Chip Kelly Updates: Will Howard Improving, Tupperware Is Being Amassed

COLUMBUS — Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly met with the media on Tuesday to discuss the Buckeyes offense, the development of quarterback Will Howard, and much more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

Pass protection takes all 11 on players.
How do you decide week to week how you layer the running game? It’s always based on what the defense of the week shows you.
What’s the challenge of facing Iowa’s defense? DC Phil Parker has been there for a long time. They do an unbelievable job of developing players. They know who they are recruiting and who fits into their scheme. They will be the best-coached defensive team they face all season long. It’s a challenge that you get excited about “if you’re a real football guy.”
Devin Brown has done a great job and has been amazing. He’s a chinstrap away from being in the game. “Really happy with where he is right now.”
How had Will Howard done this season? “I think Will’s done a nice job.” Better from week one to week four. The toughest position to play in football is QB because they don’t get hit in practice. The game is different during the game. “I admire Will’s toughness.” Rarely does he make the same mistake twice. He’s done a good job of protecting the football. His completion percentage has gone up in each game.
How much have we seen of this offense? “There’s always more at the disposal but I think it’s what is applicable to the game that you are playing.” You have a large number of plays available but you pare it down in practice because you can’t practice all of the plays you have. Then you don’t actually get to all of the plays you prepared because the situations never allowed it. Each week is different. They over-prepare more often than not. It’s good to be able to put some plays you don’t use “in the tupperware.”
On going for it on fourth down vs. MSU: There is an analytic aspect to it but you also have to look at the flow of the game and what does it do to the team if they don’t get it. The team is always all in, but if you’re playing poker and you only have a pair of twos, somebody may have a better hand than you.
Where would you like Will Howard to improve? Complete every pass. Jared Goff did it last night.
Is Will Howard locking on to receivers? “I think he’s doing a good job.” Everybody can improve. This is a growth game. You don’t want to be playing in game eight like you did in game four. “I’m please with where Will is right now but that doesn’t mean that he’s arrived. I don’t think you ever arrive in this game.”
Can you try to get guys touches? Theoretically you can do that but you also have to factor in the defense and what they are taking away. A defense can try to take away the run or pass if they really want to. So that may alter your plans. They can’t double everybody because if they did, that would be a penalty for too many guys on the field.
What do you like about being the offensive coordinator as opposed to head coach? You can go to the bathroom as an offensive coordinator.
“We’re not trying to outscheme anybody.” They are trying to put players in the best positions to succeed. “You’re not going to outscheme Phil Parker.” This game has always been about the players and will always be about the players. There will be a lot of one-on-one battles all over the field. Ohio State has to win those.
On drawing up plays, every inch on a piece of paper is a second of pass protection. “The scheming’s done once the ball is snapped.”
This is a chess match against Phil Parker and Iowa’s defense. No coordinator ever thinks about how they are getting into another coordinator’s head. They are focused on situations and play calls. “If you’re thinking that, then he’s in your head.”
When a play starts, what are you watching? Every person has a spot that they are supposed to be watching. He’s usually watching “the trigger point” of the play and checks with the “eyes” that were watching that portion of the field/play/personnel.