BrutusReport - Latest Articles

No 15 Ohio State v No 11 Penn State

Steve Patterson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:30:36 GMT

#15/12 Ohio State at #11/10 Penn State

Beaver Stadium, State College, PA

Kickoff: 3:30

TV: ESPN

The Buckeyes need to win the next three games to both capture a least a share of their fifth consecutive Big Ten title and their first trip to the Rose Bowl since the 1996-97 season. OSU visits Penn State on Saturday as the rivalry continues to have conference and post season implications. Last year, PSU won beat the Buckeyes in Columbus for the first time since joining the Big Ten in 1993 and with one conference loss; the Nittany Lions need this win to keep their Rose Bowl dreams alive.

OSU “O”

Last weeks game could not have gone more wrong for Tresselball. Yes the final was 45-0 but the Buckeyes lost their veteran field goal kicker for the season and the two backups have little to no experience. Tress leans heavily on his kicking game to make up for the pathetic red zone offence we have seen over the last few years and without a proven kicker, Tressel will have to change his game plan. Penn State has one of the best defenses in the country as they lead the NCAA in scoring defense, giving up just 9.3 ppg, while ranking fourth in sacks (3.56), fifth in rushing defense (84.11) and total defense (254.78) and sixth in pass efficiency defense (95.65). With the way the offensive line has been playing, this Buckeye offense doesn’t stand a chance.

OSU “D”

The crown jewel of this year’s team. This unit continues to shine week in and week out. They will have their hands full with Penn State’s superstars RB Evan Royster and QB Daryll Clark. The defense has the ability to keep the Lions in check and if the offense can sustain long drives to keep the “D” fresh, the Bucks will have a chance.

Summary

This is not going to be a fun game to watch for Buckeye fans. The offensive line has let the team down all year and has stifled the development of Terrelle Pryor. 2010 must see a change in the coaching of this line or Pryor will be a wasted talent. I hope I’m wrong but a win on Saturday is likely out of the question.

Prediction: PSU 34 - OSU 7

Why OSU will win:

Defense: The defense will have to win this game with turnovers and three-and-outs.

Why OSU will lose:

Offensive line. Don’t expect this unit to get any better in 2009. Their poor play will prohibit the Buckeyes from establishing any type of offensive firepower.

Bold prediction for the game:

I think I’ve already said it; if the Bucks hope to stay in this game the defense will need to pitch a near shut-out and snag a turnover for a score. Otherwise, the Bucks lose big.

Crazy stat of the game:

-Penn State has never beaten the Buckeyes in two consecutive seasons.

-OSU has the tenth best offense in the Big Ten. ugh

Nitany Lion players to watch:

Senior QB #17 Daryll Clark

Junior RB #22 Evan Royster

Junior WR #6 Derek Moye

Senior LB #43 Josh Hull

Senior DT #91 Jared Odrick

R-Freshman DE #81 Jack Crawford

Ohio State v Minnesota Turns into Romp By the Buckeyes

Steve Patterson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:39:45 GMT

Ohio State v Minnesota Turns into Romp By the Buckeyes

Ohio State fans might have been sweating heading into half-time of the Ohio State v Minnesota game this past weekend as the Buckeyes only led by 7 points. But by the end of third quarter there was no doubt who was going to win as Ohio State jumped out to a 28-0 lead. Running by two freshman tailbacks added late points with Terrelle Pryor rebounding from his worst game as a college athlete.

By Steve Patterson

After the game freshman running back Jermil Martin talked with the media about his 39 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. “It felt good to score a touchdown.” he said. “It was a dream come true. It felt great to be able to help the team. I've always had that drive and motivation and it was great to go out and show it today.” Pryor got to prove himself in the match, with 239 yards passing on the day with 2 touchdowns in addition to 104 yards rushing and a touchdown. He told Martin what he might have been feeling himself. “Terrelle told me good job and that I was finally proving myself.”

Jim Cordle returned for the buckeyes after sitting out a number of weeks with a injured ankle. “It doesn't affect me during the play;” he explained to the media. “I'm usually a little sore after [the game] though. It’s great to be back in a game situation. It can be up and down each day, but today I felt good.” The Buckeyes are also waiting for starting left tackle Andrew Miller to return from a long battle with the flu. Getting their upperclassmen offensive lineman back can only help with

Sophomore wide receiver DeVier Posey had a career day with 161 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was very humble after the game with such a great performance. “I feel like I still have a lot of learning to do.” he said. “The touchdowns feel good but I'm only half of the equation. Terrell made great passes.” Even with such an outstanding day he felt that he had more to improve. “I feel, personally, that I'm nowhere near where I want to be yet. I haven't reached my full potential, especially because of my hamstring issue early on.” He explained how much he learns weekly at practice. “I'm learning a lot and really trying to incorporate that knowledge onto the field.”

Ohio State is set to play New Mexico State this coming Saturday in Ohio Stadium at noon.

No 19 Ohio State Buckeyes v Minnesota Golden Gophers

Steve Patterson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:23:31 GMT

#19 Ohio State v Minnesota

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Homecoming

Kickoff: 12noon

TV: ESPN

The defense can’t win every game and we found out that reality the hard way on Saturday. The Buckeye offense is not improving but instead regressing from even a few weeks ago. Purdue absolutely was the better team on the field and deserved to win. The final score wasn’t even that close. Now another bad Big Ten team is gong to try to kick the Buckeye horse while it’s down. The Minnesota Golden Gophers come to town for what should have been an easy win but now turns out to be a season determining game.

OSU “O”

Its official, the offense is bad. The coaching is bad, the line play is bad, the quarterback play is bad, and the running play is bad. Nothing went well for the offense last weekend. Penalties, turnovers and uninspired play seem to be the theme. The Minnesota defense will try to use the same schemes Purdue used to get to Terrelle Pryor. Faith in the OSU offensive line is at an all time low and it's hard to imagine that the Gophers won't have their way with them. Gopher tackles Lee Campbell and Nate Triplett will see a lot of time in the backfield if the Buckeye line play doesn't improve.

OSU “D”

The defense, ranked 9th in the country, has been spectacular all year but laid an egg Saturday. Unfortunately the offense was too inept to bail them out. This week the defense better be prepared for the spectacular receiving skills of Gopher star Eric Decker. Decker is averaging 104.4 yards per game and has five touchdowns on the season so far. Quarterback Adam Weber is solid and averages 189.3 yards per game. The Gopher offense is good enough to keep the game close and if the Buckeye offense turns the ball over like they did last week, Minnesota will have every opportunity to win the game.

Summary

A loss will certainly erase the Buckeye hopes of winning a fifth consecutive Big Ten title and making a trip to the Rose Bowl in over a decade. The solution to the offensive woes escapes the coaching staff and this reporter. It's hard to believe a team with so many highly recruited athletes is such a complete bust. Even though spirits and faith have hit rock bottom, the Buckeyes will be in the safety of the Horseshoe and will be playing for a homecoming crowd. The Bucks should still be able to stumble their way to a victory.

Prediction: OSU 17 – Minnesota 14

Why OSU will win:

On paper, the Buckeyes are vastly superior in every aspect except wide receiver. With a homecoming crowd behind the OSU, the Bucks should be able to keep their Big Ten title dreams alive.

Why OSU will lose:

The line will let the offense down destroying any kind of running scheme and forcing Pryor to regress even further with poor ball handling and bad decision making.

Bold prediction for the game:

The Buckeyes will turn the ball over more times than the Gophers and still win the game.

Crazy stat of the game:

The Buckeyes have won six straight against the Gophers.

Gopher wide receiver Eric Decker averages 15.6 yards per catch.

Gopher players to watch:

Junior QB #8 Adam Weber

Senior WR #7 Eric Decker

Senior DT #77 Lee Campbell

Senior DT #70 Nate Triplett

Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel Stresses Turnovers

Steve Patterson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:43:58 GMT

Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel Stresses Turnovers

In a media luncheon today, head coach Jim Tressel discussed turnovers, benching Terrelle Pyror, and a couple of offensive lineman that fans hope will return soon to the lineup.

By Steve Patterson

The Ohio State coaching staff is stressing turnovers this week when discussing the terrible loss to Purdue this past weekend where starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor turned the ball over four times. He discussed today how they talk about turnovers with the team but maybe do not emphasize it properly. “Turnover-wise, perhaps we talk about it so often that it becomes a little bit, "well, yeah, I know."”

History of Road Turnovers

He admitted that the coaches need to do a better job to ensure the players do not turn the ball over especially when on the road. “We've got to do a better job of making sure that we know, not that we know, but we really know.” And the reason is that turnovers make all the difference in the Big Ten when on the road. “I looked back at our last 20 Big Ten road games and 16 of them we've won and four of them we've lost and in the 16 we've won we've had 20 turnovers. Which it's about 1.25 per game.” he explained. “And in the four we've lost, we've had 14 turnovers, which is about three and a half a game.”

Benching Pryor

There was some talk about benching Pryor from the media and fans after the bad loss but the coaching staff never considered it during the game or since the game. Coach Tressel told reporters that the benching of Todd Boeckman last season was a completely different scenario than the current situation at quarterback. Seems a mobile quarterback is the best option from Ohio State with offensive line blocking issues in addition to Pryor’s better performance at practice.

Andrew Miller

Good news for the team is that Andrew Miller and Jim Cordle, both starters at the beginning of the year, continue to get closer to returning. “Andrew has practiced a little bit and I hope he can contribute. This will be an important week of practice to see if he can get some weight back on and get some strength back and so forth.” Coach Tressel said about Miller recovery from a serious case of the flu.

Jim Cordle

“Jimmy Cordle, we tried to get him into the game Saturday and he just isn't quite ready. It's one thing being able to be able to go through a practice tempo and it's another thing to be able to do it on a Saturday.” He said about the starting left tackle who has been out with an ankle injury. “I like to think he'd be a lot healthier because we kind of took a step back with him.” Coach Tressel explained about trying to get Cordle into the game on Saturday. “We didn't leave him in so long that he got banged up.”

Little Room For Error For Ohio State Now

Steve Patterson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:36:09 GMT

Little Room For Error For Ohio State Now

After a heart breaking and near season ending loss to the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, Head Coach Jim Tressel remained upbeat and felt the team can still win the Big Ten even with a loss to one of the worst teams in the conference. Brandon Saine also felt the team could move past the loss and get something out of the year.

By Steve Patterson

Head Coach Jim Tressel admits the team has an uphill battle going forward after losing two early games in the 2009 season. “You have to take your hat off to Purdue. They won the turnover margin, they did a nice a job on special teams and they did what they needed to do.” He said after the loss. “For us, the true test of a team is how they handle difficult situations, and we're in that right now.”

Purdue’s kicker Carson Wiggs made 4 out of 5 field goal attempts on Saturday with a long of 55 yards. Coach Tressel knew they couldn’t give the Boilermakers good field position with such a weapon at kicker. “Any time you give them field position, especially with their kicker, you give them scoring opportunities and you can't expect to win.” he explained.

Many fans had hoped to see Joe Bauserman in the game after starting Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor turned the ball over four times but Coach Tressel never considered the change. “I didn't think he was rattled, and I didn't consider sitting him.” Coach Tressel said about taking Pryor out. “We just weren't executing, and at the beginning of the game, we weren't protecting the quarterback.”

Coach Tressel was impressed with starting Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott. “I like the way he got rid of the ball, and he had great protection. That's how he was able to find open receivers.” Ohio State has had mixed results against the spread but wasn’t able to get to Elliott to disrupt his play during the game.

Even with the loss Coach Tressel feels the team can win the Big Ten. “We're still in it, but there's very little margin for error. We need to worry about getting better every day, and not worry about the next five games as a whole.”

Terrelle Pryor had his worst day as a Buckeye on Saturday and credits the Purdue defense. “We didn't have as much intensity in the first half. We tried not to get too frustrated, just keep fighting and trying. Purdue's defense did a great job, and I have to give them credit.”

He also felt the offensive line didn’t handle the defense the way they could have. “[Purdue] brought pressure from a whole different level. It was nothing like I saw on film. They just kept jumping the line. That pressure was totally unexpected, and I couldn't quite get a handle on them.”

Brandon Saine also struggled on Saturday getting only 32 yards on 7 carriers. He commented on the Purdue defense after the game. “Purdue played great defense. My hat goes off to them. They had a game plan, and they executed it to perfection.”

But Saine liked the up-tempo play calling in the fourth quarter when it was required. “It was something we had to do. It was all-or-nothing. We had to score, or we lose the game.” And he feels the team can move on after the loss. “We have to realize there's still a lot more games to play. We're only halfway through the season. We have to get back to practice and focus on our next game.”

Ohio State falls in the polls to #18 in the AP Poll while entering the just released BCS poll at #19. They will face Minnesota at home at Noon on Saturday.

No 7 Ohio State Buckeyes at Purdue

Steve Patterson — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:02:43 GMT

#7 Ohio State at Purdue

Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, In

Kickoff: 12noon

TV: BTN

The Buckeyes are in trouble. The offensive line again failed to protect quarterback Terrell Pryor and did not hold blocks long enough to open holes for the running backs. Darn good thing the Buckeye defense is really scary good and was able to bail out the sputtering offense. Purdue is a big disappointment this season at just 1-5 and despite their offensive numbers, can’t seem to catch a break. The Boilermakers have the leading quarterback in the Big Ten, a running back ranked among the best in the conference and one of the top wide receiver in the country. Purdue just can’t hold on to the ball. The Buckeyes are on a three game “easy street” playing Purdue, Minnesota and New Mexico State before ending the season with a rough stretch of contests against Penn State, Iowa and Michigan. This offense has three games to get it together because if it doesn’t, ending the year 0-3 is a real possibility.

OSU “O”

Here’s a question to stir the pot: No one questions the talent of Terrell Pryor so why isn’t he improving? Is he a bust or is the coaching staff doing a lousy job teaching and developing him into the quarterback he should be? Hard to say if the crappy offensive line continues to leak linebackers like a sieve. I think these kids are trying their best and giving full effort, so what’s holding back their success. Youth? Coaching? All we can hope for is a fast turnaround or the season will end on a sour note.

OSU “D”

Purdue’s record is misleading. Quarterback Joey Elliot leads the Big Ten in passing, running back Ralph Bolden is second in the conference in yards per game and wide receiver Kevin Smith is second in the Big Ten in receptions and yards per game. The Boilermaker’s problem is they can’t hold on to the ball and have turned the ball over 20 times so far on the season. The Buckeye defense has 14 takeaways this year are will be looking for more. Purdue has lost four of the last five games by less than four points but his weekend they face a scary…really scary Buckeye defense.

Summary

The game comes down to the Boilermaker’s 410.2 yards of total offense per game against the Silver Bullet’s 271.8 yards of total defense. The Buckeye defense will keep the Purdue offense off the field giving the OSU offense control of the game.

Prediction: OSU 37 – PU 6

Why OSU will win:

Purdue is a turnover machine. The Silver Bullet will score at least one touchdown.

Purdue can’t stop anyone and the Buckeye offense is talented enough to put up some big numbers.

Why OSU will lose:

Turnovers and poor offensive execution.

Purdue finally catches a break and wins a close one.

Bold prediction for the game:

Not really a “bold prediction” but Coach Tressel could keep this game close with some ultra-conservative play calling. The score will either be 37-6 or 13-6.

Crazy stat of the game:

Think things are bad in Columbus? Purdue is going into this contest with a 19 game losing streak against Top 25 teams.

Last time they met…

The OSU offense sputtered in a sad looking 16-3 victory in Columbus. Purdue did not allow the Buckeye offense a touchdown.

Boilermaker players to watch:

Senior QB #14 Joey Elliot

Sophomore RB #23 Ralph Bolden

Junior WR #8 Kevin Smith

Senior WR/KR #17 Aaron Valentin

Sophomore K #37 Carson Wiggs

Junior DE #94 Ryan Kerrigan

Senior CB #9 David Pender

Senior DT #92 Mike Neal

Ohio State Wide Receiver Ray Small Makes the Most of a Kick Off Return

Steve Patterson — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:55:57 GMT

Ohio State Wide Receiver Ray Small Makes the Most of a Kick Off Return

Ray Small’s big moment finally came when he returned a kick off for 96 yards and a touchdown this past Saturday against Wisconsin in the Horseshoe. This score came immediately after Wisconsin attempted to get back in the game after early turnovers that resulted in touchdowns for the Buckeyes. Small worried if there was a penalty on his team but the Buckeyes were in the clear.

By Steve Patterson

Ray Small had mostly been returning punts or playing the fourth string wide receiver position. But with Daniel Herron out for the later part of Ohio State’s 31-13 victory over the Badgers, Small got his opportunity to return a kick and showed the blazing quick speed that all fans knew he possessed. The return put Ohio State on top by 15, limiting Wisconsin to mostly pass the ball which was not easy against a pass rushing defensive line that has disrupted passing quarterbacks all season long.

Ray Small came to Ohio State from Cleveland Glenville and everyone was sure they had the next Ted Ginn Jr in hand. But some slight academic issues and lapses in making team meetings on time have led to disciplinary actions against Small for most of his career. As a freshman he caught 8 passes for 68 yards with one catch resulting in a touchdown. As a sophomore he scored twice and finished the year with 267 yards. As a junior he returned a punt for a touchdown 69 yards but only put up 149 yards without a score.

del.icio.us Tags: ray small,ohio state football,wisconsin badgers,buckeye football,cleveland glenville,ted ginn jr,daniel herron

Ohio State Football 2009 Depth Chart - October 11, 2009

Steve Patterson — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:50:18 GMT

Ohio State Football Depth Chart - October 11, 2009

The Ohio State 2009 Depth Chart was updated this past weekend after the win against Wisconsin will very little movement across the two deep. The offensive guard position lacks some depth but Andy Miller is hoping to return from the flu while Jim Cordle is close to fully recovered which will provide depth across a number of offensive line positions. Dexter Larimore remains out after an injury two weeks ago but true freshman John Simon has begun to rotate into the games late while Garret Goebel also gets playing time. And with Kurt Coleman back from suspension, Anderson Russell gets the nickel back position when the team plays against passing downs and spread formations.

Quarterback

2 Terrelle Pryor So
14 Joe Bauserman So

Tailback

1 Boom Herron So
3 Brandon Saine Jr
29 Jordan Hall Fr

Fullback

44 Zach Boren Fr
49 Adam Homan Fr

Tight End

86 Jake Ballard Sr
11 Jacob Stoneburner R-Fr

Wide Receiver

12 Dane Sanzenbacher Jr
8 DeVier Posey So
9 Duron Carter Fr
82 Ray Small Sr
7 Lamaar Thomas So

Offensive Guard

65 Justin Boren Jr
70 Bryant Browning Jr

Offensive Tackle

74 Mike Adams Fr
76 JB Shugarts So
64 James Cordle Sr
55 Andy Miller Jr
79 Marcus Hall Fr

Center

50 Michael Brewster So
66 Andrew Moses Sr (Walk-on)

Defensive Tackle

84 Doug Worthington Sr
92 Todd Denlinger Sr
9 Robert Rose Sr
72 Dexter Larimore Jr
54 John Simon Fr
53 Garrett Goebel Fr

Defensive End

97 Cameron Heyward Jr
90 Thaddeus Gibson Jr
87 Lawrence Wilson Sr
43 Nathan Williams So
98 Solomon Thomas So

Outside Linebacker

51 Adam Homan Jr
38 Austin Spitler Sr
42 Andrew Sweat So
6 Etienne Sabino So

Middle Linebacker

36 Brian Rolle Jr
32 Storm Klein Fr

Cornerback

5 Chimdi Chekwa Jr
10 Devon Torrence Jr
13 Andre Amos Sr
18 Travis Howard Fr

Safety

4 Kurt Coleman Sr
7 Jermale Hines Jr
21 Anderson Russell Sr
19 Orhian Johnson Fr

Kicker

20 Aaron Pettrey Sr
12 Devin Barclay So (Walk-on)

Punter

48 Jon Thoma Sr
17 Ben Buchanan Fr

Long Snapper

96 Jacob McQuaide Jr
53 Patrick Howe Jr (Walk-on)

Ohio State Buckeyes Rely on Defense for Wisconsin Win

Steve Patterson — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 02:52:33 GMT

Ohio State Buckeyes Rely on Defense for Wisconsin Win

If you saw the statistics from the Ohio State v Wisconsin game this past weekend you would think the Badgers won the game as they had more first downs, more third down conversions, more fourth down conversions, double the total yards, more than double the total plays, more yards rushing, more yards passing, and less punts. But when you get to the interceptions and the fumbles, the 2 interceptions by the Buckeyes (both returned for touchdowns) and the 2 fumbles by the Badgers gives you most of the details that determined the final score.

By Steve Patterson

Wisconsin was consistently able to move the ball on the Ohio State team Saturday in Ohio Stadium while the Buckeyes had trouble gaining yardage for most of the game. But big plays made the difference including a Ray Small 96 yard kick return for a touchdown and two interceptions returned for touchdowns by OSU. Ohio State moves into the top spot in the Big Ten after the win with Wisconsin slipping to third behind Iowa.

Kurt Coleman Returns

The excitement began in the first quarter when starting Safety Kurt Coleman returned an interception from Scott Tolzien 89 yards for a touchdown. Kurt Coleman returned from a one game suspension for a late hit against Illinois to make his presence felt early. His defensive teammates created a great wall of blockers to allow Coleman to score with some ease.

Wisconsin Fights Back

The Badgers came back and scored on a long drive with a Chris Maragos run from 9 yards out to tie the game at 7-7. Another Wisconsin drive in the 2nd quarter resulted in a 50-yard field goal by Phillip Welch. The three point deficit spurred the most competitive drive by the Ohio State offense on the day as DeVier Posey made a number of nice catches from Terrelle Pryor including a 32 yard touchdown pass. The teams went into half-time at 14-10, Buckeyes.

