Tressel's approach to defending the spread Offense that RR's developing

[amazinblue]

Don, Nut, and others are talking about Tressel / OSU's ability to defend the spread offense. Honestly, I was uncertain about how they would be able to do this - since, they've not proven they could stop Florida, USC, LSU, or others with "higher powered / spread" offensive philosophies.

I came across this - and then it struck me - Tressel & Co (probably Don, Nut, etc.) have been working with this group to make sure they're up on the latest and greatest spread O thinking. http://umccc.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=297032&lis=1&kntae297032=C2A80DEA524E4FFD9F35B607927C2B5A

I doubt that Michigan will be able to out-think the Bucks with this knowledge.

[RADRACING]

Almost every team the Big Ten plays is in the spread offense, it isn't the spread offense that is the Big Ten's problem, its the athletes the SEC poses mainly their speed at D line and O line, that befuddles the likes of the conference.

[rickyleach]

of all of the schools in the big10 that have gone or are going to the spread O ,their isnt one that can compare in talent and skill that michigan has or is getting, from top to bottom ,michigan will have the most speed in the big10, the o line will be faster then any in th /b10 and tressel and his buckeyes wont have a answer for that speed, and t pryor cant play all 11 positions so he will be useless, i cant wait until we hand the other teams in th 10 their ASSSEESS..

[Mike Furley]

of all of the schools in the big10 that have gone or are going to the spread O ,their isnt one that can compare in talent and skill that michigan has or is getting, from top to bottom ,michigan will have the most speed in the big10, the o line will be faster then any in th /b10 and tressel and his buckeyes wont have a answer for that speed, and t pryor cant play all 11 positions so he will be useless, i cant wait until we hand the other teams in th 10 their ASSSEESS..


Respectfully, the speed Ohio State has on offense is at least as equal to the speed Michigan offers up in 2009. Saine, Thomas, and Posey were all state champion sprinters in high school, and Pryor showed last year he has at minimum, "football" speed. As far as the talent is concerned, I think our grouping will prove to be effective moving the ball and putting up points.

As for the defensive side of the ball, we have recruited really well on the D-Line and LB positions since that debacle against Florida. I understand you are rightfully excited about this upcoming season for Michigan. You will be much improved and I think you guys are a lock for ten wins. I just think you may want to temper your expectations about how effective your O will be against our D. You are projecting success on the expected improvement of your personnel on offense but do not similarly allow for any upgrade of our personnel. Believe me, our personnel has been upgraded.

[byebyelloyd]

Respectfully, the speed Ohio State has on offense is at least as equal to the speed Michigan offers up in 2009. Saine, Thomas, and Posey were all state champion sprinters in high school, and Pryor showed last year he has at minimum, "football" speed. As far as the talent is concerned, I think our grouping will prove to be effective moving the ball and putting up points.

As for the defensive side of the ball, we have recruited really well on the D-Line and LB positions since that debacle against Florida. I understand you are rightfully excited about this upcoming season for Michigan. You will be much improved and I think you guys are a lock for ten wins. I just think you may want to temper your expectations about how effective your O will be against our D. You are projecting success on the expected improvement of your personnel on offense but do not similarly allow for any upgrade of our personnel. Believe me, our personnel has been upgraded.

i'd like to believe you but i don't, besides, it doesn't matter who plays for ohio state as long as heacock is your D coordinator.

[1OSUNUT]

First off Michigan is far away from being LSU, Florida or USC. The teams that have beaten Ohio State the last few years have been laden with NFL first rounders and talent. To say Tressel could not stop Michigan's current offense is a joke. I think A lot of teams will be stopping Tate and the boys this year as they blunder around the field. Even at WVU when RR has superior talent - what did he win ? He has two Hiesman canidate players in the backfield and lost at home to a bad Pitt team.

Michigan fans should worry about how they are going to stop teams. Based on that defense the last few years and in the scrimage Im not sure your offense can score that many points. I expect Michigan to lose a lot of games this year. That will make me very happy.

[rickyleach]

and 1osunut ,i expect to see tressels balls hanging out of your mouth this season, some things will never change ....

