Archives for April 2015

Braxton Miller NCAA Violation And Punishment Handed Down

April 9, 2015 by 1 Comment

As many of you are aware here is the story of what happened….

As a result of that OSU had to turn in a violation to the NCAA and today news came down as to what would happen to Braxton From Tim May….

In the end it was not much of anything and Braxton got what he deserves a slap on the wrist and some education.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Two More 2015 Commits Wont Be on The Team This Year (Per Reports)

April 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Drama Drama Drama…. In what is starting to be the word of the week it seems OSU is having an issue getting out of the Drama Dept. A new report is out and claims that one commit will Gray Shirt and another didnt qualify because of grades here is part of the report from Cleveland.Com….

Also, a source said that one other Ohio State player who committed to this incoming freshman class did not meet academic eligibility requirements set out for him in December and won’t be part of the team this year, though it’s possible he may enroll in the future.

And one other member listed as part of the 27-member Class of 2015 in February is expected to grayshirt. That move would have the player enroll in the winter, after the season, and not count against the scholarship total now.

No word on who those 2 players are but there was word that Long Snapper Liam McCullough was rumored for a long time to be a Gray Shirt candidate. As for who may have had grade issues there were rumors that Rashod Berry and Eric Glover-Williams may have had issues but it is impossible to tell until OSU says for sure.

If these 2 stories are true and Jamel Dean is done at OSU that will put OSU at the 85 scholly max they needed to be at by Aug 1st.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Why OSU Should Ignore The UC Bearcat Challenge

April 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment

First lets start off with the challenge itself which came last night as Ohio State was being honored by the Cincinnati Reds for winning the CFB Playoff National Championship this year. In what has become sort of a tradition the Reds have invited the Buckeyes and Coach Meyer to Great American Ballpark to throw out first pitches and get a round of applause from the crowd. Which in and of itself is a nice gesture and should be applauded. Then comes along the official University of Cincinnati Bearcats Twitter account to rain on the Buckeye parade…

A simple enough gesture the Bearcats want to host Ohio State in Football and/or Basketball. Getting Ohio State to play at Nippert Stadium would be great for the Bearcats. On the other hand though would do nothing for OSU and in fact would cost OSU quite a lot. How you say could it cause OSU harm? Lets discuss.

THE BAD

Loss of money– OSU is a self-sufficient Athletic Department and has the largest Athletic Dept. in the country and it takes quite a lot of money to run said AD. One home game alone on ticket sales at $80 per ticket x 106000 tickets = $8.5 million. Add in merchandise, parking, food, and other forms of income and OSU is easily bringing in 20-25 million per home game on the conservative side. Playing a game at Cincy would cost probably $500k just to travel and feed and lodge the players and coaches and OSU employees. OSU really truly cant afford to play at Cincy.

Recruiting- OSU and Cincy for the most part do not recruit the same players. When was the last time you saw a recruit with an OSU and Bearcat hat on the table when making a decision? Never is probably correct. So there is no recruiting advantage to playing at Cincy. In fact say OSU loses that would hurt OSU recruiting and give Cincy coaches a chance to make up ground on OSU on the recruiting trail.

Stadium size- Nippert Stadium holds roughly 35k fans. Sure they could play at Paul Brown which prob holds closer to 70k fans but OSU wouldnt get a cut of the money raised and would have many more fans there than the Bearcats.

Ohio Schools- If OSU caves to the Bearcats would other Ohio Schools start calling out the Buckeyes to visit their schools? Maybe? Why take the chance it is a PR nightmare.

Perception- OSU prides itself on being the only true “BCS” school in Ohio and dominates the state and there is no reason to ruin that perception because of a funny banter tweet.

But why not Basketball?– Have you seen the chicanery that happens in UC vs Xavier games? The pent up aggression between OSU and UC is palpable and there is a lot at stake and is it even worth it? Want an Ohio Tourney with OSU, XU, UC, and Dayton? Sure would be fun play it at a neutral spot not at each others home courts.