Big Plays Benefit Buckeyes

The second half continued with the same type of Buckeye big play ability as the first half displayed with Jermale Hines intercepting a Scott Tolzien pass and returning it 32 yards for a touchdown. Another Badger drive resulted in a field goal which produced the kick off that Small returned for a touchdown and put the nails in the coffin for a Wisconsin team that had hoped to upset their Big Ten foes on the road.

No 9 Ohio State Buckeyes vs No 25 Wisconsin Badger

Steve Patterson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:04:08 GMT

#8/9 Ohio State v. #25 Wisconsin

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Kickoff: 3:30pm

TV: ABC

Wisconsin is enjoying a great start and come into Columbus with a 5-0 record and a national ranking. Ohio State is steadily rising up the rankings in their quest for a shot at the national title. Both teams are in control of their Big Ten title destiny and a win on Saturday will give some separation to the victor. Ohio State and Wisconsin seem to is always a classic game to watch and with early Big Ten title implications, this one will surely live up to the hype.

OSU “O”

Is Terrell Pryor maturing? Sometimes it looks like has finally has it down and other times you see him throwing off his back foot or “shot-putting” the football. He showed some signs of maturation last week but he still has a long way to go. The tough Wisconsin defense lead by sack machine O’Brien Schofield will eat up the offensive line and send Pryor into scramble mode if the line can’t establish itself. Chris Maragos has a nose for the ball and leads the Badgers with three of the team’s eight interceptions this season. Pryor will have to continue to mature and make good decisions or the Badgers will burn him. Running back Brandon Saine looked great last week and Jordan Hall is showing that he belongs on the field. The running game must be effective if OSU is going to win this game. If the Buckeyes can’t keep the chains moving and score in the red zone on the ground they will have to play catch up all day.

OSU “D”

Wisconsin has always been a “run first ask questions later” team and running back John Clay seems to fit that mold however quarterback Scott Tolzien is having a spectacular year and could be the decisive piece of the puzzle to put the Badgers on top. Clay is averaging 116 yards per game and is coming off a 184 yard game against Minnesota last week. Tolzien is having a fantastic season for his first full year starting. He is averaging 208 yards per game with 9 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions for the year. The OSU secondary will have to keep their heads on a swivel as Tolzien spreads the ball out nicely to his three favorite receivers, Issac Anderson, Nick Toon and Garrett Graham, who all average more than 50 yards per game. The OSU defense is ranked 10^th nationally against the run and will have to rely on it if they have a hope of winning the game on Saturday.

Summary

Wisconsin is scoring a lot of points but is also giving up quite a few; 24.6 per game. The Badgers have won 4 of its five games by eight points or less and had to go to double overtime to put Fresno State away, but Wisconsin is no pushover. The Buckeyes and the Badgers always play a nasty physical game and this seasons contest should be no exception. It’ll be a tight game but the Buckeyes will pull this one out in the end.

Prediction:

OSU 23 – Wisconsin 13

Why OSU will win:

The Buckeyes need to create and capitalize on turnovers.

The Buckeyes have to score touchdowns in the red-zone.

Defense must stay stout and be prepared for both a hard hitting ground attack and long passes.

Why OSU will lose:

Badger running back John Clay is 6-1 248 pounds. The Buckeyes haven’t seen a running back like this guy all season.

The flu bug might keep Buckeye lineman Mike Brewster out of the game. This would be a big hit for the running game and Pryor’s safety.

Crazy stat of the game:

Wisconsin has only allowed two sacks so far this season.

Last time they met was…

2008: Terrell Pryor led the Buckeyes to a late fourth quarter touchdown for a 20-17 final.

Wisconsin players to watch:

Junior QB #16 Scott Tolzien

Sophomore RB #32 John Clay

Senior TE #89 Garrett Graham

Sophomore WR #1 Nick Toon

Junior WR #6 Isaac Anderson

Senior DE #50 O’Brien Schofield

Senior S #21 Chris Maragos

del.icio.us Tags: ohio state football,buckeyes football,ohio state schedule,wisconsin university,ohio state university,wisconsin football,ohio state wisconsin

Flu Bug Continues to Affect Ohio State Football

Steve Patterson — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:39:21 GMT

Flu Bug Continues to Affect Ohio State Football

Head Coach Jim Tressel admitted today at his weekly press conference that the flu has affected the Buckeyes another week with left tackle Mike Adams taking some time away from the team to recover. Other players to miss games so far include Ray Small, Jon Thoma, and Andrew Miller.

By Steve Patterson

Ray Small caught a flu bug on a Friday night before the season opener and missed the Navy game where he was set to start as Ohio State’s primary punt returner. He has been full go every since but the flu continues to place players on the bench and away from the team.

Ohio State Campus

Jon Thoma missed a game and left tackle Andy Miller missed the game against Indiana allowing Mike Adams to take over the position on the depth chart. Michael Brewster was the first offensive lineman to miss time midweek with a flu but returned for the Saturday kick-off according to Coach Tressel. "I don't think it's under control because the problem is, it's not under control with the general population." he explained. As players mix with the rest of the students at Ohio State, they are exposed and could catch something at any time.

Left Tackle

Now Mike Adams could miss the Wisconsin game as he has come down with the flu mid-week. The team is hoping Andy Miller is back although he has not made it to the practice facility since his illness. And they hope Adams can recover before the game on Saturday. Marcus Hall got time last Saturday against Indiana and could provide additional depth if both players do not return.

Ohio State Players of the Week Vs Indiana

Steve Patterson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:43:53 GMT

Ohio State Players of the Week Vs Indiana

Ohio State’s 33-14 win over the Indiana Hoosier was impressive and so was the performance of a number of players on offense, defense, and special teams. The Buckeyes released the Player of the Week awards today.

By Steve Patterson

Anderson Russell

The Defensive Player of the Week was Anderson Russell who had a great game with a fumble recovery, an interception and 6 tackles. This is after being benched two games ago in place of Jermale Hines. He got his opportunity with Kurt Coleman suspended for the game and made the most of it.

Jim Thoma had a great game punting for Ohio State if you failed to notice. Every punt of his was within the the 20 yard line, backing up the Hoosiers on each drive they started. He was the Special Teams Player of the Week with his 3 punts.

Jim Parker Lineman

Austin Spitler is the Attack Force Player of the Week with Bryant Browning getting the Jim Parker Lineman of the Week Award. Marcus Hall got on the field for the first time against Indiana and was the lead blocker on a number of plays. After the Zach Boren touchdown he expressed his great enthusiasm for being on the field and getting his shot. But it was his Glenville Tarblooder teammate that received the weekly award.

Jack Tatum Hit

Scout team Players of the Week include James Georgiades, Jamie Wood, and Ryan Schuck. The Jack Tatum Big Hit of the Week has not been decided yet although Duron Carter is holding out hope that he gets the award. After the game Carter spoke about the hit he put on an Indiana cornerback who was trying to make a downfield tackle on Terrelle Pryor. Carter felt the hit was more exciting than the touchdown he scored in the first quarter.

Ohio State Defeats Indiana With a Balanced Attack

Steve Patterson — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:31:13 GMT

Ohio State Defeats Indiana With a Balanced Attack

The Buckeyes traveled to Bloomington Indiana and took care of business while getting some good experience in the passing game and the running attack. Does Ohio State’s win mean Ohio State is the best team in the Big Ten or does it mean Michigan isn’t as good as their record indicates? With Michigan’s struggle against Indiana last week, it’s very possible the answer is the Wolverines still need improvement.

By Steve Patterson

Best Team in the Big Ten

Although the best team in the Big Ten will not be known for some time, Ohio State made a solid case yesterday defeating Indiana 33-14 on the road. Ohio State came out early and scored 10 points before Indiana had an opportunity to get close to scoring. A couple of missed field goals by OSU kicker Aaron Pettrey and a nice drive primarily to IU wide receiver Tandon Doss made the game close at one point (10-7). But Ohio State put another 14 points on the board before half-time putting the game out of hand for the Hoosiers.

Freshmen Score

After the Tandon Doss score, Ohio State moved quickly down the field and in three plays scored again with a 23 yard pass to DeVier Posey in the end-zone. An Indiana turnover led to another OSU score with a 8 yard completion to freshman fullback Zach Boren for his first score of the season. One of the stories of the game is the freshman that got on the board for the first time. In addition to Boren scoring, freshman Duran Carter scored his first touchdown with a 5 yard catch early in the first quarter.

Offensive Balance

Ohio State finished the game with 159 yards passing and 219 yards rushing. Most of the rushing yards came from Brandon Saine who rushed for 113 yards with his first start of the season as Daniel Herron did not play while he recovers from an ankle injury. Terrelle Pryor added 63 yards and a rushing score while Jordan Hall got 11 carries for 37 yards. Saine averaged 6.6 yards per carry against the IU defensive which has been poor at run stopping for years.

Buckeye Injuries

Two Buckeyes were injured during the game. Jonathan Newsome limped off the field after a special teams coverage play. He was incorrectly referred to as Andrew Miller when the injury happened by the Big Ten announcing crew. More worrisome was the leg injury to Dexter Larimore, a starting defensive tackle, that took him out of the game and could sideline him for a number of weeks.

Ohio State Buckeyes 2011 Class Prospects and Offers

Steve Patterson — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 19:24:20 GMT

Ohio State Buckeyes 2011 Class Prospects and Offers

With colleges making early offers to juniors starting in September, Ohio State has jumped on earlier with offers to 15 high school juniors who could make up their 2011 class. A lot can change between now and when 2011 recruits sign their letters of intent in February 2011, but at the current time there should be 14 scholarships available for the class as 14 seniors will be leaving the program to graduation.

By Steve Patterson

Here is the list of current 2011 recruits with offers from Ohio State. The Buckeyes have a good distribution of offers across all positions with only the tailback position not present in the current offer list.

QB Everett Golson
6-0 170
Myrtle Beach, SC

QB Braxton Miller
6-2 185 4.47
Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne

WR Shane Wynn
5-8 160 4.43
Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville

WR Karlos Williams
6-0 187 4.5
Davenport Ridge (FL)

TE Ben Koyack
6-5 230 4.75
Oil City, Pa.

OT Tyler Moore
6-5/280
Clearwater Countryside (FL)

DE Kenny Hayes
6-5 230
Toledo (Oh.) Whitmer
Committed to Ohio State

DE Steve Miller
6-4 205
Canton (Oh.) McKinley
LB Trey DePriest
6-1 215 4.5
Springfield, Ohio

LB James Vaughters
6-2 215 4.6
Tucker, GA

CB Doran Grant
5-11 175 4.45
Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary

CB Keelin Smith
6-3 185
Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (FL)

S Jeremy Cash
6-2 185
Plantation (FL)

S Eilar Hardy
6'0 175
Pickerington (Ohio) Central

S Lamarcus Brutus
6-1 185 4.6
Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast (FL)

Daniel Boom Herron Injury Gives Brandon Saine a Start

Steve Patterson — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:03:16 GMT

Daniel Boom Herron Injury Gives Brandon Saine a Start

Running back Daniel ‘Boom’ Herron will not get the start this coming weekend for Ohio State against Indiana as his sprained ankle has limited his participation in practice this week. Herron was a big part of the Buckeye victory last Saturday as new starter Brandon Saine and himself run for 156 yards on the Illini.

By Steve Patterson

Brandon Saine to Start

Head Coach Jim Tressel made the announcement today that Brandon Saine will get the start over Boom Herron and freshman Jordan Hall for the 7pm start this weekend in Bloomington. “Brandon Saine and Jordan Hall will get the bulk of the work,” Coach Tressel stated. An ankle sprain suffered during the Illinois game has limited Herron in practice this week although Coach Tressel feels Herron is 85% at this time. Herron will travel with the team and looks to be a part of the running attack.

Jordan Hall Gets Reps

The running attack for Ohio State this season has been a combination of Herron, Saine, Hall and sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor. Hall has reportedly been a big benefactor of the Herron injury this week in practice. Hall has had a couple good performances late in the game against Toledo and again in the fourth quarter against Illinois.

Jaamal Berry Still Out

There was hope true freshman Jaamal Berry would be able to compete the week and also add to the mix at running back this weekend. But Coach Tressel does not feel Berry will travel with the team as he was not able to practice with the team due to his lingering injury. The coaching staff is still hopeful Berry will see the field before the season is over.

No 9 Ohio State Buckeyes at Indiana

Steve Patterson — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 03:03:21 GMT

#9 Ohio State at Indiana

Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana

Kickoff: 7pm

TV: BTN

The question of the day will be: How will Indiana react to getting jobbed by the Michigan friendly referees in the “Big House” last week. That was one of the biggest BS calls I have seen in my many years of watching college football. Indiana should file a formal protest with the Big Ten and remove those referees from ever calling a Big Ten game again. That said, will the Hoosiers come out with a chip on their shoulders or will they pack it in for the rest of the season? The Buckeyes have one of the best defenses in the country having held USC to only 19 points and posted back to back shut-outs. On paper, Indiana just doesn’t have the horses to keep up with the Buckeyes but with their outstanding performance against Michigan one might wonder.

OSU “O”

The game plan was simple for the Buckeyes, it’s raining…a lot…keep it on the ground. They did and the Buckeyes controlled the game from start to finish. With Indiana, it shouldn’t be too different as the Buckeyes will try to minimize injuries while giving the offensive line a lot of practice run blocking. Quarterback Terrell Pryor is starting to get comfortable in the pocket which should send a collective chill down the backs of the other schools in the Big Ten. He’s got work to do yet but it’s starting to show. Hoosier linebacker Matt Mayberry leads the team in tackles with 26 and fellow linebackers Tyler Replogle (24) and Will Patterson (22) aren’t far behind. Lineman Greg Middleton is a sack machine with three so far on the season. However, the Indiana defense has not been able to keep opposing offenses out of the endzone and is giving up and average of 22 points and 327 yards per game. This game will be another boost for Pryor’s confidence. Eclipsing the 372 total yards of offense Pryor had last week is not something that is expected but it could be a huge day for the young man.

OSU “D”

It might not be the biggest surprise but this Buckeye defense is shaping up to be something special. Linebacker Brian Rolle is taking full advantage of the outstanding play by Thaddeus Gibson, Cameron Heyward, Dexter Larimore and a carousel of defensive linemen. Through four games, Rolle has a 39 yard interception, an interception for a safety on a two point conversion and leads the team in tackles. He’s the newest OSU star linebacker and he’s only going to get better. Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell is having a very good year with 944 yards passing and three touchdowns on the season. Chappell’s favorite target is wide receiver Tandon Doss who is averaging just shy of 120 yards per game while running back Darius Willis had a breakout game against Michigan last week with 152 yards rushing. The game plan should be pretty straight forward for the defense; stop the run and put pressure on the quarterback. Two things this defense is very good at so far this season. Expect to see Chappell running for his life on a frequent basis this Saturday.

Summary

This should be just another day at the office for the Buckeyes. It’s a night game and I can’t remember the last time Bloomington hosted a game under the lights. The players and student body will be frothing at the mouth (could be the liquor, could be the excitement, could be both) but after a quarter or two the Buckeyes will have let the entire stadium know who’s the biggest dog in the Big Ten. Don’t be surprised to see Indiana score first but after that they won’t be able to muster much offense against the Buckeye Silver Bullet defense.

Prediction: OSU 28 - Indiana 10

Why OSU will win:

Offensive ball control.

No turnovers.

Swarming, disruptive defense.

Hoosier turnovers leading to points (hopefully touchdowns).

Why OSU will lose:

The team misses their exit and end up in West Lafayette.

The Indianapolis Colts show up in Hoosier uniforms.

Bold prediction for the game:

After having a fantastic 152 yard game against the Wolverines, Darius Willis will get held to under 100 yards by the Buckeye defense.

Crazy stat of the game:

The Buckeyes have won 14 straight contests against Indiana dating back to a 41-7 Hoosier smack down in 1988.

Last time they met…

2006, OSU 44-3

Indiana players to watch:

Junior QB #4 Ben Chappell

Freshman RB #28 Darius Willis

Sophomore WR #2 Tandon Doss

Sophomore WR #88 Damarlo Belcher

Senior LB #34 Will Patterson

Junior LB #46 Tyler Replogle

Senior LB #43 Matt Mayberry

Senior S #20 Austin Thomas

Andrew Sweat fills in for Ross Homan after Concussion

Steve Patterson — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:49:22 GMT

Andrew Sweat fills in for Ross Homan after Concussion

Ross Homan didn’t play the full game against Illinois this past weekend due to a concussion allowing Andrew Sweat to get some quality minutes at the weak linebacker position for Ohio State. Homan finished the game with one assisted tackle and Sweat made two solo tackles with three assisted.

By Steve Patterson

Ross Homan To Play

Junior Ross Homan is expected to play on Saturday against Indiana and did play a good number of plays after the concussion according to Head Coach Jim Tressel. “Ross got dinged a little bit there early in the game and played about 16 plays after the fact, which was a little frightening, but he seemed to be feeling fine,” Tressel reported earlier this week. Homan was held out of practice one day but resumed practicing with the team after the day without contact.

Andrew Sweat Gets Experience

Sophomore Andrew Sweat secured a sack in addition to the 5 tackles he made. “Andrew Sweat stepped in and obviously had prepared and is a talented kid,” Coach Tressel said about Sweats play on Saturday. Coach Tressel also felt it was a good experience for Sweat and for the team which needs to developed more depth at certain positions.

Sweat is a 6’2” 220 lbs sophomore from Washington Trinity Pennsylvania. He played entirely on special teams as a true freshman but has seen time in his second year at the weak side linebacker position in addition to punt and kickoff coverage.

Kurt Coleman Out For Indiana v Ohio State Game

Steve Patterson — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:07:55 GMT

Kurt Coleman Out For Indiana v Ohio State Game

Jim Tressel didn’t want to comment more on the Kurt Coleman one game suspension but did with some more details today when speaking with reporters. The Senior Safety will not be able to play this Saturday when Ohio State plays Indiana due to a late hit to the head of the Illinois quarterback, Eddie McGee, in the last few minutes of last week’s game. A 15 yard penalty was called at the time and the Big 10 added the suspension on Monday.

By Steve Patterson

Moving On

According to Coach Tressel, Coleman took the news well but the feeling among the coaches and the team is to let the suspension be yesterday’s news and to move on with game planning. “Our directive was to make sure that it's yesterday's news and not comment further,” he said. Coleman will not practice with the scout team nor will he travel with the team as they go to Bloomington. Tressel didn’t give a reason why Coleman was still playing with most of the first team defense already done for the day.

Replacements

The opening allows Anderson Russell to regain his starting position along side Jermale Hines with 2nd string safety Orhian Johnson getting on the field when there is need for additional defensive backs in a nickel formation. Also of note is the return of Zach Domincone from injury to provide depth on special teams.The team hopes a similar penalty will not incur for the remainder of the season.

Ohio State Buckeyes Put a Shutout on Illinois

Steve Patterson — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:12:50 GMT

Ohio State Buckeyes Put a Shutout on Illinois

Ohio State defeated Illinois on Saturday in a rain socked battle in Ohio Stadium 30-0. This is their second shutout in a row following a defensive dominating performance against Toledo last weekend. The running game was back in force with Daniel ‘Boom’ Herron and Brandon Saine having very good performances and Terrelle Pryor scrambling for extra yards when needed.

By Steve Patterson

Revenge on Illinois

Two years ago, Illinois was able to steal one in the Horseshoe from the Buckeyes to upset their perfect season but this year, a great defensive effort from Ohio State led to a clear victory and improved the confidence of the young OSU team. Dan Herron scored twice on the ground in addition to gaining 75 yards on 14 carries. Brandon Saine added another 81 yards on his 13 carries while quarterback Terrelle Pryor scrambled for 59 yards when his receivers were covered and the protection began to give.

Defense Dominates

The defense was the story of the game with Ohio State not allowing Illinois to gain more than 170 yards total and intercepting three passes from the Illini quarterbacks. Juice Williams finished the day with only 52% accuracy and 2 interceptions and Eddie McGee was about the same with 50% accuracy and 1 interception during the late stages. Senior Defensive Tackle Todd Denlinger felt great about the shut-out after the game. "It feels great to shut them out. Illinois has a high-powered offense. They're going to win a lot of games this season." he told reporters. "We knew we had to take the game out of Juice's hands. He's a great player and killed us in 2007. I'm sure the rain probably played in our favor." he explained.

No 13 Ohio State Buckeyes v Illinois

Steve Patterson — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:20:53 GMT

#13/11 Ohio State v Illinois

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Kickoff: 3:30

TV: ABC

The Buckeyes were #1 in the country when the Fighting Illini came into Columbus in November of 2007. The Buckeyes tasted defeat for the first time that season as the Illini shocked OSU 28-21. It’s been two years since the teams have faced off but the sting of that loss is still fresh in the minds of Buckeye Nation. The Illini are coming off a much needed early season bye week. Several key players sat out their last game and the week off allowed them to heal up. Illinois owns Ohio State in the ‘Shoe winning 4 of the last five and seven out of the last ten. It’s time to buck this trend.

OSU “O”

Quarterback Terrell Pryor continued to improve but still displayed poor decision making by throwing into traffic and getting picked off twice. I’m also a little worried about Pryor’s mechanics. He still doesn’t look confident in his arm and jumped or threw off his back foot more than once. He also tried to throw the ball too much. On a broken play, an athletic quarterback needs to tuck the ball and get the first down and not sort of think about throwing the ball. Be decisive. The Illinois defense hasn’t been world beaters but they are a disciplined unit and will find holes in the soft and squishy Buckeye offensive line. If the line does its job the Buckeyes will control the clock and win handily. If the offensive line continues its recent tradition of missed assignments, implosive effort and weak play, Pryor will be running for his life and the running backs won’t have a chance to move the ball. This is the start of Big Ten season and this unit better get its act together. The Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl are still in our future and Saturday kicks it all off.

