Which CB Will Replace Fox?

[smithlabs]

The only thing that keeps Ginn from getting time at DB is the fact that he's ssssooooooo damn valuable at WR.

This statement is even more true with Lyons riding the exercise bike instead of participating in conditioning drills.

* Several other Buckeyes did not participate in drills because of injury situations. Those Buckeyes worked out on stationary bikes while the rest of the team went through its paces. The most notable members of that group included Tyler Everett and Devon Lyons.

http://www.theozone.net/football/2005/winterconditioningtough.htm

Smithlabs

 

[BrutusBobcat]

Smitty is coming around too. Awesome. Soon everyone will be converted.

The only scenario I see for TG2 to play CB is a depth emergency, like he did at QB in the Alamo Bowl. He may very well get a few practice reps at the position "just in case". We are a little thin there, and I can imagine a situation in a close game against a spread team where we're down few guys and need to be in a nickel/dime.

His ability is exciting, and it's tempting to want to see him everywhere on the field, but the coaches will focus his time where he has the greatest impact, IMO.

 

[smithlabs]

Smitty is coming around too. Awesome. Soon everyone will be converted.
QUOTE]

I am definitely coming around. My current thoughts are: Whitner as boundary corner. Youboty as field corner, and Sally and Everett as safeties. As far as nickel backs, definitely Welch and possibly Ginn. There are a lot of good players that will get some playing time and a chance to compete so this all might change by the end of the season.

There is one other possibility using pictures from conditioning practice to predict positions. The assumption is that players in like positions hang out together...

Ladies and gentleman, your new DB - Santanio Holmes. He's big, he's fast and he's experienced


Can anybody paraphrase the Bucknuts premium discusion on DB's - http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=145&p=2&c=353079&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2fohiostate.scout.com%2f2%2f353079.html

Smithlabs

 

[Carmen Ohio]

I'm happy to see some converging opinions on this issue... this is going to be a special year guys. It shouldn't be tainted with a lot of "why isn't Ginn playing corner" criticism before we even get the season going. It was a little frustrating hearing all the talk against our coaches for playing Fox at corner, when in hindsight I think most would agree that given our scheme... the guy was awesome. If JT decides to go the route of converting a safety I could see Whitner in that role unless and until one of the "pure" corners shows the toughness to play the boundary.

 

[smithlabs]

I'm happy to see some converging opinions on this issue...

While we are converging there are definately other possiblities out there.

From 2/18 Helwagen chat - http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/353222.html

MFTodd (Feb 18, 2005 11:47:40 AM)
Do we have a quality WR to step up this season on the roster and take the place of Ginn if we decide to use him as a shutdown corner?

SteveHelwagen (Feb 18, 2005 11:47:50 AM)
Good question ... SteveHelwagen (Feb 18, 2005 11:49:53 AM)
I thought Tony Gonzalez (TDs vs. Michigan and Okie State) really came on at the end of the year. The hopes are high that people like Hall and Lyons and maybe even Jordan are ready to make strong contributions. They have good young depth there. Ginn and Holmes would be options 1 and 1A. In looking at the corner situation, if E.J. Underwood does not pull through (or O'Neal can't win it out of the chute, which I think is possible), Ginn may be needed there.

edbuck51 (Feb 18, 2005 12:05:35 PM)
Do you think the '05 defense will be as good as the '02 defense? What about comparing the offenses as well? SteveHelwagen (Feb 18, 2005 12:07:15 PM)
If they find a corner to replace Fox (my feeling is it will be Ginn, O'Neal, Whitner or Everett) and can get a meaningful pass rush in place (that means Richardson, Gholston, Barrow and/or Wilson and/or Worthington must step up), they have the chance to be as good as 2002. Few will have better DTs, LBs or safeties or a better field CB than Youboty. ...

In fact, Ginn was only mention twice and both times were in regard to him switching to corner. Of Helwagen's potential corner list, in his order:
Ginn - highly valuable on offense
O'neal - true freshman
Whitner - currently playing safety looking to switch to boundary corner. Played CB in highschool. Some depth at safety.
Everett - currently not participating in spring conditioning due to injury

I stick with my last guess of Whitner, for now.