[amazinblue]

First off Michigan is far away from being LSU, Florida or USC... Michigan fans should worry about how they are going to stop teams. Based on that defense the last few years and in the scrimage Im not sure your offense can score that many points. I expect Michigan to lose a lot of games this year. That will make me very happy.

Nut,

Thanks for the assessment. I would agree that Michigan "isn't there yet" - certainly, not until we see it on the field and demonstrate that we're developing something that wins on the gridiron. You always feel that essentially Michigan has no chance and is making bad decisions - and that the coaches can't coach.

Please keep thinking these thoughts. Please share them with everyone on our schedule. Tell your Buckeyes and the rest of the Big 10 and NCAA to schedule Michigan, because we haven't got it - that we can neither score nor stop anyone. Tell everyone... and shout it from the mountain tops.

I expect the team to have challenges - but, what I'm confident you'll see this season is a team from Michigan - with a more effective offense (it may not be explosive, but the foundation for becoming that are being set), and a D that has a coordinator that's proven he can be effective - very effective.

Teams will score on our D, and our O may struggle at times - but, this team will be exciting to watch and is definitely on the way up. We aren't at the level of USC, Florida, or LSU - frankly, that's a very select group. The big difference between OSU and Michigan is this - Michigan's investing and doing what it will take to compete at that level - what's OSU doing to do that?

And trust me - though I absolutely hate USC - it goes back to the phantom touchdown by Charles White in a Rose Bowl - I'm guessing I'll be smiling when OSU gets schooled in the Shoe in September.

[gator]

Amazin,

Reading your thoughts and thinking about the similarities between Urban and RR, I truly think better, dominating days are ahead for Michigan. Similar to Meyer, RR recruits speed, gets the ball to his playmakers, and is now at a university that attracts top-notch talent. I think there is little doubt that next year will be a BIG year for UM (I think a Big10 title, at least). I just think it will take RR a little longer than Meyer to turn things around, so I'm still on the fence about this year. It's not necessarily RR's fault that it will take longer; it's just that the talent at UM was a little down and also very different than what he needed. In addition, I'm not convinced that RR is quite the defensive guru that Meyer is (which is the real reason we won a NC in Meyer's second year). RR now has players more protypical of his style, but many of these guys are freshman or first year starters. I think there will still be some rough times this year, but at least a winning season and a good chance for 8 or 9 wins. Don't let the troll predictions get you down too bad. You may have to put up with one more loss to OSU this year, but I personally predict a different type of series in the near future.

[Wolvrin704]

Gator I couldn't agree more. The future I see for UM is very bright but its at least another season from being here. This coming season will have allot of ups and downs but I expect more ups by the end of the season than downs.

I'm not too worried about RR's defensive lapses, as long as he can hire good coordinators I think all should be well.

The trolls can mouth off all they want but since the hiring of RR I have not been overly concerned about the here and now, but about the plan for the future. Sure I thought it wouldn't be as bad as it was but who really did? Now that is out of the way they can really get into the business of building the program to the level it should be at which is one of excellence.

[1OSUNUT]

Just remember if you don't beat Ohio State this year all these young players will only get better. The Buckeyes are very young this year. If Michigan cannot win this year at home then it might be two more years before they have a shot.

[The Michigan Man]

Just remember if you don't beat Ohio State this year all these young players will only get better. The Buckeyes are very young this year. If Michigan cannot win this year at home then it might be two more years before they have a shot.

Yeah, Michigan's starters, which are primarily sophomores, won't get any better in their junior or senior seasons, only tUOS' players will.

[Wolvrin704]

Just remember if you don't beat Ohio State this year all these young players will only get better. The Buckeyes are very young this year. If Michigan cannot win this year at home then it might be two more years before they have a shot.

Thats one of the most moronic statements ever. As if the Buckeyes are the only young team out there. Don't you remember blasting us last year because we had so many freshmen starting? Our starting QB this year very well may be a freshmen as well. Your team isn't even as young as ours so don't go there.