OSU “D”

This defense is shaping up to be something special. Yes it was Toledo but anytime you get a shut out against a Division 1 team is an accomplishment. Toledo came into the game ranked the number one offense in the country and the Buckeye defense made them look silly. Illinois is coming off a bye week and it’s a good thing it happened so early. Quarterback Juice Williams was banged up in the second game of the season and had to sit out and watch backup Eddie McGee put up some good numbers. Along with Juice, the Illini have seen injuries across the board including wide receiver Arrelious Benn, running backs Dan Dufrene and Jason Ford, and linebacker Matez Wilson. All but Wilson are expected to play this Saturday. The defensive key to the game for the Buckeyes is to get to Juice and knock him out of his game. He’s a serious threat on the ground and if he gets into a throwing rhythm he can be unstoppable.

Summary

The Illinois offense sinks or swims depending on Juice Williams and with the way the Ohio State defense has played so far this season the edge has to go to the Buckeyes. As long as Ohio State doesn’t beat themselves they should be able to handle the Illini and bring the Illibuck back to Columbus.

Prediction: OSU 30 – Illini 17

Why OSU will win:

Terrell Pryor is maturing each game into a great quarterback.

Defense shuts down Juice.

Why OSU will lose:

The only way the Buckeyes lose this game is if they beat themselves with turnovers and a hurried offensive attack.

Bold prediction for the game:

The Illibuck is coming home to Columbus. Hopefully we won’t keep him in a bathtub again.

Crazy stat of the game:

The Illini own Ohio State in Columbus winning 7 of the last 10 games in Columbus.

Last time they met…

It’s been a few years but the memory of last time these two teams played still stings many Buckeye faithful. In 2007, Illinois defeated #1 ranked Ohio State in Columbus, 28-21.

Illini players to watch:

Senior QB #7 Juice Williams

Junior WR #9 Arrelious Benn

Sophomore RB #21 Jason Ford

Senior WR #16 Michael Hoomanawanui (I just like the name)

Junior WR #11 Jarred Fayson

Sophomore LB #38 Ian Thomas

Junior DB #20 Garrett Edwards

Ohio State Buckeyes to Face Illinois on Saturday

Steve Patterson — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:23:36 GMT

Ohio State Buckeyes to Face Illinois on Saturday

Getting ready for the Illinois game this Saturday in the Horseshoe, Head Coach Jim Tressel spoke with the media on Thursday about the excitement on campus, injuries, the running back position, and rotation on the offensive line.

By Steve Patterson

When speaking about the atmosphere this week on campus Coach Tressel stated “that there is more of an electric feel this week because the students are back on campus going to class and the Big Ten is opening play this week.” Indiana will play Michigan, Michigan State at Wisconsin, Minnesota plays at Northwestern, and Iowa is at Penn State.

Jim Cordle is better than expected after a foot scope this week while Jamaal Berry, Zach Domicone, and Aaron Gant are all out with injuries. Gant has been out the season so far and won’t be back as soon as the others Tressel reported.

Jordan Hall should see the field against Illinois with Bandon Saine and Dan ‘Boom’ Herron seeing the most time. There is a possibility that Terrelle Pryor could be the leading rusher for the team when the season is complete. But the tailbacks would like to see as much action as possible and allow Pryor to focus more on passing.

The offensive line is going to see 6 or 7 different players rotate in this weekend. And the left tackle is going to feature a mix of both Andrew Miller and Mike Adams with Miller more than likely getting the start Tressel said. The other tackles are JB Shugarts and Bryant Browning. JB Shugarts will get the start at right tackle with Browning seeing time at the position also. The three guards that will play are Justin Boren, Bryant Browning, and Andrew Moses.

OSU Buckeye Players of the Week for Toledo

Steve Patterson — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:04:59 GMT

OSU Buckeye Players of the Week for Toledo

Ohio State announced the players of the week for the week against Toledo. Winners included Ross Homan, Dane Sanzenbacher, Ben Buchanan, Cameron Heyward, and Bryant Browning.

By Steve Patterson

Ross Homan was the Defensive Player of the Week as he completed the game with a fumble recovery and 6 tackles. Dane Sanzenbacher was on all the highlight shows with his two touchdown catches in the first quarter. He finished the game with 5 catches for 126 yards.

Ben Buchanan got the start at punter after Jon Thoma came down with an illness before the game. He finished the game with 4 punts and averaged 42.8 yards per punt. The coaches awarded Ben the Special Teams Player of the Week award.

Cameron Heyward got the Attack Force Player of the Week as a member of a Buckeye defense that completely shut down a very good Toledo offense. While Bryant Browning received the Jim Parker Lineman of the Week award. The line continued to shift and rotate players trying to find a good combination after the loss of Jim Cordle to an ankle injury.

Scout Team Players of the Week included Chris Fields, Jordan Whiting, and Tony Harlamert.

Ohio State Buckeyes Over The Toledo Rockets 38-0

Steve Patterson — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:21:19 GMT

Ohio State Buckeyes Over The Toledo Rockets 38-0

In a nice ‘get healthy’ and ‘feel good about yourselves again’ kind of game, Ohio State regained their swagger after a loss to Southern California with a fairly dominate win over a MAC team from Toledo. The defense continued to completely shut down their opponent similar to the way they stopped the top ranked Trojans one week ago.

By Steve Patterson

The only things that could draw a shadow over the nice win is the loss of Jim Cordle during the week of practice and Washington beating USC. But the play of the running backs, the wide receivers, and the whole defense for the Buckeyes makes all of Ohio feel good once again about their team. Brandon Saine (45 yards on 9 carries), Dan Herron (42 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown), and Jordan Hall (44 yards on 7 carries) all saw action at the tailback position and looked solid independently.

Just how bad is Colorado to lose to a Rocket team that couldn’t do a thing all day against the stingy Ohio State squad. Ohio State held Toledo to only 9 first downs, converting 3-15 on third down, for a total 210 yards on the day. This is in comparison to Ohio State’s 23 first downs, 11-17 on third down, and 522 net yards. That is about as lopsided a game as they come. Ohio State had the ball 14 more minutes than the Rockets to boot.

Terrelle Pryor looked great at times completing touchdown passes to Dane Sanzenbacher twice and once to DeVier Posey. He finished with 262 yards through the air with the three touchdowns but threw away two pass to the defense. When the pocket wasn’t stable for the Buckeyes is when Pryor improvised. If he ran forward you could expect really good results. As he finished with the most rushing yards on the day at 110 yards and one touchdown. But when he scrambled to pass is when things went bad.

The kicking game was also slightly a miss for the Buckeyes on a day that otherwise was excellent in all possible ways. Starting punter and holder Jon Thoma was unable to play with a reported illness. This led to Sanzenbacher holding for both field goal attempts with kicker Aaron Pettrey missing a chip shot from near 25 yards away. And Ben Buchanan got to make all punts on the day averaging 42.8 yards a punt with none inside the 20. Good experience for the backups at these positions.

Ohio State Football Depth Chart 2009 - Toledo

Steve Patterson — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:56:35 GMT

Ohio State Football Depth Chart 2009 – Toledo

The latest depth chart for the Ohio State Buckeyes has been released prior to the Toledo game this coming Saturday at Noon. One of the changes present on the chart compared to past weeks is Jermale Hines from Cleveland Glenville moving ahead of Anderson Russell at the Free Safety Spot.

By Steve Patterson

Other Changes on the Depth Chart include Aaron Gant falling off the Strong Safety position in favor of Kurt Coleman and red-shirted freshman Orhian Johnson. Devon Torrence is listed as a possible starter sharing a cornerback spot with Andre Amos opposite Chimidi Chekwa. And Dane Sanzenbacher is listed as a Punt Returner along with Ray Small and DeVier Posey.

DEFENSE

DT
84 Doug Worthington
53 Garrett Goebel
9 Rob Rose

DT
72 Dexter Larimore
92 Todd Denlinger
54 John Simon

DE
90 Thaddeus Gibson
43 Nathan Williams

DE
97 Cameron Heyward
87 Lawrence Wilson
98 Solomon Thomas

WLB
51 Ross Homan
42 Andrew Sweat

SLB
38 Austin Spitler
6 Etienne Sabino

MLB
36 Brian Rolle
41 Tony Jackson

S
7 Jermale Hines
21 Anderson Russell

S
4 Kurt Coleman
19 Orhian Johnson

CB
13 Andre Amos
10 Devon Torrence

CB
5 Chimdi Chekwa
18 Travis Howard

OFFENSE

QB
2 Terrelle Pryor
14 Joe Bauserman

TB
1 Dan Herron
3 Brandon Saine

FB
44 Zach Boren
49 Adam Homan
37 James Georgiades

WR
8 DeVier Posey
9 Duron Carter
82 Ray Small

WR
12 Dane Sanzenbacher
5 Taurian Washington
7 Lamaar Thomas

TE
86 Jake Ballard
11 Jake Stoneburner

RT
64 Jim Cordle
79 Marcus Hall

RG
70 Bryant Browning
66 Andrew Moses

C
50 Mike Brewster
74 Jack Mewhort

LG
65 Justin Boren
71 Corey Linsley

LT
55 Andrew Miller
76 J.B. Shugarts

SPECIALISTS

PK
20 Aaron Pettrey
12 Devin Barclay

P
48 Jon Thoma
17 Ben Buchanan

LS
96 Jake McQuaide
53 Patrick Howe

H
48 Jon Thoma
12 Dane Sanzenbacher

PR
12 Dane Sanzenbacher
82 Ray Small
8 DeVier Posey

KR
3 Brandon Saine
1 Dan Herron
7 Lamaar Thomas

No 11 Ohio State Buckeyes vs Toledo Rockets

Steve Patterson — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:30:33 GMT

#11 Ohio State v Toledo

Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Kickoff: 12noon

TV: ESPN Plus

It felt like you were standing there minding your own business and someone turned around and punched you in the stomach without warning. The Bucks had that game won but the defense failed to stop the Trojans fourth quarter ending drive (see 2009 Fiesta Bowl versus Texas). The defense isn’t all to blame; Terrell Pryor and that soft pasty junior varsity offensive line left plenty of points off the board due to poor drives and lousy execution. The coaching staff is also under the microscope for not making any adjustments at half-time and not getting the team motivated to rise to the occasion. Overall, what could have been a tremendous victory just turned into the old song and dance. For as long as Jim Tressel is in charge, the Buckeyes will play not to make a mistake, which means a lot of close games and few big game wins.

Ohio State meets up with a high scoring Toledo Rocket team in Cleveland Brown Stadium this Saturday for their first “road trip” of the season. This will be a nice recruiting trip…um…game for the Buckeyes since an unbelievably high percentage of OSU football players come out of North East Ohio. It was also a nice payout for the Rockets as they are trying to raise funds for a new stadium and facilities. Now after the first two games, I’m not so sure this will be the cakewalk it was once viewed as. With the Western Michigan victory over the Michigan State Spartans and the poor offensive showing from Ohio State in the last two games, you know the Rockets are thinking that an upset isn’t such a ridiculous notion.

OSU “O”

I’m going to ride the offensive line and its coach Jim Bollman until something changes for the better. OSU consistently is blessed with much ballyhooed blue chip offensive line recruits that have performed well UNDER expectation since the Troy Smith era. They are soft. They look weak. They are not explosive. They don’t show a killer instinct that good offensive line units typically have. Until the Buckeyes can either get some talent on that line or get a new coach that can develop the young men to their full potential, we as Ohio State fans will continue to see a below average rushing attack and a quarterback who has to run for his life. Toledo isn’t a juggernaut when it comes to defense as they have allowed 493 total yards and 45 points per game. However, I believe the offense’s ineptitude will keep Toledo in the game. Prove me wrong boys.

OSU “D”

The Buckeyes have their hands full with a high powered passing attack lead by Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt. The Rocket offense is averaging a whopping 42.5 points and 558.5 yards per game. If you missed it last Friday the Rockets just destroyed Colorado 54-38 and the Buckeye defense is next on the menu. Opelt is a duel threat quarterback with 742 yards, 7 touchdowns through the air AND 133 rushing yards with 2 touchdowns on the ground. His top two targets are wide receivers Eric Page and Stephen Williams who combine for 451 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. In two games so far this season, Opelt has dished the ball off to 10 different receivers and all but three have double digit yards. The Rocket running game is effective also as running back DaJuane Collins averages 93.5 yards per game. Just add cherry on top of the Toledo sundae, the Rocket’s leading rusher from 2008, Morgan Williams, is back after a two game suspension. The Buckeye defense will have to play smart on Saturday to hold the Rockets under 30 points.

Summary

First year head coach and former Ohio State quarterbacks coach Tim Beckman wants to win this game badly and will pull out all the tricks in the book to try for the upset. This is Toledo biggest game of year and they are no strangers to beating Big Ten teams (see UT v Michigan 2008). This game is not the gimme it seemed to be at the start of the season and the Buckeyes have had their difficulties with the MAC in recent memory. This one will be closer than Buckeye Nation wants it to be.

Prediction: OSU 24 – UT 14

Why OSU will win:

Sustain long offensive drives and keep the high scoring Rocket offense off the field.

Don’t get hung up on last week.

Pryor will loosen up and stop thinking about making a mistake. Just be yourself.

Defensive secondary locks down the wide receivers.

The Rocket defense gives up a LOT of points.

Why OSU will lose:

Offense line doesn’t attack the smaller UT defense.

No holes for the running backs.

Pryor runs for his life because of poor pass protection.

The Rocket offense scores a LOT of points.

Bold prediction for the game:

Brandon Saine will get more touches than Boom Herron and we will see a lot of Jamal Berry.

Crazy stat of the game:

Ohio State hasn’t lost to a MAC team since 1894. Back then there wasn’t a “MAC” (the MAC was founded in 1946) but the Buckeyes lost to Akron 12-6 on September 15, 1894.

Last time they met…

Joe Germaine and an OSU coached John Cooper trounced the Rockets 49-0 in 1998.

Rocket players to watch:

Sophomore WR #7 Kenny Stafford

Senior QB #11 Aaron Opelt

Senior RB #22 DaJuane Collins

Freshman WR #12 Eric Page

Senior WR #88 Stephen Williams

#8 Barry Church

#42 Archie Donald

#48 Brudzinski

#5 Daxton Swanson

Ohio State Walk-Ons Earn Scholarships

Steve Patterson — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:36:05 GMT

Ohio State Walk-Ons Earn Scholarships

A number of former walk-ons will now be on scholarship for their final one to two years of college courses at Ohio State. Jon Thomas may be the most recognizable as he has taken over the punting position this year with the departure of AJ Trapasso to the NFL. Thomas was the special teams Player of the Week against USC.

By Steve Patterson

Thoma is now in his fifth year with the Buckeyes and after handling the holder position on field goals the last two years is now also the starting punter. He will be on scholarship when the Fall Quarter starts at OSU. Other’s going on scholarship in the Fall include Andrew Moses and Marcus Williams. Moses has been a backup offensive lineman and Williams is a running back noted for his great running in the Spring Game this past April.

In the Winter Quarter three more walk-ons will become scholarship players including Ryan Schuck, Joe Gantz and Tom Ingham. Schuck is a Junior wide receiver who joined the Buckeyes in 2008. Senior Gantz is a running back for the Buckeyes who also played lacrosse last year. Ingham is a senior defensive tackle from Centerville Ohio.

Ohio State Coaches Not Pleased with Offensive Performance

Steve Patterson — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:38:13 GMT

Ohio State Coaches Not Pleased with Offensive Performance

The weekly Players of the Week were released today for the USC game and no offensive players were given the award. Mike Adams was given offensive Player of the Week for the scout team by the coaching staff. Adams was suspended for the first game of the season and might have been eligible for the game against USC but did not get on the field. Boom Herron received the Jack Tatum Hit of the Week award. It’s somewhat rare for a running back to receive this award, buck his nickname is Boom.

By Steve Patterson

Defensive Player of the Week was given to Devon Torrence and Cameron Heyward was the Attack Force Player of the Week. Torrence started for the first time in his career and was solid at the corner position. He had a number of tackles in addition to a late sack which put USC up against Ohio State’s goal line. Heyward was consistently in the back field against the USC offensive line, disrupted plays on a regular basis.

Others on the scout team given awards were Spencer Smith for the defensive and Nate Ebner for special teams. Jon Thoma was given the special teams Player of the Week for his punts within the 20 yard line which put USC in poor field position throughout the game.

An number of Offensive Players had good games including Boom Herron, DeVier Posey, and Dane Sanzenbacher but the Coaches didn’t feel the offensive provided the points needed to win the game after the defense played exceptionally most of the night.

Ohio State Captains Comment on USC Loss

Steve Patterson — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:00:08 GMT

Ohio State Captains Comment on USC Loss

In a very tight game in Ohio Stadium last night, Ohio State come up short for the 6th straight time against a top rank team. Head Coach Jim Tressel and the team captains spoke with the media after the game. Jake Ballard was the weekly captain for the offense with Austin Spitler, Kurt Coleman and Doug Worthington being the season captains and all defensive players.

By Steve Patterson

Austin Spitler talked about the final drive that gave USC the win after a Buckeye punt with near 7 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. “I mean, obviously it's a tough loss again, put on the big stage, we want to go out there and get the victory, we were feeling good and the last drive comes along and they just pounded it down our throats.” He explained. “Obviously it's a tough loss. We have to bounce back, though, and understand that we played a heck of a team and we've got a bright future.” Spitler said about moving forward after the loss.

Jake Ballard spoke from an offensive perspective. “We didn't take advantage of our opportunities. We just kept getting three and out.” He felt about Ohio State’s production. “ You can't do that when you get the ball.” Ballard stated about playing a game against a top ranked opponent.

Kurt Coleman was a little bit more emotional about the loss. “I'm really just physically drained and I know this whole team is just physically drained.” Is how he described his condition following the tough battle with Southern California. “We worked so hard and it's just tough coming off -- I mean, the offense did a great job of doing their job, as a defense we've got to get off the field. Especially we knew the ball was going to be the ball in our court and we had to stop them on that last drive and we knew that and it's just tough, man, I don't know, it's just tough.” Coleman displayed his upset about the difficult lose.

Doug Worthington felt good about the defensive play in the game and the ability of the special teams to get a safety late in the match. “Obviously it hurts. I commend the Trojans, they played a great game, a tough game, and it hurts, I mean, that's the bottom line. We went out there, I think the defense and special teams put it on the line and we came up a little short and got to get back to the drawing board.” Is how Worthington described resetting the season and getting ready for the next game.

Ohio State 2010 Recruits Latwan Anderson, Jordan Hicks, and Tyrone Williams

Steve Patterson — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:41:44 GMT

Ohio State 2010 Recruits Latwan Anderson, Jordan Hicks, and Tyrone Williams

The eScoutRoom.com continues to write about some of the top Ohio State recruits for their 2010 class. From recent offer to Latwan Anderson to the commitment of Tyrone Williams they cover a number of high school prospects you want to know more about. Also find corresponding video for many of the recruiting stories available.

By Steve Patterson

Latwan Anderson Finally With a Buckeye Offer

Cleveland Glenville has been a pipeline high school to Ohio State for the best athletes in the program since Jim Tressel took over the Buckeyes in Columbus. Very few Tarblooders with offers from Ohio State have gone elsewhere. 2010 was going to a year when only one Glenville player received an Ohio State offer until last night.

Buckeye Recruit Jordan Hicks Will Hold Weekly Teleconference

High School standout Jordan Hicks and his high school Athletic Director Todd Hummer have decided that the only way to handle the overwhelming requests from the press is to hold weekly teleconferences. This just demonstrates the overwhelming interest in recruiting. His first one was held on Monday, August 31.

Tyrone Williams Commits to Ohio State

Tyrone Williams has made his choice; he will become a Buckeye in 2010. He shared that he committed for one reason. “I couldn’t wait. I just like it down there. I like the school, the coaches, the players, Terrelle Pryor. I was ready.”

2010 Star Prospects Attending Ohio State vs. USC

Ohio State is bringing in as many high caliber prospects for the 2010 class as possible on September 11th for the weekend that could be the making of a historic year for the Buckeyes. That is of course if Ohio State can do to USC what the Trojans did to the Buckeyes last year in beating them at home and practically knocking them out of National Championship contention with one game.

Latwan Anderson Junior Highlights

Roderick Smith Highlights and Commitment

Jordan Hicks 2010 Linebacker Highlights

Ohio State 2010 Commit Chad Hagan

No 7 Ohio State Buckeyes v No 3 USC Trojans

Steve Patterson — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:48:29 GMT

#7 Ohio State v #3 USC

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Kickoff: 8pm

TV: ESPN

“Appalachian State…Appalachian State… Appalachian State…” was all that was going through my head as the Midshipmen lined up for the two point conversion. Thankfully, Brian Rolle came up with a timely interception to secure the win for the Buckeyes. Now the Bucks entertain superpower USC in the ‘Shoe for what hopes to be a classic showdown. USC was able to break in their true freshman quarterback in their commanding season debut win over San Jose State and looks poised to make a run at the national championship. On the other hand, the Buckeyes showed glaring weaknesses specifically on the offensive line, defensive line and secondary. The Trojans are the real deal and a victory for the Bucks would go along way in healing the national reputation of Ohio State and the Big Ten.

OSU “O”

Head coach Jim Tressel did exactly what he should have against Navy; give Terrell Pryor a bunch of quality snaps and play calls. The gameplan was a refreshing as Tressel called a lot of pass plays that meant something and prepared Pryor for the season. Everyone, including the tight ends, saw good playing time. However, poor discipline caused several drive stalling penalties and the offensive line disappointed everyone by looking reactive, passive and squishy. USC has a fast, mean and deep defense and their aggressive style of attack will get them through the soft Buckeye offensive line if things don’t change between now and Saturday. If things don’t change with the attitude and execution of the offensive line, Pryor will be running for his life all day and the running backs will get stoned at the line of scrimmage. The Buckeye offense must be able to stay on the field, sustain long drives and keep the ball away from the high powered USC offense while minimizing mistakes and turnovers if they have any hope of winning this game.

