Dave Thurman (7:14 pm)

Schizophrenic Buckeye fans who cried for a change at quarterback a couple months ago are now posting angry threads demanding to see Todd Boeckman.Even some respected writers who cover OSU on popular websites are demeaning Terrelle Pryor’s performance and questioning the Buckeye brain trust, suggesting that the team would be better served reinserting Boeckman. I don’t get it. So, let me ask, which Todd Boeckman do you want?

- The one who threw three interceptions against Illinois?

- The one who looked like a deer in the headlights in the BCS Championship game, with three more turnovers?

- The one who threw for 110 yards and 0 touchdowns against Ohio (yes the same Bobcat team that is at the bottom of the MAC)?

- Or the one who managed 84 yards and 2 interceptions at USC (and who scored more for the Trojans than the Buckeyes)?

Hey, I admire Todd Boeckman, and thought he did a pretty good job most of 2007. Nobody would have liked to have seen him succeed this year more than me. But the fact is, with this year’s offensive line he simply isn’t a feasible option. We tried him early and he failed miserably.  Tressel made a gutsy change, and while it has been somewhat of a mixed bag, I contend that Pryor not only gives this year’s team the best chance to win, but he is also learning on the job and preparing for greatness in the future.

However, since so many people were hard on TP after the Penn State game, let’s do a little analysis.  First off, he managed to throw for 224 yards, hitting 64% of his passes against one of the best defenses in the nation.  He did that without the aid of any running game, and with Penn State defenders in his face most of the game.Outside of his costly fumble he played an excellent game, and was the best offensive player in scarlet and gray.

Would Todd have done better? Surely you jest!With Bryant Browning allowing Maybin to come free all night, Todd would have been sacked numerous times, and if past performance is any indicator, probably would have made a number of turnovers.  If you struggle against Ohio you aren’t going to be successful against Penn State!

Two things are essential for Todd Boeckman to do well: 1) Good blocking from the offensive line; 2) A solid running game. Unfortunately the 2008 Buckeye squad fails miserably in the first area, and because of that, sometimes struggles in the second.

The best chance for victory against Penn State was to possess the ball with a mix of runs and timely passes, relying on defense and special teams.And, it would have worked (in spite of a terrible performance by the o-line) had we won the turnover battle or even come out even.

Had he played, Boeckman might have hit a big pass or two, but I guarantee you there would have been sacks and turnovers, and instead of a close contest that could have been won, the Bucks would have been on the wrong side of another beat down by a top notch opponent.I don’t know about you, but I really didn’t want to hear the talking heads going crazy after another lopsided loss.

Of course, I’m sure there are a few fans out there who will suggest going with a combination of the two quarterbacks. Again, I think that is a bad idea. Two quarterback systems rarely work. Cooper tried it for a number of games with Stanley Jackson and Joe Germaine and it didn’t work.  Tressel tried it against Texas with Troy Smith and Justin Zwick and it failed.

Someone will no doubt point to Florida winning a national title with two quarterbacks. But in truth they didn’t have a two quarterback system.  Their man was Chris Leak and they only inserted Tim Tebow in short yardage and goal line situations. Due to Tebow’s tremendous athleticism this worked well, but it was the exception not the rule.

The problem with two quarterbacks is that neither gains confidence, as they begin to look over their shoulder, fearing mistakes, lest they be pulled from the lineup. And, if reps are shared 50/50 in practice, it means that nobody gets the advantage of feeling comfortable at the helm. Besides, it usually leads to dissension as players start taking sides, preferring one quarterback or the other.

No, the answer is not a two quarterback system, nor is it reinserting Todd Boeckman as the starter. This Buckeye team simply isn’t as good as we fans hoped, and Tressel is doing the best he can with the cards he’s been dealt.

But I’ve got news for the rest of the Big Ten. You better get us now, because Pryor is only going to get better.We may be down a little right now, but the future is bright in Columbus!

Dave Thurman (8:40 pm)

The 2008 season is barely past the half-way point (7 games down, 6 to go counting a bowl bid), and it’s time to give out some grades to our beloved Buckeyes.  In truth this is actually a difficult assignment because the team seems to lack a true identity, especially on offense, and I’m not sure we know a whole lot more than we did 4-5 weeks ago.  One thing is for sure – nothing has gone the way fans expected it.   Nevertheless here are my grades thus far:

Offense

Quarterback – C

When the season started we had a sixth-year senior at quarterback who led the team to the National Championship Game a year ago, and expectations were high.  But, three games into the season he was supplanted by true freshman Terrelle Pryor, possibly the most acclaimed recruit in OSU history.  I still think Todd Boeckman has potential, but he was not a good fit for a team with poor pass blocking, and was especially exposed when Beanie was hurt.  As for Pryor, he started like a house of fire, but lately has looked like, well, a confused freshman.  We all know he can run like a deer and has a strong arm, but as teams have schemed for him, Pryor has seemed reluctant to throw the ball, and often runs himself into trouble.  In his defense, the play calling has been pretty lousy, and his teammates haven’t helped him a whole lot.  I am hopeful he will show progress the next few weeks, and turn potential into results.

Backs – B

This is another tough position to evaluate, because in truth there is one grade with Beanie playing and another without him.  When he is even close to healthy, Wells is the best back in the nation.  With him in the lineup, the team plays with a different confidence, and knows that he may break one at any time.  Boom Herron shows great potential, but he is neither overly big nor fast.  Still, he hits the hole quickly with authority and is a solid back.  Brandon Saine has been a colossal disappointment but at least some of this may be due to injuries and missed practices.  And Mo Wells is the same as he has been for the past three years – a great guy who is a poor fit in Tressel’s system.  Meanwhile, fullback has lacked one consistent presence, relying on three players, none of whom were recruited for the position.  My favorite is Curtis Terry, but he seems to get the least reps of the trio.  Go figure!  So fullback has been okay, but nothing to write home about.  

Wide Receiver – D

This may well be the most disappointing unit on the team.  Robiskie was close to being a star in ’07, but has been inconsistent this season, at times playing like he is uninterested.  The other Brian, Mr. Hartline, hasn’t been any better, and if you believe the scuttlebutt he has caused some dissension in the locker room.  Ray Small has never put it all together, and seems to have problems off the field annually. So not one of the “big three” has delivered and given the Bucks a consistent threat.  On the other hand, I think Dane Sanzenbacher has played pretty well, and is a solid possession receiver, and I really like the potential of DeVier Posey, although he often looks like a freshman.  By the way, here’s a question for you to mull over: What ever happened to Taurian Washington, star of the spring game?  Could he be worse than what we’ve had?  At this point I’m ready to give him a try!

Tight End – B- 

Jake Ballard could be a star – I believe that with all my heart.  But in the OSU system he is little more than a glorified offensive lineman.  Both he and Nicol (who has been inured of late) are solid, doing their job, but it would be great to actually throw some passes in their direction. 

Offensive Line – C-

I know, I know, you wanted a lower grade.  But, the run blocking hasn’t been too bad, and at times has actually been pretty impressive.  Between injuries on the line and dealing with different players rotating in at quarterback and tailback, I will cut the big guys a little slack.  However, I am not sold on the right side of the line at all, and feel like Ben Person is a complete liability.  Rehring is okay as a guard, but please, for the sake of all that is good and sacred, don’t put him at right tackle again – ever!  Overall, this group should be a team strength, but whether it is poor coaching or lack of motivation, it has been a very disappointing unit.

Midterm grade for the offense: C- 

Defense

Defensive Line – C

On what was expected to be a superior defensive unit, the line has been the weakness, failing to get much pressure on the quarterback and being vulnerable to up the middle runs.  The good news is that it is still a young line, and is showing signs of improvement.  As Thaddeus Gibson becomes better acquainted with the defensive end position he looks like he will be a good one, and is the one player that consistently gets into the defensive backfield.  There isn’t one stud at defensive tackle, but a healthy Denlinger looks like he might be the best option.

