Bitching about the 2004 Season

[KillerNut]

Complaining time is over, Lets talk Answers

The fact is we suck up front, no matter whose fault it is, we are not moving people around on the OL and we are unable to create any pressure, or to eat up blocks on the DL. I see these as the two major problems. From what I understand we have overall come to the conclution that the OL is a bigger part of the problem, because the DL has played decent in some games and may be an issue of wearing down. We also need to start winning 3rd down more often, both offensively and defensively. Some of this has to do with the secondary playing soft, or getting beat one-on-on.

What are the answers? It is too late to change schemes, and it is too late to change coaching styles. We can't scrap the whole offense, and we can't get new/different players. We aren't going to get experienced without playing. There are a lot of things we just can't do mid season. Suttle changes little adds and subtracts we can do, and we must do to adjust.

Here is the best solutions I can come up with.

Offensively:

Use the bubble screen that teams used against us. The QB gets rid of the ball quickly, so the OL doesn't have to protect long. The DL & LBs wear down because of the constant changing and maybe we can move some people out of the box. I hate to do it because of aditional risks, but it works and would help us accomplish getting the ball in the hands of our best weapons. I don't know how many times I saw NFL recievers taking it to DB's on this kind of play. This is not Ohio State football, but with this group Ohio State football isn't working. Middle screens to the TE or HB should also work the way they were charging last weekend. We have to find a way to keep them off balance. Since we are unable to do it with the run and pass, adding the screens should help. I would work on nothing but screens this week in practice so that they are ready for Penn State.

Also I would like to see more sets with a fullback. I don't understand why we don't go back to the Iso block. Not that it would be wildly successful, but I would assume we could maybe get two-three yards a carry. Plus I think that since we have a capable back at FB in Brandon Joe, quick hitters to the FB may work well for 4-5 yards, The TB plays seem to take too long to develop, and since our OL just moves backwards the longer they are blocking, by having the back hit the hole quicker, we may be able to blast forward for a couple more yards.

That is the best I can do on offense, as far as a short term fix. Long Term I think a lot of people agree with me that firing Jim Bollman would go a long way to help, and bringing in a good OL coach with a good background.

Defensively:

Although I think of myself as having more of a defensive mind, coming up with a way to make up for no penetration up front, no defensive pressure on the QB, and no eating up of blockers in the running game. I ruins a lot of the schemes or solutions I have. The best solution I could come up with is blitz a lot more, but then when players get to the QB they must make the play to drop him, they must be concious of screens and draws, and they must get there and make the play (yes I know I said it twice but it is that important). Otherwise our secondary is left out to dry and they can not make up the difference right now.

Something else I would do is start benching player that show a lack of effort. I don't know how else to explain Nate Salley (who I thought a lot of before the last two weeks performances when someone pointed out some issue he had and I started watching him more closely), getting run over by a 185lb QB at the goalline. That should never happen.

Working on form tackling, and working to play low and balanced, Look at the waste when your making a tackle so you don't make Drew Tate look like Michael Vick.

Long story short, we have a lot of fundmentals to work on, and we are going to have to send someone extra from a different spot on the field every play. When players stop showing great effort, or poor fundementals bench them no matter who it is.

Please add or subtract whatever you want from this, but it is the best I could come up with.

 

[jlb1705]

You could put Leinart, Jason White, Kyle Orton, or Drew Tate behind our O-Line and they couldn't get the job done either.

I'm not sure what's more sad, the fact that that statement's probably true, or the fact that our defense put a guy like Drew Tate into the same company as an NC winner, a Heisman winner, and this year's Heisman front-runner.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

im still trying to figure out why we as fans are trying to come up with solutions. whats the point? nobody is going to listen, and our "solutions" are based on half truths. we dont know the whole picture.

 

[OilerBuck]

Lets face it, the ONLY unit on this team that is operating up to par is our placekicking unit and our kick return unit. EVERY other area is a problem to some extent. I, personally, have heard complaints about the following units (in order):

1. Offensive Line
2. Offensive Line Coaching
3. Running Back
4. Quarterback
5. Defensive Coaching

In reality, you could TOTALLY correct any one of these 5 areas and we would still be a 2 loss team right now. No single unit will take you from a national championship contender to cellar dwellar.

The offensive line isn't blocking. The Quarterbacks are making bad reads, missing open receivers and holding onto the ball. The Running Backs aren't picking up the blitz and are dancing in the backfield and carrying no momentum to the hole. The Coaches game planning is mediocre at best and they are not making adjustments at half. The recievers are dropping balls (during AND after the catch). The defensive line isn't getting into the backfield or taking up extra blockers. The linebackers aren't shedding blocks, squaring up to the tackle and wrapping guys up. The defensive backs aren't tackling, protecting their zone or turning around and playing the ball. The punter is inconsistent. Play calling is predictable and conservative.