OSU “D”

To my surprise, the OSU secondary really let everybody down. Even if they were looking hard at the run, Marcus Curry should never have burned them for an 85 yard touchdown reception. How slow do you think the secondary is going to look when going up against a receiving corps with real speed and talent? Saturday will be true freshman quarterback Matt Barkley’s second start and he looks to be the next Trojan great. Not only is Barkley a talented passer he also has the luxury of handing off the ball to three running backs that are NFL ready. The running back stable is lead by Joe McKnight who ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday while the top three USC rushers averaged over 10 yards per carry. Along with the top notch running game, the OSU defense must also contend with a flock of tall and fast wide receivers. Wide receiver Damian Williams can stretch the field and will make the slow Buckeye secondary look even slower. The OSU defense is better equipped to handle an offense like USC but Navy pretty much had their way with the Buckeyes and it’s frightening to think of what a bigger and stronger Trojan team will be able to do.

Summary

USC has the luxury of having no pressure coming into this game. They have nothing to prove to the media, the country or themselves. Ohio State and Jim Tressel have the weight of the conference on its shoulders while enduring a tight scrutiny from the media and public opinion. If the Buckeyes can win on Saturday, some of that weight will be lifted but not all. OSU has dug itself a deep hole and if they hope to ever climb out of it they need to start winning these types of games. If the Buckeyes come out flat, it will be a long, horrible night for the OSU faithful.

Prediction:

USC 35 – OSU 13

Why OSU will win:

-The offensive line gets mean and aggressive and starts blowing the USC defense up.

-The secondary finds its speed.

-The defensive line and linebackers are able to contain the run and get lots of pressure on the freshman quarterback.

Why OSU will lose:

-USC will not respect the Buckeye running game and sit back in a soft flexible coverage watching and waiting to see what Pryor will do.

Bold prediction for the game:

If you’re a gambler put money on USC to cover the spread. The Trojans will win by no less than three touchdowns.

Crazy stat of the game:

-The last time Ohio State beat an opponent ranked above them in the polls was the 2002 National Championship game against the University of Miami (FL) at the Fiesta Bowl.

-Pete Carroll is 6-0 versus the Big Ten.

Last time they met…

9/13/2008; The Buckeyes sent the junior varsity squad out to Los Angeles and got thumped 35-3 in one of the least competitive games Ohio State has ever played in. The final score should have been 77-3 or worse as the Buckeyes embarrassed themselves, the Big Ten conference, their alumni and their fans.

Trojan players to watch:

Freshman QB # 7 Matt Barkley

Junior RB #4 Joe McKnight

Senior S #2 Taylor Mays

Junior WR #18 Damian Williams

Sophomore LB #54 Chris Galippo

Senior TE #86 Anthony McCoy

Another Chance at Redemption

Mark Silverman — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 21:20:58 GMT

Another Chance at Redemption

If last Saturday’s 31-27 victory over the Navy Midshipmen wasn’t an indication, Ohio State has plenty of work ahead of them as the Buckeyes head into their showdown with Southern California this weekend.

By Mark Silverman

A victory over the visiting Trojans would not only elevate Ohio State’s national respectability, but the Big Ten Conference as well. However, a performance similar to the showing against Navy could make USC’s 35-3 drubbing of Ohio State last season in Los Angeles déjà vu all over again.

Fortunately, the Buckeyes will not have to defend the triple-option unless USC head coach Pete Carroll has implemented the offense into the playbook, which may not be a bad idea. Ohio State gave up an uncharacteristic 186 yards against the run to Navy and with USC five to six running backs deep, headlined by Joe McKnight, the run defense must improve. What is more astounding is that the Buckeyes gave up 156 yards passing to a Navy team that averaged only 90 yards through the air in 2008. The secondary will need to step up their game with the offensive firepower the Trojans possess.

It appeared the Buckeyes were caught looking ahead to the USC matchup, so Buckeye fans shouldn’t worry too much. It is debatable whether Ohio State was ready to play in the season-opener against the Midshipmen, but that won’t be a question Saturday night.

The Buckeyes’ national reputation has taken a severe hit due to recent losses to Florida and LSU in the 2006 and 2007 national championship games along with defeats to USC and Texas a year ago. However, now the Buckeyes have their opponent on home turf. USC was a true road game and while the other three contests were held at neutral locations, the LSU matchup in New Orleans was a virtual home game for the Tigers.

There used to be a time when Ohio State defended the Horseshoe in night games to perfection. The Buckeyes have an opportunity to reverse their recent trends and erase some bad memories with a victory Saturday night. The Horseshoe will be rocking and if the Buckeyes can put together 60 minutes of consistent football, redemption will be a beautiful thing.

Ohio State Players of The Week For Navy

Steve Patterson — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:48:42 GMT

Ohio State Players of The Week For Navy

The university has announced the Buckeye Players of the Week for the Navy Midshipmen game this past Saturday. Of note are the many offensive scout players on the list with the difficult task of learning the triple option.

By Steve Patterson

Kurt Coleman is the defensive player of the week. This is not a surprise as he created the two turnovers late in the game that put Ohio State well in hand of a victory mid way through the fourth quarter. Nine tackles, one interception and a forced fumble were his statistics for the game.

Boom Herron had a good outing for his first time starting in the tailback position and he was awarded the offensive player of the week for his work. He had a total of 72 yards rushing with one touchdown. Nate Oliver shined on special teams and was given the Player of the Week award for special teams along with the Jack Tatum Big Hit of the Week.

Justin Boren gets his first award starting with the offensive line this past Saturday. He is the Jim Parker offensive lineman of the week. Scout team offensive winners were Zach Boren, KC Christian, Joe Gantz, Bo DeLande, Chris Malone, James Georgiades, Rocco Pentello, Scott Sika, Ryan Schuck, and Spencer Smith. The defensive Scout team award winner was Tony Jackson while Joe Gantz won the special teams award.

Ohio State and Jim Tressel honor the US Naval Academy.

Steve Patterson — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:45:52 GMT

Ohio State and Jim Tressel honor the US Naval Academy.

Being a graduate and an Ohio State fan, the University has provided a lot of reasons to be proud but Coach Tressel and the Administration added one today—The welcome given to the Naval Academy.

By Bill Smith

Local radio stations had covered the idea of giving the men from Navy a standing ovation not only for their play on the field but most of all for those they represent—the best and bravest men and women that have volunteered to protect all of us so that we can enjoy a football game in safety on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

But OSU did the fans one better. For the first time in the 120 year history of the game at Ohio State, the two teams came on the field together as one.

There are a lot of things to be concerned about. The way that Navy ran on the Buckeyes D was disturbing. The fact that OSU could not run up the middle effectively was a major problem. The trouble the O line had in protecting the QB against the Navy pass rush is serious given the fact that USC will be here next week. Given the unusual style of Navy, it is hard to tell how much of the trouble was system rather than execution. But overall none of that matters much.

Ohio State and our fans gave a welcome to the Naval Academy. That is a memory that I will cherish for a long time.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ohio State Buckeyes Squeak Past the Navy Midshipmen

Steve Patterson — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:48:33 GMT

Ohio State Buckeyes Squeak Past the Navy Midshipmen

The Ohio State Buckeyes had a very good game plan on offensive and made the adjustments on defensive to slow down the Navy Midshipmen’s triple option but the relentless Midshipmen fought back time and again and made the most of their opportunities in a close 31-27 OSU win.

By Steve Patterson

The Ohio State offensive game plan was to let sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor do what he does best. Which included a number roll outs to the left and the right allowing him to throw to the outside to his big targets Duron Carter (3 for 21) and DeVier Posey (2 for 14). Add in some longer passes to Dane Sanzenbacher (2 for 57 and 1 touchdown) and a number of throws to the seldom used tight ends and you have a very potent air attack for 2009.

But the Ohio State defense had a hard time stopping the triple option in spite of Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs being very inaccurate throwing the ball early. Navy kept the game close throughout most of the matchup despite having less talent on both sides of the ball.

The Buckeyes main problem during the game was moving the ball in short yardage situations. In the first quarter they found themselves down within the 10 yard line and chose to call 3 pass plays in a row after having success running the ball from further out. Two of the teams strengths was making adjustments to stop the triple option on defense and creating 3 turnovers.

Pryor proved hard to sack when pressure was in his face and he made plays consistently with pressure. He completed the game going 14 for 21 for 174, one touchdown and one interception. During the second quarter second team defense players entered the game for Ohio State and shortly thereafter, second team offensive players were utilized. Quarterback Joe Bauserman saw time in the second quarter before Pryor returned to complete the game. Bauserman was 3 for 5 for 35 yards.

As the game progressed Dobbs got more comfortable and Navy ate up the clock while scoring making it a game. Strength by Navy in the 3rd period ended the second string’s time on the field for OSU as the Buckeyes brought back all their starters. This was the time senior captain safety Kurt Coleman got two turnovers which put Ohio State well in the lead. But the Buckeyes couldn’t get yards on the ground when needed and turned over the ball on downs in the fourth quarter.

Navy scored two times in the fourth and was about to tie the game when Brian Rolle saved the day with a two point conversion return. The return placed the Buckeye four points in the lead with less than a minute remaining.

Scouting Report: Jet OB Vernon Gholston is struggling bigtime.

Steve Patterson — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:18:54 GMT

Scouting Report: Jet OB Vernon Gholston is struggling bigtime.

Jet OLB Vernon Gholston should star in the scheme of new Jet defense coordinator Mike Pettine Jr. but he is struggling bigtime. The question is why?

By Bill Smith

The new Jet D stresses penetration and speed to disrupt the O of the opponent. That should play into Gholston's strengths which are his speed and athleticism. It is not. Instead, way too often, Gholston is standing beside the pile rather than being in it.

In early July, I said the following about Gholston's play late last year:

It looks like he is thinking too much before he moves. Usually more tape work helps but he is not showing the football instincts that made him a college All American. The linebacker position is anything but natural for him. He still is a factor in rushing the passer. He can command a double team and help other defenders get the sack. He still rushes too upright. He has not mastered dropping the shoulder and using his speed to get under the tackle and get to the QB. He also spends too much time hand fighting with the lineman. If the lineman gets a hold on him, he struggles to get away and resume the rush.

All of those things are still a problem for him. Part of the problem might be the change of position last year and the change in the coaching staff and defensive systems this year. Ohio State has a lot more continuity than the teams in the NFL do. The change in both systems and terminology may be a factor. Something is preventing him from using his natural football instincts to full advantage.

He is now being blocked effectively by a TE or RB. He can not allow these guys to stop his blitz. When he was able to avoid the blocker and make a hit, he failed to get himself under control prior to the sack. He hit the QB helmet to helmet and forced a fumble but the play was negated due to a penalty on him for the illegal contact.

Another pass rush was negated by him taking a bad angle to the QB. He was unable to correct his rush because he was not under control. The opponent avoided him and ran for a first down. He was unable to regain control of his rush and ended up on the ground taking one of his fellow defenders down with him.

The progress against the run is no better. When he does analyze the play correctly and gets into the hole, he is not effective tackling the runner near the line of scrimmage. Too often when he gets the tackle, it is 5 or 6 yards down field. He is able to turn runs at his side in which redirects the runner to the middle of the field where the other Jet defenders can make a tackle. But that is not enough to keep him in the lineup after incumbent starter Calvin Pace returns from drug suspension in week 5.

The problem that Gholston and all the other high draft choices of the Jets face is that they were drafted by the previous administration. Coach Ryan and the new group has no investment in proving those previous choices were good. Gholston is going to have to step up his play. He is probably safe this year because of the Pace suspension. But someone is going to have to be cut when Pace returns. If Gholston doesn't prove he is a potential starter, with his salary, he may become the guy without a place to sit in the 53 seat game of musical chairs.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

No 6 Ohio State v Navy

Steve Patterson — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:57:27 GMT

#6 Ohio State v Navy

Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

Alumni Reunion Game

Kickoff: 12noon

TV: ESPN

Wahoo!! The season is finally upon us. After what always seems like an eternity, the Buckeyes will take the field this Saturday against the Midshipmen of Navy. Navy has gotten better over the last few years and, under second year head coach Ken Niumatalolo, will prove a handful for one of the youngest Buckeye teams ever to take the field. Everybody is looking ahead to the colossal showdown with USC next week, that is except for Navy. The Buckeyes can’t come to the ‘Shoe half asleep this Saturday because the Midshipmen will give OSU all they can muster.

OSU “O”

Ohio State needs to do something this Saturday that has seemed to be something of a difficult task recently; open up the offense and put the opponent away. The Navy defense is disciplined and tenacious but it is entirely outclassed in size, speed, strength and talent. Jim Tressel needs to use this game as the 2009 offensive springboard for his young team. Don’t hold back and let it all hang out. Pistol, Shot-Gin, Wildcat, Pro-Set and all the formations in the playbook need to come to the surface and executed on Saturday. Don’t throw this game away to the typical mediocre early season / inferior opponent / conservative play that Tressel likes to run. The Buckeyes are young and they need to come out of the gates firing and develop a rhythm. Quarterback Terrell Pryor, his offensive line and his receivers have to gel early by taking smart shots down the field mixed with an effective running game. Tressel needs to let Pryor throw 22-30 times this Saturday to get a feel for the speed of the game. Pryor needs to make quality throws and not easy, high percentage dump off passes. No need to “hide” plays or formations from USC. Just run them. A lot. The Buckeyes are going to have to rely on Pryor’s arm to win a game sometime this season and Saturday is the perfect time to start executing those plays and getting meaningful quality repetitions at actual game speed. Don’t abandon the running game but don’t use it as the primary gameplan. The growth of Pryor and the future of the 2009 Ohio State Buckeye season hinges on the amount of quality passing reps called in on Saturday. Come on, Jim, let your hair down.

OSU “D”

Real football fans are in for a treat this Saturday while casual fans will be scratching their heads wondering just what the heck is going on and why is it working. Navy utilizes the Triple Option formation to execute its effective running attack, which is incredibly hard to defend since very few teams run it anymore. Without getting into the gory details and historical significance of the formation, Navy is basically able to run every play they have in any direction and nobody but the quarterback knows which way it’s going until the last possible moment. And Navy is really good at it. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, Navy only returns four starters on offense and must replace their top fullback, slot back and wide receiver. Quarterback Ricky Dobbs will start the season for the Midshipmen and will look to hand off fullback Alexander Teich and slotbacks Bobby Doyle and Marcus Curry. In the unlikely event of a pass, Dobbs will look for wideout Mario Washington as his primary target. Lateral movement and misdirection is the name of the triple option game and we will all see just how fast and disiplined the new linebacking corps really is.

Summary

Navy is no push-over. They play big boy teams every year (2009 Ohio

State, Pitt, SMU and ND) and aren’t afraid to go into hostile environments. They beat Notre Dame last year and they have lead the nation in rushing five of the last six years. The Buckeye linebacking corps and the secondary are filling big holes vacated by seniors leaving for the NFL and could be vulnerable to the Cirque du Soleil triple option rushing attack. A motivated, fearless and effective Navy offense coupled with the shadow of the USC game looming in the near future should give the Buckeyes fits come gameday. This one’s far from a gimme. With so much youth on both sides of the ball, one must expect growing pains and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the score is close at halftime. In the end, however, the defense will calm down and adjust while the offense will start to get into a rhythm. The final score likely will not reflect how close the game actually was.

Prediction:

OSU 42 – Navy 13

Why OSU will win:

-After some youthful mistakes and miscues, the Buckeye offensive and defensive will wear down the smaller Navy squad.

-Jim Tressel opens up the playbook and is not afraid to win for a change. This will pay huge dividends down the 2009 season road.

Why OSU will lose:

-If the Midshipmen can control the ball with their running game and capitalize on turnovers, Navy could pull this one off; especially if the Buckeyes aren’t focused on the game at hand.

Bold prediction for the game:

The Midshipmen will eclipse 200 yards rushing this Saturday.

Crazy stat of the game:

-Navy has lead the nation in rushing for five of the last six years including 2008 where they averaged 292.4 yards per game.

-It’s been 31 years since Ohio State has lost a home opener. (1978, Penn State)

Last time they met…

1981 Liberty Bowl OSU 31 – Navy 28 (OSU is 3-0 versus Navy).

Navy players to watch:

Junior QB #4 Ricky Dobbs

Sophomore FB #39 Alexander Teich

Junior WO #85 Mario Washington

Senior SB #33 Bobby Doyle

Sophomore SB #28 Marcus Curry

Sophomore DE #98 Jabaree Tuani

Senior DE #69 Jordan Stephens

Senior LB #51 Ross Pospisil

Freshman SB/KR #21 Alexander "Gee Gee" Greene

Reid Fragel: Jake Ballard is a Big Help

Steve Patterson — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:22:19 GMT

Reid Fragel: Jake Ballard is a Big Help

Reid Fragel is a big tight end from Gross Point Farms Michigan that came to Ohio State as the 11th best tight end in the country for 2009. At 6’7” and 260lbs, Fragel presents a large target for Terrelle Pryor as he looks to throw more often this year.

By Steve Patterson

We spoke with Reid Fragel recently about the offseason and what he did to prepare this season. “During this off season I was able to work out with the team to help me not only on the field physically but I was also able to get a slight grip on the offensive playbook during some seven on seven practices.” The preparation has helped as Fragel looks to get on the field as a true freshman at the thin position of tight end.

Fragel enjoyed the recent August 24th open practice at the Horseshoe. ”My most memorable moment during camp this year would have to be our night practice in the horseshoe, it was just a taste of what game day will be like from what it seems.” This weekend he will get to experience a packed Ohio Stadium as OSU faces Navy in the season opener.

Fragel feels the tight end position at Ohio State is just what he was looking for. “I love the tight end position at Ohio State, it fits me perfectly I feel.” he reported to us. And having a senior in Jake Ballard at the position is also beneficial. “Having an experienced tight end like Jake Ballard above me really helps, he is a big help for me learning the offense and getting the hang of things.”

With USC coming in week 2 of the Buckeyes schedule, is it possible Ohio State could look past Navy and be upset? “Navy is relentless in everything they do in their game, the offense will just need to execute like we have been in practice. It is no trap if we prepare ourselves like we have been, it just comes down to execution.”

Jim Tressel: Offensive Line Looking Crisp

Steve Patterson — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:13:20 GMT

Jim Tressel: Offensive Line Looking Crisp

Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel met with the media on Tuesday and discussed the offensive line in addition to a number of other topics going into the first game of the season against Navy on Saturday. He feels the offensive line looks crisp and a number of players have moved to their natural positions which improves their performance.

By Steve Patterson

Coach Tressel discussed limiting the number of plays for the line as a way to get them more comfortable this fall. “So we had narrowed down a little bit of what we might do.” he said. “And I thought yesterday in full pads, it wasn't like it was shorts or anything, in full pads, our offensive line looked a little bit crisper and quicker and more confident in what they were doing than I had seen them in the last week or so.” he told everyone about the play of the line.

And Andrew Miller has really progressed from coming in as a tight end, switching to the offensive line, and taking over the left tackle position this camp. “I thought they were showing some signs, you mentioned Andrew Miller, I think really going as far back as last spring, he was coming along and taking advantage of opportunities and he's a tough guy.”

Plus a number of players are now in their best positions to perform well on the field according to Coach Tressel. “To me the key with the offensive line is no different than with the quarterback. If you do what they can do, then they're going to have a lot better chance of being successful because the other guys are allowed to try too. But you've got to do what they do best.”

Michael Brewster is the only returning starter in the same position as last season with Jim Cordle moving to tackle and Bryant Browning moving to guard Coach Tressel explained. “Well, Michael [Brewster] did a good job stepping in as a freshman and he had some tough moments. Every play wasn't wonderful. Every game wasn't wonderful. And I'm sure we have to remind ourselves that he's a sophomore. But I think he's pretty darn solid and understanding what we want to do.”

Jim Cordle now takes over the right tackle spot on the line where he can use his quickness against smaller defensive ends. “Jimmy Cordle has made the move outside, which a little bit like what Doug Datish did, and Jim Bollman felt Doug had his finest year, the year that his quickness could kind of take over and not have those 320-pounders over him all the time and that type of thing. But Mike has been solid this summer and Jimmy's move outside seems to be a good thing and Bryant is steady. Bryant is good at tackle and I think even better at guard.”

And the final piece of the line is healthy after a short break to heal a knee that got tweaked several weeks ago. “Justin [Boren]'s been back now for five or six practices and looks very good.” Coach Tressel reported. “We tease him a little bit because he's got fresh legs, everyone else is exhausted, he's out there because he didn't practice for a while.”

“So I'm sure that as you look at any lineup in game one, it isn't going to look exactly the same throughout the year, if you're lucky to have no injuries or something, you're awfully fortunate, but hopefully we can build a little bit of depth, but that's going to be key.” Coach Tressel explained about his hope that the young freshman listed on the two deep depth chart will be able to fill in when they are needed this year.

Week One: Ohio State-Navy Preview

Mark Silverman — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:36:18 GMT

Week One: Ohio State-Navy Preview

The 2009 season is almost here. With just four days remaining until the season opener against the Navy Midshipmen, the Buckeyes must be ready to play or they could be in for a surprise, at least early on.

By Mark Silverman

Ohio State, coming off a 10-3 record in 2008, returns 11 starters and enters the season looking to capture a fifth consecutive Big Ten Championship. Navy also returns 11 starters to a team that finished 8-5 last season, including a 29-19 defeat to Wake Forest in the Eagle Bank Bowl.

Defensively, the Buckeyes will receive a heavy dose of the triple option, led by Navy starting quarterback Ricky Dobbs. Last season, Dobbs led the Midshipmen in rushing with 495 yards. The Navy rushing attack versus the Ohio State defense should be Saturday’s most intriguing matchup. Navy averaged 262.4 rushing yards per game and just 60.9 yards passing. With that said, it is no secret that the Midshipmen are looking to run the football, but the Ohio State defense should be up for the challenge. The Silver Bullets allowed just 110.2 yards on the ground and seven rushing touchdowns in 2008.

Offensively, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor could make it a long afternoon for the Navy defense, although the Midshipmen are much improved defensively. In 2007, Navy allowed 36 points per game compared to just 22 points in 2008. Pryor should receive plenty of opportunities to showcase his improved ability to throw the football downfield. However, expect running backs Daniel “Boom” Herron and Brandon Saine to make their presence felt early and often.

