I've TiVoed the BTN special about anOSU training camp. I'll try and pass on any interesting things I see or find. I'm not as good as Johnathan at this but I'll see if I can get any clues.
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Cardale has a really nice car and a really nice apartment.
Well he ain't come to play school
For him, he might be right. The rest of the school is just there to support his pre-NFL training.
For most of his teammates, however, the education will help them with their lives, whether they make the NFL or not.
Cardale actually passed up the NFL last year to graduate. The sad thing is he's been an honor roll student since the beginning. He sent out a stupid tweet after he woke up on a Friday morning and people still hold it against him to this day- Not saying they shouldn't.
I absolutely love the comment. I'm currently in grad school and I frequently tell people "I ain't come to play school" when I go to classes because it just takes time away from being in lab.
Easier to believe he delayed the NFL for one more year of anOSU football.
Unfortunately, that tweet will haunt him for a long time, despite being a very good student, not getting into trouble like some big time players, and coming back to get a degree instead of going into the draft. He seems like a good kid with a sense of humor who is handling fame pretty well. At what point does something stupid we did as a teenager stop being relevant?
The back story on that tweet, as I have heard it, is he blew a test he had spent a lot of time studying for and he was upset. If I had a nickel every time I said something stupid during college I wouldn't need a degree as I'd already be rich.
Best thing about Cardale is he's seemed bothered that this has become a perception of him. Shows signs that he's not OK with it and regrets it years later. All accounts have indeed shown that he's always been a good 3.0+ student and he genuinely wants his degree. Was reading a piece on NFL.com the other day where anonymous GM was saying he could've potentially been a top 15 pick in last year's draft because of all the physical tools he has. He passed on that to, in his words, be the first in his family to earn a college degree.
So completely torn on who I want to be the starter, both as far as strategy goes as well as them as people. One thing I do know is I won't be disappointed with either one.
Cardale
haswas supplied a really nice car and a really nice apartment.FTFY
For me, it's just marketing hype, but here's the link:
BTN Scarlet and Grey Days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dn1-yiQpXXY
Edit:
I migrated my take on it from the other thread:
I'm at the eight minute mark, and it's more like a polished hype video. Nine minutes of players packing their underwear and driving to the first day of camp. Where's my barf bag?
At the nine minute mark: UM's opening remarks. More interesting. He's a hard ass for sure. I believe the nine keys he's talking about are: qb, rb, te, ol, wr, lb, dl, corners, safeties. Nine Strong. I notice the loss he mentioned was Michigan State a couple of years ago, didn't mention the home opener loss to VT. He's smart to talk about everybody doing their jobs, and not championships...
After the whole video: Just a hype video. Doesn't really show drills or anything, and not even much of the mindset. Overall, a disappointment.
I can certainly see that coming from another fan base.
I loved it because it's cool to see a different side of the players you cheer for. And I always love seeing the nicknames the big brothers get every year lol. The first episode was about the players leaving and arriving at camp. Next week will probably have a lot more of practice.
I didn't mind it. First few days of camp, with a bunch of teenagers and very early twenty-somethings getting back to the grind. It's not the NFL, and they'll get deep into it soon!
You're absolutely correct, that's all it is. And the Big Ten Network hasn't really made any bones about that. I've seen from sources that this isn't about anything juicy or about money so much as it is branding (which indirectly is money). Ohio State actually has all final decision rights as to what gets aired, so of course it's all going to be pretty tame stuff.
Careful how much you share.... BTN's self gratification over anOSU would very much be NSFW
They're just looking for ratings, and no doubt they've got plenty of subscribers who are desperate enough to watch their hype video.
A desperate bunch we are, sir. Question though, why air anything at all if you aren't looking for ratings? Don't take Urban for a fool, he looks for any opportunity he can to market his brand to an audience. He wants recruits to know that they're going to be on TV all the time, they're going to be famous, they're going to be at the cutting edge, etc etc if they come to Columbus. Ohio State has final editorial rights over any of the content in the program, so none of it is going to be any kind of juicy. It is indeed just going to be promotional for OSU and for the B1G to display their brand via their marquee act.
