When my daughter was born, I would sing to her every night. Songs included Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, The Alphabet Song, Hush Little Baby, and--of course--The Buckeye Battle Cry and Carmen Ohio.
Lately, I have been singing the songs to my son, and she has definitely picked up on more of the words of the latter two songs. Sometimes she tries to sing them to herself, and I have to say, it warms my heart. She doesn't quite have the words down, but she gets the gist of it. I have been trying to catch her on camera, but she clams up when I pull the camera out, but I at least wanted to share what I usually hear from her when she attemps to sing it.
In Ol' Ohio, there's a baby
Known throughout the land
Eleven warmers, brazen fold
Who fames shall never land
And when the ball over
our cheers reach the SKY!
Ohio field hears again
The Buckeye Bat Cry!
DRIVE! DRIVE down to the field
Men of scarmitt and grey!
Don't go through the vine,
We win this game today!
COME ON OHIO!
SMASH through to dickory
We cheer as you go!
Our smwhuwh defend, we fight to end
for O-HI-O!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
2012 Women's Football Clinic
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| Coach Meyer and Me |
When I received the itinerary for the event, I was still a bit befuddled. It briefly mentioned offensive and defensive demonstrations, auctions, and drills. DRILLS? Hmmm. Okay. It also encouraged participants to wear athletic shoes. In my mind, I pictured most of the women attending to be in their mid-to-late 50s, so I couldn't imagine what they had planned for us. I also wasn't sure who was running the camp, but it guaranteed a photo opp with Coach Meyer, so again, I was game.
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| Lines to see Vrabel and Fickell |
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| Me and Abby |
As we took our seats to start the day of events, runningbacks coach Stan Drayton stepped up to the podium with his wife beside him. This was a theme throughout the day -- the coaches brought their wives with them, and you could just sense the utter respect they had for these women. It was heartwarming. Drayton introduced Athletic Director Gene Smith.
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| Kimmie and Me |
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| Coach Vrabel was hilarious! |
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| One of the nicest coaches out there. Hoping he does really well as Defensive Coordinator this season! |
The coaches who did the demonstrations were not the assistants and graduate assistants that I expected -- they were all head coaches of their respective groups. The RB coach, LB coach, WR coach, Strength coach, Offensive Coordinator, Defensive Coordinator, etc. I recognized all of their names, and their attitudes and instruction were fun-filled and informative, all presented with humor and levity.
I could go on for pages trying to convey to you the energy and experience of the day, and you still won't fully grasp how entertaining the activities were--how each coach mixed comedy with coaching, all the while threatening us with grueling workouts to come in the afternoon's 87-degree heat.
As the presentations went forward, they pulled volunteers onto the stage to represent the positions on the team. From Coach Fickell, we learned that OSU primarily plays a 4-3 defensive strategy; that almost no one knows the name of noseguard on the defense for OSU (because they rarely get the credit or the blame) even though they are one of the anchors on the defensive front; and that the middle linebacker needs to be THE leader on the defensive side of the ball. Without a strong leader in that position, the defense will falter under pressure.
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| If you are going to read this blog, you must understand that I love Troy Smith as a college football player. |
Coach Mickey Marotti was probably my favorite. They call him the "FUN" coach, because he is insane. He has more energy that anyone else I have seen at his age, and he managed to yell at us and make us laugh simultaneously. I can understand why Coach Meyer brought him up from Florida.
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| Best Rivalry in College Football! |
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| I found my locker! |
After the auctions, there was a brief equipment demonstration as well as a talent show featuring former player Kirk Barton and some of the assistant coaches. It included popular dance numbers, and Abby and I enjoyed the opportunity to get up and move around a bit.
Then it was time for drills for Abby and me. The other half of the 800 women in attendance went on a tour of the locker room and facilities. I wasn't sure what to expect of the drills, but I can tell you that next time I will be wearing athletic shorts. I also have a new appreciation for the football team! The coaches did not torture us -- but they did give us a great taste of what the football players endure in training for the season. We did footwork drills, blocking drills, catching, passing, tackling (my favorite), fumble recovery (MUCH tougher than it looks on TV), and just plain sprinting.
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| The "Naughty List" |
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| Kim enjoying the air conditioned players' lounge |
We ended the day with something called a Smokehouse Challenge. It began with a sprinting competition, by age group, and ended with a push-up challenge (i.e., push-ups done in 10-unit increments). As I watched the winner do roughly 175 push-ups, I noticed the coaches down on the ground, cheering the competitors forward. I saw Urban Meyer, head coach of the OSU Buckeye football team, pouring water on the women to cool them off. I saw inspiration and leadership and camaraderie.
I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am for next year's Women's Football Clinic. I will be registering right away! I encourage all of my female friends to attend. You will have a blast, and you will get some great personal memorabilia out of it! And most importantly, you will be supporting an amazing cause -- Cancer Research and Prevention.
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| Woody Hayes' Chalkboard |
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| After the drills |
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| Ahhh, memories. It looks a little lonely though. |
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| Coach Schlegel (he couldn't believe I wanted a picture with him!) |
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| I was talking when Abby snapped this. Coach Meyer was telling me how much he loves Script Ohio. |
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Spring Game
I have been remiss in posting my take-aways from the OSU Spring Game. To my reader, I apologize. Unfortunately, this isn't my 8:30 - 4:30 gig, so things get in the way of blogging.
But if you hadn't heard, the OSU Spring Game took place Saturday, April 21st. And if you haven't heard, I am really surprised, because the turnout for the Spring Game was an astonishing 81,112 people. That was the highest for all of the NCAA football programs. And looking around the stadium, people filtered in pretty steadily until 15 minutes after the start of the game, filling up a good portion of C-Deck. Not too shabby for a cold and rainy day in Columbus, Ohio.
And in that cold and rain, Coach Urban Meyer came out on the field wearing shorts!
I have been to a few spring games at OSU, so I was interested to see whether the first Spring Game under the Urban Meyer era was any different. So despite the bleak weather, my husband and I braved the elements and sat in the rain through about 3 quarters of spring football. And if I wasn't pumped up for next season before...
I am now.
Before the game started, I was expecting to seeing the infamous Hive at mid-field. I have always enjoyed watching the players get revved up before the games. So as they gathered mid-field before the game, a part of me smiled that Tradition was being upheld. And all of a sudden, the Hive parted in the middle, and two OSU players took their stances opposite one another, as if they were playing a one-on-one football scrimmage.
Interesting.
As we watched, pair after pair of players took a stance across from each other, as the players surrounding them in a ring looked on and cheered.
So somewhat the same, with a new twist. I can get into that.
Then the players lined up to start the game. Anyone who was there can correct me if I am wrong, but I didn't see any returns on punts throughout the game. So as far as player safety goes, it looks like Urban is covering his bases, because the QBs were considered down by (sometimes minimal, or not-even-real) contact.
And much to my surprise, Urban wasn't pacing the sidelines in his I-must-still-think-I-am-in-Florida-or-I-wouldn't-be-wearing-shorts-on-a-40-degree-day-in-April-in-Ohio-shorts. No, Coach Meyer lined up in what appeared to be an official's stance, about 10 to 15 feet behind the offensive line, as if he was scrutinizing every aspect of the play personally.
I can definitely get into that.
How many times have we heard people complain that Coach Tressel (and even Coach Fickell, to some extent) failed to make adjustments during a game? And didn't we all watch as Florida, under a certain un-retired coach, dismantled a Buckeye team in the National Championship years ago because that OSU team failed to make adjustments? This is all streaming through my head as I watch Urban Meyer pull his QB, RB, OL, etc., aside throughout the game, coaching them immediately about the execution of any play he didn't quite like.
Then, midway through the 2nd quarter, as Basil lined up to kick a field goal, Urban Meyer was standing RIGHTNEXTTOHIM. I said to the husband, "No pressure." His retort? "He needs to feel some pressure. Why do you think our kicking game is so bad?" Good point.
And to top that off, Meyer then decided he was going to test that kicking game, backing up Basil 5 yards progressively and making him repeat each distance until he successfully made a field goal. The crowd seemed to like the challenge, but it really got them riled up when Meyer lifted his arms, urging them to cheer louder.
So, all-in-all, Meyer impressed me in the Spring Game. He seems to have implemented subtle changes to improve the competitive spirit in the players. I didn't see any miracles on the field, but I did see a lot of fun-filled sparring.
Moving on to some of the players...
Braxton Miller, our young star QB, started out with a bang and ended with a fizzle. He seemed sharp and elusive at the beginning of the game, but even though his stats were good, what I saw on the field was still a collection of athletic skills -- not necessarily an overwhelming quarterback. He ran well, and there were times that the down-by-sorta-kinda-contact hurt him, because it looked like he would have made a play, but someone on the DL got a piece of his jersey. But overall, I am still frustrated by the lack of patience in the pocket and how Braxton stares down his first option receiver, leading to broken plays and interceptions.
Kenny Guiton looked even more impressive, perhaps because we didn't see much of him last season, and anyone looks pretty great compared to Bauserman. But he made solid decisions, and he advanced through his progressions very well. He isn't quite as quick on his feet as Miller, but what he lacks in track skills, he makes up for in confidence and poise. If nothing else, he gives us another solid QB option.
Regarding the runningbacks, Carlos Hyde was average. The offensive line still isn't wowwing anybody with their blocking, so I think that is what people really want to see improvement in this season. The person who really stuck out toting the rock was Bri'onte Dunn, our shining new star. His cuts were impressive, and he will be exciting to watch.
The receivers were average, and the tight ends were targeted often, though they had a little bit of trouble connecting with the QB. There is no star pass-catcher, but they all serve their purposes. It will be interesting to see if any of them can get good separation against star corners.
Speaking of corners, and the defense as a whole, while we didn't get to see the defensive unit as we will see it in the Fall (with the return of Nate Williams as a solid complement to Jon Simon), they got good pressure on the QBs throughout the game and the corners picked off the QBs a couple of times. Defensive prowess is never easy to judge in a game where you have to be careful who you hit, but they looked pretty sharp overall.
I am really excited to see where this goes in the coming season.
In the meantime, I am thrilled that I will be attending the Women's Football Clinic on June 9th! It will give me an opportunity to meet the coaches, see informational sessions, and even strap on some shoulder pads and go through a few drills. I think it will give me some great insight for the blog. =) Stay tuned!
But if you hadn't heard, the OSU Spring Game took place Saturday, April 21st. And if you haven't heard, I am really surprised, because the turnout for the Spring Game was an astonishing 81,112 people. That was the highest for all of the NCAA football programs. And looking around the stadium, people filtered in pretty steadily until 15 minutes after the start of the game, filling up a good portion of C-Deck. Not too shabby for a cold and rainy day in Columbus, Ohio.
And in that cold and rain, Coach Urban Meyer came out on the field wearing shorts!
I have been to a few spring games at OSU, so I was interested to see whether the first Spring Game under the Urban Meyer era was any different. So despite the bleak weather, my husband and I braved the elements and sat in the rain through about 3 quarters of spring football. And if I wasn't pumped up for next season before...
I am now.
Before the game started, I was expecting to seeing the infamous Hive at mid-field. I have always enjoyed watching the players get revved up before the games. So as they gathered mid-field before the game, a part of me smiled that Tradition was being upheld. And all of a sudden, the Hive parted in the middle, and two OSU players took their stances opposite one another, as if they were playing a one-on-one football scrimmage.
Interesting.
As we watched, pair after pair of players took a stance across from each other, as the players surrounding them in a ring looked on and cheered.
So somewhat the same, with a new twist. I can get into that.
Then the players lined up to start the game. Anyone who was there can correct me if I am wrong, but I didn't see any returns on punts throughout the game. So as far as player safety goes, it looks like Urban is covering his bases, because the QBs were considered down by (sometimes minimal, or not-even-real) contact.
And much to my surprise, Urban wasn't pacing the sidelines in his I-must-still-think-I-am-in-Florida-or-I-wouldn't-be-wearing-shorts-on-a-40-degree-day-in-April-in-Ohio-shorts. No, Coach Meyer lined up in what appeared to be an official's stance, about 10 to 15 feet behind the offensive line, as if he was scrutinizing every aspect of the play personally.
I can definitely get into that.
How many times have we heard people complain that Coach Tressel (and even Coach Fickell, to some extent) failed to make adjustments during a game? And didn't we all watch as Florida, under a certain un-retired coach, dismantled a Buckeye team in the National Championship years ago because that OSU team failed to make adjustments? This is all streaming through my head as I watch Urban Meyer pull his QB, RB, OL, etc., aside throughout the game, coaching them immediately about the execution of any play he didn't quite like.
