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Herbie questions the system

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DaytonBuck

I've always liked them
Herbstreit questions Tressel's system
Former Buckeye QB says offense needs some imagination

By Doug Harris

COLUMBUS | Former Ohio State quarterback Kirk Herb*streit believes the Buckeyes' offense suffers from unimaginative play-calling and a poor scheme, but he didn't come to that conclusion during OSU's current three-game losing streak.

Amid the team's heady stretch of 28 wins in 30 games over two-plus seasons, including the 2002 national title, the ESPN college football analyst thought coach Jim Tressel's attack had serious design flaws.

"I loved the national championship game and I loved the team last year," said Herbstreit, a Centerville native. "But with that said — and this is not a knee-jerk reaction — I've felt from day one that they win despite their offense.

"When your punter is your best offensive player the last two years, and your kicker is your best offensive player this year, you've got some issues."

The Buckeyes rank last in the Big Ten in total offense (285.2 yards per game) and are 111th out of 117 Division I-A teams.

Although offensive line coach Jim Bollman has the official title of offensive coordinator, Tressel has served as the de facto offensive coordinator during his four seasons, calling all the plays and carrying the flip card during games. And the Buckeyes have seldom shown any firepower.

They were ninth in the conference in total offense in 2003, 10th in 2002 and eighth in 2001.

"I'm a supporter of Jim Tressel," Herbstreit said. "I think he's a phenomenal coach, and his philosophy has worked for many years. ? But he needs to survey the nation and find a play-caller who will take advantage of the athletic ability that resides on this roster. I don't think the offense and philosophy of this staff now will ever do that."

The Buckeyes are 10th in the Big Ten in rushing, averaging a meager 97 yards per game. And they haven't topped the 100 mark since getting 220 against Cincinnati in the opener.

"What's hurting Ohio State is they have a below-average offensive line and they've been below average for years," Herbstreit said. "You'd have to go back to the Orlando Pace era (in the mid-1990s) to find a solid offensive line there. But now, they don't have a tailback who can overcome it with great speed and quickness."

Herbstreit, an OSU team captain in 1992, suggested replacing Bollman with recruiting coordinator John Peterson, who coached the line that protected Ben Roethlisberger at Miami last season.

Told of Herbstreit's biting analysis, Tressel replied, "We like to listen to any constructive criticism, and we'll take that to heart."

But he was noncommittal about whether he would consider changes, saying only that if he does seek input from anyone, "It probably wouldn't be Kirk."

The Buckeyes gained just 177 yards in a 33-7 loss to Iowa last week, 73 of which came on their last possession against the Hawkeyes' reserves.

On 16 first-down plays before the final drive, the Buckeyes called 12 runs and gained just 21 yards. They also threw three incomplete passes, and quarterback Justin Zwick was forced to scramble on another pass attempt, picking up three yards.

Tressel's conservative style has made for tight tussles, but the Buckeyes racked up a 13-1 record the last two seasons in games decided by a touchdown or less.

"How many games have they found a way to win?" Herbstreit said. "They should get credit for that, and no one will ever take that away from them. But the ball could have bounced the other way, and they could have lost those games.

"Plus, they played eight home games the last two seasons. A lot of things fell into place for them. And I don't think they can assume that just because they've done it before, they can do it again."
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I'm pretty sure we played 8 last year ... after San Diego State bought their way out of playing at home, so it was played in Columbus, too. So, we had all four of Washington, Bowling Green, SDSU, and NC State at home, in addition to the 4 Big Ten games.
 
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cmquest said:
I'm pretty sure we played 8 last year ... after San Diego State bought their way out of playing at home, so it was played in Columbus, too. So, we had all four of Washington, Bowling Green, SDSU, and NC State at home, in addition to the 4 Big Ten games.
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Ha. I went to every one of them and I didn't remember that the SDSU game was moved here. I was trying to block out that we needed a 102 yard INT to wion that stinkfest. Thats awful.
 
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But the ball could have bounced the other way, and they could have lost those games.
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I think that we are finding this to be true this year. The bubble was popped this season.

Herbie was dead on with his analysis. Tressel needs to hire an OC from a squad that has produced more than 285 YPG, and uses a small amount of imagination. I love the idea of Peterson becoming the OL coach, and I also love the idea of hiring an outside OC.
 
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My logic tells me there is no possible way JT can avoid this storm of criticism...that changes regarding the offense will be made

My gut tells me he won't budge...and he will call the plays next year too
 
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osugrad21 said:
My logic tells me there is no possible way JT can avoid this storm of criticism...that changes regarding the offense will be made

My gut tells me he won't budge...and he will call the plays next year too
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if tressel insists on calling the plays fine. just let peterson take over he OL and get another OC in here to give him a more effective play set to call from.

We could give norm chow our playbook and let him call plays. It would probably take him about 10 minutes to burn it and draw some things up on an
etch-a-sketch.

I'm also a little miffed at Daniels as the passing coordinator. Perhaps someone should inform him that the middle of the field isnt off limits to receivers, and that the receivers are allowed to be moving when they catch the ball. his affinity for curl and out routes is ineffective.
 
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