Rich didn't get the memo

As Eleven Warriors reported earlier this week, during a press conference RichRod commented on Jim Tressel bringing to attention what a bottom feeder the new UM coach really is.

Specifically speaking, Tress, ever so delicately, called Rich out on pursuing and signing a previously committed player--within the Big Ten nonetheless.

The Palestra and it's team of Johnny-on-the-spot student reporters were on hand for said press conference and, with due respect to the printed word, it's becoming more and more apparent that a moving picture of this tactless traitor is worth 1 million words:



Uncouth, unprofessional, defensive (offensive), abrasive: these are words that come to mind when watching Rodriguez piss away the millions he's evidently worth every time he opens his mouth.

Judging by the tone and Rich's verbiage, it wouldn't be wrong to suspect that the following was edited out by a guerrilla UM public relations team before allowing the clip to air:

"Daggonit"
"Ima' pistol whip you, boy"
"I learned that rule book just like the rest of 'em, I learned it gooood."
"Spread offense"
"This here [inset noun]"
"Badeep, badeep, that's all folks!"

Stay tuned for this week's VIEW FROM THE HEDGES wherein ThaSequal pays tribute to a real coach who's about kick off his 8th (ten month long) college football season at the same school.

He plays basketball, too

The floor: Pryor puts the ball on it while Tressel and RichRod drool on it
photos/ ERIC SCHMADEL-Tribune-Review

Jim Tressel and RichRod brought their respective entourages to Jeannette (PA) High School for a glimpse of Terrelle Pryor's off-season digs. Team Tressel and Team Rod squared off on opposite sides of the gymnasium (Tress in his seat during the J.V. game, Rich barely making the first half) to watch Pryor add 27 points and 12 boards to his team's victory.

Though both Joe Pa and a crew from Oregon made their final pleas last week, Tressel and RichRod's "joint" visit was likely the last big push before signing day (Feb. 6). On the unfortunate side of things, it's looking less and less likely that Wednesday will be the conclusion to this saga.

If there's one thing thats gotten lost in the labrynth of Terrelle Pryor coverage, it's that he was originally billed as the next great two-sport phenom. The modern day Charlie Ward or, perhaps, John Lumpkin.

As of recent, however, T.P.'s basketball career seems to have taken a backseat to more exciting endeavors like visiting second-tier schools (UM) over the weekend and playfully dangling the media like marionette puppets Monday-Friday.

Pryor's initial criteria when shortlisting schools was his freedom to play both sports at the collegiate level, a increasing rarity. Despite the unrealistic request, none of his suitors, including Ohio St., flinched at the idea of the 5-star recruit turning in his pads for the winter.

Such is the mystique of Terrelle Pryor.

No word yet as to if RichRod (above) was planning on purchasing the rest of the leather jacket once this whole buy-out thing gets cleared up.

Silver Bullet Points

Picking up the pieces


Well, that didn't go the way I would have liked.

This is sure to be light on links, as there aren't too many articles I'd like to read again myself. A few stray observations while attempting to avoid anything too heavy:

• Beanie will begin the season with a nice cushion in the Heisman race. That is to say, he'll start the race (more like a marathon, really) at about the same place Troy Smith did--remember he didn't become a legit contender until after the Texas game. He can afford a game or two with mediocre statistical output and still be in the thick of things but a strong showing against USC would be ideal.

• Yes, that stiff arm was sweet, but will never achieve its legendary potential because of what proceeded. Much like this monster dunk attempt and the brick that followed.

• Brandon Saine had a huge reception early...and then kind of disappeared, as offensive players have a tendency of doing during Tressel-era losses.

• Unlike last year, the stats don't tell the story. Most disconcerting, to me, is 3-13 on 3rd downs. Eighty-three penalty yards comes in close second.

• Give veterans Laurinaitis and Freeman the credit they deserve, posting 18 and 14 tackles respectively.

• Between the well-intended motivational tape, all the hype about OSU needing to prove themselves, Tressel's "new" game plan that included these cutesy "Tiger Drills," Kirk Barton's "everyone hates us" spiel and about twenty other things, OSU looks pretty hapless after that game. Even though everyone tried to do it for them, with all this chatter and providing the trappings of a Disney-esque redemption, when it came time to play the Ohio State players couldn't do it for themselves. Maybe what got lost in the media mix was that this Buckeye team shouldn't have needed a single reason to win that game. The 'why?' to the equation is "because we're Ohio State" and, since it's not late November in Ann Arbor, the 'who?' doesn't really matter.
  

