Nice Lawn
Add comment May 8th, 2008 12:23pm Duane H
Spring Outlook
Add comment April 15th, 2008 02:34pm Spazztic1
This is the time of year to get excited. Spring is the time where all teams believe they have the potential for a good year. Now granted the definition of “good year” is different for all teams. So with that said, I see no problem in being a little overly optimistic for the upcoming season.
I know we are all suffering a little from the hang-over of two lost National Title games in a row to SEC teams and this season is going to really pale in comparison to last year as far as listening to Joe SEC-Fan gripe about how we don’t deserve to be as highly ranked as we are or that we aren’t that good, or that we would be mediocre in the SEC. It’s going to happen so let’s get over that now. The good news is we have something to combat that this year as opposed to last year. We have the September 13 showdown in Southern California. If we can go into the Coliseum and beat USC, it should go a long way towards shutting up the opposing fan bases. I know some fans are a little worried about this game. That’s a realistic feeling considering it is USC after all. But, let’s take a second look for a minute. USC has to break in a new Quarterback. If this were the 8 game of the season I would say this isn’t as big of a factor as it is being the second game for USC. Also, this will be the third game for Ohio State, so we have the Luxury of an additional game under our belt. And with Mark Sanchez and Mitch Mustain struggling with inconsistency in Spring practice for the Trojans, it looks as if this will be a decided advantage for the Buckeyes come that second weekend in September.
The biggest reason for the Scarlet and Gray-colored glasses, however, is the fact that Malcolm Jenkins and James Laurinaitis decided to come back for their senior season to win a National Title. With these two defensive stalwarts roaming the field again for the Buckeyes, it gives what was already a loaded defense, veteran leadership to go with the abundance of talent on the field. One major plus going for this defense is depth. The D-Line will be able to rotate 7 to 8 guys without missing a beat. Lawrence Wilson should be healthy again this season. With young talents like Dexter Larimore, Cameron Heyward, and veterans like Doug Worthington, and Todd Denlinger turning it on at the end of last season, I’m sure they are just itching to get back on the field.
Austin Spitler, the highly touted junior linebacker has been patiently waiting to be a starter in the line backing corps but will have to wait another season thanks to Laurinaitis’ return. This may affect his playing time but it is never a bad thing to have a 5 star talent sitting on the bench because there is 5 star talent ahead of him. He will have his day for the Scarlet clad warriors, but for now he will have to take what playing time he can get. This is because he has All-Everything James Laurinaitis coming back as well as Marcus Freeman. Curtis Terry is expected to start at the other line backing position. That isn’t to say there are more like Austin Spitler just chomping at the bit to get some playing time. Ross Homan, Tyler Moeller, Brian Rolle and incoming Freshman Andrew Sweat and Etienne Sabino are all trying to figure out where they fit into the mix. Having a wealth of talent is never a bad thing.
The only area on defense where depth could become an issue is the Safety position. Malcolm Jenkins will reprise his role as the shutdown corner with more than likely Donald Washington lining up opposite him on the other side of the field. This just leaves the Safety spots up in the air. Jamario O’Neal hasn’t progressed as fast as most fans would like but I believe this could be his break out year. I also think Kurt Coleman is due to reprise the role that Donte Whitner made famous for the Silver-Bullets. The hard-nosed, hit anything that breaths Safety that Buckeye fans have enjoyed roaming the Secondary. He could be another in a long line, molded by the likes of Jack Tatum, Nate Salley, Donte Whitner and the likes. Jack being the most famous and Nate and Donte being the most recent. It would take a whole separate article to go through the entire list of OSU safeties who like to lay the wood on someone.
This brings us to the other side of the ball. The offense. Let’s start on the offensive line. This should be one of the best Lines in the country. Alex Boone decided to forgo the draft and stay for his senior season. Boone along with returning starters Steve Rehring, Jim Cordle, and Ben Person should make up and excellent O-Line. If any of these players decides to take a practice off or gets hurt there is some young talent just waiting in the wings to take over. Highly touted incoming Freshman Michael Brewster, J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams, as well as Freshman Tight End Jake Stoneburner, help make this an offensive line set for years to come.
