2013 tOSU Defense Discussion

[DaddyBigBucks]

Urban's NC teams ranked in the top 6 in scoring defense. Running a spread offense does not prevent you playing stout defense.

As for the tempo, that remains to be seen; but I'm not convinced. Both teams will get more possessions, which may hurt your defensive stats, but does it really hurt your defense? I'll withhold judgement for now

 

[Buckeneye]

I feel an up-tempo early game offense might hurt overall defensive yardage allowed - but an offense that can put you up 2-3 scores and force the opposition to become one dimensional opens tons of opportunities for turnovers.

If there is anything I'd like to see, it would be a high turnover differential in our favor coupled with a top 10 defense in ppg allowed.

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

As a general rule, we have to choose the dynamic, high-scoring offense or the stout defense. I'll take the former for now because I was physically sick of the latter which coupled the great defense with bland offense and an emphasis on punting.

Yes but this isn't In General University. I'm not trying to be a smart ass or anything it's just different here. The fact that he understands that is the biggest reason I love having Urban as our coach. The guy expects to set the standard in all three phases of the game. I think when you start talking about other schools running a dynamic offense they had to accomplish it by sacrificing talent on the defensive side. I for one see no such thing going on at tOSU.

 

[OSUK]

Yes but this isn't In General University. I'm not trying to be a smart ass or anything it's just different here. The fact that he understands that is the biggest reason I love having Urban as our coach. The guy expects to set the standard in all three phases of the game. I think when you start talking about other schools running a dynamic offense they had to accomplish it by sacrificing talent on the defensive side. I for one see no such thing going on at tOSU.

I hear you.

If I wanted to be a smart ass - I would characterize the above as claiming that there is something about OSU that exempts them from the laws of football.

I'm sure you watched Nebraska and Indiana shred us. Cal scored 28 and dang near beat us. They got stouter late in the year. Part of that was Zach Boren settling things down in the middle, but part of it was more power running with Hyde.

All I'm saying is that there is a dynamic that occurs between an offense and a defense. One affects the other. I guess I'm suggesting that we adjust our expectations of the defense - that they can give up some yards and points given the nature of the offense. I used to want to see the D average giving up 10-12 ppg before I thought they were great. I think now anything under 20 should get the job done.

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

I hear you.

If I wanted to be a smart ass - I would characterize the above as claiming that there is something about OSU that exempts them from the laws of football.

I'm sure you watched Nebraska and Indiana shred us. Cal scored 28 and dang near beat us. They got stouter late in the year. Part of that was Zach Boren settling things down in the middle, but part of it was more power running with Hyde.

All I'm saying is that there is a dynamic that occurs between an offense and a defense. One affects the other. I guess I'm suggesting that we adjust our expectations of the defense - that they can give up some yards and points given the nature of the offense. I used to want to see the D average giving up 10-12 ppg before I thought they were great. I think now anything under 20 should get the job done.

I totally agree. Anything under 20 should get it done. It will be really hard to keep most teams under a dozen. When you score in 5-10 plays, the defense doesnt get their rest, and they spend more time on the field. Meaning they are expected to make more plays. The key for then will to be stout run blocking. Force the other team to throw. If they give up a score it should never be a 10 minute ddrive that wears them down.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

I totally agree. Anything under 20 should get it done. It will be really hard to keep most teams under a dozen. When you score in 5-10 plays, the defense doesnt get their rest, and they spend more time on the field. Meaning they are expected to make more plays. The key for then will to be stout run blocking. Force the other team to throw. If they give up a score it should never be a 10 minute ddrive that wears them down.

... And even more reason to keep the pair and spare in place.

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

I hear you.

Ditto

If I wanted to be a smart ass - I would characterize the above as claiming that there is something about OSU that exempts them from the laws of football.

You could if you take it out of context. My point is that tOSU has a history of playing solid defense and the recruitment of elite level talent on that side of the ball supports that it will continue. I just don't see where another school (including Oregon) that has a "dynamic " offense is bringing in guys like a Washington, Spence, Bosa, Mitchell , or a Bell just to name a few.

I'm sure you watched Nebraska and Indiana shred us. Cal scored 28 and dang near beat us. They got stouter late in the year. Part of that was Zach Boren settling things down in the middle, but part of it was more power running with Hyde.

I did. Maybe it's the scarlet colored glasses but I think the D last year was just a fluke. I can't imagine, nor do I want to, a 2013 season where tackling isn't much improved. Of course I hope we don't see those 15 yd cushions from our corners either.

