Chip Kelly Updates: Still More To Come From Buckeye Offense

COLUMBUS — Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly met with the media early Tuesday afternoon to talk about the Buckeye offense. Kelly was asked about a number of areas, spending time discussing quarterback Will Howard and more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

What are the pros and cons of running a two-back set? The pros are that if you have two really good RBs, it puts a stress on a defense. If one of them can catch the ball well, it helps even more. The cons are that if you have two, who is getting a rest? It depends on your depth. James Peoples has done a really nice job the first two games. They had confidence in him but you don’t know until you see them in the game.
On the iPads: You used to just have to watch the replays on the scoreboard. Now you can run it back almost immediately. It puts people on the same page and allows you to make corrections faster.
You need to develop depth at quarterback. Seeing quarterbacks go down this past weekend only makes that point truer. It’s the toughest position to play because you can’t practice it like you play it. You don’t hit a quarterback in practice. Will Howard still needs more reps. He’s still a relatively new Buckeye, but you still have to develop the position. It’s a fine line.
The offensive line made good strides from game one to game two, especially in communication.
Pre-snap motions give you an advantage numerically and/or they tell you what kind of defense a defense is in. It gives the QB information and indicators.
Will Howard worked last week on some footwork issues and defensive recognition things. Every player had different things to work on. Howard is a great learner and takes it to the field very well.
Quinshon Judkins has great vision and quickness, but he’s very tough and physical. If there isn’t a hole, he can create one himself.
The depth in the TE room is giving the offense flexibility. They can run formations with three tight ends in the game at the same time. They have earned the time and they will continue to work on those packages.
Seth McLaughlin has been there, done that. He learned the offense quickly. He has played in big games. The other players on the line look to him because of his experience. He makes good calls and his teammates trust him.
What has impressed him the most about TreVeyon Henderson is his work ethic. He is out there every day and only knows one speed. You never have to talk to him about effort. He is not just going through the motions. He’s an explosive play waiting to happen. He’s due for a breakaway run. He’s one of the fastest players on the team. Great physicality and Kelly loves his pass protection.
Will Howard has been really good in his decision-making process with the RPOs. “He’s done a good job in what we’ve asked him to do.” He has to make the plays right. He can make checks to make it right or he can throw to the right read to “make it right.”
Will Howard understands who they are trying to fool with a run fake. But if you don’t have a running game, the play-action isn’t going to be effective regardless of how good the fake is.
You don’t ever arrive as an offense and say “we are this” because you are always adapting either through growth, injuries, or the defense that you are facing. Your lineup changes over the course of the season so you have to be able to adapt to the players you have.
There are still plays in a three-TE set that can stretch the field. They are going to run the ball more than throw it in those formations, but as they showed in the last game, the TE can still go 55 yards on a given play.
How pleased have you been with the running game? Will Howard is a factor in the running game. Teams have to respect his ability to carry out fakes. “We’re pleased but I don’t think we’re ever satisfied.” You’re always trying to be better the next week. You hope your worst game was your first game. They’re efficient right now but they did have an 80-yarder called back. They are also protecting the ball well so far, knock wood.