Football
The-Ozone Note and Quotebook
By John Porentas

Change for a Nickel: OSU's nickel defense last season was rather interesting. When the Buckeyes wanted to go to the nickel they didn't really bring in a nickel back. Instead, they brought in a corner (Chimdi Chekwa), regular corner Malcolm Jenkins went to Anderson Russell's safety position, and Russell moved to the Star (nickel back) position. It appears that whole scenario is going to change this spring.

Anderson Russell

"Last year after the season we talked about we would be better off as a secondary with everybody playing just one position. When we go in we're just going to bring somebody in to play nickel. I think it's going to be good for us in the long run," said Russell.

This spring the Buckeyes are looking for nickel candidates. The criteria is really pretty simple.

"We're just working on finding our best five," said safeties coach Paul Haynes. "In the spring you're trying to find out who are those guys. The key for us is to try to put them in the right spots."

The Buckeyes currently have four players they are looking at as a nickel back. Rather surprisingly, two of them are linebackers.

"Right now Jamario (O'Neal) and Chimdi (Chekwa) and Jermale Hines and Tyler Moeller are all nickel guys," said Haynes.

Haynes said that the use of players like Hines or Moeller, both linebackers, would give OSU an advantage if the opposing offense is using their receivers extensively as blockers or if the opposition decides to run against the OSU nickel. Because of the speed that both Moeller and Hines bring, the Buckeyes will not lose much in the way of pass coverage if they are in the game.

"Those guys could both be safeties body-type wise and running wise," said Haynes.

Safety Shuffle: There has been at least one position change involving defensive backs this spring. Sophomore Eugene Clifford has moved from corner where he played as a freshman to safety this spring.

"It was finalized right before spring ball," said safeties coach Paul Haynes. "It's just depth. We've got depth at corner and we need more depth at safety. That was really the reasons for the move," Haynes said.

"He's a heck of an athlete. He's got great range, he not afraid to hit. He brings something to the table for sure."

Clifford is currently battling for a backup spot at safety along with redshirt freshmen Nate Oliver and Rocco Pentello.

"I would say that Eugene is probably ahead of those two other guys. Athletically, he's got it all, but all three of those guys are improving," said Haynes.

DB Two-Deep: The depth chart in the defensive backfield this spring is impressive.

At corner, both of last year's starters return in the persons of Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington. Their top backups are Chimdi Chekwa, who saw considerable action last season in nickel situations, and Andre Amos, who was competing for playing time last spring when serious knee injury ended his season.

Andre Amos

"Andre Amos was there for us last year and had the knee injury and came back toward the end of the year. He's having a pretty good spring so far," said corners coach Taver Johnson.

"He's a guy who is tall and athletic and physical as well.

"He brings a lot to the table. Andre is coming along and getting back into football shape. I think he's back enough to help us.

"He has to get through the spring before we can fully assess how much he'll be able to help us.

"For sure with the long season that we have he'll be able to help us," Johnson said.

At safety incumbent starters Anderson Russell and Kurt Coleman both return. Top backups currently are Jamario O'Neal and Eugene Clifford. Also getting snaps with the second team group are Aaron Gant and Rocco Pentello.

Safeties coach Paul Haynes is happy with the progress his backups have made.

"Gino (Eugene Clifford) played it in high school so that move wasn't too tough for him," said Haynes. "Actually, the move to corner was probably tougher for him."

Jamario O'Neal

Haynes also likes what he sees in O'Neal. O'Neal came to OSU a highly-heralded recruit out of high school, but has not yet lived up to his reputation. Haynes takes some umbrage to that notion.

"All those stars and ratings don't mean a thing until they actually get here," said Haynes.

"Jamario is talented, very, very talented.

"First I would say it was the lack of football knowledge, so he had a learning curve where he had to learn the defense.

"Then it was more thinking than physical.

"Last year he went three weeks to a month in the middle of the season where he had great practices. He actually got in. He had that good of practices that we actually put him the game because he did show a lot of improvement.

"Then he got hurt. Injuries have played a big factor in Jamario too. That has played a huge factor also," said Haynes describing what has slowed O'Neal's progress.

Blaster from the Past: OSU safety Kurt Coleman improved steadily as last season progressed. Coleman said his first year as a starter as OSU was one of adjustment that eventually brought things into focus for him.

Kurt Coleman

"I felt like I grew as a safety and as a player," said Coleman.

"I slowed things down in my head and I played a lot more efficiently."

Eventually things game together for Coleman.

"I would say it was the Michigan State game. Everything just clicked. I could make the reads, I made the plays that I need to make and it was just really fun out there," Coleman said.

Coleman benefited from his on-field experience, but also benefited from some mentoring from a former Buckeye who made quite a name for himself playing the same position for the Buckeyes that Coleman now plays. After every OSU game Coleman's performance was analyzed and critiqued by Mike Doss.

"I talked to him almost every week during the season and it was cool because he would watch the game then he would tell me 'Kurt, you need to do this, you need to do that.' I tried to use it the next week," said Coleman.

"Mike has helped me out tremendously with my reads and everything. It's good to have someone that can come back."

Coleman said that Doss is still mentoring him.

"He's been back and forth so we've watched film and we've talked about it, so he's helping me out," said Coleman.

"It's just really fun to see someone that's done it before. I would love to be what he's been, a three-time All-American."

Coleman has also done some other things to improve, like get bigger.

"I've gained ten pounds. I'm 192. I have eight more to go. I want to get to 200," he said.

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