Spring Practice Tidbits

[BB73]

Cameron Heyward=instigator.

I'm sure that JT is smiling over the fact that Pryor will have to wear a white jersey for a while, and that it's due to his losing composure on the field. I wouldn't be surprised if JT was hoping for the XP to be missed after Pryor was called for penalty. :tongue2:

 

[FrancisSoyer]

So what's the consensus?
Did the Jersey Scrimmage have a sobering effect on the coming season?
Have we learned anything of value?

I won't base my hopes for the season on the results of the jersey scrimmage even though it is important. There are some young players in the mix who probably haven't got the play book down yet and others who are switching around at different positions so it's sort of a cluster fuck this early. However the sacks concern me a lot and the red zone sounds like it's still kryptonite to our offense. I hope the line improves (tackles!) and Pryor doesn't have to rely so much on his legs in the future. As for the defense I like what I hear. They sound pretty aggressive and that makes me excited.

 

[Bill Lucas]

I won't base my hopes for the season on the results of the jersey scrimmage even though it is important. There are some young players in the mix who probably haven't got the play book down yet and others who are switching around at different positions so it's sort of a cluster [censored] this early. However the sacks concern me a lot and the red zone sounds like it's still kryptonite to our offense. I hope the line improves (tackles!) and Pryor doesn't have to rely so much on his legs in the future. As for the defense I like what I hear. They sound pretty aggressive and that makes me excited.

I see no reason to be concerned with the sacks. 11 sacks occured in the first 89 plays where the QBs were not allowed to run and the sacks were 1 hand touch. Only 2 sacks occured in the last 59 plays when the quarterbacks were live and allowed to run. If one sack every 30 plays during live contact in a spring scrimmage is disturbing I don't follow your thought process. The first 11 sacks don't even deserve a second thought IMO.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

First, Phillip Fulmer and now Peyton Manning!? Trying to get some of that SEC speed.

I don't exactly connect Fulmer or Manning with SEC speed...LOL!

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I'd much rather see a lot of sacks than no sacks. The DL not getting pressure would worry me since they're supposed to be our best unit.

 

[FrancisSoyer]

I see no reason to be concerned with the sacks. 11 sacks occured in the first 89 plays where the QBs were not allowed to run and the sacks were 1 hand touch. Only 2 sacks occured in the last 59 plays when the quarterbacks were live and allowed to run. If one sack every 30 plays during live contact in a spring scrimmage is disturbing I don't follow your thought process. The first 11 sacks don't even deserve a second thought IMO.

Yea, I know they're not real sacks but I don't like the disparity. I feel like even with the no-contact jerseys they should be moving the ball and making points. It sounds like they had to allow the qb's to run to make the offense competitive. Where were the receivers? Or were the qb's not making good throws? The sky isn't falling but I think there are at least a few concerns there. It's early and they have a lot of time to improve. I have no doubt Pryor and crew will get it together before fall.

 

[Bill Lucas]

It wasn't just not running. From what I've read the QBs were only allowed to drop back and scan. No movement at all allowed. That's going to create sacks (touches) in any scrimmage. If they had the ability to move in the pocket and run behind the LOS I'd show some concern. Because they were stationary targets I don't have much concern.

I am stoked about the defensive line. It seems that we may be getting back to winning the LOS on defense again. The great defenses of the past dominated the LOS and I look forward to that return to dominance. The pieces are coming together and the recruiting of the last few years may be starting to pay off.

 

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State football: Defense hangs on in jersey scrimmage
Sunday, April 19, 2009
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Terrelle Pryor was like a racehorse yesterday, straining at the starting gate, chafing at being held back.

The Ohio State quarterback wore a black, no-contact jersey through the first two-thirds of the spring jersey scrimmage in Ohio Stadium. It was meant for his protection, but he didn't see it that way.

"After the first series, he said, 'Coach, I've got to get a red jersey on,' " coach Jim Tressel said. "Well, that wasn't the plan."

By the time Tressel turned Pryor loose, the defense had recorded 10 sacks and built a 40-24 lead.

Pryor and fellow quarterback Joe Bauserman rallied the offense, but the defense held on for a 56-55 victory. The defense will get to wear the scarlet practice jerseys the rest of the spring and in the fall until the next jersey scrimmage takes place.

The offensive players were quick to point out the disadvantage of playing what was in effect a flag football game for a while. Several sacks were one-hand taps.

"They were getting sacks when they were just touching them on the shoulders," tight end Jake Ballard said. "In a real game, just a hand on a shoulder is not going to bring Terrelle down or Joe, so that hurt us a little bit. That probably gave them 10 points or so."

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Ohio State football: Defense hangs on in jersey scrimmage

Analysis: Taking the good with the bad
Sunday, April 19, 2009
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

In Ohio State's spring jersey scrimmage yesterday, Dispatch beat reporter Tim May saw some things that should make OSU fans smile and some things that should make them frown. For example:

Good
Pryor revs it up
? When quarterback Terrelle Pryor took off the black, no-contact jersey, he finally got the No. 1 offense going. His throwing (15 yards to Jake Ballard and 25 yards to Lamaar Thomas) and running (16-yard gain) set up Dan Herron's 5-yard touchdown run that cut the defense's lead to 56-55.

