Joe Dexter
Guest
Can the Two Quarterback System Work This Season for Ohio State?
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Before the start of the season, nobody would of predicted that it would take Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett to both be on the field for Ohio State’s offense to have any success. Last week, the combination of Jones in the open field and Barrett in the red zone proved to be a true weapon.
This week, the staff at The Buckeye Battle Cry ponders in our weekly roundtable if that success can continue throughout the rest of the season.
Question: Can a Two Quarterback system have the success throughout the season like it did last Saturday against Maryland?
Ken Kohl
On Twitter @KenKohl1
First, I agree with using the Maryland game as the reference point since that’s where we first saw this specific use, but not necessarily as the benchmark. Maryland’s defense is godawful, as in last-in-conference godawful.. Back to the question. I think it will work this season, since I believe that the personalities of Cardale and JT are OK with the “co-” role. They have bought into Urban’s vision of subsuming their individual deeds into roles for the betterment and success of the team. So, psychologically, this is very doable..
The red zone offense, up to this point, was deplorable because it was very predictable. Cardale is not a running threat, so the running game is focused on Elliott. Consequently, the defenders are focused on Elliott. When Cardale passed, it was drop back, which is his strong suit, but in the short field circumstances of running a red zone, they are much easier to defend.
JT’s versatility, ability to move the ball horizontally and vertically, stresses a defense. A stressed defense makes mistakes, and defensive mistakes in the red zone lead to touchdowns. Ipso facto.
Whether this arrangement will work as well against PSU as it did against Maryland (I doubt it), this “efficiency” approach is definitely worth pursuing. If this success becomes a regular event, then there will be a happy ending to the season.
WVaBuckeye:
On Twitter @WVaBuckeye
There is no doubt in my mind that this two quarterback system will have success. Coach Meyer has some experience with doing it and I have to believe that he wouldn’t approach it again unless he felt two things. First and foremost that the two players involved can and will handle the situation. We have already seen that the two can truly co-exist. Being best friends helps the competition and at the same time breeds even more success.
Secondly, If they take advantage of the opportunity given them, they will both benefit in the end from the experience. There is no need to worry about how Cardale is going to adjust to not being the signal caller in the red-zone because now he sees an opportunity to try and go deep on those occasions he hasn’t taken advantage of so far. We already saw a direct result of that on the Braxton drive last Saturday. I for one am looking forward to the growth of these two that we are going to witness.
Scott Halasz
On Twitter @OhioStateScott
I don’t think it’s a question of can it have the success. It MUST have success. By inserting JT into the mix after saying he has not done anything to close the gap with Cardale Jones, Urban is indirectly admitting there are some QB issues.
If he makes this change and it doesn’t have continued success it will cause undue tension on the team and more importantly will make the playoff committee stop and take notice.
The BCS computers didn’t have an eye test and could overcome bias in the national polls. The committee members see the games. If osu throws two QBs into the mix and it fails, goodbye playoffs.
Charles Kuehn
On Twitter @Charles_BBC
I do think the 2 quarterback system can work if it is a proper system and not randomly swapping quarterbacks when one makes a mistake. If both Jones and Barrett understand what their role is, when they will be used, and what is expected of them, it will avoid the issue of the 2 qb system hurting their confidence and hopefully their ego.
I love the idea of using Barrett in the red zone where his mobility makes him more dangerous and gives defense more to worry about. I also like using Jones at other times where his arm strength comes into play more. The advantage of the specific situations also means that the two of them aren’t competing for reps as much in practice and thus we hopefully don’t have an issue of someone coming in without enough practice time that week.
JC Collingsworth
On Twitter @Jcollingsworth3
The 2-QB system I feel will be a success with the Buckeyes offensive plan. First, Coach Meyer has experience with this system and it has been a success. So it isn’t like a naïve desperation attempt is being utilized as a last ditch effort.
