First, let me start by saying that the open practice concept was amazing, and I could imagine the WHAC format staying because of how special some moments were. Also, a lot of the students and staff watching seemed to be in awe of the practice as if it was a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. I think the students could get more involved as far as cheering (i.e., O-H...I-O's, the buckeye bounce, etc...) in the future as the format/tradition gets refined and more comfortable.
One of my friends is a walk-on and he made the comment afterwards that this practice was not like their usually practices in that it was toned down. With that being said, I wanted to present some impressions that me and a group of my friends made after watching the practice. We all know that one practice doesn't mean much, but I think a lot of players and things surprised me.
Pleasant Surprises
1. Michael Bennett: The young man is special. I don't think I have ever seen a player with the amount of power, burst, and low-pad level that he has. IMHO, there is no doubt that he will be an elite player.
2. Garrett Goebel: Given how we fans love to crown the incoming 5-stars and young up-and-comers, it's easy to forget about the players that have been working hard and getting better. Goebel was a monster on numerous occasions today. He runs down the line relentlessly looking for someone to demolish. His hands and power were impressive
3. Connor Crowell: Trust me when I say I am not over-exaggerating, but it is going to be really hard to keep Connor off the field. I know a lot of us penciled him in as a 2-deep player after his horrible injury, but performances like today let me know that his instincts are top-notch and the middle linebacker position depth will be fantastic. You can tell that he has not fully recovered from his injury when he tries to run sideline to sideline, but if he ever fully recovers he will see the field often IMO.
4. Taylor Rice: The walk-on DB/WR was fluid in his routes and made some nice plays after the catch. The group of guys I was with kept noticing his effort and even his down-field blocking. If one practice is indicative of a player's talent (AND IT'S NOT), Rice would see the field.
6. Orhian Johnson: Can you say decisive player? I think we all knew he had the tools, but the thing that stood out to me was that OJ doesn't look hesitant or chop step anymore. He was fluid and decisive in everything he was doing and because of his athleticism his decisions were made at high-speed and with force. I am really excited to see if what we saw today turns out to be actual improvement on the field. Definitely something to look forward to.
7. Chris Carter: I'm rooting for this kid. Goal line run stopper extraordinaire. I really think he has the potential to develop into a good DT. He is surprisingly athletic and made a few plays. I think he is someone to look out for in two years. He looks like he is willing to work which is the opposite of what I expected. If I had to bet, and I am not a betting man. I would bet that Chris Carter becomes a productive player before he leaves. Think Nader Abdallah type impact his senior year.
8. Michael Thomas: Can you say hands? Can you say down-field blocking? Thomas is a skinny guy, but the ball sticks to his hands. He gets a little out of control and sped-up after making the catch, but I think he could be a good possession receiver. He couldn't make plays to beat a man in the open field because he seemed to get antsy/nervous and run right into the defender, but it seemed to be lack of balance because he was overzealous rather than because of his inability to make plays.
9. Pittsburgh Brown: Play-maker...Play-maker. It would be a shock to me if at the end of the year people are saying that he didn't make an impact on the field.
10. Adam Griffin: Great open-field tackler and a intense competitor. He got called for a PI on one play. He and Coach Coombs were displeased to say the least, but knowing that his technique was so on-point makes me feel better about our depth. I think after the Sugar-bowl year we realize a few injuries could have us playing our 4th and 5th string DBs.
Players that we expected to be great that were monsters on the field
1. John Simon: He destroys everyone, and putting the first team d-line against the second team o-line...well...let's just say it was borderline cruel.
2. Hankins: See John Simon response.
3. Ryan "I'm the fastest player you've ever seen on defense" Shazier: Braxton Miller runs away from everyone. EVERYONE. Blitzing DBs, or d-lineman with a hand on his shoulder pad. Know this: he does not get away from Ryan Shazier.
4. Jack Mewhort: It was fun watching Mewhort battle with great players like Bennett and Simon. His movement skills are special, and I honestly believe that he has the makings of an elite tackle.
5. Braxton Miller: He threw receivers open numerous times. On one play, he threw a dart five yards ahead of Devin Smith before Smith completed his break. Smith was somewhat surprised when the ball hit him square in the hands right after he turned his head around. There were quite a few anticipation throws that were amazing. He still had some mental errors with forcing a ball or two...(or three) where he shouldn't have, but that's part of believing in your arm and developing as a QB. He looks to be significantly better in the spiral department (Not that it really mattered). If Braxton continues to work on his footwork, as we all know the sky is the limit for him.
Issues of Concern
1. Second team O-line: They did not look good. A lot of mis-communications. Simple as that.
2. Wideouts: The name's inconsistency...Mr. inconsistency. Chris fields caught three straight balls. Then he dropped three straight (some when the pressure was on him). With TY and Spencer out, the unit looked shaky.
Overall Impressions:
1. The POWER running game is alive and flourishing in the "Spread Offense." And I'm not talking about the I-form power that was run a few times. The power spread had me and my friends laughing afterwards. The possibilities are endless. This thing and all its permutations could have defenses begging for mercy. Opposing defenses will be off-balance. On one sequence of plays, a TE was motioned into the backfield while Boren led up the middle and the TE cleaned up the inside run-fit backer. The power and push off the line was incredible. The spread look has defenses unprepared for the power blocking schemes and its versatility. Once the defense said they had enough and started clogging the middle, the offense ran a counter power play with the TE and pulling guarding washing down the D-ends and blitzing LB toward the weak-side. After that, they decided to run straight up power-I to let the defense know that they will do as they pleased from whatever offensive alignment.
2. Transition from Power-Spread to the passing game
Oh boy...Where should I begin? Let's see, first I will say the play-action pass looks amazing after the defense tries to key on the power spread game. Think about it like this, the defense thinks the H-back and TE are blocking and then they both release down-field. One is the obvious decoy that runs a route combination with the decoy WR while the other TE is streaking vertical the opposite direction. I LOVE this play, and it seemed like the TE's were getting behind the defense with ease.
3. What the hell was that???
There were a lot of football formations where I had no idea what the heck was going on until the defensive coaches were screaming at a player and the ball was 15-25 yards down the field. It just seems wrong to run a fake speed-option reverse after hitting quick hitters and deep passing plays.
4. The return of the 1-step and 3-step drop
Many times the ball came out as soon as the QB planted his foot. It seemed to keep the defense off-guard and kept the chains moving. Also, the quick hitters help open up things in the deep passing game. Last year...well let's not get into last year, but let's just say that the bubble screen won't be our most used short and quick hitting passing play.
5. Our first team defense has the potential for greatness. Not greatness as in, "man...those guys play great all the time," but greatness as in, "that defense was one of the greatest defenses in the country." The idea that the defensive line may add spence, schutt, washington, pittman, and s healthy nate williams is ridiculously hilarious. All deficiencies we have at DB or Safety at times will be masked by the pass rush and push the d-line will get.
Recruits in attendance and Other thoughts:
We saw Epitropoulous and Spence. Epitropoulous looks the part. He was standing next to Devier Posey, and he looked like a Junior in college. Boom was also in attendance.
There is a premium on coaching the punt and special teams. The punt formation was unique.
GO BUCKS!!!!
oops
From what I hear, he loves BP.
