Buckeyes in the No Fun League, Week Three: Hartline Penalized for Practice Putt

Among the least of the NFL's current problems is how out of control players are – on the field.

Yet, in the league's twisted logic, men like former Buckeye wideout Brian Hartline are disrespecting the shield with their antics and must be stopped. The NFL needs to be mindful of Hartline's workload – he works at a convenience store in the offseason and much of his summer is consumed by mini camp, training camp and preparing for the NFL season.

So, when does he have time to practice his putting stroke? Only following third quarter touchdown grabs. Naturally, Hartline was then flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct (via Deadspin):

Alex Boone's Rant

Someone else who would take issue with Hartline's penalty is his college teammate, Alex Boone.

The 49ers guard unleashed a solid diatribe on 95.7 The Game in San Francisco. To put it lightly, he's not happy with the current state of officiating in the NFL.

"We’re not out there to be friends, we’re not out there to play patty cake. We’re out there to hurt each other and have fun doing it," Boone said. "So get the hell out of our way. There’s so many of these refs that think that they’re so tough now because they have a flag in their pocket, and they get to walk around and just throw it. It’s out of control." 

Check out his full rant (beginning at the 4:53 mark):

We Waited All Day For Sunday Night?

While it was worse for Panthers supporters or anyone who dislikes the Steelers (read: everyone), Sunday's primetime game between Carolina and Pittsburgh was not enjoyable for Ohio State fans.

First, Ryan Shazier left the game due to a right knee injury and did not return. Head coach Mike Tomlin did not elaborate on it after the game.

Following Shazier's injury, fellow rookie and former teammate Philly Brown did something that should not come as a surprise to any Buckeye fan (via Bleacher Report):

Excluding punt returns, Brown had a solid stat line. Neither Derek Anderson nor Cam Newton looked his way in the first two weeks, but Brown caught seven passes on nine targets against the Steelers. 

In more positive news, Cam Heyward and the Pittsburgh defensive line harassed Newton all night, as Heyward hit the Carolina quarterback twice. He also laid out former Steeler linebacker and current defensive assistant Joey Porter.

Play of the Week

Last week, Ted Ginn Jr. led the Arizona Cardinals to victory with his go-ahead punt return for a touchdown. 

This week, he provided something a little more unorthodox. To those of you who watched the 2004 Alamo Bowl and remember the "Shot-Ginn" formation, perhaps you won't be shocked by this (via Fansided):

How They Fared in Week Three