THE GOOD

There is not a single good reason for OSU to play Cincy in Cincy ever in any sport. Can you think of one? If so let me know in the comments thanks.

Filed Under: B1G Football, Cincinnati Reds, College Football, College Football Recruiting, High School Football, Ohio State Football

Top 2016 OSU Commit Considering “Other Options” (Per Report)

April 8, 2015 by 6 Comments

Ohio State has been pretty much drama free for a while now so of course everything would hit at once. Jamel Dean is leaving the program and his HS Coach isn’t happy about it and all but saying OSU is forcing him out. Now comes a new report saying that the Top recruit in the 2016 class is unhappy and considering other options on the heels of canceling his visit for Spring Game today as well and visiting Rutgers for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. Here is a snippet of the report from Tom VanHaaren of ESPN ($$$)….

When ESPN junior 300 running back Kareem Walker first committed to Ohio State, he thought he would be the only running back in the class and Stan Drayton would be the running backs coach. Nearly three months later, neither statement is the same.

Ohio State now has three ESPN Junior 300 running backs committed and Drayton has gone to the Chicago Bears, replaced by former Notre Dame running backs coach Tony Alford.

Walker, the top-ranked back in 2016, thought he would be the only running back in the class, so when Drayton left and the other two backs committed to the Buckeyes, it started to make him think.

“The coaches told me that Coach Alford said they would use DeMario McCall like Jalin Marshall, as an H-back, but when I was talking to [George Hill], he said he wanted to play running back,” Walker said. “Everybody is saying they’ll be the slot guys and I’ll be the running back. You have the No. 1 running back and you take three backs in my class.”

Walker says he isn’t going to make any decisions right now, but he does want to sit down with his coach to talk about the impact of the other two prospects and if he should make any tough decisions in the near future.

Obviously this is not the kind of thing you want to be reading but there is a ton of time left before the 2016 class will sign their LOIs and plenty of time for Coach Meyer and his staff to mend any fences they may need to.

*** Mini Update ***

I know Kareem has been telling people he was going to come to the Spring Game and then today canceled that so he could take the ACT test. Doing a little digging on the ACT site and at best he would have had to register to take the test by March 27th so he has known for at least 2 weeks he wouldnt be at the Spring Game so not sure what to make of this but either he never planned on coming or he is using the ACT testing as an excuse not to come now.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

OSU Player Leaves Team Due To Medical Issues (Per Report)

April 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment

OSU fans know that a few guys had to leave the team in order for OSU to get down to 85 players. There have been rumors that a few players would be leaving because of medical issues but I doubt anyone thought it would be a True Freshman who enrolled early and never even got to practice with the team but alas that is what apparently going to happen from this report from 11W….

Sources told Eleven Warriors the freshman defensive back from Cocoa, Fla., was not medically cleared by the Ohio State staff after enrolling early in January and has not yet practiced with the Buckeyes.

As a result, Dean has decided to move on and pursue opportunities — both academically and athletically — elsewhere. Sources informed Eleven Warriors that Dean was presented an opportunity for a medical hardship so he could remain on academic scholarship at Ohio State, but he opted for a release from his scholarship in an attempt to get cleared medically elsewhere.

All you can do is wish him luck and hope he heals well enough to play again somewhere someday.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Indians Locking Up Kluber & Carrasco Proves Front Office’s Commitment to Winning

April 6, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Corey Kluber

In 2007, CC Sabathia won the Cy Young Award. He was traded a year later. In 2008, Cliff Lee won the Cy Young Award. He was also traded a year later. Back-to-back Cy Young Award winners being traded didn’t sit too well with Cleveland Indians fans. Selling away star players can make any fan base jaded and negative. Fast-forward to 2014, Corey Kluber became the fourth pitcher in Indians history to win the Cy Young Award. Indians fans waited for the sky to fall again the following year. But that never had a chance of happening. On Easter Sunday, just before the start of the season, Kluber signed a new contract that will keep him in an Indians uniform for several more seasons. In more ways than one it’s a big moment for the franchise and it’s fans.

