DB Donald Washington III (Official Thread)

[JohnnyCockfight]

Defense and Defensive Line Gets Boost from Unexpected Source

Source: O-Zone

OSU's "new" aggressive defensive style has coincided with the return to the lineup of defensive back Donald Washington. Washington missed the first two games of the season due to a suspension. He was eligible to play against USC but did not get on the field. He then played very sparingly against Troy, but saw more time against Minnesota and the games since.


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When he returned to the playing field Washington added a new dimension to the OSU defense, the ability to matchup man to man with three receivers, and that in turn allowed Heacock to blitz more aggressively. Before that, the Buckeyes were relegated to playing zones, and that limited Heacock.

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"We've been able to do that (play man defense) when you can get a dime package with three corners on the field," said Heacock.


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"We had Chim, (Chimdi Chekwa) and when Donald got back and was back for two or three weeks and got his feet wet a little bit and we could start using him a little in a dime situation and use three corners on three good wide receivers," Heacock said.

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The impact was enormous. Not only did it free up defenders to become blitzers, but the glove-tight defense in the defensive backfield made quarterbacks hold the ball just a little longer, and that in turn allowed the OSU defensive line and OSU's blitzers just a little more time to get to the quarterback. It's the ultimate example of how one component of a team (defensive backfield) can impact another component (defensive line) in a ways that are not always obvious. It works in the other direction too.​

 

[NightmaresDad]

Defense and Defensive Line Gets Boost from Unexpected Source

Source: O-Zone

Totally agree with this article.

Also, Washington is great at run support, which will certainly help against PSU.
Sure hope Chekwa can play.

 

[Tlangs]

Jermaile played well in the nickel but, it is nice to have an experienced guy in there to man up so we can release the hounds.

 

[FairfaxBuckeye]

Junior receiver Brian Hartline and junior defensive back Donald Washington told 10TV that they hope to have an announcement Wednesday regarding their futures.

WBNS 10TV : WR Small To Return For Senior Year - WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio's News Leader

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

DW is supposed to declare tomorrow...not sure if I agree with that decision if he does.

 

[buckeyesin07]

DW is supposed to declare tomorrow...not sure if I agree with that decision if he does.

Link?

 

[DaytonBuck]

DW is supposed to declare tomorrow...not sure if I agree with that decision if he does.

If wants to go I'm not going to hold it against him. I have no inside knowledge but I feel/speculate some off of the field stuff is at play here

 

[osugrad21]

Gone

Link

 

[CHU]

I wish him luck with pro day and the NFL Draft.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Good luck to Donald!

 

[Taosman]

The best thing for all parties. Good luck DW! Make lots of money!

 

[redbenn]

This situation seems on the outside a lot like Derek Ross, game would've benefited by coming back, but I am sure there are other factors I do not know..

Good Luck DW

 

[Rookie]

I think he could have benefited if he stayed, but understand him wanting to go. Good luck.

 

[buckeyesin07]

He probably could have increased his draft projections a round or two if he would have come back and had a good 2009. I still say he goes in the 3rd round or so this year.

Regardless, all the best to him.

 

[buchtelgrad04]

Donald has had an agent-in-waiting for some time now. Donald came into this season knowing he wasn't going to return next year. I wish him all the success in the world, but I think this was a poorly thought out decision.