The Navy-Ohio State matchup will be the first meeting since the 1981 Liberty Bowl. The Buckeyes defeated the Midshipmen 31-28 and improved to 3-0 all-time in the series.

Prediction: Ohio State 41, Navy 13.

Ohio State Football Depth Chart 2009 Released

Steve Patterson — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 02:49:54 GMT

Ohio State Football Depth Chart 2009 Released

The Ohio State Buckeyes have released their depth chart for the first game of the 2009 season against the Navy Midshipmen with little surprises from what has been the depth chart coming out of camp from scrimmages and practices. The big battles and Left Tackle and Cornerback were reported to have been won by Andy Miller and Andre Amos respectively and that is the way they came out on the first week of the season.

By Steve Patterson

Starting with the Defense, Rob Rose has moved down to defensive tackle while Cameron Heyward is set to play outside on the edge. Orhian Johnson makes it onto the two deep for the first time in his young Ohio State career behind Kurt Coleman and strong safety. And Travis Howard falls in behind Chimdi Chekwa to cover the one backfield position.

DT
84 Doug Worthington
53 Garrett Goebel
9 Rob Rose

DT
72 Dexter Larimore
92 Todd Denlinger

DE
90 Thaddeus Gibson
43 Nathan Williams

DE
97 Cameron Heyward
87 Lawrence Wilson

WLB
51 Ross Homan
42 Andrew Sweat

SLB
38 Austin Spitler
6 Etienne Sabino

MLB
36 Brian Rolle
41 Tony Jackson

FS
21 Anderson Russell
7 Jermale Hines

SS
4 Kurt Coleman
19 Orhian Johnson
8 Aaron Gant

CB
13 Andre Amos
10 Devon Torrence

CB
5 Chimdi Chekwa
18 Travis Howard

On Offense, there are a couple true freshman coming in as fullbacks in Zach Boren and Adam Homan. Duran Carter makes the two deep at wide receiver sharing a spot with Ray Small. Jake Stoneburner gets the 2nd string tight end spot after switching positions in the off season. His blocking skills not fully developed, he should be more of a passing target than fans have seen in the past at tight end. True Freshman Marcus Hall, Jack Mewhort and Corey Linsay all make the second string on the offensive line.

QB
2 Terrelle Pryor
14 Joe Bauserman

TB
1 Dan Herron
3 Brandon Saine

FB
44 Zach Boren
49 Adam Homan
37 James Georgiades

WR
8 DeVier Posey
9 Duron Carter
82 Ray Small

WR
12 Dane Sanzenbacher
5 Taurian Washington
7 Lamaar Thomas

TE
86 Jake Ballard
11 Jake Stoneburner

RT
64 Jim Cordle
79 Marcus Hall

RG
70 Bryant Browning
66 Andrew Moses

C
50 Mike Brewster
74 Jack Mewhort

LG
65 Justin Boren
71 Corey Linsley

LT
55 Andrew Miller
76 J.B. Shugarts

On special teams Ray Small is the first string punt returner while the starting tailbacks Brandon Saine and Dan Herron are the first string kick off returners.

PK
20 Aaron Pettrey
12 Devin Barclay

P
48 Jon Thoma
17 Ben Buchanan

LS
96 Jake McQuaide
53 Patrick Howe

H
48 Jon Thoma
12 Dane Sanzenbacher

PR
82 Ray Small
8 DeVier Posey

KR
3 Brandon Saine
1 Dan Herron
7 Lamaar Thomas

Scouting Report: Ex-Buckeye LB Marcus Freeman makes his presents felt for the Bears.

Steve Patterson — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:36:38 GMT

Scouting Report: Ex-Buckeye LB Marcus Freeman makes his presents felt for the Bears.

Marcus Freeman was a 5^th round pick by the Bears and made his presents felt in game 3 of the preseason game against the Broncos. He was doing what came natural to him—covering his zone and using his athleticism and ball skills to pick off a pass.

By Bill Smith

At the start of OTAs, Freeman was just one of 6 LBs fighting for 3 backup spots on the 53 man roster of the Bears. But those that figured that Freeman was 5^th on the list of 6 were wrong. He has been a part of some special teams and has appeared in each of the three games so far. He has had multiple solo tackles in each game. In game 3 he added his first pick to his statistics.

Freeman's strong points are his speed and tackling ability. He is excellent in covering TEs or backs man to man or in zone. He reads the QB well and anticipates the throw with enough speed to catch up to the receiver or the ball. He also is active against the run. He often ends up in the pile or making a solo tackle in the open field.

Because of his size he struggles to get off the block of a pulling G or TE. He needs to do a better job hand fighting to avoid the blocker getting hands to his body. Those are techniques he will develop. The pro blockers are a lot more effective than even those in the Big 10.

Until then he can depend on his speed, instincts, and tackling ability to keep him on the roster.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ex-Buckeye Brian Hartline has moved up to starting WR.

The Miami Harold reported that former OSU Buckeye WR Brian Hartline has moved into a starting spot for the Dolphins opposite former Buckeye Ted Ginn. Rookie Hartline has beaten out 2^nd year WR Davone Bess from Hawaii.

Hartline has caught 5 balls for 107 yards including a 54 yard reception in game 3 vs. Tampa Bay. Bess has 4 catches for 30 yards. Both receivers were competing for the underneath receiver similar to the job that Wes Welker plays for the Pats. Bess is quick but not fast and at 5-10 can get lost in traffic. Hartline has better speed than Bess and is 6-2 with just as good hands.

The two Buckeyes should have outstanding seasons with the Dolphins.

2009 Ohio State Captains Announced

Mark Silverman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 02:10:09 GMT

2009 Ohio State Captains Announced

The Ohio State football team announced on Friday that seniors Kurt Coleman, Austin Spitler and Doug Worthington were named captains for the 2009 season, as elected by teammates. An offensive captain will be selected on a weekly basis.

By Mark Silverman

It is the first time that the Buckeyes have had all defensive players as elected captains since Mike Doss and Donnie Nickey captained the 2002 Buckeyes to the national championship.

Spitler has been thrusted into a leadership role even with minimal playing experience. The fifth-year senior was dealt a tough hand when he came to Ohio State, playing behind both A.J. Hawk and James Laurinaitis, for the majority of his career. Spitler has paid his dues and will finally receive the opportunity to start at middle linebacker.

A little more than a year ago, Worthington was arrested for driving under the influence. Now, he’s a captain. It is a testament to Worthington’s character and proves that he has the respect of his teammates. A returning starter with plenty of experience, Worthington should make his leadership felt on and off the field. Safety is not a concern with this group of Buckeyes and Coleman will not only lead in the locker room, but also with his big play ability. It’s just a matter of time, if not already, before Coleman is the face of the silver bullets.

The trio lead will lead the Buckeyes into battle this Saturday for the season-opener against Navy.

Michigan Players Complain of NCAA Violations

Steve Patterson — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:21:10 GMT

Michigan Players Complain of NCAA Violations

The NCAA has a set of rules outlining how much time student athletes can spend practicing and training with the team during a given period of time to provide for other school priorities. A number of Michigan players have come out complaining that they have been required to work beyond the normal time limits.

By Steve Patterson

Players from the 2008 and 2009 season spoke with the Detroit Free Press without being named about requirements they face that go beyond what is allowed by the league. In response Bill Martin, Michigan Athletic Director, has launched an investigation into the matter as coaches denied the violations.

The complaints by the players include off season training, in season training and attendance by quality control staff at the summer 7 on 7 voluntary events. Offseason limits are 8 hours a week and in season limits are 20 hours a week.

Willie Mobley Leaving Ohio State for UCLA

Steve Patterson — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 03:01:06 GMT

Willie Mobley Leaving Ohio State for UCLA

The defensive line returns a number of starters from last year much like the safety position for Ohio State but now word comes that some of the depth at defensive tackle will not return. Red-shirted defensive tackle Willie Mobley has chosen to leave the Buckeyes and transfer to UCLA.

By Steve Patterson

Location was a factor in the transfer according to some reports. Willie Mobley’s family recently moved from Minnesota to Los Angeles so the move to UCLA makes it convenient for his family to see the games and for him to travel home with ease. At times during his first year on the team, Mobley had home sickness similar to many freshman from out-of-state.

Another factor was the depth at the position this year which has made it difficult for Mobley to move into the rotation after an injury that he suffered last season. Cameron Heyward, Doug Worthington, Todd Denlinger, and Dexter Larimore are set to rotate at the 2 defensive tackle positions. With reports that Garrett Goebel has had a very good camp.

Mobley came to Ohio State as the 9th best defensive end in the country as a part of the 2008 class. He had offers from Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin in addition to Ohio State. He visited the Buckeyes in early November of 2007 and committed at the end of the month with a mid-month official visit to Minnesota.

Mike Adams Suspended For First 2 Games

Steve Patterson — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 02:37:18 GMT

Mike Adams Suspended For First 2 Games

There have been rumors that Mike Adams has had off the field issues and not performance problems that have placed him into the 3rd string offensive line instead of the first or second string. Now it appears that Adams will be suspended for the first 2 games of the season against Navy and USC because of a team rule violations.

By Steve Patterson

According to rumors the violation is similar to the arrest that JB Shugarts and Adams had last year when they got pulled over by police near campus. No official word from the team at this point about the suspension. Left tackle is a position of great need this season and in the absence of Adams, Andy Miller and JB Shugarts have had the chance to play with the first string and both will be in the running for starting against Navy.

Graduated Running Back Maurice Wells to Report on Camp and the Season

Steve Patterson — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 03:43:07 GMT

Graduated Running Back Maurice Wells to Report on Camp and the Season

The BrutusReport has a special announcement to make, former Ohio State Buckeye Maurice Wells will be reporting on the OSU Football Team’s Fall Camp, their upcoming season and this year’s bowl game on a regular basis here on the BrutusReport.com. Get the inside story from one of the players, with his unique perspective, from being a member of the team the past four seasons.

Currently we are running a special subscription rate of $37.50 for a six month subscription to this unique content. This special rate will only be available for the first 20 members to subscribe. After the first 20 members, the rate will return to normal 6 month pricing. Subscribe Now!

Maurice Wells arrived in Columbus in 2005 after leading the state of Florida in rushing as a junior at Jacksonville Sandalwood. One of the best running backs in the country that year coming out of high school he was selected to play in the Army All American Bowl and committed to Ohio State over offers from many of the best programs.

Playing as a freshman, Maurice played in 9 of the 12 games in 2005 rushing for over 190 yards on the season. As a sophomore, he played in all 13 games with a total of 171 yards for the year and one touchdown. His junior year saw additional advancement as he reached 367 for the year with 3 touchdowns on the ground.

Showing great speed and a burst in open field, Maurice continued to support the team with his rushing ability and good hands out of the backfield for four straight years. 2008 was a difficult year statistically for many of the offensive players that did well the year before. Maurice completed his senior season with 129 yards on 39 rushes with an additional 6 receptions for 42 yards. Ohio State won the Big Ten and beat Michigan all four years Maurice was a member of the team.

Big Ten News and Notes

Eric Geier — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:30:50 GMT

By Eric Geier

ESPN to air OSU vs. USC game in 3-D

ESPN plans to air the OSU vs. USC game on three screens, in Columbus, Los Angeles and Dallas. The screening will mark just the third game in history to be shown in 3-D. ESPN will utilize seven cameras to broadcast the event. "The results of this research will enable ESPN to quantify what it takes to produce, transmit and enable the 3-D experience for our fans," said Anthony Bailey, ESPN's vice president of emerging technologies. Past airings of games, including the Florida vs. Oklahoma National Championship game in 3-D last year have been mired in difficulties and technical issues, but the overall effect has been tremendous, with positive reviews from viewers. Tickets to the 3-D showing will be given away to fans who listen to ESPN affiliates in the cities where the game will be showing.

Six Big Ten teams receive votes in Associated Press preseason poll

Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa cracked the top 25 in the AP preseason poll. Illinois and Michigan State received votes, but landed just outside the top 25 at 27 and 29 respectively. Northwestern was the final Big Ten team to receive media votes. The Big Ten is also only one of three conferences to have multiple teams in the top 10.

Michigan to use three quarterbacks in opener

Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez announced that he will use three quarterbacks in the opening game against Western Michigan. Rodriguez will use Tate Forcier, Denard Robinson and Nick Sheridan. Rodriguez has given each quarterback the chance to steal the starting job, but he obviously doesn’t have his heart set on any single quarterback to run his system yet. Rodriguez is hoping that either freshman Forcier or Robinson will take the reigns and lead the team, after all, Rodriguez did recruit them to run his system.

Minnesota to face Greg Paulus and Syracuse in week 1

From the hardwood to the gridiron, basketball player turned quarterback Greg Paulus has worked his way into the starting quarterback position at Syracuse University, just months after announcing he would use his final year of NCAA eligibility to play football. Paulus was a tremendous quarterback in high school, was a Parade All-American, and could have played at a number of Division I schools. However, he decided to pass on football to play basketball at Duke University. Paulus will have his first test against a Gopher team that went 7-6 last year, including 0-2 vs. AP opponents.

Carter Flashing Potential Early and Often

Mark Silverman — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:10:27 GMT

Carter Flashing Potential Early and Often

All he does is catch touchdowns. Unlike his father, that is yet to be determined, but don’t be surprised if Ohio State freshman wideout Duron Carter receives considerable playing time when the season begins September 5 against Navy. Carter, son of former Buckeyes and Minnesota Vikings great Cris Carter, has made a case to avoid being redshirted this season and has certainly benefited from the absence of receiver Ray Small, due to academic issues.

By Mark Silverman

With Small missing close to a week of Fall Camp and working separately from the other receivers, Carter has exceeded expectations and was in the top five group of receivers, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Safety Anderson Russell has admitted that Carter found some openings against former Buckeye defensive backs Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington in seven-on-seven drills, according to various reports. That’s not too bad considering Jenkins won the 2008 Thorpe Award and a consensus All-American and Washington was a first day selection in April’s NFL Draft.

With quarterback Terrelle Pryor developing as more of a passing threat in the offseason, the Buckeye offense should exhibit some five receiver packages that could include Carter. The freshman is just getting his feet wet at the college level, but Carter is certainly a Buckeye to watch as the season progresses.

Carter played high school football at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, a national powerhouse. He led the Raiders to consecutive Florida state 5A championships. Carter accumulated 39 receptions for 739 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior and was part of a team that earned America’s No. 1 ranking for prep teams.

Fall Camp Brings Small Injures and Rehabilitation

Steve Patterson — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:05:47 GMT

Fall Camp Brings Small Injures and Rehabilitation

Jim Tressel updated the media before the open practice at Ohio Stadium tonight and mentioned many of the known injures on the Buckeye team this fall but provided some additional names that have been banded up.

By Steve Patterson

Cameron Heyward was in a boot at practice and did not participate although he is expected to be ready when the Navy game arrives in a couple of weeks. Another Buckeye with a slight injury to the ankle is Travis Howard who has been competing well for the open cornerback position for the coming season.

Tyler Moeller is out for the season as expected after his recent head injury and subsequent operation. The family is still optimistic that Moeller can return next season. Head injures are taken serious when considering a player ready for football action as you can imagine.

Melvin Fellows, a great defensive end and one of the top prospects in 2009, is coming off surgery over the off season and isn’t back 100% yet. The staff is taking their time with those that had more recent surgeries prior to camp starting. Include Lawrence Wilson into the group that are being brought back slowly.

Jamaal Berry has been participating at about 50% over the last two weeks because of an off season procedure that he is still recuperating from. While Jake Stoneburner isn’t a 100% yet either.

Scouting Report: Ex Buckeye Brian Hartline started Saturday night for the Dolphins

Steve Patterson — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:15:47 GMT

Scouting Report: Ex Buckeye Brian Hartline started Saturday night for the Dolphins

The AFC East is the land of tall CBs and even taller WRs. Miami is looking at the possibility of getting taller in their WR corps. Miami head coach Tony Sparano announced that Hartline would start Saturday night's game. The team liked Hartline not only because he was 6-2 but also because he runs crisp routes and has soft hands.

By Bill Smith

Hartline, drafted in the 4^th round has moved ahead of 3^rd round pick Patrick Turner (USC). Reportedly, Turner has struggled both to get open and to catch the ball in traffic. That is a bad combination. You are going to be in a lot of traffic if you don't run crisp patterns to get open.

Hartline did not have a ball come his way in the first two drives of Fins but he made his presence known in other ways. He pulled a vet move on former Buckeye Gamble. On the TD pass from Pennington to Brown, Hartline forced Panther CB Chris Gamble to push him into the LB that was supposed to cover Brown. As a result, Brown was wide open and got the TD. This is just one example of how Hartline and the other Buckeye rookies bring a sophisticated knowledge of the game to their new teams far beyond their years. On the next possession 3rd down he took a high pass down in front of 2 defenders inside the 5.

Both Hartline and Turner are battling each other and Greg Camarillo the starter last year who is coming back from injury in game 11. Davone Bess is 5-9 and will be the slot receiver but is not in the running for a starting spot.

Hartline got a chance to return a punt and did avoid 3 tacklers that got there at the same time as the ball. He is very versatile. He blocks well and runs very good patterns. He is particularly good at multiple moves on short patterns. That will be critical for the Dolphins because their passing game is focused on short and medium passes due to Chad Pennington's limited arm strength.

So far, Hartline has caught 2 passes, Turner has 6 and Camarillo has 2.

Analysis: Ex-Buckeye Pittman roster spot in jeopardy.

Steve Patterson — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:35:39 GMT

Analysis: Ex-Buckeye Pittman roster spot in jeopardy.

Former Buckeye star RB Antonio Pittman is 23 and won't turn 24 until the week before Christmas. Even so, his career is in jeopardy. Last year when Rams' starter Steven Jackson was dinged up, Pittman had worked himself into the #2 role. He did OK but not great while starting 5 games for the Rams. This year he is struggling to stay at the 3^rd RB role. The Rams may only keep 3 RBs on the roster due to needs in other positions.

Jackson is a star and will be the #1 guy as long as he stays healthy. The Rams O will depend to a great degree on his getting back to his 06 form when he ran for 4.4 yards per carry and scored 13 rushing TDs. The new administration of the Rams picked Chris Ogbonnaya in the second round of the 09 draft. He is sure to make the roster.

The battle for 3^rd is between Pittman, vet Samkon Gado and former Alabama back Kenneth Darby. Darby has been on several team's cab squads and appeared in 1 game for the Rams last year. He is a slashing type back as well as good receiver. He looked indecisive in the first preseason game against the Jets averaging only 2.7 yards/att. But in game 2 against the Falcons, he averaged 4.3.

Gado broke a 77 yard TD against the Jets but fumbled against the Falcons while averaging only 0.4 yards on 12 carries.

So far, Pittman has only 9 carries for 51 yards and a healthy 5.67 yards per attempt. The problem is that he has only gotten 9 carries. Gado has had 18 carries and Darby has gotten 13. Only time and his production in the final 2 preseason games will tell if he will make the final roster. You can bet he will be giving it all he has like he did for the Buckeyes.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://NFLDraftDog.com and edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on http://www.eBooks-Library/Contemporary/Author.cfm?AuthorID=1003 and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com.

Terrelle Pryor Thursday Night After Practice

Steve Patterson — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:56:50 GMT

Terrelle Pryor Thursday Night After Practice

Terrelle Pryor answered the media’s questions after practice on Thursday where he covered a number of topics. He discussed being compared to Vince Young, the receiving corps at Ohio State this fall, and the first game on the Buckeyes schedule when the season begins.

By Steve Patterson

Terrelle Pryor wants to play Terrelle Pryor’s game and do the best job he can for Ohio State. He isn’t trying to be someone that he is not. He doesn’t strive to be Vince Young because he’s not Vince Young. That was the sentiment of the sophomore quarterback when asked how he feels about comparisons to the great University of Texas quarterback.

He mentions Taurian Washington who he refers to as ‘T Wash’ as one of the guys making some good catches in fall camp. He feels Washington showed us what he can do in the Spring Game. Ray Small, DeVier Posey and Lamaar Thomas are other players that Pryor sees making a difference this year.

Pryor also discussed the Navy game as he feels midshipmen have a pretty good defense and offense. He appreciates what the service men do for our nation and believes that service translates into being tough on the football field. The game will take place on September 5th in Columbus at noon. Coverage will be provided by ESPN with Ohio State having a 22.5 point favor by the odds makers.

Tyler Moeller’s Assailant Has Been Arrested

Steve Patterson — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:55:09 GMT

Tyler Moeller’s Assailant Has Been Arrested

Ralph Gray Decker has been arrested in Florida for assaulting Tyler Moeller at a bar in Treasurer Island Florida on July 26th. The charge is misdemeanor battery and could lead to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine for Decker. An attorney representing Decker feels his client acted in self-defense.

By Steve Patterson

The incident happened at Gator’s Cafe & Saloon, Treasure Island Florida. Moeller went to the bar with an uncle and his sister. The three were not wearing attire that would lead anyone to know they were from Ohio. Facts of the case against Gray Decker are coming to light as a case is being prepared.

Witnesses have stated that Moeller was punched without aggravating Decker, a punch that knocked Moeller out. Moeller needed to have surgery on August 8th after complications arose during team activities on the Ohio State campus. Moeller will not be able to play football this year but his family hopes he will be able to return next season.

According to witnesses at the bar, Decker approached Moeller’s sister at the bar. Moeller interrupted the conversation and began talking with Decker. Seconds later Moeller was out cold after hitting his head on the floor. There was no indication that the conversation between Decker and Moeller was going to lead to a fight. Yet other witnesses do feel there were some heated arguments.

Decker’s story is quite different. He tells of a conservation about Moeller being an OSU football player by a different name. And Moeller threatening Decker after Decker discovered the name Moeller gave was incorrect. After being backed up by Moeller, Decker struck Moeller in the chin sending him backward and knocking him out.

More details will come to light as the case progresses.

