buckeyes at the top again!

[jeffmo]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/pgStory?contentId=8433454&MSNHPHMA#sport=COLLEGE%20FOOTBALL&photo=8431496

[stumphole 2]

Who cares rankings mean nothing. Better to not have that pressure.

[Frank in the Laurel]

I was down at practice and noticed this "CLARK" kid from OHIO at the Penn State practice, he's a darn nice athelete !!! Anyone know anything about him, he seemed like a sweet quarterback and looked super..totally different than the usual PSU type... anyone know anything about what he has done and what to expect..

[TheCream]

I couldn't care less about pre-season rankings...it's the ones in early January that matter. :mischeif:

[jeffmo]

i agree,the rankings really mean little before the season.but,it'd be hard to make it to the top from the 20 spot!

[Deehntr56]

i agree,the rankings really mean little before the season.but,it'd be hard to make it to the top from the 20 spot!

Absolutely.....but you know what thery tell you what kind of team you potentially have and the excitement really starts from that point.

Great way to get the season going...and if they earn it at the end.....GO BUCKEYES!!!......BETTER YET!!!:biggrin:

They have a nice looking team...really nice.....:biggrin:

[jeffmo]

dee,i agree.
this last saturday our local paper had a pic of jimmy cordle,some of his family and the offensive coordinator on picture day at the shoe.i tried to find it to post but it isn't on their site.
this could be one of those seasons to remember but there is alot of big expectations for this team and that is definately alot to live up to,especially in columbus where the press is always waiting to pounce like a fat woman on a funnel cake!
as long as tressel has them thinking like a team they should do very well.

[Fish-n-Fool]

Buckeye hype machine in full force....

The bucks have one of the largest, most well organized "hype machines" in college sports. A lot of this is merited from prior success, tradition, etc. But, there is also an active working element of hype at TOSU - watch the machine work for Beanie Wells after a good start. Remember Troy's campaign for the Heisman - BIG hype machine there. For better or for worse the Buckeyes are over hyped year after year. Even when internally we think we are in "rebuild" mode the hype is insane. When you get a team all coming back like this - the expectations are all world.
It isn't fair to this team and it is never "fair".

It seems many in Columbus (Ohio for that matter) have not considered anything other than a championship year. I hate to rain on the parade, but let's look at things objectively -

1) We are scarily THIN at QB. TB gets hurt and we have our pick of 2 guys with no CFB experience. Even with talent surrounding you, if the guy handling the ball EVERY snap has no experience bad things happen. We can not win against good teams without TB.
2) the DBs are thin - between transfers and suspensions we don't have a real solid 2 deep. We have the numbers, but not the game experience.
3)Who is our 3rd receiver? Where is our game breaking receiver? This remains unanswered.
4)How will the FB play be? This is HUGE - we have had some great blocking FBs the past several years. So far the best guy on the team is a LB? Not knocking Terry, but there is more to the FB position than knocking heads with somebody. Without solid FB play, our running game drops off a couple notches - even with Beanie it doesn't matter
5) special teams? We have great kickers, but our coverage and return game was pitiful; easily the worst under Tress. Will we remain terrible on coverage and returns? This is huge as it molds the entire game.

This team has many questions to answer. They are not without serious issues. I do believe we will find the answers to most of these questions and have a great year, but it is worth pointing out we have many areas of concern.

The National Champoinship or bust attitude is ridiculous in the real world. This team will not only have to find answers to the questions above, but will need a bounce or two along the way to run the table. That said I do believe they will have every shot of doing it!

[coonskinner]

Who cares rankings mean nothing. Better to not have that pressure.

i think woody once sed somethin like that...:D

[Deehntr56]

Buckeye hype machine in full force....

The bucks have one of the largest, most well organized "hype machines" in college sports. A lot of this is merited from prior success, tradition, etc. But, there is also an active working element of hype at TOSU - watch the machine work for Beanie Wells after a good start. Remember Troy's campaign for the Heisman - BIG hype machine there. For better or for worse the Buckeyes are over hyped year after year. Even when internally we think we are in "rebuild" mode the hype is insane. When you get a team all coming back like this - the expectations are all world.
It isn't fair to this team and it is never "fair".

It seems many in Columbus (Ohio for that matter) have not considered anything other than a championship year. I hate to rain on the parade, but let's look at things objectively -

1) We are scarily THIN at QB. TB gets hurt and we have our pick of 2 guys with no CFB experience. Even with talent surrounding you, if the guy handling the ball EVERY snap has no experience bad things happen. We can not win against good teams without TB.
2) the DBs are thin - between transfers and suspensions we don't have a real solid 2 deep. We have the numbers, but not the game experience.
Who is our 3rd receiver? Where is our game breaking receiver? This remains unanswered.

