Former Ohio State DB Dick LeBeau was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame today in Canton Ohio.

Mr. Lebeau who grew up in London, Ohio just outside Columbus played both running back and corner back under famed OSU head Coach Woody Hayes and won a National Championship in 1957. He was Drafted by the Cleveland Browns but was cut as a rookie (I guess the Browns didn’t have good talent visionaries back then either). He went on to play 14 years in the NFL and is in his 36th year as a coach in the NFL. He is most well known for his coaching and as one of the best Defensive gurus ever in football but he was a Hall of Fame player and coach so it is only befitting he enters the hall as a player now and continues to be a Hall of Fame coach for as long as he can.

I can only assume that LeBeau was one of the first Silver Bullets ever at OSU and I am proud to say that for the 50+ years since he played at OSU the team has continued to show him the respect he deserves by playing the best defense in college football year in and year out.

So from all of MotSaG and its readers we wish to say congrats on a most deserving place in the Hall of Fame and thank you for making all of Buckeye Nation proud.

The Ohio State University is ranked No. 2 in this years pre-season poll.

The Big Ten has 4 teams in the top 14 with Iowa and Wisconsin and Penn State helping to gain our conference some needed respect. If you add in Nebraska that is 5 teams in the top 14 in the nation. That is UBER impressive in my mind and telling of the kind of teams we have here in the midwest.

It seems as though the world has yet to get rid of pre-season rankings that I can only assume if they did would solve the world peace issue once and for all.

I think if you look at the rankings most will agree that OSU is right where it needs to be and maybe just maybe it earned back some of the respect it had lost and the coaches at least looked at this team and not 2006 or 2007 to base this pre-season ranking on. Only time will tell if they got it right or not but I am just glad to be ranked No. 2 right now and am ready for the games to begin ASAP.

It seems as though Quinn Pitcock has resurfaced back in the NFL. He abruptly retired 2 years ago from the Colts after what was the start to a good NFL career at age 24. It seems Mr. Pitcock suffered from some minor mental issues. Today he showed up at Seatle Seahawks training camp.

I for one hope he has finds peace in his mind and gets to play for many years to come.

Justin Boren #65, Junior
Offensive Lineman – OL
Height: 6’3″ Weight: 315
High School: Pickerington
Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio

Buckeye Bits: transfer to the Buckeye program who will contend for the starting nod at offensive guard

2008 (Transfer): did not see varsity action sitting out his transfer year … scout team workhorse: Purdue

2007 (Michigan): all-Big Ten honorable mention (coaches and media) … started all 13 games, the first eight contests at center and the final five games at left guard … made first career start at center vs. Appalachian State

2006 (Michigan): earned first varsity letter … played in five games and made one starting assignment at right guard … became the fourth true freshman in modern times at UM to start along the offensive line

Personal: son of Mike and Hope Boren … dad played football (1980-83) and mom ran track at Michigan … younger brother Zach is a Buckeye linebacker

Rumor mill has it that Boren is nastier than a pair of Bill Clinton Underwear. I am hopeful he brings a lot of anger and intensity to the OL and helps them shed their softness.

What do you think?

(info via OhioStateBuckeyes.com)

I never thought I would have to make this post. I am a lifelong Buckeye fan. I stay true to my team and players. I am now ashamed of myself for having to do this post. I have always and I mean always said that my two favorite Buckeye players of all time are Eddie George and Mike Nugent. Most can understand why Eddie and true Buckeye lovers know why the NUGGGGG gets my vote.

Here is my problem I have been chanting Eddie and NUGGGGG for so long that I dont know how to explain my next thought to myself or anyone else. Both Eddie and the NUGGG have taken a side seat (not a back seat) to a guy named Troy.

I should start off by saying I was the biggest supporter of Justin Zwick of all my friends and so much to the point that I was mad that they wasted another scholarship on Troy as thier last scholarship. I complained when they started to play Troy some over Zwick. I may have even booed him a little on the inside. Then something happened, I dont know when it was or what game but I took notice of Troy and started to cheer him some on the inside and then a little on the outside to my closest friends.

I now realize that regardless if he wins the Heisman Trophy this weekend (He will dont worry) or if he wins a NC this January (once again he will). TROY SMITH is my favorite BUCKEYE of all time.

I say this with the most respect for all the BUCKEYE players who have ever played the game. When I tell my kids and grandkids about the last 3 years of OSU football, I will proudly say that the Best QB to ever play at OSU was Troy Smith, and I was lucky enough to see him play and watch him go from my least to my all time favorite player. That I was wrong about Troy and he was nice enough to prove me wrong throughout his wonderful career.

Thank you Troy Smith for the many wonderful plays and games and most of all for being the kind of player and person that I can tell my children to strive to be like,

Troy Smith = Best Buckeye of All-Time.

The Little Animal brought home the first of many awards for our beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. He won the Bronko Nagurski award as the nation’s Top Defensive Player. The Nagurski award is given out annually by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

UPDATE (sportsMonkey here): Laurinaitis is the first Buckeye to win the award, and the first ever sophomore winner. The redemption for AJ Hawk’s 2005 snub is now officially underway…