I don't mind going for ratings. I just mind if you do it without content. It's like cotton candy when you're hungry.
Yeah, I can understand that. For us desperate for the season to start, it's a fun glimpse (even with no real substance) into the world of the program we get all bent out of shape about on saturdays in the fall. Certainly can see why anyone outside of the OSU fanbase would roll their eyes at it. I mean I sort of do as well, but...did I mention it's almost fall??
I'm late to the party on this, but I would never, NEVER eat cotton candy. No matter how hungry I am.
I'm not sure if you're referring to the analogy or being literal, but...on a serious note, I have a borderline hatred of (actual, real) cotton candy. It disturbs me somehow. That and glitter. I actually think I have a legit phobia of glitter.
Concerning my hatred for cotton candy, it's not borderline. It is red-lined, full-on hatred.
In my opinion, here's a MUCH better video of Urban Meyer giving a coaching seminar at Mississippi State. Don't bother watching if you can't handle a management-type seminar.
To sum it up: Character, Competence, Connection.
What's interesting is that many of the concepts he discusses are already "in the mix" at Virginia Tech, without hiring outside management consultants, though I'm OK if they ever want to do that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nHlZWoPvy4
Not a fan of the team divided dinner.
I agree. Seemed more like a punishment for the guys who didn't make the grade.
The reward foods I can see but separate dining rooms. Not the way I like to see teams come together as family.
Didn't mind it. Besides Cardale, those kids are at anOSU as a student first. Getting a decent dinner (it wasn't surf adn turf or anything decadent like that...) for getting good grades is ok in my book. Tells them what they are there for. And the guys that might not see more than 5 plays a year can earn that reward. It has nothing to do with football ability. But at the end of it, they all are together for the meeting. (And from the look of some of the guys, not getting the "good" meal wasn't a big deal because they are just there for the football...so they can go eat hamburgers for one meal. It won't kill em. They'll get the kings share when they get back on campus. Not VT good on-campus food, but I'm sure anOSU isn't server bad food.)
The funny part about all of the jabs and jokes is that Cardale is a good student. One tweet about a frustrating day at class has defined his legacy. Such is the world we live in these days. I'm glad I didn't have a Twitter feed with thousands of followers when I was 19-20 years old and had a rough day of school. The story of that tweet was that he received a B on an exam that he studied very hard for. He's active on Twitter, posted the tweet and immediately deleted it minutes later...but it belonged to the internet forever by then. And so too does his reputation.
Not how that tweet read at all, it's almost like that story was made up after the fact to show that anOSU kids are not just there to get ready for the NFL.
Which totally explains why he said he's coming back to school because he wants to be the first in his family to earn a college degree...when he could've, ya know, gone to the NFL and been picked within the first 3 rounds. Already down in OSU history as a legend. Never have to worry about school ever again since he hates it so much. He's just there to get ready for exactly what he's passing up on right now. Right?
He's never had any academic issues outside of being suspended for a game for Tweeting that. He's maintained a GPA above 3.0 and he was actually named one of the schools scholar athletes weeks after that Tweet. Or whatever you said, I guess.
That tweet was from 2012, you don't think the spin machine at anOSU worked on that? He might have changed since then it has been years.
Or it could have been a stupid tweet (like was explained above) and he's always been an honor roll student.
140 characters doesn't define everything about a person.
Could be that. Or could be someone looking for a reason to dislike a guy/dislike a guy because he goes to a particular anSchool. I guess we'll just leave it at that to disagree on.
I don't know about that. My fraternity had a steak and beans dinner each time grades came out and it was a fun way to drive home the point that grades are important. It promoted a friendly rivalry and desire not to eat beans that brought us together while making an important point.