4)How will the FB play be? This is HUGE - we have had some great blocking FBs the past several years. So far the best guy on the team is a LB? Not knocking Terry, but there is more to the FB position than knocking heads with somebody. Without solid FB play, our running game drops off a couple notches - even with Beanie it doesn't matter.
This will be the key.

5)Time will tell on how the new players make a role here, and will be a deciding factor on how the team does in 2008.[/COLOR]
This team has many questions to answer. They are not without serious issues. I do believe we will find the answers to most of these questions and have a great year, but it is worth pointing out we have many areas of concern.

The National Champoinship or bust attitude is ridiculous in the real world. This team will not only have to find answers to the questions above, but will need a bounce or two along the way to run the table. That said I do believe they will have every shot of doing it!


My reply below.......in red...:biggrin:

1) We are scarily THIN at QB. TB gets hurt and we have our pick of 2 guys with no CFB experience. Even with talent surrounding you, if the guy handling the ball EVERY snap has no experience bad things happen. We can not win against good teams without TB. Yes, we are..... but Troy Smith had wonderman behind him which was worse and I was more concerned then, then now!!! We have a 23 year old(Bauserman) behind him, more mature and a cannon of an arm to boot and Pryor right after him...I'll take both of those over over rated wonderman.2) the DBs are thin - between transfers and suspensions we don't have a real solid 2 deep. We have the numbers, but not the game experience. Yep...and if the line formulates like it should we will have the experience and pressure up front to handle it.3)Who is our 3rd receiver? Where is our game breaking receiver? This remains unanswered. We will be fine here. Look for "someone" to break out here, and be very good.:biggrin: 4)How will the FB play be? This is HUGE - we have had some great blocking FBs the past several years. So far the best guy on the team is a LB? Not knocking Terry, but there is more to the FB position than knocking heads with somebody. Without solid FB play, our running game drops off a couple notches - even with Beanie it doesn't matter. Yep, but not a big deal...but his role is not a huge role, there won't be a lot of pressure on him to perform, except fro blocking assignments, and you have 2 very able Tight ends to help with that too.5) special teams? We have great kickers, but our coverage and return game was pitiful; easily the worst under Tress. Will we remain terrible on coverage and returns? This is huge as it molds the entire game. This will be the key. Time will tell on how the new players make a role here, and will be a deciding factor on how the team does in 2008.


Like any team...early in the season, there are expectations.

This team has the Potential to do something good......but it will have to wait until the season starts, before we find out if it all comes together.

The Hype Machine is a very large part of OSU Football......that is why the recruits play for OSU and play for the program and school.

They get a lot of exposure and increase their chances for an NFL career. Hands down one of the premier programs out there today!

OSU football is bigger, than many college programs....it is a very large promoter of talent in college and into the next level.

Jeff...I saw that, and if I was home, I would of posted that...they also had the 3 new freshman lineman posted too...they look good!!!!

CS...Woody hated being rated this high early, and so does any coach.......they prefer to come out and surprise...other teams don't plan as hard to beat you.!!!

GOOO BUCKEYES!!!

[jeffmo]

1. Ohio State

Why Ohio State is No. 1: No one has more NFL talent. Ten starters are back on offense and the one new face to the top of the depth chart, OT Bryant Browning, will be a star. Chris Wells is a Heisman caliber back who might be the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft if he comes out early. Super-recruit Terrelle Pryor will add another dimension to an attack that already has a future NFL clipboard holder in Todd Boeckman. The defense went from terrific to impenetrable with the stunning decisions by LB James Laurinaitis and CB Malcolm Jenkins to return for their senior seasons. The linebacking corps is great, the secondary is better, and the D line appears to have improved despite the loss of Vernon Gholston. If that wasn't enough, the special teams are among the nation's best.
Why Ohio State shouldn't be No. 1: There's still a very, very, skeptical nation that assumes Ohio State will get blasted by USC and couldn't carry Georgia's jock. Does the team have the head to actually finish and win a national title after all the negativity the last two off-seasons? At this point, anything less than play for a national championship will be a major failure, but that's still setting the bar high considering the road trips to USC, Wisconsin and Illinois. The D line will be good, but it has to prove it after a down year overall, while the off-the-field issues with several defensive backs might be a wee bit of a distraction.

