What Must Boeckman Do to Earn Some Love?
You’d think that a 14 of 19, 187-yard day that included two touchdowns and no interceptions (good enough for a 191.1 quarterback rating) would be cause for much chest-thumping, but there remains a palpable sense of nervousness among Buckeye fans whenever Todd Boeckman becomes the topic of conversation.
I’m just as guilty as the next guy that might doubt whether Boeckman has the moxie and skill necessary to win the big game, but is it a sad indictment of just how things have become in Columbus when a first-year starter leads a rebuilding squad to the national championship only to find himself booed after his first bad toss in the following season’s opener?
In his first year under center, Boeckman finished with the 3rd-most touchdowns and 5th-most passing yards for a single season in school history. Numbers good enough to rank 13th in the NCAA in passing efficiency. And I repeat, he helped guide a rebuilding team to a national championship.
Yes, the last three games weren’t his best work, but the weather in the Michigan game earns him somewhat of a pass there. He actually had a middle-of-the-road day against LSU, however. Not great, but not really piss-poor, either. He completed 15 of 26 for 208 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions and could have had a third touchdown (and possible game-altering play) had Robo’s fingers been about a half an inch longer.
The Illinois game is the one he can’t run from. At home and he turns in his worst effort of the season: no touchdowns and four interceptions, including the back-breaker in the Illini endzone at the start of the 3rd quarter.
I’m trying to chalk the Illinois and LSU games up to the mistakes of a first-year starter, especially considering how stacked that Tiger defense was. In other big (or thought to be at the time) games, he responded. His bomb to Robiskie was a thing of beauty and snatched the momentum at Washington, while his two 1st quarter touchdown strikes started the beatdown of Purdue.
At night, in front of a Nittany Lion whiteout, he threw a touchdown pass in each of the first three quarters as the Buckeyes raced out to a 23-7 lead and his numbers against the Badgers are nothing to complain about: 17/28 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
It wasn’t that long ago that we had to endure Stan Jackson stealing Joe Germaine’s snaps and the bountiful brilliance of the Steve Bellisari project. St. Krenzel himself often appeared shaky when passing, but he more than made up for it with his clutch performances.
So what is it? Have we become so spoiled at the success of Tressel and guys like Troy Smith that we accept nothing less than perfection? Or are you firmly convinced that even with another year of seasoning he won’t be able to get the job done when it matters most (like say 8 days)?
Here’s hoping the wunderkind set to inherit the position has it a little easier. His incredible talent should do enough to placate fans, but based on the smattering of boos the offense took after his first sack on Saturday, I’m not so sure about that.
35 Responses
What is this crap about Boone and some skin problem?
Harold - 09/04/08 @ 1:50 pm - #
I think the Boeckman trepidation stems partly from Troy Smith having set an incredibly high bar, and although we don’t expect perfection, we expect extremely good output from Boeckman.
And then the other thing to consider is who is waiting in the wings. I doubt Buckeye fans would be so quick to question the second year starter if Pryor wasn’t standing on the sideline in headsets.
But you can never know how that sort of quarterback swapping will play out. I remember watching garbage time quarterback play back-in-the-day (2003) when Krenzel would take the bench with a big lead. Everyone in the stands would roar for our new Golden Boy Justin Zwick to take the field, and when we were instead treated to a scrawny Troy Smith running designed QB draws that went for 2 yards, we weren’t very happy. We little knew then just how wrong we were.
Matt - 09/04/08 @ 1:55 pm - #
Maybe we are spoiled, but when he drops back, he just does not inspire a lot of confidence. When TS dropped back to pass, you just knew that he was going to make the right decision. Some of Boeckman’s decisions (even in a 43-0 win) leave you scratching your head.
And there is the little matter of his performance in the LSU game. I still have visions of that 4th down where he dropped back like 30 yards, ran for his life, then hurled the ball in the air in the face of like 3 Tiger defenders.
WCT - 09/04/08 @ 2:00 pm - #
Boeckman deciding to throw as he was getting clotheslined by a LSU defender says questionable judgment to me. The boos after the first sack on Pryor were probably because a second YSU player came in and hit him after he was already down.
