Archives for August 2013

I had the chance to talk to Johnnie Dixon the 6″0 187 lb. 2014 wide receiver from Dwyer High School in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Johnnies’ recruitment with Ohio State looked like more of a courtesy in the beginning when he talked to the staff until he came up for a unofficial visit and participated in a OSU camp. Ever since that visit his interest in Ohio State sparked and he has put them in his top 3. Johnnie is a great athlete that allows him to be a mismatch for any corner back trying to cover him. Johnnie mentions his game still needs some fine tuning and it doesn’t appear the Buckeyes are worried one bit about his weakness as the are going after him very hard.

247sports ranks him as the #24 wide receiver

Rivals ranks him as the #20 wide receiver

Scout ranks him as the #50 wide receiver

Q: When did Ohio State offer you a scholarship, and how did it feel?

A: A while back ago and it felt amazing to get one from OSU

Q: Who is your primary recruiter and how often do you speak to him?

A: Coach Smith and we talk a lot, also Mark Pantoni also but mostly Coach Smith

Q: What about Ohio State makes you strongly consider them?

A: The campus is amazing, they are going to continue winning also the team chemistry is amazing and I could see myself being apart of that

Q: What was your favorite part about your visit to Ohio State when you camped there?

A: Everything, everyone showed me so much love

Q: What is your personal and team goals for your senior season?

A: Personal goal is to be a leader, team goal is to do whatever I can to help our team win.

Q: What do you feel you need to improve on the most your senior season?

A: My route running

Q: What do you personally feel is your biggest strength on the field?

A: Being a leader by telling them to keep their head up no matter the situation and leading by example

Q: Which schools are recruiting you the hardest?

A: Ohio State, Notre Dame, Miami, Alabama

Q: Do you plan on taking another visit to Ohio State?

A: Yes, I’m taking my official visit for the Wisconsin game

Q: Do you have a timetable on when you would like to make a commitment?

A: No

Q: What is your impression of Coach Meyer after speaking with him?

A: He’s really a cool guy, he knows what he is talking about when it comes to wide receivers. He has a lot of success putting them into the NFL and that really interests me

Q: Name some of your other interests besides football?

A: I love bowling

You can see Johnnie’s highlights below… and you can also follow him on twitter @unogohard1

The Spread Offense/No Huddle offense epidemic must be stopped. It is running rampant in college and professional football and as much as fans love it, coaches like Nick Saban are in the papers kicking and screaming about safety concerns and unfairness. Well Coach Saban, as much as I hate disagreeing with you I am afraid I am going to have to on this one. While the Buckeyes offense has quickly fallen in love with the Spread/No-Huddle offense; the Silver Bullets probably do not share the same love for it. The Buckeyes defense struggled last year against spread offenses, especially the passing game. The Buckeyes against spread offenses last year (Neb,Cal,Ill,Ind,Miami) allowed an average of 252.6 yards per game through the air. The most infamous of those struggles against the spread was against Indiana when Ohio State allowed a ridiculous 352 yards through the air. This epidemic has caused Coach Everett Withers and Luke Fickell to implement a new defensive package, the 3-2-6.

So what is the purpose of the 3-2-6? Why would a defense only want to rush 3 lineman and have 6 defensive backs on the field? The package allows defenses to put more defensive backs on the field to deal with a multitude of athletes in passing situations. It also puts more speed on the field for the defense. There are multiple aspects to this defense in order for it to be efficient so let’s get started.

Let us begin up front. The lineman’s job in the 3-2-6 is to create some kind of pressure on the quarterback. It will be rare that a lineman gets a sack during a 3 man rush but creating pressure will at least get the quarterback off of his spot and force some discomfort. The Buckeyes worked on this package in the spring and when the first team rolled out it lined up Adolphus Washington on the strong side of the line, Michael Bennett in the middle, and Noah Spence on the weak side. Bennett is the one that stands out here to me. Last year he was a 2nd string strong side end at times but I’m not sure he had the burst to get around the edge. I do think though he has enough burst and bulk on him to split the guard and center and create some pressure up the middle. Now if Bennett does not work out I think that Washington would be able to move inside, seeing that he has bulked up to 292 pounds, and who ever occupies the second string spot could step in for Washington. I think that Joey Bosa would be a good fit here. It would give the freshman some playing time early in his career and a guy with his engine would be very useful in this scheme.

The linebacker corps is a little simpler to figure out. The linebackers will mostly be sitting in zone or blitzing so it would not surprise me to see Mike Mitchell get a shot here in camp as well. So who is going to join Ryan Shazier in the middle of the field? My guess is that Curtis Grant will not be lining up at the Mike here. The linebackers role here is to take away the middle of the field and I’m not sure that Grant is going to be disciplined or fluid enough to do that. I think Josh Perry is better in space and showed that some last year. I’m not saying Grant could not end up here towards the end of the year but I think Perry starts over him initially. Young linebackers like Mike Mitchell or Trey Johnson could make a case for them to play the Mike in the 3-2-6 this season. Both are very good in space and the assignment of blitzing or holding a zone over the middle of the field may not be too overwhelming for the freshman.

The defensive back group is in my opinion the most interesting and versatile group of athletes here. Let’s get the obvious ones out-of-the-way. Bryant will be the deep safety in this formation while Barnett will probably be allowed to roam free. Roby and Grant will man the boundaries and that leaves us with two defensive backs to figure out. The remaining two DB’s will be playing the important “Star” position. I believe Powell is a lock in one of these spots due to his ability to shift his hips like a corner and hit as hard as a safety. The coaches really like him and he has grown in to the role very quickly.

The second Star spot was filled by Corey Brown this spring but here comes my romance with Vonn Bell. While Corey Brown maybe the fifth year Senior who has dedicated all of his time and effort to the program being an upstanding Buckeye, we are competing for a national title and there is no room for sentimental favorites. The best most talented players have to play. As long as Bell dedicates himself to the Buckeyes he will become a great safety in a few years for Coach Meyer but for this year he can contribute by serving in this Star role.
Now where will Buckeye fans see the 3-2-6 implemented? Mostly on third and long, but they can also expect it being used against Indiana this year to prevent another 52-49. It will also be used at that night game against Northwestern and their recently implemented spread attack.

If Ohio State can use this package with efficiency they may have a successful answer to any spread and passing attack they will face. Oh and it may help with those “miscommunication” issues the secondary had last year that led to a few big plays.

The man, the myth and now the ledgend Cris Carter came back home to the Buckeye State where he will be a permanent member in the National Football Hall of Fame.

The former Buckeye All American wide receiver gave a moving and spectacular speech, saying he only regretted one thing that he has done and that was to sign with an agent thus losing his eligibility for his senior season. Carter is still one of the best receivers to wear the Scarlet and Gray colors.

Welcome home Cris Carter. Good to see in the Hall of Fame where you belong. O-H I-O

So it began at 8:45am for 35 players, freshman and a few inexperienced older players. The media was allowed to be present for the first 30 minutes per Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch. The veterans reported for their first practice at 3:05pm.

The Buckeyes get to put the off season distractions (only Roby’s saga continues) behind and start the process of accomplishing their goals for this season. Another undefeated season, win their division, win the B1G championship, win a National Championship are some of the common goals for this years team. Ohio State is coming into camp close to being fully healthy. Center Corey Linsley (screw in foot) is out of his walking boot and running, Back up QB Kenny Guiton (broken finger) hasn’t begun throwing yet but started throwing motion, offensive lineman Antonio Underwood probably won’t participate in camp while he coninues to recover from his ACL injury.

This is courtesy of Buckeye TV: