Mike Weber’s health could play a large role in Ohio State’s offense

“When you watch the film, it’s not the same — it’s a very different offense right now. One was a run first, pass second. This is a do-what-they-give-you [system]. So, it’s a very different. I don’t think we’ve ever had a team average over 300 yards passing in a game either. But the one thing that Ryan [Day] and Kevin [Wilson] have done is utilize the skill set we have of the offensive personnel.”

- Urban Meyer via Austin Ward, Lettermen Row

Ohio State running back Mike Weber had fans concerned last Saturday when he left the game early with a foot injury. Part of what has made the Buckeyes so lethal on offense has been the balanced attack and rotation of J.K. Dobbins and Weber in the backfield. With Dwayne Haskins slinging touchdowns left and right, it’s been a nightmare for any opposing defense. But if a nagging foot injury lingers for Weber, that’s a cause for concern.

Although Dobbins has proven to be more than capable of being a workhorse-type of running back, having Weber makes the offense that much more dynamic. According to Meyer, though, the Buckeyes will have Weber for the game against Penn State. Whether or not he’ll be 100 percent is another story.

The key though, as Meyer touched on above, is how the offensive play-calling continues to be led by Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson. That combine will be enough to keep the Nittany Lions on their toes, regardless of who’s on the field or not.

“Teams are still defending us a lot of single coverage. That’s what Tulane did. And we’re at the point where we can execute the passing game pretty high. After watching the videotape, you know, the offensive line played pretty well. But then there’s a safety hitting you up for a four or five-yard gain. And when that happens they’re leaving you up for single coverage. A lot of it is how they determine to play us.”

- Urban Meyer via Bill Landis, Cleveland.com

Speaking of the offense that Day and Wilson have masterminded, it’s done quite an impressive job through four games. Ohio State ranks No. 2 in points per game, No. 6 for passing yards per game, and No. 27 in rushing yards per game. Having Dwayne Haskins at quarterback helps with a lot of that, as we’ve seen, but the play-calling has been fresh. After watching an offense that was incredibly stagnant for the most part over the past couple of seasons, it’s like night and day from previous teams.

One reason for the change in the offense is that the play-calling has shifted into more of taking what the defense is giving the Buckeyes. Haskins has been able to pressure the opposing team into bad situations, allowing big plays from the rushing attack and vice versa. It’s a pick your poison mentality for opposing teams, and they have to live with the consequences every drive.

“PFT has learned, via a league source, that the team is signing defensive tackle Adolphus Washington.”

- Josh Alper, Pro Football Talk

Former Buckeye defensive tackle Adolphus Washington has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, after being on the Dallas Cowboys’ practice squad. The Bengals lost defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow to a torn ACL on Sunday, clearing the way for Washington. Washington gets to head home to Cincinnati, where he played in his high school days before heading to Ohio State.

Washington was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft to the Buffalo Bills, and even played a game for them this season before being released. He started 21 games during his time in Buffalo, recording 56 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

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