With today’s practice being the last one the media will be allowed to attend and ask questions today we got some great info on how things are going. Here is a sample of tweets we saw from the guys there who cover the Buckeyes.

Lots of good info… Armani Reeves getting the start at CB for Roby and Tyvis Powell getting the start at the “Star” position is huge for OSU. A lot of young players will be called on to play significant minutes. If I see any other info released today I will update this post.

The center position is very important for the offense to function smoothly. A center has a huge role in the offense. The center has to be on top of his game the entire game because one turnover off a bad snap can cost a game. Most of Ohio State’s offense is in the shotgun formation so the center has to snap the ball a couple yards. Bad snaps can lead to a lot of busted plays or Buckeye fans can see Braxton Miller make something out of nothing.

Last Year Performance:

Corey Linsley is the returning center for the Buckeyes. Last year he had a very solid year. There was no issue where snaps were consistently flying over Miller’s head or going wide. Linsley does a good job on getting the snap back and sticking on a block. Him and Miller have good chemistry so Buckeye fans aren’t expecting any problems at the center position.

Looking at the Depth:

Corey Linsley (6-3 297)- Linsley is entering his senior season (red-shirt). He has been with the program for five years now and is going to be a huge piece on the offensive line. Corey was named honorable mention all Big Ten Conference. He is also a three year letter-winner. There is no doubt he will be the starter for the Buckeyes.

Jacoby Boren (6-2 287)- Jacoby is entering his sophomore season. He is a valuable backup and brings great depth to the center position. He may be the next guy up next season when Linsley is gone. Jacoby is the third Boren brother to play at Ohio State. His brother, Justin and Zach were both great players.

Pat Elfein (6-2 293)- Pat is going into his freshman year (red shirt). He sat most of the 2012 season due to a foot injury. Pat is the Buckeye’s third deep center. Pat has also had some reps at right tackle. Elfein was rated the 22nd guard by ESPNU.

We finished up our ranking of the top twenty-five players in the B1G this season. We are Buckeye fans, of this there is no doubt, but we also tried to be subjective enough to rank the best players in the league. Yes, there were Buckeyes at the top of the list but that’s simply because the Buckeyes are loaded with the best players in the conference this year.

We present to you now, our complete rankings from #25 to #1. (This post is going to be long and image and YT heavy, so hit the jump for the complete list)
[Read more…]

The MotSaG Reader’s Digest is just that — a quick glance at the past week of content here at Men of the Scarlet and Gray. This will give you a chance to catch up on anything you may have missed during the course of the week. This isn’t everything we posted this week, so we always encourage everyone to subscribe to our feed, sign up for email alerts or simply check the website on a regular basis.

It’s ALMOST TIME!

Recruiting

Basketball recruits are much fewer and further between than football, so when Thad Matta signs another player, it’s big news. This past week, AJ Harris, 2015 PG committed to play basketball for Thad.

We continue to chat with future recruits, possible Buckeye targets and OSU hopefuls. This week, Dylan spoke with Dontae Strickland a 2015 athlete and 2015 safety Tyler Green

Jeremiah had a chance to talk with 2015 TE CJ Conrad, 2015 DE James Lockhart, and 2015 CB Minkah Fitzpatrick

In football commitments, Curtis Samuel, WR from Brooklyn, NY, became the latest member of the 2014 Ohio State class, a class that is shaping up to be an amazing class.

Football

We are getting very close to football starting. Oh so very close. So why not look at the schedule and see who we’ve got coming up. Our newest writer, Chip, looked at the 2013 Buckeye schedule and ranked all the match-ups, from the easiest to the toughest.

We got bad news that numerous Buckeyes suffered career-ending injuries: Adam Griffin, Jamie Wood and Blake Thomas. We here at MotSaG thank them for their dedication to being a Buckeye and wish them well in their future endeavors.

We also were able to report that Bradley Roby was suspended for one game (along with Rod Smith). Video of the night Roby was arrested apparently puts some context behind Roby’s behavior, and it sounds like it wasn’t necessarily all on Roby. Smith was suspended for an incident earlier this year.

Troy Smith, former man-crush of many-a-Buckeye fan, decided to take his talents up a team up north (not that team up north) to join the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

Coming up

Next week we continue previewing the different positions of the 2013 Ohio State Buckeye Football team, along with the unveiling of our preseason Blog Poll ballot. We’ll be looking for your input on what you think of our rankings.

Today after practice Coach Meyer talked to the media and discussed several players situations. He made it clear that Blake Thomas, Adam Griffin, and Jamie Woods careers are over. Also discussed some of the players who will be suspended. He went into some depth chart issues and talked about the freshman…

Kyle Rowland of Eleven Warriors has reported that Bradley Roby has been suspended at least one game (more could be added if his case merits it) and also added that Rod Smith has been suspended due to an issue from back in February.

Word out of camp was that Jordan Hall had been taking reps as the #1 back with the offense, which to me seemed a little odd but now perhaps makes a little more sense in light of this news regarding Rod Smith.

In what seems to have become an epidemic at this point it seems a 3rd Buckeye this week has had their career as a Buckeye football player come to an end. Earlier this week we reported that Adam Griffin and Jamie Wood have had career ending injuries.

