2016 tOSU Really Basic Defense Discussion

[ShowMeBuck]

Looking for a discussion of biggest break out player on D this year. What I mean by that is a comparison of their impact last year to this year. So you could go with someone not even on the squad last year like Bosa, or someone like Malik Hooker or Hubbard who is potentially starting for the first time. Or someone who may not even begin the season as a starter but works their way into the rotation fast like Jerome Baker possibly.

I'm going to say Dante Booker. I'm looking for this dude to absolutely blow up.

But there is an insane amount of potential names here as the cupboards are full.

Go.

 

[scarletngray]

Booker is a good choice. So is Hooker. I'll go with Hubbard. Though it is possible all three will have break out years.

 

[ScriptOhio]

FILM STUDY: THE OHIO STATE 'CROSSFIRE' BLITZ PACKAGE

Luke Fickell often doesn't get the credit he deserves.

After sharing defensive coordinator responsibilities with Everett Withers during the first two years of the Urban Meyer era at Ohio State, Fickell's units had failed to live up to expectations. After Withers left to take the head coaching job at James Madison before the 2014 season, Chris Ash was hired to take his place and right the ship on that side of the ball.

Ash did just that in his two years in Columbus, installing a 'Quarters' coverage that steadied the back end of the Silver Bullet defense. In that time, the Buckeyes won a National Championship, won 26 games while only losing two, and sent four players from the Buckeye secondary to the NFL.

Once again this winter, Fickell's counterpart left to run his own program, this time at Rutgers. And, once again, Fickell will share the lead job of the OSU defense with someone new, former NFL head coach Greg Schiano.

This history of sharing titles with relatively successful coaches may lead one to believe that the longtime member of the program as both player and coach is a secondary character in the ranks of Buckeye coaches. When it comes to teaching and calling plays for his defense's front seven, at least, that couldn't be any farther from the truth.

In this past January's Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame, Fickell's unit showcased a game plan that was fairly unique for them, stymying a talented Irish offense and allowing the Scarlet and Gray to build up a large lead that would never be tested. This new strategy was a very aggressive one, as the very first snap of the game shows:

Though quarterback DeShone Kizer is able to avoid the sack and slip away for a short gain, the message was clear: the Buckeye Linebackers were coming. Fickell had called for a six-man zone blitz on first down, sending inside linebackers Joshua Perry and Raekwon McMillan into the backfield while leaving only five defenders in coverage.

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But this game plan would've never succeeded without the play of Perry and McMillan, as the duo was called on to read the action in front of them and adjust accordingly, knowing how little help was behind them. Not only would McMillan change his route, but Perry had the presence of mind in the example above to recognize that the play was bouncing to his left, and deviated course to meet the ball-carrier in the backfield for a loss.

Who, might you be wondering, spends his time teaching all these nuances to these Ohio State linebackers? None other than Luke Fickell, of course.

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...-study-the-ohio-state-crossfire-blitz-package

 

[bukIpower]

Only thing I worry about with this defense is stopping the run game that comes more traditional. We aren't very heavy up front particular at DT and OLB.

HECK both our ends aren't very big at all either. Damn will we be fast though maybe fastest defense we've had but I'm worried about the Oklahoma running backs against us as well as a offense that comes straight at us like Wisconsin

 

[RobotParty]

Only thing I worry about with this defense is stopping the run game that comes more traditional. We aren't very heavy up front particular at DT and OLB.

HECK both our ends aren't very big at all either. Damn will we be fast though maybe fastest defense we've had but I'm worried about the Oklahoma running backs against us as well as a offense that comes straight at us like Wisconsin

DE: Hubbard 6'5, 270
DE: Lewis 6'4, 260
DT: Hill 6'3, 295
DT: Sprinkle 6'3, 290
WO: Worley 6'2, 230
MLB: McMillan 6'2, 240
WLB: Booker 6'3, 235

That's prototypical size at every position except NT, which was the same "problem" we had when we beat Wisconsin 59-0. It would be nice to have a 330 pounder who can eat double teams, but that's far less of a necessity for our scheme. Beyond that, this is the same strength staff that had the entire team drop 5 pounds to better prepare for Oregon, so you can bank on the players being in optimal shape for the opponent.

I just watched OKLA-CLEM again yesterday and I have zero concerns about our defense being able to stop their running backs. Frankly, their OL looked undisciplined and poorly conditioned. The longer the game went on, the slower and sloppier they looked. I know the majority of Buckeye fans want Oklahoma to beat Houston to make our game with them more meaningful, but based on what I've seen, Oklahoma will be lucky to get by the Cougars.

 

[RobotParty]

Looking for a discussion of biggest break out player on D this year. What I mean by that is a comparison of their impact last year to this year. So you could go with someone not even on the squad last year like Bosa, or someone like Malik Hooker or Hubbard who is potentially starting for the first time. Or someone who may not even begin the season as a starter but works their way into the rotation fast like Jerome Baker possibly.

I'm going to say Dante Booker. I'm looking for this dude to absolutely blow up.

But there is an insane amount of potential names here as the cupboards are full.

Go.

So much talent, it's hard to pick just one, so I'll pick by unit.

Secondary: Malik Hooker

The fact that he set a practice record for INTs and then came out and snagged two more in the spring game leads me to believe this guy is going to pick off a lot of passes.

Linebackers: Chris Worley

If you take the angst of being narrowly beaten out by first-rounder Darron Lee and combine that with the pressure of having an elite young talent like Jerome Baker on his heels, I think Worley will play like his life is on the line.

