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''That's something we have to decide this week,'' Tressel said. ''We ask a lot of Chris Gamble. He's both a punt returner and kick returner, starting receiver and a specialist on the defensive side. We have to make sure we do the smart thing and I think that's what the planning this week will be all about.''
If it's up to Gamble, he'll never come off the field. He began learning defensive schemes last week when Richard McNutt was forced to quit football with a chronic ankle injury. Until that point, Gamble was strictly used defensively in man-to-man situations.
Gamble said he learned four different defensive coverages just yesterday and, depending on how quickly he acclimates himself, could play a significant role on defense Saturday against Penn State (3:30 p.m., ABC).
''Once I learn the coverages and be with the defensive backs and work out with them, I'll be ready to go,'' Gamble said. ''I'm real comfortable with the defense because I know more now.''
The sudden departure of McNutt has left the defensive coaches to make difficult decisions concerning the cornerback spot opposite sophomore Dustin Fox. While Fox has secured the boundary corner spot -- the position that guards the sidelines and often gets left alone with receivers -- the field side has been a concern all year. The field cornerback often gets help from the safeties in pass coverage.
Freshman E.J. Underwood has played more already at field cornerback than anyone expected, and backup Harlen Jacobs saw quite a bit of time Saturday after Underwood was burned on a deep touchdown pass. Underwood never returned.
''The tough part about corner is the one or two times they attack you at field corner, you have to be 100 percent,'' Tressel said. ''You don't see and you don't talk about the times they have him covered and couldn't throw it. You only see that one (touchdown), but that's the life of a corner.''
Tressel said it might be unrealistic to expect Gamble to start at any point this year, just because of the complexity of the defense, although Gamble later disputed that and said he could start at corner sometime this year. But both agreed an increased role is likely, especially with Penn State receiver Bryant Johnson coming to town.
''I think it's practical to have Chris help us over there and maybe share the workload as he has been doing,'' Tressel said. ''But to line up and play without being in the meeting room with Michael Doss, (secondary coach) Mel Tucker and Donnie Nickey ... I think would be difficult.''
It doesn't take long to notice that Gamble has serious skills as a corner. He played the position a little in high school -- he made a game-winning interception for a state championship at Dillard High School in Sunrise, Fla. -- and leads the team in interceptions with two, even though he's had only a handful of plays on defense.
''I would just like to have the Deion Sanders factor with Chris Gamble,'' Doss said. ''When he lines up out there, he can cover half the field. In situations where we use him, I think he does a great job.''
Which begs the question, should he be out there more?
''He's been out on defense two times and he has two picks,'' defensive lineman Kenny Peterson said. ''That boy is talented.''
jlloyd@morningjournal.com
