Eleven Warriors

RichRod bumpin' uglies (Mandi Wright DFP)

With UM's first practice came this beauty of RichRod dishing out a chest bump to Brandon Minor following a drill. With my mind short circuited by a week long headache, this photo triggered a barrage of questions that I thought I'd share and obtain your thoughts.

Following the buttoned down Lloyd Carr Era, I'm sure the UM players are beyond excited to see their head coach chest bumping his players if nothing else but to demonstrate a change of style and attitude.

That said, do you think showing his players a different brand of leadership will have any impact on how they play? Meaning, will they have more desire to play for RichRod than they did for Carr?

Second, I tried to envision The Vest laying a chest bump on Beanie after a 60 yard jaunt to paydirt. Not only could I not picture it, I was glad I couldn't.

RitaRod: safari bound?

Whether it's because of the success Tressel has obtained with his Senatorial approach or maybe just that I'm partial to a conservative figurehead running the show, I'm more than satisfied with Tressel's low key style save the periodic fist pump.

What do you think? Would you prefer a more animated Vest or no? Do you think his relative lack of emotion has a positive or negative effect on the team?

Lastly, and most importantly, the pic of RichRod got me thinking of Rita which begs the question - Between Rich and Rita, who has the better chest bumps?

It's pretty hard to tell underneath all that leopard/tigress print and 70's hair, but I think I give a slight edge to Rich. (Easy UM fans - it's all in good Friday fun!)

The media had their first chance to meet with the players on Thursday and as you probably know by now, suspensions were confirmed for Washington and O'Neal. The press had attempted to ascertain the status of the two players when they spoke with Tressel on Monday, but he deftly moved the conversation to the next question by saying that more details would be forthcoming.

Steroid-free, baby. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)

At yesterday's Buckeye media day, one of the precious few days each year that all players are available to the media, the two players admitted to being suspended for the first two games, though neither would say what they were suspended for. The two, along with the now-departed Eugene Clifford, were busted for what-shall-not-be-named in early April and suspensions had been rumored for some time.

The good news is that the suspensions are for the Youngstown State and Ohio U games -- I don't think any of us would bat an eye if the defense went out and pitched back-to-back shutouts, in spite of the absence of the veteran Washington and utility back O'Neal. The bad news, of course is that the first game back for these guys will be played at a speed that may be difficult to simulate in practice with a scout team. That and the USC wide receivers will essentially have a twoone-game running start.

Sophomore Chimdi Chekwa has been running with the first team lately and will likely be the starter in place of Washington. As the nickel guy last season, he has a lot of experience under his belt. He did get roasted in the Illinois game, but more than made up for it by jawing with H20-4 later in the season. He'll play a lot of minutes in the first two games and could parlay that into more action against the Trojans, but all three of the cornerbacks figure to see a good amount of action in that game.

Getting back to the way this news was obtained -- does that strike anyone else as being a little weird? Tressel basically waited and let the players confirm their fates while avoiding why they were suspended. He's straight machiavellian, but he's our Prince, damnit.

Other notes from the media day and practice:

• Thad Gibson is up to 250 pounds from the 205 he arrived at and he's still claiming a 4.5 forty time. His photos scare me a little.
• Mike Boren, former linebacker for Bo, is now the proud owner of Buckeye apparel.
• The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review was in town to cover the event, okay maybe just one guy at the event, but how else would we know that Boeckman and Pryor are rooming together at camp.
• We've been informed that Curtis Terry is huge -- about 250 huge -- but not quite up to Jamar Martin size yet. Feed that man.
• Shaq Rowell's situation may be a bit more dire than reported. The ball is in his court, but the odds aren't good at this point.
• Brandon Saine is rocking a yellow jersey, which means his action has been limited in drills and such.
• In addition to some Pony sets, the Buckeyes have been looking at the Pistol formation.
• Photos: Bucknuts, Scout and this goldmine (via OHD)
• Some audio and video at the official site.

The-Ozone* is running a contest to nickname Beanie's stiff-arm. The winner will be announced prior to the first game of the season and there are handful of pretty damn awesome entrants. The three that really caught my eye are "The Varsity Club", "Pushy Galore" and "Fear Itself", though I'm probably partial to the 007 homage. Head here to vote.

The Wall Street Journal caught up with Rich Rodriguez and I get the feeling his John Cooper-esque approach to the rivalry may come back to bite him in the ass.

* I've never understood the hyphen. Anyone?

Public Enemy #1 in Columbus.

We're counting down the weeks until kickoff by profiling a different Big Ten team each week. Today, the Zooker's Illini are up.

For those of you that don't have the BTN, you should be thankful, the Illini's victory over Ohio State last year has been the only game they have replayed from the Bucks season. It was the first time Illinois had beat a #1 ranked team since 1956 and this year's game in Champaign sold out in less than an hour.

