Tag Archives: Ohio State Buckeyes

BUCKEYES AND BROWNS NOTES AND QUOTES

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Notes:

Quarterback Braxton Miller enters this season ranked in Ohio State’s All-Time Top 10 in 17 different offensive categories.

Second-year defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle, from Elyria, Ohio, has rejoined the team. Coach Urban Meyer said Sprinkle lost his scholarship for the summer, he will be suspended for the first football game of the season, Aug. 30 vs. Navy, and he will take part in weekly community service projects during the season. Meyer invited Sprinkle, who was involved in a legal altercation in July, back onto the team after charges were reduced and after an independent investigation into the incident. He was at the morning practice today.

True freshman Sam Hubbard, who arrived at Ohio State in June, was projected to play linebacker but was switched to tight end, has been moved back to linebacker. He’ll wear jersey number 49 this season.

Quotes:

Urban Meyer on this year’s recruiting class after Ohio State’s first practice, which kicked off OSU’s 125th football season:

“It’s really early, but I’m really impressed with our freshman class.  “It was a good day.”

 

BROWNSBrowns Helmet Sideways Photo

Notes:

Johnny Manziel took all the first team reps in practice on Monday and according to Pat McManamon from ESPN.com was 6-17 with one interception, zero touchdowns and three dropped passes. Brian Hoyer, working with the two’s, tossed a touchdown pass and led his squad to a field goal in the two minute drill.

The following Browns did not participate in today’s practice due to injury: TE Jordan Cameron (shoulder), LB Tank Carder (foot), DB Tashaun Gipson (knee), OL Randall Harris (knee), Isaiah Trufant (knee),  – NFI: OL Nate McDonald (wrist).

OL Reid Fragel left today’s practice with a lower leg injury.

The Browns on Monday signed DB Royce Adams, activated DL Phil Taylor and waived WR Chandler Jones, LB Edgar Jones,TE James Oboh and OL Jason Pinkston. The Browns roster is currently at 87 players.

Quotes:

Head coach Mike Pettine on if today was a scheduled day for QB Johnny Manziel to take reps with the first-team offense:

“Yes, it’s just all part of the plan that we’ve had. It’ll go back and forth.”

Pettine on if it seemed Manziel took steps forward after watching film from the Family Day scrimmage:

“Yeah, I think both quarterbacks took steps. I thought they both played to their skill set. I thought Johnny did a good job making some plays with his feet, keeping plays alive. (QB) Brian (Hoyer), I thought, showed some poise in the pocket and stepped into some throws. Let’s not forget that he’s a guy coming off of a knee [injury] and that was really the first true live work that he had gotten. I thought that was good work for him, as well.”

Pettine on saying early in camp that barring something unforeseen, Hoyer would start the first preseason game:

“Yeah, I would still say that’s true, but I can’t say it’s 100 percent at this point. I would still say there’s more than reasonable chance that he’ll be the starter against Detroit. That had been the plan. I just want to confirm with (quarterbacks coach) Dowell (Loggains) and (offensive coordinator) Kyle (Shanahan) and see where they are with it.”

Pettine on if TE Jordan Cameron not practicing is still simply a precaution:

“It’s an AC issue with the shoulder, but it’s not anything. If this were a game week, more than likely he would’ve gone. I’m still not sure – we haven’t made a decision yet for Detroit – but more than likely, we will air on the side of caution.”

BIG 10 MEDIA DAYS PODCAST WITH STEVE HELWAGEN FROM BUCKNUTS.COM

Bucknuts.com’s Steve Helwagen and I tackle everything from Braxton Miller, to OSU strengths and weaknesses as well as Ohio State’s Big Ten title chances and their Nation Championship hopes, as Steve joined me from Chicago where he was covering Big Ten Media Days.

Steve Helwagen photo

BIG 10 THINGS I LEARNED FROM URBAN MEYER TODAY ABOUT THE 2014 BUCKEYES

Urban Meyer Big Ten Media Day 2014 - 2

1) Quarterback Braxton Miller is 100% healthy and in the best shape of his life and ready to roll for his senior year after having off- season shoulder surgery.

2) The offensive line is his biggest concern after losing four starters from a year ago. The battles continue for a few starting spots.

3) After the O-Line, the secondary is next on the list of concerns for the 2014 Buckeyes. Meyer said they have totally blown up the secondary from a year ago and started from scratch with the help of new co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach Chris Ash.

4) The strength of this team will be its defensive line not only because of the stud players they have, but also the depth they have at those positions, and new defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

5) Meyer is expecting big things from his linebackers this year, calling it one his stronger groups based on chemistry and trust, the leadership of Josh Perry and Curtis Grant and some talented young players like Raekwon McMillan.

6) In order for his team to be a Big Ten Title contender, the trust and chemistry and development of some of the younger players will need to be there, as well as staying healthy.

7) Meyer feels that the Big Ten’s East Division is one of the toughest divisions in all of college football with Ohio State, Michigan State, Michigan, Penn State, Indiana, Rutgers and Maryland.

8) I expect a larger and more impactful role from Dontre Wilson this year on offense after hearing Meyer talk about him today, saying he’s gained weight and is much stronger .

9) Even though Michigan State won the Big Ten Championship last year by beating the Buckeyes 34-24, Meyer still only sees one rival on Ohio State’s schedule and it’s “That Team Up North”. But in case you disagree with Urban, OSU plays at M.S.U. on November 8th at 8pm on ABC. The Michigan game is November 29th in Columbus this year, start time TBA.

10) Meyer is expecting the receiving core to take a major step forward and carry their own weight on par with the rest of the football team. Meyer said in his first year they didn’t, and last year they got much better, but he said he’ll be disappointed if that group doesn’t improve even more this year.

OHIO STATE LANDS A TOP RANKED QUARTERBACK PROSPECT FOR 2015 CLASS

Joey Burrow from Athens, Ohio high school verbally committed to Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes on Tuesday becoming the third member of the the 2015 Recruiting Class. For a breakdown of Burrow’s game Steve Helwagen from Bucknuts.com joined me in the “Roda Report” to give us the 411.

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URBAN MEYER SPRING GAME PRESS CONFERENCE 4-12-14

OSU’s Urban Meyer with his post-game thoughts on the 2014 Spring Game

Urban Meyer Photo

PODCAST – THE BUCKEYE BOUNCE

My “Instant Analysis” of Ohio State’s 60-59 loss to Dayton

Aaron Craft Final Game Photo 3-20-14 Photo courtesy of CBS