Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 5-4-2016

May 4, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Stephen Collier out for year with torn ACL:

Buckeye Coaches out Recruiting Hard:

Urban Meyer contacting 2017 TE recruit:

Buckeye Draft Dollar$:

Athlon Sports Big Ten Preview:

Darron Lee at Jet’s Facility:

Buckeyes Offer 2018 TE:

Nations Top JUCO offered by Buckeyes (Bama commit):

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Why Ohio State cannot be discounted against Oklahoma

May 3, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Ohio State will be replacing twelve 4th round or better players in 2016, including the heart of both their offense and defense in Running Back Ezekiel Elliott and Defensive End Joey Bosa. How does a team meet the lofty expectations, placed on them by a needy fan base, after losing so much talent from the following year? Development is the quick answer and, lucky for Ohio State, it is something that the coaching staff is quite accomplished at doing. The talent is on the Ohio State roster, which is something that we are well aware of, after Ohio State has signed top-3 class after top-3 class. The biggest question is how will young players react in a hostile environment when they have never played a meaningful snap in a real college football game? That answer will almost certainly be evident on September 17th in Norman, Oklahoma.

The third game of the season, against the Oklahoma Sooners, is the one that everyone has circled on their calendars. The game is a great bet to be a primetime game on ABC and Ohio State will most likely be the considerable underdog going into it. Oklahoma, who brings back Heisman candidate Quarterback Baker Mayfield, will be at least a top-5 team at the time, and may even be the number 1 team, if things go their way. The reason that I believe Ohio State has a great chance to take care of business in Norman is Baker Mayfield. How can Oklahoma’s star Quarterback be the decisive key to a game in the other team’s favor? The same way that Baker Mayfield was a key for Clemson and Texas getting wins against the Sooners in 2015. Mayfield struggles against pressure in his face from a relentless pass rush. Ohio State may be replacing key figures in Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington, but Defensive Line coach Larry Johnson, has recruited like a mad man and is one of the best at developing the prospects into NFL caliber linemen. Reflecting back on the spring game, you saw the Quarterbacks being swallowed up on a consistent basis by young guys, such as Jashon Cornell and Davon Hamilton. Granted some of this may have been due to a depleted offensive line playing in the game, but I believe some of these young tackles will complement the returning ends of Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis, to lay feast to Baker Mayfield that night.

Oklahoma will look to also establish the run against Ohio State with their two returning backs, who have been very impressive in action previously, in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. This is the element of Oklahoma’s offense that could potentially doom the Buckeyes. Although the rushing stats against the Buckeyes defense last year was not terrible to say, there were times where teams had much success running the ball between the tackles against Ohio State (see Western Michigan and Michigan State games). The key to shutting down Samaje and Mixon again will be the physical mentality of the defensive line. Redshirt Freshman Robert Landers is a guy that could be a key factor in plugging the middle for the Buckeyes. Another guy, who you might see play some of the 3 technique, is true Freshman Nick Bosa. Does that name sound familiar? Yes, Nick Bosa, who is Joey Bosa’s little brother, will see some time at the 3 technique this season and could be key to helping shut down the run game of this dual headed attack of the Sooners. If the Buckeyes are able to successfully limit the run game of the Sooners, the Sooners could very much be in a lot of trouble in Norman.

On the offensive side of things, losing a guy like Ezekiel Elliott is never a good thing, but Ohio State brings back veteran leadership in Redshirt Junior J.T. Barrett as the signal caller. J.T. will be surrounded by youth at almost every position, except center, where Senior Pat Elflein will look to lead the offensive line. Although you have some first time starters on the offensive line, there seems to be considerable confidence in the 1st string line. Now if a guy were to go down, well let’s just say that that confidence may start to wane. J.T. will get a few guys back at Wideout in guys like Noah Brown, Corey Smith, and Curtis Samuel, while also adding new game day faces in Torrance Gibson, Austin Mack, and Binjimen Victor. The keys will be how many crucial drops will the young guys have that can really impact the game and also if J.T. Barrett will be capable of hitting the deep ball. Barrett did a great job of hitting the deep ball to Devin Smith in 2014 when they faced Michigan State in East Lansing and this was a key to a buckeye victory. Much like that 2014 game, J.T.’s ability to hit guys like Noah Brown, Torrance Gibson, and Austin Mack deep will determine how much success Ohio State has on the offensive side of things.

Replacing Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield will be a dual headed tandem, much like the one the Sooners hold, in Senior Bri’Onte Dunn and Redshirt Freshman Mike Weber. Bri’Onte will provide some leadership and game day experience, but it is Mike Weber who provides the potential to be the next wave of successful Ohio State back. Weber will not have to face one of the more dominant Defensive lineman that the Sooners had last year in Defensive End Charles Tapper, who went to the NFL. Tapper was one of the more dominant guys on the Sooner’s defense, but just like Ohio State, you can expect Oklahoma to have guys on their roster to replace the production of a guy like Tapper. If Weber can realize that he does not have to be Ezekiel Elliott, but he just has to be Mike Weber and is able to produce, the running game will be enough the compliment the pass in Norman.

