Camp Cliches and Other Stuff
Here we are about to embark on another season of college football following a team that most assurdely can be found in our genetic code. Scouring the internets and newspapers during preseason camp almost always lends itself to discovering a new tidbit or two. Unfortunately, it also uncovers many of the most tired quotes, some of which have crossed over into the realm of cliche.
The constant interview process no doubt turns mundane and clinical sometimes. As a result, players tend to provide less than insightful answers, opting instead for responses that provide the sound bite but also gets the mic or voice recorder out of their face.
I really can’t blame them.
But, being that it’s still relatively early in camp, we haven’t been subjected to the full gamet of cliches just yet. They will be here before too long. In thinking back, I’d thought it interesting to list some of my favorite camp cliches. Certainly game cliches are easier to come by but ones from camp are often just as ridiculous and comical. Here are are my favorites:
“Mr Such and Such added weight and he’s even faster!”
You rarely hear this one from coaches. It’s usually players on the team who talk up a someone who has made strides in the offseason. But, let’s be clear - while the player may have gained 15lbs, they definitely aren’t faster. Already this year, we’ve seen talk of Jaamal Berry edge dangerous close to this cliche.
“Every spot is up for grabs.”
Here’s one from coaches which makes you do everything in your power not to roll your eyes. I’m pretty sure Terrelle Pryor could throw two picks in every practice and he’ll still be under center against Marshall. He and Mike Brewster can have center-exchange issues all camp and Brewster will still be making line calls to start the season. What coaches really mean is they are evaluating all positions, but especially ones that are being hotly contested. So, say that.
“We are closer as a team this year”
Ah, isn’t that sweet? When you don’t have anything else to say, trot out this gem. Michigan’s Mike Martin did a few days ago.
“We are tired of hitting each other. It will be good to hit someone else.”
The zenith of all camp cliches. It’s used invariably by someone on the team every year and I laugh out loud everytime. I’m not sure how players say it with a straight face. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Marshall says the same things as they wind down camp and begin preparing for Ohio State.
Let me know the ones I forgot.
Travis Howard No Fan of Drama
Switching gears, decidedly not cliche would be Travis Howard’s Twitter bio. In an age where Twitter seems to cause more harm than good for athletes to the point some teams ban it completely, Howard’s offers a refreshing bit of quality unfiltered advice:
Comments
That video of Bailey is nice, because it doesn't just show highlights. He's clearly big, strong, and fast. On the other hand, he has 1 nice TFL on a run, and that's about it. Most of his QB pressures (or sacks) came on blitzes where he was unblocked. He's definitely somebody to worry about, but he's no Adrian Clayborn. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who will singlehandedly ruin an entire offense (see: Clayborn vs Georgia Tech).
Re: 2011 home schedule - I'm screaming, "Boise State!"
the thing about bailey is that he has exactly one move, a bull rush, and little else to work with. the problem is that he's really good at it
I hope to see Jamaal Berry returning kicks. He needs to get some playing time, and he has "Florida speed." As long as he can hold on to the ball.
I don't like seeing receivers returning punts and kickoffs, as they can too easily get injured. I'm sure there are very few Buckeyes that would like to see Posey or Sanzenbacher get their bell rung on a punt return, then sit out the rest of the game or worse, season.
Also, I was without a 'puter for most of this past year, and was unable to keep up with the details of Buckeye football. WHY did Lamar Thomas transfer? Was it because of grades? or lack of playing time? or something else?
It's been bugging me. Isn't he the kid that had the "speed kills" on his biceps?
After reading all the reports from fall camp, I think that Berry might be better on punt returns with all his jukes and moves. Have to see it though.
One of the worst cliche's I've heard is something to the effect of, "The conditioning in the offseason was the toughest since I've been here, but guys are really stepping up." Sanz is guilty of it this year. But I heard it leading into the last 3 seasons.
Watch the video again. He seems like a fairly good quality player but one thing you will notice is he is the last defender to hit the gas peddle. He has slow reaction to the snap of the ball. I hope we use multiple snap counts to further confuse him. +1 if you agree, thanks.
True statement but didn't they switch to more uptempo style in preperation for Oregon? I wouldn't be surprised to see that preperation method continued.
Agree, he's not in Clayborn's league but I do think he's a really good, solid DE that plays the pass and run equally well.
To me, the least impressive play in the whole video was his sack which came as a protection error at the LOS. He was left unblocked as a result. Any DE can make that play.
However, several other plays stood out even if he didn't record a tackle (and some where he did):
:52 - Great work to make the play as backside DE. He did his job and then some on this play.
1:29 - Makes play after getting off block. Did his job (it's the other guys who aren't at this point).
2:21 - Shrugs off guard, blows up running play
2:43 - TE tries his hand, Bailey engages and watches play direction to make tackle near LOS.