YFM - 09/04/08 @ 2:34 pm - #
When he puts up those numbers at USC ill give him credit. T. Pryor looked like he was a better qb on sat with the 2nd team guys around him. Bottom line is todd is the weak link.
tampa buckeye - 09/04/08 @ 2:41 pm - #
I just thought who Boeckman reminds me of. Brad Johnson formerly of (Tampa bay, Vikings, Washington) not great but better than avg. and sucks it up in big games despite having Randy Moss and Chris Carter at wr and Robert Smith at back.
Some how T. Pryor a freshman knows we have a NFL quality TE. Does Boeckman? For the love of god check it down sometimes and make the easy pass. I’m sure the coaches bitch at him all the time.
tampa buckeye - 09/04/08 @ 2:54 pm - #
I think Todd should clearly be the starter. He has more experience, knows the entire playbook, and has played in more big games.
My beef with Todd is the way he carries himself. He reminds of a pre-Super Bowl Eli Manning. He says the right things, but I don’t sense a real fire and passion behind it. I’m not saying Todd doesn’t have those things, but at least for me, its hard to get excited about him because I don’t sense his excitement at being the starting quarterback. Certainly part of this is that Troy was so charasmatic and you could just tell that the other players looked to him in the huddle for leadership.
I think Todd can be a very efficient if not NFL-caliber quarterback, but he needs an injection of confidence and personality. Having Pryor taking snaps from him might actually hurt his confidence. But I’m not a scout or a coach so I could just be way off.
Kyle - 09/04/08 @ 3:01 pm - #
We need Todd Boeckman. Period. He’s the pillar of the offense and mentor for the future. Sure, Troy Smith was a hard act to follow, and Boeckman isn’t exactly Mr. Personality, but we need him none-the-less. Too, consider that our star recruit *chose* to come to OSU and play behind Boeckman, when he surely knew he’d be the starter elsewhere. He wanted that: a year to grow at the next level. I’m sure Pryor is not regretting that decision either.
This is college, not professional, football. We *are* in a golden age right now. Unfortunately, for most of us accustomed to this success, more is not enough. I appreciate OSU football right now, and I also appreciate Todd Boeckman. He’s got a tough job.
Ron - 09/04/08 @ 3:08 pm - #
tampa buckeye, watch the game again….Todd did check down to the TE also.
People WAKE UP! Terrelle Pryor will be great, he is the QB of the future….not now. He had a good performance against YSU. YSU sucks. If you want a national championship quite acting like RichRod’s inbred relatives and start supporting the best chance we have: Todd Boeckman.
I’m only gonna say this once……do you remember how we won our last national championship? not with our Heisman winning QB who could elude anyone……but with at good (not great)pocket passer named Craig Krenzel, a stellar running back, and a top notch defense. We have all 3 of those things this year…..Pryor will be a nice change of pace QB….however, that is all he should be this year. Next year will be his year to be the man.
Wil - 09/04/08 @ 3:16 pm - #
Wil, I came on here to write the same thing, good work!
I think the problem is TP gave us all a half-chub with his play last week. I was in the boat that didn’t want to totally hype this kid up until he played. Now that he played, everyone wants The Todd to be done, but before the end of this season, TB is going to have won some games for us. Hopefully next Saturday is the first one.
The comparisons to 2002 are eerie.
Corey - 09/04/08 @ 3:26 pm - #
some people are terrible and know so little about the game.
those who understand what’s going on on a football field can more aptly distribute blame. anyone who calls Boeckman the “weak link”, for TP to start, etc. is a joke and i avoid discussions with these fans at all costs.
nick - 09/04/08 @ 4:28 pm - #
Todd is making more out of less. Out of him, Bauserman, and Pryor, Todd is probably the lowest on the natural talent totem pole. However, he is a lot closer to reaching his potential. He has worked his way to who he is and because of less talent it doesn’t WOW us the way TP does. TPs ceiling is much higher, but he has just begun to scratch the surface of his potential. Todd gives us our best chance to win and I back him 100%. I am looking forward to the Pryor days and the plays he runs this year. He can be significant to the offense now.
