The Front Row

Agree 100%. If guys like Grant, Pittman, etc....just aren't getting it then they are going to be worthless out there too. Look at that Indiana game. Doran Grant was in postion to make the tackle on about the 12 yard line, yet he freezes and the WR takes it inside/across the field for 6. Orian Johnson missed about 4 tackles in open space that sent guys for long gains or the distance. The play where the Glenville kid came across the middle Storm looked like his feet were in cement and then he simply out ran our DB's (again). My brothers....we are just not that good in the back 7. Yes, we have 2 good corners but they are working the middle of the field on most pass plays (i.e. safety's and LB's/Star). I love defense and it's killing me.

Grant and Pittman have taken games over when they r allowed to excel with their physical attributes.....u can't put themin a position to make reads on a consistent basis and expectthem to not make mistakes that is ridiculous then to say they won't get it is idiotic......we do not have experienced players at all positions yes but that does not mean that we have to stink....we sink our safeties so deep and corners that they r on an island making the tackle by themself.....please how many guys can do that ......better to have them come up and tell the corners they r on their own.....run a 3 4 with outside backers blitzing and dropping into coverages based on alignments it is not that difficult......we r faster than everyone in this conference our man coverages will get beat from time to time but not as much as u think.....we will be 10 times better than we r now with a more aggressive approach than a reactionary approach because of our youth and speed and strength

JT covering a spread might be the most comical thing I've heard all day! LOL

JT had an excellent record of covering the spread. The Vegas guys kept raising it, and JT kept covering it. I made out quite well betting on it.

I guess the lackluster, "just win baby" performances stick out to me most when I think of that era more than anything. Yes, JT won a lot of games but I don't recall us looking all that impressive in many of those wins. Especially against teams who weren't nearly as talented. Which is why I find it so ironic that the same people who praise JT for just winning games are already teeing off on the current staff for winning "ugly." At least I'm not falling asleep in my chair watching games anymore.

Also don't recall JT bein 7-0 after his first seven games here with A LOT more talented outfit than this current one.

I don't think it is the people who appreciated JT who are teeing off on the current staff. I think it is pretty much the same negative posters who have complained about both. I think those of us who appreciated JT also appreciate Meyer.

As to JT just winning games, isn't that the objective?

Regarding the roster, my take is a little different than yours. JT was expected to play for another national championship last season with these guys plus the tat5. A bunch of them are going to play in the NFL. Meyer has made comments about how talented they are. With all that I consider it a very talented roster.

Why do you think these guys get so mad its when we don't cover the spread.... when we win and cover its all good. When we don't cover the world came to an end , if we lose and don't cover fire someone or everyone

I would also put an APB out for Jim Heacock!

I don't know what's changed. I'm not one who ever touted this defense for being very talented. Give me an OSU squad that's been less talented with less depth than this one over the last two decades. Offense or defense? As I said earlier, not counting the frosh who aren't making an impact right now.

^^^ This

I think our expectations were too high at the beginning of the season. All we heard about was the talent on defense. I also was so freaking jacked to watch this defense, hearing about all the hard work everyone wsa putting in during spring/winter practice. Players were talking about how hard they worked, losing weight...etc. It was hard not to feel like our defense was going to carry this team while the offense got up to speed.

I am stating the obviousl but our D line is great......our Middle is thin, hurt, and lack experienced players. Our D backs are talented but still lack the "little things" that will put them over the top (not tackling proplery, taking poor angles, etc). Roby is a freaking stud but he has still been prone to make mistakes. Collectively those guys are not good enough to make up for what we are lacking in the middle of our defense.

What REALLY bothers me is this.....after the IU game some of the defensive players, Roby included, ADMITTED to taking it easy after they were up big!??? ADMITTED!!? I also read that players appeared to be laughing and joking on the sidleines etc. WTF is going on with that? Sorry, that is a DIRECT reflection of the defensive coaching staff. With the attention and criticism this defense has recieved most of the year you would THINK that they get it by now.....effort doesn't take talent. Executing good fundamentals such as tackling and angle pursuit doesn't take "talent"....it takes effort and heart and players that deep down buy in.

Players were "shocked" and "surprised" by Meyers visit in the defensive team meeting. really?? Meyere calling for "tough guys" "4-6 seconds" of relentless pursuit......that shit should have been instilled during spring/winter practice and EVERY DAY!

I would expect that since Meyer has stepped in we should see a different defense this Saturday. if so i am not sure what that says about Fickell's future......

Sorry for the book here but at the end of the day i am thrilled with the progression of the offense (even with the injuries over the course of the season) and the fact that we have a chance to go 8-0.

GO BUCKS!!!!!!

This sentence got my attention. (It would make a most interesting new thread, but unfortunately would rapidly escalate into another Fickell bashing thread, so I'll ask my question here.)

What do you expect to be different, schemes, formation, who plays and where, execution, or what?