2009 Offensive Line Discussion

Rivals.com$

Buckeyes reshuffling the offensive line.................

Sounds like there are some issues, but for the most part doing decent. This might take some time getting these guys ready. Thank god we have a QB that can run when coverage breaks down.

Shugarts is hurt this spring right??

Shugarts is hurt this spring right??

Yes, he is not doing any contact this spring due to recovery from a shoulder surgery..........will be full go by fall.

Opinion: entertainment & wheat tidbits in OZ JPorentas' OL article today:
Offensive Line Being Retooled this Season, By John Porentas

[humor] Cordle, a senior: "I don't want to be on a line again that everybody says 'they suck', so our hope is to be good, very good," said Cordle.

well Jim there's been some everybody says they suck going on since Jan 7th, 2007. Last year for you to 'unsuck', not so for others.

[humor] Cordle, coaches discover "a lack of nastyness, toughness" ...happening since...whenever.

[humor] more reps of "the _____ ever"

[practice organization tidbit] more live stuff; 6 play, 1v1 "jersey scrimmage" at the end of every practice.

[humor] discovering/emphasizing or whatevering "the competition angle". Makes one wonder what the heck it was...before! ;-{)}
[humor] Yet another definition of "philosophy": Cordle is hoping the change in practice philosophy Now we know philosophy is off-topic whenever it is...is; so, it was on-topic here because it is being allowed to be here...so far.

[humor] Cordle on criticism as justice: "The criticism was just (last season)," said Cordle. Now fans know that criticism is wrong or right, depending on whatever, i feel, except that Cordle's just sayin'....

[misspeaking reps] "We started out the season and we weren't where we needed to be attitude-wise. "
TRANSLATION: HAVE NO SPECIFIC RECOLLECTION of all that usual dominating, very experienced, greatest 'hill toughness' ever last August...!!! And before, and before, and before <cue Shakespeare's 'To Be or Not To Be', no doubt, no question>.

[humor] OSU"s practice methods are aimed at promoting toughness, but to make good chicken salad, you have to start with good chicken. OSU is hoping that the an influx of new personnel along the offensive front will also help bring along that toughness. One of the new faces in the mix is Justin Boren, and Cordle likes what he sees in the newcomer.

this paragraph is far too revealingly funny! For example...if our practices are "aimed at promoting toughness" now...what were they aimed at BEFORE? Second, if you need to start with "good chicken" in order to make "good chicken salad"...does it matter what kind of mayo you use? Celery? Nuts? Fruit? Vinegar? Seasoning? Now, if you just add ingredients, mix, and serve...do the nice people you invite to the Celebration [er...'game'] 'have to eat it' exactly the way you serve it?

[humor] Justin Boren...the "newcomer"??? "Hoping" "influx" of "new" "help[s] bring along toughness". [obviously, our coaches compared their scripts - Heacock says no "skill honing" until the 2-3 years of "getting to know" new players.... LOL

[revelation] it's [whatever, however] done by the supersecret process of "rubs off on guys definitely". Definitely reminds me of a movie...!

[tidbits] Bollman's OL starter criteria:
"You want to try and finish plays better, you want to try and control the line of scrimmage more in both run and pass, give the other guys the chance to do their jobs.

"When you give the running backs a little room to manuver at the line of scrimmage, get them to the line of scrimmage, give the quarterbacks that extra split second of time, things are always going to operate better."

Notice a pattern here? MAKE NO COMPARISONS TO goal setting 101...! Middle school experiments in class. How mom told you to clean your room 'enough'.

[revelation] Bollman said "the Michigan game we ran the ball pretty good." YGBSM. My vote for the FOOTBALL WHOPPER of the day.

[humor] "The offensive line will have some youth this season, and that has the potential to bring about problems...."

[revelations] doing more with passing...All that while still working on OSU's bread and butter. Matches up real nice with JT's comments about being less diverse....