[1OSUNUT]

TP is going to be an absolute witch by the time he is a junior and senior - even more then he is now. If you don't beat him this year - you won't. Sure Michigan will get better (you hope so) and so will Ohio State. TP is the difference maker. He is hands down the best player on either team and can win a game single handed.

[rickyleach]

and nutsack ,what has he done to make you think he is going to be great, ANSWER NOTHING, the boy cant pass and cant read defenses ,plus his form and footwork wont improve that much , for someone with so much hype ,i think he is rated as the 17th best qb, tate will be better then your buckturd pryor by year 2..

[amazinblue]

TP is going to be an absolute witch by the time he is a junior and senior - even more then he is now. If you don't beat him this year - you won't. Sure Michigan will get better (you hope so) and so will Ohio State. TP is the difference maker. He is hands down the best player on either team and can win a game single handed.

Nut,

If TP doesn't learn how to throw the ball effectively he will turn into a one dimensional QB - certainly his wheels provide options, but - you'll see a LOT of box crowding - a good example will be against USC in September. I wonder how much yardage you think that TP will be accountable for - both through the air and with his legs. Personally, I'd bet that he picks up less than 200 yards total.

Regarding Michigan's D - Gator and others have made some remarks I agree with. First, Florida's talent level when Meyer arrived was higher and deeper than Michigan's was when RR arrived - and, Meyer has Zook to thank for that (nothing against Meyer, IMO - Zook just left more in the cupboard than Carr did). And, certainly, RR seems to be more offensively oriented than Meyer is balanced (O&D) - but, that's why GR is here. I'm confident that GR will provide a lot of wrinkles in the D, which along with what Barwis has done on the conditioning side, will result in improved defensive schemes and performances. I think the key to this season is that the O will hold onto the ball longer - the no huddle sets will wear down opposing D's, and our D will be both better conditioned and spend less time on the field.

I'm very positive about the outlook for '09 and beyond. Certainly, we'll see and have to deal with problems (turnovers, less than optimal decisions, etc.) - but, we're on the right path.

I'm glad that the Buckeyes who post here are so confident. It will make this, or next November, that much sweeter...

[Mike Furley]

I kind of agree with Nut a little bit on this one. I guess where we differ is that I think the product on the field for the Maize & Blue by November will be very good and he doesn't. This is a home game for the kids and after 5 straight losses, I'm sure they are champing at the bit to get a win more than normal.

I think Ohio State is a question mark this season. I'd like to think we will return to glory of sorts but I haven't seen Pryor do anything yet to make me think that. So I think this season may be a decent shot for Michigan.

Where I do agree with Nut is the following season, when the game returns to Columbus, I think the home field advantage of Ohio Stadium will be too much for Michigan to overcome; especially if OSU has a three year starting quarterback who develops a complete game - which Pryor might have by then. So if Michigan doesn't win this year, the next best shot will be in 2011. Would RR still be the head coach if he starts 0-3 against Ohio State? I think so, but that would be the make or break game for him.

[1OSUNUT]

TP is learning how to read the defense and the game is getting slower for him. That is bad news for defenses. Like it or not he causes huge matchup problems when he scrabbles. He will have guys wide open when the play breaks down and if he can see them and hit them while rolling out - he is going to be unstoppable. Sure Michigan will be better with Tate at QB. The question will be if he can stay healthy all season. TP played all season and the game was still fast for him. The same will hold true for Tate. The Buckeyes return some very good talent on defense this year as well. TP has been working on his footwork amd mechanics. While he is not there yet - he is getting there. Once the game slows down he can just throw - and not think. You guys will see this first hand when Tate starts in week one. You will see guys wide open and wonder why he did not throw it.

All I'm saying is that Ohio State will have more experince in key spots and in college the QB is everything. The best chance Michigan might have to beat Ohio State is this year - and that chance is slim. My guess is that Tate will not even be on the field come Nov.