They both wear Scarlet jerseys. There’s no reason we can’t support them both.
BrotherBuck - 09/04/08 @ 4:28 pm - #
just to play devils advocate here WIL and Corey,
well all said that about last years team… “..they look just like that 2002 team..” and yes they did. But the landscape of college football has changed, with back to back losses in the national championship, something might need to change.
Though some would say that we got to the national championship game…what do we need to change… and to that i say…i don’t know… i have no freaking idea… its above my pay grade. But if playing just like Florida did in 2006 with Tebow is the ticket I’m on board.
Boeckman is our QB his got experience and skill. Pryor is going to be our QB for the next 3 years if he doesn’t leave early for the NFL. He needs to learn as much as possible from Boeckman because this team is going to be his. And the burden of carrying tOSU football team on his shoulders is going to be all his.
If he needs to do anything its make a call down to Baltimore and ask Mr. Troy Smith some serious questions. Though I’m sure “The Vest” has already had him do that.
Kris - 09/04/08 @ 4:39 pm - #
I love TP and TheTodd worries me sometimes but he is without a doubt our best chance to win. Rewatch the game and you will see that all of the throwing mechanics TP was taught and displayed in practice went right out the window when we throug him in the game. He is going to be a superstar but he is not ready to shoulder the load yet.
Harold - 09/04/08 @ 4:43 pm - #
First, TB is our best chance to win, so I wouldn’t argue that Pryor or whoever should be starting.
I don’t know if it’s so much we were spoiled by Troy as it is we, as fans, expect to compete for the National Title every year at this point. From that view, TB hasn’t showed that he has the skill/moxie to beat really good teams. Yeah, he can play well against YSU, Ohio U, and the many garbage teams in the Big Ten, but when it comes to relying on him to beat a team like USC, LSU, Florida, etc., then that’s where fans are concerned…and rightfully so. So many of his passes that are completed against OSU opponents you know would be a disaster if their defenses were worth a squat (and yeah, I’m saying the Big Ten simply isn’t that good - no one will give us a good run for our money outside of Wisconsin, esp. if Beanie is healthy)
He’s a decent QB who can beat up on lesser teams but doesn’t have what it takes against the elite defenses in CFB. He’s best served as a game manager who knows not to screw and makes the occasionally nice throw.
And Nick - as far as the offense goes, Boeckman IS the weakest link, not our RBs, OL, or WRs.
Rob - 09/04/08 @ 6:44 pm - #
I’ll judge after USC.
Poe McKnoe - 09/04/08 @ 7:47 pm - #
I’m not saying Pryor should start, I’m just saying Boeckman makes some ridiculous decisions.
YFM - 09/04/08 @ 7:56 pm - #
Boeckman needs to change his last name to Krenzel, then he will instantly be loved. Everyone remembers Krenzel as this molecular genetics genius who hit Jenkins to beat Purdue and gutted out a win vs. Miami. He had he share of stinky games. UC. Wisky. Michigan. Illinois. Krenzel was praised for being efficient, but the Buckeyes were not particularly efficient on 3rd down under Krenzel. They were around 38% in 2002. The 2002 and 2007 team passing efficiencies are nearly identical however.
The only difference between Krenzel and Boeckman…One national title game loss and the lack of a signature play. Boeckman needs his Holy Buckeye. I liked Krenzel, but Boeckman is clearly a better quarterback. Krenzel gets a pass from fans.
Rob - 09/04/08 @ 8:36 pm - #
I agree with Rob…….had we won the National Title then everyone would be singing a different tune.
However, our weakest link is our offensive tackles being to slow on that first step and not being able to stop the speed of the SEC defensive ends.