Now news is starting to come out that Blake Thomas a Redshirt Freshman from Cleveland, Ohio has also had his career end due to serious Stinger issues and a real threat of paralysis.

After rumors came to light on our friends over at Eleven Warriors Blake Thomas father made a statement on their thread and here is what he had to say…

Unfortunately this is true. Blake has had several severe ‘stingers’ over the past year and when we had a thorough MRI and some other tests done after last Saturdays scrimmage – in which he played very well I might add – they revealed a condition in his neck that is causing nerve damage. With every hit he risks the chance of paralysis in one or both arms. The doctors on the OSU staff – who are absolutely outstanding – told Blake that they could not let him continue due to the high risk. He was/is devastated. He loves his teammates, coaches and OSU. Although he won’t be on the field he will be with his teammates in spirit. Go Bucs!

Obviously this is more sad and unfortunate news and we at MotSaG wish nothing but the best for Blake and his family as they deal with this injury and he gets healthy. Hopefully he will be able to play again but if not this kid will always be a Buckeye.

Good Morning Buckeye Nation.

Bonjour Columbus Dispatch has a report former Buckeye basketball star Deshaun Thomas will be playing overseas for France next season. Thomas who was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round this last draft wasn’t guaranteed to make the Spurs roster this next season.

“I needed to make a decision,” Thomas said. “In this business, you have to think about family (Thomas has a 17-month-old son). I still could have gone to (training camp) and tried to make the roster, but with my son and a family to provide for, I had to look at that. And developing a year ain’t going to hurt.
“It was kind of tough, because I wanted to make the roster. But if training camp didn’t go well, I’d probably be in the (NBA Development) League, and when you go in the D-League you need another part-time job.”

It was sad to see Deshaun leave the Buckeyes early from a selfish fans point of view but I understand he has to think of his family and I hope his hard work will pay off and we will see him in the NBA very soon. Buckeye Nation is behind you and can’t wait to see you light up the Association.

Challenge Accepted: The Big Ten has announced the times and dates of the 15th annual B1G/ACC Challenge. Ohio State will face Maryland on December 4th at Value City Arena at 7pm.

I can’t believe that the B1G/ACC Challenge actually has the Buckeyes playing the Terps. Why wouldn’t you take Maryland out of this challenge based on them joining the B1G next season and putting Wake Forest in there? I understand they are still currently in the ACC but it just feels weird to me.

Grappling Schedule: The Buckeyes wrestling team has announced the schedule for the 2013-2014 season.

“The schedule this year will challenge and prepare our student-athletes for the brutality of the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments,” Tom Ryan, who is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Buckeyes, said. “We are also proud to bring the National Duals to Columbus for the excitement of the many die-hard wrestling fans in this great wrestling state. We look forward to many great home crowds this season as we were third nationally in home attendance the past two years.”

I’m not going to break down the schedule today, I’m sure our man wrestling guru Garth will be breaking this all down for all of our enjoyment. I can’t match his wrestling intellect so I’m excited to read what he will have for us.

Defeating the U: The Buckeyes women’s soccer team had an exhibition match against Miami last night in Columbus. Freshman forward Nichelle Prince scored the lone goal in the 14th minute to help lead Ohio State in their victory. Prince is one of eight players to hit the field in the Scarlet and Gray for the first time.

The Lady Buckeyes will open the season this next Friday August 23rd at 7pm in Columbus at the Jesse Owens Memorial Field versus Morehead State. Even though last night was just an exhibition beating the U is a great thing just like the football team did in 2002 for a National Championship. Ohio State is currently ranked 23rd in the preseason ranking and should be another exciting year.

Buckeye Back home: Ohio State’s synchronized swim team announced Liz Derr as a volunteer assistant for 2014. Derr who was the head coach at the University of Minnesota synchronized swim team from 2010-2013 returns back to the Buckeyes where she helped the Gray team in the Top 3 twice in the U.S. Collegiate National Championships.

It’s always good to see former Buckeyes come back home and being a part of Buckeye Nation and helping them become greater. Welcome back Liz glad to have you here.

State Park Runners: The Buckeye long distance runners spent 3 days in Hocking Hills State Park getting themselves in shape for the season getting ready to start.

“This was a great way for us to begin our preparations for the upcoming cross country season,” said Brice Allen, associate head coach for Ohio State men’s track and field. “We will get back at it again tomorrow and start up again with two-a-days on Monday.”

I miss the days of being able to run and enjoying beautiful sites like the ones the cross country teams get to enjoy.

All-American: National Collegiate Writers have picked a Buckeye as an All-American. Sophomore right hander Trace Dempsey was picked for the honor. Dempsey who went 3-0 with a 1.02 ERA with 17 saves in 32 appearances this last season.

Is it me or does All-American and Buckeye seem to go hand and hand. Always great to see Ohio State athletes earning this honor congrates to Trace Dempsey.

Sad Fan: A buddy of mine who is a Michigan fan thought it would be funny to send me this.

I asked him if he was mad cause Michigan grads weren’t smart enough to even work at McD’s!! (Still awaiting his answer)

Until Next time Buckeye Nation…