DT Adolphus "Diesel" Washington (Official Thread)

[pnuts34]

Hale vs. Goebel: Push. Similar styles of play and backgrounds. I think Hale has slightly more raw talent but Goebel had a lot of games under his belt.

Bennett vs. Hankins: Likely downgrade. I love Bennett's potential but his health is always a concern and I don't think his superior quickness makes up for Big Hanks ability to control the LOS.

Spence vs. Williams: Leaning towards upgrade after hearing the initial spring practice reports but Nate had a really underrated year. He was relentless and physical. Not sure if Spence will quite replicate that toughness

Washington vs. Simon: Downgrade. Simon's motor, leadership, experience, and work ethic just can't be replaced. Not to mention he was also just a damn good football player. 9 sacks in 11 games while battling through chronic injuries. Who knows how many sacks and TFL's he would've had if he was healthy? Washington clearly has some talent but he's not coming close to bringing what Simon did to the table

Overall: Downgrade. I'm expecting a good year with signs of an even better one in '14

I agree with most of your statements, but I believe that schutt may start over hale and that could be an upgrade. And the one thing that you didn't bring up is the young depth we have along the line as well, that we didn't really have last year. Our young talent also has some experience which it didn't have last year.
Its very hard to compare washington to simon because simons leadership and work ethic can't be replicated by a sophomore just yet. But athletically they don't compare. Washington is far superior in athleticism and size and how he can be used. Simon made many plays with his work ethic and will. It was amazing watching how undersized he was and seeing what he could do. But idk if he wouldve fared the same against top tier sec talent, imo like washington can and should. Next year will be very exciting for us fans, hopefully simon showed these guys the right way and spring ball shows us something big to come from this D line

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

Spence vs. Williams: Leaning towards upgrade after hearing the initial spring practice reports but Nate had a really underrated year. He was relentless and physical. Not sure if Spence will quite replicate that toughness

Washington vs. Simon: Downgrade. Simon's motor, leadership, experience, and work ethic just can't be replaced. Not to mention he was also just a damn good football player. 9 sacks in 11 games while battling through chronic injuries. Who knows how many sacks and TFL's he would've had if he was healthy? Washington clearly has some talent but he's not coming close to bringing what Simon did to the table

Overall: Downgrade. I'm expecting a good year with signs of an even better one in '14

Disagree with these three. I think you might be caught thinking about John and Nate's entire careers at tOSU a little too much.

IMO Noah will be a mismatch for every tackle he's lined up against. His speed at the corner will demand some extra help. He will certainly disrupt things behind the line of scrimmage.

Washington will benefit from Noah at the other end, and he's no slouch. Very athletic for a guy that might be pushing 300 by the beginning of the season. He doesn't have to live up to John's career this season to have a better year than John did last year.

Our defensive line was supposed to be other worldly last season, I don't think they quite lived up to that billing. Played solid, played hard, but they didn't just take over in games they should have IMO. While I expect this line might make some mistakes this season, I expect them to come up with big game changing plays on a regular basis.

 

[shiznit7]

Disagree with these three. I think you might be caught thinking about John and Nate's entire careers at tOSU a little too much.

IMO Noah will be a mismatch for every tackle he's lined up against. His speed at the corner will demand some extra help. He will certainly disrupt things behind the line of scrimmage.

Washington will benefit from Noah at the other end, and he's no slouch. Very athletic for a guy that might be pushing 300 by the beginning of the season. He doesn't have to live up to John's career this season to have a better year than John did last year.

Our defensive line was supposed to be other worldly last season, I don't think they quite lived up to that billing. Played solid, played hard, but they didn't just take over in games they should have IMO. While I expect this line might make some mistakes this season, I expect them to come up with big game changing plays on a regular basis.

I'll second this. Obviously finding a replacement for Hankins is the top priority, but I think that this line has more raw talent than last year's. Every single one of the starters this year had absolutely monster offer lists out of high school (three with Bama offers) and have progressed quite well. Whereas last year's line was able to control the LOS, they still had major pass-rush issues and (at least until late in the season) had difficulty getting to the QB. We might have some inconsistent play from this line early in the year, but every single position along the line has speed and quickness that we have never had at Ohio State. Plus, the backups are young, but super talented as well.

And I hate being a pessimist, but linebacker on the other hand...

 

[jwinslow]

The question is how this group holds up against the run. Simon and Hankins frequently beat their man and then struggled to chase down the quarterback, even when the guy was named Dysert. Williams was also a step slower after his wicked injuries.

 

[k2onprimetime]

The question is how this group holds up against the run. Simon and Hankins frequently beat their man and then struggled to chase down the quarterback, even when the guy was named Dysert. Williams was also a step slower after his wicked injuries.

I agree. There is no doubt this group of players are meant to be pass rushers. Even the guys inside, Schutt and Bennett, are very good at getting to the QB. Not sure how they'll hold up against a power running team like Alabama, or Wisconsin. Both Schutt and Bennett seem to be a lot smaller than the two DTs we had last year. The good thing is Vrabel said yesterday that Noah and Tommy have put on some good weight this offseason.

Hopefully some of the big boys like Carter, Price, and even Hill can find their way into the rotation.