Then, midway through the 2nd quarter, as Basil lined up to kick a field goal, Urban Meyer was standing RIGHTNEXTTOHIM. I said to the husband, "No pressure." His retort? "He needs to feel some pressure. Why do you think our kicking game is so bad?" Good point.
And to top that off, Meyer then decided he was going to test that kicking game, backing up Basil 5 yards progressively and making him repeat each distance until he successfully made a field goal. The crowd seemed to like the challenge, but it really got them riled up when Meyer lifted his arms, urging them to cheer louder.
So, all-in-all, Meyer impressed me in the Spring Game. He seems to have implemented subtle changes to improve the competitive spirit in the players. I didn't see any miracles on the field, but I did see a lot of fun-filled sparring.
Moving on to some of the players...
Braxton Miller, our young star QB, started out with a bang and ended with a fizzle. He seemed sharp and elusive at the beginning of the game, but even though his stats were good, what I saw on the field was still a collection of athletic skills -- not necessarily an overwhelming quarterback. He ran well, and there were times that the down-by-sorta-kinda-contact hurt him, because it looked like he would have made a play, but someone on the DL got a piece of his jersey. But overall, I am still frustrated by the lack of patience in the pocket and how Braxton stares down his first option receiver, leading to broken plays and interceptions.
Kenny Guiton looked even more impressive, perhaps because we didn't see much of him last season, and anyone looks pretty great compared to Bauserman. But he made solid decisions, and he advanced through his progressions very well. He isn't quite as quick on his feet as Miller, but what he lacks in track skills, he makes up for in confidence and poise. If nothing else, he gives us another solid QB option.
Regarding the runningbacks, Carlos Hyde was average. The offensive line still isn't wowwing anybody with their blocking, so I think that is what people really want to see improvement in this season. The person who really stuck out toting the rock was Bri'onte Dunn, our shining new star. His cuts were impressive, and he will be exciting to watch.
The receivers were average, and the tight ends were targeted often, though they had a little bit of trouble connecting with the QB. There is no star pass-catcher, but they all serve their purposes. It will be interesting to see if any of them can get good separation against star corners.
Speaking of corners, and the defense as a whole, while we didn't get to see the defensive unit as we will see it in the Fall (with the return of Nate Williams as a solid complement to Jon Simon), they got good pressure on the QBs throughout the game and the corners picked off the QBs a couple of times. Defensive prowess is never easy to judge in a game where you have to be careful who you hit, but they looked pretty sharp overall.
I am really excited to see where this goes in the coming season.
In the meantime, I am thrilled that I will be attending the Women's Football Clinic on June 9th! It will give me an opportunity to meet the coaches, see informational sessions, and even strap on some shoulder pads and go through a few drills. I think it will give me some great insight for the blog. =) Stay tuned!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Return to Glory?
Let me first apologize for not covering the basketball Buckeyes' trip to the Final Four. I have no other reason than just being too busy with the rest of life to do much in the way of blogging. But I think the Buckeyes did a fantastic job in the NCAA Tourney, and despite the way it ended, they have nothing to be ashamed of this season. With the return of starters Lenzelle Smith Jr (who was amazing in the first several rounds of the tournament), DeShaun Thomas (who became one of the tournament's leading scorers), several bench players, and the ultimate defensive talent of Aaron Craft, I think the Buckeyes could put together another great run next season.
And speaking of next season, the Football Spring Game quickly approaches! Can you believe it? I expect record numbers to flock to the Horseshoe next Saturday, April 21st, to witness the installment of Urban Meyer's new offense and get a glimpse of the new Ohio State Buckeyes.
There has been a lot of speculation about how next season will go, and I hear a lot of people claiming that next season we (meaning OSU) will return to our former glory and reclaim a spot at the top of the Big Ten, which would be a championship if not for that nasty little post-season ban.
I have seen a lot of things about Urban Meyer in the news, but can I just make one quick observation about Coach Meyer:
I don't believe he has ever worked as a magician.
I have great confidence that Coach Meyer will elevate the play of the Buckeyes throughout the season, that the Buckeyes will find the leadership and continuity they were sorely missing last season, and that eventually they will become a dominant force in the Big Ten, if not the nation.
