2015-16 Ohio State Quarterback Discussion

[XXXX]

McShay: Buckeyes' Offense Better With J.T. Barrett
I've been thinking this for a few games now, based mostly on how much more multi-dimensional the offense is with Barrett at the helm. I'm not, however, as willing as McShay to drink the Koolaid until I watch the Barrett-run offense against PSU, MSU, a bowl opponent, etc.

Who is the better athlete/homerun hitter? Braxton, unquestionably. Who is the best answer at quarterback? I don't know, but I certainly am thankful that we had a backup in J.T. who is good enough to make that an extremely difficult question to answer. I am also thankful for every single moment that we've been lucky enough to call Braxton a Buckeye, and hope that he is not done dazzling us whilst wearing the scarlet and gray.

 

[RugbyBuck]

Amen.

 

[ArmyVet83]

McShay: Buckeyes' Offense Better With J.T. Barrett
I've been thinking this for a few games now, based mostly on how much more multi-dimensional the offense is with Barrett at the helm. I'm not, however, as willing as McShay to drink the Koolaid until I watch the Barrett-run offense against PSU, MSU, a bowl opponent, etc.

Who is the better athlete/homerun hitter? Braxton, unquestionably. Who is the best answer at quarterback? I don't know, but I certainly am thankful that we had a backup in J.T. who is good enough to make that an extremely difficult question to answer. I am also thankful for every single moment that we've been lucky enough to call Braxton a Buckeye, and hope that he is not done dazzling us whilst wearing the scarlet and gray.

While I want to see how J.T. plays against better teams; the teams they have played aren't uber-terrible either. This teams performance on offense reminds me of the offense with Kenny G last year. Very efficient and balanced. This is not a knock on Braxton Miller by any stretch. He is a great Buckeye and a top-tier QB but he is a different type QB (a true duel-threat but more likely to beat with his legs more so than his arm) than J.T. (more cerebral, takes his times and goes through his progressions and can beat you with his arm as well as legs (just not as electric as Braxton) and gets the entire offense involved in the game). IMO, thus far, J.T. is a more polished and balanced QB than Braxton. I will add if Braxton was playing QB against Virginia Tech the outcome would have been different.

 

[grnvllbuck]

Admittedly, the "meat" of the schedule remains...but it seems this year as compared to the past 3, we are finding the endzone ALOT more regularly instead of stalled drives and settling for field goals.

I hope it continues.

4 years in an Urban Meyer offense....and this kid could put up legendary numbers.

 

[matcar]

Admittedly, the "meat" of the schedule remains...but it seems this year as compared to the past 3, we are finding the endzone ALOT more regularly instead of stalled drives and settling for field goals.

I hope it continues.

4 years in an Urban Meyer offense....and this kid could put up legendary numbers.

I thought our red zone percentages were amongst the best in the nation the last couple years.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

Admittedly, the "meat" of the schedule remains...but it seems this year as compared to the past 3, we are finding the endzone ALOT more regularly instead of stalled drives and settling for field goals.

Compared to 2011 + 2012, I would absolutely agree, but last year's TD efficiency was ridiculously good.

2014 - 34 RZ trips - 24 TD, 4 FG - 82% overall, 70.5% TD
Last year the overall efficiency was 96% -- and at most 8 of those scores were field goals.

 

[RB07OSU]

McShay: Buckeyes' Offense Better With J.T. Barrett
I've been thinking this for a few games now, based mostly on how much more multi-dimensional the offense is with Barrett at the helm. I'm not, however, as willing as McShay to drink the Koolaid until I watch the Barrett-run offense against PSU, MSU, a bowl opponent, etc.

Who is the better athlete/homerun hitter? Braxton, unquestionably. Who is the best answer at quarterback? I don't know, but I certainly am thankful that we had a backup in J.T. who is good enough to make that an extremely difficult question to answer. I am also thankful for every single moment that we've been lucky enough to call Braxton a Buckeye, and hope that he is not done dazzling us whilst wearing the scarlet and gray.

I tend to agree that the offense seems more efficient than last year but the other variable I tend to forget is that the other skill positions were not as dynamic in years, so perhaps the plan was for Braxton to do exactly what JT is right now? Could he be as automatic on the short-intermediate routes...not sure really. In any event, it is tough to say anything definitively considering that Brax basically had Philly, an inconsistent Devin Smith, and an inexperienced and underweight Dontre...also we did not feature the TEs like this year. This year he would have a more consistent Devin, a bigger and more experienced Dontre that is involved more, a healthy and ever-improving Jalin, an improved EzE, a new weapon in Samuel, and maybe most importantly an extremely talented and improved Michael Thomas. Oh and more involvement at TE.

Of course the OL would have been rough at first either way but it has improved a lot. And to that end, I tend to think we beat VT with Braxton simply because he could have made some big plays with his legs and escaped despite the OL in some situations where JT could not. Plus that is one game where we could have benefitted from Braxton taking over the show. Either way, agreed that I am really glad to be having the debate because when Braxton went down, I almost sobbed.

