I just want to start this thing off by saying I am far from an author or analyst. What I want to do with this blog is simply give my outlook, opinions, and thoughts on Buckeye sports and other sports. Be forewarned, most of my blogs will revolve around Ohio State football, considering that’s what my life revolves around in many ways. I want to start out giving my “preview” on each side of the ball and then I will do special teams with predictions. I also will do a blog after every game and chime in on other happenings in the sports world.
So here goes nothing, please give me feedback and thoughts at your convenience.
On offense for the Buckeyes this year, the conversation starts and ends with the quarterback position. Terrelle Pryor was impressive as a true freshmen, to say the least. However, he needs to continue to improve for this buckeye team to hit their stride. Once Tress puts his trust in T.P, much like he did Troy Smith, this offense has the potential to be downright scary. Pryor will be better than Troy by the time he leaves THE Ohio State University. However, if there is one thing lacking at the qb spot, it is depth…….or is it? Joe Bauserman is obviously 2nd string to TP. Bauserman throws a mean deep ball, but obviously lacks mobility. However, most fans haven’t heard of the name Kenny Guiton. He was the guy the Bucks went after once Tajh Boyd decided he didn’t want to compete with Pryor. Guiton is no slouch, his scouts.com grade was only 6 points less than Boyd. I’m not saying he could come in and start, but the Bucks do play in the Big Ten. I am by no means saying that Guiton is going to see the field, because unless TP or Joe suffers an injury he won’t. However, I am saying don’t sleep on this kid. Many are already looking forward to Braxton Miller in 2011, but the talent is already here.
At the running back position, the concerns are obvious. Beanie Wells is gone and Carlos Hyde didn’t qualify. Depth is also a huge concern here, but again we play in the Big Ten folks. Boom Herron is capable of doing the job, because he isn’t going to be asked to do a ton. Brandon Saine brings a totally different skill set to the table from Boom. Together they are going to be a boom and zoom combination, with Boom actually doing most of the Zoom. I for one was stoked for Carlos Hyde, and hope he gets his stuff worked out and can join us this winter. However, Jaamal Berry is going to see the field, and I really think this kid can make an impact, especially if Tress takes the harness off of this offense. Another name to remember at RB is Jermil Martin. He was recruited at fullback, but will get the ball in a lot of short-yardage situations, simply due to his size. He sorta reminds me of Branden Joe, a tailback in the body of a fullback.
You may wonder why I don’t think the RB position is going to hurt us that much and it’s really simple…..we have a young, but talented, fast, and outstanding group of receivers. The first thing you think when talking about our receiving corps is the departure of Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. Yes it sucks to see Robo go, but to Hartine…THANK GOD. This years wideouts lack big names, for now. Dane Sanzenbacher is Anthony Gonzalez version 2.0 plain and simple. Ray Small is one of those guys that stretches the field becuase of his speed. Devier Posey is Ted Ginn, but actually a football player with track speed, not the other way around. Flash Thomas is considered a reciever, but will see some time in the backfield in certain formations I would have to think. A lot of people aren’t sleeping on Taurian Washington, and for good reason. He caught a touchdown in his first game, 2 years ago. He is a long lengthy wideout with solid hands and good speed. However like I’ve done with the first two positions I will talk about an impact freshmen. Any of our incoming recievers could be that guy, but I’m going to have to go with…Duron Carter. At 6ft 3 he has the size to make an immediate impact and we all know that he has football in the blood.
We all know the tight ends get little love at tOSU, but I look for that to change. Gone are the traditional tight ends we’ve come to know such as Hartsock and Nicol. In are the new breed tight ends like Ballard and Stoneburner. Granted, Jake is listed as a reciever still, but mark it down he will play TE and will see a ton of balls come his way with all of the mismatches he is bound to create.
The weakest area on the offensive side of the ball last year was simple to identify and that’s the o-line. However, the Brew Crew is about to make their mark. Brewster will be a finalist for the Rimington before he leaves. Jimmy Cordle played solid once he got moved from center. Bryant Browning is the other guy returning who saw solid time and honestly I could care less if he saw the field, he’s good for 2 false starts and a hold every game. A lot of fans forget that Mike Adams was hurt last year, and mark it down he’s as good as advertised. I look for him to play a ton of left tackle. The other member of the Brew Crew, JT Shugarts brings a nastiness to the line that it was lacking last year. Speaking of a nasty attitude, Jack Mewhort brings that attitude from everything I’ve heard. I do have to give a shoutout to Marcus Hall who I think will see solid time. Instead of giving an incoming freshmen name to remember, it’s a transfer student who takes that spot in regards to the o-line, his name is Justin Boren and he’s one badass dude. For those of you who have been living under a rock, Justin comes to tOSU from some school up north, where their coach has no values. Justin brings experience to our line, and a kick you in the nuts attitude.
So, to sort of sum it all up, the key to the offense being able to win games this year is SIMPLE. LET PRYOR DO WHAT PRYOR CAN DO.
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