Jason Long
Guest
Wednesday Night Rumble: Back to basics for Ohio State
Jason Long via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Another week and another win, yet the questions are mounting. In a season that was supposed to be laughable and a sort of warmup for late November heroics and playoff dreams, the ship has drifted off course and the natives are restless.
We’ve got some things to discuss, so let’s not waste any more time. It’s Wednesday, let’s rumble!
Is it JT’s turn?
Make a decision
Let me be the 1000th person you’ve heard say it since halftime of the game last weekend with Northern Illinois: Urban Meyer and his staff have to pick a starting quarterback and commit to him.
The thought process coming into 2015 was that the Buckeyes have potentially two of the nations top ten or fifteen quarterbacks on their roster and an insurance policy named Braxton Miller to keep in their back pocket. JT Barrett was last years 1st team All Big Ten, record breaking quarterback while Cardale Jones came in as the big armed, high character hero that exploded on to the scene and completed an incredible championship run by leading his team through the air deep and on the ground over conference rival Wisconsin, SEC bad boys Alabama and national title front runners the Oregon Ducks.
It was supposed to be an embarrassment of riches, a coaches dream. It’s been nothing short of a cold sweat nightmare since the second quarter in Lane Stadium against Virginia Tech.
It’s not all on Barrett and Jones. There’s been plenty of other issues that haven’t helped them out. But neither can seem to get on track and the offense is sputtering, to put it in a polite term.
The experiment with two quarterbacks has to come to an end. Meyer must make a decision on Barrett vs Jones and commit the first team practice reps to the winner. He also needs to reassure the winner that it isn’t necessary with every incomplete pass or questionable decision to look to the sidelines to see if the other guy is warming up.
We all heard Barrett and Jones talk about their friendship and how they support each other. I don’t question that one bit and think it’s fantastic. But the fact remains they’re both competing for the top job at the premier college football factory in America.
Sure, they’re on board with a rotation or one stepping in for the other if the chips aren’t falling correctly. But is it really fair to them to have that doubt and insecurity lingering? As much as they both want to play, I’m sure deep down they both want to play with the full support of the coaching staff and the assurance that Mickey Maroti isn’t waiting with a hook on a long pole to yank them out for the other at the first sign of trouble.
So, who should it be, smart guy?
Cardale Jones and JT Barrett
Word is that Meyer is meeting with the media some time this evening and will likely reveal who his starter is. In fact, by the time you’re reading this it may likely already be a done deal. But let me throw out who I’d go with and why, even at the risk of looking foolish because other news has already broken: I’d stick with who I thought was going to be the starter after summer practices ended and play JT Barrett.
There seems to be a (however minor) bit of consistency and calm when Barrett is on the field. His arm isn’t as big as Jones, but it’s more than adequate. Last year he was precise and accurate once he got his feet under him and the game slowed down.
Despite how big they were, Jones still only has three starts under his belt and against Wisconsin and Alabama had the element of surprise on his side. I think they’d have steamrolled the Oregon defense in the manner they did regardless of who took the snaps, they were simply bigger, stronger and, surprise surprise, faster.
Barrett, on the other hand, worked through an entire season and was seemingly hitting his stride when the ankle injury happened in The Game. His season cumulative was good enough for a fifth place finish in the Heisman voting. After the game on Saturday, when asked why he decided to stick with Barrett for the second half instead of going back to Jones, Meyer simply replied “We felt he gave us the best opportunity to move the offense.” Me too.
Give Barrett (and to be fair, if he decides on Jones then that’s fine, give them to him) all the first team reps in practice. That is hugely important. Let the starter develop continuity with the players around him. Let them get used to one face in the huddle leading the charge. Most importantly, have a conversation with the starter and explain that this is his show from here on out. That barring 4 egregious interceptions and taking sacks, he’s going to be the guy they ride with until the end.
*Just one more quick point on why I say go with Barrett and stick with him: Barrett won the competition for the backup last year before Miller got injured. At literally no point during the season, despite how close the backup competition was said to be, did they consider making a move to Jones and replacing Barrett and it worked wonders for his confidence and allowed him to grow into the position and become great at it. In short, don’t fix what isn’t broken.
(And as I type this I realize this could all look really stupid if Meyer comes out and says Jones. But hey, it’s what I’m here for, and that’s to give my opinion)
Taylor Decker leads an offensive line that needs to find its way again
The Slobs
The play of the quarterbacks, though the most noticeable and obvious, isn’t the only issue failing the Buckeye offense and causing it to look bad thus far into 2015.
