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| The Best Damn Fans In The Land |
Huge welcome to our guests who make TWSS Fans Interact so much fun. Look for these to be a regular occurrence during the football season as our writers bring in unsuspecting victims errr . . , fans to help us have fun!
Scott brought in Nancy, Lindsay brought in Swerv, Mel brought in Coach T, Diana brought in Joe D and Jane brought Mr. Bucknut. Please be sure to click on their name link to twitter and give them a follow and an atta fan!
Lindsay Q - What difference do you think Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day will bring to this potentially potent offense?
Swerv - I think Kevin Wilson is going to bring back the big plays along with a offense that's more effective. We haven't had it since Tom Herman. Kevin Wilson's Indiana teams always gave tOSU problems as he pays very close attention to detail. How they move the chains, the play-call sequence, success on third downs, red zone TD conversions, he never abandons the ground game and is very efficient. All parts of why Kevin Wilson-led teams have potent output.
Ryan Day is a great addition to the staff. All the players including JT talks very highly of him. You can tell he and Kevin Wilson are both on the same page. Looking back at the spring game, Joe burrow and Dwayne Haskins looked good slinging it. The kids love him and I can't wait to see what he does for our QBs.
CoachT44 - If you look back at the way Indiana, albeit with much less talent than OSU, spread us out and continually had us changing fronts, it makes it interesting to see what KW will do with all the talent he has now at his full disposal. His ability to put people in positions to succeed and his passion for scoring the football will only make it harder to stop this offense.
Joe D - The difference is OSU has two guys with experience, two guys that know how to coach, and two guys that will get the best out of their players like Coach Herman. Wilson's offenses always gave the Ohio state defense fits (Diamont anyone?). The guy has a knack for picking apart good defenses. His ball distribution sticks out to me, mostly the way he can get this guy or that guy involved. Unlike the last two seasons at Ohio state where we hear these guys will get more touches, we need to balance more but ultimately never did. That's where we will ultimately see change along with keeping the formations and calls simple. We won't have to rely so much on JT running all the time like the last few seasons. Wilson ultimately brings what Ohio state has needed: a balance of pass and run while keeping the entire offense involved.
Day is much like Wilson when it comes to the hurry up and spreading out defenses. Day is unique. His time with Chip Kelly playing and coaching will bring a good amount of knowledge and skills that Urban wants and looks for and of course was Urban's GA at Florida. So some familiarity will help. But ultimately here we may see a QB with less interceptions and shorter throws while setting up the long ball. Day likes his QBs to make quick and accurate decisions. Day and Wilson combined may just be the turning point we have been wanting to see before and after Herman.
Nancy - Ryan Day will put JT back on track. JT played “confused” most of last year. Looked many times like he didn’t know what he was “allowed” to do. Day has put confidence back in JT and it will show on the field. Wilson will pull the trigger for a fast-paced offense which is what Meyer wants. No hold back and a more explosive offense.
Mr. Bucknut - First off I would like to say that Wilson was an absolute home run hire for Urban. There is a reason Oklahoma put up video game type numbers while he was calling the offense in Norman. I think first and foremost he will bring continuity to an offense that has had little to no direction since Tom Herman left for the Houston job. Under Beck and Warriner, the offense looked lost with no identity. Wilson will bring back the swagger to JT that has been lost since his redshirt freshman year. Wilson will also bring a more up-tempo approach to keep defenses on their heels. Numbers don’t lie and Indiana was at or near the top of the B1G in just about every passing/offense category under Wilson. To say that I am excited for the 2017 Buckeye offense is an understatement.
Ryan Day is a mystery to me, but the fact that he is coming from the NFL ranks tells me everything I need to know about his qualifications. You don't get a job in the NFL without being good at what you do.
Mel Q - Who do you think will dominate the most on offense and defense?
Swerv - If we're talking units on the defensive side I'm going to have to go with Coach Larry Johnson's group: the defensive line. I love what I'm hearing about Jalyn Holmes as we all know Chase Young more than likely will play this year, which is scary because we already have good defensive lineman on the team, but that kid is just special. I don't think they could keep him off the field. Tracy Sprinkle is back. Robert Landers, it just goes on and on. Nick Bosa. A super talented group
Offensively I would like to see that offensive line be a little bit more physical, a little bit more nasty to protect JT Barrett. That's the unit that I'm hoping will figure it out. When our offensive line is clicking, we can beat any team in the country. Someone from the WR group needs to scare the defense. I hope it's Johnny Dixon.
CoachT44 - Defensively in my eyes may have to be Hubbard. His ability to defend multiple offensive packages just makes his skill set so tough to take off the field, thus making it hard for offenses to game plan around him. as opposed to if he was a two-down interior lineman. Offensively I have a feeling JT EXPLODES with efficiency and with KW’s ability to always seem to find the right mismatch, I think JT’s numbers will be absolutely video game like CRAZY!
