Open Thread: Spring Game, NFL Draft
The time is finally here, though the timing is unfortunate. Ideally, I’d like to watch the Spring Game and the NFL Draft on separate days. However, the scheduling gods have conspired them to be on the same day as well. The overlap between this two year is negligible, though that’s a plus. It’s the same day as the yearly company picnic that I’m sooo not getting suckered into attending again.
The Spring Game gets higher priority in my apartment (presuming I can get a connection on one of the websites streaming the game), but I’ll provide at least passing interest to the first round of the NFL Draft to see where our Buckeye alumni will be A) ending up and B) making millions of dollars. I understand traffic is light around these parts over the weekend, so perhaps this thread will mostly be a running tally of my own observations. It’ll be stuff that I’d otherwise twitter, but the traffic load on Twitter makes posting anything difficult sometimes (at least, from my experience). I’m going to make Gabby comment too, because I know he has nothing else to do unless he didn’t weasel out of the company picnic like I did.
11W already offered their thoughts on important factors this game. It basically covers anything and everything I would’ve said, so it would not be worthwhile to say what’s already been said. However, I’ll go ahead and add a few more observations.
- I think the Gray team wins the scrimmage, if for no other reason than it’s the team with Terrelle Pryor and Justin Boren.
- …and still I have the worst case scenario of the offensive line looking clueless this whole game for both the Scarlet and Gray sides.
- Watch the recruiting wire after the game. For the past two years, the Spring Game has been Christmas in April for Ohio State recruitniks. The 2007 Spring Game gave us Michael Brewster and JB Shugarts and the 2008 Spring Game gave us Dorian Bell, among several, several others. That said, I can’t think of any names off the top of my head in the 2010 class that may provide an immediate commitment. Lamarcus Joyner is the most important name in attendance. He’s certainly interested in the Buckeyes, but it’d be unreasonable to expect a Spring Game commitment from Joyner. Nick Montana may or may not be in attendance. BuckeyePlanet has a list of important visitors for this game.
- Jake Ballard and Jake Stoneburner are on the same team as Terrelle Pryor. Both, especially Stoney, have had great springs so far. Watch what happens accordingly.
Ken, loyal reader from western New York, will be posting Block O Table questions on Monday, so stay tuned. Lastly, on the NFL Draft, here’s my ill-informed predictions (barring any draft day surprises):
- Jenkins and Beanie will go back-to-back to the Saints and Texans respectively. A two tailback system for Beanie in Houston (w/ Steve Slaton) will be really helpful in his transition to the NFL.
- I don’t see Laurinaitis falling further than the first pick of the second round to the Lions.
- Ohio State: NFL Factory. They are second only to the Hurricanes. This will continue this year.
- The Cleveland Browns will likely take Orakpo or Raji. Their defensive line needs help. Mangini can always take Mark Sanchez or Michael Crabtree too, but only if he wants me to cry.
- Whatever the case, the Cleveland Browns finish 16-0 in the regular season in 2009. The playoffs will be cancelled and the Lombardi Trophy presented to the Browns after beating Jacksonville 77-0 in the regular season finale.
Written by: Vico |
Looks like Ohio State will overtake Miami today for most draft picks from any school this decade. Oh well, it’s not like the southern college football fans ever look at facts and statistics. Or could read them if they did.
Spending my time for me, I see
. See, unlike you, I don’t need to weasel out of the picnic. I just don’t show up.
Must be nice.
it is
Our lacrosse team is getting waxed.
Speak of the devil, they just scored. Still 11-5 Irish.
I hope the lacrosse waxing doesn’t negatively influence recruitment prospects; is Weis there with his sign-up sheet just in case?
Oh, if only that were true about the Browns…
Hogan and Tiberi on 10TV, that brings back memories.
Oh it does. I miss Ohio.
Beanie Wells “Former Buckeye RB”.
I’m loving the awkward silences…
“Maui” Jim Tressel!
I don’t care if it’s a “beach party”, Coach, you’re the kind of guy that wears a sweatervest and tie to even that and that’s why we love you.
I’m not seeing the south stands immediately, but the rest of the Shoe looks like it’s 85 percent capacity already. Very good turnout. I hope to see more file in.
btw, if you’re predicting the Gray wins, I guess that means I have to give equal time and pull for the Scarlet. Go Scarlet! Gray sucks… Help is on the way!*
* I couldn’t help myself.
Oh it’s on now, Gabward.
Nice reference, though.
Wow, that place is packed.
I don’t fucking care if the USC game is “circled”. They’re “circled” all the time… and stop reminding me about that game last year.
Let’s go Hazell. Time to make Vico look like a dumbass.
Smooth, Lamaar.
Interesting exchange there. Brian Rolle sighting, too. And did I just see Mike Adams at RT?
Thoughts:
- I already hate these offensive line formations, but I’m going to be nice and attribute it to the lack of depth overall for this game. I’m sorry, but Jack Mewhort is otherwise wasting time at left tackle, unless Jim Bollman is some kind of mad genius.
- Good display of toughness there from Brandon Saine.
