Why Can’t The Browns “Steel” Some Buckeyes In The NFL Draft?

Congratulations to Devin Smith, Jeff Heuerman, Doran Grant, Evan Spencer, and Michael Bennett on being selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. This weekend will be the first rookie minicamp for these players with their respective NFL teams. It is challenging to refer to these players as “former Buckeyes”, but they will all be moving forward in their quest for (hopefully) lengthy NFL careers. Good luck also to Darryl Baldwin, Curtis Grant, and Steve Miller, who all were signed as free agents to NFL teams. Jerry Emig of Ohio State had an impressive tweet that summarizes the good fortune of these players as they enter into the NFL…

Former Buckeye Rod Smith is also getting a free agent opportunity, with the Seattle Seahawks…

Remember Verlon Reed? This former Buckeye, who left Ohio State for Findlay, is getting a free agent opportunity with the Detroit Lions…

According to Bill Rabinowitz of The Columbus Dispatch, former Buckeye Kyle Clinton is also getting a free agent tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers this coming weekend…

At least Clinton and Grant will have some company while in Pittsburgh – over the last six years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have drafted six players from Ohio State.

Prior to the NFL Draft, I held out hope that the Cleveland Browns, the NFL team I have rooted for my entire life, would pick two Buckeyes – Jeff Heuerman and Evan Spencer. Both would have fulfilled position needs on the Browns, and had the skill set that would allow them to succeed in Cleveland’s run-oriented offense.

I was happy for Jeff Heuerman that Denver picked Heuerman in the third round; that was a little higher than I anticipated the Browns would show interest. I thought maybe the Browns would be interested in Heuerman in the fourth round.

As for Evan Spencer, I woke up on Saturday morning and tweeted out the following. My man Shannon Sommers agreed with my line of thinking…

Do you know who the last Ohio State player the Cleveland Browns selected was? Brian Robiskie, back in second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Prior to Robiskie? 2002, when the Browns picked Darnell Sanders in the fourth round.

Don’t get me wrong – I am happy for all of these Buckeye players to have NFL opportunities, even if it is with the Cleveland Browns’ biggest rival. I just do not understand how the Browns, a team that has long been mired in the basement of its division, and is always trying to close the gap between itself and the division leaders, cannot look into scouting players from a powerhouse program only two hours down I-71. The Pittsburgh Steelers are located further away, and have had no problem with the longer commute to scout out Buckeye talent. Even the comments of Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer made me think the Browns would be picking at least one Buckeye…

Even Bill Rabinowitz agrees with me…Below is a tweet sent before the NFL Draft concluded regarding Darryl Baldwin, a Cleveland native, that somewhat mirrors my line of thinking ~

The 2016 NFL Draft is a year away, and I am looking forward to what promises to be an exciting 2015 Ohio State football season. I can only hope that with a crop of players that will be heavily abundant in Buckeye talent in the 2016 NFL Draft that the Browns will “steel” some Buckeyes going forward.

2015 Ohio State Spring Football Questions: Pressure Is On, & Wanted, At Open Defensive End Spot

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.

Ten practices in, with five 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.

2. Defensive End

Key Players/Contributors Lost: Noah Spence (transfer); Steve Miller (eligibility); Rashad Frazier (eligibility)

Key Players/Contributors Returning: Joey Bosa (Junior), Sam Hubbard (Redshirt Freshman), Jalyn Holmes (Sophomore), Tyquan Lewis (Redshirt Sophomore), Darius Slade (Redshirt Freshman), Jashon Cornell (Freshman)

Defensive End was a challenge for Ohio State throughout the 2014 season. Noah Spence was originally suspended for the 2014 Orange Bowl and the first two games of the 2014 season, but Spence’s suspension became permanent after an additional failed drug test. Spence transferred to FCS Eastern Kentucky after the 2014 season.

Steve Miller and Rashad Frazier both manned the vacant defensive end position throughout the 2014 season. While neither were the type of pass rusher that Noah Spence had been for the Buckeyes, both were needed in Ohio State’s march to the 2014 national championship. Steve Miller established himself forever in Buckeye lore with this key play in the 2015 Sugar Bowl versus Alabama…

While Steve Miller was instrumental in the 2015 Sugar Bowl victory, something needs to be stated that will reflect why I have ranked defensive end as a concern heading into the 2015 season. Watch this play earlier in the same 2015 Sugar Bowl game, and you will see why defensive end should be a focal point of interest…

Now keep in mind that not many teams on Ohio State’s 2015 schedule have an offensive line as stout as Alabama’s, and that Steve Miller did make a crucial play later in the 2015 Sugar Bowl that helped to prove the difference against the Crimson Tide. On the other hand, Joey Bosa has established himself at the one defensive end spot, and will be the target of double-team blocks, or possibly triple-team blocks, this season. Ohio State needs someone to consistently apply pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, as well as be a consistent force versus the run. Who will emerge at the open defensive end spot opposite Joey Bosa?