But let me also point out that the offense that Urban Meyer is installing is so drastically different from the traditional offense that Ohio State has employed for so many years that you are likely to see a lot of growing pains in the play of the Buckeyes when they begin to implement this new system. Remember that TTUN tried to adopt a spread offense years ago and never really recovered until firing Rich Rodriguez and hiring Brady Hoke, who essentially restored the traditional offense to get the Wolverines back on track.
Now, I know that Urban Meyer is a far superior coaching talent than Rich Rodriguez. But I feel obliged to note that so far, observers of the Buckeyes practices have not been too impressed with their grasp of the new offense. There have definitely been some hiccups, and Coach Meyer hasn't been shy to admit this. There have also been some bright spots, one of whom is Jordan Hall, the leading tailback. The offensive line is looking better with the adjustments that Meyer has made, and the return of Jon Simon on the defensive line, in combination with the anticipated return of the injured Nathan Williams, definitely speaks volumes for the defense as a whole.
But in the spread offense, there is a large need for speedy and effective receivers, and that was something the Buckeyes certainly lacked last season. Meyer hasn't been shy about his doubts in the receiving corps.
So while I am eager to see this new, explosive offense -- especially given the offensive woes the Buckeyes suffered last season -- I have to say I am not one of those Buckeye fans who thinks that Urban Meyer is the next David Copperfield, who will magically transform the offensively challenged, i-formation, power football Buckeyes into a high-speed, spread formation, scoring-at-will team.
I know they will be better, but I also think it might end up being a good thing that we aren't working toward the post-season this year. We have a lot to work on through the season. Because I do know that once this offense does take hold (and I have no doubt that it will in the next few seasons), Buckeye fans are going to be spending a lot more money on bowl tickets!
And speaking of money, i was just reading about the new scoreboard renovations set to occur April 23rd. Apparently they are increasing the size of the scoreboard from a measley 30-by-90 feet to 42-by-124 feet, with high-definition, increased speakers, and LED ribbon boards that will flank the South stands. As if it weren't exciting enough to go and see Urban Meyer coach the Buckeyes this season, now you get a more visually stimulating scoreboard experience to boot. I wonder how much that will increase ticket prices altogether? I will have to ask my mom...
And speaking of next season, the Football Spring Game quickly approaches! Can you believe it? I expect record numbers to flock to the Horseshoe next Saturday, April 21st, to witness the installment of Urban Meyer's new offense and get a glimpse of the new Ohio State Buckeyes.
There has been a lot of speculation about how next season will go, and I hear a lot of people claiming that next season we (meaning OSU) will return to our former glory and reclaim a spot at the top of the Big Ten, which would be a championship if not for that nasty little post-season ban.
I have seen a lot of things about Urban Meyer in the news, but can I just make one quick observation about Coach Meyer:
I don't believe he has ever worked as a magician.
I have great confidence that Coach Meyer will elevate the play of the Buckeyes throughout the season, that the Buckeyes will find the leadership and continuity they were sorely missing last season, and that eventually they will become a dominant force in the Big Ten, if not the nation.
But let me also point out that the offense that Urban Meyer is installing is so drastically different from the traditional offense that Ohio State has employed for so many years that you are likely to see a lot of growing pains in the play of the Buckeyes when they begin to implement this new system. Remember that TTUN tried to adopt a spread offense years ago and never really recovered until firing Rich Rodriguez and hiring Brady Hoke, who essentially restored the traditional offense to get the Wolverines back on track.
Now, I know that Urban Meyer is a far superior coaching talent than Rich Rodriguez. But I feel obliged to note that so far, observers of the Buckeyes practices have not been too impressed with their grasp of the new offense. There have definitely been some hiccups, and Coach Meyer hasn't been shy to admit this. There have also been some bright spots, one of whom is Jordan Hall, the leading tailback. The offensive line is looking better with the adjustments that Meyer has made, and the return of Jon Simon on the defensive line, in combination with the anticipated return of the injured Nathan Williams, definitely speaks volumes for the defense as a whole.
But in the spread offense, there is a large need for speedy and effective receivers, and that was something the Buckeyes certainly lacked last season. Meyer hasn't been shy about his doubts in the receiving corps.
So while I am eager to see this new, explosive offense -- especially given the offensive woes the Buckeyes suffered last season -- I have to say I am not one of those Buckeye fans who thinks that Urban Meyer is the next David Copperfield, who will magically transform the offensively challenged, i-formation, power football Buckeyes into a high-speed, spread formation, scoring-at-will team.
