S/LB Jer'Male Hines (official thread)

[scarletngray]

I like both moves. Hines to SS and Coleman to FS. Remember, the coaches were seriously considering playing Coleman as a CB for a while. I think Hines will bring and added dimension to defending the run and Coleman will do just fine as the FS.

Hines strength is run support and this will be especially important against USC and their potent running game. Hopefully, our DL will hold their own against USC strong OL, and Rolle will be a disruptive force up the middle and will slow down USC's RB's enough to where Hines and others can limit their success running the ball.

:osu:

 

[osucollegebuck]

I feel better about the SS position now. I absolutely love Hines game and I'm sure this was a hard move for Coach Tressel because of his respect for the Seniors on this team and how much he likes Russell personally.

 

[Buckskin86]

Heacock does not commit to Hines starting this week, but says he will play

more41 minutes ago from txt

Ken Gordon

http://twitter.com/kgordonosu/status/3873848237

Heacock and Bollman tidbits

The two coordinators graced us with their presence tonight :), and here's what I think we learned:

-- Jermale Hines is a good bet to start Saturday, even though Jim Heacock would not commit to it. He said Hines would play more, that Hines was one of the best 11 defensive players....and of course, he was with the starting unit when we watched practice Tuesday. So....

-- Heacock would not throw Anderson Russell, a fifth-year senior, under the bus. Defended his leadership. attitude, etc etc. My guess is Hines starts at strong safety and Kurt Coleman at free. Russell remains the strong safety in nickel sets, with Hines sliding back to the "Star" or nickel position.

http://blog.dispatch.com/buckeyesblog/2009/09/heacock_and_bollman_tidbits.shtml

 

[Buckskin86]

OSU notebook: Hines might replace Russell at safety
Thursday, September 10, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

All signs point toward Jermale Hines starting in place of Anderson Russell at free safety Saturday, although Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock stopped just short yesterday of anointing Hines.

Russell had a tough game against Navy, giving up two touchdown passes, one on an 85-yard play.

Hines is splitting time with Russell this week in practice, Heacock said.

"I'm not sure who's starting, but I know (Hines) is playing a lot with the (starters) when we're in our base package now. When we go to nickel, both will be on the field. But in practice, we're giving both a look and trying to give them both a chance."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : OSU notebook: Hines might replace Russell at safety

 

[Buckskin86]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Saturday, September 12, 2009
By BY KEN GORDON

Chris RussellDispatch

JERMALE HINES
DEFENSIVE BACK OHIO STATE

There was never a question of whether Jermale Hines could play football for Ohio State. He made an immediate impact in 2007 as a freshman on special teams and started six games last year, mostly as a nickel back whose specialty was defending spread offenses and pursuing ballcarriers sideline to sideline.

After free safety Anderson Russell struggled last week against Navy, Hines appears poised to start in Russell's spot at free safety tonight against the prolific Southern California offense.

The only question that remains is whether Hines can be effective in more conventional, vertical pass coverage.

"I guess we'll see this week a little bit more," defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said. "He's a natural player, he does things instinctively, so that you always like. Now, does he have the speed and (can he) go up for the ball and all those things? We'll find out."

The Cleveland Glenville product came to Ohio State as a hybrid linebacker/safety. He is 6 feet 2 and 210 pounds with good speed.

"He can play anywhere but the defensive line," cornerback Andre Amos said. "He's a very athletic guy -- he can stop the run and he can cover receivers. He's a very versatile guy."

That versatility has forced the coaching staff to find ways to play Hines, even though he doesn't fit perfectly into any conventional position.

"Every time we ask 'Who are the 11 best players?' he always comes up in the top 11," Heacock said. "So when the guy comes up in the top 11, we're just trying to work out how to get him on the field as much as we can."

The Columbus Dispatch : IN THE SPOTLIGHT

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Fine game by Hines. Didn't see SC attack the middle too much, so you know he's doing his part. And even on that pass reception, he was right there with the coverage.

 

[pnuts34]

I wonder if next year Hines moves to SS and Johnson moves over to the FS spot. Seems like Johnson would make a better "centerfielder" while letting Hines lay people out across the middle

 

[Poe McKnoe]

I wonder if next year Hines moves to SS and Johnson moves over to the FS spot. Seems like Johnson would make a better "centerfielder" while letting Hines lay people out across the middle

Hines is currently the SS. Coleman got shifted to FS. So it would make sense that the opening would be FS.

 

[BigJim]

Hines is currently the SS. Coleman got shifted to FS. So it would make sense that the opening would be FS.

I didn't notice whether it worked out that way during the games but the depth chart disagrees with you.

 

[pnuts34]

I didn't notice whether it worked out that way during the games but the depth chart disagrees with you.

Thats what I was thinking myself, I was looking at the depth chart and it had Hines at FS and Coleman at SS

 

[craigblitz]

Thought Hines played a great game yesterday. Haven't paid a lot of attention to coverage?s yet so this statement might not be totally accurate but he made the most of his opportunities off the blitz. Played really well vs the run and seems to be in the right spot a lot of times.

 

[BayBuck]

Another great game, Gentleman Mail.

 

[Buckskin86]

Safety Jermale Hines had a tougher path when he matched Coleman's score with a 32-yard interception return in the third quarter. It was the first time that the Buckeyes had two in one game since 2006, when Malcolm Jenkins and Antonio Smith scored against Penn State.

Hines tipped Tolzien's pass in the right flat, gathered it in despite an aching right elbow, and dashed up the sideline. But as he veered in toward the goal line, he had to force his way past Wisconsin left tackle Gabe Carimi, who is 6 feet 7, 325 pounds.

"I knew he was going to make my head," Hines said. "But I didn't care."

BuckeyeXtra - Coleman back with a bang

Jermale Hines is one of the best 11. When the OSU coaching staff made the decision to yank senior Anderson Russell from the starting lineup to insert Jermale Hines, they said they did so in an effort to get the best 11 players on the field. Hines was playing a decent amount in the nickel, but on days like today, against power offenses, he would have spent most of the time on the bench. Instead, Hines was out there making plays from the strong safety position, including an interception he tipped to himself.

http://www.the-ozone.net/football/2009/Wisconsin/postgame/10things.htm

 

[Buckfan09]

I was always critical of Russell but figured that you could not bench a senior. Credit that adjustment to coaches.

I am trying to think of what makes hines good. I would not call him a physical speciman and he is not that fast. I would have to say that his greatest asset is his instincts and technique. He is always were he supposed to be.

Just a great football player and when you have these kind players they dont need to be superior athletes.


Does anyone argee?

 

[Merih]

I was always critical of Russell but figured that you could not bench a senior. Credit that adjustment to coaches.

I am trying to think of what makes hines good. I would not call him a physical speciman and he is not that fast. I would have to say that his greatest asset is his instincts and technique. He is always were he supposed to be.

Just a great football player and when you have these kind players they dont need to be superior athletes.


Does anyone argee?

No. Do you see any closeups of Jermale? He's an elite athlete. He is a physical specimen.

I agree with the second part though. He is always in the right place. He makes form tackles and never misses an open field play.