- Justin Boren apparently needs to work on pass protection, but he looked really good on that 3rd down play.
Very nice, Lamaar. Very good burst there.
Wait wait wait wait. Did I just see Etienne Sabino listed as a safety?
Andy Miller is getting abused every. single. play.
Thoughts:
- Andy Miller, you need to get a lot better.
- Right side of that Scarlet offensive line looks good so far.
- The Scarlet side is playing at a much higher tempo.
- Brian Rolle is everywhere.
Oh God, Beach Boys over the speaker. Oh God.
Thoughts:
- Thaddeus Gibson on Jack Mewhort is not a fair matchup. Them’s the breaks.
- Michael Brewster hasn’t looked that good so far.
- The right side of Gray’s line has not been impressive.
- Justin Boren, however, has been.
They must have moved Andy Miller. I think that’s Mike Adams now at LT.
Don’t wear team colors or anything, Teddy Ginn
That place is packed. Blast fax kudos all around to people in attendance, demonstrating that Ohio State football is, indeed, serious business.
heh, Captain Ohio?
Pass protection optional that 3rd down play… grrrrrr
How was that kick not blocked?
Not good enough, Jermil Martin
we haven’t seen Terrelle Pryor take off yet, though this is the quarter to do it.
The wave, really? Is this the 1980s?
http://www.cleveland.com/buckeyeblog/index.ssf/2009/04/scott_mcvey_of_st_ignatius_giv.html
for future reference, thanks Max.
TAURIAN WASHINGTON.
Chimdi Chekwa how could you
???
I could do without the Beach Boys playing over the speakers.
Perfect. Just perfect. I never saw Tressel do that before.
OH MY GOD RAY SMALL. That did not just happen.
Halftime thoughts:
- This is a wide receiver party. Ray Small, Taurian Washington and, to a lesser degree, DeVier Posey have looked fantastic so far.
- The left side of Scarlet’s line (Andy Miller) is terrible. The right side of Gray’s line is terrible. We have no depth to speak of. On that last play, the tailback (Jermil Martin, I think) who stayed back for pass protection didn’t even hesitate to run to the right side of the line when the ball was snapped. It’s not like it’s a mistake here and there, it’s just all-day… “grim”. I need to be nicer on this.
- It’s hard to get a read on the safeties, so there’s really nothing I can add.
- Storm Klein has looked pretty good.
- I’m reticent to say too much about Tyler Moeller, but he’s been active… much to my pleasant surprise.
Oh my goodness, Brandon Saine, I am liking this. A lot.
First flag of the game.
Gene Smith just said there’s about 95,000 in attendance. That number is greater than the 92,000 that Alabama pulled in last year. Eat it, Alabama fans.
Welcome to Ohio State, Justin Siems.
95,722
…and Scarlet is finally on the board.
Bad read there by Adams allowed Thomas to swing free.
Oh Marcus Williams, if only you had top-end speed.
…and Jermil Martin finally gets his carry, though it’s in the Spring Game.
Missed tackle there by Andrew Sweat opened that up.
cmon, we need a comeback.
The dream is dead
Thoughts:
- I went from worrying about the offensive line to now being terrified about it. Linebackers should never come off the edge that quickly and unmolested.
- That said, it’s good to see Etienne Sabino get in on the action.
- James Jackson got his number called often that past drive. Very nice.
Heh, Luke Fickell gets the Gatorade shower. It’s official now.
I love the live mic at the end.
All 3 of us here were flipping out about Sanchez being so giddy when the Browns were on the clock, until we found it out was a trade. The reaction was kind of funny in hindsight.
Alright Malcolm!
http://images47.fotki.com/v1462/photos/7/798917/7474234/090425_0490-vi.jpg
Lamarcus Joyner had a good time.
Are the Browns just hoarding draft picks so no one else can have them?
I think these things accrue interest. The Browns must be investing them, or planting them in the backyard to see if they’ll grow.
Go Browns!
Beanie or Maclin!
It’s a draft, Cleveland. You’re allowed to draft people.
Well that was uneventful.
Man, look at the SEC players picked so far. That’s just the bottom line right there. I hate to admit it. I think Beanie’s toughness is in question by the NFLer’s.
Donald Brown is “more versatile” my ass, I don’t buy that he’s a receiving threat.
about frickin’ time.
nice, JL went before Ron Moogalooga.
I’m surprised by that too.
…and I love Robo coming home to Cleveland.
Robiskie is from Cleveland and now plays for Cleveland. Mangini is really testing to see if that, “2 wrongs don’t make a right” theory holds.
Donald Washington just found a home in Kansas City.
The Hartline will join Ted Ginn Jr in Miami too, which is cool.
and Michigan is finally on the board with the last pick of the 4th round. Brownies will always have my heart, but I respect the Colts for the service they’ve done for Big Ten football.
Freeman is finally off the board. Good for him to be picked up by the Bears.
Right now, Abilene Christian has as many draft picks as Michigan, and twice as many as the Miami Hurricanes.
I’m just sayin’…