Linebackers – A-

The lack of a dominant line keeps this unit from being as superior as some thought it would be, but it is hard to argue with the steadiness of senior James Laurinaitis, who just makes tackles.  Homan is becoming a beast against the run, and Freeman, while not as consistent as I would like, does make some big plays.  There is also some good young talent in reserve, and my only real beef with the linebackers is that they don’t blitz them enough.

Defensive Backs – A 

In my opinion this is the most productive unit on the 2008 squad, featuring the most consistent Buckeye, Malcolm Jenkins, who can flat out cover and plays with a bad attitude.  In addition, Chekwa has really come on as the other corner, Coleman is becoming a star, and Anderson Russell is solid.  It is a luxury to have Donald Washington and Jermale Hines to render nickel and dime coverage, and I love the way Hines hits.  One wonders if the coaching staff will bulk him up a little and play him at outside backer next year. 

Midterm grade for the defense – B+

Special Teams

Since Tressel considers special teams as important as offense or defense we will hand out individual grades here as well.

Punting – B+

A.J. Trapasso, who seems to have been in Columbus for a decade, is having his best season.  He is not quite as consistent as I would like, but has done a very good job overall.

Kicking – B

His statistics are good, but Ryan Pretorius seems to miss at key moments, and I, for one, am ready for a change.  Pettrey has a stronger leg, and I believe he offers more consistency.  That being said, he baffles me on his kickoffs, with some going eight yards deep in the end zone, and others barely making the twenty.  But in case you get too frustrated with our kicking talk to a Michigan or Purdue fan!

Returns – C-

Ray Small is dangerous on punt returns, but scares me every time he catches the ball, as he seems to field the ball much lower than other returners, and often looks downright shaky.  Keeping him out of the doghouse is key here, though, because he is by far the best the Bucks have at this job and is the reason the grade isn’t much lower.  As a bonus, Jenkins blocked a punt last Saturday which Sabino returned for a touchdown giving the Bucks two scores from the punt return team.  Kick returns, on the other hand, have been abysmal again this year, and Brandon Saine is clearly not the answer.  However, there is room for optimism after getting a dash of “Flash,” last Saturday, as Lamaar Thomas showed his speed and skills.  Here’s hoping he stays back there for the remainder of the season.

Coverage – A

The Buckeye coverage teams look like silver bullets speeding down the field led by Sabino, Torrence, Rolle and Lane.  If every unit played with this much passion the Buckeyes would be ranked in the top five.  No problems here in the first half of 2008!

Midterm grade for special teams - B

Dave Thurman (2:27 pm)

One of the most outstanding characteristics of the 2002 Silver Bullet defense was their swagger. Guys like Will Smith, Mike Doss, Chris Gamble, and Matt Wilhelm walked into the stadium with an air about them that said, "We're bad, we know it, and you can't do anything about it!" Call it confidence, cockiness, or whatever you want, but that team knew they were good and they dared the opposition to move the ball on them. The offense was often unreliable during that National Championship run, because Maurice Clarett was hurt so often, and Craig Krenzel, for all of his moxie and leadership, possessed a very average arm. So the defense took it upon themselves to make big plays, and keep the other team from scoring. It was as if they took it personally when an opponent dented the end zone.

Move ahead to the past couple of years, and the one thing I see missing from the defense, more than any other, is that swagger. We've had some great individual players like Gholston, Laurinaitis, and Jenkins, but I don't see that "take no prisoners" attitude. I think we play on our heels most of the time, waiting for the other team to make a mistake, instead of forcing errors on their part. We hope they will self destruct, and too often it doesn't happen.

Now to be fair, our defensive line is simply not as talented as that 2002 group. I'm not sure if it's lousy recruiting or poor player development or both, but this is one of the weakest defensive lines I have seen in many years. I have a hard time believing that a good coach couldn't get better results, but I also have come to the conclusion that this group isn't as talented as the D-line that helped win OSU a national title.