Smithlabs

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

While we are converging there are definately other possiblities out there...In fact, Ginn was only mention twice and both times were in regard to him switching to corner. Of Helwagen's potential corner list, in his order:

Uh, the folks that mentioned Ginn switching to corner were posters (MFTodd and edbuck51), and not Helwagen, so that's means jack squat. As for Helwagen's potential corner list, he's an idiot. While Ginn maybe a possible solid corner, there's no one in the country, let alone on our team, that can replace him at WR...I don't care how much improvement is made by Gonzo, Lyons, etc. Ginn and Holmes are #1/#1A at WR, with Gonzo a strong #2, with #3 up for grabs. You don't move the most explosive WR in the country, regardless of how good the next best WRs are.

You keep looking for justification that Ginn will move to corner, and it just ain't gonna happen...just like all those "experts" that said "Fox will move to safety". Riiiiiight.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Starting Ginn at CB would be comparable to playing Julius Peppers at TE.....only except that it's 100 times worse. Realistically, the only chance for Ginn to see significant amount of time on defense is if Lyons has a sophomore season resembling that of Michael Jenkins or the CB spot stink it up big time. I see this Lyons kid playing a big role by the middle of the season. However, by that time, a second corner should have solidly emerged. If not, utilizing Ginn both ways would be more acceptable given the cooler temperatures.

 

[osugrad21]

Labs, I think every tOSU fan would concede the fact that TG at corner is a possibility. However, IMO it is 2002 all over again...he is in that galss case, "Break in Case of Emergency" ala Chris Gamble.

It will take some horrible performances from the young DBs/transplanted safeties or a serious injury plague to break that glass.

 

[wdg01]

Ill go with Brandon Underwood if he's available. If not, then probably Lane or a true freshman. Don't think they move any saftey over.

 

[OSU5NC]

Just a few questions to try to get this topic rolling again, because I think it'll be the most important position battle of the offseason:

- Will any DBs be enrolling for Spring Qtr?

- What is the extent of Brandon Underwood's injury? Did he make a full recovery?

- What is Shaun Lane's eligibility? Redshirt Sophomore??

- What types of DBs does Haynes prefer? 6'0 and over? Lane is 5'10.

- Does Malcom Jenkins have a realistic shot at CB? He seems like a gamer with 8 INTs his junior year, although I don't know his stats for his senior year. I promise that he'll at least contribute on special teams.

- Any chance Nick Patterson plays CB? Or is he a safety for sure?

- And finally: shouldn't we be recruiting more CBs, since we have a surplus of safeties? It seems like we're grabbing more and more safeties, and getting only 1-2 CBs per class.

 

[jwinslow]

- What types of DBs does Haynes prefer? 6'0 and over? Lane is 5'10.

At the start of 04, his projected starting CBs were 5'9" & 5'10". He only had one 6' CB on the roster and he was a frosh. Plus he clearly had much less talent at MSU.

- And finally: shouldn't we be recruiting more CBs, since we have a surplus of safeties? It seems like we're grabbing more and more safeties, and getting only 1-2 CBs per class.

I doubt this is a trend they enjoy. We're bringing in Ray Small next year however, and Jamario seems to be ready to be a great corner if we need him to be. And there was some recruit named Ginn too if we need him. We're hardly hurting at the position.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

http://www.dispatch.com/sports-story.php?story=dispatch/2005/03/04/20050304-C3-00.html

Ohio State football coaches are preparing for spring practice as if cornerback E.J. Underwood won’t be back. It’s not set in stone, but insiders say it would be a mild surprise if the suspended Underwood returns.

Word is the Buckeyes still aren’t likely to use sensational receiver Ted Ginn Jr. at corner, and they would instead convert a safety or two — possibly Dante Whitner or Tyler Everett — to corner.

 

[BuckNutty]

Who will start the most games opposite Youboty at corner?

What corner will emerge opposite Youboty in the fall?

 

[AJHawkfan]

I'll go with Everett. At least at the start of the season.

 

[FMI]

Talk about wide open! Any one of those guys could seperate themselves from the pack this fall. I went with Lane. I really have no clue though.

Who do you think will get the most balls thrown their way? Whoever gets the start will get many oppourtunities to prove himself. I would love to see how many times the opposition throws towards "the corner opposite Youboty".