When people complain about any one of these areas, they aren't wrong. I am finally understanding what Tressel meant when he said there is no quick fix. Tell me ONE, TWO or THREE of these problems that we can fix and still field what would be an undefeted team right now? You can't...this is going to be a long season because there are too many problems to fix quickly. All we can hope for is gradual progress.

I think it's ubsurd to think ALL fans are blaming any one unit more than others. Every fan has an area that they like to harp on...either because they know the position or because it's more glaring. Most of us know, that this problem goes far beyond one player.

 

[KillerNut]

Well I guess I just think it is better conversation than just consistantly bitching and moaning throwing our arms up in the air. We want to fire everyone, and blame everyone, but that gets very old after a while, at least for some of us.

 

[scooter1369]

:osu:

I think some of us aren't seeing the real problems with the Ohio State football team. For the past 3 weeks I've heard numerous complaints on this website and a few others about Zwick, Zwick, and Zwick and occasionally Lydell Ross. Yes Zwick isn't lighting it up with the passing stats. His numbers and performance isn't what the Buckeye nation expected from the all-world recruit from Massilon. Even I thought he'd be a better QB as a senior in high school than Bellisari was his senior year at OSU. Yes Lydell Ross isn't running the ball like an OSU back is expected to. His two fundamental problems are lack of speed and vision. But at the same time Antionio Pittman who does have good speed and vision isn't tearing it up either. Even the powerhouse Branden Joe can't eek out any yards on the ground.

I see that our biggest problems are up front on the OFFENSIVE LINE. Zwick can't complete passes because he has no time to throw. Even on 3 step drops he can't find recievers because he has a defensive lineman in his face almost immediately. And all of you Smith backers have to admit that even he didn't have time to hit an open reciever or release the ball. Smith had to hit the RB on the swing pass most of the time b/c he had no time to look downfield. If you look at defensive stats under QB be pressure its divided into Sacks, Hurries and knockdowns. I'd like to see the sacks, hurries and knockdowns Zwick has had this year. I really don't care who you put back at QB ... no one could succeed or survive. You could put Leinart, Jason White, Kyle Orton, or Drew Tate behind our O-Line and they couldn't get the job done either. The line looks like this as far as size goes- 295, 290, 303, 290, 310. So they do have size and they're not fat and pudgy. So whats the problem?
Ross, Pittman, Hall, and Joe don't have a chance back there at finding holes because there are none. I read a story in the Springfield New-Sun today that stated the OSU coaches in the press box were repeatedly heard saying "WE CAN'T RUN THE BALL" Yes opposing defenses are putting 8, 9, 10 guys in the box b/c they know if OSU drops back to pass they can't handle the rush for more than 2 seconds and if OSU is gonna run they know they'll have every hole plugged up. Its almost too easy for the opposing defense. I know there isn't a quick fix for the time being, but what is this offense gonna be able to do to stop the bleeding?

Other problems I see that I won't elaborate on right now:
1. Defensive line
2. Defensive secondary
3. Punter

I think you have us confused with Bucknuts. Most of us over here are veteran players and fans who know the game pretty well. What you will see is the occassional straggler who comes in and starts a thread about Zwick/Smith and is immediately rebuffed by 15 posters explaining that its not them. So you may see thread titles that call for Zwick's head, but the context of the thread turns to the serious problems: O line scheme and technique. Which I must say one more time for the record, is absolutely horrid.

 

[OilerBuck]

Solutions are fun to talk about, but I would be willing to bet if most of us were game planning, we'd be lucky to have a single win right now.

As bad as our coaching can be, I admit that my football knowedge is next to zero compared to these guys. It's easier to diagnose a problem, much more difficult to come up with a real-world, tangible solution...thats why so many more people complain.

All thaty being said, I don't mind people offering up suggestions. I actually find it entertaining (sometimes funny). I won't try to solve tOSU's problems, for fear that my PS2 football knowledge will be exposed for what it is...but I like the thread idea. Should inspire some good conversation.

 

[EPBucks]

I think that the biggest thing that this team needs is confidence. I think especially on offense I think right now the offense thinks its going to fail so they don't have the confidence to execute a play successfully. Defense I have no clue they were playing pretty well earlier this but I think they are young and are trying to make to many big plays.

 

[Oh8ch]

Please refrence DiHard's thread "There are no Answers"

Going to plays that work around the Olines inability to block might get us past IU and PSU - but we still have an entire season in front of us starting November 20th. The OL needs to get better. I can accept these guys aren't world beaters, but I can't accept that they are as bad as they looked against Iowa. They looked better than that against a better D in Wisky.

As for the D - I always thought that was about looking at the other team's personnel and offensive schemes, coming up with a game plan to stop them, and making adjustments as they made adjustments. The biggest thing our D needs is time to rest between series.

But before you get to any of this you need to address the problem of a team that doesn't want to play Big Ten football right now.

