Fall Camp is Upon Us
LeBron in Cleats arrives (Bucknuts Photo)The Buckeyes begin fall camp today after reporting to the University Plaza Hotel on Sunday. That means as you settle into that morning cup of joe the sweat and pain (or weakness leaving the body) that’s part of a championship team will already be well underway.
Only one player did not report — freshman Shawntel “Shaq” Rowell. Rowell, a massive defensive tackle, did not report because of “things, paperwork-wise” to clear up and becomes the third straight Glenville product to have paperwork issues prior to fall camp. There were rumors of grade and ACT issues, but hopefully his situation will be resolved quickly.
Fall camp is the first real opportunity the coaching staff have to work with Pryor though Beanie claimed that the offense would look just like last season’s, you can bet the Pryor package will be introduced on day one of camp (Beanie also stated that he’s 100% healthy, which does not bode well for the other 10 conference teams). If the fact that more Buckeyes ran with Pryor than Boeckman in the video game tournament last week means anything, either his teammates have already seen a little of what Pryor is capable of or he’s just that good in pixels. Probably a little bit of both.
After a grueling summer where the players appear to have been pushed harder than at any other time in their Buckeye careers, the Buckeyes enter fall camp with only a handful of true position battles. Bryant Browning appears to have the right tackle spot locked down, and Ryan Lukens and Curtis Terry have stepped into the fullback void. On the defensive side of the ball Chimdi Chekwa is running with the first team secondary in light of Donald Washington “getting his car keys back” while Terry and Tyler Moeller are the frontrunners for Larry Grant’s vacated linebacker spot.
Every year about a half-dozen freshman see any type of real game action and besides Pryor, it’s unknown which others will make the jump. Will it be Sabino, one of the lineman or Posey? What about Stoneburner or Thomas? Who is your choice for the freshman that will see the most action this year not named “Pryor”?
While Friday’s announcement of the preseason Coach’s Poll got all of the pub (Blutarsky takes a nice look inside the numbers), astute students of the game will probably pay a little more attention to SMQ’s top five. He has the Buckeyes at 4th and the Trojans 2nd and backs up his pick justly:
Still, when I consider the team that’s closed the last two seasons in humiliating championship beatdowns visiting the team that’s closed the last two seasons on the better end of triumphant Rose Bowl massacres over teams that had pushed the Buckeyes to the brink (or, in Illinois’ case, past it) a few weeks before, and that’s won 38 of its last 39 at home, let’s just say OSU has not earned the benefit of the doubt. In a field of contenders this crowded, there is no room for doubt.
All of the above could be invalidated if Ohio State wins in L.A. on Sept. 13, where it is, after all, the more experienced team, the more consistent team, and can plausibly claim the best player on the field on any given play in Beanie Wells or James Laurinaitis. It’s impossible not to focus excessively on the date with USC, not only because it’s one of the biggest non-conference blockbusters in recent memory (though OSU’s heavyweight battles with Texas in 2005-06 were in the same class, and had the same filtering effects for the winner on the eventual mythical championship shot), but with the Big Ten schedule being what it is, it’s the Buckeyes’ only real opportunity to pre-empt the gnashing of teeth destined to accompany another scarlet and gray turn on the big stage in January.
No argues with that assessment nor his choice of the Gators as his preaseason #1. Tebow of Nazareth is just that good.
Still no update on what lead Quinn Pitcock to abruptly retire from the NFL after only one season. Ken Gordon tracked down former Buckeye and Colt teammate Roy Hall to try to get the story, but Hall knows little more than we do at this point in time. Hall lead the Colts with four receptions in their Hall of Fame game matchup with the Redskins last night.
Purdue blog Boiled Sports was kind enough to have me over for an interview. They have a hard time believing Buckeye fans are heading into this year cautiously optimistic, but I stand by my point about the Rodriguez hiring being a plus for the Big Ten. Maybe not over 1997 Lloyd, but definitely over 2007 Lloyd.