Joe D - I'd have to toss this to the defense with as deep and talented as it has ever been. It's poised to be a destructive force with guys like Hubbard, Bosa and Holmes all getting a chance to be on the field and with the experimental jack position. The whole idea of having 5 DEs on the field is madness waiting to happen and will work an offensive line down, while forcing the quick passes for our corners to get after. We might just see a record year for the corners in picks and or the D-line in sacks.
Nancy - Unless the offensive line steps up to keep the opposing defense back, no matter how fast and/or good Wilson and Day make these boys, they have to give JT protection. JT is short and needs to be able to see down the field and throw farther than 10-15 yards. JT should dominate with his head being fully back in the game. On defense - the entire defense is so strong and so deep it will be hard to find just “one” dominate. Watch Young though.
Mr. Bucknut - JT and the running game should be our strong suit early in the season. Weber will be asked to carry the load so hopefully he is ready come week 1. I expect Weber to get at least 20-25 touches a game with JK Dobbins, the true freshman, being used in certain situations. From all accounts, JK has been really impressive in practice and I expect as the season progresses so will his workload. OSU will be breaking in many WRs so early on I think Wilson will rely on the run game. As the season progresses I expect the passing game will heat up. Bin Victor is a matchup nightmare and I expect to see his number being called in the red-zone. Marcus Baugh is another I expect to be used early and often as he is one of the few returning starters in the pass game. On defense it will be the defensive line and LBs who will set the tone. I expect Hubbard and Lewis to make themselves a lot of money this season as they get after opposing QBs. Like the WRs on offense, the DBs will have a few growing pains as we are breaking in three new starters. The group is very talented but will need a few weeks of actual game speed to get their footing.
Chris Q - How will the defensive staff fit in all of the D-line talent in Columbus right now?
Swerv - As you know we run a rushmen package. We rotate the best players , which helps keep our guys fresh especially going against all these high-powered up-tempo teams. If we need to slow it down and keep guys in the trenches a little bit longer we could do that or we have the depth at defensive line, which is good especially for later on in the season.
CoachT44 - Well Greg Schiano said this is the most talented defensive group he has ever coached even when he coached with the Bucs. And that's saying something. I think Schiano is going to show us how this defense should have been a long time ago. Their ability to get to the passer is going to be crucial because they play a ton of man press coverage on the outside. So if we keep them rotating constantly by the time the mid third quarter rolls around we should be flying all over the line and getting pressure whenever we want!
Joe D - Tempo defense needs rotation. This team has one of the best coaches in the country at getting players to be about the team and not about themselves. These kids have been coached to understand that. They will all get a chance as long as they show they want to be on the field and have the heart and desire to make plays for Urban and this team.
Nancy - With so much depth, the availability for rotation will keep any opposing offense in check. Next Man Up!
Mr. Bucknut - One word, rotation. OSU is so deep on the defensive line that our second string, as a whole, could start for many teams not only in the B1G but the entire country. Larry Johnson is a master at rotating in defensive lineman and knowing when to use his rushmen package. I love third and long situations because I know LJ will be bringing in four defensive ends to get after the QB knowing it will be a pass. Overall I think the defensive line is our best unit, and it wouldn't surprise me if we set the single season OSU sack record.
Diana Q - What was your favorite play from the 2016 season?
Swerv - My favorite play from the 2016 season has got to be when one of my Brooklynites Curtis Samuel crushed the hopes and dreams of every Michigan fan that afternoon. I was happy for him that was his moment. #Buckeyenation was happy. Ann-Arbor once again was sad, crushed and defeated, right where they need to be. Any time a favorite play means xichigan is going to be sad, I'll take that 100 times out of 100
Joe D - oh man where do I begin? The Game is always a good choice for anyone but I'll have to say it was the sack on Hornibrook the QB for Wisconsin in OT for the win. I was in a bar off Broadway in Nashville where the tribe just won and the Browns party was going on for a game the next day. A sea of scarlet and gray with people everywhere chanting and hollering, everyone was standing just looking at the TVs across the bar. That victory showed toughness, it showed heart, it showed why we are fans of this team, and why we as fans will never walk away from this team. For the youngest team in college football to come out and end it the way they did was special. It also gave you an idea of what we will be seeing this coming season. Teams that young don't do what they did in that situation. They are not supposed to, but this team did.
Nancy - Of course the Noah Brown catch against the Oklahoma defender’s back
Mr. Bucknut - Curtis Samuel TD run vs. TTUN (that team up north) is easily my favorite play from the 2016 season. Was such a great, hard-fought game and seeing Curtis cross the goal line brought me and all of Buckeye Nation joy.
Scott Q - Who will be the breakout star this season?
