Roby is, by all accounts, the other starting corner.
 
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TresselstillownsTSUN;1974769; said:
OJ is probably the most improved DB this camp. Look for a break out year. Roby is, by all accounts, the other starting corner.
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I certainly hope OJ has a great year. I just think Bryant has a much higher ceiling and is more of a playmaker. OJ, from what I've seen, is more of a Nate Salley type player; pretty solid, big hitter, but limited in coverage. Bryant is dynamic and already has more instincts than I've seen from OJ. But since OJ has been with the 1s at FS, I assume he has progressed beyond my recollections.

From what I've read, Roby and Clarke are nearly neck-and-neck, with Roby getting more time with the 1s.

In both cases, it's a good problem to have.
 
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generaladm;1974704; said:
There didn't appear to be a thread for this year.
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All of the position discussion threads can be linked to from the 'Sticky thread with links to key threads' first post, which is updated each year with the links for all of the position threads, as well as other frequently accessed threads.

Sometimes it can be easier to locate things in there, as compared to the search function.
 
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Silver Bullets Reloaded: Defensive Backs
www.thebuckeyebattlecry.com
By: Jim, August 25th

After losing three starters from last season, one would think the secondary would be in rebuilding mode at camp. Like the rest of the defense, that has not been the case at all. The starters (with one small exception) have been set from day one.

Continuity in the secondary is important, and the Buckeyes have had plenty of it so far. Outside of the offensive line, communication and coordination is more important in the secondary than anywhere else on the football field, and having the same players together helps out tremendously.

I have been very impressed by the secondary during practice. Despite three new starters, they all play (and most importantly communicate) like seasoned veterans.

Bold prediction time: despite the attrition, the 2011 defensive backs will be better than a year ago.

Here is a player by player breakdown of the two-deep.
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Continue reading: http://www.thebuckeyebattlecry.com/2011/08/silver-bullets-reloaded-defensive-backs/
 
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generaladm;1974781; said:
I certainly hope OJ has a great year. I just think Bryant has a much higher ceiling and is more of a playmaker. OJ, from what I've seen, is more of a Nate Salley type player; pretty solid, big hitter, but limited in coverage. Bryant is dynamic and already has more instincts than I've seen from OJ. But since OJ has been with the 1s at FS, I assume he has progressed beyond my recollections.
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Regarding OJ, I disagree pretty strongly that he is a Nate Salley style safety.

IIRC, reports from last season were that he rivaled Pryor as one of the most athletic players on the entire team. I agree that he looked lost at times early in the year, but when he knows what he is doing, I believe his range and coverage skills are light years better than Salley's were.

Salley was a big hitter that played safety whereas OJ is a rangy playmaker that can hit (I know it is splitting hairs, but hey, no one ever said we aren't obsessive fans).

The other thing to note is that while Johnson and Barnett switch their alignment at times depending on what the offense shows, in general Johnson is closer to the LOS which makes him the SS in my opinion. That is from my personal observations at open practices.
 
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Ohio State football: Defensive backs got feet wet last year
One starter back, but others have experience
Monday August 29, 2011
By Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch

As Akron sizes up the Ohio State defensive secondary headed into Saturday?s season opener, the Zips have clearly noticed that there?s only one starter back, safety Orhian Johnson.

But they probably also watched Ohio State?s Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas a couple of times. Against that high-powered Razorback passing game, there were times from the second quarter on when three of last year?s defensive secondary starters were out because of injuries.

Travis Howard, Dominic Clarke and Christian Bryant were among those tossed into the heat of that battle as quarterback Ryan Mallett tried to hammer the depleted OSU defense. Co-defensive coordinator Paul Haynes, the safeties coach, felt his gut churning that night, as it had most of the season, since repeated injuries had tested the depth at safety and nickel back.

But now comes the reward, he said. OSU is loaded with at least slightly experienced players in the defensive backfield.

Among the expected starters ? safeties Orhian Johnson and C.J. Barnett, cornerbacks Howard and Bradley Roby ? only Roby, a redshirt freshman, has yet to play in a college game.

?The biggest thing is once you get out there, you get the confidence that you can be out there,? Haynes said. ?Sometimes as a backup, it?s hard to prepare. We always tell them, ?You?ve got to prepare like you?re going to play.? But I think that?s easier said than done.?

But now most of them have played, so they know what he means.

?I think it gave them some confidence to be out there and they played well, they did a good job,? Haynes said. ?So ?You can do it. You showed us you can do it. Now you?ve just got to continue to get better.? ?

The experience is widespread:

Cont...
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http://www.buckeyextra.com/content/stories/2011/08/29/defensive-backs-got-feet-wet-last-year.html
 
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An interesting observation. I was recently reading an update on Chimdi Chekwa with the Raiders and learned that he's taking reps at Free Safety. Which got me thinking...it seems like a lot of recent starting cornerbacks have been switched to safety once arriving in NFL training camps.

Malcolm Jenkins: CB -> Safety
Donald Washington: CB -> Safety
Chimdi Chekwa: CB -> Safety

Could it be that Ohio State's defensive scheme is more condusive to creating good space guys rather than man on man defenders? Have we not had the athleticism needed for shutdown corner in the NFL? Or is it just random?

The good news is that I feel like Travis Howard is more of the "true" corners to come through OSU in a while. Have also heard good things about Roby. Should we expect this CB to Safety trend to continue in the NFL?

Discuss...
 
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Poe McKnoe;1978021; said:
An interesting observation. I was recently reading an update on Chimdi Chekwa with the Raiders and learned that he's taking reps at Free Safety. Which got me thinking...it seems like a lot of recent starting cornerbacks have been switched to safety once arriving in NFL training camps.

Malcolm Jenkins: CB -> Safety
Donald Washington: CB -> Safety
Chimdi Chekwa: CB -> Safety

Could it be that Ohio State's defensive scheme is more condusive to creating good space guys rather than man on man defenders? Have we not had the athleticism needed for shutdown corner in the NFL? Or is it just random?

The good news is that I feel like Travis Howard is more of the "true" corners to come through OSU in a while. Have also heard good things about Roby. Should we expect this CB to Safety trend to continue in the NFL?

Discuss...
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I think its more indicative of the term that best describes OSU's defense: "versatile".
 
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