However, on paper, our back seven this year is as talented as any team in the nation. So why aren't they playing better? Why do they struggle to stop people on third down? How come they miss so many tackles? Above all, I think they lack that intangible I am calling "swagger." They don't have meanness, the "go for the juggler" mentality, the "in your face" confidence that is needed. Every so often I see a glimpse of it from Malcolm Jenkins, and I think Jermale Hines and Kurt Coleman are close. But by and large I see guys who lack aggressiveness and self-confidence. That is particularly true with the linebackers. While Baby Animal is a great talent, the one thing I would like to see from him is more attitude. And he's by far the best we've got. Freeman plays scared half the time, and simply doesn't hit people with bad intentions. I had high hopes from Homan, but he looks a little slow and unsure out there. When is the last time you saw him deliver a blow that rattled someone's teeth? Honestly, I'm suprised we haven't seen more of Brian Rolle because he seems to have that killer instinct the others lack. And rest assured linebackers need both toughness and attitude. More than any other position they are supposed to be mean and fearless. Look at some film of Spielman, Katzenmoyer or Hawk. Go back in the NFL archives and watch Dick Butkus, Jack Lambert and Mike Singletary. Linebackers are supposed to have a mean streak on the field. I just don't see that with this group, and I think that is part of the problem. They need to regain that swagger.

Of course, at the end of the day, it comes down to coaching. Many are calling for Heacock's head, and I think the time has come to consider such drastic action. Our defense isn't aggressive enough, and good players are not making good plays. I believe a fiery, in your face coach, with a "take no prisoners" attitude could wake up this defense. I believe a new approach would lead to more sacks, more big plays, and a more intimidating presence. There was a time when teams feared facing the OSU defense. It's time to restore that sense of dread and panic. I for one am ready for some old-school swagger. How about you?

Dave Thurman (11:40 am)

It has often been said that the quarterback at Ohio State is always on the hot seat.  His is the most scrutinized and analyzed position on the field, and while it can be glamorous it can also be hazardous to one’s health and psyche.  Those with a poor self image need not apply for signal caller in Columbus. 

Returning starter Todd Boeckman can attest to all of this, as he has been under the microscope this offseason, with many fans calling for Tressel to consider benching Todd in favor of Joe Bauserman or Terrelle Pryor.  Well, I’m here to tell you it ain’t going to happen!  Not just because Boeckman is older than some starting quarterbacks in the NFL or because Tressel is stubbornly loyal, but due to the fact that Todd is a pretty darn good quarterback. 

Most first year starters at OSU experience some ups and downs and that was certainly the case in 2007 for Todd.  But overall he exceeded expectations and took a young team to the National Championship game.  Most of the year, he did a good job of dissecting the defense and throwing the deep ball, although he seemed to struggle a little against the three-deep zone.

Now I know there are plenty of critics out there who point to Todd’s performance against Illinois, which was certainly lacking, and then throw in that he played poorly against Michigan and LSU.  Before I analyze those three games, though, let me remind you of a few of the good things he accomplished last year:

-In the opener against Youngstown State, when the undersized but speedy Penguins shut down Beanie and the run, Todd threw the ball masterfully, completing 74% of his passes.

-At Washington, facing a halftime deficit and a hostile crowd, he came out and took over the game in the second half, starting with a beautiful deep ball to Robiskie.

-He threw four touchdowns against Northwestern in little more than a half of work.

-In the personal highlight of his year, Todd picked apart Penn State on the road, making a joke of the vaunted PSU whiteout.  Now remember that a couple of years earlier another touted junior quarterback, a guy by the name of Troy Smith, struggled mightily facing the Nits at night.  Most analysts thought Todd would face a similar fate, but he completed 73% of his passes that evening and threw three touchdowns to help the Bucks blow out their rivals to the east.

That’s some pretty heady stuff for a first year starter, especially when you consider that he had to deal with the early departure of the team’s two star receivers.  Lest we forget, TB had a lot more highlights than low spots during the ’07 campaign.

But there were those dreaded late season letdowns. So briefly let’s examine them one by one.