I know they will be better, but I also think it might end up being a good thing that we aren't working toward the post-season this year. We have a lot to work on through the season. Because I do know that once this offense does take hold (and I have no doubt that it will in the next few seasons), Buckeye fans are going to be spending a lot more money on bowl tickets!
And speaking of money, i was just reading about the new scoreboard renovations set to occur April 23rd. Apparently they are increasing the size of the scoreboard from a measley 30-by-90 feet to 42-by-124 feet, with high-definition, increased speakers, and LED ribbon boards that will flank the South stands. As if it weren't exciting enough to go and see Urban Meyer coach the Buckeyes this season, now you get a more visually stimulating scoreboard experience to boot. I wonder how much that will increase ticket prices altogether? I will have to ask my mom...
Friday, February 3, 2012
Signing Day
Signing Day was Wednesday. This was the day all Buckeye fans have been waiting for. The day when the Urban Meyer era would officially stake its claim and give fans a preview of the era to come.
And may I say, it did not disappoint. Urban Meyer took a subpar recruiting class and made it one of the top 5 recruiting classes in the nation. He signed 5 offensive linemen, 4 linebackers, 3 defensive ends, etc. etc. etc. In all, Meyer landed 25 recruits, many of whom had previously committed to schools such as Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Penn State.
This last point has stirred up much controversy in recent days. Apparently Coaches Bielema and D'antonio haven't taken too kindly to Meyer's recruiting tactics -- namely, Meyer actively recruiting players who had given verbal commitments to their schools.
Bielema, I can't call him a baby on here. That would give babies a bad name. No, I don't have a real word for Bielema. Every loss he has had to Ohio State has been followed by excuses and underhanded insults. Let's face facts that Wisconsin currently is more of a rival to Ohio State than That Team Up North has been in recent years (despite the outcome of The Game this year). And I enjoy a good jab back-and-forth between rivals. But Bielema's antics aren't in the spirit of a good rivalry. It is more of a "I'm-gonna-take-my-ball-and-go-home" nature. It takes away from the fun, and this week has been no exception. He has hurled accusations and whiny comments in the direction of Meyer, even referring to Meyer's recruiting practices as illegal. It speaks of a sore loser, and it takes beating him and his Badgers to a whole new level.
D'Antonio is a coach I have always respected. Though he hasn't said much to Meyer's recruiting himself, his assistant wasn't too thrilled to lose a recruit (Se'von Pittman) to Meyer and the Buckeyes, citing a handshake agreement between D'Antonio and Tressel that they wouldn't recruit each other's commitments. I have something to say about that one...
Tressel doesn't coach at Ohio State anymore.
So yes, Meyer's tactics are a little more aggressive. It is going to change the "gentlemanly" recruiting practices of the Big Ten in the near future. But maybe that is a good thing, because the Big Ten as it stands hasn't been too successful in the national standing lately. So a little more spirited competition might be the best thing it could get.
And really, you can't blame players for wanting to play for Urban Meyer. He is like the superstar of the Big Ten right now. If you wanted to go to a Big Ten school, wouldn't you want to go to the one that has dominated the Big Ten for almost a decade (save 1 year full of uncertainty and violations) that is donning a bright and shiny new coach?
And may I say, it did not disappoint. Urban Meyer took a subpar recruiting class and made it one of the top 5 recruiting classes in the nation. He signed 5 offensive linemen, 4 linebackers, 3 defensive ends, etc. etc. etc. In all, Meyer landed 25 recruits, many of whom had previously committed to schools such as Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Penn State.
This last point has stirred up much controversy in recent days. Apparently Coaches Bielema and D'antonio haven't taken too kindly to Meyer's recruiting tactics -- namely, Meyer actively recruiting players who had given verbal commitments to their schools.
Bielema, I can't call him a baby on here. That would give babies a bad name. No, I don't have a real word for Bielema. Every loss he has had to Ohio State has been followed by excuses and underhanded insults. Let's face facts that Wisconsin currently is more of a rival to Ohio State than That Team Up North has been in recent years (despite the outcome of The Game this year). And I enjoy a good jab back-and-forth between rivals. But Bielema's antics aren't in the spirit of a good rivalry. It is more of a "I'm-gonna-take-my-ball-and-go-home" nature. It takes away from the fun, and this week has been no exception. He has hurled accusations and whiny comments in the direction of Meyer, even referring to Meyer's recruiting practices as illegal. It speaks of a sore loser, and it takes beating him and his Badgers to a whole new level.