Relative Strengths: Running Backs, Secondary

[Deehntr56]

Relative Strength.........THEY ARE OSU BUCKEYES!!!!:biggrin: :biggrin:

[Redhunter1012]

Interior O-Line is Tressell's biggest worry right now. Whether anyone wants to belive it, anybody with inside sources will reiterate the same. Your guys whole game plan is to pound away to open it up for TB. If your interior doesn't do a little better, you might be looking at a little tougher season. I think USC is an even match for you guys. Other than that, you will get tested in the big 10 a couple times, but will still be the better team.

[Fish-n-Fool]

I wasn't trying to beat down this team - they should be great. I just wanted to point out that we do have some questions to answer and if we have problems in a couple of those areas perfect season is out of the question.
And it will take a perfect season with a win in LA for us to play this year - believe that!

We have two heralded freshman chomping on the bit to see the field that can play the interior positions if need be. We should be fine if we stay healthy through fall camp.

I guess Posey has made an impression with his raw skills during 7 on 7 drills.
Hazell really likes his potential - a very high ceiling for this young man.

[CritterGitter]

Buckeye hype machine in full force....

The bucks have one of the largest, most well organized "hype machines" in college sports. A lot of this is merited from prior success, tradition, etc. But, there is also an active working element of hype at TOSU - watch the machine work for Beanie Wells after a good start. Remember Troy's campaign for the Heisman - BIG hype machine there. For better or for worse the Buckeyes are over hyped year after year. Even when internally we think we are in "rebuild" mode the hype is insane. When you get a team all coming back like this - the expectations are all world.
It isn't fair to this team and it is never "fair".

It seems many in Columbus (Ohio for that matter) have not considered anything other than a championship year. I hate to rain on the parade, but let's look at things objectively -

1) We are scarily THIN at QB. TB gets hurt and we have our pick of 2 guys with no CFB experience. Even with talent surrounding you, if the guy handling the ball EVERY snap has no experience bad things happen. We can not win against good teams without TB.
2) the DBs are thin - between transfers and suspensions we don't have a real solid 2 deep. We have the numbers, but not the game experience.
3)Who is our 3rd receiver? Where is our game breaking receiver? This remains unanswered.
4)How will the FB play be? This is HUGE - we have had some great blocking FBs the past several years. So far the best guy on the team is a LB? Not knocking Terry, but there is more to the FB position than knocking heads with somebody. Without solid FB play, our running game drops off a couple notches - even with Beanie it doesn't matter
5) special teams? We have great kickers, but our coverage and return game was pitiful; easily the worst under Tress. Will we remain terrible on coverage and returns? This is huge as it molds the entire game.

This team has many questions to answer. They are not without serious issues. I do believe we will find the answers to most of these questions and have a great year, but it is worth pointing out we have many areas of concern.

The National Champoinship or bust attitude is ridiculous in the real world. This team will not only have to find answers to the questions above, but will need a bounce or two along the way to run the table. That said I do believe they will have every shot of doing it!

F N F, that is the most objective and accurate post about college sports I have ever seen. That is honest, insightful and refreshing. I have even seen media pundits kind of bite their tongue and beat that "hype" machine for this year.

They DO have tons of talent. They DO have tons of expectation. Tressel teams tend to start strong and that bodes well for their week 3 matchup. However, I would like to see the defense especially the coaching calls and the secondary improve tremendously. One final point, last year they had a lot of new starters on defense that played awesome......they had experience in the trench. This year........all those playmakers are experienced but not so much for the guys in the trench(again talking about the defensive side of the ball). How will that affect this year's defense especially the secondary? Things that make ya go hmmmmmmm?

Kyle

[TheCream]

I definitely want improvements in the return game, both on kickoffs and on punt returns. I think the problem goes back to the seeming lack of a game-breaker. That was Ginn, that was Holmes...and last year it was a guy like Hartline or Robiskie, who are possession receivers and not really game-breakers. If Ray Small can handle it, I'd like to see him get a shot. Or maybe one of the young guys.

[Deehntr56]

There will be several players that "come out":biggrin: and peform above expectations.....watch for Rose, Posie, Saine to become effective and "meet expectations" this year. Lamaar Thomas...no talking on him yet from anyone,:whistle: and the kid has possibly sub 4.3 speed(documented 4.4 speed) to boot...you want a returner...look for him as that in some cases......:biggrin: From the inside... Saine hit 4.25-4.29 40's....recently...currently fastest player on the team.....he will fill a role this fall....I know which one it is too!!!!:biggrin:

The good news of all of this, is that this team is gathering lots of looks, with lots of expectations.....to perform...that is what this is all about!!!:biggrin:

Got to love it as a Buckeye fan!!!:biggrin:

GO BUCKEYES!!

