Helwagen Chat

[Style]

link

As always, lots of good stuff in the chat, but let me pull out some of the interesting comments.

pm (Aug 25, 2005 1:17:05 PM)
Steve, If OSU had to, could we win it all with Zwick instead of TS?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 25, 2005 1:17:12 PM)
Oh man, great question. ...

SteveHelwagen (Aug 25, 2005 1:18:57 PM)
Bill Conley laid this out for me. He's been to a few more practices than I have. From his vantage point, everything on offense -- the spread -- seems more suited for Troy Smith's abilities. He can run the QB draw out of the spread. Heck, they're even working on some option. Wow. My guess is if Smith were hurt or was not able to play, they'd go to Plan B -- running the ball and controlled passing game with Zwick. Win them all with that offense? Uh, I think they're chances of winning them all seem to predicated on Smith's speedy return ...

Well, OSU did win a title just 3 years ago with running the ball and a controlled passing game, but we also had 4 quality NFL defensive linemen up front and all americans at K and P. I wouldn't say we have no chance of winnning them all with out Smith, but certainly our chances are alot better.

This is for cavincali:

edbuck51 (Aug 25, 2005 1:28:35 PM)
Did you get a look at the o-line yesterday. #77 looks like he's going to be a monster on the inside.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 25, 2005 1:29:09 PM)
Yeah, I think Sims will do a great job at guard. He and Mangold side by side could be devastating. This line should be a strong point for the team by season's end.

I'm not the only one who thinks the OL is gonna rock this year!

buckwild23 (Aug 25, 2005 1:35:06 PM)
Hi Steve, How are the young Bucks looking? Any Freshman on the team capable of helping the Bucks this year?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 25, 2005 1:36:13 PM)
Yes, a number of freshmen appear to be in the two-deep, names like Alex Boone at OT, Lawrence Wilson at DE. Maybe Jamario O'Neal at safety. Malcolm Jenkins in two-deep at corner. Could see guys like Robiskie and Wells on special teams. Those are probably the most notable ones.

Always good to hear how the true frosh are doing. Btw, I heard from an inside source that Jenkins is just unreal for a freshmen. The secondary really appears to be in good hands. With Jenkins and Amos, who's also been impressive at CB, they've been able to move Super JaMario to safety and Shaun Lane to RB. Our once paper thin RB position now goes five deep: Pitt, Schnitker (listed under tailback now), Haw, Wells, Lane. I suspect that Schnitker and Wells will be situational backs, but still, that's not looking too bad. Especially since the strength of our OL is run blocking. Steve confirms my source on Amos and Jenkins later in the chat.

TexasBuckeye (Aug 25, 2005 1:42:48 PM)
Any new insights or thoughts on the kicking game after the scrimmage?

SteveHelwagen (Aug 25, 2005 1:44:06 PM)
Yeah, Trapasso should be more than serviceable. He has a strong leg and is a football player more than just a punter. Huston looks like he finally has some consistency about him. You can tell from talking to him how much this last chance means to him, too. He wants to show his 6 years here weren't a waste. And, if Holmes and Ginn aren't around for any reason, Youboty is a hell of a third option. He turned the corner yesterday and was gone.

SteveHelwagen (Aug 25, 2005 1:44:32 PM)
And Pretorius ain't half bad either. He could be the kicker the next 3 years.

The kicking game is a concern. Sounds like we may be ok.

 

[cavincali]

one name that i didnt read was nate salley. i dont remember him going pro, so he should be in the mix???

the season that krenzel and the team had wont happen again any time soon. their were so many close games that went our way, having a second year guy in zwick will prove costly in close games. zwick just needs to win game one and move over and let troy take over against texas and the rest of the season.

cstyle--from the sounds of things if the bucks are stellar, undefeated or one loss, this year the next year will more than likely be the year we win it all again.

 

[Style]

one name that i didnt read was nate salley. i dont remember him going pro, so he should be in the mix???

the season that krenzel and the team had wont happen again any time soon. their were so many close games that went our way, having a second year guy in zwick will prove costly in close games. zwick just needs to win game one and move over and let troy take over against texas and the rest of the season.

cstyle--from the sounds of things if the bucks are stellar, undefeated or one loss, this year the next year will more than likely be the year we win it all again.

Nate Salley is back, and will have an all conf season barring injuries. That guy is a monster. He's fast with great cover skills, but hits like a linebacker. Harder than most LBs, actually. Our whole secondary is ridiculously deep. I was listenging to an interview with Youboty on the Bucknuts Radio Hour (great show, check it out sometime) and he was saying how they have 4 strings in the secondary, which is the first he's seen that kind of depth. No kidding. And we're not just talking warm bodies that deep. Some of those kids on the third and fourth string may not of seen the field, but they were all highly recruited and have a ton of talent.

Actually, most are saying this is the year. Next year the offense will be good with Smith, Ginn, Pitt, & Gonzo all returning. (Most believe holmes will leave "early". I put that in quotes as this is his fourth year, afterall, he just has more eligibility. I don't consider it leaving early if you've been there 4 years.) However, look at who we lose, particularly on def. We lose 3 of our starting DL, including the best of the bunch by far in Pitcock. We lose our three starting LBs, and maybe even the fourth, depending on what happens with D'Animal. We lose one starting CB in Everitt, and possibly both as Youboty could leave early. And we lose Salley, the best of the bunch in the secondary. That's at least 8 and possibly 9 on just defense, including the best players at each position!

Now, we do have alot of talent behind those guys, but they are green. That in game experience is invaluable. That's why I'm hoping for several blow outs this year so that our backups gets some PT. Still, I just don't see how you lose basically your entire defense and not lose a couple games, at least. How can you say next year's team has a better shot? Yeah, the guys we return will be one year older, but the guys we lose? Players like Hawk, Pitcock, and Salley don't grow on trees! This is the year.

GO BUCKS!!!!