This is our second attempt at the Block O Table, which will hopefully become a tradition amongst all Buckeye blogs. To see other responses from bloggers and fans, check out Our Honor Defend. They are the host to the Block O Table, and will be wrapping things up eventually.
1) I’m not sure if you heard, but the Spring Game and the NFL Draft are the same day: April 25th. This is rather unfortunate considering how many Buckeyes are in the NFL Draft and how many of them are likely to be taken the first day. Assume you can: A) Go to the Spring Game and watch the Brew Crew (hopefully) show the future of Ohio State football is bright OR B) Stay at home, not watch the Spring Game, and follow the NFL Draft. If forced to such a binary position, what would you do? Why?
The Spring Game has always been of high importance to me and my family, and will with out a doubt will trump the NFL Draft. I will be rooting for all the former Buckeyes as they seek to fill the draft board, but the current Buckeyes will take precedence on April 25th. It would be the same principle of 5-6 Buckeyes were playing in an NFL game during a Buckeye game. I support the former Buckeyes and always stay up to date with how they are performing, but the current team is where my heart and passion is. They will always have my support first and foremost.
2) We all wish our Buckeye alumni well at the next level of football, but let’s be negative nancy for the moment. Which of our possible first day picks in the draft (Jenkins, Beanie, Laurinaitis, Robiskie, and I guess Freeman) do you fear will struggle the most at the next level?
I know the easy answer here would probably be Beanie because of his injury problems, but I am going to go with James Laurinaitis. I love "Baby Animal," but I think he is going to have to find himself in the perfect situation to be effective at the next level. He isn't quick enough to play the outside, and has troubles shedding blocks at times on the inside. If he drafted by a team with weak defensive tackles, I think Laurinaitis could struggle. He has a great heart and a motor that is always moving, but the NFL takes things to a whole new level.
3) Conversely, which of the remaining Buckeyes in the NFL Draft do you think will have the greatest success in the NFL?
I will say Brian Hartline on this one. I know he is a bit of a head case, but he performed very well at the combine. He has great hands and has pretty much gone up and gotten everything thrown his way the last few years. Guys that can do that (and play in the slot) are always in high demand. Names that come to mind of the top of my head are Brandon Stokley and Kevin Walters. If Hartline can model their work ethic and tough mentality in the slot, he could find himself with serious playing time in the NFL.
4) For concerns of either this individual’s legacy at Ohio State or the team’s chances at returning to the BCS in 2009, who needs to shine the brightest and prove himself at the Spring Game?
Obviously, Taurian Washington showed last year that a superstar performance in the Spring Game does not translate to playing time during the actual season. With that said, I think Andre Amos needs a big performance the most. Not only will this be big for him individually, but also for the Buckeyes. If this team plans on making a run they need to first lock up the corner position opposite of Chekwa, and I think Amos is the man for the job. If he performs well in the Spring Game, it could go a long way for improving his confidence after such an injury-filled career.
5) In that same breath, what relatively unknown commodity has the breakthrough performance at the Spring Game that Taurian Washington had at last year’s game (though nothing came of it for the 2008 season). What Buckeye do you think will steal the show?
Though it will be on the defensive side of the ball, which isn't as flashy, I say watch out for Orhian Johnson. All reports are that he has been looking sharp at safety in practices thus far, and could have his breakthrough game on April 25th. There always seems to be a lot of long balls thrown at the Spring Game, and with his 6-4 frame I could see him having a couple of interceptions. The young man looks like a wideout, and I see him using that athleticism to steal the show.
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