I have to say, I'm getting tired of all the TB bashing. Let's not forget that
all of the skill players last year were first year starters. How many of TB's INTs could have been broken up by the WRs? There were a few, including one in the NC. I thought Todd did better than expected, considering the overall situation. Granted, his worst games all came right at the end. The UM game I can attribute mostly to the field. Tressel decided pretty early on that the passing game wasn't worth the risk. Illinois game, remember, he was forced to play from behind more due to the ref's incompetence than anything else. I would also sat the D did not hold up their end of the bargain. I won't name names, but a certain LB was assigned to Juice on most of the option plays and would freeze on the handoff. If you've got the QB on an option play and you're not sure if he made the handoff, hit him! He's an RB at that point. LSU you can't dump all on his shoulders either. He didn't take any personal fouls or blow coverage. I also thought that the flying clothes-line that forced the fumble should have been flagged. Definitely a player safety concern there. Of course it would have been great if Todd would have carried his team to victory, but for a first year starter, he still overachieved. He had the second best season for a QB under Tressel, the best was good enough for a Heisman.
You have to believe that TB's INTs will go down this year. This is college football. Players are expected to improve each year. I really liked what I saw in the spring game. With spotty protection, he was a lot quicker in going thru his progressions and made several short passes with accuracy and good pace. He did tend to look for BH too much, but when Robo comes back, that will change. Hopefully he will look to the TEs more, as both have great hands. I'm sure that TB and his receivers will be working together as much as the rules allow up until training camp. We all know that he will be the starter come 8/30. Tressel is fiercely loyal to his upperclassmen and, moreover, has an obligation to prepare his athletes to succeed at the next level. You all saw what it took to give TS a shot over JZ. Even if TB gets injured, TP will not be named starter. Whether it would be JB or AH, Tress will not hand over the team to a true frosh. He has to give his team the best chance to win every game, no matter how impressive TP may be. TP will see the field if he earns it. But not as a starter.
Most of the posters on this and other sites do not seem to have much confidence in Boeckman going into '08. The QB is the most high profile position on the team. It's easy to heap all the blame on one guy. Do you remember when Troy used to spread credit to all his teammates after a win, no matter how spectacular his performance was? You win as a team. You lose as a team. When the team takes the field against YSU, they will be behind Boecks %100. He is our quarterback and he deserves our support. Let's stop talking about what might go wrong and trust our student athletes to go out and get the job done. If Boecks goes out and puts up a season for the ages, everyone will say they never doubted him for a minute. Why not just start now? Here, I'll start.
Do Ohio proud Todd! We're all behind you!
Go Buckeyes!!!
