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Spring Ball Postmortem - Part II of a Multi-Part Series
By John Porentas

In Part I of this series we bored you by pointing out something most of you already know, that the game of football is usually won or lost along the line of scrimmage.

Though it may not have looked like it in the spring game, next year's Ohio State offensive line has a chance to be one of the best in recent memory, and the Buckeyes did a lot of work this spring that will help make that true.

Doug Datish and Kirk Barton sat out the Spring Game.
Photos by Jim Davidson

Two of the main cogs along the offensive front, Doug Datish and Kirk Barton, did not practice this spring. That had two effects. On the downside, those two weren't there to work with their line mates, and that led to some less-than coordinated line play this spring. On the upside, the void left by those two in spring drills allowed younger players to get reps in practices and in scrimmage situations, including the spring game. While the young players will definitely benefit from that situation, the offensive line was not able to develop a lot of chemistry and coordination with Datish and Barton out, and that led to less-than efficient play in scrimmages and in the spring game, but in the long run, the Buckeyes should be better off.

"I think we've been lacking that (chemistry) all spring," said OSU offensive line coach Jim Bollman.

"With Doug out of there and Kirk out of there, I don't think that's happened for us all spring.

"That won't happen for us until August, but I think we've done a lot of good, individual work.

"There are a lot of guys who have improved themselves in that regard and I look for that whole group up front to improve a lot as a unit when we get together in August, and you can tell more and more who are going to be candidates," Bollman said.

In the spring game the offensive line, particularly the Gray offensive line, struggled a bit, mostly due to the patchwork nature of the lines and the lack of chemistry That won't be true next fall, but what will be true is that this spring yielded impressive depth along the offensive front.

T.J. Downing
Photo by Jim Davidson

When OSU takes the field in 2006, there are three sure-fire names that will be in the lineup on the offensive line; T. J. Downing, Doug Datish and Kirk Barton. Alex Boone would also be on that list but there is some question as to his availability next fall due to an off-campus incident in which he was arrested for DUI. There is some possibility that Boone could be suspended from school next fall, though the prevailing thought currently is that if he is indeed suspended at all for disciplinary reasons (and that is not a sure thing, but is a possibility) by the University (not the football program or department of athletics), that suspension could take place this summer, leaving the door open for Boone to participate in football next fall. In any case, there is uncertainty about Boone.

Boone would be missed, but this spring several players emerged that could lessen the blow should he not be available.

At center, Tyler Whaley emerged as a bona fide candidate at that position. Whaley's performance and development could help the Buckeyes tremendously, whether he is in the starting lineup or not.

With Whaley either starting or providing solid backup service, the OSU coaching staff would have the luxury of looking at Datish at guard rather than center. That, in turn, would free up Steve Rehring to move out to tackle. It's all pretty complex, and the best way to understand it is look at it visually.

We've listed Schafer at tackle because that is where he played in the spring game, but but according to Barton, Schafer got time at guard this spring as well. Skinner saw time at center this spring, but played guard in the spring game so that's where we've listed him. Rehring spent much of his time at guard during spring drills, but played tackle in the spring game and as a true freshman in 2005 when he saw considerable playing time.

The Buckeyes clearly have developed impressive depth along the offensive front, and it doesn't end with the names in the chart. Players like Josh Kerr, Andrew Moses, Doug Ebner and Daniel Dye all profited from spring ball this year, and Jon Skinner Kyle Mitchum and Tim Schafer all performed well in the spring game and are players who are developing and improving. All of them will be better next fall because of the way this spring went. Due to the absence of Datish and Barton, they were able to get reps and hone individual skills and build confidence. Whaley, however, remains the player that has made the biggest move this spring.

Center Tyler Whaley
Photo by Jim Davidson

"Oh yeah, Tank, he's doing real well," said defensive end Lawrence Wilson when asked about Whaley.

"His nickname is Tank. He stays real low and he fights. He's a competitor, he definitely competes, and that's why he's good. He's so low. He's short already, but he gets even lower and he gets under your shoulder pads so he does a great job doing that. He's probably one of our best offensive linemen concerning that," Wilson said.

"What Tyler Whaley has is leverage," added Jay Richardson.

"He's really low to the ground and he's a really strong guy. He's a good football player. He could be a heck of a center if given the chance. I think he could do a really good job for us. He's always been a tough guy on scout team out there and gives us good work. Tyler without a doubt 'belongs'. I look at Tyler like I look at Nick (Mangold) or anybody else. You have to respect him as a good offensive lineman, and he is a good offensive lineman," Richardson said.

"The think about Whaley is that Whaley is so short that you can't get under him, so he has good leverage," added David Patterson.

"You know you have to get extra low to play against Tyler since he's about 5-7. I know that gives some guys some problems," Patterson said.

Helping out the offensive line in 2006 will be the tight ends. Rory Nicol returns in 2006 after missing 2005 due to injury, and is probably the front-runner at that position. Also in the mix are Marcel Frost, Brandon Smith, and walkon Will Crall. Tight ends coach John Peterson is looking for a specific type of players at tight end, and spent this spring trying to figure out who fits the mold.

"We're looking for tight ends who can single-block in the run game and protect and allows the offensive line to free up inside. I think we have a some guys who can do a great job in the run game," he said.

Tight End Rory Nicol
Photo by Jim Davidson

According to Nicol, the Buckeyes are likely to use more tight ends this season, if for no other reason than the OSU running game is expected to be potent, and having tight ends on the field will help that running game go.

"I think the tight end role will expand this year," said Nicol.

"They're doing a lot more with us. I really think we'll see a lot more play. I really think we'll see a lot more two-tight ends than we've seen in the recent past.

"We're going to be more of a power team but we're still going to be explosive.

"We want to be an offense that can do anything to anybody at any time. We talk about being great in all phases of the game," Nicol said.

Frost and Nicol got the respective starts in the spring game, with Smith and Crall as the backups. Frost had three catches for 12 yards but also had some costly drops. He also played for the Gray squad, which at times had trouble blocking. Nicol had two receptions for 33 yards playing for the victorious Scarlet team.

Spring Ball Postmortem - Part III of a Multi-Part Series- Offensive Skill

Spring Ball Postmortem - Part I

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