Kluber’s new contract keeps him in a Tribe uniform until 2019 and also has club options for 2020 and 2021. According to MLB.com writer Jordan Bastian, the guaranteed portion of the contract is worth a total of $38.5 million. That’s a pretty great price for the defending AL Cy Young Award winner. According to Ken Rosenthal, this is the “largest guarantee ever” for a pre-arbitration pitcher and contains “unique escalators and trade language.” This deal works out well for Kluber too, as at the age of 29 it’s a safe deal to take and gives him security.

Kluber on signing his new deal:

I’m excited to have it in place and be a Cleveland Indian for a long time,” Kluber said on Sunday. “More than anything, I wanted to be here. The young core that Chris has done a great job of locking up, and everything that [manager Terry Francona and pitching coach Mickey Callaway] have meant to me since I’ve gotten here, that had more to do with it than anything. I wanted to be a part of this.”

It’s encouraging words to hear from an ace pitcher and he hit on the big reason why Indians fans everywhere should be excited about this season and beyond: the young core that has been locked up. Kluber wasn’t the only pitcher the Indians locked up for the long-term on Sunday, as they also extended the contract of Carlos Carrasco. According to Jeff Passan, It’s a three-year extension on top of his 2015 salary with the guarantee close to $22 million. It also has options for 2019 and 2020. Carrasco struggled for good parts of 2014, losing his starting spot in the rotation and was even designated for assignment. After a short time in the bullpen though he turned it around, posting a 2.30 ERA in 43 innings in the bullpen. This earned him a spot back in the rotation at the end of the season where he was lights out. Over 69 innings he had 1.30 ERA and struck 78 batters, while only walking 11. If Carrasco can maintain this kind of performance consistently, the Indians have themselves a pretty potent 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation for years to come.

By signing Kluber and Carrasco to long-term deals before the season, the Indians generate a lot of excitement and reinvigorate confidence in the fan base. These deals symbolize the front office’s dedication to putting a winner on the field. Of course these aren’t the only two young players that are locked up in long-term deals. They’re two parts of a very dynamic and exciting core of players on this roster. 2014 Silver Slugger catcher Yan Gomes is signed through 2019, second basemen Jason Kipnis is signed through 2019, All-Star Michael Brantley is signed through 2017 and several other players have multiple years of arbitration before free agency. It’s not unfair at all to compare this core of young players signed to long-term deals to the core of players in the 90s that were signed to long contracts. And we all know how the 90s were for the Indians.

There are no guarantees of success though and you never know what might happen to a player next. I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the contract extensions of Roberto Hernandez (aka Fausto Carmona) and Travis Hafner done by the Indians in the last ten years. Those contracts were complete busts and hampered the franchise for multiple years. I point this out to temper your enthusiasm Indians fans and to remain grounded. A championship isn’t won on paper. The main point of this is General Manager Chris Antonetti and the front office of the Indians should be applauded for doing everything they can to ensure a winning product and put the best players on the field. That is all you can really ask out of a front office. The pieces are in place to succeed and if the players live up to their full potential the 2015 season could be a fun one for the team at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.

Photo Credit: Cleveland.com

Filed Under: Cleveland Indians Tagged With: , , , , , ,

2015 Ohio State Spring Football Questions: Is The Open Cornerback Spot An Open Target?

April 3, 2015 by Leave a Comment

On March 10th, Ohio State began spring practice, and had fifteen spring football practices available before the conclusion of spring practice on April 18th in Ohio Stadium. Over the next few weeks, I will rank the top ten questions facing Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer and his coaching staff as the Buckeyes retake the football field after concluding the 2014 season as the national champions.

These articles will be submitted from areas of lowest concern to highest concern. While Ohio State returns the overwhelming majority of its 2014 team, and welcomes in a highly-touted recruiting class, it will be important for Coach Meyer to convey to his team that complacency within the player ranks could derail any hopes of the Buckeyes repeating as national champions in 2015.