Cardale will now feel comfortable in opening it up – airing it – and showing his long arm abilities. The game against Maryland – finally – the offense opened up. Was it because of this plan of attack? Probably so! We saw the Braxton Miller and Cardale show. And it was nice – finally! I feel initially Urban was not “real” comfortable with Cardale – or even trusting of Warriner & Beck. But perhaps those knots have been untied and we may be on the path to seeing against a better schedule what we thought we’d be seeing from the start of the season.
JT in the red zone is the best bet. His precision passing & running skills offer so much more in a shorter distance than what Cardale puts on the table. I personally think JT should be the “complete” starter – but I am armchair and Urban & crew knows much more. So I will simply summarize that the decision to go 2-QB system is not a desperate move to fix a broken offense …. it is “honestly” the smart path to greasing the wheels at a time that no mistakes will any longer be capable of being swept under the rug. This upcoming schedule offers the Buckeyes only one chance. And this is perhaps a “quietly” brilliant way to attack it.
Joe Dexter
On Twitter @BuckeyeRadio
99% of the time I buy into the adage that playing two quarterbacks means you don’t have one competent man for the job. When you have the talent that Ohio State does though, that’s a different story.
Especially when the head coach has a history of winning a national championship with a two quarterback system.
The truth of the matter is that Urban Meyer knew after four games that he had to find a way to take advantage of J.T. Barrett’s efficiency and get his big play quarterback comfortable heading into the meat and potatoes of the Ohio State schedule.
What we know so far about Cardale Jones is that he thrives when their isn’t any pressure on him. As a third string quarterback, he was thrown into a situation where nobody in their right mind placed pressure on him to excel.
With both quarterbacks on the field, not only does Ohio State get to take full advantage of each quarterback’s strengths, they also have opposing teams chomping at the bit to prepare to two different quarterbacks.
When you add the dynamic ability of Braxton Miller in that mix, it becomes almost impossible to prepare for everything that Ohio State can throw at you in the red zone. The next step will be getting both quarterbacks comfortable in different situations.
If the coaching staff can do that, then it will be a huge advantage for Ohio State down the stretch.
The post Can the Two Quarterback System Work This Season for Ohio State? appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Before the start of the season, nobody would of predicted that it would take Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett to both be on the field for Ohio State’s offense to have any success. Last week, the combination of Jones in the open field and Barrett in the red zone proved to be a true weapon.
This week, the staff at The Buckeye Battle Cry ponders in our weekly roundtable if that success can continue throughout the rest of the season.
Question: Can a Two Quarterback system have the success throughout the season like it did last Saturday against Maryland?
Ken Kohl
On Twitter @KenKohl1
First, I agree with using the Maryland game as the reference point since that’s where we first saw this specific use, but not necessarily as the benchmark. Maryland’s defense is godawful, as in last-in-conference godawful.. Back to the question. I think it will work this season, since I believe that the personalities of Cardale and JT are OK with the “co-” role. They have bought into Urban’s vision of subsuming their individual deeds into roles for the betterment and success of the team. So, psychologically, this is very doable..
The red zone offense, up to this point, was deplorable because it was very predictable. Cardale is not a running threat, so the running game is focused on Elliott. Consequently, the defenders are focused on Elliott. When Cardale passed, it was drop back, which is his strong suit, but in the short field circumstances of running a red zone, they are much easier to defend.
JT’s versatility, ability to move the ball horizontally and vertically, stresses a defense. A stressed defense makes mistakes, and defensive mistakes in the red zone lead to touchdowns. Ipso facto.
Whether this arrangement will work as well against PSU as it did against Maryland (I doubt it), this “efficiency” approach is definitely worth pursuing. If this success becomes a regular event, then there will be a happy ending to the season.
WVaBuckeye:
On Twitter @WVaBuckeye
There is no doubt in my mind that this two quarterback system will have success. Coach Meyer has some experience with doing it and I have to believe that he wouldn’t approach it again unless he felt two things. First and foremost that the two players involved can and will handle the situation. We have already seen that the two can truly co-exist. Being best friends helps the competition and at the same time breeds even more success.
