Chip Kelly Provides Latest Updates On Ohio State Offense

COLUMBUS — Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly met with reporters following practice on Thursday. He discussed all of the latest with the Buckeye offense, or at least as much as he was willing to discuss. He answered questions about the quarterbacks, the running game, the offensive line, and much more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

+ “I think Will’s earned it.” There was plenty of data with that. It’s critical to make good decisions in the pass game and run game. He’s made great strides. He followed their plan in the summer. He has experience. This isn’t new to him.

+ Decision making is at the top of the list for all quarterbacks because that’s what the game is. It’s not just who has the strongest arm. After decision making it is repetitive accuracy and then athleticism. Will Howard has shown all of these things. Devin Brown and Julian Sayin both do a really good job with their decision making as well. “It’s a great room to be in.”

+ How close is the backup QB battle? “I’m not a predictor of anything.” It’s always about what was done and evaluated. Devin Brown had a really good camp. This was a close competition. Ideally, multiple QBs will play early but the game has to allow for it.

+ Was there a moment when you knew it was Will Howard? “I wish there was but most of the time there isn’t.” It’s about the process over the course of time. He was probably a little behind when he got here.

+ How important are the scrimmages in QB battles? In the first eight practices the offense got their tails kicked, but they showed up very well in the scrimmage. No turnovers. Completed 70% of their passes. Everybody stepped up at QB in that one.

+ They’ve been forced to play a lot of offensive linemen because of the illness in camp. Zen Michalski and Austin Siereveld have taken advantage of their opportunities. They have really made their reps count. Tegra Tshabola hasn’t missed a day. Asked about Ian Moore, he said he got his black stripe removed today. “He’s come along too.”

+ The offensive line has gotten better from playing against this defensive line. They’ve been placed in tough situations and they are responding. They need as much depth as they can get, and this camp has created some extra reps.

+ Austin Siereveld has played both guard and tackle. He’s got the size and length to play tackle, but kind of looks like a guard. He has the arm length to play tackle. The versatility is critical. You’re always trying to find your top eight. Putting Luke Montgomery at center is another example of that.

+ The QBs played situational football really well in the scrimmage. They played the game within the game, and they did it well. The offense wasn’t vanilla because this defense isn’t vanilla.

+ What was the message to Will Howard at the end of spring? Just the specifics of the position. Footwork. Driving from your base. Grasping the offense. Watching film. “Will’s a film junky.”

+ On Emeka Egbuka: “He’s in a box of his own.” He’s not a small slot receiver. He can take on linebackers. He can carry the ball. He can get open, make tough catches. He can do everything. Small slot receivers can hamper your running game, but having him to help that out is a big deal. He sets a tone with the entire receiver group. “He leads by example.”

+ Does it help to know who your starting QB is right now? “I think it does.” Everybody knows. The ones can get to gel. “The game is always going to be won by the details.”

+ What stands out about Tegra Tshabola? He’s really athletic and can really sink his hips. He’s long. He can keep defensive linemen away from people. Big people beat up little people.”

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