Defensive Strategy on September 3rd

[Dr Z]

Thin Corps at Receiver Could Put Columbus in a Fix --By Rob Oller of The Columbus Dispatch

Last Saturday's scrimmage did nothing to alleviate concerns that Columbus State needs someone, anyone, to hold onto the ball. The Buckeyes' four quarterbacks combined to complete 7 of 22 passes and went the first seven series without a completion. But as much as everyone wanted to pick apart the QBs, the onus was more on the receivers, who dropped at least six balls.

Is it possible that our defense can focus on stopping the run due to the lack of a quality passing attack in Columbus? If you had to pick the strength of our defense right now, I would think this is the match up that most benefits us. Will we see eight in the box from our defense? Will Akron dare them to beat us through the air? Can we stop the run if we focus on it? I'm starting to get a little intrigued.

Crisis in Columbus? --By Ken Gordon of The Columbus Dispatch

Here are the scholarship receivers and tight ends who are eligible to play on Sept.3, with career statistics in parentheses:

Projected starters

Corey Brown, sophomore (8 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD)

Chris Fields, sophomore (3 catches, 22 yards)

Jake Stoneburner, junior tight end (23 catches, 252 yards)

Reserve receivers

James Louis, redshirt freshman

Verlon Reed, redshirt freshman

T.Y. Williams, redshirt freshman

Incoming freshmen receivers

Devin Smith, Massillon Washington

Evan Spencer, Vernon Hills, Ill.

[ZachTheZip]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

[skip-zip]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

That's what I was thinking. If we can't contain our own offense, those guys in Cowlumbus will just run right over us.

[Zipgrad01]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

That's what I was thinking. If we can't contain our own offense, those guys in Cowlumbus will just run right over us.

It was also a defense that was missing 4 starters and wasn't really allowed to do much of anything because it was a spring game.

Joe Bauserman looks to be the starter at OSU while Pryor is out. Pathetic doesn't even describe how awful he is. I would stack the box and make them beat us by throwing the ball. Stoneburner will be tough to defend at TE and Chris Fields will be very good. Their running game scares me, but Bauserman doesn't. I don't care who he has as receivers, he couldn't hit anyone last year.

[dreal1scout]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

That's what I was thinking. If we can't contain our own offense, those guys in Cowlumbus will just run right over us.

I respectfully disagree. For many reasons. #1, Icoach reined in the D. The game was to primarily showcase what the Offense had/had not learned in camp. Obviously, Icoach didn't want to come away with any injuries on either side of the ball. Icoach knows what he's doing. I believe as does Icoach, that this years team is vastly improved over last season's. I for one, Kant wait for the Columbus State Suckeyes. I think we will be competitive (and maybe more).

And another thing: I thought this forum was for ZIPS Fans. I'm pretty sure that our Zips read these comments. Posting negative comments does Nothing to help, and it does hurt. If you want wins, you gotta support the team (good times & bad), especially bad times. I believe we got a gem in the making. I've heard good things about this team and I've no reason to doubt it. We all need to get on board early to help make this team what Icoach and the players already believe, i.e., We've got a good chance at getting some big-time recognition this season. We want it and are ready for it. Bring them Suckeye Punk Asses on!!!

[Zipmeister]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

That's what I was thinking. If we can't contain our own offense, those guys in Cowlumbus will just run right over us.

I respectfully disagree. For many reasons. #1, Icoach reined in the D. The game was to primarily showcase what the Offense had/had not learned in camp. Obviously, Icoach didn't want to come away with any injuries on either side of the ball. Icoach knows what he's doing. I believe as does Icoach, that this years team is vastly improved over last season's. I for one, Kant wait for the Columbus State Suckeyes. I think we will be competitive (and maybe more).

And another thing: I thought this forum was for ZIPS Fans. I'm pretty sure that our Zips read these comments. Posting negative comments does Nothing to help, and it does hurt. If you want wins, you gotta support the team (good times & bad), especially bad times. I believe we got a gem in the making. I've heard good things about this team and I've no reason to doubt it. We all need to get on board early to help make this team what Icoach and the players already believe, i.e., We've got a good chance at getting some big-time recognition this season. We want it and are ready for it. Bring them Suckeye Punk Asses on!!!

I wish you were correct.

[skip-zip]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

That's what I was thinking. If we can't contain our own offense, those guys in Cowlumbus will just run right over us.

It was also a defense that was missing 4 starters and wasn't really allowed to do much of anything because it was a spring game.

Joe Bauserman looks to be the starter at OSU while Pryor is out. Pathetic doesn't even describe how awful he is. I would stack the box and make them beat us by throwing the ball. Stoneburner will be tough to defend at TE and Chris Fields will be very good. Their running game scares me, but Bauserman doesn't. I don't care who he has as receivers, he couldn't hit anyone last year.

Don't forget, they were recording QB sacks simply by touching the QB. So, they had plenty of advantages that they wouldn't get under normal circumstances too.

Giving up 550 years during a continuous-clock scrimmage to our offense should be ALARMING at this point of the year, when offenses tend to have very little continuity. I just don't get the lack of concern.

[akron football]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

That's what I was thinking. If we can't contain our own offense, those guys in Cowlumbus will just run right over us.

It was also a defense that was missing 4 starters and wasn't really allowed to do much of anything because it was a spring game.

Joe Bauserman looks to be the starter at OSU while Pryor is out. Pathetic doesn't even describe how awful he is. I would stack the box and make them beat us by throwing the ball. Stoneburner will be tough to defend at TE and Chris Fields will be very good. Their running game scares me, but Bauserman doesn't. I don't care who he has as receivers, he couldn't hit anyone last year.