I think the three O-Linemen are going to see the most action. Tressel is famous for putting his second team linemen in during drives or stretches of games. Those three need to get the experience. I would also not be surprised of the D-Line freshmen enter the mix quite a bit this year.
I can’t help but think that if Devier Posey shows up and is half the talent he is touted to be he can be the deep threat Ray Small was supposed to be.
We are deep with a lot of incoming talent. Our kick/punt coverage should be off the hook.
That would be nice because the return teams were unbelievably sh!tty last season.
I’m most excited to see Taurian Washington over the next couple of weeks. I’m also eager to take a look at Bryant Browning and Boom Herron. Safety play is a big problem on defense, so it’ll be interesting to see if a year’s experience has corrected some deficiencies on that side of the ball.
SMQ’s completely correct. OSU can eliminate the stench of the last two flounderings with a good showing in LA. Even if they don’t win the game, but lose in a close, close contest, it’ll help.
I think the O-linemen will definately get in because a) they are gooood and b) that’s a position that needs to be rotated often, cuz those fat guys get tired. The D-line will be tougher to crack into as a freshie because its gonna be competitive this year. Linebacker even more so. Now wideouts I don’t see anyone making it in at all as a freshmen. Tres hardly ever fiddles with the offense as far as staff and formations. He has a comfort zone and a trust circle. Every year we talk about some wideout that we can’t wait to see burn. I never say the Ray-Gun actually work last year and I’m holding my breath this year.
Curtis Terry’s ride is pimpin’
“Who is your choice for the freshman that will see the most action this year not named “Pryorâ€? ”
On offense, either Thomas, Posey, or Stoneburner, or some combination thereof. We always use lots of wide-outs and Small did not impress last year.
On defense, Garrett Goebel or Etienne Sabino might be the best bets. We always rotate DL’s and so Goebel might see some action there. And Sabino could factor in somewhere because he’s just that good.
Sabino will awe us and shock them on ST coverage. I agree that Posey being half as good as he seems will be impossible to keep off the field. And While we may not see much of Brewster, Adams and Shugarts are going to see plenty of time.
Damn, is JB a big SOB. And I, like TP, also wear V-neck undershirts.
I think Ross Homan is the frontrunner to man the open LB position. Curtis Terry will be playing fullback more the LB, correct?
Lastly, I think Lamaar Thomas makes the biggest impact of any freshman and that includes Terrelle Pryor (though it will be close).
Oh, and 4 pics of the freshman backup, but only one of our Starting QB. Show some love, BuckNuts!
Ok, so it was only 2. Stupid facts.
Does the fact that I got winded casting my vote on the current pole mean that I was correct in saying I would make it less than an hour a camp?
Keith, you’re probably right about Homan. I am just speculating when I say Terry and I think Moeller will be the guy at SLB against the more spread-like offenses the Buckeyes face b/c of his size and skill set. Still, just my guesses.
I love the two Brians but I would like to see someone emerge as a 3rd WR to really take pressure of Hartline and Robo. I watched the spring game again the other night (had to pass the time) and Ray Small quietly had a nice game, making a few tough catches. If he can finally realize his massive potential, this offense can really become unstoppable.
That being said, if Small can’t step up then put in Posey. Sanzenbacher and Washington look like they’re going to be great when their time comes but from what I’m hearing, it’ll be hard for Tressel to keep Posey off the field. May the best man win.
If Small can break out, that’d be great, but I’m counting on Taurian Washington at the 3rd WR spot.
On the other side, how many snaps does Thad Gibson see per game?
On the poll question: why isn’t there an answer along the lines of “crying like (and puking more often than) a newborn baby after five minutes”?
Poguemahone, we probably should have had something all the way at that end of the scale. I know that’s the category I’d personally fall under.
Rumor has it the decisions have already been made.
Homan at LB
Terry at FB
Hopefully they both tear heads off.
Yep, I think that works well on both sides. I’m sure Terry would rather be blasting guys from the LB spot, but FB is the next best thing.
Flash will be the guy mark it down ladies