http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... index.html
Forget about championships, winning percentages and bowl games. These, to me, are the sport's five most legendary coaches from a purely subjective standpoint:
1. Bryant: For a quarter-century (1958-82), his teams dominated the sport and his persona dominated the profession. We may never see that again.
2. Knute Rockne: Though he coached just 13 years, he singlehandedly created the Notre Dame dynasty, delivered the most famous locker-room speech in history and had a movie made about him. An estimated 300,000 people witnessed his funeral procession. He was kind of a big deal.
3. Paterno: It's impossible to truly comprehend that Penn State has had the same head football coach since 1966 -- and that he led the Nittany Lions to the Rose Bowl last year at 81. For much of his career, he also was the sport's most prominent voice on myriad moral and ethical issues.
4. Woody Hayes: He was the Bryant of the Midwest, a coach whose program's consistent dominance ceased only when Bo Schemebechler, a worthy rival, emerged during Hayes' latter years. Obviously, his legacy was to a degree forever tainted by that ghastly, final image.
5. Bud Wilkinson: His Sooners of the late '40s and '50s were arguably the sport's greatest dynasty, capturing 13 straight conference titles and three national titles and achieving an NCAA-record 47-game winning streak. Only his early retirement at age 47 precluded further greatness.
Ohio State Buckeyes Thread
I hope you are right. Tressel will have to adjust a couple things before i think that he is better then hayes as well. hayes adapted over several years to keep winning the big ones. tressel will have to do the same which to this point, he has not done yet.Roody wrote:Tressel is better then Woody Hayes.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
I may want to see his team lose to Michigan and USC, but he has always had my respect. I think he's a class act.Gixxer wrote:I hope you are right. Tressel will have to adjust a couple things before i think that he is better then hayes as well. hayes adapted over several years to keep winning the big ones. tressel will have to do the same which to this point, he has not done yet.
Preseason predictions: Ohio State 
July 31, 2009 9:00 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
You'll have to wait a little longer for my pick on the USC game, but here are three predictions for Ohio State.
1. The Buckeyes finally go back to the Rose Bowl -- More than a decade has passed since Ohio State last played in Pasadena, but the drought ends this fall. To clarify, I'm not predicting Ohio State will reach the national title game (also played in Pasadena), but the Bucks will face a Pac-10 team on Jan. 1. Ohio State claims another Big Ten title behind Terrelle Pryor and could end a dominant decade with a Rose Bowl win.
2. Pryor blossoms in a more varied offense -- Pryor's continued development this fall will force Jim Tressel to open up the offense, especially as the line improves behind Justin Boren and company. Opposing defenses will force Pryor to beat them with his arm, but the sophomore is more fundamentally sound now and will have a solid group of wide receivers and tight ends at his disposal. Pryor's true breakout year might not come until 2010, but his consistency as a passer will be better this fall.
3. Thaddeus Gibson earns first-team All-Big Ten honors and flirts with the NFL -- I really liked what I saw from Gibson down the stretch last fall, and he figures to be a major pass-rushing force in 2009. Ohio State's line will be the strength of an always-tough defense, and the presence of Cameron Heyward and Lawrence Wilson will make it tough to consistently double-team Gibson. The junior records at least nine sacks this fall and weighs his stock in the NFL draft before deciding to come back to Columbus.
July 31, 2009 9:00 AM
Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg
You'll have to wait a little longer for my pick on the USC game, but here are three predictions for Ohio State.
1. The Buckeyes finally go back to the Rose Bowl -- More than a decade has passed since Ohio State last played in Pasadena, but the drought ends this fall. To clarify, I'm not predicting Ohio State will reach the national title game (also played in Pasadena), but the Bucks will face a Pac-10 team on Jan. 1. Ohio State claims another Big Ten title behind Terrelle Pryor and could end a dominant decade with a Rose Bowl win.
2. Pryor blossoms in a more varied offense -- Pryor's continued development this fall will force Jim Tressel to open up the offense, especially as the line improves behind Justin Boren and company. Opposing defenses will force Pryor to beat them with his arm, but the sophomore is more fundamentally sound now and will have a solid group of wide receivers and tight ends at his disposal. Pryor's true breakout year might not come until 2010, but his consistency as a passer will be better this fall.
3. Thaddeus Gibson earns first-team All-Big Ten honors and flirts with the NFL -- I really liked what I saw from Gibson down the stretch last fall, and he figures to be a major pass-rushing force in 2009. Ohio State's line will be the strength of an always-tough defense, and the presence of Cameron Heyward and Lawrence Wilson will make it tough to consistently double-team Gibson. The junior records at least nine sacks this fall and weighs his stock in the NFL draft before deciding to come back to Columbus.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
no matter when he gets back on the field, i hope that sooner than later he gets past his injuries and gets a chance to be the running back i think he can be barring injuries.Roody wrote:Yeah he does. Hopefully he gets back on the field soon. I want to see him run this year for the Cardinals. I think they will yet again have a pretty strong team.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
OHIO STATE
- 2010 verbal commits: 10
- ESPNU 150 Watch List: Tackle Andrew Norwell, linebacker Jamel Turner, defensive end David Durham, running back Roderick Smith, defensive end Darryl Baldwin, wide receiver James Louis
- Quick take: Look out, here come the Buckeyes. Wideout James Louis gives Ohio State six watch list commits out of 10 and bolsters the passing game for the future. What's more impressive is that the Buckeyes went into Florida and plucked one of the state's best prospects, who had offers from all of the SEC powers.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
As you're undoubtedly aware, preseason practices begin at most campuses this week. At some, like USC, you can essentially walk in off the street and watch every drill. At others, like Ohio State, you would need to scale a fence and/or fight off attack dogs just to catch a glimpse of the Buckeyes stretching.
It might actually be worth the potential injury risk to sneak into an OSU practice this month, if only to see the electrifying and rapidly advancing Terrelle Pryor running a new offense (modeled off Nevada's "pistol" attack) purportedly tailored to his strengths as a playmaker. My colleague Andy Staples attended the Buckeyes' spring game and came away extremely impressed -- which is saying something since Andy is an unabashed SEC homer.
Then again, if you're anxious to watch a dynamic young QB, you could save yourself the trouble and simply go to Baylor instead.
Would you rather have Robert Griffin or Terrelle Pryor leading your team for the next three years? Pryor gets all the hype and has more talent around him, but Griffin is faster, quicker and a MUCH better passer.
-- Nick, Frisco, Texas
This summer I've received numerous e-mails like this from those in the Lone Star State. It seems Baylor fans -- energized by the first exciting player on their team since J.J. Joe (still my all-time favorite name) -- are hell-bent on reminding the rest of us they had their own freshman sensation at quarterback last year.
They've had it up to here with all the Pyror hype, and for good reason. Griffin is the real deal, folks. See for yourself. He's possibly the fastest player in the country (he barely missed making last year's Olympic team in the 400-meter hurdles) -- and he plays quarterback. Think Pat White with an even quicker stutter-step.
Is he faster than Pryor? Yes, absolutely. Pryor is more of a Tim Tebow/stiff-arm kind of runner. I disagree with Nick, however, over his assertion Griffin is a "MUCH better passer." I don't know how we would even know that yet.
Yes, Griffin put up better numbers last season, throwing for 2,091 yards and an impressive 15-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Pryor, by comparison, threw for 1,311 yards, 12 TDs and four INTs. However, Griffin was playing in coach Art Briles' wide-open passing offense, which revolved almost entirely around him. Ohio State's coaches kept the training wheels on Pryor, who also had the luxury of handing off to star RB Beanie Wells about 20 to 25 times a game.
Even with those limitations, though, you could still see Pryor has a cannon arm. Most impressive, you could see just how lethal he is throwing on the run. (Want an example? Check out the ridiculous throw he makes at the 5:28 mark in this clip.)
So I'm sorry, Nick, but I'm taking Pryor. Not only is he a more naturally gifted passer, he's a 6-foot-6, 235-pound quarterback who can run. (Griffin is 6-3, 210.) Hey may not be highlight-reel fast, but with that size and strength it doesn't matter because defenders can't bring him down. I sincerely hope Griffin leads the long-beleaguered Bears to the promised land (a bowl game), but I truly believe Pryor will become the most dominant player in the country over the next two years.
It might actually be worth the potential injury risk to sneak into an OSU practice this month, if only to see the electrifying and rapidly advancing Terrelle Pryor running a new offense (modeled off Nevada's "pistol" attack) purportedly tailored to his strengths as a playmaker. My colleague Andy Staples attended the Buckeyes' spring game and came away extremely impressed -- which is saying something since Andy is an unabashed SEC homer.
Then again, if you're anxious to watch a dynamic young QB, you could save yourself the trouble and simply go to Baylor instead.
Would you rather have Robert Griffin or Terrelle Pryor leading your team for the next three years? Pryor gets all the hype and has more talent around him, but Griffin is faster, quicker and a MUCH better passer.
-- Nick, Frisco, Texas
This summer I've received numerous e-mails like this from those in the Lone Star State. It seems Baylor fans -- energized by the first exciting player on their team since J.J. Joe (still my all-time favorite name) -- are hell-bent on reminding the rest of us they had their own freshman sensation at quarterback last year.
They've had it up to here with all the Pyror hype, and for good reason. Griffin is the real deal, folks. See for yourself. He's possibly the fastest player in the country (he barely missed making last year's Olympic team in the 400-meter hurdles) -- and he plays quarterback. Think Pat White with an even quicker stutter-step.
Is he faster than Pryor? Yes, absolutely. Pryor is more of a Tim Tebow/stiff-arm kind of runner. I disagree with Nick, however, over his assertion Griffin is a "MUCH better passer." I don't know how we would even know that yet.
Yes, Griffin put up better numbers last season, throwing for 2,091 yards and an impressive 15-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Pryor, by comparison, threw for 1,311 yards, 12 TDs and four INTs. However, Griffin was playing in coach Art Briles' wide-open passing offense, which revolved almost entirely around him. Ohio State's coaches kept the training wheels on Pryor, who also had the luxury of handing off to star RB Beanie Wells about 20 to 25 times a game.
Even with those limitations, though, you could still see Pryor has a cannon arm. Most impressive, you could see just how lethal he is throwing on the run. (Want an example? Check out the ridiculous throw he makes at the 5:28 mark in this clip.)
So I'm sorry, Nick, but I'm taking Pryor. Not only is he a more naturally gifted passer, he's a 6-foot-6, 235-pound quarterback who can run. (Griffin is 6-3, 210.) Hey may not be highlight-reel fast, but with that size and strength it doesn't matter because defenders can't bring him down. I sincerely hope Griffin leads the long-beleaguered Bears to the promised land (a bowl game), but I truly believe Pryor will become the most dominant player in the country over the next two years.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
After losing two national championship games and getting blasted by USC in ugly, embarrassing fashion, Ohio State has to do something big to regain its good standing in the world of superpowers. But is that really fair?
What major sin has Ohio State football committed? Yes, it has lost three BCS games in a row, but it battled hard in a war in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl against Texas and lost in the final moments. Should the Buckeyes be dogged for losing to a Texas team that probably should've been playing in the national championship? How much flak should they get for daring to lose two national championships? Should Jim Tressel be fired for losing to a USC team, on its own turf, that probably would've beaten 117 other teams like a drum, too?
The fact of the matter is that Ohio State remains every bit the powerhouse it was when it was 4-0 in BCS games and came up with wins in 2006 over Texas in Austin and an unbeaten Michigan squad. Just as important, it's not like the team loses to the weak and the sad. OSU has the longest streak in the nation of not losing to a team that didn't end up in the BCS, and it's not even close.
The last loss to a non-BCS bound team was against Purdue on November 13, 2004. That's a run of 53 straight games and more than four years, while USC's streak is at ten, as is Florida's. Oklahoma's streak is at 17, Alabama's is at 15, Utah's is at 14, Texas's is at four, and LSU's at one. So yes, Ohio State is having problems with the who's who programs in a given year, but it's not coming up with any egregious errors.
That whole The Ohio State University thing is obnoxious, and it's hard for Goliath to garner too much sympathy, but the program deserves more respect than it's currently getting. It'll only get that respect by coming up with a monster win (USC comes to Columbus on Sept. 12th), and it'll need to play up to its athleticism and talent level week after week.
It'll be easy to assume this will be a rebuilding year considering the losses in the linebacking corps and in the backfield, but after years of impressive recruiting classes, the speed and the tools across the board are as good as any team in the country, Florida, USC, Oklahoma and Texas included.
The running backs won't be better after losing Beanie Wells and Maurice Wells, but the backfield will be faster with Dan Herron and Brandon Saine playing bigger roles. The receiving corps lost Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, but might be even better, and a whole lot speedier, with DeVier Posey, Taurian Washington, Ray Small and Lamaar Thomas starring as the new playmakers. The linebacking corps is the other major concern after losing James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, but it's rock-solid sound at all three spots.
Throw in the improvement of the defensive line, an upgrade on the O line with the addition of Justin Boren, three returning starters in the secondary, and Terrelle Pryor, who might just be the nation's best quarterback after improving his passing this offseason, and Ohio State is Ohio State again.
You might be tired of the Buckeyes and you might think they're overrated, but you'll probably have to spend your New Year's Day watching them play in Pasadena.
More on OSU
What to watch for on offense: The line. While the overall production wasn't bad, when push came to shove, last year's line got shoved. It got ripped apart this spring by the defensive line, but the OSU front four will probably be dominant against everyone. With three good starters returning, led by center Michael Brewster, and with the addition of former Michigan Wolverine, Justin Boren, to bring more of an attitude and a nastiness to the offensive front, the line should be better and should allow all the speedy skill players time and room to work.
What to watch for on defense: The rotation on the end. The pass rush was supposed to be unstoppable, even after losing Vernon Gholston, but it was only above average. This year, there are too many ends to get on the field at the same time. Thaddeus Gibson is a star who could grow into an All-America-caliber pass rusher, while Cameron Heyward is productive inside and out. Nathan Williams and Lawrence Wilson are just a few of the great options who'll be a part of the rotation. With good tackles in Doug Worthington and Dexter Larimore to eat things up on the inside, the ends should be free to blow into the backfield.
The team will be far better if ... the line gives Pryor more time. The Buckeye front five struggled in pass protection giving up 29 sacks on the year. While many came when Todd Boeckman, hardly a mobile option, was under center, it didn't do enough when Pryor took over, either. The coaching staff will play around with the tackles with Mike Adams getting the first look on the left side, while veteran Jim Cordle getting a shot at the right after starting most of last year at guard. Andrew Miller is a promising prospect who'll be a part of the equation. If Pryor gets time, the speedy receivers should be able to work deeper and the offense should be more balanced.
10 best players
The Schedule: The last thing a team with new starting linebackers needs is to deal with Navy in the opener, and worse yet, everyone will be looking ahead to the showdown against USC. If the Buckeyes can pull off the win that could redefine and turn around the program, it should be smooth sailing until November when the trip to Penn State could turn out to be for the Big Ten title. The other three Big Ten road games are against Indiana, Purdue and Michigan; the three duds of last year. There aren't two road games in a row and playing USC is offset by non-conference dates against Toledo and New Mexico State. While OSU might still be the top dog in the conference, missing Michigan State is a major bonus. Not playing Northwestern isn't a positive.
Best Offensive Player: Sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor. He worked so much on his passing this offseason that he suffered tendonitis in his throwing arm. He's fine, and so are the legs that should make him a threat to 1,000 yards now that he'll be the pillar-to-post full-time starter. For the next three years, Pryor is the face of the franchise and the type of talent who can make a team of ultra-athletic playmakers better. Now the gloves will come off and he'll be able to throw the ball deeper to open things up a bit. If he's on as a passer, the offense will be devastating.
Best Defensive Player: Junior DE Thaddeus Gibson. The defense is full of very good, very sound players who won't come up with too much flash, but will make routine play after routine play. Gibson is the exception as the speed rusher who led the team in sacks last season and should dominate this year with a a good enough rest of the line to take the pressure off. While he's built like an outside linebacker, and will likely play there in the pros, he's tough enough to handle himself well on the end.
Key player to a successful season: Senior CB Andre Amos. Chimdi Chekwa is an all-conference caliber corner on one side, but Amos, Devon Torrence or Travis Howard must take over on the other in place of Malcolm Jenkins. The safeties, Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell, are decent veterans, but they're not elite playmakers against the pass, especially Russell. Amos is a 6-1, 183-pound talent who has the skills to be a shut-down corner, especially on a No. 2 receiver, but he has bad knees.
The season will be a success if ... the Buckeyes win a BCS game. They might not be good enough to beat a USC team that's reloading, but still tremendous, but they can still be the star of the Big Ten and get to the Rose Bowl for the first time in the Jim Tressel era. Winning the Big Ten with a team that has to patch so many holes would be nice, but getting the bitter BCS taste out of the program's mouth would be truly sweet ... especially if it's against the Trojans.
Key game: Nov. 7 at Penn State. On a national scale, the home date is the most important game of the 2009 season outside of Oklahoma vs. Texas. It's gut-check time for each program with Ohio State needing a big win, especially on its own turf, to reestablish its national street cred and to make a statement in the national title chase. But beating Penn State in Happy Valley is more important for the more realistic goals of winning the Big Ten and getting to the Rose Bowl. Last year's 13-6 Nittany Lion win was a classic, and this year's battle should be for the Big Ten championship.
What major sin has Ohio State football committed? Yes, it has lost three BCS games in a row, but it battled hard in a war in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl against Texas and lost in the final moments. Should the Buckeyes be dogged for losing to a Texas team that probably should've been playing in the national championship? How much flak should they get for daring to lose two national championships? Should Jim Tressel be fired for losing to a USC team, on its own turf, that probably would've beaten 117 other teams like a drum, too?
The fact of the matter is that Ohio State remains every bit the powerhouse it was when it was 4-0 in BCS games and came up with wins in 2006 over Texas in Austin and an unbeaten Michigan squad. Just as important, it's not like the team loses to the weak and the sad. OSU has the longest streak in the nation of not losing to a team that didn't end up in the BCS, and it's not even close.
The last loss to a non-BCS bound team was against Purdue on November 13, 2004. That's a run of 53 straight games and more than four years, while USC's streak is at ten, as is Florida's. Oklahoma's streak is at 17, Alabama's is at 15, Utah's is at 14, Texas's is at four, and LSU's at one. So yes, Ohio State is having problems with the who's who programs in a given year, but it's not coming up with any egregious errors.
That whole The Ohio State University thing is obnoxious, and it's hard for Goliath to garner too much sympathy, but the program deserves more respect than it's currently getting. It'll only get that respect by coming up with a monster win (USC comes to Columbus on Sept. 12th), and it'll need to play up to its athleticism and talent level week after week.
It'll be easy to assume this will be a rebuilding year considering the losses in the linebacking corps and in the backfield, but after years of impressive recruiting classes, the speed and the tools across the board are as good as any team in the country, Florida, USC, Oklahoma and Texas included.
The running backs won't be better after losing Beanie Wells and Maurice Wells, but the backfield will be faster with Dan Herron and Brandon Saine playing bigger roles. The receiving corps lost Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline, but might be even better, and a whole lot speedier, with DeVier Posey, Taurian Washington, Ray Small and Lamaar Thomas starring as the new playmakers. The linebacking corps is the other major concern after losing James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, but it's rock-solid sound at all three spots.
Throw in the improvement of the defensive line, an upgrade on the O line with the addition of Justin Boren, three returning starters in the secondary, and Terrelle Pryor, who might just be the nation's best quarterback after improving his passing this offseason, and Ohio State is Ohio State again.
You might be tired of the Buckeyes and you might think they're overrated, but you'll probably have to spend your New Year's Day watching them play in Pasadena.
More on OSU
What to watch for on offense: The line. While the overall production wasn't bad, when push came to shove, last year's line got shoved. It got ripped apart this spring by the defensive line, but the OSU front four will probably be dominant against everyone. With three good starters returning, led by center Michael Brewster, and with the addition of former Michigan Wolverine, Justin Boren, to bring more of an attitude and a nastiness to the offensive front, the line should be better and should allow all the speedy skill players time and room to work.
What to watch for on defense: The rotation on the end. The pass rush was supposed to be unstoppable, even after losing Vernon Gholston, but it was only above average. This year, there are too many ends to get on the field at the same time. Thaddeus Gibson is a star who could grow into an All-America-caliber pass rusher, while Cameron Heyward is productive inside and out. Nathan Williams and Lawrence Wilson are just a few of the great options who'll be a part of the rotation. With good tackles in Doug Worthington and Dexter Larimore to eat things up on the inside, the ends should be free to blow into the backfield.
The team will be far better if ... the line gives Pryor more time. The Buckeye front five struggled in pass protection giving up 29 sacks on the year. While many came when Todd Boeckman, hardly a mobile option, was under center, it didn't do enough when Pryor took over, either. The coaching staff will play around with the tackles with Mike Adams getting the first look on the left side, while veteran Jim Cordle getting a shot at the right after starting most of last year at guard. Andrew Miller is a promising prospect who'll be a part of the equation. If Pryor gets time, the speedy receivers should be able to work deeper and the offense should be more balanced.
10 best players
- 1. QB Terrelle Pryor, Soph.
- 2. DE Thaddeus Gibson, Jr.
- 3. OG Justin Boren, Jr.
- 4. DE Cameron Heyward, Jr.
- 5. SS Kurt Coleman, Sr.
- 6. WR DeVier Posey, Soph.
- 7. CB Chimdi Chekwa, Jr.
- 8. DT Doug Worthington, Sr.
- 9. C Michael Brewster, Soph.
- 10. LB Ross Homan, Jr.
The Schedule: The last thing a team with new starting linebackers needs is to deal with Navy in the opener, and worse yet, everyone will be looking ahead to the showdown against USC. If the Buckeyes can pull off the win that could redefine and turn around the program, it should be smooth sailing until November when the trip to Penn State could turn out to be for the Big Ten title. The other three Big Ten road games are against Indiana, Purdue and Michigan; the three duds of last year. There aren't two road games in a row and playing USC is offset by non-conference dates against Toledo and New Mexico State. While OSU might still be the top dog in the conference, missing Michigan State is a major bonus. Not playing Northwestern isn't a positive.
Best Offensive Player: Sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor. He worked so much on his passing this offseason that he suffered tendonitis in his throwing arm. He's fine, and so are the legs that should make him a threat to 1,000 yards now that he'll be the pillar-to-post full-time starter. For the next three years, Pryor is the face of the franchise and the type of talent who can make a team of ultra-athletic playmakers better. Now the gloves will come off and he'll be able to throw the ball deeper to open things up a bit. If he's on as a passer, the offense will be devastating.
Best Defensive Player: Junior DE Thaddeus Gibson. The defense is full of very good, very sound players who won't come up with too much flash, but will make routine play after routine play. Gibson is the exception as the speed rusher who led the team in sacks last season and should dominate this year with a a good enough rest of the line to take the pressure off. While he's built like an outside linebacker, and will likely play there in the pros, he's tough enough to handle himself well on the end.
Key player to a successful season: Senior CB Andre Amos. Chimdi Chekwa is an all-conference caliber corner on one side, but Amos, Devon Torrence or Travis Howard must take over on the other in place of Malcolm Jenkins. The safeties, Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell, are decent veterans, but they're not elite playmakers against the pass, especially Russell. Amos is a 6-1, 183-pound talent who has the skills to be a shut-down corner, especially on a No. 2 receiver, but he has bad knees.
The season will be a success if ... the Buckeyes win a BCS game. They might not be good enough to beat a USC team that's reloading, but still tremendous, but they can still be the star of the Big Ten and get to the Rose Bowl for the first time in the Jim Tressel era. Winning the Big Ten with a team that has to patch so many holes would be nice, but getting the bitter BCS taste out of the program's mouth would be truly sweet ... especially if it's against the Trojans.
Key game: Nov. 7 at Penn State. On a national scale, the home date is the most important game of the 2009 season outside of Oklahoma vs. Texas. It's gut-check time for each program with Ohio State needing a big win, especially on its own turf, to reestablish its national street cred and to make a statement in the national title chase. But beating Penn State in Happy Valley is more important for the more realistic goals of winning the Big Ten and getting to the Rose Bowl. Last year's 13-6 Nittany Lion win was a classic, and this year's battle should be for the Big Ten championship.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
they are in perfect position as Texas or OK are going to lose at least one.Roody wrote:I am pretty pleased with USC's position in that poll. Although 3rd would be better it does set them up nicely to where if they take care of business they have little to worry about from other teams.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
me too, but i think usc should rely on them (usc) winning and okl and/or texas losingRoody wrote:I think Florida will lose at least 1 game though. They are easily the best SEC team, but it's not easy playing with a bullseye on your back and the loss of Harvin will make their offense not quite as good although it still will be good.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
What's going on with receiver Ray Small? Ohio State football
There's no guarantee that senior Ohio State receiver Ray Small will be on the field when the Buckeyes open the season on Sept. 5. With Small, there never seem to be guarantees.
The Plain DealerOhio State's Ray Small takes a punt return deep into Michigan territory during their matchup this past November.
But that door hasn't closed yet either. Bucknuts.com reported last night that Small and senior defensive lineman Robert Rose, both of Glenville High, are not with the Buckeyes for now, aren't allowed to train with the team and have had their scholarship aid revoked for the time being as a result of academic problems.
While the issues regarding Rose had previously been reported by the Columbus Dispatch, this round of Small news was new.
But this morning, Ken Small, Ray's father, said his son is still on track to start preseason camp with the Buckeyes a week from today.
"He was just here last night and he was saying how he wants to go to camp, and that's a first," Ken Small said. "Usually it's like, 'Man, we've got to go to camp.' Now, he was like, 'I can't wait until camp.'"
Ken Small has been vocal about his son's standing with the Buckeyes in the past, believing during a two-game suspension last season that his son may have played his last down in Columbus. But a source in the Ohio State athletic department also confirmed that Small's status hasn't changed from what it has been all summer - day to day.
He has summer school issues he's still dealing with. Ken Small said his son had a problem with a history class that was being worked on. But the source said Small still could report for camp next Sunday with everyone else.
It seems like we won't know for sure until the Buckeyes check into the team hotel Sunday night, and maybe we won't even know then. But for now, hold off on counting out Small for the start of the season.
Though the Buckeyes go six or seven deep at receiver, Small still offers a package of skills that can help, and maybe help in a big way, especially in the return game. His career path has had lots of twists and turns, but I still believe Ohio State is a better team if Small is on it.
Remember what Small said in the spring, when he talked about the consideration he gave to leaving for the NFL.
"I couldn't leave as the bad guy," Small said then. "I wanted to show the world I can do it. I didn't want to go out on that note."
There's no guarantee that senior Ohio State receiver Ray Small will be on the field when the Buckeyes open the season on Sept. 5. With Small, there never seem to be guarantees.
The Plain DealerOhio State's Ray Small takes a punt return deep into Michigan territory during their matchup this past November.
But that door hasn't closed yet either. Bucknuts.com reported last night that Small and senior defensive lineman Robert Rose, both of Glenville High, are not with the Buckeyes for now, aren't allowed to train with the team and have had their scholarship aid revoked for the time being as a result of academic problems.
While the issues regarding Rose had previously been reported by the Columbus Dispatch, this round of Small news was new.
But this morning, Ken Small, Ray's father, said his son is still on track to start preseason camp with the Buckeyes a week from today.
"He was just here last night and he was saying how he wants to go to camp, and that's a first," Ken Small said. "Usually it's like, 'Man, we've got to go to camp.' Now, he was like, 'I can't wait until camp.'"
Ken Small has been vocal about his son's standing with the Buckeyes in the past, believing during a two-game suspension last season that his son may have played his last down in Columbus. But a source in the Ohio State athletic department also confirmed that Small's status hasn't changed from what it has been all summer - day to day.
He has summer school issues he's still dealing with. Ken Small said his son had a problem with a history class that was being worked on. But the source said Small still could report for camp next Sunday with everyone else.
It seems like we won't know for sure until the Buckeyes check into the team hotel Sunday night, and maybe we won't even know then. But for now, hold off on counting out Small for the start of the season.
Though the Buckeyes go six or seven deep at receiver, Small still offers a package of skills that can help, and maybe help in a big way, especially in the return game. His career path has had lots of twists and turns, but I still believe Ohio State is a better team if Small is on it.
Remember what Small said in the spring, when he talked about the consideration he gave to leaving for the NFL.
"I couldn't leave as the bad guy," Small said then. "I wanted to show the world I can do it. I didn't want to go out on that note."
a.k.a. GSXR 750
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor quickly becoming known for his speed
Terrelle Pryor's 40-yard dash time of 4.33 is accurate it would make him the fastest Buckeye.
COLUMBUS -- Ohio State players report for preseason camp at noon today and the first player to arrive at the team hotel should be Terrelle Pryor. After all, he is the fastest Buckeye.
As the sophomore enters his first preseason camp as a starter -- after taking the job in the fourth game of last season -- let's lay down the baseline so everyone is clear what the Buckeyes are dealing with here.
The fastest guy on the team is the quarterback.
Fans may have heard this news already. It's based on 40-meter times from the spring. Center Mike Brewster reported Pryor's time to The Plain Dealer last month.
For all that the Buckeyes don't know going into Monday's first practice -- who the starting offensive tackles will be, how the linebacker competition will work out, how this group of receivers will battle for playing time -- Pryor's speed is a fact, and a fact worth noting.
His 40 time was a speedy 4.33. Sophomore receiver Lamaar Thomas said he ran a 4.37 and no one else ran under 4.4 when the players were timed early this summer. Thomas reported that low 4.4s came from receivers Ray Small and DeVier Posey and running back Brandon Saine.
"I'm not so sure he might not be one of the fastest guys in the conference," OSU coach Jim Tressel said of Pryor. "I'm not sure that's a bad thing. Our other guys aren't slow."
At the last two NFL Combines in Indianapolis, the fastest a quarterback ran in the 40 was a 4.55 posted twice, once by former West Virginia quarterback Pat White last year. You never know about tracks and timing systems, and Ohio State has a reputation for fast times, but Pryor is still .22 seconds under any quarterback in the last two drafts. Not bad.
Thomas wouldn't mind double-checking that Pryor in fact holds the title of fastest Buckeye.
"I hope to challenge him again to a race or something so we can figure this out," Thomas said. "I've got to get an open field and make this happen, make it open to the public and everything."
Thomas laughed at his plan, but just the idea is incredible: Pryor is 6-6 and 235 pounds; Thomas is 5-11 and 186.
Also: Returning 12 starters on offense and defense, the Buckeye rank eighth in the Big Ten in returning starters, ahead of only Wisconsin, Purdue and Penn State. . . . The annual night practice open to the public is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 24 but has not been finalized. . . . With the oral commitments of Florida receiver James Louis and Pennsylvania defensive back Chad Hagan in the last two weeks, the 2010 recruiting class has reached 11 members. A year ago, knowing they would be bringing in a larger class, the Buckeyes had 22 players in the class when camp started.
Terrelle Pryor's 40-yard dash time of 4.33 is accurate it would make him the fastest Buckeye.
COLUMBUS -- Ohio State players report for preseason camp at noon today and the first player to arrive at the team hotel should be Terrelle Pryor. After all, he is the fastest Buckeye.
As the sophomore enters his first preseason camp as a starter -- after taking the job in the fourth game of last season -- let's lay down the baseline so everyone is clear what the Buckeyes are dealing with here.
The fastest guy on the team is the quarterback.
Fans may have heard this news already. It's based on 40-meter times from the spring. Center Mike Brewster reported Pryor's time to The Plain Dealer last month.
For all that the Buckeyes don't know going into Monday's first practice -- who the starting offensive tackles will be, how the linebacker competition will work out, how this group of receivers will battle for playing time -- Pryor's speed is a fact, and a fact worth noting.
His 40 time was a speedy 4.33. Sophomore receiver Lamaar Thomas said he ran a 4.37 and no one else ran under 4.4 when the players were timed early this summer. Thomas reported that low 4.4s came from receivers Ray Small and DeVier Posey and running back Brandon Saine.
"I'm not so sure he might not be one of the fastest guys in the conference," OSU coach Jim Tressel said of Pryor. "I'm not sure that's a bad thing. Our other guys aren't slow."
At the last two NFL Combines in Indianapolis, the fastest a quarterback ran in the 40 was a 4.55 posted twice, once by former West Virginia quarterback Pat White last year. You never know about tracks and timing systems, and Ohio State has a reputation for fast times, but Pryor is still .22 seconds under any quarterback in the last two drafts. Not bad.
Thomas wouldn't mind double-checking that Pryor in fact holds the title of fastest Buckeye.
"I hope to challenge him again to a race or something so we can figure this out," Thomas said. "I've got to get an open field and make this happen, make it open to the public and everything."
Thomas laughed at his plan, but just the idea is incredible: Pryor is 6-6 and 235 pounds; Thomas is 5-11 and 186.
Also: Returning 12 starters on offense and defense, the Buckeye rank eighth in the Big Ten in returning starters, ahead of only Wisconsin, Purdue and Penn State. . . . The annual night practice open to the public is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 24 but has not been finalized. . . . With the oral commitments of Florida receiver James Louis and Pennsylvania defensive back Chad Hagan in the last two weeks, the 2010 recruiting class has reached 11 members. A year ago, knowing they would be bringing in a larger class, the Buckeyes had 22 players in the class when camp started.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
Moeller likely out for season
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller is expected to sit out the season after injuring his head when it hit the floor during a family trip in Florida about two weeks ago.
A hospital spokesman says Moeller was released Monday from the Ohio State University Medical Center.
Receiver Ray Small has been sitting out preseason camp due to academic issues, but his father says he's due to rejoin the team any day.
Ken Small says his son submitted a paper that will get his grade changed for a history class for the summer quarter that ended July 24. His father says he'll rejoin the team once the grade change is officially posted.
Ohio State is also holding open a roster spot for academically struggling defensive end Rob Rose.
Preseason camp started Sunday and Monday was the first practice day.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/f ... z0NyFERwIN
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller is expected to sit out the season after injuring his head when it hit the floor during a family trip in Florida about two weeks ago.
A hospital spokesman says Moeller was released Monday from the Ohio State University Medical Center.
Receiver Ray Small has been sitting out preseason camp due to academic issues, but his father says he's due to rejoin the team any day.
Ken Small says his son submitted a paper that will get his grade changed for a history class for the summer quarter that ended July 24. His father says he'll rejoin the team once the grade change is officially posted.
Ohio State is also holding open a roster spot for academically struggling defensive end Rob Rose.
Preseason camp started Sunday and Monday was the first practice day.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/f ... z0NyFERwIN
a.k.a. GSXR 750
Wake me when Terrelle Pryor's fake 40 time eclipses speed of sound
By Matt Hinton
I'm pretty much sold on Terrelle Pryor as the awe-inspiring heir to Vince Young's torch as the lanky, multi-faceted, absurdly fast quarterbacking beast of every defense's nightmares. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer added another dimension to that today when it reported that Pryor is the fastest player on Ohio State's team, an innocent enough proposition until you get to the details:[INDENT] His [Pryor's] 40 time was a speedy 4.33. Sophomore receiver Lamaar Thomas said he ran a 4.37 and no one else ran under 4.4 when the players were timed early this summer. ...
"I'm not so sure he might not be one of the fastest guys in the conference," OSU coach Jim Tressel said of Pryor. "I'm not sure that's a bad thing. Our other guys aren't slow."
[/INDENT]If that time is correct, it would make Pryor not only the fastest Buckeye, but surely one of the fastest humans on earth. Consider that a 4.33 40 is significantly faster than any quarterback has run for the electronic clocks at the NFL Combine in the last four years, including Pat White (who turned in an official 4.55 in February at 197 pounds), and in fact more than a full tenth of a second faster than any running back or cornerback ran at this year's combine. Only one player at that entire event, Darrius Heyward-Bey, came in with a faster time (4.30) than Pryor's alleged 4.33. Of Pryor's six non-lineman teammates in Indianapolis -- a group that included Beanie Wells, Malcolm Jenkins and Brian Robiskie -- only one, cornerback Donald Washington, came in under 4.5 (4.49). In 2007, Ted Ginn Jr's "official" workout times ranged from 4.37 to 4.45, which knocked the scouts out. Ginn then weighed 178 pounds. Pryor's usual analog, Vince Young, reportedly ran the 40 in 4.58 seconds in 2006 at 228 pounds, on what was apparently considered a "fast track" in Austin. Some plausible (though hardly foolproof) speculation has suggested that a 4.33 is a hair faster than the time Usain Bolt turned in on the first 40 yards of his world-record 100-meter sprint in the 2008 Olympics, or than any other world-record 100-meter sprinter has turned in on the first 40 yards going back to Ben Johnson in 1988.
Terrelle Pryor is listed at 235 pounds. His long, gazelle-like stride does make him deceptively fast. But a legitimate 4.33 at 235 pounds would make him an actual gazelle. A human being of that size moving at that speed is not yet conceivable. This is not Florida-level fake, but still: Totally bogus.
By Matt Hinton
I'm pretty much sold on Terrelle Pryor as the awe-inspiring heir to Vince Young's torch as the lanky, multi-faceted, absurdly fast quarterbacking beast of every defense's nightmares. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer added another dimension to that today when it reported that Pryor is the fastest player on Ohio State's team, an innocent enough proposition until you get to the details:[INDENT] His [Pryor's] 40 time was a speedy 4.33. Sophomore receiver Lamaar Thomas said he ran a 4.37 and no one else ran under 4.4 when the players were timed early this summer. ...
"I'm not so sure he might not be one of the fastest guys in the conference," OSU coach Jim Tressel said of Pryor. "I'm not sure that's a bad thing. Our other guys aren't slow."
[/INDENT]If that time is correct, it would make Pryor not only the fastest Buckeye, but surely one of the fastest humans on earth. Consider that a 4.33 40 is significantly faster than any quarterback has run for the electronic clocks at the NFL Combine in the last four years, including Pat White (who turned in an official 4.55 in February at 197 pounds), and in fact more than a full tenth of a second faster than any running back or cornerback ran at this year's combine. Only one player at that entire event, Darrius Heyward-Bey, came in with a faster time (4.30) than Pryor's alleged 4.33. Of Pryor's six non-lineman teammates in Indianapolis -- a group that included Beanie Wells, Malcolm Jenkins and Brian Robiskie -- only one, cornerback Donald Washington, came in under 4.5 (4.49). In 2007, Ted Ginn Jr's "official" workout times ranged from 4.37 to 4.45, which knocked the scouts out. Ginn then weighed 178 pounds. Pryor's usual analog, Vince Young, reportedly ran the 40 in 4.58 seconds in 2006 at 228 pounds, on what was apparently considered a "fast track" in Austin. Some plausible (though hardly foolproof) speculation has suggested that a 4.33 is a hair faster than the time Usain Bolt turned in on the first 40 yards of his world-record 100-meter sprint in the 2008 Olympics, or than any other world-record 100-meter sprinter has turned in on the first 40 yards going back to Ben Johnson in 1988.
Terrelle Pryor is listed at 235 pounds. His long, gazelle-like stride does make him deceptively fast. But a legitimate 4.33 at 235 pounds would make him an actual gazelle. A human being of that size moving at that speed is not yet conceivable. This is not Florida-level fake, but still: Totally bogus.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
he does not have to match numbers to be the best.Roody wrote:meh I disagree best ever at QB. He won't match Leinart's numbers just to name one. That said I do think he could possibly go down as the best dual threat QB of all-time. That is a possibility.
that said, i don't know about the best ever, although he hopefully will be close.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
In some ways that is true, but he would need multiple rings and even then without the numbers an argument in his favor would still be hard to prove. At least with numbers and rings you can point to something to prove a theory.Gixxer wrote:he does not have to match numbers to be the best.
I said since Day 1 that he has the ability to be special. One of the true greats at his position. That said IMO it's got to start now. He has to beat USC on Sept. 12th and he has to when the big games going forward. Anything less then he won't even be Vince Young.that said, i don't know about the best ever, although he hopefully will be close.
Gixxer wrote:Moeller likely out for season
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller is expected to sit out the season after injuring his head when it hit the floor during a family trip in Florida about two weeks ago.
A hospital spokesman says Moeller was released Monday from the Ohio State University Medical Center.
Receiver Ray Small has been sitting out preseason camp due to academic issues, but his father says he's due to rejoin the team any day.
Ken Small says his son submitted a paper that will get his grade changed for a history class for the summer quarter that ended July 24. His father says he'll rejoin the team once the grade change is officially posted.
Ohio State is also holding open a roster spot for academically struggling defensive end Rob Rose.
Preseason camp started Sunday and Monday was the first practice day.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/f ... z0NyFERwIN
OSU's starting strong-side linebacker is lost for the season.
Ohio State junior linebacker Tyler Moeller will miss the 2009 season because of a head injury sustained on a family vacation, Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said Tuesday.
Tressel told reporters in Columbus that he originally feared Moeller would not play football again but now expects the junior to rejoin the team sometime in the future.
A source close to the Ohio State program told ESPN.com that Moeller was in Florida with family members when he was punched at a bar/restaurant and fell and hit his head. He was not immediately hospitalized but suffered an apparent seizure last week and was admitted to the hospital for tests.
The source said Moeller's attacker has been identified and likely faces charges.
"From what I gather, Tyler didn't have much to do with what happened," Tressel told reporters. "Would I be privy to talk about the whys and the wherefores? No, because there are extenuating circumstances that are ongoing. Needless to say, it's unfortunate."
Moeller, a projected starter at outside linebacker, was released from OSU Medical Center on Monday and is home in Cincinnati recuperating. A source close to Moeller told ESPN.com the player is doing "extremely well" after undergoing a procedure this weekend to relieve pressure on his brain.
Moeller started the final two regular-season games last season and was expected to replace All-Big Ten selection Marcus Freeman. Moeller had 18 tackles (three for a loss) last season.
a.k.a. GSXR 750
Hey Gixxer do me a favor and knock some sense into these clowns. Talk about sounding stupid. USC is less then a year removed from kicking the ever living crap out of Ohio State and they call USC choke artists? LOL what a bunch of tools.
http://bucknuts.com/index.php/General-A ... -1346.html
http://bucknuts.com/index.php/General-A ... -1346.html