2014 tOSU Offense Discussion

[RB07OSU]

Then a different rod Smith better arrive this fall, because he was behind Ball, EzE and Dontre as last year progressed.

The final depth chart I am looking at has "Hall or Smith" behind Hyde only. Wilson is moving to receiver and Smith had almost twice as many carries as Ball did. Not saying he has any spot locked up whatsoever, just that it's reasonable to see Smith as the backup heading into spring practice, maybe even close to even with EzE (though I think EzE gets the nod).

 

[jwinslow]

The final depth chart I am looking at has "Hall or Smith" behind Hyde only. Wilson is moving to receiver and Smith had almost twice as many carries as Ball did. Not saying he has any spot locked up whatsoever, just that it's reasonable to see Smith as the backup heading into spring practice, maybe even close to even with EzE (though I think EzE gets the nod).

A guy with Smith's talents could certainly emerge in his final year, especially if Dontre gets less touches.

It just seemed like Rod became a special teams only guy during the latter portion of the season.

 

[pnuts34]

He only played one season, he redshirted didn't he?

He only played one season, he redshirted didn't he? I could see him being a short yardage guy as an alternate to Zeke.

You're right. My fault
But I don't see him as a short yardage RB like someone else stated, I can envision Dunn in that role, Ball compares more to EzE, imo. Both more complete RBs with some size but can also put moves on defensive players or catch the ball when needed. The depth is just crazy for us at RB and this battle will go for a while. I'm not in the rod smith camp that much, I think his time has come and gone and comparisons to Eddie George are greatly exaggerated. And theyre just because of his size. As of now without hearing much from coaches yet, id put the depth chart at:
EzE
Dunn
Dontre
Smith
Ball
Samuel

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

I think smith will be the backup this year and could push Ezekiel for the starting spot. Right now it goes to whoever puts in the work between now and December. Ball and Dunn will fight it out next year provided neither transfers.

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

You're right. My fault
But I don't see him as a short yardage RB like someone else stated, I can envision Dunn in that role, Ball compares more to EzE, imo. Both more complete RBs with some size but can also put moves on defensive players or catch the ball when needed. The depth is just crazy for us at RB and this battle will go for a while. I'm not in the rod smith camp that much, I think his time has come and gone and comparisons to Eddie George are greatly exaggerated. And theyre just because of his size. As of now without hearing much from coaches yet, id put the depth chart at:
EzE
Dunn
Dontre
Smith
Ball
Samuel

Why do people keep putting Samuel and Wilson in this depth chart. They play a different position. You will see either Curtis or Dontre on the field at the same time as Ezekiel Ball or Smith. My guess is with our lack at wideout we will see a lot of those guys lining up all over the place.

 

[maximumblitz]

Re-watching the Michigan, Michigan State and Clemson games has filled me with dread.

"Wow"

 

[pnuts34]

Why do people keep putting Samuel and Wilson in this depth chart. They play a different position. You will see either Curtis or Dontre on the field at the same time as Ezekiel Ball or Smith. My guess is with our lack at wideout we will see a lot of those guys lining up all over the place.

How do you figure wilson and samuel play different positions? Both can ben labeled as pivots, but one will be working a little more with RBs and the other with WRs. But both could be on the field at thw same time. Neither was brought in to play one position. Dontre may line up more with WRs because he was with the RBs lastb year. But neither is set on one position yet, imo. And both have similar traits.

 

[maximumblitz]

Last year, if I recall, there was a lot of debate amongst coaches about whether Dontre would be in the receiver room or the running back room. I thought they said he would be in both. Perhaps, running back is the easier room to be in? Perhaps Samuel is a little stronger than Dontre?

 

[cincibuck]

Last year, if I recall, there was a lot of debate amongst coaches about whether Dontre would be in the receiver room or the running back room. I thought they said he would be in both. Perhaps, running back is the easier room to be in? Perhaps Samuel is a little stronger than Dontre?

As I recall the conversation from last pre-season it went something along the lines of, "Urban sees another Percy Harvin in Wilson," i.e. someone who can function in both roles. If that's the case, then I would guess that Dontre gets a lot more touches this coming season and being able to play him either way makes that easier.