Did you eat together? That's my issue. Two separate meals in two separate rooms. The voiceover also said "summer football grades" I took that as summer workouts NOT academic grades.
No we didn't. Separate tables at opposite end of the room to accentuate the divide. Not sure about the grades.
I see where you are coming from; I think as long as it is not overdone it can be a good motivational tool. It's when it becomes divisive that it is a problem. Team chemistry is a very tricky thing, asI am sure you know as a fireman, and it's easy to cross the line from friendly banter to trouble if leaders don't keep things in check.
Given that this was the FIRST meal back together it doesn't bother me. A little reward for the kids with good grades (I took it as grades sine the guy was checking a sheet...) and food as usual for the others. After they ate they were all together. And for the rest of the season.
Re watched it again and the voice over guy clearly says "summer football grades" I mean what would you do with kids on the team who didn't take a summer class? I think it means summer workout grades.
Still don't have an issue with it. If they didn't make the grade, whatever grade that is, then take 30 minutes to go eat a burger. Not that big a deal to me, but a reward for those that met or exceeded expectations. First meal, so no need for a participation steak IMHO. Go earn it. Like I said above it wasn't surf n turf, just a decent meal with the coach in the room. Job well done to those that earned it.
As for the,separation, the coach doesn't eat with them very often. So it was a reward for those that earned it. For those that didnt, dinner as usual. Not a punishment, just another meal.
I've seen three videos of Miller at WR drills he has missed catches in all three, not just didn't catch but hit his hands and he didn't complete the catch. Why is he going to be this great weapon in 18 days?
I pray they come into the game expecting him to be a receiving centerpiece of that offense.
The more a role he plays in that game, the better our chances are of winning
I don't see it, unless they're really hiding something there.
but but but its Braxton Miller.. he has speed and learning the WR position is easy duhh look at how well Joel Caleb is doing Heisman front runner this year ?/S
good god but I would love to see someone absolutely clobber him ala kyshoen's hit vs Pitt, maybe the OSU circle jerk about Braxton will be dry then.
You know Braxton was a 2 time Big10 player of the year and has rushed for over 3000 career yards right? Whether or not he can figure out how to catch, the guy is will still be an elite threat when he touches the ball, even if its only on options and sweeps
Gaining rushing yards for a talented scramble QB is all great but in the H back spot no one is worried about him throwing the ball deep. He will be attacked hard at the line.
not to mention he will get hit every single play.. that bum shoulder will go absolutely cold/limp after 2-3 big hits.
You don't hit 3k yards without being extremely elusive and good in space, which Braxton is. The h-back position isn't designed under the guise that the player has to be a throwing threat. It will get him in opportunities of space whether or not we think he can throw.
I highly doubt he'll be an elite threat to us if he still can't make a catch or run a crisp route
The guy has earned his due. Do not underestimate his talent or what OSU brings. I get it that the OsU hype is nauseating. Miller is a winner and we don't need to motivate him!
He's not. It'll take a minimum of half a season, and probably most of the season to turn into a WR with competent skills & superior physical gifts.
It's not like he's going to be playing WR. He's not going to be counted on to run crisp routes off the route tree. They're going to line him up in the slot. They're going to line him up in the backfield. Hell, they'll probably have him run some read option wildcat stuff. Maybe not all that stuff right from the get-go, but it's what I expect to see throughout the year. He doesn't need to turn into a WR. They're going to run jet sweeps, reverses, options, handoffs, bubble screens, maybe some quick slants. He doesn't need to perfect his fade route or anything...that's not how he's going to be used. But if anyone wants to devalue how electric he is with the ball in his hands both in space and in a crowd, they should do themselves a favor and go back and watch some of what he could do as a runningback playing quarterback.