Before you place your bet on a veteran Oklahoma team, who appeared in the playoffs last season, to beat a young greatly inexperienced Ohio State squad in Norman, take into account all the details that are enclosed in this article. Sometimes football is just about match-ups, and from my view, Ohio State matches up very favorably with the Sooners. The games aren’t played on paper though, so we all will just have to wait till September 17th to find out.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 5-3-2016

May 3, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Buckeye Coaches Recruiting:

Buckeye Birthday – Dwayne Haskins Jr.

2017 RB Target Khalan Laborn Narrows List:

Buckeye Target Amir Riep keeps adding offers:

New 2018 DE Offer:

Buckeye Pro #’s

Buckeyes make Bank!

Zeke on Buckeye Career:

NFL Buckeyes:

Buckeyes Offer NY Star for 2018:

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 5-2-2016

May 2, 2016 by Leave a Comment

NFL Draft Recap:

In Case You Missed It: Buckeye Target Joshua Kaindoh selects Maryland:

Buckeye Target Juwan Burgess Making Mother Day Decision:

Buckeye Target Jermaine Eskridge To Announce Top 10:

Buckeye Target Najee Harris Rocking some OSU Gear:

Zach Smith in Florida Recruiting Today:

Penn State offers Buckeye committ J.K. Dobbins:

Ohio State Night Games Announced:

Cardale Jones on Dan Patrick Show:

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 4-29-2016

April 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Day 2 of the NFL Draft:

Buckeye Recruits React to Draft:

Buckeye Target Trey Sermon goes Boomer Sooner:

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Any 2015 Buckeyes Going To Be 2016 Browns?

April 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Growing up in the Cleveland area, I have memories of the Cleveland Browns that are quite vivid. I will passionately argue that The Fumble hurt far more than The Drive. I remember being so disgusted when the Browns traded Chip Banks and drafted Mike Junkin. And I proudly wear and own a Brian Sipe jersey, having been in the stands for Sipe’s last game as a Brown versus the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983, before Sipe jumped to the USFL.

The heartaches and frustrations of the Cleveland Browns fanbase are too many to write; it is painful enough that I remember them. One of the most puzzling decisions the Browns have made since their NFL return in 1999 has been to continually ignore and neglect selecting players from Ohio State.

Yes, I know that the Browns have former Buckeyes Brian Hartline and Terrelle Pryor on the roster. Former Buckeye Simon Fraser played for the Browns as an undrafted free agent from 2005-2007. And I also remember that the Browns drafted former Buckeyes Darnell Sanders in 2002 and Brian Robiskie in 2009. But that’s it – 2 players on the current roster, with a grand total of 5 Buckeyes from 1999 through 2015.

Compare and contrast that with the Pittsburgh Steelers. From 2001, when the Steelers selected Rodney Bailey in the sixth round, the Steelers have picked a total of 8 Buckeyes. The most recent selection was in the 2015 NFL Draft, when Pittsburgh picked Doran Grant in the 4th round. Mike Adams, Doran Grant, Cameron Heyward, and Ryan Shazier are all on the Steelers roster – considering Grant grew up in Akron, and the Browns have a need at cornerback, wouldn’t it be nice to see Grant playing for Cleveland instead of Pittsburgh?

Back to my point. With so many talented Buckeyes in the 2016 NFL Draft, could the Browns wise up and improve their roster with some Buckeyes?

I will quickly add that I do not believe all of the Buckeyes would make sense for the Browns. For example, while Joey Bosa should be a tremendous pro, the Browns are running a 3-4 defense, which would transition Bosa from a 4-3 defensive end to a 3-4 outside linebacker. I am not sure if that would be in Bosa’s best interests as a pro. Besides, I do not believe Bosa will even be on the board for the Browns to pick.

Could Vonn Bell be in the Browns’ draft plans?

Wouldn’t it be nice if the Browns selected Michael Thomas in the second round? How about Nick Vannett in the third round? On day 3 of the draft, picking Jalin Marshall late in the sixth or seventh round? Chase Farris? Tyvis Powell?

Hue Jackson is the latest Cleveland Browns head coach to try and turn around this once proud franchise. A good place to start is to add players from about two and half hours south on I-71.