[byebyelloyd]

TP is learning how to read the defense and the game is getting slower for him. That is bad news for defenses. Like it or not he causes huge matchup problems when he scrabbles. He will have guys wide open when the play breaks down and if he can see them and hit them while rolling out - he is going to be unstoppable. Sure Michigan will be better with Tate at QB. The question will be if he can stay healthy all season. TP played all season and the game was still fast for him. The same will hold true for Tate. The Buckeyes return some very good talent on defense this year as well. TP has been working on his footwork amd mechanics. While he is not there yet - he is getting there. Once the game slows down he can just throw - and not think. You guys will see this first hand when Tate starts in week one. You will see guys wide open and wonder why he did not throw it.

All I'm saying is that Ohio State will have more experince in key spots and in college the QB is everything. The best chance Michigan might have to beat Ohio State is this year - and that chance is slim. My guess is that Tate will not even be on the field come Nov.

get over yourself pussy, pryor not only can't pass, he looked NO Better this year as you claim and will never develop at ohio state. keep smoking your crack and wishing it wasn't all going downhill.

[Wolvrin704]

TP is learning how to read the defense and the game is getting slower for him. That is bad news for defenses. Like it or not he causes huge matchup problems when he scrabbles.

Well thats bad news for you guys seeing as the game being played is supposed to be football and not Scrabble. I'm not even sure he can spell well enough to win at that either.



He will have guys wide open when the play breaks down and if he can see them and hit them while rolling out - he is going to be unstoppable. Sure Michigan will be better with Tate at QB. The question will be if he can stay healthy all season. TP played all season and the game was still fast for him. The same will hold true for Tate. The Buckeyes return some very good talent on defense this year as well. TP has been working on his footwork amd mechanics. While he is not there yet - he is getting there. Once the game slows down he can just throw - and not think. You guys will see this first hand when Tate starts in week one. You will see guys wide open and wonder why he did not throw it.

You're right, he will be so unstoppable because he is the absolute first ever mobile QB and no one teaches defenses to stay home until the QB crosses the line of scrimmage and of course he won't have a D player shadowing him.

I also didn't realize TP played the entire season. I must have missed that in the first 2 games or whatever it was.

You guys may have some talent on D but can they play? Don't forget you guys lost ALLOT from last years D. You can't deny it. And I'm tired of hearing the reload crap because when national columnists even say USC is rebuilding this year I can't see how you guys can claim to be better by just reloading.



All I'm saying is that Ohio State will have more experince in key spots and in college the QB is everything. The best chance Michigan might have to beat Ohio State is this year - and that chance is slim. My guess is that Tate will not even be on the field come Nov.

Yeah the QB was so much last year that your senior with all his experince got sat on the bench. The QB is not everything in college so quite hyping TP so much. Is that what you claimed when OSU won the title in 2002? Or did you claim then that defenses are everything in college football? You just spout whatever sounds good at the moment.

[rickyleach]

1osunut , if if if if if if ,if pryor was a frog and had wings he could fly ,whata joke....

[1OSUNUT]

If TP was in Ann Arbor you guys would all be saying Tate Who ? Because he would NEVER sniff the field.

[amazinblue]

If TP was in Ann Arbor you guys would all be saying Tate Who ? Because he would NEVER sniff the field.

Nut,

I'm not so sure about that. Maybe Tate wouldn't have committed to Michigan if TP was here - but, If "Ifs and buts were candy and nuts - Oh, what a party we'd have!"

What makes you say this? Yes, TP does have wheels - I'll give him that - but, he hasn't shown he's got a solid arm. I don't know what you think, but - he had some open receivers in that game against Texas and can't throw anything besides a moon-ball to a deep receiver.

I believe that TP is, and will be, one dimensional - you'll see for yourself against SC. Tate on the other hand, has the balance that an offense needs - he isn't the threat to run the ball that TP is - but, I'm willing to bet that he can gain a few yards - and his arm / accuracy will take people out of the box, instead of putting defenders into it.

[Wolvrin704]

If TP was in Ann Arbor you guys would all be saying Tate Who ? Because he would NEVER sniff the field.

I will concede that he would not sniff the field much this year. But by next year if TP still had not developed an arm I'm not so sure. But the fact of the matter is TP is in Columbus and Tate is our guy.