I don't think most of the people here are devaluing his ability to run with the ball. He is scary good with a little space to move in and there is no way he will be ignored by our defense...hence some of the value of having him on the field. The comments mostly are concentrating on the idea that he will be immediately effective in the passing game. There is also a legitimate opinion that if he is, indeed, still injured, a few big-time full tilt boogie collisions with some of our nastiest defensive players may sit him right back down with an ice wrap and some regrets.
I agree and I think VT's gameplan should reflect that as well. Braxton is an outstanding ball carrier, but who knows what the adjustment to a new position will bring. It's more of an unknown than what Zeke and the O-line can do. If I'm BF, I'm focusing on the run and taking my chances with Braxton at a new position. No spies, doubles, anything like that.
I don't know if Braxton will be effective in the passing game. If I had to guess they wouldn't throw anything further than 5 yards down the field to him. I imagine he'll be getting most of his use in motion and out of the backfield. Miller's current injury is one of rotation, not of impact. The reason he's moving positions is because his shoulder isn't in throwing shape and he can't effectively compete for the strating job. His injury concerns are somewhat legit, but I think they're also blown out of proportion a bit. In my opinion, he's much more susceptible to injury as QB. We used to run something called the "Braxton Save Us" offense whenever a game would be tight. He'd get 20+ carries per game and he'd be subject to taking big hits in the pocket (which is where his shoulder injury came from, getting drilled as he throws). With this new role, he should be getting fewer touches and less wear and tear. He'll also be getting the ball in positions where he can get downhill and just be a running back and give out some of the punishment instead of being a scrambling QB trying to keep plays alive and just taking punishment. He's a big fella himself at 6'2" 220lbs. Not to mention if you find ways to get him the ball on the edge and screens, you're talking about him squaring up vs corners and safeties with linebackers chasing. Not going head on at linemen and linebackers starting from inside the box every time.
Hey there, new here. Love the site!
Braxton will not be relied on to run many routes downfield. Our Hback role that he will play, is not sent deep very often. Jet sweeps and screens will probably most of what he is used for. Don't need great hands for those. But he's only a week in and he will get better I hope.
Braxton lit up the scrimmage last Saturday according to insiders.
Welcome aboard. Have a leg.
Welcome! Not to be argumentative, but you need great hands for screens. One bad bounce off you is a pick 6. Drop a screen pass that is considered a lateral and you've got a fumble. I've seen those bite us in the ass on several occasions. Bucky dropped one last year that ended up being a fumble and I remember Logan throwing a screen to Tony Gregory that was bobbled and grabbed in stride by a Duke DB and taken for a pick 6. Good hands are VERY important on those even if the ball isn't coming at you that hard. And it doesn't make it any easier when you have a DB or LB coming at you hard and your main focus is catching that ball.
True, but I haven't heard too many issues about his hands. Urban is usually pretty blunt.
I'm guessing Braxton will get 8-10 touches against you guys. Probably 5 of them will be jet sweeps which along with the fake sweep were our best plays last year. I know he has to prove it at a new position but with the moves we saw from him for three years, him coming off the edge could be dangerous.
I think the game against you guys is our second toughest of the season. That defense will be nasty.
Fair enough. I haven't followed how he's progressing at all as we have enough to worry about on our own team for the whole season to be concerned with 1 player from 1 game. I will say this though, I will take Braxton getting 8-10 touches. I'd be VERY happy with that because that's 8-10 fewer touches for Elliott who I'm more afraid of. I think you'll be more successful with a play-action fake sweep than a jet sweep only because our defense will key in on Miller as soon as he starts moving. Play-action could be very dangerous right there.
Yep very true. The fake jet sweep was so lethal last year when we faked it to Marshall or Elliott. I was screaming at the tv numerous times to run it more.
Any Hokie who isn't worried about Braxton with the ball in his hands has a very short memory
I don't think Hokies aren't worried about Braxton with the ball in his hands as much as they are curious to see if and how he can get the ball in his hands. I personally fear more about him getting the ball ahead of the line of scrimmage as a slot receiver than I do behind it as a pitch man or Wildcat. How dangerous screens are can be hit or miss depending on how they are set up.