 

[Buckeneye]

I agree. There is no doubt this group of players are meant to be pass rushers. Even the guys inside, Schutt and Bennett, are very good at getting to the QB. Not sure how they'll hold up against a power running team like Alabama, or Wisconsin. Both Schutt and Bennett seem to be a lot smaller than the two DTs we had last year. The good thing is Vrabel said yesterday that Noah and Tommy have put on some good weight this offseason.

Hopefully some of the big boys like Carter, Price, and even Hill can find their way into the rotation.

Typical mark of Urban's Dlines. Smaller, quick as hell and fierce. Beat their blockers to the inside gaps and let the linebackers clean up the plays.

 

[Buckeye86]

Typical mark of Urban's Dlines. Smaller, quick as hell and fierce. Beat their blockers to the inside gaps and let the linebackers clean up the plays.

2002

Will Smith
JR, 6'4" 250

Kenny Peterson
rSR, 6'4" 265

Tim Anderson
rJR, 6'4" 289

Darrion Scott
JR, 6'3" 271

2013

Noah Spence
SO, 6'3" 247

Michael Bennett
JR, 6'3" 285

Joel Hale
JR, 6'4" 309

Adolphus Washington
SO, 6'3" 292

Just saying, that style of DL has worked fairly well for the silver bullets in the past.

2002 was obviously more experienced but it's still hard to ignore the similarities- in size and style at the very least.

I know that is a ridiculous standard to hold the players up to, but this is Ohio State so excellence is expected.

 

[k2onprimetime]

2002

Will Smith
JR, 6'4" 250

Kenny Peterson
rSR, 6'4" 265

Tim Anderson
rJR, 6'4" 289

Darrion Scott
JR, 6'3" 271

2013

Noah Spence
SO, 6'3" 247

Michael Bennett
JR, 6'3" 285

Joel Hale
JR, 6'4" 309

Adolphus Washington
SO, 6'3" 292

Just saying, that style of DL has worked fairly well for the silver bullets in the past.

2002 was obviously more experienced but it's still hard to ignore the similarities- in size and style at the very least.

I know that is a ridiculous standard to hold the players up to, but this is Ohio State so excellence is expected.

That 2002 Defensive line also had 3 great linebackers behind them. We don't have that luxury right now. We run alot of formations with only 2 linebackers too.

 

[Buckeneye]

I'll be damned if Will Smith was only 250lbs. Looked a fair bit bigger then that in his Sophomore year.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

2002

Will Smith
JR, 6'4" 250

Kenny Peterson
rSR, 6'4" 265

Tim Anderson
rJR, 6'4" 289

Darrion Scott
JR, 6'3" 271

2013

Noah Spence
SO, 6'3" 247

Michael Bennett
JR, 6'3" 285

Joel Hale
JR, 6'4" 309

Adolphus Washington
SO, 6'3" 292

Just saying, that style of DL has worked fairly well for the silver bullets in the past.

2002 was obviously more experienced but it's still hard to ignore the similarities- in size and style at the very least.

I know that is a ridiculous standard to hold the players up to, but this is Ohio State so excellence is expected.

Great post. That 2002 group really arrived during the '01 UM game, when they (and Jonathan Wells) took over the game in the first half. I think this group has the potential to really emerge in the latter half of the season, so the O may have to carry things a bit early.

 

[NastyNatiBuck]

That 2002 Defensive line also had 3 great linebackers behind them. We don't have that luxury right now. We run alot of formations with only 2 linebackers too.

I would argue that all of them were good and made plays, but great? Wilhelm was the closest to great. Grant was a very good blitzer and moved around well, and Reynolds was good against the run, but you could probably name 6 or 7 OSU linebackers who were better than those two since then.

 

[Buckeneye]

I would argue that all of them were good and made plays, but great? Wilhelm was the closest to great. Grant was a very good blitzer and moved around well, and Reynolds was good against the run, but you could probably name 6 or 7 OSU linebackers who were better than those two since then.

Let's not forget that Hawk and Carpenter saw some solid PT. While individually they might have not have been "great". As a whole unit, that's what in fact they were.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

Washington clearly has some talent but he's not coming close to bringing what Simon did to the table

Way, WAY too early to make that call. Personally I think Washington has the potential to have the same onfield impact as Simon this year. The leadership part just comes with time.

 

[scarletngray]

The question is how this group holds up against the run.

This.

We need a run stuffer. Shutt might fit that bill. Hale will be solid and has potential to grow as he sees more playing time.
A healthy Bennett will impress and be a playmaker for sure. Price and Carter might step up
and add some nice depth. Both are 300+ lb guys that are hard to move.

I also think that with the addition of Heacock giving input that this is also going to improve our DL play overall.
:osu:

 

[Bill Lucas]

Washington clearly has some talent but he's not coming close to bringing what Simon did to the table

Way, WAY too early to make that call. Personally I think Washington has the potential to have the same onfield impact as Simon this year. The leadership part just comes with time.

Agreed.

Washington, 10 games, 9 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 kick blocked

Freshman Simon, 13 games, 16 tackles, 4 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 forced fumble

I love what John Simon did for Ohio State but to say that Washington can't fill his shoes in production is silly at this point in time.