D'Antonio is a coach I have always respected. Though he hasn't said much to Meyer's recruiting himself, his assistant wasn't too thrilled to lose a recruit (Se'von Pittman) to Meyer and the Buckeyes, citing a handshake agreement between D'Antonio and Tressel that they wouldn't recruit each other's commitments. I have something to say about that one...
Tressel doesn't coach at Ohio State anymore.
So yes, Meyer's tactics are a little more aggressive. It is going to change the "gentlemanly" recruiting practices of the Big Ten in the near future. But maybe that is a good thing, because the Big Ten as it stands hasn't been too successful in the national standing lately. So a little more spirited competition might be the best thing it could get.
And really, you can't blame players for wanting to play for Urban Meyer. He is like the superstar of the Big Ten right now. If you wanted to go to a Big Ten school, wouldn't you want to go to the one that has dominated the Big Ten for almost a decade (save 1 year full of uncertainty and violations) that is donning a bright and shiny new coach?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
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.
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.
Friday, January 13, 2012
To Tweet or Not to Tweet?
That has been the question on the minds of many Buckeye fans since Urban Meyer met with the team January 3rd and was rumored to have instituted a Twitter ban on the football players. Immediately following the meeting, a couple of the players tweeted that they were asked to discontinue their Twitter accounts, and the media went crazy with news that Meyer had imposed a Twitter ban.
A couple hours later, a few of the other players tweeted that they had never been asked not to use Twitter and laughed at the frenzy that had ensued based on the news from the meeting.
So why did some players hear one thing and other players another? What is the real scoop on Twitter?
Urban Meyer responded yesterday that he never asked that the players delete their Twitter accounts and never suggested a complete Twitter ban. Rather, he told the players that their social media accounts would be monitored by the coaching staff and asked that they not discuss the team. If they violate this request, then their social media rights will be revoked.
Personally, I was okay with a complete Twitter ban. It isn't that I don't like Twitter or social media. (I am using a form of it to write my blog, after all, and I do enjoy checking in on my friends through Facebook.) But as a student-athlete at a school like Ohio State, where distractions abound, maybe it isn't such a bad idea to avoid a form of media that is likely to be used against you more often than it might be used in your favor. Words of student-athletes, celebrities, professional athletes, politicians, etc. have been used against them from their tweets for years now. Everything you say and do during your time as a representative of the university reflects for or against the university. And all of your actions and words are under a microscope -- most especially now, given the events of the past year.
So a Twitter ban was okay with me, and it certainly isn't unprecedented. Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz instituted a ban as well, as have coached on other teams throughout the nation. But I heard an outcry that Meyer was a horrible coach for doing such a thing -- imposing a ban on the rights of young men. I sat back and tried to understand why a ban would be a bad thing...but I still can't come up with anything. Sure, "tweeting" is a form of speech, and we all have that right to freedom to speak our minds. But as I mentioned above, when you accept that position as a student-athlete, representing your university, you also accept the responsibility to make sound decisions and choices that will not reflect poorly on your school. As much fun as it might be to connect with others on Facebook, My Space, or Twitter, it also opens you to a whole new level of scrutiny from the professional media, who often as waiting to pounce on you for any wrongdoing. I also read opinions that Meyer should let the young men learn how to be responsible for themselves in what they post.
Really? I think Tressel probably felt the "young men" he coached were responsible enough to know right from wrong -- that is, to know that they shouldn't sell their Big Ten championship rings for tattoos and possibly other illicit items.
Now is exactly the time to impose seemingly unfair rules with the athletes at The Ohio State University. Sorry that those who came before you screwed it up for the people to follow, but this is a new coaching staff with new expectations, and the NCAA not only expects but is requiring the Buckeyes as an institution to keep their collective noses clean for THREE years.
So I would say that a social media ban is the least that can be expected. And if a recruit chose not to attend OSU because of a ban, then chances are that OSU would be better off without taking the chance on him/her.
However, given that no ban has been instituted, let's examine the true situation.
