OSU-DNA
02-11-2008, 01:36 PM
Next week we should expect to see articles regarding Spring Practice, so let's jump start the discussion and cover the Offense today.
-Offensive Philosophy
I hope to see a little less dependence on Zac's running ability and an increased emphasis on him delivering the ball to receivers and running backs. We did not seem to place a high value on throwing to running backs, yet Julius Crosslin did an outstanding job in the Senior Bowl. Getting our backs into the flow should increase the pressure on the defense and minimize the number of times Zac needs to expose himself.
Typically new Pro QBs develop a fondness for Tight Ends. Let's find ways of getting Pettigrew the ball and let him have a really great '08 send off.
Those are the prime changes that I would like incorporated in our offensive evolution.
Positions.
-QB, keep Zac healthy, if he needs to run lets do it against the premiere teams but save it for those games. The Cate-Weeden battle this Spring will go a long way to dictating how we approach game planning this Fall. Weeden may have the lead in arm strength, Cate may have the lead decision making skill. In any case, I expect a solid battle for the number 2 position between them.
-RBs. The last several years we have been using 3 RBs. Hunter will move into the Savage role. We need Johnson to perform the Toston role and to learn to pass block as well. This Fall we need Staley and perhaps Thomas to pick up the role that our in coming Frosh have had the last two years. Toston and Hunter both were solid contributors from the get go, one or both of these guys will be needed from the day the step on campus.
-TE Pettigrew and several Mr.Xs will be a must. No need to discuss Brandon, just throw him the ball. Youman from La. will be a redshirt Freshman and must contribute immediately. We need one of the incoming frosh to arrive either as a blocker or an immediate receiving threat to hold down the 3rd TE spot.
-OL Minus Koenig, returns intact. While Andrew Mitchell is the new headliner, I look for David Washington to either renail his Center position or own the job that David Koenig held last year. The interesting thing about our OL is that we could be a solid 2 deep going into next year and the competition will make all a little nastier...Ha!
-WR Any school that could put Dez on the field would have an instantly credible threat. I see Davis moving into the Bowman position of big threat and tremendous blocker. Will Cole could become our prime threat over the middle and we have numerous redshirts that will be pushing for playing time.
My expectation for '08, perhaps not as flashy as '07, but more complimentary to our defense leading to a better overall record.
-Offensive Philosophy
I hope to see a little less dependence on Zac's running ability and an increased emphasis on him delivering the ball to receivers and running backs. We did not seem to place a high value on throwing to running backs, yet Julius Crosslin did an outstanding job in the Senior Bowl. Getting our backs into the flow should increase the pressure on the defense and minimize the number of times Zac needs to expose himself.
Typically new Pro QBs develop a fondness for Tight Ends. Let's find ways of getting Pettigrew the ball and let him have a really great '08 send off.
Those are the prime changes that I would like incorporated in our offensive evolution.
Positions.
-QB, keep Zac healthy, if he needs to run lets do it against the premiere teams but save it for those games. The Cate-Weeden battle this Spring will go a long way to dictating how we approach game planning this Fall. Weeden may have the lead in arm strength, Cate may have the lead decision making skill. In any case, I expect a solid battle for the number 2 position between them.
-RBs. The last several years we have been using 3 RBs. Hunter will move into the Savage role. We need Johnson to perform the Toston role and to learn to pass block as well. This Fall we need Staley and perhaps Thomas to pick up the role that our in coming Frosh have had the last two years. Toston and Hunter both were solid contributors from the get go, one or both of these guys will be needed from the day the step on campus.
-TE Pettigrew and several Mr.Xs will be a must. No need to discuss Brandon, just throw him the ball. Youman from La. will be a redshirt Freshman and must contribute immediately. We need one of the incoming frosh to arrive either as a blocker or an immediate receiving threat to hold down the 3rd TE spot.
-OL Minus Koenig, returns intact. While Andrew Mitchell is the new headliner, I look for David Washington to either renail his Center position or own the job that David Koenig held last year. The interesting thing about our OL is that we could be a solid 2 deep going into next year and the competition will make all a little nastier...Ha!
-WR Any school that could put Dez on the field would have an instantly credible threat. I see Davis moving into the Bowman position of big threat and tremendous blocker. Will Cole could become our prime threat over the middle and we have numerous redshirts that will be pushing for playing time.
My expectation for '08, perhaps not as flashy as '07, but more complimentary to our defense leading to a better overall record.