Ohio State Football: Buckeyes in the NFL – week 2
By Alex Shobe
Each week I’ll take a look at performances by former Ohio State football players now playing in the NFL. Sunday there was a good head to head matchup.
There were a number of former Ohio State football players active in the National Football League this week. In this first installment of Bucks in the Pros, I’ll take a look at a couple of fan-favorites who went head-to-head in Micheal Thomas and Denzel Ward, and Ezekiel Elliot of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Browns and Saints played a bizarre contest in New Orleans. This game also featured former Buckeyes Ted Ginn Jr., Marshon Lattimore, and others.
According to ESPN.com Michael Thomas snagged 12 of his 13 targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns. He seemed to get the better of Browns rookie Denzel Ward when the two were paired together.
On a five yard touchdown pass, Thomas created just enough space on Ward to jump up for a ball that the young cornerback never had time to turn around and find.
On a 2nd and 5 from the Browns’ 20, Ward allowed Thomas to slip away on the outside. By the time he turned around for the ball, Thomas was already stepping out-of-bounds two strides behind him. This play set up a Michael Thomas touchdown on a bubble screen the following down.
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Elsewhere in the league, former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliot lined up against the New York Giants. ESPN.com reports he recorded 78 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. His five receptions sweetened things for PPR-fantasy league owners, but didn’t amount to much as he only gained nine yards on those catches.
The Dallas Offensive line isn’t what it once was, but Elliot isn’t daunted by that. He is on pace for nearly 1200 yards and 16 touchdowns on an offense that has under-achieved to this point.
As the year marches on, Scott Linehan has to find a way to adjust his offense because it isn’t fooling anyone now. As defenses begin to use more complex sets, he will need to compensate.
Elliot stands ready to be the top weapon for that team and I would expect him to be the focus point moving forward.
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Look for more coverage of Bucks in the Pros next Monday after week three.