Drew Thurman (1:35 pm)
Let me briefly hop on the bangwagon, and talk about how incredible the Olympics have been to watch. Phelps has provided some seriously awesome moments in the pool, and tonight he goes for yet another gold. I also am looking forward to the track and field events upcoming, the Olympics do not get much better than that. With that said, football season needs to arrive. The Olympics are great, but nothing can replace college football season. I am not sure I can wait much longer. Anyways, here are a few items that caught my eye this week:
1) Willie Mobley is out for the season with a shoulder injury. While Mobley was not probably going to contribute a lot this season, you have to feel for him. Hopefully the healing process goes well...
2) Brad Edwards of ESPN has written a great article on the Buckeyes' standing with the BCS in 2008. I hate to say it, but I do agree with Edwards in this article. How the Buckeyes look in the game against USC could seriously decide their destination during bowl season.
3) Today on College Football Live they announce the winner of the helmet clash contest. The final is down to Alabama and Florida State. I think Florida State needs to win this contest hands down. I have never been a fan of the Seminoles, but they do have sweet helmets! Tune in to ESPN at 3:30 pm to see the winner.
Drew Thurman (11:30 am)
For most Buckeye fans, the 2008-09 season holds a lot of promise. With an experienced, deep, and talented team, the Buckeyes could win yet another Big Ten Title or even better. With that said there has been one area of the Buckeyes team that has provided some unrest, the defensive secondary.
The first event took place when Eugene Clifford was removed from the Buckeyes team. Clifford was the prize recruit of the 2007 recruiting, and his future looked very bright. Then the news came out that James Scott was not one of the 105 players that reported to camp. Scott only had 6 tackles and a fumble recovery last season, but many thought he would fight for the two deep this season. Then this last week we finally got the news that Jamario O'Neal and Donald Washington would indeed miss the first two games this season because of disciplinary reasons.
So what does this all mean for the Buckeyes this season? Well, first I think it means we have to watch the secondary going into the USC game. Obviously the absence of Washington and O'Neal will be felt against Youngston State and Ohio, but one would have to think it will impact the USC game the most. Don't get me wrong, both of these guys could shock me and and play the game of their lives against the Trojans, but I personally think missing these two games will hurt their performance. This will be key to watch.
The other thing major thing to watch is what players step up into the vacancies the Buckeyes have. First some of the veterns like Aaron Gant, Andre Amos, Shaun Lane, and Chimdi Chekwa need to step up their game this season. Second, the youngsters like Nate Oliver, Donnie Evege, Orhian Johnson, and Travis Howard need to be ready to contend in the secondary. I personally think Amos, Chekwa, and Johnson could suprise people this season.
Anyways, the secondary is the only real question mark for the Buckeyes heading into this season. In some of Ohio State's biggest games last year the secondary let them down. Against Wisconsin, Illinois, and LSU our secondary looked very suspect, especially against LSU when Matt Flynn picked the Buckeyes apart. I do understand that part of this was the lack of pass rush and some poor coverage of tightends by the outside linebackers, but the secondary showed some weaknesses.
So, the 2008 season has some real questions in store for our paper thin secondary. If they come out and silence these question in the first two games, it could go a long way in resting many Buckeye fans' spirits.
Dave Thurman (9:15 am)
What freshmen get a chance to play? Who fills the two deep this year? And, who will be the biggest surprise on each side of the ball? That’s stuff we all want to know, and I’m going to take a crack at briefly answering each of those questions.
First, which freshmen actually get a chance to make an impact in ’08? I think the following true freshmen will all play, shunning the redshirt: Terrelle Pryor, Mike Adams, Mike Brewster, Jake Stoneburner, Lamaar Thomas, DeVier Posey, Etienne Sabino, Andrew Sweat, and Orhian Johnson. A few of them will even make the two deep, which is listed below. I don’t think there are many redshirt freshmen who will see a lot of action, but Dan Herron is a keeper and may find his way on the field a little more than expected. With defensive backs dropping off like flies, doors may open for Nate Oliver and Donnie Evege, as well. Of the entire group of freshmen I look for Pryor and Posey to grab the most headlines, but look out for Orhian Johnson – he may surprise.