Based upon comments, it certainly seems that Tyquan Lewis has the momentum to start opposite of Joey Bosa.

Besides Tyquan Lewis, other players in the mix…

Will the open defensive end spot be claimed by the conclusion of the 2015 spring practices? Possibly, but for certain, Ohio State’s coaches and fans will be hoping for consistent pressure from any and all of the players who will be occupying that position throughout the 2015 season.

Grading 2014 Ohio State Football, At The Bye

While I agree with Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer that having a bye week at this point in the season is not necessarily wanted or welcomed by the coaches, players, or fans, it does provide an opportunity to assess how Ohio State is doing after the first third of the season. (Technically, Ohio State was at the 1/3 point after the Cincinnati game, but this bye weekend gives me a chance to evaluate the team, without an opponent to preview against.) Let us begin with the various position groups:

Quarterbacks: A solid ‘B’, but could rise to an ‘A’ by the conclusion of the season. Redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett was unenviably thrown into the starting position when projected starter Braxton Miller’s shoulder injury was season-ending. Barrett struggled immensely against Virginia Tech in week two, but has had three straight sterling performances versus Kent State, Cincinnati, and Maryland. Will Barrett be able to continue his strong play as Ohio State continues B1G competition for the remainder of the season? Cardale Jones has played sparingly as a backup so far this season.

Running Backs: B+. Ezekiel Elliott has seized the starting position, and looks to be in the Carlos Hyde mold of being able to wear an opposing defense down. Senior Rod Smith figures to be a complimentary player for the remainder of his Ohio State career. Coach Meyer has praised Bri’onte Dunn as being worthy of more playing time. True freshman Curtis Samuel is presently battling an ankle injury. The coaching staff seems to have concluded that Dontre Wilson is best used as a perimeter player running the ball; the same for Jalin Marshall. Warren Ball has battled injuries this season, and gets little playing time.

Wide Receivers: B-. This position group is kind of a mixed bag. The talent is there, but has not established itself on a consistent basis. Michael Thomas, Corey Smith, Evan Spencer, Devin Smith, Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson – all play, yet none have seized the starting positions with a commanding performance. Senior TE Jeff Heuerman has battled injuries, but may have turned the corner. Nick Vannett has also played capably this season.

Offensive Line: B+. Considering where this group started, how the players were being mixed in and out of the lineup, with inconsistent results…This offensive line may be the most pleasant surprise on the team. Losing four starters, and moving the only returning starter with Taylor Decker to left tackle, meant the offensive line was completely unsettled and incohesive. The offensive line is only going to get better by the season’s end. Senior Darryl Baldwin has been singled out by Coach Meyer for his continuing development at right tackle. Jacoby Boren has taken a firm grasp of the starting center position.

Defensive Line: B-. Joey Bosa is staring down a first team All-American selection after this season. The suspension of Noah Spence has hurt Ohio State’s pass rush. Michael Bennett, Adolphus Washington, and the combo of Steve Miller/Rashad Frazier have played well, but have not been nearly as dominant as expected by the fan base. An opportunity to dominate the opposition looms when the Buckeyes travel to Penn State on October 25th.

Linebackers: B. True freshman Raekwon McMillan may have clinched the starting middle linebacker position by the season’s end. Darron Lee was the player of the game in the season opener versus Navy. Joshua Perry has been relatively quiet on the playmaking front. Will this group be able to step up with physical rushing opponents such as Michigan State and Minnesota on the horizon?

Secondary: C. A true work in progress. While improving, this is the weak area of the team. How much of it is scheme, and how much of it is personnel? Eli Apple may have turned a corner, no pun intended, with his performance at Maryland last weekend. This position group may improve with better performances at Penn State and Indiana.

Special Teams Units: B+. True freshman Sean Nuernberger has been better after two missed field goals against Virginia Tech in the second game of the season. Will Nuernberger be able to come through if needed to make a game winner? Cameron Johnston is quietly reliable at the punting position. Coach Meyer stresses the importance of special teams as being a gateway to playing time, and the coverage units have been solid.

