OSU LB Sabino unsatisfied with 2011

By BILL RABINOWITZ

Columbus Dispatch

JACKSONVILLE, FLA.

During preseason camp, Ohio State linebacker Etienne Sabino described himself as “starving” to make an impact in 2011 after a voluntary redshirt season a year ago.

Consider him only partly sated.

Sabino started this season, but it wasn’t the breakthrough year the junior envisioned. His performances reflected many on a defense in which results didn’t always match potential. Now he and his teammates have one last chance, in the Gator Bowl against Florida on Monday, to end the season on a good note.

“I feel like it could be a lot better, personally,” Sabino said of his play this year. “I’m not too thrilled with it, but I plan on working hard and getting a lot better.”

He said he needs to improve his tackling, get better at reading his keys and take better pursuit angles.

His season did have its positives. Sabino has been credited with 35 solo tackles, second-most on the team. He had 4 tackles for losses and two sacks.

“I think I made plays,” he said. “Obviously, I wanted to make more plays. I think I missed too many tackles.”

Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock said that Sabino’s play suffered in part because circumstances caused him to shift positions repeatedly. The Buckeyes’ plan entering the season was to have Nathan Williams play strongside linebacker in the base defense and defensive end in passing situations.

But when Williams was lost for the season in the opener to a knee injury, Sabino was moved from middle linebacker to strongside. Complicating matters was a broken hand Sabino suffered in a preseason scrimmage. Though he played through it, it had to have an effect.

“We asked a lot of Etienne,” Heacock said. “One thing about Etienne: You’re going to get his best effort.”

The Buckeyes have again juggled their linebackers for the Gator Bowl. Andrew Sweat will play in the middle, with freshman Ryan Shazier on the weakside. Heacock said Sabino will play strongside in non-passing downs and middle linebacker in nickel situations. Sabino said he has also practiced some at weakside linebacker.

Though Florida’s offense has struggled this season, Sabino said the Gators pose plenty of threats, particularly running backs Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.

“I don’t think we’ve played anybody with that kind of speed,” Sabino said. “If you give them a corner or a small seam, they’ll hit it. You definitely have to respect their athleticism and playmaking ability.”

The Gator Bowl will serve as an audition of sorts for incoming coach Urban Meyer. A Miami native, Sabino was recruited by Meyer when he was Florida’s coach.

“I’m excited,” Sabino said about Meyer’s arrival. “Obviously, he’s a great coach. Just check his track record. But I’m excited for what he can bring to Ohio State. He can be dominant.”

So can the Buckeyes’ defense, Sabino believes.

“We showed glimpses of being great at times during the season,” he said, pointing to the Michigan State game and the first 2 quarters against Nebraska. “At other times, we might have given up a big play here or there.”

This will be Sabino’s final bowl game as a Buckeye. But like the other juniors, he prefers not to dwell on that.

He said he wants to win to send the seniors out with a victory and to create some momentum for next year.

“You don’t ever want to go the whole offseason with the bitter taste of a loss,” he said.