Filed Under: Ohio State Football Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 4-28-2016 (Draft Day Edition)

April 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment

2016 NFL Draft Today:

Todd McShay’s Final Mock:

#5 – Joey Bosa – Jacksonville Jaguars

#13 – Ezekiel Elliott – Miami Dolphins

#15 – Taylor Decker – Tennessee Titans

#19 – Darron Lee – Buffalo Bills

#20 – Eli Apple – New York Jets

More Draft Tweets:

Final Mel Kiper Mock Draft:

#4 – Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys

#6 – Joey Bosa – Baltimore Ravens

#16 – Taylor Decker – Detroit Lions

#17 – Darron Lee – Atlanta Falcons

#29 – Eli Apple – Arizona Cardinals

 

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Men of the Scarlet and Gray Podcast Bosa Is Not Top 8 Draft Pick

April 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment

This week Ryan Rosko an editor for factoryofsadness.co joins us to discuss the Ohio State
Buckeyes in the draft along with the Cleveland Browns.

We discuss that Ryan doesn’t feel Joey Bosa is a Top 8 draft
pick. The reasons why the Cleveland Browns need to stay away from
Cardale Jones. Can the Buckeyes get 6 players drafted in the first
round of the NFL Draft to tie Miami who set the record in
2004. There was also talk about Eli Apple to the Steelers.

Chip gave us his wish list of the Browns picking Michael Thomas
and Nick Vannett along with giving Chase Farris a shot. Shannon
gives his dream scenario of the Browns drafting Joey Bosa, Michael
Thomas and Cardale Jones. Ryan wishes the Browns don’t trade out of
the 8th spot and taking Ezekiel Elliott.

Filed Under: Cleveland Browns, College Football, NFL Draft, Ohio State Football, Podcast

Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 4-27-2016

April 27, 2016 by Leave a Comment

New 2017 WR Offer to Omar Manning:

2017 DB Prospect Daniel Wright Top 11: 

Buckeye Commit Shaun Wade Army All-American:

Ohio State #1 in Newest ESPN Rankings for 2017:

Buckeyes at the Draft:

Todd McShay’s Top Prospects by Position:

Quarterbacks:

#13 – Cardale Jones

Running Backs:

#1 – Ezekiel Elliott

Wide Receivers:

#5 – Michael Thomas

#8 – Braxton Miller

#35 – Jalin Marshall

Tight Ends:

#2 – Nick Vannett

Offensive Tackles:

#4 – Taylor Decker

Defensive Ends:

#1 – Joey Bosa

Defensive Tackles:

#13 – Adolphus Washington

Outside Linebackers:

#3 – Darron Lee

Inside Linebackers:

#2 – Joshua Perry

Cornerbacks:

#4 – Eli Apple

Safties:

#2 – Vonn Bell

#13 – Tyvis Powell

Joey Bosa Signs Endorsement Deal:

 

Nike Signs Zeke:

Filed Under: Ohio State Football

Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 4-26-2016

April 26, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Sorry for the break in daily social media updates! Heard Around the ‘Shoe is back!

Mel Kiper Jr’s. Last Big Board:

2 – Joey Bosa

8 – Ezekiel Elliott

15 – Darron Lee

16 – Taylor Decker

26 – Vonn Bell

28 – Eli Apple

61 – Joshua Perry

63 – Adolphus Washington

66 – Michael Thomas

70 – Braxton Miller

101 – Nick Vannett

153 – Cardale Jones

171 – Jalin Marshall

179 – Tyvis Powell

Todd McShay’s Tier’d Prospects:

Tier 2:

1 – Joey Bosa

4 – Ezekiel Elliott

Tier 3:

13 – Darron Lee

16 – Taylor Decker

Tier 4:

25 – Eli Apple

30 – Vonn Bell

37 – Michael Thomas

Tier 5:

51 – Braxton Miller

58 – Nick Vannett

Tier 6:

71 – Joshua Perry

77 – Adolphus Washington

Todd McShay’s Ultimate Draft Preview:

Highest Floor:

#2 – Taylor Decker

Most Consistent Tape:

#1 – Joey Bosa

#2 – Ezekiel Elliott

Most Physical Players

#5 – Ezekiel Elliott

Best fit for today’s NFL:

#3 – Darron Lee

Most pro-ready from Day 1:

#1 – Joey Bosa

Quarterback Strongest Arm:

#2 – Cardale Jones

Running back Best vision/patience:

#1 – Ezekiel Elliott

Tight End Best Ball Skills

#2 – Nick Vannett

Offensive Line Best run-blocker (tackles)

#2 – Taylor Decker

Defensive Line Best motor:

#3 – Joey Bosa

Defensive Line Best counter puncher:

Joey Bosa - Very slippery as a pass-rusher, in large part because of his ability to keep OTs off his pads with his exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills.

Linebacker Best in coverage:

#3 – Darron Lee

Safety Best in coverage:

Vonn Bell - Can match up against most slot WRs and TEs one-on-one. Has outstanding range in deep zone coverage.

Defensive Backs Best ball skills:

#2 – Vonn Bell

Buckeye Target Chase Young:

The Rise of Ezekiel Elliott Part 2:

Buckeye Mom’s Head to the Draft:

Filed Under: Ohio State Football
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