I'm quite glad that this year, discussion about who should or will play at QB is because we have guys that are playing well enough to deserve playing time. Early to mid last season, it was more about who was going to do the least damage. Until Michigan, neither impressed. We can disagree about that, but it's my honest perspective, and it takes into consideration the timing of Ginn's emergence. Then Smith had what can only be described as an epic performance against the Weasels. Following that, Zwick had the gutsy and impressive performance in the bowl, and a very solid (not flashy, but that seemed to be the gameplan) performance today in which it seemed clear to me that he has really matured. I once worried about Smith's decision-making, maturity, touch, ability to stand in the pocket, and leadership (not to be confused with having support of the team) -- I don't anymore, at all, on any of those counts. I once worried about Zwick's confidence, vision, mobility, ability to learn and adapt, and emotional command over the team -- I don't anymore.
I will freely admit that I'm more 'excited' about the potential of the offense under Smith, but I'll also say that I am *equally* confident with either signal caller based on their recent performances, and what's been coming out of practices. I will have no issues whatsoever in regards to who Tress starts next week, who gets more playing time, etc. I think we've got two gamers who each present their own distinct positives, and two more guys in the wings (though clearly RS isn't losing his RS) who have shown serious potential as well. Very easy year to be more concerned about the silver helmet, than who is underneath it. And very nice not to feel like everything is going to go into the toilet if, Dog forbid, we lost one during the season.
It's a damn good problem to have, for a team used to starting seasons with questions about who the starter is going to be, and whether or not they'll be good enough to carry us forward. That was true with Krenzel, Zwick, and Smith. This year definitely feels more like "we good both ways, now let's win some games."
So, "go Troy and Justin", lead us to yet another electrifying win at night in the Shoe. Let's see both of you make it effectively impossible for Tress to settle on one. Not because I like the platoon approach, I really don't, but because that means that we're getting more quality play out of these guys.
The one thing I hope is that people who really polarized themselves in the past, in one camp or another, can put that behind them enough to really enjoy the games no matter who is under center at that specific moment.
I'm trying hard not to get too excited about this team, for the sake of having grounded expectations, but I struggle to think of a season where I felt this good about every phase of the game, our approach, our depth, our schedule, etc. No matter what happens, it's going to be a damn good year. But then what Buckeye football season isn't?
Right now, I don't see a game on the horizon that I won't have us objectively favored in. I know some visiting Horns would take issue with that, but for me it comes down to when and where the game is. I know Iowa is tough, they lit up Ball State, but it's Ball State, and a Ball State that just suspended 13 of its players before the game. Not saying they're (Iowa) not going to be one of our tougher games, just saying that I've seen nothing yet that would have me give them the early predictive lean. Michigan? Prove to me you can defend extreme athleticism. If you can't, this year might be the worst beating we ever give you Weasels.
It's only one game, but I felt instantly better about our defensive tempo today. It's been lacking something the past few years, I'm not prepared to blame Dantonio or Snyder for that directly, but on the flip side of that coin, welcome to the team, Heacock. Nice to meet you. :)
How many NFL teams that have seen what Vrabel does for New England are going to start drooling over Bobby Carpenter? It's a long ways off, and a lot of playing to go, and LBs in particular have had rough going in the 1st round lately... But we could reasonably have more 1st round Buckeyes this year than we have in quite a while. Not that it's relevant to this season, except in regards to how damn deep and talented this team is.
OOC opposition is going to say "it was just Miami(OH)" since they don't really get the MAC, but like I said, it's *hard* not to start letting personal expectations and excitement go sky high. We win next week, and I don't know how well I'll be able to keep myself in check on that front. We win convincingly, and I'll put the Rose Bowl up on the front page in our schedule.
Anyway, it's late, I'm tired and not breathing well, so excuse the rambling nature of the post -- but just wanted to think out loud.
Damn it's good to be a Buckeye.
I will freely admit that I'm more 'excited' about the potential of the offense under Smith, but I'll also say that I am *equally* confident with either signal caller based on their recent performances, and what's been coming out of practices. I will have no issues whatsoever in regards to who Tress starts next week, who gets more playing time, etc. I think we've got two gamers who each present their own distinct positives, and two more guys in the wings (though clearly RS isn't losing his RS) who have shown serious potential as well. Very easy year to be more concerned about the silver helmet, than who is underneath it. And very nice not to feel like everything is going to go into the toilet if, Dog forbid, we lost one during the season.
It's a damn good problem to have, for a team used to starting seasons with questions about who the starter is going to be, and whether or not they'll be good enough to carry us forward. That was true with Krenzel, Zwick, and Smith. This year definitely feels more like "we good both ways, now let's win some games."
So, "go Troy and Justin", lead us to yet another electrifying win at night in the Shoe. Let's see both of you make it effectively impossible for Tress to settle on one. Not because I like the platoon approach, I really don't, but because that means that we're getting more quality play out of these guys.
The one thing I hope is that people who really polarized themselves in the past, in one camp or another, can put that behind them enough to really enjoy the games no matter who is under center at that specific moment.
I'm trying hard not to get too excited about this team, for the sake of having grounded expectations, but I struggle to think of a season where I felt this good about every phase of the game, our approach, our depth, our schedule, etc. No matter what happens, it's going to be a damn good year. But then what Buckeye football season isn't?
Right now, I don't see a game on the horizon that I won't have us objectively favored in. I know some visiting Horns would take issue with that, but for me it comes down to when and where the game is. I know Iowa is tough, they lit up Ball State, but it's Ball State, and a Ball State that just suspended 13 of its players before the game. Not saying they're (Iowa) not going to be one of our tougher games, just saying that I've seen nothing yet that would have me give them the early predictive lean. Michigan? Prove to me you can defend extreme athleticism. If you can't, this year might be the worst beating we ever give you Weasels.
It's only one game, but I felt instantly better about our defensive tempo today. It's been lacking something the past few years, I'm not prepared to blame Dantonio or Snyder for that directly, but on the flip side of that coin, welcome to the team, Heacock. Nice to meet you. :)
How many NFL teams that have seen what Vrabel does for New England are going to start drooling over Bobby Carpenter? It's a long ways off, and a lot of playing to go, and LBs in particular have had rough going in the 1st round lately... But we could reasonably have more 1st round Buckeyes this year than we have in quite a while. Not that it's relevant to this season, except in regards to how damn deep and talented this team is.
OOC opposition is going to say "it was just Miami(OH)" since they don't really get the MAC, but like I said, it's *hard* not to start letting personal expectations and excitement go sky high. We win next week, and I don't know how well I'll be able to keep myself in check on that front. We win convincingly, and I'll put the Rose Bowl up on the front page in our schedule.
Anyway, it's late, I'm tired and not breathing well, so excuse the rambling nature of the post -- but just wanted to think out loud.
Damn it's good to be a Buckeye.
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) could contribute. This defense seems to have the potential to eclipse that 2002 unit; and that says a lot. Finally with Teddy and Santonio running around on returns, that is just another way to score. I have heard non-stop from people "you guys are in trouble without Nugent". Well, not to take anything away from NUUUUUGE(one of my all-time favorite Buckeyes), I really don't think we are going to be in many of those situations this year, and from what I've heard and seen of Huston, the dropoff doesn't look that large.
:osu: :gobucks3: :gobucks4:
