| 09 October 2010
I thought Pryor looked great. I go back to the mechanics issue. I see consistency. It shows in the accuracy we are seeing. So many balls used to be an adventure. He was late on a couple of throws but only had one bad ball and maybe throwing that one in the ground was throwing it away. The one awful play he made was running out of bounds when he thought a penalty flag was against us. It gave Indiana the option of 2nd and 16 rather than force them to take a 1st and 20. First, don't assume that the ref threw the flag on what you saw. Second, throw the ball away. Don't take a loss. Whatever you do don't take a loss. Terrible decision. The underneath stuff is just a killer for the defense. We like to get the ball down the field when we throw it. The linebackers want to drop deep to cover that. With the threat of Pryor running they can't drop too much. That creates space for the receivers. With him dumping the ball underneath it makes it that much easier to throw down the field. It keeps the defense from focusing on Pryor. Great stuff. Overall it was possibly the best performance of his career.
I assume there is going to be a great deal of chatter about the running back rotation. Who says you don't lose your position due to injury? Jim Tressel. Hyde was right there when the injury occurred. I thought he looked real good. A big back option that I don't think we had before. He looks like he can do more than just get 3 yards at a time though.
I think the talk about the offensive line makes no sense. Why are back-ups finding holes? That said, I do see something that is concerning. We can't get wide right because we don't seem to be able to set the edge. It does not matter if Shugarts is in there or Norwell. We get stuffed. Shugarts false start every game average is getting old. Adams getting beat inside is becoming an every game thing too. Adams and Shugarts/Norwell are playing well. Better than anyone is giving them credit for but they have to fix these nagging issues.
I was happy to see all the young backs getting some reps. I don't know if we can keep them all. I know this is the one way we might be able to. I don't think anything has been decided. I see talent with Hall, Berry and Hyde. I know I like Hyde the best but that is with a gun to my head. What I would like to say is, let me get back to you on that.
Saine as a receiver works for me. Coming out of high school I thought it could go either way. As time has gone along I stopped believing in the prospect of him being a receiver. He had top end speed and great hands but I did not see the hips and feet to be a route runner. I did not see an explosive guy who could go up and make plays on the ball in the air. It does not matter. He makes it happen as a receiver. The routes he is running right now are not really routes. He is running to a spot. No other receiver had showed they were ready to step into that number three role. Well, not until today. Good games by Philly Brown and Taurian Washington.
The best game for Heyward all year.
Dex Larimore was the best defensive lineman on this team and he needed to be. Any other team and Hankins would be a starter. His first play of the game he stuffs the guard. Pushes him right into the back and forces him into another tackler. The announcers were giving Homan and Rolle credit for the stop on the fourth down stuff but Hankins stoned his guy. If that doesn't happen Rolle and Homan never get a chance to finish that play.
You notice I said Larimore "was" the best defensive lineman on the team. Nate Williams is a problem. He reminds me of former Bengal first round pick David Pollack from Georgia. Neither are classic weakside ends in stature but both are very athletic and fast for their size and very explosive. They are powerful enough to stand up to the run. Both are playmakers. Great player.
I really liked what I saw from a couple of other backups today. Adam Bellamy was very active and involved today. Storm Klein had his best game as a Buckeye. That bodes well for next week. I like our odds with him stepping into the hole against Clay.
Brian Rolle had a good football game versus the run. He will play in the NFL. I see a hybrid in him. Very physical for his size.
Don't be surprised if Ross Homan is a first day draft pick. He has never received his just due. Great player. Like Rolle, and Laurinatiis before him. He is a very good pass defender and tough against the run. Runs very well. Always plays smart.
Outstanding day for the secondary. Torrence was very good today. So was Chekwa. A mixed bag for Howard but mostly good. Having him back is huge. I saw a better game out of Johnson this week. He had the one bad play, not wrapping on the tight end down the middle on the drive that game Indiana their touchdown. Build on that, Ohrian. We need more.
I have to mention Zack Boren. He had two of the most memorable plays of the game. Everyone saw the hurdle after the reception. Did you see him get decked on the first series? It may have been the first play of the game. We have never seen a Boren on his behind before. His brothers and his Dad will never let him forget that play. They will give him one of those BigHead blow-ups of him sitting on his can for Christmas.
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