• But, because this is still well within the two-month mourning period where irrational, harsh reasoning is welcome, let's not forget to point a finger in the direction of Coach Tressel. If you're the girl across the table from me at the bar on Monday night, you think he was to blame for each and every misstep and needs to be fired; no further explanation necessary (if you are this girl then you are also still hung over and tried to steal a pint glass, only to spill stale Bud Light in your purse in doing so.) In all seriousness, the man needs to crack some heads while the gun is still smoking and then take time for some soul searching of the college football variety. I would hope that a symbolic firing is in order; removing Jim Bollman would be a great start. If Tressel, bless his talented heart, can't bring himself to be the catalyst of change in this program then he must surround himself with people who will--regardless of how well the personalities line up.
  

• The following excerpt from Stewart Mandel's (who shockingly picked OSU 2nd in his 2008 poll) post-game thoughts is what I believe to be the most disheartening news of the week and lies on the shoulders of both the coaches and the players:

Ohio State tackle Alex Boone did not mince words about when describing the state of the Buckeyes' huddle as Monday's game unraveled. "Everybody started pointing the finger at somebody," said Boone. "Guys were trying to fight each other, getting pissed because they didn't think people were helping them and all that stuff. Just selfishness."

• The above quote hints that exodus to the draft may be more dramatic than previously expected. No chance on Laurinaitis, Jenkins and Gholston staying and now maybe say goodbye to Freeman (who stated before the game that he'd return), Boone and Robiskie. I may regret saying this later, but I imagine that this Jr. class has nothing left to prove. Wins over Michigan will never get old, but for guys like Little Animal who have suffered two embarrassing losses at the expense of their reputation, why hang around to have your gold pants tarnished once more?

But enough with the somber retrospective. Let us begin to look forward to that Sept. 13 date with USC...

Silver Bullet Points

Oh, sleepless nights...

• CFN's Championship unit-by-unit breakdown. Advantage: OSU (6-3)

• Gene W.'s view from Sunday.
  

• The Dispatch on Tressel.
  

• A look at OSU's three BCS Championship squads. Draw your own similarities.

• A note to Paul and the boys: Tressel sets curfew for fans.
  

'Eye Candy

Film Study

For anyone who feels so inclined to brush up on his/her SportsCenter...














I agree, Mark Schlabach has all the personality of a used napkin.

More to come...

Silver Bullet Points

Another chapter from The Vest Chronicles

The legend continues to grow with the help of this piece on ESPN.com by Ivan Maisel. The story is the same, about a noble man from Mentor, Ohio who emphasizes special teams play as much as he does class.

You kind of wish they would dig up some new, juicy info on the guy, but the affirming fact remains that the man we've come to know as The Senator has no skeletons to speak of (though ESPN did some probing during the Clarett saga), no quirks other than his intimidating win percentage and modest offensive output. Even that one tear-jerking viral anecdote about his generous donation to a disabled player proved to be mostly fictitious.

Les Miles, on the contrary, makes for a much more interesting feature story. His erratic fourth quarter play calling and public snub of Michigan are the trappings of a movie-of-the-week.

O-H!

• As this section is fast and reluctantly becoming the "Pryor Watch" it seems appropriate to report the word that highly touted freshman QB Ryan Mallett plans on leaving Michigan. Nothing is official as of yet, no paper work to speak of, but a transfer, supposedly to UCLA, wouldn't be a shock. Mallett was heavily recruited out of high school as a pro-style QB, much like his contemporary, Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame's on-again 0ff-again frosh starter.) Mallet, who started for the Weasels when Chad Henne was hurt this season, was a sure-bet to start next year until Richie Rich rolled in to town, guns blazing with talk of bringing Terrelle Pryor to Ann Arbor. Does Mallett know something we don't? It's hard to believe a blue-chipper golden boy would leave his post because he isn't sold on a new offense after what, two days. Or maybe Rich Rod wasn't exactly trying to push his product to this particular costumer, if you catch my drift...

• SI.com lists college football greats by number. Heavy on Buckeyes between 33-66 Twenty-eight minutes of your life you will never get back. Such is the internet.

'Eye Candy

If you see three minutes of only one video this year...



The beginning to the already-famous "Take Home Talk" motivation video given to the Buckeyes several days ago.

The Weekend Read

The "Evil Empire:" Perhaps in a galaxy not so far, far away

My dad sent me this link. Interesting, if not unsubstantiated comparison by Melissa Hoppert of the Times.