COACHING: Ron Zook enters his fourth season at the helm and will be looking to improve upon his 13-23 record in Champaign. His program took a major step forward in 2007 by going 9-4, but he lost some key players and it is going to be difficult to match last year's win total.

OFFENSE: Illinois returns 7 starters on offense, but gone is Rashard Mendenhall's 1,681 rushing yards and 2 offensive line starters. They do have Juice Williams back, but did he improve enough as a passer to carry this team on his back?

Williams accounted for 192 combined yards a game last season and threw for the fewest yards amongst Big Ten quarterbacks, but rushed for a conference high 755 yards. He solidified the starting job in the last half of the season, but with a capable back up in Eddie McGee, Juice might have a short leash if he can't hit his receivers.

Daniel Dufrene, a 5'11" 204 pound junior will try to replace Mendenhall at running back. Yes, Dufrene is the guy who cost Cleveland from the Family Guy his job, after his blatant fumble against OSU last year wasn't reviewed. He will run behind 3 returning starters on the offensive line, including potential all conference center Ryan McDonald.

Arrelious Benn is back after leading this team with 54 catches and 676 receiving yards. He will lead an inexperienced group, whose next leading returner is Brian Gamble with 16 catches. Freshman Cordale Scott, a Glenville product could get into the mix early on and give Juice another legitimate target.

DEFENSE: Illinois returns 6 starters on defense, including 3 linemen and both their corners. Gone however is J Lehman, the heart and soul of not only Illinois, but all of America.

Vonta Davis is one of the best corners in the country and will team up with fellow junior Dere Hicks, trying to improve upon their combined 128 tackles, 6 interceptions and 13 PBU's. Both starting safeties are sophomores and Zook will have two new outside linebackers, but one of them, Matez Wilson could have a breakout year.

KEY GAME: The key game is the opener against Missouri. The Illini have lost three straight to Mizzou, including a 40-34 loss a year ago. A poor performance against Mizzou could continue the question marks in the passing and running games.

BEST-CASE: Obviously the best case is Illinois continues to build off last year's success, beat Mizzou, PSU, Michigan and Wisconsin, lose to Ohio State and finish 11-1 with another shot at a BCS game.

WORST-CASE: However, Zook and the Illini are going to have a tough time reaching the 9 win mark of last year. Illinois has only 6 home games, playing Missouri in St. Louis, W. Michigan in Detroit and at PSU, Michigan, Wisconsin and Northwestern. The Illini could be 2-3 heading into home games against Minnesota and Indiana.

I know Ohio State made Juice look like a Heisman winner last year, but I'm not sold on Juice and Illinois just yet. In 2001, the Illini went 10-2, then won 13 games in the next 5 seasons. They are ranked #19 to start the season, but their schedule is brutal, with Missouri, at UM and at Penn St. in the first five games. This is a pivotal year for Zooker's program and if they get off to a rough start, they have a chance to win 5 of their last 7 and reach another bowl game.

For the 98% of Buckeye fans that don't get the BTN, the videos from yesterday's televised practice are up online.

When your coach starts quoting MacArthur, you know the team is focused:

And give Jim Bollman a monocle and he's Panama Jack. Especially with all of that "shark" talk:

Arrest them!

... or what rival fans cobble together when they haven't managed a win in the biggest rivalry in college football for 1719 days (and counting).

The scholars at Michigan Against the World have taken it upon themselves to celebrate the Worthington arrest by profiling all 30 arrests of the Jim Tressel era. Being Michigan men, their strength is shown exhibiting term papers instead of taking part in the great traditions we enjoy. Such as getting drunk and watching our favorite team beat down their favorite team.

They are kind enough to break the numbers down by year, which only serves to illustrate the fact that 23 of the 30 arrests came during Tressel's first four years on the job -- also known as the last four years of Cooper recruits filtering through the program.

They go to great ends to point out that Cooper, despite coaching for 13 years, had 10 fewer player arrests than Tressel's seen in eight. This is largely misleading for two reasons. First, I don't think it's a stretch to say that the players Cooper pulled in his final three seasons had anywhere near the character (or talent) of the players he recruited during his first decade. Then there's the whole issue of rising arrest rates in general. I don't have data available, but I don't think I'm going out on a limb in assuming the Fulmer Cup of 2008 features a little more offense than a hypothetical Fulmer Cup of 1998.

But carry on charting, graphing and citing, boys. 30 is a long way from 1719.

(Via DDN Buckeyes Beat)

* A retaliatory list would be forthcoming if I didn't have 11 kids to feed. Instead, all I have is this.

In your state, enjoying your amusements

Fascinating story from the Morning Journal's Jason Lloyd about the recruitment of Melvin Fellows and Tressel's efforts in holding off Illinois and Michigan State, two teams that are coached by Ohioans with strong connections in the state.