2008 Ohio State 2-Deep:
It may not be this way when the Bucks take the field against Youngstown State, but eventually I think this is the two-deep, barring injuries:
QB: Todd Boeckman Terrelle Pryor
TB: Beanie Wells Brandon Saine
FB: Ryan Lukens Curtis Terry
WR: Brian Robiskie Taurian Washington
WR: Brain Hartline Ray Small
TE: Rory Nichol Jake Ballard
C: Jimmy Cordle Mike Brewster
RG: Ben Person Connor Smith
LG: Steve Rehring Kyle Mitchum
RT: Bryant Browning Mike Adams
LT: Alex Boone Andrew Miller
K: Ryan Pretorius Aaron Pettrey
DE: Cameron Heyward Robert Rose
DE: Lawrence Wilson Thaddeus Gibson
DT: Doug Worthington Nader Abdallah
DT: Dexter Larimore Todd Denlinger
WLB: Curtis Terry Ross Homan
MLB: James Laurinaitis Austin Spitler
SLB: Marcus Freeman Brian Rolle
CB: Donald Washington Chimdi Chekwa
CB: Malcolm Jenkins Andre Amos
SS Kurt Coleman Jamario O’Neal
FS: Anderson Russell Aaron Gant
P: A.J. Trapasso Jon Thoma
Now, for the surprises – the guys who come out of nowhere, or exceed expectations:
On offense: I think Taurian Washingtonis ready to explode, if given the chance, but I also see big things in store for DeVier Posey. Hopefully, having more weapons at wideout will further open up our offense and allow Todd Boeckman to have a big year. Of course everyone expects a major impact from Terrelle Pryor, but if he has a Tim Tebow kind of freshman year it won’t really come as a surprise.
On defense: Even though he’s not listed in my two-deep, I really like Jermale Hines, and I think he will have an impact on special teams, and work his way onto the field on defense. And, I really think this is the year Robert Rose has his coming out party, as a hybrid defensive lineman sliding between end and tackle. If he’s healthy I believe we’ll see the light go on and watch Rose begin to utilize his massive talent.
Anyway, it is going to be a fun year to watch with lots of competition at most spots. Hopefully all of that competition will lead to big things on the field!
Drew Thurman (6:22 pm)
John Cooper did not give us a ton of things we want to remember, but he did give us the "looks test." Cooper made this phrase famous among Buckeye fans, and I personally have used it ever since. This is never more the case than during "Move-in Day." About this time every year I am spending hours looking at all the pictures that are posted of the players arriving, and this year was no different. Here are five guys that I feel passed the "Looks Test" this year...
Beanie Wells - This list would never be complete without Beanie being on it. Not only is he absolutely huge, he is also ripped. Not since Eddie George have Buckeye fans seen such a horse at running back. Beanie has no problem passing the "Looks Test" in 08.
Malcolm Jenkins - No it's not Kanye West in the picture, it's the Buckeye's star cornerback. Regardless of whether he is trying to look like a pop star or not, Jenkins is a beast. Him and Beanie both rocked the wife beaters, and both have passed the "Looks Test." I look forward to seeing what Malcolm brings in his senior season.
Brian Rolle - Rolle has to be one of the most likeable players on the team. Not only is he a total team player, he gives his body up on every single hit. Add to all this that he is ripped, and you have the complete package. Rolle easily passes the "Looks Test," and I see him becoming a star in the future. I will be rooting him on!
Robert Rose - Rose has had a tough early few years at Ohio State, but his future is starting to look very bright again. Rose looks to be in great physical shape in this picture, and I only hope he starts to put things together. The move to the interior defensive line could really help the Buckeyes and Rose. Honestly, his body looks ready for the move! Until then, Rose passes the "Looks Test."
Orhian Johnson - Johnson does not look like a freshmen at all here! A lot of the freshmen looked impressive including Adams, Shugarts, and Martin. Johnson was the most impressive though, and I feel he might be the suprise from the 08 class. He has size, speed, and athleticism all going in his favor. I am excited to see where Johnson ends up playing, and what his future holds. Johnson tops all freshmen for the "Looks Test."
*Photos from Jim Davidson at theozone.net*
Drew Thurman (2:09 pm)
Watching this video on ESPN this morning made me realize how glad I am Les Miles is not our coach. Don't get me wrong, the visit from Snoop Dogg is something I can live with (it was actually cool), but I cannot live with Les' lingo. He neither accomplished being cool or being relevant. He did give us all some great laughs though. Les may feel this helped on the recruiting front, but I think he should just be happy if no one decommits. Honestly, this video is an instant classic! I will always laugh at Les pretending to rap and use the word "hump." Thanks Les, this is a great moment in sports press conferences!
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