Have the Ohio State Buckeyes become the next Yankees, a successful team that has failed miserably recently in the postseason?

...But just like for the Yankees, after winning the big game merely making it there, for some, is no longer enough. The 41-14 drubbing by Florida in last season’s title game remains fresh in most people’s minds. (Not to mention the 84-75 loss to the Gators in the N.C.A.A. title game in basketball. Or even the Ohio State soccer team’s 2-1 loss to Wake Forest in the College Cup championship last Sunday.)

Out of context, Hoppert's more-of-the-same droning about underdogs, personal challenges and layoffs sounds like a rough outline for Michael Moore's next documentary. However, it is interesting to entertain her likening of our beloved Buckeyes to the always-polarizing Bronx Bombers...

Yankee Stadium = Ohio Stadium

Like Yankee Stadium, The Horseshoe is a nationally recognized monument that represents all that is great and wrong about sports. Opened in 1923 and 1922 respectively, both venues welcomed crowds far greater than ever expected. The grounds that the Bucks and Yanks call home are draped in historical mystique and considered a mecca to any true fan. Unfortunately, both have or soon will trade unmatched traditional beauty for renovations/demolition catered to big spenders and sponsorship opportunities. Unlike Yankee Stadium, Ohio Stadium is “dry” so patrons must resort to consumption of smuggled liquor throughout the game as opposed to rationing the contraband until the final innings.

George Steinbrenner = E. Gordon Gee

Like The Boss, Gordon Gee is quirky and always impeccably dressed. I would even go as far as to recommend Larry David to play the part of Gee in his biopic. Unlike Steinbrenner, Gee seems to have, at the very least, some kind of emotional hardwiring that allows him to discern right from wrong. Gee also appears to genuinely enjoy basic human interaction.

Brian Cashman = Gene Smith

Like the Yankees GM, Smith is the man directly behind the coach/manager. Both have budgets far, far above the average program in their respective league of play. It’s not always a glamour job, as both Cashman and Smith are readily vilified when anything goes awry. Unlike Ca$hman, Smith, to my knowledge, has never put a price on a player’s soul.

Joe Torre = Jim Tressel

Like the current Dodgers skipper, Tressel is a former-player turned coach, turned living legend. Both are reliable, generally reserved and respected by their peers. These men thrive(d) under the pressure created by the high expectations for these historic powerhouses. Unlike Torre, Tress has yet to be disrespected by his longtime boss in a pubic forum resulting in a blemish on his otherwise esteemed career.

Babe Ruth = Chick Harley

Like The Babe, Chick “built” his team’s “house.” These legends played the game at a different level and were cut from a special cloth. The grizzled old sage in the upper deck will tell you that Babe and Chick would still run circles (figuratively when speaking of Ruth) around today’s “athletes.” It’s easy to forgive these lads for their off-field eccentricities. Model Americans. Unlike Babe Ruth and despite his historical significance, Chick Harley’s name is rarely, if ever, mentioned in any conversation outside of Columbus.

Stump Merrill = Earle Bruce

Like Stump, Earle is old, portly and had a less-than-stellar coaching career in the limelight followed by a demotion to an equally tasteless stint heading a lackluster squad in Columbus (though it should be noted that Merrill won the Governor’s Cup with the Clippers while Bruce only managed a 6-10 record in his one season the Destroyers.) Both followed their backslides with much more fruitful vocations hanging around their old programs and providing sound bites to local media when asked. Unlike Merrill, who was cold-cocked on national TV by then Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez, Bruce has yet to provoke a swift ass kicking at the hand of Michigan player some 50 years his junior.





Derek Jeter =








...no one associated with The Ohio State University. He publicly endorses Michigan, even after having the foresight to pass on their scholarship offer. As far as I'm concerned, this is far and away his greatest personal achievement.

Silver Bullet Points

Sources: Using Doc Brown's DeLorean, Michigan AD Martin travels back to 1997 and hires John Cooper as head coach

No, no friends, just yanking your chain! But Martin did talk to Brady Hoke. (Who?)

• Chekwa, Heyward named to CFN's 2008 Freshman All-America squad

• "Tressel named finalist for coach of the year award." Unfortunately, this year Ron Zook, Sylvester Croom (Miss. St.) and Mark Mangino (Kansas) will likely split the bevy of coaches awards--and Mangino doesn't look like a man who likes to share.

• More from the 'patch: Dorsey over Laurinaitis again, Wilson's status and yet another slip of the tongue by Kirk Barton.
  

• Barton: "I think about it every day."