Seven practices in, with eight practices remaining, including the April 18th spring game. Opportunities to make positive impressions upon the coaching staff regarding the depth chart are becoming scarce.

Earlier in the series, my questions and focus was upon emerging players at backup positions, a clear testament to Ohio State’s depth across the board. The remaining articles will focus upon position areas where Ohio State has lost a player(s) to graduation or eligibility, which is why I have ranked these position groups higher in terms of importance.

3. Cornerback/Defensive Back

Key Players/Contributors Lost: Doran Grant (eligibility); Armani Reeves (injury); Ron Tanner (injury)

Key Players/Contributors Returning: Marshon Lattimore (Redshirt Freshman), Eli Apple (Redshirt Sophomore), Damon Webb (Sophomore), Gareon Conley (Redshirt Sophomore), Cam Burrows (Junior), Vonn Bell (Junior), Malik Hooker (Redshirt Freshman), Tyvis Powell (Redshirt Junior), Erick Smith (Sophomore), Jamel Dean (Freshman)

Cornerback is a relatively strong position for the Ohio State defense, with so much talent on the roster returning or arriving. Eli Apple emerged as a quality starter during the 2014 season, and should be considered one of the leaders of the secondary. Both Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell return at the safety positions.

Doran Grant leaves after a solid career, as he prepares for a selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Regrettably, Armani Reeves and Ron Tanner both concluded their careers due to concussion-related issues. Both Reeves and Tanner were dependable special team contributors throughout the 2014 season.

Why the concern over cornerback, you ask?

Think back to last season’s Ohio State/Michigan State game in East Lansing. Apple was battling a hamstring injury, and the coaching staff was resting Apple at the onset of the game. Gareon Conley started in Apple’s place, yet the coaching staff felt compelled to get Apple back into the game after Michigan State repeatedly targeted Conley at the beginning of the game.

With the departure of Doran Grant, there is an open spot at the opposite cornerback position. So far during the spring practices, it appears that Gareon Conley is the leader for the open cornerback position.

Even if Conley is listed as a starter after April 18th, I will not be surprised if this battle continues well throughout the summer and into preseason fall camp. Damon Webb earned playing time as a true freshman last season, and could press Conley for the spot. Marshon Lattimore was redshirted last season due to a recurring hamstring injury. If Lattimore can rebound from his hamstring issues, perhaps he could also press for time; Lattimore was a prize recruit from the 2014 recruiting class.

No matter who wins the spot, Ohio State fans need to be prepared for the likelihood that opposing quarterbacks will likely target that individual when the season begins. After all, Apple has established himself in pass coverage, while Conley, Webb, Lattimore, etc, have not as of yet. Growing pains are customary whenever there are inexperienced players within the defensive secondary.

Will this open cornerback position wind up being an open target for the opposition? Ohio State fans will have to wait and see until the 2015 season commences.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Catching Up With ’17 OT Emani Mason

April 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment

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Class of 2017 Emani Mason stands 6’4 and weighs around 270. Coming from Detroit, Michigan, Mason is rated as 5 Offensive Tackle in his class (per 247Sports). He is also rated as a four star with a 94 rating. Currently, Mason has no offers, but has a couple years left in the recruiting process. This early in the process Mason is already receiving interests from many top programs. “It’s been the same schools really, Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State.” said Mason.

The ’17 Offensive Tackle has visited Michigan and Michigan State up to today, both instate colleges for Mason. “I want to visit Michigan and Michigan State again. Also some more Big Ten ad MAC schools.”

Ohio State is showing interest in Mason. When asked about the situation with OSU he said “I’m just working on getting more interest from them.”

So early in the process, he has not visited Ohio State, but it is likely the Buckeyes will continue showing hard interest in Mason. He looks for a program that feels like a family, has a good training program and a staff that can develop him for the next level.

“I feel that I am good all around on the offensive line and defense. But I could get better. I’m physical, tough to defend, and a good pass blocker. But I want to work on my run blocking.”