 

[woofermazing]

I tend to agree that the offense seems more efficient than last year but the other variable I tend to forget is that the other skill positions were not as dynamic in years, so perhaps the plan was for Braxton to do exactly what JT is right now? Could he be as automatic on the short-intermediate routes...not sure really. In any event, it is tough to say anything definitively considering that Brax basically had Philly, an inconsistent Devin Smith, and an inexperienced and underweight Dontre...also we did not feature the TEs like this year. This year he would have a more consistent Devin, a bigger and more experienced Dontre that is involved more, a healthy and ever-improving Jalin, an improved EzE, a new weapon in Samuel, and maybe most importantly an extremely talented and improved Michael Thomas. Oh and more involvement at TE.

Of course the OL would have been rough at first either way but it has improved a lot. And to that end, I tend to think we beat VT with Braxton simply because he could have made some big plays with his legs and escaped despite the OL in some situations where JT could not. Plus that is one game where we could have benefitted from Braxton taking over the show. Either way, agreed that I am really glad to be having the debate because when Braxton went down, I almost sobbed.

If they played the same press man cover 0 against Braxton, he would have rushed for 500 yards by half time.

 

[MaxBuck]

So, just to shake things up a little, what do you guys think about the upcoming 2024 presidential elections?

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

I tend to agree that the offense seems more efficient than last year but the other variable I tend to forget is that the other skill positions were not as dynamic in years, so perhaps the plan was for Braxton to do exactly what JT is right now? Could he be as automatic on the short-intermediate routes...not sure really. In any event, it is tough to say anything definitively considering that Brax basically had Philly, an inconsistent Devin Smith, and an inexperienced and underweight Dontre...also we did not feature the TEs like this year. This year he would have a more consistent Devin, a bigger and more experienced Dontre that is involved more, a healthy and ever-improving Jalin, an improved EzE, a new weapon in Samuel, and maybe most importantly an extremely talented and improved Michael Thomas. Oh and more involvement at TE.

Of course the OL would have been rough at first either way but it has improved a lot. And to that end, I tend to think we beat VT with Braxton simply because he could have made some big plays with his legs and escaped despite the OL in some situations where JT could not. Plus that is one game where we could have benefitted from Braxton taking over the show. Either way, agreed that I am really glad to be having the debate because when Braxton went down, I almost sobbed.

Agreed. I think one reason the offense looks so balanced is that the younger playmakers are getting better. I personally think with Braxton this year we are undefeated and still blowing out the competition. Last year dontre was raw, jalin didn't play and the older receivers dropped balls thrown at the numbers. This year the receivers are catching the balls and dontre curt and jalin are adding more options. Plus the defense is 100% better and giving the offense more opportunities.

 

[buckeyeintn]

Agreed. I think one reason the offense looks so balanced is that the younger playmakers are getting better. I personally think with Braxton this year we are undefeated and still blowing out the competition. Last year dontre was raw, jalin didn't play and the older receivers dropped balls thrown at the numbers. This year the receivers are catching the balls (except the ones they drop) and dontre curt and jalin are adding more options. Plus the defense is 100% better and giving the offense more opportunities.

FIFY

 

[Mrstickball]

Given all the controversy, can you imagine how fast the Spring Game ins going to sell out next year? They better let us reserve our tickets early, because it may very well be one of the best games on the schedule we'll see!

 

[TampaBuckeyes]

Given all the controversy, can you imagine how fast the Spring Game ins going to sell out next year? They better let us reserve our tickets early, because it may very well be one of the best games on the schedule we'll see!

You won't be seeing Braxton in the spring game. Last I heard it was 9 month of recovery then 3 months rehab. He probably won't be able to throw until at least June. My guess is they want to let it heal 100% before he goes through a throwing motion after he reinjured it.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

If Barrett continues to develop like he has, it'll be tough for Miller to step back in as starter. Can't complain when you have two Heisman-level QBs on the roster...

 

[XXXX]

I tend to agree that the offense seems more efficient than last year but the other variable I tend to forget is that the other skill positions were not as dynamic in years, so perhaps the plan was for Braxton to do exactly what JT is right now? Could he be as automatic on the short-intermediate routes...not sure really. In any event, it is tough to say anything definitively considering that Brax basically had Philly, an inconsistent Devin Smith, and an inexperienced and underweight Dontre...also we did not feature the TEs like this year. This year he would have a more consistent Devin, a bigger and more experienced Dontre that is involved more, a healthy and ever-improving Jalin, an improved EzE, a new weapon in Samuel, and maybe most importantly an extremely talented and improved Michael Thomas. Oh and more involvement at TE.

Of course the OL would have been rough at first either way but it has improved a lot. And to that end, I tend to think we beat VT with Braxton simply because he could have made some big plays with his legs and escaped despite the OL in some situations where JT could not. Plus that is one game where we could have benefitted from Braxton taking over the show. Either way, agreed that I am really glad to be having the debate because when Braxton went down, I almost sobbed.

Excellent points re: the young skill guys.