Anonymous - 09/04/08 @ 9:08 pm - #
Hey will I remember how we won our last title with great d and a FRESHMAN rb. I bet you were beating the drum for L. Ross in 02′. I did watch the game and I saw him miss more passes than Tp and I saw him continue to force the deep ball to robo in double coverage. You don’t get it do you Todd won’t take us to the top bottom line. Those passes get picked against NFL quality players. By the way TP would have been 6 for 6 in his first game if not for two drops. He brings a much needed jolt to the predictable offense we run. Some people will never understand though so keep drinking the Todd Boeckman Cool-aid and talk to me after USC gets atleast two picks on his sorry ass.
tampa buckeye - 09/04/08 @ 9:18 pm - #
I don’t get all the Boeckman Knob slobbin. I don’t think he should be benched but if he has a bad game at USC I think you’ll see alot more TP. Will, I bet you are the kind of guy that would have cut Micheal Jordan from is High School Basketball team. Maybe the front office guy that said, Steve Young will never start here in Tampa, or Brett Farve he sucks lets get him out of the ATL.
Bottom line is look at the LSU, Illini, Michigan games last year and tell me that guy is not the weak link.
tampa buckeye - 09/04/08 @ 9:27 pm - #
Defense can rescue a lot of QBs. Ask Craig Krenzel.
That said, the defense hasn’t been throwing any life jackets into the water against FLA, ILL, and LSU.
Poe McKnoe - 09/04/08 @ 10:26 pm - #
Poe, former USC players are saying “right now the Trojans are busy preparing an old-fashioned PAC-10 butt-whoopin’ at the Coliseuim”, Trojan senior LBs Cushing, Maualagu and Maiava want a chance to get at Pryor so Boeckman may get hammered early. Remember Maiava broke his thumb punching the ball loose into the end zone at the Rose Bowl, these guys are just mean as hell and intend on getting a chance to terrorize Pryor. Their even preparing a big victory party at the golf course outside.
kenny - 09/04/08 @ 10:37 pm - #
I’m confused and missing jokes, but luckily confusion is my preferred state. Krenzel may be far from being Baby Jesus, however, some of my homie’s forget; his ratio is still an ass-whooping over Mr. Boeckman’s. I hope the best for the Bucks. I just hope young Todd is intelligent enough to get out of his own way.
YFM - 09/05/08 @ 3:14 am - #
in a way i think todd is an innocent bystander in the situation. don’t get me wrong, he makes some questionable decisions on occasion, but for the most part is solid when given ample time.
i watched norm chow’s decision making during what looked to be an outmatched bruin team’s 2nd half and just drooled. half time adjustments made the difference in that game - and lack of those adjustments made the difference in every game our buck’s have lost over the past several years. the scheme adjustment is where this team is lacking. there is absolutely no lack of talent on this roster - with or without beanie & his toe!
i feel we need agressiveness in play calling - defensively and offensively - and it’s not there. until it is, this team is simply to easy to figure out & will struggle to dominate as it should.
just my 2 cents.
Lane - 09/05/08 @ 9:41 am - #
“Krenzel may be far from being Baby Jesus, however, some of my homie’s forget; his ratio is still an ass-whooping over Mr. Boeckman’s.”
Wow. Were any natural herbs legalized over this past week? Did I miss that?
Look at Boeckman in practice and tell me if you think he’s the best passer on the roster. Just watch carefully. Watch him move through his progressions. Watch him in the huddle (when they do huddle), and on the sideline.
Boeckman is - rightfully - judged by his performance in big games. Don’t talk to me about his night at p*nn st*t* last year; p*nn st*t* stunk. When the coach takes the ball away from you in the second half so that you don’t hand your archrival a victory, there’s a problem. When your performance against Illinois makes it impossible to sustain drives, it’s a problem. When your errant, ill-advised interception turns a reasonably competitive game into another route, there’s a problem. I’m not endorsing Pryor as the starter, but I am mystified by the sudden surge in Boeckman adulation.
Everything comes down to his performance against USC, Bucky and Zooker. Those are the games that matter, and those are the games that will forever define Boeckman as a quarterback.
Joe Fox - 09/05/08 @ 10:24 am - #
Joe, Piss State may have stunk last year, but we still weren’t supposed to beat them, according to most. I agree, he’s judged by his big game performances, but as Rob said above, he’s one play and one big win away from being adored for all eternity by the Buckeye faithful.
