Gettin’ Defensive with Heacock & Fickell – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/31/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Ohio State co-defensive coordinators Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell met with assembled media members at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Friday at the Marriott Convention Center.
The coordinators, seated side-by-side on the dais in front of a giant Sugar Bowl backdrop and with a glistening Ohio State game helmet adorning the table, went back and forth with the media members on everything defense…including responding to one question about how Auburn should attack Oregon’s offense. The Buckeyes are the last team to defeat Oregon…at the 2010 Rose Bowl. Here is a taste of what is on their minds (with video of the press conference to be posted at OhioStateBuckeyes.com shortly later today).
Jim on the Razorbacks: “They have been very strong in the throwing game…all year. And as the season got into November you noticed two things: 1) they became an even better passing team, and that is a compliment to them; and 2) the running attack that [became] equally as dangerous as their passing attack.”
Luke on the co-coordinator system: “I played for coach Heacock. My senior year was his first year at Ohio State. We have a relationship that started a long time ago. It is a unique situation. We work well together. The buck stops over with him. Our other two guys [Paul Haynes and Taver Johnson] are as much [a part] as everything. This is one group where there is not one person you point a finger at. There is one true chief: coach Heacock makes the final decision.”
Jim on the co-coordinator system: “I’ve never taken the title very seriously. The four of us all know what we are doing. We’ve been together for a period of time. We’ve got our jobs to do, work well together and enjoy coming to the office.”
Luke on Ryan Mallett: “He can make every throw. The hard part is to find a weakness when he can make every throw. And the system fits him well. We don’t see on a week-to-week basis a quarterback who can make every throw. And what hasn’t been brought up is the time – protection-wise – he has to make those throws.”
Jim on Cameron Heyward: “Have you ever seen him not give 100 percent? From walk-through to run-through to live, it doesn’t matter. I’ve never not seen him go all out and the carry over for the team is special. He was as enthusiastic yesterday for a Monday practice as if he was playing in the Super Bowl.”
Luke on Auburn stopping Oregon’s offense: “Play a great team game. Our offense had the ball for over 40 minutes. This is a full team sport. Don’t give them opportunities to have the ball on offense.”
Jim on the defense vs. Arkansas: “Our guys are excited to play Arkansas. Their tight end is the best. Their receivers are great. The quarterback is outstanding. The tailback is a 1,000-yard rusher. The challenge [of playing them] is something you hang your hat on.”
Luke on Arkansas’ offense: “That’s the beauty of college football…every offense is different. From week-to-week you’ll get to see something different.”