[exciting summary] "There are some running plays that we're always going to do, that we've always done. We're always going to run the power, but there may be some different things we'll experiment with as the spring goes on."

DuaneLongReport

Offensive Line Notes....................

Originally Posted by OSUBasketballJunkie

DuaneLongReport

Offensive Line Notes....................

THANKS Junkie!

what a simple, reasonable discussion of the offensive line possibiliites on the 2009 OL.

useful exchanges in the comments afterwards.

===it just ain't that tough to talk reasonably. Both refreshing...and fun.

Dispatch

Mike Adams back at first team LT, continuing his day-to-day rotation with Andrew Miller. Same for Andre Amos, at first-team CB today in his rotation with Devon Torrence.

OZ post exchange [based on espin article, in second section]
Re: Boren brings nasty back to Buckeye OL [m] [ O-Zone Forum ]

By Buck68 on 12:45:32 04/18/09

[In reply to "Boren brings nasty back to Buckeye OL" by Shark 4, posted at 10:52:35 04/18/09]

A solid context and example to address once again the subjective but significant distinction between 'tough' and 'swagger'. Of course any person can define his terms as he chooses. But, 'the idea' is not who can tell another fan he's wrong or right about a word or definition. 'The idea' is to 'walk the talk' of Jim Tressel's standards of character and excellence. Just sayin's don't make doins'.

Tough behaviors:
1- consistently plays to the whistle;
2- keeps looking for/finding/blocking 'the next defender' in the way;
3- heads downfield to block/shield off for his RB breaking into the secondary;
4- attacks defenders via fulcrum, leverage, drive on running blocks [after his assignment if 'zone block' calls for shielding instead of contact/drive]
5- in pass pro, peels back after his man beats him or leaves his area; keeps looking for the next defender to enter his area AND keeps an eye out for other defenders who have beaten their man and takes them out if they are an immediate threat to the QB. [a consistent team weak area]
6-keeps in timely signal/non verbal communication with his line mates to coordinate blocking execution
7-encourages/corrects/'gets on' teammates who are struggling/lose focus.
8-looks for opportunities to take on the opponent's 'tough guy'
9-plays to the camera, sidelines, crowd [plays the 'how much can i act up before the refs call the 'unsportsmanlike' penalty]
10-complaints about calls, spots; calls and gestures for opponent penalties...[should be focused on next play]

Swagger behaviors:
1-loudmouth, 'in your face' namecalling
2-cheap shots [e.g. hitting a guy blindside standing around the ballcarrier at/after the whistle]
3-'one & done' attitude toward his blocking, so he can start 'swaggering'
4-childish acting and "celebrations"
5-penalties, especially PF, to 'show how tough he is'
6-acting like a bully instead of leading by example.
7-excuses for & avoidance of his mistakes.
8-looks for little guys to blindside, instead of 'controlling space' downfield for his RB breaking into the secondary.
9-leads with his helmet to punish; instead of keeping his eyes up and head in proper position for proper blocking contact, vision, and leverage

: Boren brings the nasty back to Buckeyes line

: April 17, 2009 10:00 AM

: Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

: COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's Thaddeus Gibson has some friendly advice for his fellow Big Ten defensive linemen this fall.

: Don't stand near the pile after a play, especially if Buckeyes left guard Justin Boren is in the general vicinity.

: "He's gonna knock your ass down," Gibson said.

: Not that Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor minds one bit.

: "He's nasty," Pryor said. "I like that. I don't know what it is. He's just going to fight for you all day and all game. I like that in Boren."

: Boren won't play a meaningful down for the Buckeyes until Sept. 5 against Navy, but he has generated buzz ever since he announced he would transfer from archrival Michigan. The Columbus-area native's parting shots at Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez -- remember the "family values have eroded" quote? -- will undoubtedly be rehashed throughout his career.

: But Michigan likely won't be the only team bearing some bile for Boren. He plays with a mean streak likely to rankle opposing players but beloved by his new Ohio State teammates.