Enter Jamaal Berry

Eric Geier — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:40:11 GMT

Freshman running back Jamaal Berry is third on the depth chart behind Brandon Saine and Daniel “Boom” Herron, but depending on his learning curve, Berry could see significant playing time this season.

By Eric Geier

Last year a friend of mine emailed me a link to a YouTube page that contained the highlight reel for incoming freshman running back Jamaal Berry. Somewhat annoyed that I had not seen this recruit first, I watched as Berry burst and plowed his way towards the end zone, always running north to south and always with his eyes on one thing, the end zone.

In high school, Berry showed tremendous breakaway speed and an ability to shed would-be tacklers. Despite a tendency to get tackled easily by the ankles, coaches are impressed with Berry as they continue working on improving his running style in an attempt to keep him from getting ankle tackled.

Berry is pretty much built to run the I-formation system. He rushed for 1,033 yards and 14 touchdowns on 140 carries at Miami-Palmetto high school his senior season. But, like virtually every piece of the Buckeye offense, Berry’s productivity can only be as good as his offensive line. However, an inconsistent Buckeye O-line may actually be the best thing for Berry in terms of playing time. Berry is much quicker and makes better cuts than Daniel “Boom” Herron, therefore, if the line can’t block, Tressel may insert Berry in place of Boom in order to elude rushing defenders, creating a Saine-Berry combination in the backfield.

Jamaal Berry- Incoming Statistics

Ht: 5-foot-11
Wt: 185 lbs
Forty: 4.43 secs
Bench reps: 16
Vertical: 37 inches
Shuttle: 4.38 secs

Jamaal Berry 2009 High School Highlights

Calf Strain Sidelines Linebacker Austin Spitler for Camp

Steve Patterson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:39:07 GMT

Calf Strain Sidelines Linebacker Austin Spitler for Camp

The Bellbrook High School standout linebacker Austin Spitler has had to wait a long time to get his chance to start, sitting behind All-American James Laurinaitis. And now he will have to wait a little bit longer as he strained a calf muscle during practice on Monday and will need to sit out until the first or second game of the season.

By Steve Patterson

Spitler was first on the depth chart at middle linebacker with Ross Homan and Tyler Moeller on the outside. Now Homan is the only for sure starter with Brian Rolle, Andrew Sweat, Etienne Sabino, and Storm Klein looking to secure a position for the Fall.

The 6’3” 235lbs linebacker has been with the program since 2005 when he redshirted. He has played the majority of his time on special teams getting to see action last year at linebacker on several occasions. He suffered a sprained knee against Troy in 2008 but came back to play against Michigan State where he recovered a fumble by the Buckeyes on a punt return.

Boren Injury Exaggerated

Steve Patterson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:10:41 GMT

Boren Injury Exaggerated

Late last week word came from Ohio State Fall camp that Michigan transfer and starting left guard Justin Boren had sprained his MCL and would be out up to 3 weeks. This caused concern among many Buckeye fans that had hoped the aggressive line play of Boren would mean a successful season for the offensive line.

By Steve Patterson

But as additional practices were held and more information was leaked, it appeared that there was not a tear of an ACL or the MCL and that Boren would be back earlier than first thought. Boren was present on Media Day and discussed being nasty and pushing the defensive lineman 10 yards down the field. He felt that every player on the offensive line for Ohio State has the ability to play nasty.

Ohio State’s 2009 Media Guide was recently released which features a depth chart showing Jim Cordle at right tackle, Bryan Browning at right guard, Michael Brewster at center, Boren at left guard and Mike Adams at left tackle. Behind Boren is Connor Smith although the coaches could move players to varying positions in the case of an injury.

Scouting Report: Ted Ginn is no bust!

Steve Patterson — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:25:35 GMT

Scouting Report: Ted Ginn is no bust!

When ex-Buckeye Ted Ginn Jr. was selected by the Dolphins with the 9^th pick in the 07 NFL draft, the Miami fans screamed. They wanted QB Brady Quinn to solve the teams problems at QB. Ginn suffered from bad passing from a plethora of very average quarterbacks and caught just 34 passes in 07. Usually, a WR, no matter how well prepared he is, doesn't blossom until his 3^rd year.

By Bill Smith

But the 08 Dolphins new administration picked up Chad Pennington from the Jets and the team's O exploded. Pennington to Ginn became a staple of the O. Ginn caught 54 passes for 740 yards and 2 TDs. Now Ginn is in his 3^rd year and look for him to become one of the most productive WRs in the league. He is a good prospect for your Fantasy Football Draft in a limited WR crop this year.

Based on what we saw in the first preseason game, Ginn has improved his mechanics and looks very much better in some areas he had struggled with in the past. He still needs work in some other aspects of his game.

The primary thing that held Ginn back in his first two years was route running. He is making sharper cuts which is critical for getting open on short routes. In a limited space, a WR needs to make the DB take at least 1 wrong step. Sharp cuts and fakes do that best.

His improved mechanics also make his speed more dangerous on deep patterns. He makes better 1^st and 2^nd moves on deep routes. Again, this helps him get open. I wrote a year ago that Pennington has the head of a coach, the heart of lion but the arm of a chicken. That limitation puts WRs in a difficult position on long passes. Without a rifle arm, deep passes have a lot of air under them and often come up short. The more distance a WR can put between him and the DB, the better his chances of catching the lofted pass.

He also looks quicker at picking up the ball when it is thrown. The Dolphin passing game is based on timing. That requires a WR to be at the right spot when the ball gets there and be ready to catch the ball. The ball is often thrown before the WR makes his break. On one of Ginn's catches the ball was thrown early because of pressure on the QB. The ball got there just as Ginn turned his head. He caught the ball and made a few yards after the catch.

Another aspect Ginn needed to focus on was catching the ball against tight coverage. Any time he goes deep he will get double or even triple coverage. He is starting to use his body to shield the DB from the ball. He is also getting better at jumping or leaning into the DB to draw the flag. He set up the Dolphins first score by drawing a penalty on a deep pass.

The more passes he catches the more help he will be to his fellow Fin WRs. He needs to draw double coverage regularly and more catches with a lot of yards after catch will do that. Right now his running mates will be starter Greg Camarillo and bench strength of last year surprise URFA Davone Bess along with 3^rd round 09 pick Patrick Turner and 4^th round pick ex-Buckeye Brian Hartline.

OVERALL: 09 should be a really good year for Ginn. He has to continue to work including film study to see how the CBs cover top receivers. If he puts in the work, he should emerge as a top 10 WR in 09. Given his physical gifts, Ginn can be as good as he wants to be. We will all be watching to see if he takes the next step toward the top of the leagues best WRs.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ray Small in the Dog House One More Time

Steve Patterson — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:25:23 GMT

Ray Small in the Dog House One More Time

The start of Fall Camp at Ohio State brought news that Ray Small and his Glenville teammate Rob Rose would not be a part of the reduced 103 team roster entering camp. Speculation was that the two had not qualified academically but that the spots were left open for when they did.

By Steve Patterson

Days later both Ray Small and Rob Rose were in camp after completing a summer course that made them eligible. This is a continued pattern for Small who has had troubles making team practices on time in the past and keeping his grade above the minimum requirements. Several years ago he lost the right to his jersey #4 and has worn #82 ever since, in addition to seeing his playing time reduced even though he remains one of the most explosive wide receivers on the team.

Both players are now in the Head Coach Jim Tressel’s dog house according to camp reports. Neither player is participating in team work but rather working separately during practice. And it appears Small’s role in the receiving rotation could be reduced as other players like freshman Duran Carter are turning heads with their play. The coaching staff has not made any permanent plans but placing too much faith in Small might be something they would rather not do with his inconsistent past.

Rose and Small Headed Back to the Gridiron

Mark Silverman — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 02:20:33 GMT

Rose and Small Headed Back to the Gridiron

Ohio State defensive end Rob Rose and wide receiver Ray Small have returned to the football program and will begin participating in full contact drills later this week, according to OSU and Bucknuts.com. Both players were sidelined due to academic issues and were not invited to report to camp with the rest of the team on 8/9.

By Mark Silverman

Last Friday, Rose and Small were present for team meetings, yet their activity will be limited for the next few days. The goal is that both will be in full pads and participating in full contact drills later this week.

Both heading into their final season as Buckeyes, Rose and Small have a chance to rewrite their legacy. Rose came to Columbus highly recruited, but his career to this point hasn’t lived up to potential. With that said, Rose received significant playing time toward the latter portion of the 2008 season and should continue to be a part of the rotation at defensive end, behind starters Lawrence Wilson and Thaddeus Gibson.

Small has portrayed flashes of brilliance throughout his career, but numerous off-field issues have created a less than favorable impression and have kept the senior in the doghouse of head coach Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes need Small’s big play ability to play championship caliber football. If Small can deliver and stay in the news for his on-field performance, many bad memories will be forgotten.

Scouting Report: James Laurinaitis vs the Jets

Steve Patterson — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 02:59:26 GMT

Scouting Report: James Laurinaitis vs the Jets

In the 09 Draft, the Rams got lucky with their second round pick # 36. Make that VERY lucky. They picked ex-Buckeye James Laurinaitis who now has a death grip on the MLB starting spot for the team. He pushed last year starter Chris Draft to the outside and Draft was pretty solid in 08.

By Bill Smith

Laurinaitis wasn't handed the job—he earned it with his performance in the OTAs and in camp so far. But live action against another color jersey even in the preseason separates the men from the boys.

By the way, Laurinaitis proved to be a man. In PS week 1, the Rams played him only on 1^st and 2^nd downs or 3^rd and short situations. He sparkled against the run. He attacks the run downhill with extreme prejudice. Despite his attacking style, he is usually under control at the time of the hit and makes the tackle. He showed his ability to read the play and utilize his football instincts. Often he ends up the bottom of the pile regularly on runs. He still has the tendency to over run the play by a step or two but has the quickness to get back to the play and make contact. The over run is most noticeable on misdirection plays because the pros are a lot better at the counter play and sharp cut backs against the grain than the Big 10 runners were. When the play goes to the outside, he flows well and avoids the blockers diving at his feet.

Another thing that popped out was his level of effort. Even on pass plays down field or runs around the end, Laurinaitis was not only closing in on the opponent but taking the precise angle to be able to make the stop. That is very rare for rookie defenders because they often under estimate the speed of the pros. He has caught on quickly and has adjusted his angles to compensate for the difference.

His effort is also shown in getting back on his feet quickly when he does get knocked down and getting in on the play. He is inconsistent in shedding the O lineman blocker. Part of that comes from playing a little high thus letting the blocker get under him. But that is technique and is something he will learn quickly.

When the Jets tried to pass with him on the field he took maximum advantage of his 5 yard bump zone by twice “bumping” the TE off his feet.

OVERALL: Laurinaitis gets a solid A for his first game. He brings everything the Rams saw at OSU to the team's D. He will only get better and has a great future ahead of him.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ohio State Media Day Photo Gallery

Steve Patterson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:15:28 GMT

Ohio State Media Day Photo Gallery

A photo gallery from the media day earlier today at Ohio Stadium.

Ohio State 2010 Basketball Recruiting Finished

Steve Patterson — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:48:01 GMT

Ohio State 2010 Basketball Recruiting Finished

Thad Matta and the Ohio State Buckeyes have put together one of the best 2010 recruiting classes in the country. What started with the #1 recruit in the country committing, finished this week with his teammate JD Weatherspoon completing a class of 6 that should rival the Oden, Cook, and Conley class.

By Steve Patterson

At the top of the class are two five star recruits in Jared Sullinger and power forward DeShaun Thomas. Two shooting guards rated the 13th and the 17th best in the country at their position in Jordan Sibert and Lenzelle Smith. Aaron Craft out of Finlay Ohio plays AAU ball with Sullinger, Sibert, and Weatherspoon on All-Ohio Red and will be the next great point guard for the Buckeyes. Weatherspoon is a 6’7” power forward from Columbus who was once committed to Xavier but will now play along side his AAU teammates.

For more coverage on the members of the class take a look at these eScoutRoom articles:

Buckeye Basketball 2010 Recruiting Class Updates

Film: 2010 Guard Josh Selby at the Hoophall Classic

Summer Full of Events for #1 Center in the Country, Jared Sullinger

Northland’s J.D. Weatherspoon Commits to Coach Matta and Ohio State

Film:JD Weatherspoon 2009 Highlight Film

One of the best reasons to watch the Rose Bowl Parade

Steve Patterson — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 17:29:12 GMT

One of the best reasons to watch the Rose Bowl Parade

By Pete Quint

Marching Bands

As a certified band geek, I love the Ohio State University Marching Band. Not just because I was in the band (’92-‘96), my father was in the band (’68-‘71) or that my sister was in the band (‘94-’98) but also because of what it means to so many people. The OSUMB is the embodiment of pride for The Ohio State University; it represents over 100 years of tradition and sets the frenzied, emotional tone for every home game. I’m not sure you are allowed to be a Buckeye if you don’t get a little teary eyed during the post game singing of Carmen Ohio. To my knowledge it is the only collegiate marching band funded by the athletic department. Script Ohio makes every “Greatest College Football Traditions” Top Ten list and is almost as recognizable as the football team itself, some would argue more so. The band can stir a thick chewy emotion when mentioned to many Buckeye fans as memories of gridiron glory rush to the forefront of their minds.

That said, reading a Dispatch article recently sent chills up and down my spine as inspiration and heartfelt joy overwhelmed me. Someone else was doing Script Ohio and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Many Ohio High Schools mimic Script Ohio and the bands that are still fortunate enough to have the student numbers can pull it off with great success. It’s always fun to watch youngsters march their hearts out trying to pull off the difficult maneuvers of their university marching counterparts. Now there have been countless High School bands march Script Ohio and you may be wondering why this particular band is making the news. Fact is; this band is made up of entirely blind students.

Say that again?

The Ohio State School for the Blind, under the direction of Mrs. Carol Alger organized a marching band in the fall of 2005 to perform halftime shows for The Ohio School for the Deaf’s football team. Their signature formation, “Script Braille”, is played to the tune of Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse, or Le Regiment, just as it is for the OSUMB and it’s signature “Script Ohio”. The band uses a computer program called FINALE to transcribe regular sheet music into a Braille score that the students can read. They also use another program called SmartMusic which helps the students hear their parts individually or with the entire band. Due to the nature of their disability, each band member is expected to memorize their music. They are the only entirely blind marching band in the country and the only one known in the world.

A Great Honor

This year the OSSBMB Marching Panthers has been invited to march in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California prior to the Rose Bowl. This will be their first Rose Bowl parade appearance and the members couldn’t be more excited. The entire band will make the trip, 68 members in all, 39 visually impaired student musicians and 29 sighted marching assistants. They intend to do a performance of “Script Braille”.

Make sure you tune in to the Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1^st and cheer on these amazing, hard working students. They deserve your support and respect for accepting their challenges, developing their talents, and embracing their opportunities. These kids are about to experience something very special that few of us will ever get to. I wish them the best in their travel, their encounters and their performance. Knock ‘em dead, Panthers!

Analysis: The new Green Bay 3-4 D should help A.J. Hawk.

Steve Patterson — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:34:33 GMT

Analysis: The new Green Bay 3-4 D should help A.J. Hawk.

Ex Buckeye A.J. Hawk moves inside in the new 3-4 system being installed in GB. The move should emphasize his best traits and free him from some of the areas in which he struggled last year.

By Bill Smith

Last season Hawk struggled with chest and groin injuries most of the year. The groin problem robbed him of some of his speed. After getting 119 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 06 and 105 tackles in 07 he ended up with only 86 tackles in 08. He is healthy now and no longer has primary coverage responsibilities of an outside backer.

Moving inside will free him up to read run and attack faster as well as the freedom to blitz more often. His instincts for timing a blitz were underutilized in the 4-3. He should be able to make more plays and generate more game changing plays inside.

His running mate will be Nick Barnett who is trying to come back from a season ending torn ACL injury in week 9 last year and has yet to practice much this year. Often it takes 12 months to fully recover from that surgery.

The one potential problem to Hawk remaining inside is pro bowl DE Aaron Kampman's move to OB. Kampman has been totally silent on how the move has gone in his eyes. He has never played OB at the NFL level. While the transition for a college DE to OB is hard, the change is even harder for an NFL DE. If that move should fail, chances are that Hawk would be the second choice to move back to OB. Brady Poppinga, a former starter at OB, would be the first choice.

AJ has played well in previous years and fell off last season. He needs to pick up his production to fulfill the all pro potential everyone felt he had when he was drafted. He has the ability. If he can stay healthy and stay inside, he should be a pro bowler soon.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Off the Field Issues Won't Stop Buckeyes, Tressel

Eric Geier — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:20:39 GMT

The sudden loss of veteran linebacker Tyler Moeller and the absence of Ray Small and Rob Rose have been a distraction at the start of summer camp, but those distractions won’t stop the Buckeyes as they enter the new season.

By Eric Geier

The start of camp has not gone quite as smoothly as Coach Tressel and the Buckeyes coaching staff had hoped. This offseason has been like a trip through Willy Wonka’s factory, right when you think everything is peachy, someone drinks from the chocolate river. Self-inflicted wounds are what this off-season has been about. Incoming freshman running back Jamaal Berry was busted for drug possession in Florida, Ray Small and Rob Rose are out with pending academic issues, and fourth-year junior Tyler Moeller was hospitalized after a freak accident in a bar during a family vacation. Not exactly the start every coach dreams of.

Off the field issues are nothing new for the Buckeyes. In the past five years there have been a number of players who have been in trouble with the University and with the law, including the most infamous of them all, Maurice Clarett. But through it all, Coach Tressel has kept the Buckeyes focused and determined on their goals, to win the Big Ten Championship and a National Title. It is at these moments that Tressel proves what a valuable coach he is. When other programs might get flustered or falter in the face of adversity, Tressel and the Buckeyes always seem to forge ahead.

While much of the media focus has been on Ohio State’s off the field issues, new players are stepping up to fill contributing roles on the team. Freshman running back Jamaal Berry, fresh off a dropped drug charge, has impressed players and coaches with his speed bursts and Coach Tressel has high hopes for receiver Dane Sanzenbacher who is coming off ankle surgery.

The long and short of it all? Buckeye fans need not worry. Though the beginning of summer practice has been anything but a stroll through a park with a pretty lady, the Buckeyes are far from the only team with issues. As long as coach Tressel keeps his players focused from here on out, they still have a chance to build this team into the powerhouse they can be.

Terrelle Pryor: Fastest Football Player for Ohio State

Steve Patterson — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:49:19 GMT

Terrelle Pryor: Fastest Football Player for Ohio State

Reported by Lamaar Thomas, a speed demon himself, Terrelle Pryor had the fastest 40 time in summer team activities for the Ohio State Football team. Pryor recorded a 4.33 with Thomas coming in close at 4.37 and everyone else somewhere above 4.4, Thomas told the media recently. Michael Brewster reported similar statistics in the spring after timed sprints.

By Steve Patterson

Ohio State is known for having a fast track but if he can keep that speed until he is ready for the NFL, he will be the fastest quarterback to to enter the draft in 4 years. And at 235lbs, he could be the fastest player at the combine that weights over 200lbs. Last year only Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey had a faster time.

Others at the top of the speed list for Ohio State included Ray Small, DeVier Posey, and Brandon Saine. All in the low 4.4s. If speed is the factor that sets the best teams apart from the rest, Ohio State has enough speed at their offensive skill positions this year to compete with anyone in the country.

Tyler Moeller Done for the Year?

Steve Patterson — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:11:09 GMT

Tyler Moeller Done for the Year?

Tyler Moeller could miss the entire season according to reports around the Buckeye program and ESPN this morning. Moeller was set to start at outside linebacker with Ross Homan and Austin Spitler being the other linebackers on the first string in the 2009 Spring Game Depth Chart. Behind Moeller were Tony Jackson and Storm Klein with other possible replacements this year including strong safety Jermale Hines or Brian Rolle.

By Steve Patterson

Moeller was hospitalized recently at OSU Medical Center after experiencing swelling of the brain during a team activity. Surgery followed this past weekend and now he is back in Cincinnati with his family recovering. Rumors have the initial head trauma occurring from a fight in Florida while his family was vacationing.

The press is hoping for more information on the incident and Moeller’s status when Head Coach Jim Tressel discusses fall camp this afternoon with the media. Fans became aware of Moeller’s absence when the team reported to camp on Sunday and he was not present. Recovery from such an injury could take 3 months with football out of the question until much later.

Open Practice Announced at Ohio Stadium

Steve Patterson — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:21:15 GMT

Open Practice Announced at Ohio Stadium

Ohio State is hosting their annual Fall Open Practice on August 24th for fans to see the Buckeyes in action before they begin their season against Navy on September 5th. The event began some 3-4 years ago with autographs being offered underneath the stadium seating. That was quite a mess as 10,000 fans showed up and created a crowd that could not get the autographs they so desired. Every year since they have tweaked the format.

By Steve Patterson

This year features a 6:30 pm gate opening with a 7:30 pm practice. There is no admission and seating is first come first served. Unlike prior years, there will be no player autographs this year. But Head Coach Jim Tressel will be available in the newly renovated OSU library on campus to sign copies of his latest book “The Winners Manual”.

Coach Tressel has donated proceeds from his book to the library renovation and has raised over $325,000 so far. The library will be open for tours between 5 and 6 pm. While Coach Tressel will be signing his book from 6 to 7 pm.

AJ Trapasso Shows his Versatility in the Hall of Fame Game

Steve Patterson — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 14:12:43 GMT

AJ Trapasso Shows his Versatility in the Hall of Fame Game

Preseason is never all that interesting but the first quarter proved exciting last night for the Tennessee Titans with the help of some good play by Terry Collins and a trick play were OSU graduate AJ Trapasso ran a statue of liberty into the end zone from 30 yards out.

By Steve Patterson

Terrell Owens was to be the star last night and did catch two nice passes from Trent Edwards but the highlight of the game was Trapasso’s run into the end zone, something you rarely see from a punter in the NFL. Ohio State fans are used to his athleticism coming to Columbus from near by Pickerington where he played running back in addition to kicking. I thought there was a penalty on the play with a Buffalo Bill getting blocked in the back near the 10 yard line, but it’s pre season so we’ll let the play stand.

