I'm actually a huge fan of the NFL preseason.
Not only is it actually football before we get to see the real stuff (and by that I mean college football), but it's an early look at how the rookies are settling in to their new jobs. And there are a lot funny dropped passes, fumbles, and general displays of amateur-hour.
The Browns fans in the audience have to be happy with Brandon Weeden's performances so far this preseason. "But it's just preseason!" you say – well, yeah, you're probably right. But at least the offense actually makes sense this year.
Outside of the Browns, did anyone else see the Bears-Chargers turnover/field-goal-fest? The Bears kept racking up turnovers, but struggled to turn them in to anything but field goals. This is the opposite of the Buckeyes last year, who were second in the country in red zone turnovers.
DARN SHOULDERS. I wish I had some exciting practice updates for you, but instead I just have injury updates:
Adam Griffin had shoulder surgery this morning and his career is likely over, according to an Ohio State release.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) August 15, 2013
Jamie Wood (shoulder) is also likely done. He's had chronic shoulder injuries and was attempting a comeback.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) August 15, 2013
You've got to feel terrible for both guys.
While Adam's injury (and surgery) seemed to come out of nowhere, Jamie struggled with injuries throughout his entire Ohio State career after a promising high school career. Wood is entering grad school this year, so he's in good shape in case his shoulder does prevent a comeback.
Adam repeatedly received Meyer's praise in the winter and spring, actually winning "the team’s Iron Buckeye Award [which is] given to the student-athlete(s) who best exemplified unquestionable physical training dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership," according to a school release.
NERD ATTACK. Mandel wrote an interesting article about the four "nerd" schools that have found success on the football field recently: Stanford, Vandy, Northwestern, and Notre Dame. The former three are pretty much the opposite of traditional powerhouses, but have been killing it on the field, especially based upon their still difficult recruiting requirements:
In 2008, then-coach Jim Harbaugh told the Los Angeles Times that only about "100 to 150" of the approximately 3,500 annual FBS signees are realistically in play for Stanford.
I totally get the appeal for recruits though – elite education and FBS football? Easy sell. Mandel wonders if we might be hearing "nerd nation" as much as "Roll Tide" in the coming years, but I doubt these schools feel much solidarity with one another.
The Buckeyes travel to the B1G Nerds this year POLLS, BECAUSE FOOTBALL. CBS Sports released their first "Tomorrows' Top 25 Today" piece, which attempts to guess how the AP will rank the top-25 the next day.
I don't think anyone really thinks about or cares too much about these polls – even where the Buckeyes are ranked. Second or fourth (or whatever) just makes no difference to me.
The common argument is that "at least polls give us something football-related to talk about" and maybe that's true, but I'm kind of poll-saturated at this point.
Just a few quick thoughts, because why not:
- I don't buy South Carolina. Outside of Clowney, there's not another dominant player, nor huge depth at any position.
- Texas A&M may be my "letdown" team for 2013. Even if Manziel plays every game, it's hard for me to see them repeating last season.
- Is anyone else excited for some Pac-12 football? The Stanford-Oregon game will be as big as any across the country this year.
- I think Miami is kind of underrated. Stephen Morris and Duke Johnson should be fearsome on offense.
QB BATTLE EVEN OVER IN HAPPY VALLEY. Bill O'Brien really wants to name a starting quarterback, but Ferguson and Hackenberg are making it difficult.
"First of all, the update is, it's very even. It's even," O'Brien said. "I actually spoke to both guys this morning and I told them that I couldn't be prouder of where they're at right now and how they've worked.
My only interest in this QB battle is that Ohio State will face one of the two this season, and it sounds like either one of them will do well under O'Brien's tutelage. I mean, it's not like he's stuck with The Moxie anymore.
O'Brien is a one-QB kind of guy – he won't deploy a fleet of co-starters, or rotate them by quarter, like some of his peers. I think Hackenberg was assumed to be starter after Steven Bench transferred out, but Ferguson is making a strong push.
Ultimately I don't think the identity of the starter will matter too much for the outcome on 10/26 this year.
PRESEASON LINKS. Ohio middle schooler is being denied a chance to play football... http://collegefootball.ap.org/article/girl-challenges-ban-ohio-school-football-teamTennessee got new uniforms - who knew gray was one of their colors?... Welp, go ahead and make it 1-0 for Alabama... Weber State confirms NCAA investigation... Rookie Bears LB Jonathan Bostick had a crazy hard hit last night... Petrino makes his return... Everyone should just sue everyone, apparently?... Interview with college football stats wizard (and new author!) Bill Connelly... "couldn't fire Ferentz if they wanted to."