Thomas, defense shine
? For three quarters, the defense held serve. Sophomore defensive end Solomon Thomas had seven of the team's 12 sacks. Although six of his sacks were on touches, several would have been good if he were tackling. The defense swarmed the pocket most of the session, and cornerbacks Andre Amos and Devon Torrence, competing to replace Malcolm Jenkins, had an interception each.

Saine runs hot
? Brandon Saine no longer looks like a track athlete trying to play running back. The former Ohio high school sprint champion darted and ran to daylight, and was the most physical back on the field.

Quarterbacks throw to ... tight ends?
? There were two hallelujah moments for the quarterbacks. They were the 26-yard pass from Joe Bauserman to Jake Stoneburner that set up a field goal and the 15-yard pass from Pryor to Ballard. Why hallelujah? Stoneburner and Ballard are tight ends.

BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : Analysis: Taking the good with the bad

Terrelle Pryor forced to throw as Ohio State's defense wins jersey scrimmage over offense
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
Columbus- Ohio State's defense won the jersey scrimmage, 56-55, over the offense on Saturday and earned the right to wear the team's scarlet jerseys.

The defenders swarmed the field and whooped after the win. Good for them.

Here's what really mattered from the most important day of spring practice.

The black jersey is a good thing for Terrelle Pryor. Coach Jim Tressel kept quarterbacks Pryor and Joe Bauserman from getting hit or running during the brunt of the scrimmage. He wants them healthy, but it's also a way for Pryor to have to read the defense and go through his progressions without his feet bailing him out. The feet are a given.

Pryor asked for the black jersey to be removed after the first series, but Tressel said no. When Pryor finally went live for his last three series, telling his teammates, "Now it's time for real football," the game completely changed. After one play, Bauserman asked Tressel how the quarterback managed to escape that pressure.

"He just turned sideways and disappeared," Tressel said of a 16-yard scramble after Thaddeus Gibson flushed Pryor out of the pocket.

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1240129902221300.xml&coll=2

Ten observations from Ohio State's Saturday scrimmage
by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter
Saturday April 18, 2009

COLUMBUS -- Ohio State's defense won a jersey scrimmage 56-55 over the offense on Saturday and earned the right to wear the team's scarlet jerseys. The defenders swarmed the field and whooped after the win. Good for them.
Here's what really mattered from the most important day of spring practice.

1. The black jersey is a good thing for Terrelle Pryor. Jim Tressel kept quarterbacks Pryor and Joe Bauserman from getting hit or running during the brunt of the scrimmage. He wants them healthy, but it's also a way for Pryor to have to read the defense and go through his progressions without his feet bailing him out. Because the feet are a given.

Pryor asked for the black jersey to be removed after the first series, but Tressel said no. When Pryor finally went live for his last three series, telling his teammates "now it's time for real football," the game completely changed. After one play, Bauserman asked Tressel how the quarterback managed to escape that pressure.

"He just turned sideways and disappeared," Tressel said of one 16-yard scramble after Thaddeus Gibson flushed him out of the pocket.


By an unofficial count, Pryor was 8-of-13 for 74 yards and one interception, including 4-of-7 for 54 yards when the black jersey was off. He completed one 25-yard pass to Lamaar Thomas stepping up away from pressure, and still often looks better throwing on the move.

2. Tressel isn't sure if he'll allow the quarterbacks to go live for Saturday's spring game, which starts at 1:30 p.m. at Ohio Stadium. Fans should hope he lets them, but don't count on it.

3. The defense wanted its shot at Pryor. When he scrambled soon after going live, someone yelled "Hit him," as Doug Worthington and Austin Spitler tracked him down. Tressel said the defense did a good job "chirping" at Pryor all day and goading him into a 15-yard penalty after the last touchdown of the day, which pushed back Aaron Pettrey's extra point try, forcing a miss that gave the defense the win. Pettrey did hit a 56-yard field goal earlier.

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2009/04/ten_observations_from_ohio_sta.html

 

[Steve19]

Saine runs hot
Brandon Saine no longer looks like a track athlete trying to play running back. The former Ohio high school sprint champion darted and ran to daylight, and was the most physical back on the field.

That is very encouraging.

 

[morbitzerker]

Quarterbacks throw to ... tight ends?
? There were two hallelujah moments for the quarterbacks. They were the 26-yard pass from Joe Bauserman to Jake Stoneburner that set up a field goal and the 15-yard pass from Pryor to Ballard. Why hallelujah? Stoneburner and Ballard are tight ends.

Finally. Finally. Thank you.

 

[Best Buckeye]

IT would appear that there is additional competition and esprit de corps going on in spring practice this year. I love that.

I am on the fence as to make it down or not but I guess it will depend on the weather. maybe.

 

[NightmaresDad]

It wasn't just not running. From what I've read the QBs were only allowed to drop back and scan. No movement at all allowed. That's going to create sacks (touches) in any scrimmage. If they had the ability to move in the pocket and run behind the LOS I'd show some concern. Because they were stationary targets I don't have much concern.

I think they call those the "Mallett rules".

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I think they call those the "Mallett rules".

It started way before him.

 

[Taosman]

The Saine news could be the biggest news of the Spring!
Keep it up, Brandon! This could be huge!

 

[brutus2002]

I agree 100% that the news on Saine is awesome. I would like to add Solomon Thomas because he is gonna dd even more depth at the DE position. I think the battle between Torrence and Amos is great because IMO that means we have three good CB's.