Trapasso was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Titans in late April after punting four years for the Buckeyes and handling kickoffs when their starting kickoff specialist Aaron Pettrey was unable to. He hopes to make it with the Titans which already have veteran Craig Hentrich on the roster.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and their NCAA Preseason Ranking

Steve Patterson — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:25:16 GMT

The Ohio State Buckeyes and their NCAA Preseason Ranking

One third of the BCS ranking is out as USA Today released its College Football Coaches Poll. No surprise to anyone that sitting on top of the polls is Florida followed by Texas, Oklahoma and Southern Cal. What comes as a bit of a surprise is that the Buckeyes are ranked #6.

By Pete Quint

Surprise, you ask? Well, yes as Ohio State loses all of its starting offensive skill positions, most of its veteran offensive line and almost the entire linebacking corps. On paper, those kind of losses take time to restock the talent pool but that’s not the way this poll sees it.

Always Considered One of the Best

That’s a deep respect that Ohio State has earned since Jim Tressel has taken over. The Buckeyes now command a “Notre Dame” like aura that affords then an opportunity to always be considered one of the best in the country no matter the loss of talent. Buckeye haters will stew about the fact that the Buckeyes are ranked so high but if you read through the rest of the polls, who’s better? You can make a decent case for Penn State, LSU and maybe even Mississippi but outside those teams there just isn’t anyone.

Season Breakdown

Now that the first poll that counts is out in the open we can now really start looking at OSU’s opponents. The first game to come to mind is obviously the showdown between #4 USC and #6 OSU. The hype surrounding this game will continue to steamroll the closer we get to Sept 12. Penn State will be another epic game also and will be at a fevered pitch the evening of Nov. 07. We will get to see young Terrell Pryor under the lights and under incredible pressure in a hostile environment. Iowa also becomes an interesting test just before the match-up with That Team Up North. Kirk Ferentz has a reputation of getting together are really tough team every four to five years and he’s due. Iowa has a relatively soft schedule and should meet the Buckeyes in Columbus with less than two losses.

Fall Camp Starts Sunday

We have only 29 days until Buckeye football kicks off for the 2009 season. Get ready because it’s going to be a heck of a ride.

Ray Smalls Future Uncertain, Jaamal Berrys Charges Dropped

Eric Geier — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:50:43 GMT

By Eric Geier

Ray Small

According to various media reports, including ESPN.com and Bucknuts.com, Ray Small has had his scholarship revoked and is no longer with the team. But wait Buckeye fans, you still may get to see him play this fall.

Sources say that small is in summer school and is having an academic issue involving a history class. Reports have surfaced that he will not be with the team when they report to practice on August 10th, while an unnamed OSU source says there is still a chance he could report to practice if he gets the history class issue resolved. Despite reports, his father believes he will be at practice, saying, "He was just here (Columbus) last night and he was saying how he wants to go to camp, and that's a first," Ken Small said, adding, "Usually it's like, 'Man, we've got to go to camp.' Now, he was like, 'I can't wait until camp.'"

This is not Small’s first brush with controversy, just last September he was suspended two games for violating come back as a return man while getting a chance to compete for a receiver position. Unless reports on his status surface, when players arrive on Sunday, all eyes will be looking for Ray Small.

Jamaal Berry

In other news, Jaamal Berry’s felony marijuana charges have been dropped as long as he completes a six month diversion program. Berry and the prosecution agreed on the terms Friday, clearing the way for the talented freshman to enter camp on time.

Jaamal Berry was ranked third according to ESPN Scouts Inc. coming into the season.

Chekwa’s Time has Arrived

Mark Silverman — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:10:22 GMT

Chekwa’s Time Has Arrived

With two career interceptions entering the 2009 season, fourth-year junior defensive back Chimdi Chekwa will attempt to maintain the excellence of past OSU cornerbacks. Chekwa will assume the duty of No. 1 cornerback for the Buckeyes, filling a vacancy left by former All-American and 2008 Thorpe Award winner Malcolm Jenkins.

By Mark Silverman

The return of safeties Anderson Russell and Kurt Coleman will benefit Chekwa, at least in the early going. However, when the lights are on September 12 against Southern California, Chekwa must make his presence felt. The Trojans will bring plenty of speed to Columbus and Chekwa has plenty of it.

In the spring, Chekwa ran a 10.69-second 100-meter dash for the OSU track team. Some critics say that Chekwa could be a liability against the run, but the junior gained approximately 15 pounds in the offseason and is now listed at 190.

Chekwa received significant playing time in 2007 and was a full-time starter a year ago. In all, he has appeared in 26 games and started 13. There is a big difference between a regular starter and the No. 1 cornerback on a traditionally stifling defense, but Chekwa’s playing experience could go a long way. If this group of Buckeyes are to contend for a national championship, which wouldn’t be that surprising considering Big Ten competition is even down from last year, Chekwa could be the x-factor.

Analysis: Ex-Buckeye Ryan Pickett will prosper in the Packers new 3-4 D.

Steve Patterson — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:52:04 GMT

Analysis: Ex-Buckeye Ryan Pickett will prosper in the Packers new 3-4 D.

NT Ryan Pickett is disruptive. He has averaged 3 passed defended each of his 7 seasons as the starter for the Pack. No, at 340, he is not dropping into coverage. He gets credit for a pass defended by knocking down passes at the line of scrimmage.

In the 3-4, Pickett should lose about 300 pounds. That should mean only 2 300+ pound blockers will be responsible for keeping Pickett off the QB rather than the 3 that he has seen all too often in the 4-3. His job is not necessarily to sack the QB but he does that more often than most NTs gathering 2.5 sacks in the last 2 seasons. What they want him to do is push the O line back into the QB's face. He does that regularly.

When he signs his contract, rookie 1^st round pick DT B.J. Raji (9^th pick 337 lbs.) from Boston College will play DE in the Packers 3-4. Pickett will play next to him and the other end will be Cullen Jenkins. The Packers have some question marks moving all pro DE Aaron Kampman to LB but there is no doubt about Pickett. He will hold down the middle of the line.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Analysis: Beanie Wells reports to the Cards at 224 lbs.

Steve Patterson — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:48:10 GMT

Analysis: Beanie Wells reports to the Cards at 224 lbs.

Ex-Buckeye Beanie Wells knows that he is expected to be the man in Phoenix this season. He signed his contract on Friday that was reported to be 4 years with the option of a 5^th season.

At the draft Wells weighed in at around 240. But head coach Ken Whisenhunt wanted him to slim down to improve his speed and to reduce his chances of injury. The plan is to have Wells play on 1^st and 2^nd down and close to the end zone. He will also be the short yardage guy. Tim Hightower, the rookie surprise from the 08 draft, is expected to be the 3^rd down guy because he is a fairly polished receiver and pass protector.

Wells was a little busy in the OSU offense to catch many passes. The system used Wells on a play action but seldom threw to him and almost never asked him to pass block. But Wells is an athlete that has been able to do whatever was necessary. If Wells gets a chance to prove his hands are not stone and shows the Cards that he is willing to pass block, he has a great chance to be a 3 down back.

Although Hightower had flashes of brilliance, his 2.8 yards per attempt was unacceptable. Wells has the ability to do anything he wants to do on a football field. Expect him to produce, even though he has lost the equivalent of a 4^th grader since the draft.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

eScoutRoom.com Covering Ohio State Recruiting for 2010

Steve Patterson — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:31:17 GMT

eScoutRoom.com Covering Ohio State Recruiting for 2010

The writers at the eScoutRoom.com, our parent portal, have been covering some recent events in the OSU 2010 recruiting world. News of James Louis committing to Ohio State, Jim Tressel discussing the running back situation at the Big 10 Media Day and Chad Hagan getting close to pulling the trigger for the Buckeyes.

James Louis Gives Verbal Commitment to Ohio State

James Louis out of Delray Beach, Florida has verbally committed to play football for Jim Tressel and the Ohio State Buckeyes. With interest from Florida, Florida State, Alabama, LSU, and Georgia, he made his final choice to play in Columbus.

Coach Tressel at Big 10 Media Day

Coach Tressel made some comments on day one of the Big Ten media day, and some of those comments regarded members of the 2009 recruiting class.

Chad Hagan Close to Committing to Ohio State

Within the next two weeks, Chad Hagan, defensive back from Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, may make an announcement of where he will play football in the Fall of 2010.

2009-10 OSU Position Preview: Running Back

It’s no secret that with the departure of bruiser Chris “Beanie” Wells to the NFL after last year will definitely be a big loss for the Bucks, but with Terrelle Pryor at QB, OSU will more likely run out of a shotgun anyway, which probably wouldn’t have suited Beanie’s smash mouth style.

Darryl Baldwin is a Buckeye

The day before his high school team starts practice for the upcoming season, Darryl Baldwin has announced that he will be part of the 2010 Buckeye football squad.

Cooper Enshrined in College Football’s Hall of Fame

Mark Silverman — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:07:39 GMT

Cooper Enshrined in College Football’s Hall of Fame

John Cooper was a head coach in college football for 24 years and the former Ohio State coach was rewarded for his efforts after being inducted into the hall of fame at the 2009 College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Dinner & Show at the Century Center in South Bend, Ind. on July 18.

By Mark Silverman

Cooper coached the Buckeyes from 1988-2000 and compiled a 111-43-4 record in his 13 seasons. Even with minimal success against Michigan and in bowl games, Cooper had the Buckeyes consistently competing for national championships. In 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1998, Cooper was a few plays away from achieving that illustrious national championship. Cooper led Ohio State to a victory in the Sugar Bowl against Texas A&M in the inaugural year of the BCS in 1998. Cooper also won the 1997 Rose Bowl in a victory over Arizona State. “The Game” ultimately cost Cooper his job, but his winning percentage ranks with some of the Ohio State coaching greats, including Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel.

Dolphin 4th round pick Hartline gets 4y/4 million Contract

Steve Patterson — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:02:57 GMT

Dolphin 4^th round pick Hartline gets 4y/4 million Contract

Ex-Buckeye WR Brian Hartline is happy with his deal. As a 4^th round pick, he hit the jackpot both because he is better than the average 4^th round choice and because the Dolphins REALLY need WR depth. He reportedly got a signing bonus of $500,000 and a max deal of 4 years 4 mil.

By Bill Smith

Hartline joins the battle for the 3^rd WR behind former OSU star Ted Ginn Jr. and Greg Camarillo. Hartline brings the one thing that the Dolphins really needs most in a WR—accurate crisp patterns.

I wrote a couple of years ago that starting QB Chad Pennington has the brain of a coach, the heart of lion but the arm of a chicken. His lack of arm strength forces the team to focus their passing attack in the short and middle zones. To get open in a small space, you have to run crisp routes. Completions depend on the ball being thrown before the player makes his final break. That means the patterns have to be run accurately. The WR has to be where the QB expects him to be and be there on time.

Hartline brings that. He is the perfect slot or underneath receiver and will challenge for a starting spot in the near future.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ex-Buckeye Whitner will have to fight for his starting spot.

Steve Patterson — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:59:53 GMT

Ex-Buckeye Whitner will have to fight for his starting spot.

In the 2006 NFL Draft, a titter went through the room when the Bills picked Donte Whitner with their first pick. Now, it looks like Whitner is going to have to fight off a challenge from 07 6^th round pick John Wendling.

By Bill Smith

Whitner was not fast enough to be an NFL corner and very few safeties get drafted in the first round. But Whitner was their guy and he started most of the season at strong safety. He started 14 of the 15 games in which he played in 06 and all 15 games he played in 07. The problem was that he and the D Backfield in total did not produce.

The lack of production was not all the fault of the backfield. The Bills have not gotten anything close to enough pressure on the QB. A pass rush generates interceptions. Even so, in a total of 29 starts, Whitner got only 2 interceptions. During the 2008 season he lost his SS spot to 07 FA Bryan Scott. Whit moved to FS and started there the rest of the season.

Prior to training camp for the Bills, Scott seems entrenched at SS. However Wendling is coming on strong at the FS spot and Whit just has not developed into a player that could justify a first round selection. Wendling came out of Wyoming with a late 3^rd or early 4^th round grade. I really liked him not only because he had a high football IQ but also because he was a force against the run. The Bills had a great draft in 07 that included Wendling in the 6^th round. Whitner is going to have to have an above average training camp to keep his job. Because he is paid a lot more than Wendling, Whit will lose all ties with the upstart.

If Whit loses his FS job, he will probably be traded or released to save salary cap space. His former OSU team mate Ashton Youboty (3^rd round 06) came on so strong last season that if AY is healthy, he will be the nickel back.

The Bills pass rush will be better this year assuming DE Aaron Schobel comes back from his foot injury and pass rush LB Alvin Bowen recovers from ACL surgery. That should help the Bills pass defense. But Whitner has to really step up to keep his job let alone his starting spot.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Buckeyes Picked to Win Big Ten

Steve Patterson — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:50:18 GMT

Buckeyes Picked to Win Big Ten

Members of the media attending the annual Big Ten media day in Chicago have picked the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten title.

By Eric Geier

The media panel in attendance at the Hyatt in Chicago has named The Ohio State University Buckeyes the preseason favorite to win the Big Ten. The panel also named Terrelle Pryor the preseason offensive player of the year. Pryor has had an outstanding offseason, developing his throwing arm and working on his speed outside of the pocket. His 40-yard dash has been clocked at 4.3 or 4.4, making him the fastest guy on the team. Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones was picked as preseason defensive player of the year.

Penn State was predicted to come in second, just a year after beating the Buckeyes in the Shoe and winning a share of the Big Ten title, followed by the always pesky Michigan State Spartans. Ohio State visits Happy Valley on November 2^nd, but doesn’t have a date with the Spartans. However, Michigan State gets Penn State at home in the final game of the season.

The media panel only votes on the top three spots, so the rest of the Big Ten rankings are up for grabs, beware of a strong Iowa team that is looking to make a statement in Big Ten play this season.

Ohio State Buckeyes on BTN

Steve Patterson — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 17:49:51 GMT

Buckeyes on BTN

The Big Ten Network has announced the ”Big Ten Football Tour” to kick off the college football season. BTN reporters Dave Revsine, Gerry DiNardo and Howard Griffith will host the preview show that covers everything a football hungry fan wants. Ohio State kicks off the programming schedule on August 11 at 10pm.

By Pete Quint

Similarly to ESPN’s Gameday, the reporters will travel around the Big Ten in a decked out bus visiting each school giving a breakdown of the season’s schedule, players to watch and player and coach interviews. They will even have players and coaches wear a microphone during an “All-Access” practice. The tour will also be promoting the BTN’s new “Four Pack” of football shows including Breakdown (Tuesdays, 10 PM ET), Sites & Sounds (Wednesdays, 10 PM ET), Behind the Schemes (Thursdays, 10 PM ET) and Big Ten Football and Beyond (Fridays, 10 PM ET).

"As the new season approaches, Big Ten fans will love getting an all-access look at their team," Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said. "This will be a great opportunity to see how every football program is gearing up for the season."

The season is just around the corner and if programming like this doesn’t get your blood pumping you better go see your doctor. You might be dead.

Teams and dates:

OSU 8/11

Penn St 8/13

Michigan 8/14

(it will be an abbreviated show due to lack of material and interest)

Indiana 8/17

Purdue 8/18

Illini 8/19

Northwestern 8/20

Wisconsin 8/21

Minnesota 8/22

Iowa 8/25

Tressel and Tradition

Steve Patterson — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:55:54 GMT

Tressel and Tradition

Right now there are two different kinds of college football coaches, the first kind, the “innovators.” These are the coaches willing to create, try new things, and embrace innovation. Then the other side, the “traditionalists,” these are the coaches trying to ride out the fad while ignoring critics and fearing change. Guess which side coach Jim Tressel falls on?

By Eric Geier

Since Tressels introduction as Ohio State football coach more than eight years ago, he has stuck with the outline that helped make Big Ten football a powerhouse, a strong run game, big offensive line, and a strong, stealthy defense. However, since his inception, the game has evolved. Gone are the 7-foot, 400 lb. behemoth lineman and the stand-in-the-pocket quarterbacks. Now coaches don’t want a player that can just pass the ball, they want a player that can run, pass, kick, and even make a tackle if need be. Tressel seems to have turned a cold shoulder to the changing landscape of college football. It was only last year when we saw him spread out the offense, albeit ineffectively, which begs the question, can Tressel the traditionalist compete in the ever-changing world of college football?

The tradition that is Ohio State football is taken seriously around Columbus, but Tressel is taking it as a personal mission to keep the tradition of Ohio State football alive. Someone once said, “He who is resistant to change, is destined to perish.” Tressel may not perish at the end of this season, but his lack of innovation will continue to be in the spotlight if he, and the team, continue to lose the big games.

After two National Championship losses and a beating courtesy of California-cool Pete Carroll and USC last season, Tressel’s stone monument in Columbus could crumble if he doesn’t show improvement this season. The USC game has been circled on the calendar since last season and it’s an understatement to say it’s a make or break game for Jim Tressel. A loss in The Shoe to USC should provoke outrage, not just from fans, but from our local media. The “we can get ‘em next time” attitude should disappear, its time for progression, if that means dumping Tressel at the end of the season, than so be it.

Transfer Boren to Provide Bruising Run Support

Steve Patterson — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:18:46 GMT

Transfer Boren to Provide Bruising Run Support

Justin Boren transferred from Michigan. By now we’ve all heard the story, fed up with a change in culture and attitude with the arrival of Rich Rodriguez in Ann Arbor, Boren did the unthinkable, he transferred to arch rival Ohio State, shunning years of history and rivalry.

By Eric Geier

Good for us? It’s hard to know how to take it in, had a Buckeye transferred to Michigan he wouldn’t be allowed to show his face in Columbus, he would have to go into Osama bin Laden-like hiding. But alas, Justin Boren is here and he is here to stay. The 6 foot 3, 315 pound lineman has gained a reputation among the coaching staff as a no-nonsense hard worker. He has to be to keep up with the rest of the o-line. At 6 foot 3, he is the smallest of Ohio State’s lineman, with a wide frame to match. Much like a bowling ball, Boren goes full steam ahead, crashing and toppling opponents to the ground, always in search of the next person to block. His approach to blocking is exactly what the Buckeye offensive line needs to push forward to that second level and open up holes for the backs.

As if Boren’s athleticism wasn’t enough to turn heads, the Pickerington native is bringing the swagger back to Columbus. Recently, ESPN.com’s Adam Rittenberg spoke with quarterback Terrelle Pryor. "He's nasty." Pryor said. "I like that. I don't know what it is. He's just going to fight for you all day and all game. I like that in Boren." Buckeye senior Jim Cordle added, “He's the strongest guy we've got on the team. You take a guy with the physical tools like that, and then he plays a little bit pissed off, which is kind of cool. It rubs off on everybody.”

The new attitude Justin Boren is bringing to the Buckeyes is a welcome change compared to the past couple of years, dealing with a sometimes-uninspired Alex Boone and a half-hearted offensive line. It’s possible that the Ohio State offensive line has found a new leader from one of the most unexpected places, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ballard, Coleman and Worthington to Represent Buckeyes at Big Ten Media Days

Mark Silverman — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:00:38 GMT

Ballard, Coleman and Worthington to Represent Buckeyes at Big Ten Media Days

With the upcoming Big Ten football media days scheduled for July 27 and July 28 in Chicago, tight end Jake Ballard, safety Kurt Coleman and defensive tackle Doug Worthington will be in attendance for the scarlet and gray. The three seniors are expected to be key contributors on a team that manyexpect to capture a fifth straight Big Ten championship.

By Mark Silverman

With just 20 receptions in his first three seasons, Ballard should have an opportunity for more production this season. The Ohio State offense is expected to rely on the tight ends to a greater extent than in recent years. Ballard could be the x-factor in what hopes to be an improved red zone offense.

Coleman has had a productive career at Ohio State, but it’s now time to crank it up a notch. We have seen flashes of his big-play potential, yet never on a consistent basis. The loss of linebacker James Laurinaitis to the NFL Draft opens the door for Coleman to assume leadership of the silver bullets.

Worthington, a fifth-year senior, will get a clean slate as the new season approaches. It was last July when he was arrested for driving under the influence and the 2008 campaign was never the same for Worthington. He has recovered well since the incident and will help anchor a defensive line that is capable of putting up big numbers.

Other Big Ten notables that are slated to appear include Illinois senior quarterback Juice Williams, Minnesota senior wideout Eric Decker and Penn State’s senior quarterback/linebacker duo of Darryl Clark and Sean Lee. The list of invitees includes 17 All-Big Ten selections from a year ago. Decker will represent all players when speaking at the kickoff luncheon on July 28.

Ex-Buckeye Peterson has a new position and new opportunity in Denver

Steve Patterson — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:00:32 GMT

Ex-Buckeye Peterson has a new position and new opportunity in Denver

Kenny Peterson just wasn't big enough. That is a strange thing to say about a guy that is 6-3 and 300 pounds, but in the world of the NFL, he wasn't quite big enough to play DT or NT. Now that the Broncos are going to the 3-4, Peterson will take his 300 to DE and it should help his game and make him more effective.

By Bill Smith

Peterson started last year at DT and faced constant double teaming by the C and G. Despite the attention he managed to get 24 tackles and 3 sacks. Under new coach Josh McDaniels' more attack style 3-4, Peterson will be head up on the LG and is much less likely to be doubled as often. The C is going to be double teaming NT Marcus Thomas or Ron Fields and the LT will have problems of his own.

Star linebacker D.J. Williams will be Peterson's blitz buddy on the right. The new 3-4 will move all pro but too small and light DE Elvis Dumervil to outside linebacker on the left side. That combination should generate a lot more heat on the QB than the 4-3 did last year.

