Our Honor Defend

It took awhile to finally get around to this, but alas, here it is.  A big shoutout goes to loyal reader Ken, diaspora from Western New York, who contributed greatly to this post.  He not only asked the questions, but helped summarize the responses.  A round of applause is certainly in order, but, please, hold your applauses for after the recap.  At that point, applause and a standing ovation is in order.

Two weeks ago, Ohio State concluded its Spring Game, allowing we — the belligerent oft-shellshocked fans — to catch a glimpse at what 2009 (and beyond) may hold for the football team that we all love dearly.  The aforementioned Ken, hero of the day, asked a round of questions for everyone to consider.  Below, I, with Ken’s assistance, revisit the questions and responses and synthesize our individual reactions.

Bloggers: The Silver Bullet

Commenters: Matt, El Caballo de Sangre, Vico (that’s me!), Ken, Ed

01. Which designated starting player (offense, defense, special teams) struck you as being “better than advertised”? Why?

There was a lot of variation on this answer, likely a necessary thing considering that there are a lot of new faces and a lot of spots open for the taking.  Tyler Moeller made an appearance, and necessarily so.  I don’t think I could’ve envisioned him having the kind of performance he did entering his final go-around in the Scarlet and Gray.  I wasn’t alone.  Dave (@ TSB) thought Moeller was the “win” in this category, with fellow linebackers Brian Rolle and Etienne Sabino rounding out with “place” and “finish” respectively.  Rolle was the Spring Game MVP, according to TSB, but Moeller had the better “woah, I did not see that coming” performance.  Ken and Ed concur.  With that kind of performance, it becomes increasingly harder to sit Moeller in the regular season, writes Ken.  Ed describes Moeller as a ball-hawk.

I agree the linebackers stood out (in a good way).  After all, Sabino had a monster performance on the stat sheet and almost no one talked about it after the game.  I went with the wideouts, especially Ray Small.  Posey and Washington turned in good performances, especially the latter with the first touchdown of the game.  Schwartz and even the freshman James Jackson looked like they improved as well.  Small, the senior, possible 3rd wideout in 2009, ran like Terry Glenn.  His movements were smooth and crisp.  El Caballo was a big fan of Taurian Washington.  He looks like a playmaker and he makes plays like a playmaker (in Spring Games).  It begs the question of why we don’t get him the ball more.  He certainly passes the look test for fans.

Last but not least, this Pryor kid we’ve heard so much about gets some consideration as well.  Pryor will be only the second Buckeye quarterback in the program’s history to return to the QB position as a starter after picking up starting duties midway through his freshman season.  His limitations showed every now and then, especially in the passing game.  However, his arm looked fine, says Ed.  The sacks were a problem in the Spring Game, but Matt reminds us that’s definitely the offensive line’s fault.  Pryor didn’t hold on to the ball too long as he did as a freshman.  All around, he just looked… better.  It inspires all of us to know that he has 4 more months to improve too.

May the same be said about our offensive line.

02. Which designated starting player (offense, defense, special teams) disappointed you (either mildly or beyond belief)? Why? What do you see as remedy?

On that last note, the offensive line came up in discussion here.  I mentioned that I thought Brewster was a little disappointing this game as he looked to have his hands full in the pass rush.  There were a few times he was holding on for dear life.  For that matter, Mike Adams did not look that impressive playing at right tackle.  I wasn’t alone in mentioning the best offensive lineman in the country in all the 2008 recruiting class.  Matt wasn’t pleased either.  His slap fighting with defensive ends effectively means he was just getting pushed into the backfield.  His quarterback and wide receivers were worse off for it.  As Ken reminded me in e-mail, at least it wasn’t the pillow-fighting we saw against the Ohio Bobcats.  Considering Andy Miller might be our version of Nick Sheridan (Harbinger of Doom, in spite of him being a nice young man and all), Mike Adams needs to get his act together… and how…

It wasn’t just the offensive line that people raised a few eyebrows at.  Other offenders on the offense came up as well.  Joe Bauserman didn’t seem to have the best showing.  He botched his first snap from scrimmage and turned the ball over.  His offensive line didn’t help him any in that practice, but he didn’t seem any sharper in spite of that.  Lamaar Thomas came up more than anyone.  I think all anyone remembers from his performance that game is his inability to hold on to the ball.  Ken and El Caballo just want you to hold on to the ball.  We saw the speed was there, but it means nothing if you keep muffing the ball.