3:00, 3:12, 3:22, 3:40: Gets pressure or flushes QB.
Overall, I really like him as a player. Saw a lot from him in terms of alignment technique (7,8,9) and stance (3pt, 4pt, Standup rush) It's interesting that Miami was running so many twists in their rush schemes. Our offensive line will need to be prepared for that, I'm sure. I think Adams and JB will but up to the task.
Easy to play d when you know its going to be a run.
I go on elevenwarriors to do all my conversate!
Well he looks like he's 40. He must have played a lot of football back in the day.
Unfortunately, our tackles have been less than stellar against the speed rush.
Conversate! They do know that they have access to a college english department right?
the 2011 home slate [sans CU] may be the most pathetic schedule i i've ever laid eyes on.
I try to use strategery whenever I conversate.
Honestly, he reminds me of Cameron Heyward but with only 1 move. Like Sophomore Cam. Good, not great.
That being said, he's probably their best lineman, and he'll be a good test of our OL early in the year.
Tebow did well tonight. I know I'm minority in Buckeye land, but I'm rooting for the guy.
Watched me some Preseason, NFL football and would have thought nothing of the interviews had I not read this article. I have to admit, if I hear a player say "It felt good to hit somebody else, other than my own team mates" one more time, I think I will just quit watching until the Buckeyes play. Then, I will mute the television when they do interviews.
Minority of one sir.
I don't understand the hate on Tebow. I can only think of two reasons somebody could hate him;
1. He's a proud Christian.
2. He played for Florida.
Both of those reasons are extremely silly. He didn't cheat in college or do anything that should make somebody dislike a college kid. Sure, his mid-season speech was cheesy and over-publicized by ESPN, but the guy was fired up and he did end up winning a national title.
1. So is Laurinitis, Jenkins, McCoy, Bradford, Krenzel, Wells etc. I don't understand why he was singled out as the only Christian playing CFB.
2. I would feel the same way if he played for someone else and I had to mute games so I wouldn't have to hear Vern Lundquist quote Bible scripture.
So as a result of the media drooling all over him, you hate/dislike him?
I've got to tell you, that is the silliest thing I've ever heard all day. That's not even in Tebow's hands! At least the reasons I posted that people could possibly dislike him are HIS decisions.
If the reason you don't like him is the reason most Buckeye fans don't like him, than wow, I'm extremely disappointed to hear that.
I didn't say I hated him at all. I want to watch football, not have a Bible lesson. The fact that it was because of TT I was subjected to his religious views as if he was the only CFB player who holds those beliefs made me resent him, but not dislike him. That would be true if he played for any other team. I am thrilled he is gone. Sorry to disappoint ypu.
if you're a fan of any other team in the NFL other than the Patriots, you don't like Tom Brady. If you not a Yankee fan you can't stand A-ROD and Jeter and all of them. That is just what sports is all about. People will say "hate", but they don't really hate him. They don't want him to be badly injured or anything, the meaning of the word has just been diminished, something we have to deal with. Did I want nothing but to see him fail as a player in college? of course, because he was highly recruited, on one of the better teams, and the complete opposite of an undergod.
That said, I can't say I am in his corner or anything, but sports are sports. I am always drawn to want to see people succeed when everyone "guarentees" they will not. No one gave the guy a chance coming into the draft and no one is gibing him a chance now, so now he is the underdog. and watching an underdog succeed can be fun... until they succeed and then we want to see them fail again. Just the way of the sports world.
@Pam:
Personally, I don't mind that he's gone, but I'm "thrilled" I got to see one of the most-strong willed college football players of all time. I find it a shame anybody would resent somebody for what others say or do. I don't think Tebow was on the phone with Verne the night before telling him to explain the bible verse on his eye black.
And I don't think anybody acted like he was the only college football player with Christian beliefs. But many people think he was the best player in college football in his sophomore, junior, and senior year so the media gave him more attention. Not to mention the fact that he was a two time national champion, went to three Heisman ceremonies (won one), and was a dual-threat quarterback. Why wouldn't the media give him more attention?
I don't think you would mind Tebow too much if he played for Ohio State and led them to a national title like he did Florida.
I'm a little late on the Bailey thing but having just watched that video I can say two things for sure. I would not want to block him at all. Then again I am less than 200 pounds. Were I an OT for Ohio State weighing about 300 I feel I would have little trouble at all with him. He has a bull rush and that is about it. Piss poor technique if I have ever seen it. He is clearly an athlete and can clearly bring something to a hit but he failed to maintain good leverage and hand position on most of those "highlights" and the only TFL he had was when the line slid their protection away from him and he walked in untouched. He hit the QB a little harder than I would have but I would have gotten the same sack none the less. Not all that impressed.
You just want to get closer to the team," Chekwa said