All I'm saying is that there is a dynamic that occurs between an offense and a defense. One affects the other. I guess I'm suggesting that we adjust our expectations of the defense - that they can give up some yards and points given the nature of the offense. I used to want to see the D average giving up 10-12 ppg before I thought they were great. I think now anything under 20 should get the job done.

I agree. A first down by the offense on every drive will go along way in helping our defense. No huddle, up tempo, 3 and outs are brutal for a defense.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

I know we will be in nickel primarily but I am still worried quite a bit with the LB core. We not only need Perry to play well but we need everyone to stay healthy. I'm not "putting a fork" in CG but I'm not expecting much either. Ditto for Cam Williams. It's downright frightening how thin we are at this position group.

 

[kippy1040]

I know we will be in nickel primarily but I am still worried quite a bit with the LB core. We not only need Perry to play well but we need everyone to stay healthy. I'm not "putting a fork" in CG but I'm not expecting much either. Ditto for Cam Williams. It's downright frightening how thin we are at this position group.

I am kind of concerned in our LB core also. I keep thinking back to previous OSU linebacker corps, that we had, which,were very strong. But maybe that was against opposing teams that ran the ball, rather than the spread offense's we have to deal with in todays game.

It was good to see a player like Zach Boren step in to be a great example of leadership in that area. This is the area where we will have to find a quality talent in our linebackers. I hope that guys like Mitchell and Perry can come to together as one and be the answer to all our concerns. And it's great to know we have a great linebacker coach in Vrabel.

 

[Tlangs]

I am kind of concerned in our LB core also. I keep thinking back to previous OSU linebacker corps, that we had, which,were very strong. But maybe that was against opposing teams that ran the ball, rather than the spread offense's we have to deal with in todays game.

It was good to see a player like Zach Boren step in to be a great example of leadership in that area. This is the area where we will have to find a quality talent in our linebackers. I hope that guys like Mitchell and Perry can come to together as one and be the answer to all our concerns. And it's great to know we have a great linebacker coach in Vrabel.

Vrabel coaches the DL.

 

[ant80]

And it's great to know we have a great linebacker coach in Vrabel.

Luke Fickell coaches the LB.

edit: And in any case, the depth is a huge concern at LB this year. If, god forbid, any of the starting LB's go down, yikes!

 

[kippy1040]

Ooops. My bad. I got the two mixed up and meant Luke Fickell. Thanks. Who do you think will be our starters in the Linebackers. My bet would be Perry, Shazier and Grant.

 

[pnuts34]

Ooops. My bad. I got the two mixed up and meant Luke Fickell. Thanks. Who do you think will be our starters in the Linebackers. My bet would be Perry, Shazier and Grant.

Shazier and perry, because well be in the nickel most of the time. Few teams on our schedule do we need to really worry about their running game. Not saying grant won't play, but he'll be more of a backup, IMO.

 

[Taosman]

Urban's NC teams ranked in the top 6 in scoring defense. Running a spread offense does not prevent you playing stout defense.

As for the tempo, that remains to be seen; but I'm not convinced. Both teams will get more possessions, which may hurt your defensive stats, but does it really hurt your defense? I'll withhold judgement for now

And do we need to remind people that those numbers were in the SEC? That speaks volumes.
We have the coaches and the recruiting to get the job done. And it's not like we're playing in the SEC is it?
But, we just can't afford to lose Shazier for any length of time.

 

[calibuck]

Last year tOSU had a fantastic front four, and a weak O-line. Well, the O-line got better by practicing against that great D-line, and this year that almost same O-line is rated in the top 5 in the country.

Using my leap-of-faith logic, that now great O-line will be practicing against the brand-new D-line, and ergo, after a year of that practice, the D-line will become very good, as well. And next year, replacing four starters on the O-line, the now fantastic D-line (assuming no one goes pro) will break in the O-line and get them ready.

We'll see how the LBs fare, but if tOSU is in the nickel alot, then we'll use only two LBers, and five DBs (which we've got plenty of). By the way, Shazier got to 'free lance' alot last year because Boren 'stayed home', allowing Shazier to shoot the gaps, so we'll see how well Shazier does now that he's the 'rock' as a LB. Might see Perry put up some big numbers as well. Or the LBers all stay home, and let Spence and Washington do the blitzing damage from the outside......any way we slice it, it'll be fun to watch. By the way, the 26 dropped interceptions last year would equal a big turn around if could manage to hold onto at least 1/2 of them. 'Scoring Defense' would be alot higher.....


:gobucks3::gobucks4: