Much More Successful Than This

As we get closer to Kickoff Week, here’s some quick notes from Ohio State and beyond. Don’t forget to sign up for this year’s “Pick-em” contest!

Buckeye 411

• Injury Report- It’s no surprise to anyone who’s played or followed college football that this time of year is when people start getting dinged up. The body, no matter how well tuned, is not built for two a days and the amount of stress that those can bring- especially with the philosophy of “Make practice so hard that the games are easy”. As such, the Buckeye Walking Wounded are a significant number, but there are no serious injuries. John Simon missed today’s practice, but only as precautionary measures.  Kyle Dodson, Ryan Shazier, and Michael Bennett were all limited today as well, while Zach Domicone continues to heal from his knee scope.
• That Being Said- Jordan Hall was running today, and said the boot comes off tomorrow. Jacoby Boren is back at practice, and is the second string center at this point.
• Snappy- As a former longsnapper, we loves us some Bryce Haynes here at tBBC. So, reports that his already fast delivery has improved the punt timing by around .2 of a second was yet another reason to consume a celebratory cupcake here in the office. To be fair, though… not much of an excuse was needed.
• Weighty Matters- Adolphus Washington has moved inside to tackle, and is having a great camp- Hankins talks about how his presence will definitely improve the pass rush this season.
• Star Light? The team is still trying to find who will fill the “Star” role in nickle defense- Christian Bryant may move down, although Corey Brown is also getting a look.
• Stripes Stripped- Walkon linebacker Joe Burger lost his today, as did QB Cardale Jones.
• Candles- Happy Belated Birthday to Archie Griffin. Read More

Tags: Adolphus Washington, Appalachian State, Bryce Haynes, Cardale Jones, Cleveland Browns, Fall Practice, Iowa, Jacoby Boren, Joe Burger, John Simon, Jordan Hall, Kyle Dodson, Michael Bennett, Ryan Shazier, Southern Cal, Zach Domicone
Categories: College Football, Michigan Football, Ohio State Football

Another quick update on the state of Ohio State football, following media access on Monday. Huge thanks to our friend Josh Winslow for the photos!

• Injury Updates- Jacoby Boren practiced today, but no contact. Jordan Hall and Nate Williams were also present, but doing work on the side of the field. Coach Meyer commented that they were right on schedule in terms of rehab. Josh Perry tweaked a hamstring and spent time with the medical staff

• Doghouse Update- Brionte Dunn practiced, and Coach Meyer said that they were waiting to see how the legal process concluded before making final decisions regarding any punishment. Also, Jake Stoneburner and Jack Mewhort went with the #1 team- Meyer characterized them as “good kids, but stupid.” They will be on scholarship beginning fall semester.
• MIA- Curtis Grant missed practice, as did Verlon Reed and Pat Elflein. Grant was home in Virginia with his grandfather, who has been ill. No notes on Reed or Ellfein at this time, although Patrick had a cyst removed recently Read More

Tags: 2012 Season, Brionte Dunn, Curtis Grant, Devin Smith, Evan Spencer, Fall Practice, Garrett Goebel, Jack Mewhort, Jacoby Boren, Jake Stoneburner, John Simon, Jonathan Hankins, Jordan Hall, Josh Winslow, Marcus Baugh, Mark Mangino, Michael Bennett, Nathan Williams, Patrick Elflein, SBP, Urban Meyer, Verlon Reed
Categories: College Football, Ohio State Football

To get Buckeye Nation ready for the first Spring Game in Urban Meyer’s tenure at Ohio State, the Buckeye Bloggers Network wanted to take an in-depth look at each position following spring practice.  Be sure to check out all of the coverage!

Thank you to all the writers who are participating in this, and a HUGE thank you to Grant from Buckeye House Call for creating our graphics!

–

The easy comment on the offensive line, be it at Ohio State or nationwide, is that the season will hinge on their performance.

Again, that’s the standard answer, but I have to believe that this year it bodes more true than ever in Columbus.  There are playmakers elsewhere on Offense, and the Defense (while thin in places) has the potential to be terrifying for opposing offensive coordinators.

But the Buckeye Offensive Line is a mystery at this point; which was evidenced merely looking at Coach Meyer’s emphases on the recruiting trail beginning last season. It’s not enough that they are replacing both tackles and their four year starter at center. It’s not enough that they are now “loaded” with talent amassed by James “Meh, one guard a year is all we need” Bollman, who annually defined the word “reach” with the recruiting offers he seemed to facilitate.

Nope, in addition to those obvious concerns comes this- the team’s offensive identity is taking a major shift. Gone are the days of “Dave, Dave, Draw, Punt”; we now have an offensive scheme that requires linemen to a) be in top cardiovascular shape and b) pass block as effectively as run block. In other words, there’s some coachin’ to do.

So, if you’re like me (my condolences), you’re incredibly interested in seeing how the anchor of the team’s successes will look on Saturday. Will Braxton’s runs in the fall be designed or out of necessity?  Will long runs be due to Jordan and Carlos and Rod and Brionte’s talent, or due to the gaping holes that are waiting for them? Will my summer be spent in quiet confidence or wondering instead how what the record for most “three and outs” by a Buckeye team might be?

Saturday gives us our first clue.  Onward.

What will be most different this year than last?

We’ve talked about the tempo and scheme being gently called “the polar opposite of Tresselball”, let’s take a look at the new faces in the new places. First, the team lineups: Read More

Tags: Andrew Norwell, BBN, Brian Bobek, Bryce Haynes, Corey Linsley, Dave, Jack Mewhort, Jacoby Boren, Jim Bollman, Marcus Hall, offensive line, Reid Fragel, Spring Football 2012, Spring Game, Spring Game 2012, Taylor Decker, Tommy Brown
Categories: College Football, Ohio State Football

Bumped back a day to cover today’s press access- one more day means even more news, notes, and inanity.

Would look great in the man cave- and Father's Day is coming up...

Buckeye 411

• You (will be) looking live… at a brand new, super hugemongous, HD capable scoreboard in Ohio Stadium in the fall of 2012. In addition to this addition, the ‘Shoe is getting HDTVs throughout the concourses and a brand new sound system. Pluses: great view of hard hits and controversial plays, as well as being able to enjoy the schadenfreude on the other sideline with more definition. Minuses: they still won’t show the plays you want to see, they’ll probably use most of that space for advertising, and the sound system will encourage them to play stuff rather than letting TBDBITL bring the heat.
• Meyer’s Musings- Coach Meyer was in front of the media twice today; once with the B1G conference call and then again after practice. And, as surprising as this might be for folks who are used to Ohio State press interviews… he actually answered questions and gave his honest opinion.  Whew, lawdy… almost got a case of the vapors.
• Topic du jour- Coach was asked about a Sporting News piece regarding his time at Florida (more after the break), and was adamant that any alleged NCAA issues were blatantly not true. His exact quote-

There was no NCAA violation. If you could bold and underline that for me, please.

Done and done, coach.

• Also, on the phone- Coach Meyer talked a bit about the process that the team was going through in learning the offense, and said that Braxton has been having success with the perimeter running game. While the passing game still behind, he’s seen that Stoneburner and Hall are playmakers and that John Simon is a  “Warhorse”. Hopefully this won’t mean he’ll be snubbed during Oscar season.
• This Week In Injuries- In the teleconference, Coach Meyer revealed that Jacoby Boren had surgery for a torn labrum suffered during his senior season, and that the surgery was done now to ensure that he would be ready for the fall. He will remain the #2 center, in spite of missed time.  Later, we heard that Se’Von Pittman will also miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Today in practice, CJ Barnett and Rod Smith were dinged up a bit, and several folks were still recovering from earlier issues and were in limited action. Read More

Tags: Adidas, Arkansas, Baylor, Bobby Petrino, Braxton Miller, Brionte Dunn, Carlos Hyde, Chris Carter, Chris Wormley, Gene Smith, Jacoby Boren, John Simon, Kerry Coombs, Ohio Stadium, Rod Smith, SBP, Se'Von Pittman, Spring Football 2012, Taver Johnson, The Game, The Shoe, TTUN, UCLA, Urban Meyer, Zach Boren
Categories: College Basketball, College Football, Humor, Michigan Football, Ohio State Football, Recruiting

Moving Forward

Before Buckeye Nation turned it’s eyes to shootyhoops on Saturday, the 2012 football team took to the field for it’s first full-pad practice of the spring. Here’s some of the things we’ve learned after three days under Coach Meyer:

• Saturday was a chance for the media to meet with the linebackers, and you can find some great footage from Sabino and Shazier after the jump. Coach Meyer has been pretty vocal about Grant needing to fulfill a major role in the defense moving forward, and with Klein dinged up, it’s definitely been his time to shine. Today, in pads, it sounds as if the lights are coming on- some big hits, involved all over the field, and even a pick at one point. For Ohio State to use it’s speed on the outside (Shazier/Sabino), they’ve got to have a runstopper at Mike; Grant looks to be ready to fill that role.
• Still a lot of questions about the receivers; is there a “playmaker” in this group? While that question is being sorted out, though, it’s great to hear that TY Williams has gotten past his problem with the drops and is catching everything that comes his way. With his size, he could definitely be a great weapon in the passing game. Read More

Tags: Andrew Norwell, Braxton Miller, Brionte Dunn, Carlos Hyde, Corey Linsley, Doran Grant, Etienne Sabino, Jack Mewhort, Jacoby Boren, Jeff Heuerman, Jonathan Hankins, Jordan Hall, Kenny Guiton, Maurice Hall, Reid Fragel, Rod Smith, Ryan Shazier, SBP, Se'Von Pittman, Spring Football 2012, T.Y. Williams, Taylor Decker, Tom Herman, Urban Meyer, Zach Boren
Categories: College Football, Ohio State Football

After a long hiatus, it’s time to jump back in with some recruiting talk.

Adverse circumstances surrounding the program have obviously impacted recruiting for months, but the 2012 class still has an opportunity to be pretty darn good.

The key will be finishing strong, and the Buckeyes look to be in a great position to do just that.

The biggest concern, as it has been for months, continues to be along the offensive line. Regardless of how the ’12 class finishes, the depth issues there may not be resolved until the ink is dry on the ’13 class.

Before I get too far ahead of myself, here is a look at how the 2012 class will wind down. Read More

Tags: Adolphus Washington, Alex Kozan, Bam Bradley, Blake Thomas, Brionte Dunn, Cardale Jones, De'Van Bogard, Deaysean Rippy, Demetrious Cox, Dwayne Stanford, Frank Epitropoulos, Gary Simon, Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jacoby Boren, Joe Burger, Jordan Diamond, Jordan Diggs, Josh Perry, Kevin Mills, Kwon Alexander, Malik Zaire, Mason Monheim, Michael Thomas, Najee Murray, Nick Davidson, Patrick Elflein, Tyvis Powell, Warren Ball
Categories: Ohio State Football, Recruiting

According to The Dispatch’s Tim May, the Buckeyes have picked up another commitment for the class of 2012, completing their hat trick.

The anchor

Center Jacoby Boren from Pickerington Central becomes the latest member of the Boren family to join the scarlet and gray, in a move that many were anticipating for last weekend.

At 6’2″ and 270 pounds, Jacoby has been described by his brothers as having a “nasty streak”; perhaps best developed by having two older brothers of their caliber.

While this is a moment to celebrate and welcome Jacoby, it should also be remember that Mike Boren, the family patriarch, was an outstanding linebacker for Coach Schembechler at the University of Michigan. That three of his sons have chosen to attend Ohio State speaks loudly about the Wolverines’ program

At any rate, the youngest Mr. Boren has started at Center for Pickerington since his freshman year- Scouting Ohio highlights here:

Welcome, Jacoby, to the other part of your family!

Tags: Jacoby Boren
Categories: College Football, Michigan Football, Ohio State Football, Recruiting