A couple hours later, a few of the other players tweeted that they had never been asked not to use Twitter and laughed at the frenzy that had ensued based on the news from the meeting.
So why did some players hear one thing and other players another? What is the real scoop on Twitter?
Urban Meyer responded yesterday that he never asked that the players delete their Twitter accounts and never suggested a complete Twitter ban. Rather, he told the players that their social media accounts would be monitored by the coaching staff and asked that they not discuss the team. If they violate this request, then their social media rights will be revoked.
Personally, I was okay with a complete Twitter ban. It isn't that I don't like Twitter or social media. (I am using a form of it to write my blog, after all, and I do enjoy checking in on my friends through Facebook.) But as a student-athlete at a school like Ohio State, where distractions abound, maybe it isn't such a bad idea to avoid a form of media that is likely to be used against you more often than it might be used in your favor. Words of student-athletes, celebrities, professional athletes, politicians, etc. have been used against them from their tweets for years now. Everything you say and do during your time as a representative of the university reflects for or against the university. And all of your actions and words are under a microscope -- most especially now, given the events of the past year.
So a Twitter ban was okay with me, and it certainly isn't unprecedented. Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz instituted a ban as well, as have coached on other teams throughout the nation. But I heard an outcry that Meyer was a horrible coach for doing such a thing -- imposing a ban on the rights of young men. I sat back and tried to understand why a ban would be a bad thing...but I still can't come up with anything. Sure, "tweeting" is a form of speech, and we all have that right to freedom to speak our minds. But as I mentioned above, when you accept that position as a student-athlete, representing your university, you also accept the responsibility to make sound decisions and choices that will not reflect poorly on your school. As much fun as it might be to connect with others on Facebook, My Space, or Twitter, it also opens you to a whole new level of scrutiny from the professional media, who often as waiting to pounce on you for any wrongdoing. I also read opinions that Meyer should let the young men learn how to be responsible for themselves in what they post.
Really? I think Tressel probably felt the "young men" he coached were responsible enough to know right from wrong -- that is, to know that they shouldn't sell their Big Ten championship rings for tattoos and possibly other illicit items.
Now is exactly the time to impose seemingly unfair rules with the athletes at The Ohio State University. Sorry that those who came before you screwed it up for the people to follow, but this is a new coaching staff with new expectations, and the NCAA not only expects but is requiring the Buckeyes as an institution to keep their collective noses clean for THREE years.
So I would say that a social media ban is the least that can be expected. And if a recruit chose not to attend OSU because of a ban, then chances are that OSU would be better off without taking the chance on him/her.
However, given that no ban has been instituted, let's examine the true situation.
- The players will be permitted to tweet their little hearts out, but their social media accounts will be monitored. It leads me to wonder whose job it is to monitor the tweets of the football team. (How much does that job pay? Seriously, I could do that...)
- The players were also asked not to discuss the team in their social media posts. This is also a very reasonable request. Tweet whatever you like about your classes, your girlfriend, how many people you killed in Battlefield 3, but please don't discuss anything about the team, because it will be picked up by ESPN or the local news and twisted around in every possible way to make the team look bad.
- The players were asked to be responsible for their social media use. I think this should be true of everyone -- be a responsible human and adult. And as I mentioned above, it is a nice theory that you have to teach these young adults how to be responsible for themselves, but I would keep them on a VERY tight leash.
And on a sidenote, it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff deals with Dominic Clarke, who was picked up on a DUI charge after a traffic stop this week. This is the first serious offense for Urban Meyer. Clarke, a DB, has been in trouble once this season for disorderly conduct. Apparently he was caught firing a BB gun (or possibly a paintball gun) on campus, in an attempt to see how far it would shoot.
And that, my friends, is the perfect example of what I am talking about. It made the local news that Dominic Clarke, primarily a BACK-UP player on the football team, was picked up for shooting a BB gun on campus. He wasn't reported to have been firing at anyone in particular. But once you step a toe out of line, everything you have ever done will be used to make you look like a chronic offender and make the university look like it has lost control of its players.
Clarke was picked up on a DUI charge. That is the more serious issue, because after all the issues OSU has had of late, why would you be out drinking and driving during conditioning season? And is Clarke even of age to drink? (Reports I have found have listed his age as 20 years.)
Maybe he can send me a tweet to confirm...
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