Running behind this experienced O-Line should be a Heisman contending back and a stable of back-ups. Chris “Beanie” Wells should be contending for the Heisman Memorial Trophy from the first snap. He ran for 1609 yards and 15 touchdowns averaging almost 6 yards a carry. Expect him to pick up right where he left off. If he ever needs a breather he has Lightning in a bottle, Brandon Saine behind him. I don’t think we utilized him enough last year. I don’t think that will be an issue this season however. We still have Maurice Wells who is a very capable back when he is needed. Add Dan Herron into the mix who is expected to grow into a reliable running back and the ground game looks to be up to Woody’s standards as usual. The only question is who will be lead-blocking for Beanie and Brandon. The only returning fullback is Aram Olsen who didn’t see the field last year due to a nagging injury and depth ahead of him. Tressel has a history of moving players into this spot like Stan White from linebacker and Tyler Whaley from the offensive line. He has already started experimenting with this so far this spring trying Ryan Lukens, Curtis Terry, Andrew Sweat, Austin Spitler and several walk-ons at this position, with Terry looking the most promising at this spot.
The Wide Receiver position has a lot of potential but still hasn’t gotten over the hump just yet. Granted Brian Hartline, and Brian Robiskie have made a decent tandem, they don’t really strike fear into the hearts of DB’s. Yet their production is on par with what Anthony Gonzalez and Teddy Ginn’s were before they left. Ray Small could really develop into a deep threat and the incoming freshman class could contribute right away. The passing game only has to be good enough to relieve pressure from the running game and keep the other team from lining up with 8 or 9 in the box. There is enough talent and production in this unit to rely on in certain games but not enough to rely on for a full season. Hopefully a lot of work and development will be done this spring.
Lastly we come to the quarterback position. Todd Boekman will undoubtedly be the Starter come August 30. The questions left are how much has improved on last year’s performance and who will be the back-up behind him. Antonio Henton looked good last year before his off field troubles, however he has looked inconsistent to start the spring. Terrelle Pryor won’t be ready by the start of the season. I would like to see them use Pryor in the same vein that Florida used Tim Tebow during his freshman campaign. Bring Pryor in during certain circumstances as a change of pace. That being said, Boekman is a more than capable field general. He has a live arm and a good head. He is mature and understands the offense, two things you have to have to be a Jim Tressel quarterback.
This team has an abundance of talent, not only for today but for a long while to come. Needless to say Coach Tressel has the ship going in the right direction. I know a lot of fans are grumbling about the two Title game loses, but at least we can say we went to the Title Game 2 years in a row. My prediction for the Season may be biased but I think we are headed back to the National Championship game, using the USC game as a springboard and an excuse to shut SEC fans up along the way. My only hope is that we play Georgia or Florida in the Championship so we don’t have to listen to SEC fans gripe that we wouldn’t have won it all if we had faced a team from the all mighty South Eastern Conference. If all goes according to plan it should be another great season. Damn it feels good to be a Buckeye!
Butch Reynolds Leaves Ohio State
Add comment April 13th, 2008 03:36pm jimmyb
Speed coach Butch Reynolds left the Ohio State football program after Winter conditioning. Apparently, there were philosophical differences between Reynolds and Strength and Conditioning Director Eric Lichter.
Reynolds is a former Ohio State alumnus and former world record holder in the 400 meters. He is also the founder of the Butch Reynolds Care for Kids in Akron.
Reynolds plans to stay in the Columbus area and start a commercial sports training program. Mike Vrabel and other former Buckeyes are excepted to be his business partners.
Finally, Terrell Pryor is a Buckeye
Add comment March 22nd, 2008 12:58pm jimmyb
Welcome to the family! That is what Jim Tressel told Terrell Pryor when Pryor told him that he would be an Ohio State Buckeye. That same morning new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez called Terrell to make one last attempt at swaying Pryor to Ann Arbor. When Pryor told Rodriguez he was going to Ohio State Rodriguez hung up the phone on him. Makes you wonder about those stories out of West Virginia about Rodriguez.
Ohio State is a much better fit for Pryor in the long run. He could have played immediately at Michigan, Penn State or Oregon. But he would have been expected to be a to carry those teams as a true freshmen. At Ohio State he will understudy Todd Boeckman who has been in the Ohio State system for five years. Pryor will probably see some action this season, in packages designed for his athletic skills. He may even get a change to hang a loss on Rodriguez in November.
Ohio State is Preseason 2008 #1 Pick
Add comment December 24th, 2007 02:34pm jimmyb
The first preseason poll for next season is out and the Buckeyes are #1.
Michigan did not make the top 25, but Ball State did.