Conclusion: If 2014 Ohio State football were a stock, this would be a solid buy acquisition. Ohio State should be 7-1 heading up to East Lansing, MI, for what should be a B1G East Division elimination game. “Should be” does not mean “will be”, especially after Virginia Tech came into Ohio Stadium and defeated the Buckeyes in week two of the season. If Ohio State can defeat a very good Michigan State team in front of a national television audience, it is not far-fetched for Ohio State to possibly emerge as a playoff participant.

A Look Back At The 2011 Recruiting Class (Part Two)

Part one of this series looked back at the 2011 recruiting class, reviewing the nine starters who emerged from the group. This post will look at the remaining categories – Contributors and Departures.

II. The Contributors (35%)

1. Chris Carter, DL: Originally signed as an offensive lineman in 2011, Carter was moved over to the defense when Coach Meyer’s staff came on board for the 2012 season. Carter is a massive presence at a listed 6’4″, 342 lbs along the defensive interior. With another year of eligibility remaining for 2015, Carter could wind up with a NFL career, as NFL teams are always looking for massive defensive linemen of his stature for 3-4 fronts.

2. Chase Farris, OL: Farris has been a willing human ping-pong for the Ohio State coaching staff throughout his career. Originally recruited as a defensive lineman in 2011, Farris redshirted. In 2012, Farris moved to the offensive line midway through the season. In 2013, Farris battled Taylor Decker for the starting right offensive tackle position, but moved to defensive line when Tommy Schutt’s injury caused defensive line depth issues. Farris has been moved back to the offensive line for 2014, where he could battle for a starting position during fall camp. Farris will have eligibility to play in 2015.

3. Joel Hale, OL: Hale moved on his own volition for the 2014 season to offensive line. Hale originally entered Ohio State as a defensive lineman in 2011, and lettered each season from 2011-2013. Hale does not have eligibility remaining for 2015, so I will be anxious to see how much Hale will be in the mix for playing time along an inexperienced offensive line in 2014.

4. Cardale Jones, QB: Jones has positioned himself for high importance this coming season as the primary backup quarterback to Braxton Miller. Jones signed with Ohio State in February 2011, but attended Fork Union Military Academy to concentrate on academics that season. Enrolling at Ohio State in 2012, Jones did not seem to endear himself to Coach Meyer’s coaching staff, as Jones did not see any game action in the 2012 Ohio State Spring Game. Jones redshirted in 2012, earning playing time in a handful of 2013 games. Jones emerged as the backup quarterback during the 2014 spring practices, and will have a year of eligibility remaining in 2015.

5. Steve Miller, DE: One of the more highly-touted players in the 2011 recruiting class, Miller has lettered as a defensive lineman from 2011-2013. While projected as a backup for his final season in 2014, Miller should be able to contribute along the defensive front, adding to Ohio State’s strength across the defensive line.

6. Ron Tanner, DB: Redshirted as a freshman in 2011, Tanner has lettered in 2012 and 2013 primarily for his work on the special teams units. Look for Tanner to contribute also in the defensive backfield this coming season. Tanner has a year of eligibility remaining for 2015.

7. Antonio Underwood, OL: Underwood earned playing time as a true freshman in 2011, even starting at Purdue late in the season. Underwood played sparingly in 2012, and was injured during spring practice in 2013. With knee surgery, Underwood took a redshirt season in 2013, thus allowing him an extra year of eligibility for 2015. Underwood is a projected starter along the offensive line heading into fall practice, but will be pushed for playing time this season.

8. Nick Vannett, TE: While listed as a contributor on this list, it would not be surprising to list Vannett as a starter, as Vannett is considered a primary offensive contributor at tight end by the coaching staff. Redshirted in 2011, Vannett lettered in 2012 and 2013. Vannett will look to build upon his strong 2013 season, and will have eligibility remaining for 2015.

III. The Departures (26%)

1. Brian Bobek, OL: Originally recruited as a potential successor to center Mike Brewster, Bobek decided to transfer to Minnesota after falling to third on the depth chart in June of 2012. Bobek has battled health issues while at Minnesota, and did not see game action for the 2013 season.

2. Tommy Brown, OL: Redshirted in 2011, Brown did not see any game action in 2012. The majority of Brown’s playing time in 2013 took place on special teams, and in games when Ohio State was well-ahead on the scoreboard. Rated a three-star recruit by 247sports.com, rivals.com, and scout.com, Brown decided to announce a transfer to Akron before fall camp began…

3. Jeremy Cash, DB: Cash lettered as a true freshman for Ohio State in 2011, contributing on the special teams units. Upon the conclusion of the 2011 season, Cash decided to transfer to Duke, where he has emerged as one of the top defensive backs in the ACC.

