“It Might Get Loud” is a 2008 film featuring the musical styles, stories, and histories of rock guitarists Jack White, Jimmy Page, and The Edge. While all three men are respected guitarists in their own right, each have their own styles, and the film’s title pays homage to each guitarist’s reputation for playing rock music at a loud volume.
It may be a completely different topic, but the title of the documentary could be applied to the pending decision by Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and his coaching staff on who will be the starting quarterback for the 2018 season. More on that momentarily.
Throughout the spring practices, I ranked position groups for the Buckeyes, from positions of least concern to most concerning. Heading into the spring game on April 14th, the positions I ranked as most concerning were defensive backs, linebackers, quarterbacks, and the offensive line. How did it all shake out this spring?
4. Defensive Backs ~ Jordan Fuller is the lone returning starter of the secondary, and could be primed for a big junior season. Both Shaun Wade and Marcus Williamson played well in the spring game, and could factor into the rotation in nickel packages. The boundary safety position opposite of Jordan Fuller is still open heading into fall camp, with Isaiah Pryor presumably the favorite to win the starting job.
3. Linebackers ~ The injury to Tuf Borland leaves Ohio State with no definitive starters heading into fall camp. Justin Hilliard and Baron Browning will both get opportunities to win the starting middle linebacker position in fall camp. The talent is there, but the inexperience is glaring.
2. Quarterbacks ~ Hence the title of this post. Coming into spring practice, Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow were battling for the starting position, and there is no resolution at the conclusion of spring practice. No matter which quarterback is selected, count on Ohio State fans to be quite vocal in their support, or disapproval, of the selection. Tate Martell will be on the field in some way, shape, or form, in designed packages and situations.
Right now, Haskins is the only Ohio State quarterback with testimony, and it is triumphantly dangling around the necks of the Buckeyes in the form of yet another pair of Gold Pants. https://t.co/mdSrEnK6Ft
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) April 16, 2018
- Offensive Line ~ Spring practice began with the offensive line as my biggest concern, and it leaves spring football with that distinction. Matthew Burrell will be transferring, with Brady Taylor as the apparent leader for the center position. Josh Myers is still in the battle, with fall camp to be the final determining factor.
Crazy spring for me, but everything will work out the way it’s… https://t.co/MfneHUs5M0
— Matthew Burrell Jr (@Burrell_69) April 18, 2018
What has me concerned heading into fall camp is the revelation that Thayer Munford is the apparent starting left tackle. After being led to believe Isaiah Prince was the projected starter at left tackle, Munford played at left tackle during the spring game. Munford struggled against Nick Bosa and Chase Young, but who wouldn’t struggle against those two elite defensive ends?
Getting the offensive line settled, and cohesiveness developed in fall camp, need to be priority one.
For now, sophomore Thayer Munford is your left tackle and Isaiah Prince is at right tackle per Greg Studrawa.
— Ozone Communications (@theOzonedotnet) April 18, 2018
No matter, having an inexperienced left tackle, with a new center, and a new quarterback starter…
It Might Get Loud.
I will be disappointed if joe burrow is not the starter. The spring game proved that completely, without a doubt.If he does not start they loose him to another team. if that happens then we have two QB’s that are not accurate passers and one that can’t scramble. the choice is obvious to me. Joe burrow or else a long season with struggles. If the offensive can’t hold up then we need the best scrambler in there which leaves haskins out.
Linebackers was my biggest concern entering the spring, followed closely by the offensive line. Nothings changed. I suspect they will open the season with those positions of concern.
I still don’t care who wins the starting quarterback job. For me it should be Joe Burrow who emerged by a wide margin throughout the Spring game, but it really doesn’t concern me. Any of them can lead the team.
I don’t put much stock in Dwayne coming in against the skunk bears. That was a defense prepared against a weak armed RPO QB, not a gun slinger. Just like I don’t put much stock in the Alabama backup saving the day for Alabama against Georgia in the SEC title game. (nope, it wasn’t a National title game).