Word of the Day: Guttersnipe.
ICYMI:
- J.T. Barrett trails only Baker Mayfield in 2017 Heisman odds.
- Film Study: Kevin Wilson's play calling.
THE STRENGTH OF THE PACK. The secondary was the heart of the 2016 Silver Bullets, but it lost three players to the NFL Draft.
With middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan also heading to the draft (and no apparent heir to replace him), it's clear the onus of wrecking offenses will fall on the defensive line in 2017.
That's okay because it's a unit that returns everyone from a venerable 2016 outfit.
From espn.com:
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The possibility of the unit returning completely intact was discussed in Ohio State’s defensive line meeting room, but no one really thought it would happen.
[...]
“We had talked about it together,” Hubbard said. “But we actually didn’t all expect to have the exact same room as we did last year. Nobody really expected that because that rarely happens. Obviously we love playing with each other and the fact that we all wanted to come back, we’re all happy.
“Now that it has happened, we’ve got a lot to prove and a lot of responsibility to perform like one of the best units on the team.”
I'm still stunned Tyquan Lewis, he of the collegiate degree and NFL pedigree, came back for another rodeo. It's not the advice I would have given, but I have no qualms welcoming a stout defender back into the fold.
When you add in the development of Hubbard and Nick Bosa (and guys like Jonathon Cooper), it's easy to envision enemy offensive line coaches already fretting about their 60 minutes against Larry Johnson's men.
THE MAN OF INTRIGUE. There will be an abundance of cornerbacks in the NFL Draft, which will offer teams a bevy of options. There may be no other cornerback that matches the skills and athleticism of Marshon Lattimore.
From bleedinggreennation.com:
When watching Lattimore it's pretty easy to see how good of an athlete he is. His ability to transition out of his back pedal without losing speed, and then closing on the football when it is in the air, is remarkable.
[...]
Lattimore's impressive athletic ability and pure cover skills are not so different from Dominique Rodgers Cromartie. Dominique Rodgers Cromartie ran a sub-4.3 40 coming out of college and has made his career out of just being an outstanding athlete. While he has certainly gotten better as a tackler and run defender, he seems to care a bit more about saving his energy for covering that coming up against the run.
I do like Lattimore for what he is and can see the infatuation with him. He may test better than any cornerback in this class and still is a very young prospect. For the Eagles, he is a bit of a project to consider him a sure fire first round player. Lattimore's proclivity for press man coverage creates a steeper learning curve in an Eagles defense that does not use press very much. However, overall, it is hard to see Lattimore getting out of the first round. While there are definitely better cornerbacks this year, it would be hard for teams to let such a gifted athlete get out of day one of the draft.
Point of order: That comparison is to Pro Bowl New York Giants cornerback Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie, not Antonio Cromartie, the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback that enjoyed unprotected sex so much he spawned too many kids to name.
My only concern with Lattimore will be his health. He battled injuries his entire career at Ohio State before Mickey Marotti discovered a never-specified remedy. He'll also need a more industrious attitude toward run support, as well.
WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU? I predicted Noah Brown to light the world on fire in 2016. That happened one night in Oklahoma. Then Brown disappeared from the gameplan for the rest of the season.
Somewhat unsurprisingly (in retrospect), Brown declared for the draft. If he tests well at the Combine, it could propel him into the second round despite the lack of production.
From athlonsports.com:
Brown caught 32 passes for just 402 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016. Aside from Ohio State's win over Oklahoma in September where he hauled in four touchdowns, he was never an integral part of the Buckeye offense. In fact, he caught just six passes for 79 yards and no scores during the last four games of the season.
[...]
A solid 40 time, combined with crisp route-running and catching every ball that hits his hands is what he needs to move up from his initial projection as a third- or fourth-round selection. If everything falls into place, he could enter the conversation early in the second round.
The fact that Brown has shown an ability to do a little of everything — including seeing snaps as an H-back and contributing on special teams — also should help his cause. That will certainly draw the attention of teams like Kansas City, New England and Green Bay. All three are constantly in search of big, versatile receivers.
Mike Thomas didn't put up stats that indicated he would dominate the NFL as a rookie, which is why I'm waiting on Brown's rookie season to conclude before I whip myself with a cat o' nine tails for dispensing a bad take to my readers.
Because who here couldn't see Brown landing in a place like New England or Green Bay (or Kansas City, maybe) and dominating from the jump under the tutelage of Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers (or Alex Smith, maybe)? BECAUSE I CAN SEE IT AS CLEAR AS DAY.
Why am I yelling? No, I'm not defensive about my takes! Let's move on.
CONNECTION WITH OSU. Here's a video featuring Mike Tomczak, Keith Byars, Cardale Jones, and Joshua Perry talking about their connection with Ohio State and Urban Meyer:
Played here? You're always welcome. @miketomczak1 @KAB41 @RIP_JEP & @Cardale7_ discuss their lifelong connection with OSU & @OSUCoachMeyer pic.twitter.com/5T66ZXsamB
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 23, 2017
I'm old enough to remember when Florida fans told us Meyer was a grifter who would leave the cupboard bare in the dead of night.
THE BAD SCHEDULERS. Haters can say what they want; Ohio State schedules an out-of-conference banger every year. This year it's Oklahoma. In 2018, it's Texas Christian (and Oregon State!).
There are some schools that don't have the heart (or the team) to compete with Ohio State's scheduling.
Here are the Big Ten's easiest out of conference schedules, via espn.com:
| TEAM | OUT OF CONFERENCE SCHEDULE |
|---|---|
| INDIANA | at VIRGINIA (2-10), FIU (4-8), GEORGIA SOUTHERN (5-7) |
| NORTHWESTERN | NEVADA (5-7), DUKE (4-8), BOWLING GREEN (4-8) |
| MINNESOTA | BUFFALO (8-5), OREGON STATE (4-8), MIDDLE TENNESSEE (8-5) |
| MARYLAND | at TEXAS (5-7), TOWSON (4-7), UCF (6-7) |
| PENN STATE | AKRON (5-7), PITTSBURGH (8-5), GEORGIA STATE (3-9) |
| WISCONSIN | UTAH STATE (3-9), FLORIDA ATLANTIC (3-9), at BYU (9-4) |
| IOWA | WYOMING (8-6), at IOWA STATE (3-9), NORTH TEXAS (5-8) |
Thoughts:
- Bet your savings on Craig Bohl and Wyoming dumping Kirk Ferentz and Iowa in Kinnick.
- Joey Freshwater may burn down Madison, which is a shame because Wisconsin plans to travel to BYU the next week.
- How in the Hell did Pittsburgh beat Penn State and Clemson and lose five games?
- Let's say a quick prayer of thanks we're not Indiana fans trying to get hype for Virginia coming to Bloomington.
- Minnesota's premiere OOC game features a Buffalo team without Khalil Mack. P.J. Fleck might win the West.
- It's a damn good thing Northwestern is good at school.
HARBAUGH! It's official. Jim Harbaugh and Michigan will travel to Rome for "a week of education and spring drills" in April.
We are headed to Rome for a week of education and spring drills.
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) January 23, 2017
RELEASE https://t.co/o9IFUSR6pk#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/HNtSPb5JhG
Hard to hate on Harbaugh for this one. Although, even a Michigan fan would confess it's at least a 30% chance Harbaugh quits football to stay in Rome and join the Roman Catholic priesthood.
THOSE WMDs. Archeologists discover man whose tongue was replaced by a stone... Outdoor photography of the year winners... When their shifts end, Uber drivers set up camp in parking lots across America... Abducted at birth and found 18 years later... Jimmy Snuka's lies.