Swerv - I'm really hoping Johnnie Dixon pulls it together this year. If those knees can miraculously stay healthy, I want to see him shine because if he shines, that means the wide receiver room has woken and zone 6 is back.
CoachT44 - it's Sam Hubbard for sure. Without a doubt. JT is the de facto star, but breakout is Hubbard. I believe he is going to have a Joey Bosa-type year and make people shake their heads at just how dominant he is going to be.
Joe D - Kendall Sheffield. Under Coombs and Schiano we might get to see a physical specimen at corner, one who is mean and tough. He has experience coming from a JUCO. He's your do-it-all DB. He can jam a WR at the line and make them pay for trying to go against him. He has great awareness. He can bait the QB into throwing the ball and his speed will allow him to come up and pick the ball similar to Lattimore. The kid can hit and tackle. He's flat out physical. His style of play will serve well with that D-line going at the QB, forcing them to make quick throws where he will make a stop for a loss or no gain. Plus he has the ability to return kicks and punts if needed, and we all know Urban's desire to have a KR and PR.
Nancy - JT should be able to re-claim major star status.
Mr. Bucknut - Bin Victor. I expect Wilson to call upon his tall and athletic WR in the red-zone. I think Urban is still upset at himself for not using him more last season. Urban rarely makes the same mistake twice so expect to see Victor targeted in scoring opportunities.
Bonus name: Terry McLaurin. He is speedster so DBs better check him at the line of scrimmage because if they give him any space he will burn them deep.
Charles Q - What concerns you the most about the upcoming season?
Swerv - Anytime you bring in new coaches it takes some time for the language and terminology to set in and for everybody to be on the same page. So that's something that would concern me.
CoachT44 - tTe WR corps. And what they are going to do with McCall. If they put McCall in the X like they did with Samuel, then this offense will get back to its true fluidity. But I would have to say the WRs because they are so young, yet so talented. We just don't know who will be THE guy to get us going like Devin Smith was back in the day.
Joe D - wWth all the hype of all the talent with all the changes that have been made, I just wonder about the offense. How quick will these guys have it together. Word out of camp is this offense is ready to go. Will JT be able to master this new offense in time? Will the WRr’s have it together? Can they create the separation needed to get open? The running game should help temper that a bit with Paris and McCall at H-back with JK dobbins and Weber at RB. Can JT and the WRs be the championship unstoppable offense we had just a few years ago?
Nancy - Probably the wide receiver position. With Wilson, Samuel and Brown gone, the young talent will need to prove themselves real quick. Also hoping the kicking game steps it up this year.
Mr. Bucknut - Offensive line. This unit was so hot and cold last season. Some games they would dominate and the next couldn't block a simple DL stunt or when the defense brought blitzing LBs. I've read that Prince has been doing a lot better in these early practices so that calms my nerves a little, but until I see it in actual games I will be nervous. Will be interesting who actually wins that RG spot. I think it will be Pridgeon but we may not even find out until they line up vs Indiana week 1.
My second worry is the WR unit. Tons of talent but just not much game experience. As the season progresses this unit will get better each game.
Jane Q - Who do you think will prove to be the best recruit of this incoming 2017 class?
Swerv - The jury is still out on the 2017 class. Kids change their mind these days quicker than pimps changed underwear. My big fish in the sea this year would be Jackson Carmen. I can tell he's the biggest name, the biggest concern for the 2017 class and I hope we could secure him. He's from Ohio. A lot of other recruits are watching his recruitment, especially knowing we have to secure the best players in Ohio so for me it would be Jackson Carmen.
CoachT44 - Chase Young. The kids an ABSOLUTE animal!! Jaylen Harris is a great get for the Bucks. Huge size and great hands. Kid will be an absolute stud, Julio Jones type when it's all said and done!
Joe D - Jaylen Harris hits me right out the gate. The kid is 6-5, 210 with a frame to maybe add a few more pounds. His physical attributes alone scream at me. He's tough to bring down and can high point a ball with the rest of them. Once he steps on the field probably in RZ situations to start, he will be an immediate mismatch for anyone covering him on the field. His window of catching the ball and his jump ball will serve nicely for anyone that's under center for the Buckeyes.
Nancy - I go back to DE Chase Young. He should prove to be a beast on the defense.
Mr. Bucknut - This is such a hard question but the first name that comes to mind is Chase Young. If he can keep adding muscle onto his 6’5" frame along with keeping his speed and burst, then watch out opposing offenses. Not sure if there are many offensive tackles that will be able to consistently block him. When NFL talent evaluators come to practice and ask if he is draft eligible that is saying something considering that he is only a true freshman.
Bonus Name: JK Dobbins. If you have been reading practice reports or watching Urban’s press conferences then you know why I’m saying his name. Could he be the next Zeke? Only time will tell but I have a really good feeling about him.
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