Don't forget, they were recording QB sacks simply by touching the QB. So, they had plenty of advantages that they wouldn't get under normal circumstances too.

Giving up 550 years during a continuous-clock scrimmage to our offense should be ALARMING at this point of the year, when offenses tend to have very little continuity. I just don't get the lack of concern.

[akron football]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

That's what I was thinking. If we can't contain our own offense, those guys in Cowlumbus will just run right over us.

It was also a defense that was missing 4 starters and wasn't really allowed to do much of anything because it was a spring game.

Joe Bauserman looks to be the starter at OSU while Pryor is out. Pathetic doesn't even describe how awful he is. I would stack the box and make them beat us by throwing the ball. Stoneburner will be tough to defend at TE and Chris Fields will be very good. Their running game scares me, but Bauserman doesn't. I don't care who he has as receivers, he couldn't hit anyone last year.

Don't forget, they were recording QB sacks simply by touching the QB. So, they had plenty of advantages that they wouldn't get under normal circumstances too.

Giving up 550 years during a continuous-clock scrimmage to our offense should be ALARMING at this point of the year, when offenses tend to have very little continuity. I just don't get the lack of concern.

550 years, really, I swear sometimes I can't believe what I read here. I think that this year will be very interesting. The buckeyes are without a doubt hurt not only emotionally but physically what with losing not only there five best players which will have a trickle down effect. But when you lose your Head Coach it will effect them. If we can come out with a sense of urgency and if everyone can know there job and execute there job it will and can be interesting. We have nothing to lose, we are not expected to win so let's go out and have some fun and shock the world! Go Zips!

[Blue & Gold]

Defensive strategy? Blitz the crap out of the rookie QB. Hope their WRs are as terrible as our secondary so that they cancel out.

If the spring game told us anything, it's that our D couldn't stop a peewee RB with no blockers.

That's what I was thinking. If we can't contain our own offense, those guys in Cowlumbus will just run right over us.

It was also a defense that was missing 4 starters and wasn't really allowed to do much of anything because it was a spring game.

Joe Bauserman looks to be the starter at OSU while Pryor is out. Pathetic doesn't even describe how awful he is. I would stack the box and make them beat us by throwing the ball. Stoneburner will be tough to defend at TE and Chris Fields will be very good. Their running game scares me, but Bauserman doesn't. I don't care who he has as receivers, he couldn't hit anyone last year.

Don't forget, they were recording QB sacks simply by touching the QB. So, they had plenty of advantages that they wouldn't get under normal circumstances too.

Giving up 550 years during a continuous-clock scrimmage to our offense should be ALARMING at this point of the year, when offenses tend to have very little continuity. I just don't get the lack of concern.

550 years, really, I swear sometimes I can't believe what I read here. I think that this year will be very interesting. The buckeyes are without a doubt hurt not only emotionally but physically what with losing not only there five best players which will have a trickle down effect. But when you lose your Head Coach it will effect them. If we can come out with a sense of urgency and if everyone can know there job and execute there job it will and can be interesting. We have nothing to lose, we are not expected to win so let's go out and have some fun and shock the world! Go Zips!

Beware the Zipmeister.

[GP1]

I've mentioned this before. My brother gets to go to tOSU practices when he wants to. He said he has never seen them look nearly as bad in the spring as they have this year.

The 4-3 defense we run now will help. I like a bigger line against a big team like tOSU. The purpose of defense is to stop the other team, so you have to think about what tOSU will try to do.

If I was coaching tosu, I would try to run it down our throats with a much larger offensive line. Big plays won't come from that though and you win with big plays. I don't think they will be able to get big plays against out defense running up the middle. They can set up big plays running inside though. When Bettis was in the NFL, he always said, "If you try to run outside, you'll never get there. If you run inside, you'll get outside." If tosu starts to get 5-6 yards a play running inside, they can design some bounce plays and get the ball outside because our defenders will get caught up in the wash. We aren't the best open field tackling team, so their big plays must come from running outside after setting them up running inside. If we give up big plays in the air against tosu, we are in big trouble the entire season.

Three things the Zips defense has to do. Well, every defense has to do it, but these are the three most important against tosu:

1. Give up 3 or fewer yards when defending run plays between the tackles.

2. The d-line has to maintain the line to give Wagner et al space to work.

3. The LBs have to play their best game ever. Physical against runs up the middle and fast against the bounce plays. If the LBs are making tackles 6-7 yards behind the line, it doesn't matter that one or another of them is leading the team in tackles. It's were you tackle that matters.

If the Zips sit back and try to slug it out with tosu, they'll get killed by the fourth quarter. They have to take some risks. Run blitzing will be important on first downs to force long down and distances on second and third downs. They have to get tosu into a passing game. The question is, who do you blitz? Blitzing is sort of a mindless thing to do if you are a player as all the thinking comes from the coaches. Wagner is a smart player, so I wouldn't blitz him. I would blitz a SS a lot and from different place into a variety of gaps. The Steelers do this a lot with Troy P. This strategy covers points 1 and 2 above. The SS can't be ignored by the o-line so it gives the LBs space to work to give up short gains or maybe make a tackle behind the line. It also covers point 3 because it gives the LBs room to move sideline to sideline to cover bounce plays.

[ZachTheZip]

So, will this year's defense be able to do half as well against OSU as our 3-3-5 did the last time we played them?

[GP1]

So, will this year's defense be able to do half as well against OSU as our 3-3-5 did the last time we played them?

I don't know if it will or not, but I think our defense now gives us a lot better chance to be successful than the 3-3-5. Whether it will or not depends on the guys wearing the uniform.