The Front Row

I think the concerns are just around depth and experience in the secondary. Roby, Bryant and Barnett all have experience. Bryant has had some games where he has been the target of frustration due to poor angles, not wrapping and being lost in coverage at times. IMO, he is a guy I definitely want on the field, though. I think he is an enforcer, and what you want in a hard hitting safety. Barnett has been the target of frustration for being out of position, disappearing, and poor coverage at times. He has also struggled with some injuries. I think Duane's game reviews have been completely up and down with him. The point is, neither kid is someone you won't have to cover for at some point in the game. We need a couple of players to step up behind them and either be ready to jump in due to injury, or to improve Safety play. It's a tall order for youngsters, but might be necessary at some point - even against a Northwestern.

DBiddy ran down the list of bodies at Saety in another thread - the number of Safety bodies has never been an issue here. We always have the cupboard full. However, we often find ourselves with only two or three who can really be counted on in meaningful minutes. Do we have more than that now? I think so, but we don't know.

At corner, we had a young Adam Griffin in the two deep last year, and that was with Howard. Again, we have bodies and a lot of potential, but do we have the quality depth to play man, lock down receivers and let the front 7 be unleashed against offenses?

We are no longer looking to play the bend and don't break Ds we played under Heacock, where we immediately dropped the LBs into coverage and played it safe. We are looking to attack, force errors, or get the punt return team on. It's a different philosophy, and it takes a different type of athlete in the secondary. Do we have that right now? Maybe, but I don't know how we'd know until we start seeing it in real game speed.

our D is going to be sick - secondary included

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EVERY year OSU fans say our defense is gonna be " sick " & it never quite happens like fans think it will. There are always players who don't live up to expectations & d-coaches never call plays like the fans think they will.

Dude what safeties were you watching last year. There was no Mike Doss out there. Barnett and Bryant are avg at best

I'm with you,but don't expect many to join us.They don't understand the word IMPROVEMENT! Meyer has allways improved his team the Second Year.In a weak conference they will roll!