We’ve heard the war cry from the fans for three straight weeks to feed Ezekiell Elliott. I’ve said it myself. However, upon further review we’re finding that pounding Zeke into the core of the defense has not been an easy task. Why, you ask? Quite frankly the center of the offensive line, Jacoby Boren, Pat Elfelien and Billy Price, are really struggling to find that continuity and comfort they established toward the end of 2014 that literally rolled the Tide and beat Oregon over the head like a varsity versus JV scrimmage at times.
The regression of this group makes me wonder how much of it is their fault and how much is the result of the play calling, though. Offensive lineman like to get after it, they like to attack and move downhill “road-grading”. They like run blocking at the point of attack, right off the line of scrimmage and muscling people up. So far we’ve seen a lot of big guys in space, pulling around and looking for people to block.
Trust me, this isn’t a comfortable thing on run downs for these guys to do. A short interior trap style pull or a guard leading out onto a defensive end is one thing, but we’re seeing massive bodies being expected to come under control and attack linebackers in free space. Not easy.
More of this, please
Technical talk
Think of it this way, and this is the basic scenario that these guys love: The idea on most run downs is the principle of “inside, head up, outside” as your assignment on who to block. Forget that “I got 98, you get 71″ stuff, it isn’t reality. Everyone steps in sync on the snap to the direction the ball is going (obviously opposite on counter plays) and absolutely lays into the man in the gap they are protecting, often with help from the lineman to their left or right depending on the way the play is going.
For example, on a run to the left the goal is for the left tackle and guard (Taylor Decker and Billy Price) to get the man in the gap between them (or headup on the tackle) under control and moving back with a double team. One of these two will then slide off and initiate a block on a linebacker, typically the tackle since the linebacker will be pursuing the running back outside the tackle, leaving the guard to block the gap defender solo after initially being help. Meanwhile, Zeke Elliott comes behind them with the ball and picks his spot to burst through and he’s off to the races.
Take a look at this photo of the Seattle Seahawks (it was the best I could find) showing you what I’m describing.
We’re not seeing enough of this in the current scheme and gameplan. Instead, we’re seeing guys like Price and Elflein way out of their comfort zone running around in space almost trying to catch people. Getting back to basics, especially early in the game, will get these guys on the right track and into a groove. Let them do what they do best, get confident and then start being fancy.
Quick hitters
Matt Finkes made a great point on ABC 6’s Football Fever postgame show last week: Give the playmakers the ball and stop worrying about being fair to everyone else. He broke it down that in a scenario where the Buckeyes run 70 plays (on average per game) that 25 of those should go to Elliott, 15 to Braxton Miller, target Michael Thomas on 10 and let everyone else fight for the scraps of those remaining 20 touches. Again, continuity, flow. Getting guys who make plays the maximum opportunities to do so. Yes, defense will key them and blah blah blah… stop them. That’s why they’re who they are.
Joe Bosa
Speaking of Zeke and Braxton, things need to get on track in a hurry if they want to be in the Heisman race. ESPN projects Elliott as fourth right now, but he’s only hanging on because he’s went (barely) over 100 yards in every game this year. The fact is that 1,400 yards won’t win you the Heisman trophy though. He needs some massive games and big plays. Miller is in the same boat after having a big night at Virginia Tech. Certainly these guys aren’t going into games thinking about this stuff, but nobody said we can’t.
Anyone else absolutely love the play of safeties Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell? It’s great to be strong at that position again. It feels like it’s been more than a few years since it’s been a strength.
Please give me more of lining Joe Bosa up all around the defensive line and not anchoring him to the strong side end slot. Jayln Holmes and especially Sam Hubbard are playing well, this frees up Bosa to be moved around and terrorize offensive lines.
Speaking of playing well, Adolphus Washington has taken his game next level through the first three. Washington has “first round draft pick” written all over him.
Darron Lee is fantastic. I mean, really good.
Wrap it up
A lot is going to happen on the field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center between now and Saturday. Plenty more will go in the offices and film rooms. The good news is that an absolute cupcake is coming to town on Saturday in the Western Michigan Broncos. These guys should be just what the doctor ordered for getting the ship back on course and working out the bugs. This is the last tune up before the Big Ten season starts at Indiana next week. And we all know that once league play starts the intensity goes up and the danger of being knocked off goes up with it. Familiarity breeds contempt.
Until next week, Go Bucks!
Metallica track of the week
Getting back to basics was a bit of theme this week. How about we get back to what used to be a basic in the seltist every night and has now turned in to a bit of a rarity. Let’s go back to Orion Music and More 2013 on Bell Isle in Detroit for Harvester of Sorrow!
The post Wednesday Night Rumble: Back to basics for Ohio State appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
Jason Long via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Another week and another win, yet the questions are mounting. In a season that was supposed to be laughable and a sort of warmup for late November heroics and playoff dreams, the ship has drifted off course and the natives are restless.
We’ve got some things to discuss, so let’s not waste any more time. It’s Wednesday, let’s rumble!
Is it JT’s turn?
Make a decision
Let me be the 1000th person you’ve heard say it since halftime of the game last weekend with Northern Illinois: Urban Meyer and his staff have to pick a starting quarterback and commit to him.
The thought process coming into 2015 was that the Buckeyes have potentially two of the nations top ten or fifteen quarterbacks on their roster and an insurance policy named Braxton Miller to keep in their back pocket. JT Barrett was last years 1st team All Big Ten, record breaking quarterback while Cardale Jones came in as the big armed, high character hero that exploded on to the scene and completed an incredible championship run by leading his team through the air deep and on the ground over conference rival Wisconsin, SEC bad boys Alabama and national title front runners the Oregon Ducks.
It was supposed to be an embarrassment of riches, a coaches dream. It’s been nothing short of a cold sweat nightmare since the second quarter in Lane Stadium against Virginia Tech.
It’s not all on Barrett and Jones. There’s been plenty of other issues that haven’t helped them out. But neither can seem to get on track and the offense is sputtering, to put it in a polite term.
The experiment with two quarterbacks has to come to an end. Meyer must make a decision on Barrett vs Jones and commit the first team practice reps to the winner. He also needs to reassure the winner that it isn’t necessary with every incomplete pass or questionable decision to look to the sidelines to see if the other guy is warming up.
We all heard Barrett and Jones talk about their friendship and how they support each other. I don’t question that one bit and think it’s fantastic. But the fact remains they’re both competing for the top job at the premier college football factory in America.
Sure, they’re on board with a rotation or one stepping in for the other if the chips aren’t falling correctly. But is it really fair to them to have that doubt and insecurity lingering? As much as they both want to play, I’m sure deep down they both want to play with the full support of the coaching staff and the assurance that Mickey Maroti isn’t waiting with a hook on a long pole to yank them out for the other at the first sign of trouble.
So, who should it be, smart guy?
Cardale Jones and JT Barrett
Word is that Meyer is meeting with the media some time this evening and will likely reveal who his starter is. In fact, by the time you’re reading this it may likely already be a done deal. But let me throw out who I’d go with and why, even at the risk of looking foolish because other news has already broken: I’d stick with who I thought was going to be the starter after summer practices ended and play JT Barrett.
There seems to be a (however minor) bit of consistency and calm when Barrett is on the field. His arm isn’t as big as Jones, but it’s more than adequate. Last year he was precise and accurate once he got his feet under him and the game slowed down.
Despite how big they were, Jones still only has three starts under his belt and against Wisconsin and Alabama had the element of surprise on his side. I think they’d have steamrolled the Oregon defense in the manner they did regardless of who took the snaps, they were simply bigger, stronger and, surprise surprise, faster.
Barrett, on the other hand, worked through an entire season and was seemingly hitting his stride when the ankle injury happened in The Game. His season cumulative was good enough for a fifth place finish in the Heisman voting. After the game on Saturday, when asked why he decided to stick with Barrett for the second half instead of going back to Jones, Meyer simply replied “We felt he gave us the best opportunity to move the offense.” Me too.
Give Barrett (and to be fair, if he decides on Jones then that’s fine, give them to him) all the first team reps in practice. That is hugely important. Let the starter develop continuity with the players around him. Let them get used to one face in the huddle leading the charge. Most importantly, have a conversation with the starter and explain that this is his show from here on out. That barring 4 egregious interceptions and taking sacks, he’s going to be the guy they ride with until the end.
*Just one more quick point on why I say go with Barrett and stick with him: Barrett won the competition for the backup last year before Miller got injured. At literally no point during the season, despite how close the backup competition was said to be, did they consider making a move to Jones and replacing Barrett and it worked wonders for his confidence and allowed him to grow into the position and become great at it. In short, don’t fix what isn’t broken.
(And as I type this I realize this could all look really stupid if Meyer comes out and says Jones. But hey, it’s what I’m here for, and that’s to give my opinion)
Taylor Decker leads an offensive line that needs to find its way again
The Slobs
The play of the quarterbacks, though the most noticeable and obvious, isn’t the only issue failing the Buckeye offense and causing it to look bad thus far into 2015.