Secondly, If they take advantage of the opportunity given them, they will both benefit in the end from the experience. There is no need to worry about how Cardale is going to adjust to not being the signal caller in the red-zone because now he sees an opportunity to try and go deep on those occasions he hasn’t taken advantage of so far. We already saw a direct result of that on the Braxton drive last Saturday. I for one am looking forward to the growth of these two that we are going to witness.
Scott Halasz
On Twitter @OhioStateScott
I don’t think it’s a question of can it have the success. It MUST have success. By inserting JT into the mix after saying he has not done anything to close the gap with Cardale Jones, Urban is indirectly admitting there are some QB issues.
If he makes this change and it doesn’t have continued success it will cause undue tension on the team and more importantly will make the playoff committee stop and take notice.
The BCS computers didn’t have an eye test and could overcome bias in the national polls. The committee members see the games. If osu throws two QBs into the mix and it fails, goodbye playoffs.
Charles Kuehn
On Twitter @Charles_BBC
I do think the 2 quarterback system can work if it is a proper system and not randomly swapping quarterbacks when one makes a mistake. If both Jones and Barrett understand what their role is, when they will be used, and what is expected of them, it will avoid the issue of the 2 qb system hurting their confidence and hopefully their ego.
I love the idea of using Barrett in the red zone where his mobility makes him more dangerous and gives defense more to worry about. I also like using Jones at other times where his arm strength comes into play more. The advantage of the specific situations also means that the two of them aren’t competing for reps as much in practice and thus we hopefully don’t have an issue of someone coming in without enough practice time that week.
JC Collingsworth
On Twitter @Jcollingsworth3
The 2-QB system I feel will be a success with the Buckeyes offensive plan. First, Coach Meyer has experience with this system and it has been a success. So it isn’t like a naïve desperation attempt is being utilized as a last ditch effort.
Cardale will now feel comfortable in opening it up – airing it – and showing his long arm abilities. The game against Maryland – finally – the offense opened up. Was it because of this plan of attack? Probably so! We saw the Braxton Miller and Cardale show. And it was nice – finally! I feel initially Urban was not “real” comfortable with Cardale – or even trusting of Warriner & Beck. But perhaps those knots have been untied and we may be on the path to seeing against a better schedule what we thought we’d be seeing from the start of the season.
JT in the red zone is the best bet. His precision passing & running skills offer so much more in a shorter distance than what Cardale puts on the table. I personally think JT should be the “complete” starter – but I am armchair and Urban & crew knows much more. So I will simply summarize that the decision to go 2-QB system is not a desperate move to fix a broken offense …. it is “honestly” the smart path to greasing the wheels at a time that no mistakes will any longer be capable of being swept under the rug. This upcoming schedule offers the Buckeyes only one chance. And this is perhaps a “quietly” brilliant way to attack it.
Joe Dexter
On Twitter @BuckeyeRadio
99% of the time I buy into the adage that playing two quarterbacks means you don’t have one competent man for the job. When you have the talent that Ohio State does though, that’s a different story.
Especially when the head coach has a history of winning a national championship with a two quarterback system.
The truth of the matter is that Urban Meyer knew after four games that he had to find a way to take advantage of J.T. Barrett’s efficiency and get his big play quarterback comfortable heading into the meat and potatoes of the Ohio State schedule.
What we know so far about Cardale Jones is that he thrives when their isn’t any pressure on him. As a third string quarterback, he was thrown into a situation where nobody in their right mind placed pressure on him to excel.
With both quarterbacks on the field, not only does Ohio State get to take full advantage of each quarterback’s strengths, they also have opposing teams chomping at the bit to prepare to two different quarterbacks.
When you add the dynamic ability of Braxton Miller in that mix, it becomes almost impossible to prepare for everything that Ohio State can throw at you in the red zone. The next step will be getting both quarterbacks comfortable in different situations.
If the coaching staff can do that, then it will be a huge advantage for Ohio State down the stretch.
The post Can the Two Quarterback System Work This Season for Ohio State? appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...