I expect they'll be timid about throwing it downfield with him, but even if they only use him for 5 or 6 sweeps, he could easily get 60-75 yards during the game. Newsome, who is not the athlete Miller is, got 10 yards a carry last year at ohio state
If he gets the ball, he can do some damage. So I'm going to guess they'll figure out a way to get the ball to him.
But Newsome didn't run the same sweep 6 times a game either. Baiting the D with 3 of those and then going play-action (and being successful) will keep that option open, but 6 jet sweeps by the same player in one game seems like a lot.
Braxton is obviously a threat and Bud will be concerned about how he will be used.
The biggest threat is Elliott. That will be the defense's focus.
Exactly.
IIRC, Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson (when healthy) both ran quite a few vertical, post, and post-corner routes every game...
They mainly would run short routes with some medium level routes mixed in. Later in the year, Jalin was running deep ins finding spots in a zone, but nothing too difficult.
Welcome and a Leg! 2 weeks and 2 days!
Love the black stripe to start idea. Love it!
Yea, I could see that. Reminds me of a fraternity more than a sports team, but it's all about development.
I was thinking the yellow stripe in Nascar.
And goes along with the phrase earning your stripes. Given that the 9 keys resemble military stripes, it all works together.
Better than the brown stripe? You know who you are.
I gotta agree with those who brought up Cardale's apt, and especially his car. I thought the exact same thing. How does a very poor kid from Cleveland get set up like that?
On the other hand, two things give me some comfort that this isn't going to turn into an NCAA investigation: 1) Since the last scandal, the OSU athletic dept has really scrutinized jobs and cars - making sure everything is kosher and documented. 2) If OSU has editorial control, and they had no problem with it, then it must not be a problem. But, of course, that assumes that idiots aren't the ones making these decisions. :)
I disagree with those criticizing Braxton's ability to catch. In this show, and other film I've seen, he snatches the ball out of the air - which is what you want to see. The fact he misses some indicates he is like almost every other guy who catches balls. I do agree with those who doubt whether he can do it when someone is bearing down on him with bad intentions. Have to see that to know it. And he has to prove he can get blown up with contact on his right shoulder and pop up and play another down.
But Braxton is one guy who I have caught myself holding my breath when he breaks to daylight. Thinking he won't be causing us to do it on Sep 7 is probably not realistic.
I think your opinion is how 95% of us feel. We know Braxton isn't immediately going to be superman, but we do what he is capable of in the open field. I'm definitely concerned about his durability as well, but even more concerned about one thing: fumbles. Braxton made so many plays that he made us forget about his chronic fumbling issues. So I'm a little bit worried about what is going to happen when a free safety gets a chance to open a can on him right after he snags a reception
The car scam used to be that players bought a cheap car, and then returned it for service and got a much nicer loaner car, for free, over an indefinite period.
Ohio State did an internal investigation over whether cars being sold by one guy to a LOT of OSU football players were at lower than market prices, but I don't think they could prove anything.
My friend was a grad assistant at a MAC school and told me that their best player was showing up to practice in a team color-souped up sports car last year.
He comes from a very poor family in Florida...
It is what it is I guess.
DIfficult to prove, unless someone comes forward and admits he bought a car for less than market value. What's the incentive to do that?
Yep. It's kind of a don't ask don't tell thing.
every school has a dealership it works with.. I could spat out a couple connections but that wouldn't be proper
I've enjoyed reading about your guys scrimmages and practices. Sounds like your dline will be scary good and your corners exceptional. Haven't heard much about the safeties and linebackers but I'm sure they're solid.
BTN visited yesterday and here is some info on our guys. They usually gush over every B1G team so take it with a grain of salt.
http://btn.com/2015/08/24/twitter-get-our-teams-tweets-from-ohio-state-football-scrimmage/