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It looks good on paper. I want to see the potential turned into action.
Hawk, Carpenter lead Buckeyes defense
Nine starters return
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | NFL scouts came to Ohio State last March to see if there were any pro prospects among the senior class, but they came away with mouths agape over what a pair of junior linebackers did.
A.J. Hawk, a 6-foot-1, 245-pounder, took full advantage of the optional workout for underclassmen by turning in scorching 40-yard dash times of 4.46 to 4.50 seconds.
The 6-3, 260-pound Bobby Carpenter, whose father, Rob, starred at Miami University and had a 10-year pro career, was almost as swift, having been clocked in 4.53.
NFL teams happily expend first-round draft picks on such uncommon physical specimens, especially if they exhibit the duo's unquenchable thirst for contact.
The return of Hawk and Carpenter is the reason Ohio State's linebacker corps — which also includes the agile Anthony Schlegel, Mike D'Andrea and Wayne grad Marcus Freeman — is being hailed as perhaps the best group in the nation.
"The thing that makes them special is they love to run and love to hit," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "They study the game. They enjoy the chess match of knowing what you're doing. And they feel very responsible (about reaching their potential). They want to be good."
The contingent will anchor a defense that returns nine starters and should be considerably improved over last season.
"We have a ton of potential," Hawk said. "On paper, we look pretty good. But we want to make sure we have a good camp to gel together and validate what people are saying about us."
The Buckeyes held Michigan to a touchdown over the final three quarters in a 37-21 win last year, and they rattled Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl while allowing only a meaningless fourth-quarter TD in a 33-7 victory.
But the unit still fell short of the standards of its predecessors. The Buckeyes had 100 tackles for negative yardage in both 2002 and 2003 but just 70 last season.
Their sack totals also dropped, going from 40 and 37 in '02 and '03, respectively, to a measly 24 last year.
But perhaps the biggest failing was the inability to stop the rush. They were fifth in the Big Ten last season, giving up 130.4 yards per game, after leading the conference in '02 (77.7) and '03 (62.3).
The OSU defensive line was frequently bullied because of inexperience. But that excuse won't suffice this year.
"I think they need to become even more disruptive and more dominant and more productive," Tressel said. "I would be disappointed — because they're all a year older — if they don't make that step."
The Buckeyes return three of four starters at defensive back. But finding a shut-down corner is a top priority.
The most qualified candidate may be receiver and special-teams sensation Ted Ginn Jr., who starred at the position in high school. Although Tressel fears making the sophomore a 60-minute man could lead to burn-out, Hawk believes the Buckeyes should turn Ginn loose.
"When you put a guy like that at corner, he doesn't need to know too much of the scheme of the defense," Hawk said. "He can just use his athletic ability. Chris Gamble did that a lot (in '02 and '03). Guys who are athletes like that, you need to get them on the field any way you can."
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
Hawk, Carpenter lead Buckeyes defense
Nine starters return
By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | NFL scouts came to Ohio State last March to see if there were any pro prospects among the senior class, but they came away with mouths agape over what a pair of junior linebackers did.
A.J. Hawk, a 6-foot-1, 245-pounder, took full advantage of the optional workout for underclassmen by turning in scorching 40-yard dash times of 4.46 to 4.50 seconds.
The 6-3, 260-pound Bobby Carpenter, whose father, Rob, starred at Miami University and had a 10-year pro career, was almost as swift, having been clocked in 4.53.
NFL teams happily expend first-round draft picks on such uncommon physical specimens, especially if they exhibit the duo's unquenchable thirst for contact.
The return of Hawk and Carpenter is the reason Ohio State's linebacker corps — which also includes the agile Anthony Schlegel, Mike D'Andrea and Wayne grad Marcus Freeman — is being hailed as perhaps the best group in the nation.
"The thing that makes them special is they love to run and love to hit," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "They study the game. They enjoy the chess match of knowing what you're doing. And they feel very responsible (about reaching their potential). They want to be good."
The contingent will anchor a defense that returns nine starters and should be considerably improved over last season.
"We have a ton of potential," Hawk said. "On paper, we look pretty good. But we want to make sure we have a good camp to gel together and validate what people are saying about us."
The Buckeyes held Michigan to a touchdown over the final three quarters in a 37-21 win last year, and they rattled Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl while allowing only a meaningless fourth-quarter TD in a 33-7 victory.
But the unit still fell short of the standards of its predecessors. The Buckeyes had 100 tackles for negative yardage in both 2002 and 2003 but just 70 last season.
Their sack totals also dropped, going from 40 and 37 in '02 and '03, respectively, to a measly 24 last year.
But perhaps the biggest failing was the inability to stop the rush. They were fifth in the Big Ten last season, giving up 130.4 yards per game, after leading the conference in '02 (77.7) and '03 (62.3).
The OSU defensive line was frequently bullied because of inexperience. But that excuse won't suffice this year.
"I think they need to become even more disruptive and more dominant and more productive," Tressel said. "I would be disappointed — because they're all a year older — if they don't make that step."
The Buckeyes return three of four starters at defensive back. But finding a shut-down corner is a top priority.
The most qualified candidate may be receiver and special-teams sensation Ted Ginn Jr., who starred at the position in high school. Although Tressel fears making the sophomore a 60-minute man could lead to burn-out, Hawk believes the Buckeyes should turn Ginn loose.
"When you put a guy like that at corner, he doesn't need to know too much of the scheme of the defense," Hawk said. "He can just use his athletic ability. Chris Gamble did that a lot (in '02 and '03). Guys who are athletes like that, you need to get them on the field any way you can."
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
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