We’ve heard the war cry from the fans for three straight weeks to feed Ezekiell Elliott. I’ve said it myself. However, upon further review we’re finding that pounding Zeke into the core of the defense has not been an easy task. Why, you ask? Quite frankly the center of the offensive line, Jacoby Boren, Pat Elfelien and Billy Price, are really struggling to find that continuity and comfort they established toward the end of 2014 that literally rolled the Tide and beat Oregon over the head like a varsity versus JV scrimmage at times.
The regression of this group makes me wonder how much of it is their fault and how much is the result of the play calling, though. Offensive lineman like to get after it, they like to attack and move downhill “road-grading”. They like run blocking at the point of attack, right off the line of scrimmage and muscling people up. So far we’ve seen a lot of big guys in space, pulling around and looking for people to block.
Trust me, this isn’t a comfortable thing on run downs for these guys to do. A short interior trap style pull or a guard leading out onto a defensive end is one thing, but we’re seeing massive bodies being expected to come under control and attack linebackers in free space. Not easy.
More of this, please
Technical talk
Think of it this way, and this is the basic scenario that these guys love: The idea on most run downs is the principle of “inside, head up, outside” as your assignment on who to block. Forget that “I got 98, you get 71″ stuff, it isn’t reality. Everyone steps in sync on the snap to the direction the ball is going (obviously opposite on counter plays) and absolutely lays into the man in the gap they are protecting, often with help from the lineman to their left or right depending on the way the play is going.
For example, on a run to the left the goal is for the left tackle and guard (Taylor Decker and Billy Price) to get the man in the gap between them (or headup on the tackle) under control and moving back with a double team. One of these two will then slide off and initiate a block on a linebacker, typically the tackle since the linebacker will be pursuing the running back outside the tackle, leaving the guard to block the gap defender solo after initially being help. Meanwhile, Zeke Elliott comes behind them with the ball and picks his spot to burst through and he’s off to the races.
Take a look at this photo of the Seattle Seahawks (it was the best I could find) showing you what I’m describing.
We’re not seeing enough of this in the current scheme and gameplan. Instead, we’re seeing guys like Price and Elflein way out of their comfort zone running around in space almost trying to catch people. Getting back to basics, especially early in the game, will get these guys on the right track and into a groove. Let them do what they do best, get confident and then start being fancy.
Quick hitters
Matt Finkes made a great point on ABC 6’s Football Fever postgame show last week: Give the playmakers the ball and stop worrying about being fair to everyone else. He broke it down that in a scenario where the Buckeyes run 70 plays (on average per game) that 25 of those should go to Elliott, 15 to Braxton Miller, target Michael Thomas on 10 and let everyone else fight for the scraps of those remaining 20 touches. Again, continuity, flow. Getting guys who make plays the maximum opportunities to do so. Yes, defense will key them and blah blah blah… stop them. That’s why they’re who they are.
Joe Bosa
Speaking of Zeke and Braxton, things need to get on track in a hurry if they want to be in the Heisman race. ESPN projects Elliott as fourth right now, but he’s only hanging on because he’s went (barely) over 100 yards in every game this year. The fact is that 1,400 yards won’t win you the Heisman trophy though. He needs some massive games and big plays. Miller is in the same boat after having a big night at Virginia Tech. Certainly these guys aren’t going into games thinking about this stuff, but nobody said we can’t.
Anyone else absolutely love the play of safeties Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell? It’s great to be strong at that position again. It feels like it’s been more than a few years since it’s been a strength.
Please give me more of lining Joe Bosa up all around the defensive line and not anchoring him to the strong side end slot. Jayln Holmes and especially Sam Hubbard are playing well, this frees up Bosa to be moved around and terrorize offensive lines.
Speaking of playing well, Adolphus Washington has taken his game next level through the first three. Washington has “first round draft pick” written all over him.
Darron Lee is fantastic. I mean, really good.
Wrap it up
A lot is going to happen on the field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center between now and Saturday. Plenty more will go in the offices and film rooms. The good news is that an absolute cupcake is coming to town on Saturday in the Western Michigan Broncos. These guys should be just what the doctor ordered for getting the ship back on course and working out the bugs. This is the last tune up before the Big Ten season starts at Indiana next week. And we all know that once league play starts the intensity goes up and the danger of being knocked off goes up with it. Familiarity breeds contempt.
Until next week, Go Bucks!
Metallica track of the week
Getting back to basics was a bit of theme this week. How about we get back to what used to be a basic in the seltist every night and has now turned in to a bit of a rarity. Let’s go back to Orion Music and More 2013 on Bell Isle in Detroit for Harvester of Sorrow!
The post Wednesday Night Rumble: Back to basics for Ohio State appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...