It's Officially Official
For the first time since 2005 (huge Clarett asterisk), the Buckeyes won't be losing any early departures to the NFL draft as all five players suspended for the first five games of next season will officially be back for their senior campaigns.
"Our kids want to finish their degree and their commitment at Ohio State," Tressel told the Dispatch. "That is very important to each and every one of them, and to our staff and entire athletics family."
Hats-off to all five giving Tressel their word and keeping it.
Comments
Hats off to the Tat5, but especially to Tressel, whose "pledge to play" move was a stroke of brilliance.
Agree. Niccolo Machiavelli approves.
Jim Tressel proves once again--through all the fan/media teeth gnashing and hyperbole--that he's better than most (all?) of us, because he expects and brings out the best from others.
10 MORE YEARS!
Brady Hoke Hired Greg Mattison to coach Michigan's defense. Mattison was the Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator this past year. Yes, the same Ravens who have one of the best defenses in the league. Mattison also coached Florida's defense in the 2007 BCS title game, a game in which Florida beat [TEAM REDACTED], a squad led by a Heisman trophy winning quarterback, by a score of 41-14, holding [TEAM REDACTED] to 82 total yards and winning the national title in the process.
SHITBALLS. I LIKED THE OLD MICHIGAN DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, WHO WAS ALSO NAMED GREG, WAY BETTER.
Great hire, but he had Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata in the pros, and was co-DC at Florida in his time there. Charlie Strong was the core of the defensive braintrust in Gainesville.
Still, he's lightyears and lightyears ahead of Greg Robinson.
I'm impressed that all 5 of the suspended players kept their word to return for their senior season. I think that with all 5 returning, the NCAA will knock off at least one game from their current 5 game suspension.
Good DC hire, but until he gets some talent, don't expect Raven-like numbers.
Johnny Hooker: "He's not as tough as he thinks". Henry Gondorff: "Neither are we".
I recently read that AJ Green sold goods to somebody, and that somebody was an agent. I was concerned that he hadn't done much, and was hit hard. Now I see the tat five punishment as being way over the top, and targeting them. I knew Green was suspended and why, I just didn't know he was an agent.
Honestly, I am not surprised. Tressel is one of a kind.
"We have a quarterback, obviously, that's kind of ridiculous running the ball." - Urban Meyer
Agreed. I'm not surprised either. Tressel handled this perfectly. Plus, I don't think those kids are as bad (or as dumb) as some of us make them out to be.
I'd like to see all the complainers and naysayers who were certain these kids would not live up to their word step up to the plate here and admit they were wrong...
I will be holding my breath, so please hurry.
I will admit it. I was wrong. I thought for sure at least one of them would. However, I am very pleasantly surprised.
I don't remember if I said that, but I am a bit surprised they are coming back and really happy. It speaks very well for them. I'm behind them 100% at this point.
-TomCollins
http://www.smartfootballrankin...
I'll admit to thinking we'd still likely lose one despite any assurances to Tressel. All of these guys coming back really speaks volumes about him as a man/coach.
He's the best man in present day college football. In observing as much as I am able to all over the college football world, I am confident in my words.
Also, in my observations, Tress says the words "PUNCH 'EM AND DAZE 'EM!!?!?!?!?!?" better than any coach in present day college football.
October 20th: National Kenneth Guiton Day
+100
It also proves that tat-gate was overblown and many fans (haters) overreacted.
"No time for love, Doctah Jones!"
At the end of the 2011 season, when Tressel says "this is a special group of seniors," you can damn well take it to the bank. Kudos to the Tat 5 for manning up and to JT for handling the situation with class and for demanding (and getting) the best from his players.
SUCK IT, MARK MAY!
Now if the NCAA can just play nice and get the boys back for the MSU game.