: It's no secret that the Buckeyes' offensive line underperformed last year, perhaps from a lack of leadership, perhaps from players getting a bit too comfortable. Boren has immediately worked his way into a starting guard spot this spring, and his presence on the practice field is unmistakable.

: "Just from a brute strength perspective, he's unbelievable," Buckeyes senior right tackle Jim Cordle said. "He's the strongest guy we've got on the team. You take a guy with the physical tools like that, and then he plays a little bit pissed off, which is kind of cool. It rubs off on everybody.

: "He plays with a little bit of rage."

: Boren, through an Ohio State spokesperson, declined ESPN.com's interview request, saying he wants to get through spring practice first. The hydrant-like 6-foot-3, 315-pound guard is doing most of his talking on the field anyway.

: "Oh my God, he's a crazy dude," Gibson said. "It's good to have him over there because we're lining up and he's screaming and cussing and [stuff]. He's a good guy to have."

: Boren started all 13 games for Michigan in 2007, eight at center and the final five at left guard. His younger brother Zach is among the seven Buckeyes freshmen to enroll early this spring and takes reps with the reserve linebackers.

: As Thursday's practice progressed, Mike Boren, a former Michigan linebacker, watched his sons from the sideline, a steely glare in his eyes. Justin Boren's edge clearly runs in the family, and he's bringing it to the Buckeyes' front five.

: "You've got guys like him, who kind of set the tone," Cordle said. "You get fights that break out and things like that, but it's just how we're competing now."

Dispatch

Ohio State football: Cordle showing off his versatility
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 3:03 AM
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Jim Cordle sees LeCharles Bentley and Nick Mangold as legendary names in the recent history of offensive-line play at Ohio State. They were two of the tougher and more respected centers ever for the Scarlet and Gray, shades of Kirk Lowdermilk, Jeff Uhlenhake et al.

"They set the tone. They were smart and they were tough," Cordle said.

Cordle's desire was to follow in those footsteps. When he rose to starting center as a sophomore in 2007, the shoes were starting to fit.

He played much of that season with a fractured bone in his snapping hand. But he adjusted by learning to snap with his left. Tough and talented, all he needed was three straight years snapping the ball to prove he belonged at least as a pledge in that fraternity of centers.

Continued.................

===>Brutus, a poster on OZ, 'actually discussing' Ohio State football.

Here, we have folks who accuse others, actually know enough, are total experts in BS, campaign, IGNORE...

...but amidst all such talent [self-confessed in their own words]...WHERE ARE THE INPUTS, THE DISCUSSIONS about Ohio State football?

<silence of the lambs...accusations of the postal lions>

=====>even refers to LINK on DL provided here..above...with NO comments or discussion...

found this line interesting...and infuriating
By Brutus on 13:08:39 04/21/09
[In reply to "The full blog entry....." by WyoBuckeye, posted at 13:01:08 04/21/09]

'What I am getting to is there is no upper classman to step into the leadership role'

WELL NO FREAKING CRAP! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU RECRUIT JUST 5 OL BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2005-2007. (and one of them, Boone, is already gone...Smith appears to be a dud and Blankenship the same...leaving Cordle and Browning...and that's it).

Chickens. Home. Roost. Along the OL in 2009.

It bothered me when it was happening but since it was down the road it was hard to really think of the potential impacts or you 'trust the staff' will figure it out. But it is going to be a friggen problem....even after Boren magically fell into the laps of Bollman and the team in general. Imagine if Boren wasn't here...or got hurt. Razor thin margin for error/injury IMO...and it goes back to the 2005-2007 classes. Stuff like Browning or Cordle playing tackle...that's a recruiting problem first and foremost IMO.

Take 3 or 4 OL a year (not including TEs that may/may not flip to the OL...aka Miller or maybe Fragel...or transfers coming in...or Kerr's that you owe a scholarship to or converted walkons)....every year.

: TrophyBuck asked:

: "Duane, do you think some of Boren's "Nasty" can rub off onto Adams considering they are playing the same side? "