Ohio State Football: Silver Bullets playing like ‘11 Angry Men’

The Ohio State defense is playing with a similar attitude as one I watched many years ago. They are playing like 11 angry men.

A half-century ago the Oakland Raiders defense was known as the “11 angry men”. Ohio State defensive players have looked as though they are playing angry so far this season.

Who could blame them if they are mad, especially the back seven. They were often blamed for the poor play by the defense last year.

You know they heard the talk during the offseason. I never thought it was their fault and neither did they.

I blamed the coaching and not the players. With coaching changes Ryan Day made the linebackers and defensive backs are flying to the ball like Silver Bullets of old.

First a look at the one unit that’s never criticized, or ever should be.

There has never been a problem with Larry Johnson’s defensive linemen because they always play like their hair is on fire. But this group has taken things to another level.

Everybody expected Chase Young to be dominating and he hasn’t disappointed. So far he has 11 tackles, 5.5 for loss and 5 sacks.

That only tells part of the story though. If he isn’t making a tackle he is often disrupting the play. And when he is double teamed it frees up other guys to make a play. The other edge rushers and interior linemen are constantly doing just that as they are often in the backfield creating havoc.

On occasion when a running back squeezes past the mayhem, the linebackers usually stop him for a short gain. That group is certainly playing like they are in a bad mood.

Last year it was often said the Ohio State linebackers were slow and I knew that wasn’t the case. Urban Meyer never recruited slow linebackers.

It was widely reported Al Washington wanted to simplify things to allow them to play fast and they certainly are.

More from Ohio State Buckeyes

The back end of the defense has also played aggressively. With Jeff Hafley playing so much zone multiple defensive backs are facing the line and are able to help in run support and keeping short passes from turning into big gains.

They have been laying the wood to backs and receivers. And when it appears a WR has a sure catch down the field it’s often tomahawked out of his hands as though the DB took offense he even touched it.

You have to give co-defensive coordinator Greg Mattison credit for this even though he doesn’t coach a particular unit. He obviously has set the tone for the entire defense.

I’ll never compare the skill level of a college defense and one in the NFL, there is too much disparity. But as far as the attitude they bring to the field that’s a different story.

Next. Answering potential 'What Ifs' of CFP picture. dark

Every player on this year’s group of Silver Bullets appears to be playing with the same chip on his shoulder as those on an NFL team I saw play many years ago. I think they are playing like “11 Angry Men” and it has been fun to watch.

Home/Ohio State Buckeyes