 

[FKAGobucks877]

I see where you are going... I think the bigger issue about a divided locker room is that we're hacking on the Defense... but the reality is that, if we take the last game... The Defense had given up only 10 points in the first half... the offense had put together one drive... that ended in a pick... and then they come out in the second half... and instead of putting points on teh board...we gave them the ball with a short field.

I know that as an OSU defensive player, that kind of thing comes with the territory... but how many times can they answer the bell with the O giving no help.?

Disagree. You look at the point totals our D has given up the last three weeks, and it's horrid. Make all the excuses you want, but I don't care if our D is on the field for all 60 minutes, giving up 33 points to Iowa is pathetic. Especially the way we let them run the ball. Iowa was 109th in rushing offense in the nation prior to playing tOSU. At this point, our defense is just about as much of a concern as our offense.

 

[DaBuckMD]

LightningRod

I've read on the Ozone where Bobby Carpenter said that the problems aren't with the coaches or the scheme, but with the character and attitude of some players who aren't going all-out all of the time and maybe voicing their opinions when they aren't needed. I think some people on this team have been spoiled the past couple of years because the leaders in the 02, 03 classes led this team to so many victories and now they think these wins will just happen or come easily. Every game is a dogfight and until some players realize they have to give it thier all like every game is mich, then this team will continue to falter.

Come on Bucks! You've had 3 wake-up calls in a row. Wake up and start playing like CHAMPIONS!

Attitude is probably part of the issue, but even with all the leaders on the 02 and 03 teams, our offense had trouble moving the ball. One of the big differences is our defense is no longer able to make up for the offensive problems.

I am usually the "glass is half full guy" and spent the last two years saying, CFB better watch out when we get an offense. I never thougt, "I hope we don't lose this defense". :!

 

[cablebuck]

O.K. then I have some questions.

1. Is it bad recruiting on the offensive line?
2. Is the offensive line not coached well?
3. Are these linemen recruited only for run-blocking?
4. Who should be held accountable for the downfall A. Linemen themselves, B. Bollman, C. Recruiting
5. Does OSU's recruiting favor defensive players and only get 2nd level offensive players?

I watched the 1985 OSU-Iowa game on Buckeye Classics last week and it showed what Buckeye football should be like.
They had a fast and opportunistic defense who only gave up 13 or 14 points to the #1 team in the nation. Keith Byars was injured and the offensive line was opening up huge holes for the 2nd string RB Woolridge all day.
Even Jim Karsatos looked good.
Where have they glory days gone? Yes, Yes I know we're only 2 years removed from a National Championship, but when is the last time OSU actually had a ball control and scoring offense?

 

[strohs]

Where's Keanu Reeves when we need him?

hahaha, too bad in The Replacements he stunk it up the sugar bowl, I think.
What was the other movie he was a Buckeye QB??

 

[scooter1369]

O.K. then I have some questions.

1. Is it bad recruiting on the offensive line?
2. Is the offensive line not coached well?
3. Are these linemen recruited only for run-blocking?
4. Who should be held accountable for the downfall A. Linemen themselves, B. Bollman, C. Recruiting
5. Does OSU's recruiting favor defensive players and only get 2nd level offensive players?

I watched the 1985 OSU-Iowa game on Buckeye Classics last week and it showed what Buckeye football should be like.
They had a fast and opportunistic defense who only gave up 13 or 14 points to the #1 team in the nation. Keith Byars was injured and the offensive line was opening up huge holes for the 2nd string RB Woolridge all day.
Even Jim Karsatos looked good.
Where have they glory days gone? Yes, Yes I know we're only 2 years removed from a National Championship, but when is the last time OSU actually had a ball control and scoring offense?

1. The current upperclassmen aren't the cream of the crop. We have talent that will be better than them next year.

2. Bingo

3. Apparently not. We can't run the ball down hill with the wind at our backs. Its technique.

4. B. Bollman first for his inability to to teach a technique that is functional at this level. MAybe in 1AA this side step shit worked. Not here in the Bigs.
Second Tressel for his loyalty to this chump.

5. We have brought in good offensive talent. But it all starts up front. If the line can't stop the rush, nothing else will work. Smith and Zwick are both elite 11's. Clarett was here but he's gone. Ross was highly recruited out of high school. We had Gamble. Holmes is a monster and Roy Hall has the skills to be. Albert Dukes, Devon Lyons, Devin Jordan, Tony Pittman, Eric Haw.

We don't lack talent at the skill positions. We lack size, instruction and guidance on the line.

 

[FKAGobucks877]

I've heard from several people now that our O linemen from last year, at least the ones who were drafted, had to be re-taught technique. They apparently had to take a lot of extra work because their "instincts" and technique were so flawed. If that doesn't speak directly to Bollman's "scheme", I don't know what does. The fact that three of the linemen from last year were drafted, yet the line itself sucked ass, speakes volumes as well.