 

[pnuts34]

As I recall the conversation from last pre-season it went something along the lines of, "Urban sees another Percy Harvin in Wilson," i.e. someone who can function in both roles. If that's the case, then I would guess that Dontre gets a lot more touches this coming season and being able to play him either way makes that easier.

I could see that. And I could also see either jalin Marshall or Curtis Samuel spelling him at the pivot as well. All 3 can function similarly.

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

How do you figure wilson and samuel play different positions? Both can ben labeled as pivots, but one will be working a little more with RBs and the other with WRs. But both could be on the field at thw same time. Neither was brought in to play one position. Dontre may line up more with WRs because he was with the RBs lastb year. But neither is set on one position yet, imo. And both have similar traits.

I'm saying Curtis and Dontre play the same position. They both play pivot. They don't play RB, so why do people keep putting them in the same depth chart as Zeke, Ball and Smith? Either of them may line up as RB, but most of the time, I think you'll see Dontre/Curtis on the field at the same time as a RB, wherever they line up. The amount and how they play is only limited by the creativity of the offensive staff as they do play a relatively made-up position.

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

I could see that. And I could also see either jalin Marshall or Curtis Samuel spelling him at the pivot as well. All 3 can function similarly.

Very true, we really have 4 guys that fit that role (but Paris may redshirt to bulk up) but I think Marshall will be primarily in the receiver room. We need a lot more help in that area. I would actually like to see all 3 of these guys line up on the edges. I'm a fan of jet sweeps and such, but that was about the only way we used Dontre last year. I'd like to see them get the ball a 5-10 yards down field in a crossing route or something and let their athleticism and physicality take over. The great thing about these guys over a typical WR is they have the physicality to take on a linebacker. So I think it would be best to have them training with the wideouts to work on their route running and catching abilities.

 

[cincibuck]

I'm saying Curtis and Dontre play the same position. They both play pivot. They don't play RB, so why do people keep putting them in the same depth chart as Zeke, Ball and Smith? Either of them may line up as RB, but most of the time, I think you'll see Dontre/Curtis on the field at the same time as a RB, wherever they line up. The amount and how they play is only limited by the creativity of the offensive staff as they do play a relatively made-up position.

Because Dontre often lined up in a spot we old farts refer to as the halfback - He might motion out of that leaving an empty backfield, he might take a forward or a back pitch, he might go out for the bubble screen. But when he lined up in the backfield he was taking the place of someone who was nominally a running back. Most of the time when Wilson lined up in the backfield Hyde was out, and while I don't recall him running inside the tackles from that spot he still lined up in RB/halfback position. The fact that he lines up as a halfback on one play and a wideout the next may say a lot about his talent and the desire to confuse the defense, but it doesn't alter the fact that he is either lining up as a halfback or a receiver. Or as Sarah Palin would say, putting lipstick on a pig doesn't alter the fact that it's still a pig.

 

[pnuts34]

Because Dontre often lined up in a spot we old farts refer to as the halfback - He might motion out of that leaving an empty backfield, he might take a forward or a back pitch, he might go out for the bubble screen. But when he lined up in the backfield he was taking the place of someone who was nominally a running back. Most of the time when Wilson lined up in the backfield Hyde was out, and while I don't recall him running inside the tackles from that spot he still lined up in RB/halfback position. The fact that he lines up as a halfback on one play and a wideout the next may say a lot about his talent and the desire to confuse the defense, but it doesn't alter the fact that he is either lining up as a halfback or a receiver. Or as Sarah Palin would say, putting lipstick on a pig doesn't alter the fact that it's still a pig.

Exactly what I meant. Curtis and dontre are more RBs than they are WRs, they just are used in more creative ways. This is why I see other guys getting less carries(or touches) because of all the scenarios you can put those 2 in, in 1 on 1 mismatches. There will be Pure RBs, and then hybrids who will be used as well, but in different packages providing even more difficult covers for defenses.

 

[LitlBuck]

A new line and young skill - 5 Ohio State offensive players on the spot: Buckeyes Spring Football Practice 2014

Jalin Marshall and Corey Smith are players who could get the ball after redshirting last season, while J.T. Barrett will get a chance to throw the ball and Evan Lisle is part of a major battle on the offensive line. Read more »