Dave Thurman (6:57 pm)
Like every other Buckeye fan I have been pouring over spring practice reports, excitedly reading about the progress young players are making, and enjoying the battles being waged for open spots. There seems to be lots of good news filtering out of these practice sessions, and I see some encouraging signs. However, one thing worries me a great deal, and that is the linebacker position.
This probably surprises you, because the linebacker position has been well stocked in recent years, and we all know that Ohio State, not State Penn is the real "linebacker U." But I am a little concerned by the potential of seeing Austin Spitler and Ross Homan on the field together. Don't get me wrong, I think both of them are good, hard-nosed Big Ten linebackers, who can fill the hole and stuff the run. But they aren't the fastest players in recent memory, and I think having both on the field together could spell disaster against speedy teams.
Now in the opener, when Navy comes to town, it should be no problem. Against the Midshipmen you need tough, disciplined linebackers committed to stopping the run. But the following week, the Trojans of USC make their way to Columbus, and we all know they bring speed, speed, and more speed. It is my opinion that faster linebackers such as Etienne Sabino (pictured) and Brian Rolle, along with guys who can play a hybrid position (safety/linebacker) like Jermale Hines and Tyler Moeller, are the keys to playing with top level teams that spread the ball around. There is always a place for a physical, old-fashioned linebacker when you play the traditional Big Ten teams, but the truth is Ohio State won't beat the big boys unless they can cover from sideline to sideline. That is why I don't see Spitler and Homan on the field together when the Bucks face a spread or a team with an arsenal of speedy skill-position players.
Times are changing in college football, even in the normally conservative Big 10, and like it or not, Woody-ball won't work anymore. That's not to say that Coach Hayes wouldn't have evolved with the times, it just means that what worked in 1970 isn't necessarily successful in 2009. Discipline and physical play are still essential, but speed has changed the game. That's why linebackers like Vernon Gholston and Thaddeus Gibson who can bulk up a little are being converted and are turning into beasts coming off the edge. And that's why so many teams are taking physical safeties and turning them into linebackers.
They say that speed kills, but in reality lack of speed will quickly bring the demise of a football team. So here's hoping the Bucks are ready to put on their track shoes this year, even at linebacker!
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