The meat of the Fellows tale involves an email sent to Tressel from a member of the vast Buckeye spy network:

Eric Wolford, an Illinois assistant coach, was at a bar with the Garfield Heights coaching staff. It was Illinois' last-gasp effort to keep Melvin Fellows, a four-star defensive end prospect from Garfield Heights.

''Illinois is doing whatever it takes to keep Melvin,'' according to the e-mail, obtained by The Morning Journal. ''Eric told me his (he) is prepared to fist fight (OSU coaches Jim) Heacock and Tavier Johnson for Fellows.''

Wolford was obviously joking (and good thing, see: Johnson, Wolford), but Lloyd goes on to illustrate just how hard the Illini, in particular, are hitting Ohio for recruits. He seems to imply, and I would have to agree, that Zook's habit of early offering was a big reason why the 2009 Buckeye class got to the early twenties so quickly.

Fellows, of course, would eventually come to his senses, but he was the first big shot fired into the chosen land by the Zooker and there will certainly be more to come. Fellows' teammate (and fellow Buckeye recruit) Chris Fields summed up the Illini approach:

"They're really good people when it comes to persuading," Fields said. "They almost caught me, but I went, 'Hey.' Melvin fell in the little hole they got there, but he popped out and now he's a Buckeye."

Beware of that little hole they got there.

I wasn't one of the lucky few to have caught the Buckeye practice on the BTN last night* but the hometown paper was kind enough to blog about it. In short:

• Beat writer Ken Gordon may be envious of the openness of Rich Rodriguez's practices.
• Beanie is catching slants, which will only help his NFL stock (as if it's needed)
• Abdallah is running with the first team instead of Larimore

It's not up yet, but the footage will be posted to the network's web site here. Anybody else catch it last night?

Crazy factoid of the day: the Buckeyes have finished dead last -- 119th -- for three straight years in opponent penalty yards per game. The good teams are definitely going to get the shorter end of the stick here, but to come in last three years in a row?

*8/15 is the big day for those of us fortunate enough to cede sizable amounts of our earnings in exchange for the craptacular offerings of Comcast.

If a dog is going to bite, he's gonna bite as a pup (AP Photo)

The first day of fall practice saw the Buckeyes working in shorts and Tressel speaking to the press (video) for the first time since the Big Ten media event in Chicago. For a fanbase starving for information, today's fix hit the spot.

As Keith pointed out in the comments yesterday, Terry was indeed permanently moved to fullback, opening the way for Ross Homan to grab an early lead in the WLB battle.

With the quickness that this announcement was made, I'm envisioning Jamar the 2nd blowing holes in the line for Beanie all year long (he looks freakin' huge). Whaley and crew were more than adequate last season, but it's been a while since a Martin or Sualua were destroying linebackers on a regular basis. (Just imagine how much more effective that stiff arm will be if he can save its use for DBs...)

The Buckeye offense may look a lot like this when they line up for that first play of the opener:

Given the fact that it will be the Penguins of Youngstown State lining up against this offense in the opener, there's probably a better chance we'll see two tight ends, but you get the point.

The third receiver spot is still wide-open, and chances are it may remain that way, with several players getting looks well into the season. Still, I'm pulling for Taurian Washington. I think I've seen him catch about three balls in his career (including spring games) and all three have gone for six. One wideout that probably won't be featured in that group is Devon Torrence -- he's working exlusively with the cornerbacks and will be looking to find a spot on that side of the ball.

Not surprisingly, Pryor's name came up early and often. When asked if he could see snaps in the opener, the response was downright senatorial, if not illuminating: "if he earns it." You could tell how giddy the press were as they informed Tressel that Pryor wasn't wearing a black jersey like the other quarterbacks (Pryor quickly changed).

The two Dublin kids were held out of drills. Mike Adams is still recovering (quite speedily) from surgery and Jake Stoneburner was also shelved, but Tressel maintained that the team was free of any serious injuries.

The first team defense should look like the unit shown to the right. A pretty sick unit -- even excluding Donald Washington and his 20 starts at cornerback. Washington and tackle Doug Worthington's names came up right off the bat and trying to parse Tressel's words ("[he] has to get over some hurdles, but Doug's a good kid") I'd guess that Washington is out the first two games, while Worthington will probably have to sit the opener. Nothing firm was given and this is just my own opinion -- not based off of any super-secret inside stuff, but we'll probably all be the wiser in the next 10 days or so.

Homan at the WLB spot is interesting. He played a ton as a true frosh backing up Kerr and actually finished third among linebackers in tackles that year. Injuries gobbled up his season last year, but as redshirt sophomore's go, he's pretty damn seasoned. Freeman will be moving to the strong side, so the future trivia question of "Who replaced Larry Grant at linebacker?" just took a tricky turn.

