Practice No. 3: Notes, quotes and more
August, 8, 2012
By Austin Ward | ESPN.com
Ultimately the goal is to find a rotation of six guys.
For now, Luke Fickell is just making sure he's got half of that.
The Ohio State defensive coordinator has a depth chart to work with and seemingly enough bodies to fill it out at linebacker. But at least after three practices in training camp, Fickell clearly isn't ready to lock the Buckeyes into positions quite yet.
"You know what, we don?t know that we truly have three starters yet, let alone have depth," Fickell said after practice on Tuesday. "That?s my biggest concern.
"Yes, we?ve got to develop depth and I?m looking for those six guys that you can lay your head on the pillow at night and say, ?They?re going to give everything they?ve got. Football is that important to them, they?re going to figure out a way to be successful.'"
The line and secondary probably aren't going to keep Fickell up too often this month, but the middle of the defense figures to give him plenty to think about ahead of the opener against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 1.
Fickell has a veteran presence at one outside spot in veteran Etienne Sabino. The Buckeyes have an emerging sophomore in Ryan Shazier on the other side who comes into this season perhaps still riding the momentum he built at the end of last year. And Curtis Grant offers the kind of dedication to the game that Fickell indicated wouldn't cause him to lose sleep.
But after that, there might be some questions that need answering and possibly some openings for playing time that could keep the Buckeyes busy.
"It definitely leaves the door open for young guys," Fickell said. "I think that?s what those guys that came in are excited about, and it creates some excitement. The key is trying to keep them motivated, and it also pushes those guys that might have that opportunity to be in that position, too."
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