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2014 tOSU Defense Discussion

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calibuck said:
Amazing how the 'old' homilies hold true. "It all starts up front" has been said and re-said for years. Last year the OL was outstanding, and tOSU offense set plenty of OSU records (and highly ranked O among college rankings). Last year the DL, not so much, and the D was not so good. This year (2014) the DL is a top 5 DL in nation, so I'm betting vcash that tOSU D will be highly effective in 2014 as well. The O, not so much, until it 'jells' 'comes together' 'works efficiently' or whatever else is used to 'blow the other D off the ball' and give Brax and the RBs room to operate. You heard Urb say it during spring game, 'what made that play work is that the QB had time to throw the ball'.....

"It all starts up front". Go Bucks
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The titles that Urban won at UF were based on the strength of his strong pass rushing units on the D line more specifically from the DE position. And we're getting that now at OSU, we saw outlast year when we were highly ranked in the nation in sacks. Our DBs and LBs didn't hold up outside of Shazier. Our D line should be even better and deeper this year the difference between our current OSU team and the UF teams Urban had, we're that he had some very good DBs that caused turnovers and LBs that could stop the run consistently. We have yet to see that yet. Our O line was great last year and should be good to very good this year, and only get better throughout the year
 
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That defense seems to be getting stocked well. The talent and depth on paper looks a lot better than the last couple years. That DL should be one of the best and deepest in the country. Could probably use another LB or two, but there are tons of guys who look the part in the D backfield. My big concern is at LB, especially in the middle, and how those DB's and LB's will perform when they kick it off for real. We won't know til September.

The overall big question is will all 3 levels of that defense be able to consistently function as one unit? Throwing out the games where Ohio State just overpowered weak teams, I only remember a few games (once Z Boren went to MLB) where I have seen it. Last year I don't think I saw it once. Every phase and level seemed disjointed. I would prefer to not ever see that again.
 
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This defense is going to be nasty. There's a lot of youth but, for the most part, it's youth with elite physical ability/talent/speed that has bought into what Ash is selling/demanding. They've "simplified" (I'd say "vastly improved") the defensive scheme so that we can actually use this ability/talent/speed rather than restricting it. As my grandmother's kinsman is quoted as having said waaay back when - "Git thar fastest wit the mostest".
 
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I tend to think this defense will only appear nominally improved at first but really progress into a good-very good unit by the end of the year. I think Navy is going to test us on scheme alone and it will be tough for our young pups to stay disciplined...I hope nobody abandons ship (no pun intended) based on how our defense play in that game.

Of course our defensive line is incredible and deep, no worries there. Another thought I had on the DL is that really the only SDE we have is Bosa and I suppose Miller could play there, but we also have Dylan Thompson coming in as a SDE and he is physically ready to provide depth there if need be (I think Slade and Holmes redshirt). Our LBs have experience if they take the next step and Kwon being in early helps with his learning curve. However, we have 3 bodies coming in that can potentially contribute if the others falter (especially Hubbard and Booker)...we didn't have that many bodies to choose from last year, you have to think we improve some there. And at DB, it is really a wildcard. I think we are more talented and part of me thinks there is no way we could be any worse back there than last season...but still we need to see marginal improvement to be a great unit. Other than Grant (who I think will be great this season), there is a ton of unproven talent that we will have to wait until September to see what we have.

In sum, I think our front 7 will be VERY good and I am cautiously optimistic our DBs can improve to a fairly high level by the time we need them to win games.
 
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One thing is for sure, if someone isn't performing well, there seems that there will be plenty of talented guys on the sidelines behind their position or head coach saying, "Put me in, Coach".

Having Navy in the opener is the best time to play them because you have all fall camp to get used to the cut blocks and your option assignments. I wouldn't want to play those guys with just a week's preparation.

The lack of experience and knowing how to play together is what we have to wait and see about. I agree. They will probably have to grow into it. I don't mind if they make mistakes and give up some yards and scores, I just want them to be aggressive and hostile while they are doing it. Mistakes can be corrected and learned from, but this stay back on your heels, soft zone crap just about drove me out of my mind last year. On second thought, you can't be driven where you already are.
 
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ShowMeBuck said:
I called in the Bill King radio show this morning because they had Phil Steele on. I asked where he would rank the OSU D Line and he said he has them ranked #1 in the country. Also commented how that would help train a green O Line and he thought that would really pay dividends. Damn, this is going to be a long summer.
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I heard that call-in, small world! I like Phil Steele, even though I do think his segment on Bill King is staged maybe a little too much (becomes obvious at times), but his comments were very positive regarding the Dline, and I agree for the most part. If Schutt can remain healthy and Carter can keep improving, our biggest strength will be our depth. Front 4 is outstanding, but the biggest strength, IMO, will be the rotation. Know if the back 7 can take advantage of that, unlike last season, we'll be back in business.
 
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ShowMeBuck said:
I called in the Bill King radio show this morning because they had Phil Steele on. I asked where he would rank the OSU D Line and he said he has them ranked #1 in the country. Also commented how that would help train a green O Line and he thought that would really pay dividends. Damn, this is going to be a long summer.
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I picked up Steele's magazine. He has Curtis Grant as 3rd team All-B1G at LB. If Grant earns a place on any honor list like that, it will mean good things for this defense. I would sure like to know what basis Phil is using to make that projection. It seems we have been here before. A lot of Buckeye fans are pulling for Curtis, but the clock is ticking. It's now or never.

Lots of people would not be surprised if Raekwon McMillan isn't setting there in the middle at the start of the season or sometime during the season, but maybe Phil has some inside info.
 
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OSUK said:
I picked up Steele's magazine. He has Curtis Grant as 3rd team All-B1G at LB. If Grant earns a place on any honor list like that, it will mean good things for this defense. I would sure like to know what basis Phil is using to make that projection. It seems we have been here before. A lot of Buckeye fans are pulling for Curtis, but the clock is ticking. It's now or never.

Lots of people would not be surprised if Raekwon McMillan isn't setting there in the middle at the start of the season or sometime during the season, but maybe Phil has some inside info.
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I'm hoping the light clicks for a final year like it did for Sabino...he had similar results as Grant leading up to his senior year and put together a pretty good senior season.
 
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