The Illinois game was a huge shock to a lot of folks, and Todd was certainly a big part of the problem with no touchdowns and three interceptions.  The truth is, however, that it might have been a different day if the defense had shown up at all, and if the referees had decided to call holding and/or review an obvious fumble by the Illini.  Ironically, the Illinois fans had a quarterback controversy of their own brewing as they entered the OSU game, with many wanting to bench Juice Williams in favor of Eddie McGee.  But then the Buckeye defense made Williams look like Vince Young, and the debate quickly subsided.

In “The Game” up at the world’s largest toilet bowl, I contend that Todd played just fine.  It was an impossible day to throw the ball, as evidenced by UM completing less than 33% of their throws for a measly 76 yards.  Todd did what he needed to do, we got the W, and that’s all that matters in my opinion.

Playing the biggest game of his life, Boeckman’s performance was a mixed bag.  He had 2 TD’s and threw 2 picks, at times looking pretty good, and at other moment’s developing happy feet that led to nervous decisions.  Still, I point to two important facts: 1) The defense had a terrible scheme which was exploited by LSU – the single greatest contributing factor in the loss; and 2) Had the usually reliable Robiskie held on to a sure TD early in the game, the Bucks might not only have eventually won, but some of the pressure would have been taken off of Boeckman, and he might have played a pretty good game.  So, I don’t think Todd played as poorly as many would have us believe.

Of course we don’t live in a could-have or might-have-been world.  When a team loses a game, the quarterback takes the most heat other than the old ball coach.  Without doubt the year didn’t end as well as Boeckman would have liked, so here’s hoping that Todd will learn from his mistakes, and become a better quarterback in ’08.

If you look down through the annals of OSU football, you will notice that senior quarterbacks who return as starters generally make large improvements and have excellent seasons.  Tressel is counting on that kind of progression for Boeckman.  No doubt, Pryor will get some chances to run the “Tebow spread” on occasion.  And, Bauserman looks like a keeper, possessing both a live arm and legs.  But make no mistake about it: TB is the starter in Columbus.  There is no quarterback controversy in Tressel’s mind whatsoever.

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! 

Dave Thurman (8:47 am)

Time for more recruiting talk!  But hey, what else is there to discuss right now in this very dead time for college football? Soon word will be leaking out of camp and we’ll all be so excited we can’t see straight.  But for now, recruiting reigns supreme. 

One of the great fallacies of recruiting services is that they give ratings on one class at a time, and often fail to see how a class meshes with the previous one, or the one that follows.  Another weakness in most rating systems is failure to address a school that loads up on one position, getting a glut of athletes for a particular spot, but failing to address needs at other positions.  Take Alabama for instance.  Some people ranked them as the #1 class for 2008.  Now, besides the obvious fact that they signed 32 guys in that class (apparently confident that some would not meet academic requirements) they actually received signatures from no less than 8 defensive linemen.  Hey, that’s a great haul as most all were highly rated, but you can only play four at a time, so you know some of those guys will wind up transferring when they find themselves glued to the bench.  And big linemen aren’t usually guys that will fill the special teams, either. So, Alabama’s lofty ranking may have been a little high when you take this into account.  In the past I have seen schools sign as many as four quarterbacks in one class, and up to six running backs.  Generally, when they wind up with too many at one position they also miss out on another position altogether.   

What wise coaches do is seek to build solid classes that address all of their needs, and dovetail with previous classes so that there is strength at each position.  I call it recruiting synergy.  The dictionary defines that word as, “The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.”  That’s how a school that never has a top-ranked class can still be a national champion.  If every class is solid, and compliments those before and after it, then synergism occurs. 

So, quickly let’s take a look at the class of 2008, combined with what we have so far in 2009. 

Everyone loved last year’s class, headlined by Terrelle Pryor, and the Block-O lineman.  It pretty well addressed every need, but there were a couple of weaknesses:

1) The lack of a big-time runner.  When we had to pull the scholarship offer to Devoe Torrence it left a gaping hole.  Sure, Lamaar Thomas could be a tailback, but the staff sees him as a receiver and kick returner.  And, we brought in Jermil Martin, but most see him as a fullback, and he wasn’t highly rated, anyway.