All the talk about the offense and the defense, but today's sessions were special teams only. The Buckeyes, looking to improve upon their dreadful return numbers last season, figure to give Tressel's favorite aspect of the game plenty of time this year. Saine and Boom were singled out as looking great on kickoff returns, while Tressel offered that he believes Ray Small is as good as any returner in the country on punts. The Ghost may find his niche after all, but as Tressel also mentioned, the upfield team needs to create lanes for him to really blow up.

Finally, a bit of a downer, but Shaq Rowell didn't qualify and will look to get back to OSU in December if all goes well. I know how much he really wanted to be a Buckeye, so hopefully he'll be back in a few months.

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.

Bet you didn't think we could tie Ohio State into two photos related to women or garments worn by women on the same day. The first one is a little old, but hey, Greg Oden is in it. He's pictured above with Kevin Durant at the (2007) ESPYs and the two are fixed on the booty of Camilla Belle.

You can maybe make a case that Oden is actually peeping the ESPY hardware. If you look closely, he does appear to be peering right and away from Belle, but we can't bring ourselves to believe that. Besides, the facial expression is clearly displaying the affirmative answer to his mental question of, whether given the opportunity, he would in fact hit it. Durant is unquestionably all-in.

The second photo features a future Buckeye opponent, proud enough in his own sexuality and big enough to kick your ass for laughing at him.

Here's a hint: he will be going head-to-head with Beanie in a game that might mean a little something. Click the photo to find out who the thong-rocking future NFL first-round draft pick is.

(Via EDSBS)

Laurinaitis likes Florida, Beanie looks for Robo on the goal line and Ray Small decking Ray Small. Those are just a few of the funny scenarios to come out of the first ever Buckeye Uplifting Athletes charity event held at Eddie George's Grille 27 Wednesday night.

Donald Washington ended up mercy-ruling Kyle Mitchum for the championship (34-0) after getting past Wells in an all-Ohio State matchup in the semis of the players video game tournament.

The LA Times has a feature up exploring the futures of Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno. Bowden is atop the all-time victory list over Paterno by a single victory and it's pointed out that the guy that has a better season in 2008 may finish on top as speculation mounts as to whether this is the final season for both.

If Joe Pa is unable to catch Bowden on the career leaderboard, he can always fall back on his 7-1 mark head-to-head against him.

We have a new shirt up featuring six of our favorite surnames. Consume and help right this economy.

No confidence in Manning?

It's been a little over a day since the news hit and many of us are still wondering why Quinn Pitcock did decide to retire from the Colts.

After notifying the Colts of his intention not to report for the start of camp, Monday's speculation was that he had lost his desire to play football.

After his agent officially notified the team of his retirement in vague terms, he was unavailable for comment and the Indy press still have no idea why he walked away. Phil Wilson of the Indianapolis Star's would only venture the following:

Until I hear differently, the only speculative guess I will make is that Pitcock made some money and decided to go a different path with his life.

Quinn appeared to be a pretty bright guy, having considered Duke as a destination in high school -- he even listed working with computers as a hobby (which is pretty much like finding a four-leaf clover in a media guide). Maybe he earned just enough to buy equity in a company like Cuil or PowerSet and has this master plan (okay, scratch Cuil). Or maybe he just wanted to be able to walk pain-free when he was 40.

If that's the plan, he doesn't exactly have to be Warren Buffet, but he'll have to be smart with his money. He probably earned in the $300-$400k range his rookie season and he did secure a $436,500 signing bonus, but Colts president Bill Polian said the team plans to try to recover two-thirds of that bonus. That leaves about $500k when it's all said and done. Not chump change by any stretch, but not exactly enough money to set you up for life these days, either.

Whatever the reason, we have to respect it. How many of us have hated a job we've held? As to his future -- is it too early to start the Pitcock for graduate assistant campaign?

The Big Ten has decided not to renew the contract of referee and family guy star Cleveland Brown Steve Pamon. After his crew blew big calls in back-to-back games, including the non-fumble that was in the Illinois game, Rivals uncovered some unsavory tidbits from his past and the writing was pretty much on the wall. His blown call against the Buckeyes ultimately didn't matter -- but maybe the added swagger of being undefeated heading into the MNC is worth at least a Spitler finger-tip on the ball?

More nuggets are starting to filter out from the Big Ten media days last week including this tale of Tressel deftly side-stepping a question about the '08 election while in an elevator with fans. (Note that this is not an invitation to discuss said election on this blog -- unless you're advocating for a Whig party candidate, that is.)

WhatIfSports has simulated every 2008 matchup 100 times to "deterministically evaluate all teams to come up with the best possible ranking of how every team compares to every other team" and their computers seem to love the Buckeyes. Means nothing of course, but I'll take that 48.9 PF/GM and 7.6 PA/GM anytime. Georgia, Oklahoma, LSU (their code must be missing the PerrillouxMeltDown routine) and USC round out the top five.