[Deehntr56]

TTT......:biggrin:

[Deehntr56]

http://blog.cleveland.com/lesmerises/2008/08/medium_Freeman.jpg



Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock makes it sound as if the battle to play the nickel position early in the season remains pretty wide open.

It's clear that Chimdi Chekwa will step in as a starting cornerback for the first two games while Donald Washington is serving a two-game suspension. It appears that everyone likes where Chekwa is as a sophomore after playing in the nickel package a year ago.

The Buckeyes can go a lot of different ways with that fifth defensive back spot. To be more physical, they can play Glenville sophomore Jermale Hines, who has made the move from linebacker to safety.


"It's new for him right now, but he looks good," Heacock said. "He's a big safety."

Tyler Moeller, another player with experience at both safety and linebacker, is another consideration.

Also there is cornerback Andre Amos, out with an injury last year, who with a good fall could play well enough to handle the second corner spot on passing downs and have Chekwa move to nickel. Heacock also mentioned senior safety Shaun Lane.

Here's a question we'll put to linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell later in the preseason: Is there a desire to keep linebackers Marcus Freeman, Ross Homan and James Laurinaitis all on the field on passing downs?

The Buckeyes often talk about playing their best 11 players, and with those three linebackers, you're maybe talking about three of the best four players on the OSU defense.

In 2005, with their great linebacking group of A.J. Hawk, Anthony Schlegel and Bobby Carpenter, the Buckeyes kept all three on the field on passing downs by dropping Carpenter down as a pass rusher. The Buckeyes have Thad Gibson as a third-down rush end this year, and that's not a role that would make sense for either Homan or Freeman.

But aren't Homan and Freeman fast enough and good enough cover guys to run with a third receiver? Or could the Buckeyes choose to go with a three linemen, three linebacker, five defensive back set they used when short on the line at times last year? They could stand up someone like Freeman behind a nose tackle in the middle of the line, then either rush him or drop him.

Last year, strongside linebacker Larry Grant was the odd man out on passing downs. He played 197 minutes during the season, almost 100 fewer minutes than Freeman and Laurinaitis. Would having Freeman or Homan on the sideline that much give the Buckeyes their best defense?

[Deehntr56]

Robiskie, Terry and O-line notes

D.L.
Brian Robiskie, left, looked fine at last Thursday's photo night with Brian Hartline. But Robiskie is expected to sit out Saturday's scrimmage with an injury.

A few other updates from today:

* Saturday's scrimmage is a major opportunity for players hoping to move up the depth chart, and the wide receivers should have more chances than expected. Leading receiver Brian Robiskie is nursing a shoulder injury and won't take part in he scrimmage. Robiskie previously missed OSU's spring game after knee surgery.

Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman expects Robiskie to be ready for Youngstown State on Aug. 30.

"I hope he doesn't miss any games, but that's out of my hands," Bollman said. "I think it's going to be OK in time. We're going to be cautious and smart."

* On the first day of camp, Jim Tressel said Curtis Terry was basically out of the mix at linebacker and was focusing on playing fullback. Then there was news Tuesday that Terry had practiced with the defense for a couple days.

Today, Bollman said he thought Terry was with the defense again, with some work at fullback.:biggrin:

What's going on with Glenville grad Terry? It might have to do with Brandon Smith, a senior from Euclid. The longtime tight end, with Jake Ballard and Rory Nicol in front of him, has been working a lot at fullback so far this preseason.

"He's a smart guy with a great attitude and it's a chance for him to get some reps," Bollman said.

* On the offensive line, with Bryant Browning holding the only open starting job at right tackle, Bollman said the second-team line, from left to right, is Andy Miller, Kyle Mitchum, Andrew Moses, Connor Smith and freshman J.B. Shugarts.:biggrin:

Freshman Michael Brewster is working at center with the third team, while fellow freshman Mike Adams still hasn't seen live action while coming back from shoulder surgery, though that should happen soon.

"If you saw him practicing right now, you would say, 'Why isn't he playing?'" Bollman said. "You would say that yourself because he looks so good. He's coming back off major shoulder surgery faster than anyone I've ever seen in my career. But we just want to make sure we're being careful with him. But he is really close and by next week I'm hoping he will be ready to go full-go."