Depth Chart Released For the 2009 Opener
Hello
- Changes were made to the on-field/in-booth assignments. Luke Fickell was moved from the booth to the bench whereas Heacock will be moved upstairs. New QB coach Nick Siciliano and his predecessor, Joe Daniels (now serving in an advisory role) will be on the field as well. Lesmerises thinks this is a “promotion” of sorts for Fickell, knowing that Fickell has head coaching aspirations. May Fickell channel his inner Bill Young, Fred Pagac and John Tenuta on the sidelines.
- Austin Spitler will start the game at strongside linebacker, formally beating out Etienne Sabino. I suppose this is no surprise, considering that Spitler was voted a starter. I remind myself: Sabino beat out Spitler as backup to Laurinaitis in the middle early into the 2008 season. Whatever the case, Sabino will certainly play in important spots in 2009 and Spitler should perform admirably in run support.
- Second team linebacking unit is a little surprising. Going weak to strong: Andrew Sweat1, Tony Jackson, Etienne Sabino. Storm Klein is curiously absent, likely because of an injury? It couldn’t be attitude or poor performance, since he was one of the better camp performers.
- Taurian Washington, listed to your right, is the backup to Sanzy. Ray Small is listed as a third teamer. This at least supports what I suspected was the case: Ray Small’s eventful entry into fall camp cost him his position in the receiver corp. I’m expecting lots of 3 WR sets, meaning Washington will likely be your 3rd wide receiver against Navy. Assuming a garden variety I-formation, your second team receiver corp is Carter and Washington. Lamaar Thomas and Ray Small are the third team.
- Orhian Johnson, a redshirt freshman, is backing up Kurt Coleman. Gooood. Jermale Hines is backing up Anderson Russell. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I would’ve pegged Johnson as a free safety and Hines as a strong safety.
- Andre Amos beat out Devon Torrence. No surprise there.
- Andrew Miller is your starting left tackle. There’s no surprise there, all things considered. JB Shugarts is his backup. I’m anxious to see Andrew Miller play.
- Jack Mewhort is listed as the backup center. I wholeheartedly approve.
- The second team offensive line looks better than I would’ve thought during fall camp. Going L to R: Shugarts, Linsley, Mewhort, Moses and Hall. That’s 3 promising young freshman2 and another rising sophomore.
- True freshman Zach Boren, one of the surprise stories of fall camp, joins his brother on the first team for the Buckeyes. I genuinely like Zach Boren and think he’ll translate well to the fullback position. I’m expecting that to translate to an appearance in goalline situations.
- Assuming this holds into the season finale, who wouldn’t love to see Justin Boren pancaking a Wolverine on a FB dive and touchdown for little brother Zach?
- John Thoma beat out redshirt freshman Ben Buchanan for starting punter duties.
- No third team tailback is given.
Sabino will be starting by mid-year. Tressel is making the decision to start Spitler due to him being an upper classman. Sabino’s talent will get him on the field and keep him there….
Disappointed about Sabino not starting. Excited to see Saine as the main KR man.
What’s with Thomas not being listed as the first kick returner? He was the best we had last year.
Thomas can’t be trusted with the ball. Tress fears the turnover more than anything else. After watching Flash in the spring-game, I’m all for this change.
Also, Saine was never fully healthy last year, so he could be the best we have when healthy. For all their coaching mishaps in the past, Tress and his crew are rarely, if ever, wrong about special teams.
Saine has a severe case of RunRightIntoTheGuyTryingToTackleYou-Itis, hope that got cured this fall camp. Especially if he’s returning kicks. Kid is ridiculously fast though. Hopefully he learns a few shakes too.