Good morning, 11W readers! Or is it even morning? What if what we know as morning doesn't actually exist? What if none of us are real? What if every one of us lives inside an autistic boy's snow globe1?
Apologies. Ever since the Sarah Phillips story came out yesterday, I've been experiencing an existential crisis. Apparently ESPN is sometimes incompetent with their hiring choices? And there are people on the internet who aren't who they claim to be? Has anyone told the children that this sort of thing happens? We should probably let them know.
I was also struck by a terrifying thought: what if this isn't only about Sarah Phillips and instead, encompasses all Sarahs and I'm merely a figment of someone's imagination?
Then, a Twitter friend retweeted Neil deGrasse Tyson and I was like, "NEIL, I CANNOT PROCESS YOUR FACTOID ABOUT BACTERIA AND HOW THEY MIGHT BE OUR OVERLORDS! I COULD BE TRON!"
After spending the entire night reading Nietzsche, pondering Schrödinger's cat, and rewatching the scene from Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure where they meet Socrates2, I feel like I've dropped acid with Roger Sterling.
But, if any of you are really out there, I guess you didn't come here to discuss philosophy or the 1919 World Series. So let's move on to Ohio State news and hope that we're not being controlled by machines.
URBAN LEADER. Okay, so it's hardly breaking news that Buckeye fans are excited about Urban Meyer and the fresh start the team will get after a tumultuous year.
In an article about the next phase of the football program, Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News writes that the players are also feeling that optimism. As Corey Linsley declared, "I think we have a better attitude."
In addition, Chengelis dropped this bombshell:
He linked arms with receiver Frank Kangah to his right and linebacker Stewart Smith to his left, and with the rest of the Buckeyes, Meyer sang Ohio State's oldest school song, "Carmen Ohio."
Meyer visibly was moved, uttering a "Wow" as he shook his head in disbelief following that moment.
The new coach actually associates with walk-on players and not just the stars? Did Matt Hayes lie to us? My mind can only be blown so much in one day!
In all seriousness, Meyer relished the moment and relayed to his players how much it meant to him. For further evidence that he fully grasps the tradition of Ohio State football, he has adopted Woody's "that team up north" epithet and plays highlights of The Game on a loop in the locker room.
Many, including Chris Spielman and BTN's Gerry DiNardo, are looking forward to how Urban and Brady Hoke will shape Ohio State vs. Michigan. DiNardo even goes as far as believing, "we are headed into the most intense part of the rivalry."
I'm not sure Woody and Bo would agree, but I think everyone expects a very heated battle on November 24th.
YOU MUST REID THIS. It would seem that Chengelis enjoyed covering a first-rate team for once, because she also churned out a story about Reid Fragel. The tight end turned right tackle figured that once Urban was hired, he would be of more use as an offensive lineman and suggested the switch to the new man in charge.
At nearly 300 pounds right now, Fragel aims to hit 310 by the fall. He understands his role at his position, especially since it doesn't differ much from a TE in the old offense.
He claims that the team as a whole is starting to adjust to the new system:
"The overall atmosphere has changed a little bit (under Meyer). It's real up-tempo, and obviously that takes people out of their comfort zone at the beginning. Now we're all kind of gelling."
The senior, a Grosse Pointe native, mentioned that while it's disappointing that he won't be able to play in the postseason, it's fitting that his final game will be against Michigan in the Horseshoe.
As much love as he has for Ohio State, there is still a Michigander inside of Fragel. He admitted that he was able to cross one item off his bucket list when he threw an octopus3 on the ice of a Red Wings hockey game, one that took place in Nationwide Arena against the Blue Jackets.
If he had his way, OSU's offense would be Mewhort's 11 MEASURING ROD. Even though the spring game focused more on the passing game, Rod Smith led the way with 47 rushing yards and the game-winning TD for the Scarlet. Pete DiPrimio of The News-Sentinel profiled the redshirt sophomore who wants to contribute like that this season.
Last fall, Smith ran for 116 yards on 29 carries and scored one touchdown and added two receptions for 15 yards. He also fumbled the ball a couple times and practiced some with the linebackers, which translated to two special team tackles.
Smith explained what's different about the new offense and what he has learned:
“We’re running a lot more routes with the spread. You have to be a lot more focused and know what you’re doing in the running and passing game more.”
“In the spread, there’s a check pass for every route,” Smith says. “You always have to make sure you have good pass protection. The No. 1 rule is don’t let anybody touch the quarterback.”
It's a crowded position, and Smith is behind Carlos Hyde and Jordan Hall on the depth chart. Freshmen RBs Bri'onte Dunn and Warren Ball will also compete, and there are only so many carries to go around. I'm not going to predict what the running game will look like, but Meyer has promised a balanced attack and if Smith can work on his playmaking skills, he'll see the field.
HOT SPRINGS. Now that all the conference schools have held their spring games, BTN's Tom Dienhart has released which players made his All-Big Ten spring teams. He based his selections on the entire spring and consulted those close to the action, such as coaches and other reporters.
On the offensive side, Ohio State was represented by Michael Thomas and Jack Mewhort. Thomas' coming out party came when he hauled in 12 passes for 131 yards in the spring game and gave the coaches and fans alike some hope that Braxton Miller will have reliable receivers to catch his throws.
Last season, Mewhort played both guard positions and now he's taking over Mike Adams' spot at LT. Urban considers him the team's "most consistent lineman", and his steady presence is important for an OL without much depth.
If making Dienhart's defensive list despite not playing in the spring game is any indication, Johnathan Hankins will have a dominant season. Calling him "a wrecking ball to offenses", Big Hank has reshaped his body and should prove to be one of the best defenders in the conference this fall.
PLAY LIKE CONNOR TODAY. Eleven years ago, Ohio State soccer player Connor Senn died of a congenital heart defect. Every year since then, a soccer match has been held in his honor to raise money for the Connor Senn Memorial Fund.
Yesterday, the Columbus Crew visited the Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium in front of 1,071 people to take on the OSU soccer team. The Crew won 4-0, although rain caused the game to end early. All of that was secondary to those involved; what last night was really about is bringing attention to athletes with undetected heart conditions.
As BSB's Jeff Svoboda reports, former UM player and current Crew member Justin Meram said, "I kind of took the Michigan out of me. We do this for Connor."
Next Tuesday, OSU coach John Bluem, Crew GM Mark McCullers, and Crew defender Danny O'Rourke will talk about sudden cardiac arrest at the Connor Senn Memorial Symposium. Anyone can attend the event, which will start at 8am in the Ohio Union.
BARTON LINK. Urban Meyer and Jeff Logan netted $30,000 for OSU scholarships in a golf tournament... Ohio State architecture students learn about Ohio Stadium... Austin Hatch's road to recovery... Brandon Wood thought he was better than Draymond Green... I don't know about bacon soda but I would drink pumpkin pie soda pop4... Today's grammar lesson courtesy of Britta... Day to Night in photographs... Two dogs, one blind and one with PTSD, become best friends and everyone cries.
- 1This flow chart will mess with your mind.
- 2 Pronounced "Sew-crates".
- 3 In my opinion, the creepiest of sea creatures, of which there are many.
- 4 I'm Midwestern.
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