2) Secondary speed – The Bucks signed three defensive backs, but only Travis Howard was highly recruited and ranked.  Both Orhian Johnson and Zach Domicone played more quarterback in high school than defensive back, and neither was considered a super talent.  Some think Domicone will grow into a linebacker anyway.  Now they may each wind up being great players, but in both number and perceived quality, the ’08 defensive back haul appears less than stellar.

So, let’s see what we have so far in the 2009 class in these two areas: 

1) Three backs signed, with another one being courted – In Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall we have two tailbacks of very different sizes and styles, and we are putting the full court press on Jamaal Berry, who appears to be special.  Plus we have a fine fullback candidate in Adam Homan.

2) Six (are you kidding me?) speedy defensive backs in the bag, with room for another – You have to love the potential of C.J Barnett, Corey Brown, Dominic Clark, Justin Green, Bradley McDougald and Jamie Wood.  And some think we may still take E.J. Banks or possibly even Vlad Emilien, with D.J. Hunter not being a total impossibility.  Facing the spread more all the time, and with a bit of a disappointing group of db’s in ’08, there is no doubt this need has been addressed and met. (And the good news is that db’s make the best special team’s players.)

Anyway, take a look at all the players from this year, and the young men who have given their verbal commitment for next year, and I think you will really like what you see.  I challenge you to find one position that isn’t well manned.  Of course anything can happen: defections, ineligibilities, injuries, etc.  But Tress and company have certainly addressed the needs, and made sure quality players are coming at every position.  If the anticipated synergy occurs, look out.  We might see something truly special on the field in a couple of years!

Dave Thurman (9:16 pm)

The summer of 2008 has only just begun, and already the Buckeyes have 22 verbal commitments for the class of ’09 (not to mention a transfer in Justin Boren).  In the annals of football recruiting we’ve never seen anything like it.  Yes, Texas has pulled in a lot of verbals each spring
for the past few years, but never has so much talent been assembled so
quickly as what we witnessed this year from Tressel and his staff. All of which begs the question – is this the product of a new recruiting strategy or simply good fortune?  Is the Scarlet and Gray Recruiting machine set to make this happen each year or is this a once in a lifetime thing?

I’ve always liked the loaded question, “Are leaders born or made?”  And the wise answer is, of course, “Both!”  I think the same could be said about this year’s recruiting frenzy.  In my opinion, we are seeing a new style of going after high school athletes, but I also think that the pieces have fallen together perfectly for this particular class.

Obviously, volumes of threads have been written about the “Zook Effect.”
The fact that Illinois has offered a plethora of top Ohio talent so early
in the game, seemed to force Tressel’s hand a little bit, and cause him to
send out more early offers.  In the past he would extend official offers to
a number of out of state players at an early date, but tender very few to
young men from Ohio until later in the season.  Without doubt more Ohio
players received early offers this year thanks to the Zookster.  The fact
that we had more spots to fill than in the past few years didn’t hurt, either.  We didn’t have to be quite as selective, were able to pass out
more offers, and once a few guys began committing, the train started
steaming down the hill, and recruits realized that they better jump onboard sooner rather than later.

I think we are also seeing the “Pryor Domino Effect.”  I mean that once
Terrelle signed on the bottom line for the Bucks, a whole bunch of great
players sat up, took notice, and considered the possibilities of playing
with a potential superstar, to say nothing of the rest of the Brew Crew.
No doubt the class of ’08 ended with a flurry and there was a ton of
momentum going into this recruiting season.  And once the ball gets rolling, sometimes it just keeps on picking up steam.

But there is one more factor that I would throw into the mix.  Call it the
“National Championship Fallout Effect.”  JT is nothing if not a competitor
and he didn’t take kindly to seeing his boys get their butts handed to them
two years in a row.  Going back to his YSU days, he has usually won when
his team reached the championship game, and he fully intends to reverse the fortunes of the past two years.  So I think he and his staff has possessed a new resolve and hunger for recruiting this year, particularly in respect to speed.  Admittedly the whole southern speed argument has been overplayed, but the fact is, we need more guys with quicks to handle spread offenses, and to win national championships.  So, I think Tress and crew have recruited this year with a passion never seen before.