4. Conner Crowell, LB: Crowell left Ohio State due to injuries sustained while in high school. Crowell redshirted in 2011, and played sparingly in 2012. After going through additional surgeries at Ohio State, Crowell was not medically cleared to play football in January 2013.

5. DerJuan Gambrell, DB: Gambrell was dismissed from Ohio State by Coach Meyer in January 2012 for a “violation of team rules”. Gambrell redshirted in 2011, was dismissed from Ohio State, and I have been unable to find out if Gambrell ever enrolled elsewhere to continue his football career.

6. Kenny Hayes, DE: The first commitment to the 2011 recruiting class, Hayes redshirted in 2011. Hayes decided to transfer at the beginning of 2012 spring practices, announcing his intentions to play at Toledo. Looking at Toledo’s roster, Kenny Hayes is not listed, so I am not sure if Hayes has discontinued his football career.

Honorable Mention ~ Ejuan Price, LB: Price makes this list, as he originally signed with Ohio State, yet never reported in 2011. Price was a late commitment to the recruiting class (01/17/2011), and decided to ask for his release when Coach Jim Tressel resigned. Price wound up at Pittsburgh, where he will have eligibility remaining for 2015.

CONCLUSION: Out of twenty-three players, Ohio State has nine starters, eight contributors, and only six departures. To have 74% of the class either starting or contributing is a strong testament to the recruiting job done by Coach Jim Tressel, as well as the coaching/development by Coach Luke Fickell and Coach Urban Meyer. Considering the circumstances these players have dealt with during their time in Columbus, these Buckeyes are worthy of praise and recognition by fans throughout the Ohio State community.

“Put Me In Coach”

osuHelmet“Oh, put me in, Coach – I’m ready to play today;

Put me in, Coach – I’m ready to play today;”

~ John Fogerty, Centerfield

I realize that I am mixing sports metaphors here, as “Centerfield” was written about baseball, and this article is about Ohio State football, but please bear with me. No, this article is not being intended to serve as a voice of doom and gloom for this upcoming week’s contest against California.

For the first two weeks of the 2013 season, Ohio State has held commanding leads late in the game, and has won convincingly. While this is not surprising to me, what is surprising is how the coaching staff is not using these opportunities to provide the backup players, especially on the offensive side of the ball, some game-time experience.

For example, in game one against Buffalo, Braxton Miller suffered cramps, and was ably replaced by Kenny Guiton. When Miller was able to return into the game, Guiton went back to the sidelines, and Ohio State remained in complete control, defeating Buffalo 40-20.

Late in the contest, with Buffalo clearly defeated, Braxton Miller was in the game. Why not give Kenny Guiton even more playing time?

Versus San Diego State, Ohio State was forced to play Guiton, with Miller suffering a knee injury early in the game. Again, Guiton played well.

Winning the game against San Diego State 42-7, Guiton was in the game, well after the game was decided. Why not use this opportunity to give playing time to Cardale Jones?

I could make the same argument regarding players such as Warren Ball (only carried the ball twice against San Diego State), or Bri’onte Dunn (no carries yet this season). Yes, I understand that Jordan Hall, Dontre Wilson, Rod Smith, and Ezekiel Elliott all carried the ball against San Diego State – why not give players such as Ball or Dunn playing time late in the contest?  I even tweeted something along those lines ~

A case in point – notice how Ohio State’s defense has seemingly substituted many defensive backups into the games, and the benefits that this has provided Ohio State’s defense…

My article may seem alarmist or overly pessimistic by Ohio State fans, but please keep in mind the following points ~

1) Even Coach Meyer stated in his press conference on 09/09/2013 that Braxton Miller was a “day to day decision” (see below). Yes, I have complete confidence in Kenny Guiton.

What happens if Miller cannot go versus Cal, and Guiton is hurt during the game? Now Cardale Jones, or J.T. Barrett, enter into the Cal game, with NO game experience. And that scenario could have been completely avoided, by playing them late versus Buffalo and San Diego State.

2) Yes, I understand that it will be difficult to keep all of the running backs happy. Yes, I know that Dunn has not played because Dunn has not played on special teams. But think about this – running back depth is something to protect, not take for granted. I can certainly recall many seasons when Ohio State seemingly had to scramble to find capable running backs – is 2003 too far back for people to remember?

My point is, players can go down to injury quickly. Considerable depth can be eliminated very easily. Play as many players as possible, to provide experience if needed.