E.g.

Urban Meyer made his first statement about the future of OSU's tolerance on players who break the rules. In a somewhat surprising decision Sunday, DB Dominic Clarke (who, as I mentioned in my previous blog, was charged with a DUI last week) was dismissed from the team for violation of team rules. Another player (DerJuan Gambrell) was also released for violation of team rules.

Meyer stated that they would not use players to send messages or make examples to other players on the team, but whether it was intended or not, I think that Meyer and the newly formed OSU coaching staff has done just that.

It is extremely important for this staff to get control of their players right out of the gate, so I am not disappointed in the decision to dismiss Clarke and Gambrell for their violations. A program under scrutiny needs strong leadership and sound decisions by its leadership, and Meyer has shown a firm hand in dismissing the players for their actions.

Now the question (that I hope we won't have to answer anytime soon) is whether the same rules would apply to hotshot players on the team (e.g., Braxton Miller), or if it was limited to players that the average fan wouldn't recognize. I would say time will tell, but let's hope the question goes unanswered for at least 3 years.

Also, two additional scholarship players are transferring. Taylor Graham was a slightly hyped QB recruit to begin this season. Then again, so was Joe Bauserman. So we are losing 4 scholarship players, which accounts for 3 of the lost scholarships we received from sanctions plus 1 that is open for any player who might be on the fence...

And coincidentally, it would seem that the coaches Meyer snatched away from Notre Dame might be bringing a bit of a signing bonus with them in the form of a top-rated offensive lineman. If you have read my blog in the past, you know how frustrated I am with our offensive line, so this pick-up would make Nutty happy! And in the revolving door of OSU coaching right now, cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson will be leaving OSU to head to Arkansas. Johnson will be assistant head coach at Arkansas, and Nutty will miss him. Say what you will about our defense and DBs being a bit slow, we have had some pretty impressive corners the last several seasons.

Can Meyer woo another top-rated coach this late in the process?

And don't think I am going to let what the basketball team did versus Indiana go undiscussed for long! That blog comes up tomorrow.