Put it all together and the results are spectacular.  Yes, I think there is
a bit of a new strategy being deployed, but no, I don’t think we’ll always
see 20 plus verbal commitments by the end of June.  So enjoy it while it
lasts.  These are the good old days for Buckeye football and recruiting.

Dave Thurman (2:36 pm)

Quick, what comes to mind when you think of Ohio State football?  Ask your run of the mill college football disciple that question and most will
immediately answer, “the running game.”  Thirty years after Woody coached his last game we are still characterized as a “three-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust” team.  People think of the Buckeye offense and images of big, strong running backs naturally come to mind: Pete Johnson, Keith Byers, Raymont Harris, Eddie George, and yes, Beanie Wells.

But which position on offense has Ohio State been most successful at
producing, at least in regard to the NFL, over the past 25 years?  Try wide
receiver.  That’s right.  Not offensive linemen, not running back, and (big
shock) not tight end.  Now when you ask people which schools do the best
job at producing receivers, I’ll bet next month’s house rent that they will
point to Florida’s Big 3 (UF, FSU & Cryami), along with USC and maybe
Oklahoma.  Certainly those in the Midwest would throw in Michigan, which
has had some awfully fine wide outs.  But Ohio State?  Surely not!  Well,
just take a look at the list of some of the better receivers that have
donned Scarlet and Gray the past twenty plus years:

Cris Carter – The best at this position in Buckeye history, he had huge
hands and defined the term “circus catch.”  Carter had a great NFL career,
and I would rank him as one of the five best receivers to ever play pro
football.
Jeff Graham – Could really catch the deep pass, and had a fine NFL career.
Brian Stablein – Pretty fast for a white boy, he became a decent
possession receiver at the next level.
Joey Galloway – The fastest player I have ever witnessed in the flesh,
the only thing that could ever stop him was an injury…has enjoyed a long
and very successful NFL career despite a few physical setbacks.
Chris Sanders – Incredible speed, with so-so hands, he had a few good
years in the pros.
Terry Glenn – Incredible speed and really good hands.  Parcells may have questioned his manhood but this guy can play, and has done it at both levels.
Dee Miller – Great athlete, who was really ballyhooed coming out of high
school.  Early injuries kept him from achieving his full potential but he
was a very good college player who never got to play in the NFL.
David Boston – The closest thing to Cris Carter to come down the pike, he was huge before steroids, and tight-end sized afterwards.  He was having a brilliant NFL career, until the ‘roids started to rage!
Ken-Yon Rambo – Never as good as we thought he was going to be, but still an explosive receiver who had a few years in the pay-for-play league.
Reggie Germany – Fabulous body but a really poor work ethic, he became the poster boy for all that was wrong in the Cooper era, but still had his moments on the field, if not in the classroom.
Michael Jenkins – A great money receiver during his college days, his NFL career has been okay, but greatly hampered by poor quarterback play in Atlanta.
Drew Carter – Big and fast, his OSU days were marred by injuries, but he is still playing on Sundays.
Santonio Holmes – Another really fast guy who had some fabulous
highlights in his Buckeye days, and is continuing to produce big-time for
the Steelers.
Teddy Ginn Jr. – Has anyone ever looked faster with the ball in their
hands?  TGII has another gear, and as he learns more about playing wideout, he should have a long NFL career.
Anthony Gonzalez – Probably underappreciated because of Ginn, he is a
pure receiver and showed it in his rookie season in the big leagues.

Wow!  That’s quite a list, isn’t it?  And I left out a few pretty good
receivers along the way.  Of course, we have two more in the making right now, in the law firm of Brian & Brian (Robiskie and Hartline).  Add all
that up and you’ll see that Ohio State has been pretty close to Receiver U.
in the past couple of decades.  Sorry Woody, it’s a long way from “Only
three things can happen when you throw the ball and two are bad!”  And with the way Tress is recruiting we aren’t going to see tis come to an end any time soon.  Now if we could just use those tight ends a little more…