[1OSUNUT]

You guys make it sound like TP does not have the ability to throw the ball. That could be nothing farther from the truth. He threw pretty good in high school and he throws much better in practice - games are different. I really think TP was trying to hard to play perfect and not make a mistake. I think he had loads of pressure on him last year. The kids has been working his ass off and will be better this year. Remember Troy Smith was a run first pass second QB as well. He turned out pretty good.

Will TP ever be a Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford - No. He does however change a game like no other QB. His size and speed cannot be denied. He is going to have 4 or 5 big WR's to throw to this year - and that will help. He has guys that are able to go up and get a ball if need be. This will be the first time in many years where OSU will have a fleet of WR's that have size and speed. Tate on paper looks balanced - but the actual game will change that. When he has 100,000 plus watching him - that is pressure. He is going to face some very good defenses and he to will play very tenative. He will make poor throws and you will see him trying to place balls instead of just throwing them. It's natural.

[rickyleach]

excuse me nut , but what special stuff did pryor do to make you get so excited about this year, was it running out of bounds on 3rd and 7 ,getting 6 yards or the fact that he led the big10 in being sacked.. im die- ing to hear you tell me... oh let me guess pryor learned all these new things while beokmen sat on the bench because tressy fuuucek him over...

[1OSUNUT]

Just like you to only pick out the bad plays he made. You forget about the great TD run against Wisconsin on the final drive - very late in the game. You forget about how he lowered his shoulder and knocked a linebacker 5 yards out of bounds (then Tressel ended that). He also led Ohio State to a rout over your Wolverines - as a freshman. Say what you want that game is still pressure packed. He had one big mistake against Penn State. Even on that play the defender just got a hand on him and knocked the ball out - otherwise he was off to the races on a huge play and a victory. You forget all the times he took off for 12, 15 and 20 yard gains - when everybody knew he was running. Was he great - No. Was he above average - hell yes. Did he show people the ability that he has and how dangerous he can be - absolutly. Why don't you ask the defensive coordinators in the Big Ten and at Michigan what they think of him. My guess is that he causes them all to lose sleep.

[byebyelloyd]

You guys make it sound like TP does not have the ability to throw the ball. That could be nothing farther from the truth. He threw pretty good in high school and he throws much better in practice - games are different. I really think TP was trying to hard to play perfect and not make a mistake. I think he had loads of pressure on him last year. The kids has been working his ass off and will be better this year. Remember Troy Smith was a run first pass second QB as well. He turned out pretty good.

Will TP ever be a Colt McCoy or Sam Bradford - No. He does however change a game like no other QB. His size and speed cannot be denied. He is going to have 4 or 5 big WR's to throw to this year - and that will help. He has guys that are able to go up and get a ball if need be. This will be the first time in many years where OSU will have a fleet of WR's that have size and speed. Tate on paper looks balanced - but the actual game will change that. When he has 100,000 plus watching him - that is pressure. He is going to face some very good defenses and he to will play very tenative. He will make poor throws and you will see him trying to place balls instead of just throwing them. It's natural.

damn you fucking pussy, who are you trying to fool. we all watched pryor, he can't throw, i saw him in the spring game, he still can't throw. give it the fuck up and find a little piece of reality, pussy.

[1OSUNUT]

Keep on thinking like that. I saw Michigan's spring game as well. I would not be saying much because your defense sucks.

[The Michigan Man]

Keep on thinking like that. I saw Michigan's spring game as well. I would not be saying much because your defense sucks.

That's true, but you would expect the defense to suck when 6-7 starters weren't participating, wouldn't you?

[byebyelloyd]

Keep on thinking like that. I saw Michigan's spring game as well. I would not be saying much because your defense sucks.

who gives a damn pussy, we're here and we have already established pryor can not now and will never develop a passing skill and his coaches have NO FUCKING IDEA how to help him do it. that was the conversation, pussy, you may now commence your whiny bitchy lies.

[rickyleach]

what, people think tressel has a plan,his approach to everything is the same o same .insert head up butt and take a deep breath, he is the man with out the plannnn..