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CB E.J. Underwood (transfer to Pikeville)

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EJ Underwood- Speculation is wrong

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By TheInsider on 23:41:40 01/29/05

There has been a ton of speculation on EJ Underwood. It has been said that he and his brother will be transferring. It has also been rumored that he is in the dog house with the coaching staff. Well- I can tell you this much. EJ had some off field issues in 2004, most recently what team spokesman called "a minor violation" that caused him to miss the Alamo Bowl. Actually- EJ missed a team curfew. This however, was not the reason for not being able to attend the game. He was messing around a little in practice and was told to go ahead and stay at the hotel if he cant keep in line.

This impacted EJ in a big way- He has now vowed to gain 10-12 pounds and really get his act together. He has been told to work hard, stay out of trouble, and keep his grades up. He has started to surround himself with good people that care about him. Former players and friends that are advising him to "be smart", "work hard", have some pride in the school. He is walking around with a hop in his step now. His goal is to come into 2005 and play his heart out. He is a Senior and knows that he needs to be a leader.

I can tell you this- EJ's trouble days are over. He is commited to OSU and his teamates. For once, his heart, mind and spirit are in the game! You can thank the strong hand of Coach Tressel- His words of encouragement and leadership has helped him gain focus. He also learned a tough love lesson in San Antonio at the hands of Coach Tucker. This is a mistake that he will never do again. As I have heard him say- "I will try the rest of my life to NEVER make the same mistakes twice"

Go Bucks-
THETRUEINSIDER
 
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'94 that is great to hear. Hope he has a great 2005 on and off the fball field. If he is not one of the best 2 corners I hope he learns from Thomas Matthews 2004 season - I'll always remember TM as a great Buckeye. Good Luck EJ! Hate to see a player throw away so much potential, if only another great talent would've chosen the path that EJ appears headed down.
 
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strohs said:
Look at what Gamble was able to do in '02.
Plus, Im not saying he should be an every down player on D, but absolutely in passing situations he should be on the field.
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how did i know the answer to that statement was going to be gamble :roll1:

what gamble could do was simply amazing. i dont know if ginn could do the same.
 
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BuckeyeNation27 said:
how did i know the answer to that statement was going to be gamble :roll1:

what gamble could do was simply amazing. i dont know if ginn could do the same.
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Fine, then how about [font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Charles Woodson?[/font]

Great to hear EJ now has his head on straight, he could be a big time player next year.
 
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strohs said:
Mili, I just hope you remember those exact words when we see Ginn line up D next year.
Im sorry, but the kid is just to good an athlete.
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You put players where they are the most effective and where they will best help the team. The staff had all year to give him try on defense, even in nickle situations when the game was safely in hand (fourth quarter of the Alamo Bowl, for example). Did they? No.


strohs said:
But this kids cover skills are second to none,...
No reason he shouldn't be playing both ways.
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The reason is the staff obviously feels he's too valuable on offense.



People who are using the Gamble switch as argument to do the same for Ginn either fail to remember, or don't know, why the Gamble switch even happened. EJ Underwood kept getting burnt like a campfire marshmallow in early 2002, and we were in serious danger of losing the Cincy game. It was literally out of sheer desperation that the staff tossed Gamble out there, and the rest is history. Gamble wasn't that great of a receiver...he was decent, has great speed, and could usually get open, but was very inconsistent in catching the ball. So, there was no big loss on the offensive side when he was moved to defense. You can't say the same for moving Ginn to defense. The staff created the "Shot Ginn" formation specifically for him. When a major college football program creates a formation and thus an entire offensive scheme for a given player, they aren't going to move that player to defense.
 
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Ginn has the endurance to go both ways, or at least part time on D. Anybody that watched him compete in track already knows this. Go back and read the article where TGSr. says "use him like a dish rag" and "he isn't even being challenged physically yet."

There was no use in trying TGII on defense this year. He didn't have time to learn any of the coverages. Gamble wasn't a true freshman when they threw him out on D. He had already been studying some of the defensive schemes.
 
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MililaniBuckeye said:
You put players where they are the most effective and where they will best help the team. The staff had all year to give him try on defense, even in nickle situations when the game was safely in hand (fourth quarter of the Alamo Bowl, for example). Did they? No.
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Mili you are right, he will be put where he best helps the team. If both Underwoods are back (which I really hope) then Ginn on defense won't happen. BUT, if the rumblings are true that both Underwoods are gone then Ginn's move to defense would be in the best interest of the team.

Not a permanent move, but more of a nickel position would be in the best interest of the team unless you think another cornerback will be able to come in to play. It comes down to numbers, you take out 2 corners and the depth chart changes alot. Ginn would provide the talent to supplement that depth chart. Who would be your 2 deep at corner IF the Underwoods transfer out?
 
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One stays one goes? Then for my money it would have to be E.J., the rumors are always about EJ transfering and then we all assume Brandon will be right behind him. We just have to think that Brandon is above what is going on and won't let his older brothers decision determine what he does. Of course this is just my humble opinion.
 
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