The most original answer here was Dave @ TSB.  He went with Chimdi Chekwa, who Taurian Washington beat by what looked to be 15 yards on his touchdown that game.  In spite of him being the lone “lock” at the corner position, he looked average at best.  We all hope it was an aberration, because we’re going to need him in 2009.

03. What is your impression of the play of the ‘meaner’ offensive line?

I don’t think anyone here was pleased, but we all recognize the caveats that have to be made when we answer this question.  The Buckeyes lost 3 starters on last year’s line.  It had only one lineman from the 2009 class enroll early.  JB Shugarts, who should be an important part in the equation, missed the game due to injury.  The remainder had to be divvied up to field two squads.  As such, it may have been a lost day, though there were a few observations we could all make.

The biggest concern came from the tackles, especially in pass protection.  Mike Adams did not look sharp.  Andy Miller looked even worse.  To balance things out, Jack Mewhort played left tackle and didn’t look all that great.  Matt says that at least the interior of the line held up for the most part.  Knowing that the ends would blow by the tackles, the center and guards held up to allow the quarterback to step up and make the pass.  However, things were still a little uncertain.  We all liked Justin Boren, but he was put on his seat a few times in pass protection.  Matt and I noticed that.  I think the worst of it came on pass protection duties for Boren.  I recall Brewster holding on for dear life a few times.  I think we all wanted to see more out of the line and left a little disappointed.

The caveat to make appears to be in the run/pass distinction.  If anything, the Buckeyes looked to be better off run-blocking with the interior of the unit, per Dave and Ken’s observations.  Last year, they struggled mightily to do even that.  This game allows for a little more confidence of the interior of that line in the post-Beanie era.  Boren was definitely a better road-grader than he was a pass-protecter.  All the tailbacks had solid days carrying the rock.  Pass protection is a little scary, but there’s some optimism about how well the Buckeyes can run-block in 2009.

Still, as Ken reminded me in e-mail, I don’t think we’ve seen such poor offensive line play in decades.  Per Ken, poor Woody must have vertigo from how many times he’s spun in his grave by now.

04. What is your impression of the reconstituted defense?  Did anyone stick out?

There was a lot of agreement on this one.  We all seemed to like what we saw from the defense at the Spring Game, especially the front seven.  Some of us weren’t sure what to make of the secondary.  Some were a little concerned with what they saw there, such as Ed and Matt (interest in Jermale Hines for the latter notwithstanding).  Some others (myself, I think) just couldn’t get a good read.

One thing we all saw from the Spring Game was just how much depth the Buckeyes have on the line and at the linebacker corp.  The defensive line played with a high motor and high intensity, moreso than the linebackers.  Dave @ TSB thinks Thad Gibson may have a Vernon Gholston type of campaign.  El Caballo thinks the term “reloaded” may be a better description of the defense in spite of losing regulars like Laurinaitis, Jenkins and Freeman.  I thought just about everyone on that defensive line played well in spite of the offensive lines they were facing.  The linebackers were everywhere as well, though Matt saw too many arm tackles for his liking.

The one thing Ken noted from this game, and our observations, is that Tressel (more accurately: Heacock) is going to have a ton options on defense.  If there’s anything I saw from the Spring Game, it’s that we now have the discussion of who — of the linebackers — we sit.  We may not be any closer to sorting out a starting corp of linebackers there, but that may be a good thing.  The Buckeyes can go big (Homan, Spitler) against bigger, more physical teams or can go small, and get Sabino and Rolle out on the field to play with speed.  Caballo thinks what we saw lends itself to a “plug-and-play” defense in 2009, with the Buckeyes being able to mix and match — effectively — contingent on opposition and down and distance.  We shouldn’t skip a beat either.  Very nice.

05. What did you think of offensive play-calling?  Were you disappointed?

The big disappointment for all of us was the absence of the tight ends from the picture.  Jake Ballard is the most underrated player in the Big Ten.  Jake Stoneburner is a mismatch waiting to happen.  Neither one saw any real action in the Spring Game.

The only one who was severely disappointed was myself, who keeps waiting for the Notre Dame Box to become vogue again in college football.  I’m still waiting.  Everyone else seemed to see something to their liking.  Ken liked the emphasis on passing, since it’s going to be something Pryor is going to have to deal with as he matures.  Matt liked the percentage of short passing routes to promote an efficient passing game for Pryor and build confidence.  Still others, like Ed, saw the running game to their satisfaction.  Dave was pleased with the mix of both.