Bottom line is, he’s what we’ve got. Terrelle isn’t ready to step in and run this offense by himself yet, and nor is Joe B. I wasn’t completely sold on Krenzel until Holy Buckeye, and still, if you look at his numbers and performances, they weren’t that stellar. He won games he needed to though, as Todd will have to do at some point, perhaps starting next Saturday in the Coliseum. I have faith.
Rod - 09/05/08 @ 11:42 am - #
tampa buckeye, quit assuming things……eveyone know what that means. I think Pryor will be great….but not yet. Everyone is giving Boeckman sh!t saying he doesn’t play well in big games. I ask all of you this “what has Terrelle Pryor done to show that he can do that?”
What makes the spread option work is a QB who can run AND scare you with a deep threat. Pryors mechanics are still off and the coaches knew that by not letting him throw deep.
Are you all forgeting that Boeckman was the best QB in the Big Ten last year and was 13th in the nation in passing efficiency as a 1st year starter?
tampa buckeye, you were probably the guy screaming that Steve Bellisari should be the starter because he was the most athletic QB on our roster. How did that turn out when he hadn’t been coached into the position yet?
Wil - 09/05/08 @ 2:23 pm - #
oh yeah, this comment:
“I agree with Rob…….had we won the National Title then everyone would be singing a different tune.
However, our weakest link is our offensive tackles being to slow on that first step and not being able to stop the speed of the SEC defensive ends.”
was me from last night……take a look at that “weakest link” again tampa buckeye.
Wil - 09/05/08 @ 2:25 pm - #
Wow, Buckeye Nation, I’m suprised…? I’m a firm believer in supporting our team, and any player wearing the Scarlet & Gray. This is exactly what the USC fans want, a divided Buckeye Nation. I sure hope if T.Boeckman is reading this or hears about these comments (from his own fans), that he can use this for a positive..! Bottom line, J.T. has all the say in the world, not us. He will make the right decision when the time comes. The one point I do agree with is the playcalling must compliment the athletes on the field at that time! No more conservative when conservative has already failed! Like the game, our playcalling must evolve when called for…
O - H …..
BennyBlanco - 09/05/08 @ 3:28 pm - #
IO! All I’m saying is what the coaches are thinking. Boeckman needs to take better care of the ball. T. Pryor is the truth as they say in the boxing world some people like Big willy style can’t deal with the truth because they are busy blowing Todd. Thats ok.
Ever now and then a guy comes along and is special ala Lebron, Tiger, MJ, and dare I say Pryor. He is a flat out winner. Boeckman is not. I think Tressel and the staff know what they have and that was why we saw Tp in the game on the 3rd series. He is our #1 offensive threat without Beanie. He makes us a better ball club and will give defenses nightmares. If Boeckman would stop throwing deep into coverage I would love that. Bottom line the only way we get past USC is if we have zero turnovers and get at least one or two.
I like our chances but wish Todd would start to live up to the standards of this team.
tampa buckeye - 09/06/08 @ 12:43 am - #
Hey Will come out of hiding and stand up for your boy boeckman now. God awful game all around. Boeckman still throws deep into coverage. We don’t have Randy Moss out there.
tampa buckeye - 09/06/08 @ 4:04 pm - #
Bottom line is…this team is not very good! The defense looked once again pathetic against the spread offense. The receivers can’t break free from a wet paper bag, the o-line is slower than molasses and without beanie (which is almost always in his injury-prone career), the running backs look mediocre at best. The problem is not Todd, who had three straight passes dropped by his starting 2 receivers in the second quarter (two should have been td’s). The problem is this team is not that good! I expect to lose by 3 touchdowns or more next week, and I will be betting a large sum of money on the Trojans beating the spread!
"The Truth" - 09/06/08 @ 4:06 pm - #
“That Ohio D is brutal…”
Poe McKnoe - 09/06/08 @ 4:14 pm - #
At least it was good to see the special teams finally make some plays…but we don’t want to become the Chicago Bears!
"The Truth" - 09/06/08 @ 4:18 pm - #
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