Peterson has good feet for a 300 pound player. His new position and responsibility should free him up to be more productive and the Bronco D needs all the production it can get. For the last few seasons, there has been no D in Denver. The Broncos have also added all pro SS Brian Dawkins which will help the D as well. Peterson should have a lot of help to bring the Denver D back to respectability.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

RB Carlos Hyde to Sit in 2009

Steve Patterson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:20:36 GMT

RB Carlos Hyde to Sit in 2009

According to the Dispatch, RB Carlos Hyde of Naples, Florida will have to sit for the 2009 season. Hyde still plans on being a Buckeye but fell one point shy of the required ACT test score. Hyde will have to postpone his playing days as a Buckeye until January 2010.

By Pete Quint

At 6-1, 235, Hyde would have been the biggest running back in the OSU stable and certainly would have been in the mix when it cam to playing time. Boom Herron and a bulked up Brandon Saine will get the majority of carries and with the news that incoming freshman Jaamal Berry’s legal charges have been reduced the Buckeye backfield will be good if not great depending on the growth of the offensive line.

In 2010, the Buckeyes have the luxury of two Clydesdale size running backs in Hyde and Fort Wayne, IN prospect Rod Smith (6-2, 220). Both players will bring a power running game to Ohio State that has brought the team so much recent success.

Anthony Gonzales has Hall of Fame Sized Shoes to Fill

Steve Patterson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:05:07 GMT

Anthony Gonzales has Hall of Fame Sized Shoes to Fill

Ex-Buckeye WR Anthony Gonzales will move from the 3^rd receiver spot he played last year to the 2^nd receiver position to replace certain Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison. Harrison will be 37 by the start of the regular season and was a salary cap casualty this off season. He is still a free agent.

By Bill Smith

Moving on changes a year or two early is now standard operating procedure for the Colts. Harrison was hurt much of 07 and age and previous injuries have robbed him of his speed. Last year he started 15 games but caught only 60 balls for 6.7 yards and 5 TDs. As the 3^rd receiver in 08 Gonzo caught 57 ball for 664 yards and 4 TDs. Gonzo brings some of the same assets to the lineup that Harrison did but also lacks the one key asset—a Vulcan style mind meld with QB Payton Manning.

Both Harrison and Gonzales run very precise patterns, recognize coverages and have outstanding body control going for the ball. At one time Harrison had above average speed. Gonzo has average speed but both have outstanding hands and will catch any ball they can touch.

Gonzo is a much better blocker than Harrison which comes from a run first mentality at OSU. No long run happens in the NFL without good blocking by the WRs. Gonzo is also 12 years younger than his predicesor and a lot cheaper. Harrison was reportedly scheduled to make over 5 million in 09.

Gonzo is as developed and polished a WR as has come out of college in several years. He understands coverages and can get open against man, zone or a combo cover system. He will be the underneath receiver while his running mate Reggie Wayne will be the deep threat. Gonzo will be a fantasy football steal this year and for years to come.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Christian Bryant, Glenville Recruit Heading to Ohio State?

Steve Patterson — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:36:47 GMT

Christian Bryant, Glenville Recruit Heading to Ohio State?

Another great recruit from Cleveland Glenville could be heading to Ohio State for 2010 in cornerback Christian Bryant. Bryant is a top 250 national recruit according to Rivals.com and the top 12 recruit at his position. The Ted Ginn Sr. product would be following over a dozen Tarblodders down to Columbus to be a Buckeye since Jim Tressel took over the program.

By Steve Patterson

Many Offers

The 4 star recruit has offers from many of the top programs in the country including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee, and West Virginia to name a few. We asked Bryant about his ability on the field that has received so much attention. “My vision on the field, how I read plays before they develop, how I pursue to the ball, an how I attack the ball when its in the air.” he explained to us.

Impressive Junior Year

Like most Tarblodders, Bryant is a team player above all. ”Traveling and bounding with my team for four years would be the highlight of my high school career so far.” he feels. But his individual statistics as a junior stand out. ”I just know my defense and special teams stats. Defense- 54 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 Forced Fumble, an 1 TD from an interception. Special teams- 2 Kick Returns, 94 Yards, and a blocked field goal for a TD.” he reported when we inquired.

Taking His Time

Bryant is taking his time with the recruiting process as he has yet to setup a visit. But he knows one school he will take a look at when he begins the process. “When I schedule my visits, Ohio State will be one I’ll attend.” But he does know what he wants in a college for when he does focus on his selection. ”I am looking at the academics, how the coaches interact with the players, how I fit in the defensive schemes, nice facilities, a winning mentality, and the overall chemistry of the football program as a whole.”

He feels that all schools that have offered him a scholarship are pursuing his services vigorously. ”All schools that have offered are showing interest at this point.” He doesn’t have a leader at this time but does give a slight hint as to his leaning. ”I really don’t have a leading school at this time. But what I am looking for in a school might help this question..”

Stoneburner Transitioning to Tight End

Mark Silverman — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:46:36 GMT

Stoneburner Transitioning to Tight End

When Jake Stoneburner arrived at Ohio State for spring practice in 2008, the Dublin Coffman graduate hoped to compete for playing time at receiver and insert himself as another weapon in the OSU offense.

By Mark Silverman

Things have changed.

After Stoneburner was forced to redshirt last season due to a stress fracture in his right shin, the coaching staff determined that tight end was a better fit for the freshman. Stoneburner came to campus at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds. He has gained almost 20 pounds since, but still has the speed of a wideout.

The Buckeyes should benefit from the transition as production at the tight end position has deteriorated since 2003. The duo of Ben Hartsock and Ryan Hamby made a combined 51 catches that season and there has been a lack of a short passing game ever since.

Stoneburner brings a skill set to tight end that has been vacant since the departure of Rickey Dudley following the 1995 season. Not that Stoneburner should be compared to Dudley in this stage of his career, but the athleticism and potential is worth mentioning.

Although the blocking aspect of his game is unproven, Stoneburner’s speed should enable him to separate from linebackers and find holes in the middle of the field. What could separate Stoneburner from previous OSU tight ends is yards gained after the catch.

Assuming he stays healthy, Stoneburner has a chance to showcase his speed and agility at tight end and modernize the position to a level that Ohio State fans aren’t accustomed to seeing.

Analysis: Ex Buckeye Gholston has 4 games to prove his value.

Steve Patterson — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:41:20 GMT

Analysis: Ex Buckeye Gholston has 4 games to prove his value.

Jet OLB Vernon Gholston will have the inside track to start the first 4 games of the 09 season because incumbent starter Calvin Pace has been suspended by the league for a violation of the drug policy. Gholston has not enjoyed the success he had at OSU in his first year as a pro. The vicious New York media have long ago branded Gholston a draft bust.

By Bill Smith

His problems began with a hold out typical for the 6^th player selected in the first round of the 08 draft. The change of roles has been harder for Gholston than anyone expected. Last year he was tentative against the run and pass when standing up as a LB. He was much more effective at the down end position on passing situations when the Jets went to a 4-3.

Adding to his concerns is a new style defense brought in this year by the new coaching staff. New head coach Rex Ryan brings a much more aggressive defense to the Jets. That should help Gholston who too often under Mangini's system was forced into coverage rather than rushing the QB.

Gholston has the preseason and 4 regular season games to take the job away from Pace. I doubt he will do it. I expected a lot more when he was drafted by the Jets. This is the time for him to step up and show the league that he deserved to be the 6^th pick overall.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams, has officiated both football and basketball, done color on radio for college football and basketball and has scouted talent. He is a senior writer for http://NFLDraftDog.com and edits http://fryingpansports.com. He has also published several novels on http://www.eBooks-Library/Contemporary/Author.cfm?AuthorID=1003 and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com.

Taylor Graham and Roderick Smith Commit to Ohio State

Steve Patterson — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:22:24 GMT

Graham and Smith Commit

Ohio State made a nice splash in recruiting while filling some future holes in the offense this past week by getting early commitments for the 2010 football class.

By Pete Quint

Roderick Smith

Running back Roderick Smith of Fort Wayne, Indiana has both power and speed and is considered "a potential early impact player" by recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic but I have a hard time seeing early playing time. Smith will have a tough time cracking the starting line-up in 2010 with Junior Boom Herron and Senior Brandon Saine at the top of the depth chart while Jaamal Berry (for now), Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde will be sophomores in 2010 barring any redshirting. Smith’s large frame (6-2, 220) will definitely afford him touches in a Jim Tressel lead offensive attack but Hyde (6-0, 225) sports a similar size while Berry has been compared to Reggie Bush. With the depth at running back, the Bucks would be wise to redshirt Smith in 2010.

Film: RB Roderick Smith Is Explosive – Highlights (Warning: Slight Profanity)

Taylor Graham

Quarterback Taylor Graham is the son of former Ohio State quarterback Kent Graham (88-91) and committed to OSU without an official visit. While Graham might not be the blue chip quarterback Buckeye fans have gotten used to in recent years, he has the size (6-4, 214) and lineage to make a name for himself as a Buckeye.

I love legacy players and to see another Graham on the field will be a special treat, however, I’m wondering why Ohio State went for a pro-style quarterback? The Buckeyes had great success with Craig Krenzel but since then all the successful Ohio State quarterbacks have been mobile and athletic. Reverting to a particular type of quarterback that doesn’t seem to work under the Tressel regime seems like a step back.

Keep on keepin’ on

It’s a long way to 2010 and recruiting hasn’t even begun to warm up so it’s not time to panic. The Bucks will get the horses they need, we just have to give them time.

Will Greg Oden ever realize his potential?

Steve Patterson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:47:22 GMT

Will Greg Oden ever realize his potential?

For years in Cleveland, the Cavs fans believed the name Ilgauskas in Greek must mean “man with bad feet.” Now the fans in Portland are wondering if Oden will ever realize his potential or will he be a first choice bust due to injury.

By Bill Smith

There is no question that big men are at a premium in both college basketball and the NBA. Look at this year's draft. There were only 2 7 foot players in the top 50 as ranked by most experts. One of those, our own BJ Mullens was rated the 16^th best prospect and he was not a regular starter for the Bucks in 08-09. He got picked 24^th overall in the first round.

But Oden was not just 7 feet. He has more talent on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor than all but a couple starting C in the league. He also has an NBA body. He has spent the hours in the weight room necessary to build up his body to withstand the banging of the NBA lane. Even so, in 2 seasons, he has yet to be able to stay even close to 100 percent healthy.

The human body was not designed by a structural engineer. When a body is as large, muscular and heavy as Oden, the hips down to the feet are subject to stresses well beyond those of the average body type. Yau Ming was hurt in what seemed like an insignificant injury will keep the Rocket C out of the game next year and may end up being a career threatening problem.

Oden worked out for more than 3 hours in Columbus for the Trail Blazer staff this week. According to most reports, he looked good. More importantly, he looked healthy. The question is will his health carry him through an entire season and playoffs?

Portland hopes so. If he is healthy, Portland will be very dangerous. He can be a difference maker and has a young and very talented team around him. But history is not in Oden's favor.

Having watched the NBA game for 5 decades, I have seen many more players that suffered injuries in college and early in their pro career never reach their potential. That is Oden's history as well and that is too bad. He is so talented and dedicated to his game that should his body let him down it would be a loss to the game.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

RB Jaamal Berry Arrives on Campus Despite Charges

Steve Patterson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:16:49 GMT

RB Jaamal Berry Arrives on Campus Despite Charges

Star high school running back Jaamal Berry reported to Ohio State last week for summer school despite a felony charge of marijuana possession in his home town of Miami. All the remaining 2009 recruits that were not a part of the spring camp arrived on Sunday the 21st to begin class on Tuesday the 23rd. Many had speculated that he would not be a part of the class due to the arrest on June 11th for possessing 28 grams of the drug.

By Steve Patterson

Running Back Depth

The Buckeyes are in need of depth at the running back position after losing Chris Wells to the NFL draft and the injury plagued year of Brandon Saine last season. Daniel ‘Boom’ Herron returns to be the first string starter but depth after Herron is limited. Berry and Naples Florida back Carlos Hyde are both looked to as needed depth and possible freshman stars out of the backfield this coming fall.

High School All Star

Berry is an All American running back coming out of Miami Palmetto High School in Florida. He was rated the 5th best running back in the country by Rivals.com for the 2009 class and a member of their Rivals 100. As a junior he ran for over 1,000 yards and scored 14 times. He selected Ohio State over offers from South Carolina, West Virginia, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Michigan and Minnesota.

Night Arrest

When Berry was pulled over by police on the night of the incident for running a red light, he stated that he had purchased the drugs an hour earlier and was planning on sharing it with his friends later that night. This was his first offense and he will likely receive probation and a possible reduction in charges.

B.J. Mullens Couldn't Have Gone to a Better Situation

Steve Patterson — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:42:41 GMT

B.J. Mullens Couldn't Have Gone to a Better Situation

B.J. Mullens looked like he was a little disappointed when he fell to the 24^th pick. But he is in a perfect situation to develop and start in the near future. Oklahoma City (the team formerly known as the Sonics) has a hole in the middle of their lineup the size of the Grand Canyon. Mullens will get minutes right off the bat and may well be starting in a year or two. Not bad for a guy that couldn't start for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten.

By Bill Smith

There are three primary contenders for the C spot including Mullens. Johan Petro (DV) was the starter in Seattle/Oklahoma City in 05 but didn't get the job done. He has been moved to Denver. They have tried Nick Collison there but he is better at PF and that isn't saying much. Nenad Krstic started 29 games last season but scored 9.7 points and grabbed 5.5 rebounds in an average of 25 minutes a game. Not good.

At the very least, B.J. should get some minutes early on rotating with Krstic. Mullens may not be ready to go up against the big guys of the NBA but neither are either of the others.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ex Buckeye B.J. Mullens is the 2nd rated C in the 2009 NBA Draft?

Steve Patterson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:45:40 GMT

Ex Buckeye B.J. Mullens is the 2nd rated C in the 2009 NBA Draft?

By Bill Smith

A few months ago, I wrote “Where have all the Big men gone” in my own site. College basketball has become totally bereft of quality NBA size centers. The league is desperate for anyone that can dribble a basketball and is 7 feet or more tall.

This year, B.J. Mullens is ranked as the 2^nd best C in the draft and 16^th overall. This for a guy that wasn't even a starter for the Buckeyes much of the year. He averaged 18 minutes a game for the Bucks and scored 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Even at 275 he is not that physical but moves fairly well. At this point in his development, he really has not become strong at any aspect of the game. He is a nearly blank chalk board upon which a lot or a little could be written depending on his willingness to work on his game.

One thing that does speak well of him is that he only averages 2.1 fouls per game in that 18 minutes. He has a very long way to go to develop into a potential starter. He will likely be a rotational player that eats up minutes but both his offensive and defensive games leave a lot of room for improvement.

This draft has been said to be a weak draft. That is not totally true. It lacks the “can't miss” depth at the top. But even a lot of the so called can't miss guys miss terribly. I can't remember a draft in the NBA that had as many players with as many questions about their game as we have this year. This is the kind of draft that will make some GMs look very smart and make others unemployed.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ohio State Recruits Complete High School at Big 33

Steve Patterson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:38:35 GMT

Ohio State Recruits Complete High School at Big 33

Ohio players traveled to Hershey Pennsylvania to play in the main High School all star game in the summer prior to summer classes starting in college. Chris Fields was one of the players that has committed to Ohio State that was a part of an Ohio team that defeated the best players in Pennsylvania this past Saturday 38-31.

By Steve Patterson

Ohio North South Game Not In The Picture

This was the 52nd Annual Big 33 Classic. In past years there was competition for Ohio State recruits between the Big 33 and Ohio’s North South All Star Game. But last year saw both games played on the same weekend as recruits wanted to get to campus as soon as possible after high school. Having the games conflict led Ohio State recruits to begin selecting the Big 33 routinely. The game has a strong tradition and features many of the best players from Pennsylvania against some of the best from Ohio.

Chris Fields and Melvin Fellows

Wide receiver Chris Fields was on hand but didn’t put up big numbers on the day. He did came away with a good experience against some of the best competition he has ever faced. Coming from Harvey High School and finishing his senior year at 4-6 shows the program he came from isn’t a factory of talent. Melvin Fellows was another recruit that didn’t shine in the game but he is coming off knee surgery and was seen icing the left knee afterwards. He feels the knee will not be a problem once he begins weight training with the Buckeyes this summer.

Austin Boucher

One of the stars of the game was Austin Boucher from Kettering Alter who selected Miami (OH) over a late offer from Ohio State. The quarterback finished as Ohio’s MVP and put Ohio in scoring position on a number of plays throwing and running the ball from a spread formation.

Cleveland Glenville Recruits

Other Ohio State players on hand included Jonathan Newsome from Cleveland Glenville and Marcus hall who is also a Tarblodder. Newsome showed good speed rushing the passer and was able to drop into coverage when needed. Playing the LEO position for the Buckeyes could be in his future. Hall reportedly struggled at the beginning of the Big 33 practice week but feels that he improved greatly over the course of the week leading up to the game. Ohio State would like Hall to add depth at the Offensive Tackle position behind Mike Adams and JB Shugart this coming season.

2009 Ohio State Football Pre-Preview

Steve Patterson — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:59:04 GMT

2009 Ohio State Football Pre-Preview

Summer practice is still weeks away but the realization of only having approximately three months until the season starts has gotten this reporters juices rolling. Last season was a disappointment of sorts as Ohio State lost two regular season games and dropped a thriller to their bowl opponent Texas. The Buckeyes were ranked in the top five by most of the preseason pollsters but the team just didn’t live up to its potential, especially the offense which didn’t seem to want to show up at all last year.

By Pete Quint

It’s been the modus operandi in the Tressel era to win the games you’re supposed to and lose consistently to higher ranked opponents. That’s not a jab at Tress, it’s the truth. The last time the Buckeyes beat a team ranked above them in the polls was Miami (FL) in the 2002 National Championship game. This is a disturbing trend in Buckeye football that needs to change or the team will continue to be ridiculed nationally as an above average team in a weak conference. This season, the Buckeyes will continue to load up on cupcakes in the preseason, play one legit out of conference and cruise through the Big Ten looking for another conference championship. Outside USC, Penn State and maybe Wisconsin, there’s not much competition for Ohio State in 2009.

While 12-0 is very realistic, albeit scarlet colored and optimistic, the Bucks are much more likely to go 11-1 than 9-3. Anything less than 10 wins and as least a share of the Big Ten title this season will be a big disappointment. Tressel will have his young troops ready to earn the Big Ten crown but how will the Bucks fare against USC and most likely an SEC bowl opponent? Here’s a quick look at Ohio State’s opponents for the 2009 season.

Brian Robiskie will be a Welcome Addition to the Browns WR Corps

Steve Patterson — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 19:02:01 GMT

Brian Robiskie will be a Welcome Addition to the Browns WR Corps

A passing game requires both a QB to throw the ball and a WR to catch it. Prior to the draft, the Browns were OK in the QB department, but a trade and an auto accident depleted the receiving end of the passing game. Brian Robiskie is desperately needed by the Browns.

By Bill Smith

The TE Kellen Winslow was traded to Tampa. Donte Stallworth is suspended indefinitely by the league for his accident under the influence of alcohol in Miami that killed a pedestrian. Josh Cribbs is too valuable as a return man to use at WR. Last year, Cribbs' returns suffered because he was trying to do too much.

Then there is the case of Braylon Edwards. When QB Brady Quinn went to Dr. Andrews to check his broken finger, he should have taken Edwards with him to check the receiver's hands. Edwards, a pro bowl WR in 07, developed a serious case of the dropsies in 08. He led the league in dropped passes.

The Browns have signed the well traveled David Patten who is talented but not as dependable as he was when he was young. The Browns missed on the one ex-Jet that could have helped them the most, WR Laveranues Coles. Coles signed with the Bengals.

What Robo brings to the team is a very reliable pair of hands and the knowledge to run precise routes. Robo will become the under receiver to open up deep routes for Edwards. Robo has the ability to become the Browns equivalent of Wes Welker of the Patriots. Welker caught 111 passes last year for 1165 yards and 3 TDs with a backup QB. Robo has the ability to do the same thing for the Browns.

Robo will have to produce right out of the gate because the Browns other 2^nd round pick, WR Mohamed Massaquoi (Georgia) will take a couple of years to develop. Massaquoi has early 1^st round talent but is as raw as steak tartar. I doubt that he will ever develop into a receiver that can replace Edwards which was the reason he was drafted.

Robo couldn't be in a better situation. He will have a good chance to earn a starting position in his first year. The Browns couldn't have found a WR out of college that was more ready to step in. Let's hope they both profit from the relationship.

That's what I think. Tell me what you think.

Ohio State Quarterback Todd Boeckman Signs with Jacksonville

Steve Patterson — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:08:09 GMT

Ohio State Quarterback Todd Boeckman Signs with Jacksonville

Getting a shot in NFL might have always been Todd Boeckman’s goal but being a good teammate became more important when he lost his starting position to Terrelle Pryor as a senior last season. Now Boeckman is getting a shot at the next level with the Jacksonville Jaguars as he signs a free agent contract.

Nick Montana Picks the Washington Huskies

Steve Patterson — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:14:51 GMT

Nick Montana Picks the Washington Huskies

After taking a little bit longer to decide than expected, California quarterback and national prospect Nick Montana selected to play his college career with the Washington Huskies. The 6’3” 180 lbs son of an NFL legend, Montana had offers from over 12 schools with Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Stanford believed to be his favorites. But a good connection with Washington Head Coach Steve Sarkisian put them over the top.

Jim Tressel Visits US Troops with Other College Coaches

Steve Patterson — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:56:43 GMT

Jim Tressel Visits US Troops with Other College Coaches

Morale Entertainment along with Armed Forces Entertainment are taking Coach Tressel, Mack Brown, Houston Nutt, Rick Neuheisel, Troy Calhoun, and Tommy Tuberville on a tour of the Middle East to visit with US troops. This is the second annual Coaches Tour of the Middle East and the first for Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel, who was unable to participate in the first tour due to a scheduling conflict.The tour has visited bases in Germany, Turkey, Iraq, Kuwait, Djibouti, and Spain starting in May and continuing into early June.