I’m going with El Caballo on this one.  Let’s wait and see what we pull out against USC.  Hopefully the Notre Dame Box?  I’ll settle for the Buckeye Pistol.  It seemed to get the most out of our offensive line last season, and we just kind of abandoned it.

06. From what you saw at the Spring Game, what is your guess for how the season will unwind? Should DickRod, and whoever he decides will be the QB, be concerned?

So with all our mutliple criticisms and praises of what we saw at that glorified scrimmage, are we any closer to harmony on what we think the Buckeyes will accomplish this season?

Not really, it seems.  Matt and I seem to be on agreement.  Neither one of us think we’ll beat USC this year, and agree that wins are uncommon in Happy Valley.  We’d love to be wrong on that, of course.  There is disagreement between us about where the Buckeyes will end up playing their bowl game.  With two losses, I think the Buckeyes are viable option for a BCS bid (either as a conference champion or an at-large).  Matt doesn’t think the Buckeyes will end up playing in a BCS bowl.

Coincidentally, it’s the argument I made in an upcoming publication for Michigan fans.  I think happy thoughts.  Happy thoughts… happy thoughts.  I don’t have the heart to say that I’m fearing a 2004-type season, especially with our offensive line.  Again, our offensive line has to not suck this season, or I don’t think Indiana would be terrified of us, let alone the Wolvereenies.

Dave @ TSB one-ups both of us, thinking that the Buckeyes are a one-loss team and we just may prove it at Penn State.  We will have to, though… as Dave reminds us.  Ken straddles the fence between Dave and myself and Matt.  He’s unsure if we’re truly a one loss team or a two loss team in 2009, but is dying to see what this team loaded with playmakers is able to accomplish.

I definitely appreciate all the thoughts, but El Caballo is the unquestioned MVP of this question.  Rather than summarize his response, I’ll just let him speak for himself.

First things first: “Should DickRod…be concerned?” Are you kidding? He should be TERRIFIED. And not just about us, but about the whole year. Look: His offense is probably – PROBABLY – going to be MARGINALLY better than it was last year, if REPEAT IF Forcier can (A.) survive physically (B.) make the transition from no-contact Spring practice to full-go Division I competition while retaining any of the good things he showed in their Spring Game. These things are far from certain, but he’ll have better line play at least so that’ll help. But here’s the problem, and it’s a BIG one: His defense is very likely – like bordering on certainly – going to be worse than last year’s. And that defense gave up 42 points to us. Not to get too homerish here, but they don’t have a realistic chance of hoping for a win in The Game until 2011 at least, and that’s if LiC skips his Senior year. The disparity in talent is just too big right now. I think what keeps old guys like myself and Ken jittery sometimes is that we remember Cooper losing over and over to obviously inferior Michigan teams, but that’s exceedingly unlikely to happen under Tressel. Note that this doesn’t preclude them “giving us a good game”, or something crazy happening – anything is POSSIBLE, after all. But I’m talking about realistic probabilities here, and those say that Rodriguez is gonna have to crow small for a while yet. Anything more than 6 or 7 (probably 6) wins for them this year will be a miracle.

About the rest of the season: I think it’s a toss-up whether we can beat USC. It’s at our place, there’s a revenge factor, we won’t have Boeckmann gifting them touchdowns, we won’t be psychologically damaged by missing Beanie, they’re breaking in a new QB (again), etc. Of course, like 11W said, right now the Trojans are college football’s Deebo, so you’d be crazy to pick against them. But: This is Pryor’s next big test – he passed the first one late at Wisconsin, failed the second late vs. Penn State. I think he’s dying to pass this one, and I think it would be crazy to bet against LeBron in Cleats. Is that incoherent and on-the-fence enough for you? Ask me again after the 1st quarter.

Penn State I’m less worried about. They’re not going to be as good as they were last year, and last year they were lucky to beat us (helped along, of course, by our horrendous offensive line and a quintessential freshman mistake). I’m skeptical of Darryl Clark’s greatness (as proclaimed by the Nittany blogosphere, at least), and Tressel is at his best when it comes to big B11 road games.

Other than that, I don’t really see any toss-ups on the schedule. I think we lose either one game or no games, and that the BCS streak stays intact. The MNC game isn’t outside the realm of possibility.

Our Honor Defend, El Caballo.

As always, I appreciate your input and I’m definitely grateful to Ken for the assist on this.  Here’s where you, the reader, can now give Ken an applause and standing O.