Mason hopes to commit by his junior or senior season. In his off time he likes to play basketball and hangout with his teammates and family. He is a family person and is really relaxed. Mason also keeps busy in the weight room as he already benches 250 and squats 400. Look for Ohio State to keep interest and possibly offering Mason a scholarship in the future!

Highlights

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Breaking: Braxton to leave OSU

April 1, 2015 by 4 Comments

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Not really sure how to start this since I am so confused on so many levels here. Let me start off with saying first of I, a man of great insignificance, have scored an exclusive interview. Before I start I will give you the back story leading up to how I landed this exclusive interview with the man, the myth, the legend Braxton Miller.

I am in Columbus for the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The city I work for has sent me down for the three day event to take some classes and learn some important information about safety that I can take back to make the division I am responsible for safer. After sitting through a few lectures then talking with some vendors I realized I was extremely hungry and had a craving for a lamb burger with a Guinness beer. The first place that popped into my head was The Pub over at the Polaris Mall, great place if you’ve never been able to eat there. After enjoying my dinner I decided to take a walk around the mall noticing that for a Tuesday night not many folks were there which was kind of nice.

I stopped at one of the two Starbucks for a coffee, seriously why do you need 2 Starbucks this isn’t Dublin. I’m walking around enjoy my extremely hot cup of joe then all of a sudden I notice someone, I’ve heard rumors he likes to hang out at Polaris also nobody mess with him like nobody recognizes him. It’s Braxton Miller sitting by himself looking at his phone. I’m not one to go disturb someone’s peace but something told me just to go shake his hand and say hi at least so I have something to tell my grandchildren one day.

Nervous for some reason, probably afraid he’s gonna yell at me for disturbing him, I walk up, say hi and introduce myself. Miller stood up, shook my hand and said it was nice to meet you. While he’s shaking my hand I tell him I am a contributor with this site he then immediately throws my hand down in disgust. I am shocked trying to figure out what all of a sudden went wrong.

Do you know Jeremiah he asks. My answer is of course yes. I explain he is one of the founders of this site. Miller goes on asking what is wrong with him and why did he have to break the Advocare news which has since made this last week a major pain for him. I explain that I wasn’t part of the process but explain that we really aren’t in the breaking news business just a blog but if we get or find information we go through extensive process of verifying stuff also we don’t just erroneously report things to get “hits”. I talked to him about the Carlos Hyde situation then discussed with him about some information that I received after he got hurt that we never ran. It seemed after we talked for five more minutes he knew I was telling him the truth which gained his trust so for some reason I took a leap into the unknown.

I asked Braxton if I could possibly have an exclusive interview with him if he had ten minutes. He looked at his watch which to my surprise said sure why not. I tried to hide my look of shock then grabbed out my Note 4 asking if it was ok to tape, it has a nice voice recording app on it. He was cool with it so we sat down, started to talk then about six minutes into the interview that’s when he dropped the bomb shell that I was never expecting.

“I am leaving Ohio State”

After the interview I shook his hand also telling him how gracious I was for his time. I walked away impressed about what a class act that Braxton Miller is and its going to be such a shame to see him leave when his career is over at Ohio State.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Thad Matta Lands a Big Time Recruit

April 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Thad Matta has won a ton of games at Ohio State that will never be an issue. Thad Matta is one of the best recruiters in CBB that cant be disputed. Thad Matta has has some high level recruits not pan out though and that caught up to him this season. Was Thad discouraged? I am sure but he just went back out and loaded up on his 2015 class with 5 top 150 recruits. Now he has his first big get for the 2016 class. So lets get to know this young man.

Derek Funderburk is a 6’9″ 210 lbs 4 star Center from Lakewood, Ohio. Derek is a Top 50 recruit with a 98 rating in the composite rankings. Derek will bring toughness and athleticism to the center spot at OSU something they have missed the last 2 years. He also will be the focus of the 2016 as he goes out to help recruit the rest of the class.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football
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