Ohio State Football: Defense ahead of the offense simply a ‘Rite of Spring’
It shouldn’t come as a big surprise the defense is ahead of the offense as that is usually the case during the Ohio State football team’s spring practices.
When Urban Meyer said the Ohio State defense was ahead of the offense in his press conference the other day you would have thought it is was a breaking story the way it was reported. Not hardly, but it would have been if it was the other way around.
It’s a well know fact it takes an offense longer to gel than it does a defense. For an offense to operate effectively execution is everything, and it takes time for players in every unit to get in sync.
While execution is important for the defense as well, athleticism, desire and a nose for the football can make up for mistakes. Those things tend to impress the coaching staff, and draw praise, as they are traits needed to become a top-flight defender.
On offense it’s the little things that mean everything and it takes considerable time to fine tune each unit.
I never played on the offensive line and only had to read the defense and call the blocking scheme, but I have witnessed the things linemen have to go through. If a guard fires out at a defensive lineman instead of making a reach block, or fails to get to the point of attack quick enough on a trap, counter or sweep, he will certainly hear about it. And probably run that play so many times he will see it in his sleep.
As far as wide receivers go, just getting all of them to run crisp routes consistently is a challenge, especially when it’s mostly younger players getting reps. That’s the case this spring with Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin getting a break and K.J. Hill nursing an injury.
Also, there are three players competing for the starting QB position and each throw the ball with a different velocity so receivers have to adjust to that. Add these things together and I doubt the passing game is up to par at the moment. It simply takes time for quarterbacks and receivers to get on the same page.
If you have never played quarterback you may laugh at the next thing I’ll mention. If you have played the position, you will certainly know what I’m talking about.
A simple handoff to a running back looks so easy when you watch it on TV or at the stadium. However, it takes many hours and a lot of reps to make it look that easy.
First the quarterback must handle the snap cleanly, not always an easy task in the shotgun formation Urban Meyer prefers. Then he has to get his footwork correct to make the handoff and it must be placed firmly in the bread basket of the running back as he is watching the blocking up front instead of looking at the football. The height at which the quarterback makes the handoff can differ with the running back according to his height and/or running style.
With the read-option and play action passes, which are big parts of Urban Meyer’s offense, there are even more things for the backs to get down pat.
With early enrollees QB Matthew Baldwin and RB Master Teague in the mix, there are four quarterbacks, four running backs and two centers getting significant reps this spring. With the many combinations being used during drills, I’m sure the ball has hit the turf quite a few times which probably hasn’t exactly pleased coach Meyer.
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A look at just one play, an off tackle counter which has been very successful during Urban’s tenure at Ohio State, will explain why the defense is ahead of the offense. Especially when you factor in left guard Michael Jordan is sitting out recovering from an injury and J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber are getting a break to stay healthy and rested.
The quarterback has to handle the snap cleanly and hand the ball off to Antonio Williams to his left, who then makes a cut to run over right tackle.
At the same time five of six linemen, including the tight end, fire off to make the correct block coach Studrawa expects. One from the left side is pulling to kick out a DE or LB on the right and has to do so just in time for Williams to cut off of his block.
Every one of these things must be in sync for the play to be successful.
Here are the responsibilities of the defense. Line up correctly, read your keys and swarm to the football.
Now iou can see why the defense tends to develop at a faster rate than the offense.
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Buckeye fans shouldn’t worry though. With the outstanding players returning and those waiting to make their mark, this year’s offense has the potential to be one of Urban Meyer’s finest. The defense being ahead of them at the point is just a “Rite of Spring”.