Defensive Line: Nick Bosa

I'm firmly in the camp that believes Nick will solidify himself as a starter before the season is over. His film is near the top of the list for best high school defensive lineman I've ever seen and I'm confident he'll be able to transfer that talent to the college game.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

Love the Chris Worley analysis.....especially since I wanted to pick Baker himself as the breakout player. No doubt that Worley is facing possibly the toughest competition for playing time in the Urban era. Now that Dunn is gone, Worley might just have that title.

 

[RobotParty]

Love the Chris Worley analysis.....especially since I wanted to pick Baker himself as the breakout player. No doubt that Worley is facing possibly the toughest competition for playing time in the Urban era. Now that Dunn is gone, Worley might just have that title.

I forgot to mention the fact that he's also going to be pushed by Keandre Jones, who in my opinion was the second best player in our '16 class.

 

[MSURacerDT55]

Love the Chris Worley analysis.....especially since I wanted to pick Baker himself as the breakout player. No doubt that Worley is facing possibly the toughest competition for playing time in the Urban era. Now that Dunn is gone, Worley might just have that title.

Well the good thing about it is if he succeeds, that will pretty much solidify his ticket to the NFL.

 

[bukIpower]

I'm going with Webb lol

 

[pnuts34]

I'm going with Webb lol

I'm going with Webb as well and Hooker. I love the athleticism they bring to the back end. And also I think whomever starts opposite Conley will be a star. Ward and Lattimore are both uber talented and will push each other all season

 

[ScriptOhio]

Projecting the Ohio State Pre-Camp Depth Chart on Defense

Urban Meyer has spoken of some "street fights" that will be happening with a handful of starting positions over the next few weeks, which should be expected when a defense is replacing eight starters like the Buckeyes happen to be doing.

Like the offensive depth chart from yesterday, the defensive depth chart below is merely a projection based on the way the spring ended and what Urban Meyer and the captains said last week at the B1G Media Days. As with all projections, expect some alterations once camp begins.

Defensive End
6 - Sam Hubbard, rSo
11 - Jalyn Holmes, Jr
13 - Rashod Berry, rFr OR
18 - Jonathon Cooper, Fr
Urban Meyer has already said that Jonathon Cooper is going to play. Jalyn Holmes is expected to be a de facto third starter just based on the number of snaps he will receive per game.

Defensive End
59 - Tyquan Lewis, rJr
97 - Nick Bosa, Fr OR
42 - Darius Slade, rSo
Darius Slade is going to have to pick his pace up to keep the two 5-star freshmen from passing him by. Nick Bosa is going to play, and he might just play a lot.

Defensive Tackle
93 - Tracy Sprinkle, rJr
86 - Dre'Mont Jones, rFr OR
9 - Jashon Cornell, rFr
55 - Malik Barrow, Fr
It is too early to say who exactly will be playing the three technique (defensive tackle) and who will be playing nose tackle. What we do know is that there will be a bunch of redshirt freshmen involved one way or the other. And don't sleep on true freshman Malik Barrow, who is supremely talented.

Entire article: http://theozone.net/Ohio-State/Foot...he-Ohio-State-Pre-Camp-Depth-Chart-on-Defense

 

[ScriptOhio]

URBAN MEYER SAYS THE BATTLE FOR PLAYING TIME IN OHIO STATE'S SECONDARY IS 'A STREET FIGHT RIGHT NOW'

As the lone returning starter in the secondary, Ohio State redshirt junior cornerback Gareon Conley knows he’ll be one of the four manning the back end of the Buckeyes’ defense in 2016. After an impressive spring, redshirt sophomore safety Malik Hooker is likely to be the second starter.

The rest of the starting secondary, though, is to be determined.

“That’s a street fight right now,” Urban Meyer said recently at Big Ten Media Days. “There are about five guys there and it’s a free-for-all.”

Entire article: http://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-...-states-secondary-is-a-street-fight-right-now

 

[Tanner]

Even though we are losing a ton of experience I think there's a very good chance our back 7 is better against the run this year. Our run defense was pretty average relative to the rest of the conference last year and I think a good deal of it was due to the back 7. Lee was great overall but he's more of a blitz & cover backer. Perry was solid, but how many times did we see him over pursue. Raekwon should improve in his 2nd year as a starter as well from a guy who makes a lot of tackles to a guy who makes impactful tackles. Bell and Powell both had their strengths, but getting up in the box and being physical just weren't among them. This year's defense is more talented and faster as a whole, and you would have to think more hungry. That should lead to more flying around and hitting.

 

[buchtelgrad04]

Even though we are losing a ton of experience I think there's a very good chance our back 7 is better against the run this year. Our run defense was pretty average relative to the rest of the conference last year and I think a good deal of it was due to the back 7. Lee was great overall but he's more of a blitz & cover backer. Perry was solid, but how many times did we see him over pursue. Raekwon should improve in his 2nd year as a starter as well from a guy who makes a lot of tackles to a guy who makes impactful tackles. Bell and Powell both had their strengths, but getting up in the box and being physical just weren't among them. This year's defense is more talented and faster as a whole, and you would have to think more hungry. That should lead to more flying around and hitting.

The average run defense is/was mostly due to scheme. Especially to the boundary. Coach Ash is ok with giving up yardage on the ground because you won't beat his defense over the top. When he played teams that were run heavy and not that good at passing, he'd bring Tyvis down into the box. Wisconsin ran into 9-10 man fronts all night long in the B1G champ game as did Rutgers last year.