Dispatch
Transcript of OSU football online chat with Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch
Friday, September 15, 2006 1:15 PM
Log on to Dispatch.com/buckeyes or BuckeyeXtra.com/buckeyes every Friday at noon during Ohio State's football season for a live chat with either Ken Gordon or Tim May, OSU football reporters for The Dispatch.
Below is a transcript of Tim's chat before the Buckeyes' game against Cincinnati:
Moderator: Welcome to the Dispatch.com/BuckeyeXtra.com Ohio State football question-and-answer session with OSU football reporter Tim May. Our chat will begin in a few minutes.
How are the modifications to the WHAC going, and will this help with our current recruits and their parents? -- Jim C.
Tim: Only time will tell if it is helps with recruiting, the nearly $20 million renovation being done to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The way I understand it, the project is on schedule, the players already are using the locker room and the meeting rooms. Most of the extra stuff, like the expanded weight room and players lounge, etc., won't be completed until early next year. But in short, it's all about keeping up with, and perhaps a little ahead of, the Jonses.
We start Big Ten play after the Cincinnati game on Saturday. Have any other teams in the Big Ten impressed you with their out-of-conference play? -- G.B. in Cleveland
Tim: G.B., first of all, is G.B., short for Green Bay? Were you named after your father's favorite NFL team? Pardon me, but I was just stalling. No. That's my answer. But it can be yes after Saturday if Michigan makes an honorable showing at Notre Dame, if Michigan State dumps Pitt and if Iowa handles Iowa State. Iowa's struggle last week without Drew Tate was to be expected, but my goodness -- Syracuse stunk last year. And Northwestern losing by 17 at home to Division I-AA New Hampshire? I know NH has a strong program, but are you kidding me?
I couldn't tell by watching TV, and of course the idiots in the booth never mentioned it, so what was your impression of the Ohio State fans' presence at the Texas game? Was there a noticeable amount of scarlet and gray in the stands? -- Susan, stuck in Ann Arbor
Tim: No. 1, forget this chat and call a tow-truck company -- see if Bo's Tows is still in operation. As for the OSU crowd at Texas, as I walked in the gate with our sports editor, Ray Stein, I talked with two OSU-clad fans who had paid $450 each for tickets. What I'm getting to is the OSU wedged in the NW end zone was packed, starting with the band; there were a couple of other pockets of scarlet, and then the rest of the crowd was peppered with the stuff. We guessed there might have been 8,000 to 10,000 OSU fans in total.
Would Ohio State ever consider playing Cincinnati in Paul Brown Stadium or maybe a MAC team in Cleveland Browns Stadium? Thanks. -- Allie in Toledo
Tim: Pssst, Allie, the Buckeyes are playing Toledo in Browns Stadium in 2009. They have played Cincinnati in Paul Brown Stadium. Don't you remember the near-miss they had down there in the national championship season of 2002? There's a chance they could play there again, but nothing is concrete yet.
Would tOSU have beaten UT with Zwick at QB? -- Scott L. in Bozeman, Mont.
Tim: Who knows? You had to be impressed with OSU's plan, though, rolling Troy Smith away from the pressure, clawing at the Longhorns' belly with the flips to Anthony Gonzalez early, then going over the top to Ted Ginn Jr. late. Texas admitted it loaded up expecting more running from Smith. Whether that would have changed with Zwick in the game we'll never know. But as Jesse Jackson said on Saturday Night Live, "The question is moot."
Everyone knew that OSU's defense had to improve between the NIU game and Texas -- clearly they did -- but by how much? What are the lingering concerns, especially against the run? -- Sam O.
Tim: The lingering concern is just that: Can the Buckeyes consistently stop the run? People are quickly referring to it as a bend-don't-break defense, but from this vantage point it's been a bend-break-their-back-with-a-big-turnover-return defense. It's still a young unit, though, and they are playing so many guys it's tough to get that chemistry right off the bat. And then here comes Cincinnati, averaging less than a football field rushing in its first two games. I'm not sure there will be a clear answer from this game.
Can you tell me anything about the new quarterback recruit from Georgia? -- Butch in Atlanta
Tim: For one thing, Antonio Henton is bigger than I envisioned him when the Buckeyes signed him in February. He has those stout legs like Troy Smith. In fact, many who have watched him in practice say he reminds them of Smith, i.e., in both his running and passing potential. He's quick and fast, and he throws a snap spiral. Other than that, he is spending a red-shirt season, which should make spring drills interesting, considering he'll be competing with upperclassmen Todd Boeckman and Rob Schoenhoft in the race to replace.
Can you please explain the roughing-the-passer penalty on Richardson during the Texas game last week? I don't think this call was given its due in The Dispatch last week. Was there ever an explanation from the officiating crew? -- Mike in Westerville
Tim: Immediately after the game it proved to be irrelevant, due to the final score. But not given its due? I wrote about it in the Wednesday OSU notebook and the Friday notebook, and Ken Gordon and I touched on it I believe in our "Inside the Beat" column on Monday here on the Web. Bottom line, it looked like a high hit by Richardson on Colt McCoy, but appearances are deceiving. Couple that with the officials' obvious intent to protect QBs more this year, and voila. Besides, the referee was standing behind the QB, and, well, if you saw the 6-7, 285-pound Richardson bearing down on you, you might want to throw a flag, or throw in the towel, too.
I noticed that Troy Smith has not run much the past two games. What is the reason for this?
Tim: Easy. He hasn't had to. Plus, they've only called about six plays that involve the QB running, and about four have been options where they'd rather he pitch it anyway. Besides, why run when passing is so much fun? Keeping something in the tank for Big Ten opponents could never be considered a bad thing.
What the hell is wrong with Ken Gordon saying that if he wasn't being paid he wouldn't watch the Buckeyes play Cincinnati? -- Max D. in Columbus
Tim: There is noting wrong with him saying that. He said it -- actually, he typed it -- in our "Inside the Beat" column that appears on Buckeyextra.com on Mondays. He can say - uh, type - what he wants. This is America, man. As for me, I'd watch Tulane vs. North Texas if that was my only alternative for seeing a college football game on a given Saturday. Growing up, I'd actually go into slight depression once the football season was over. I counted the days until the first game of the year on television, and I'm talking about that old College All-Star game in Chicago, when a team of stars played the defending NFL champion in Soldier Field. A huge thunderstorm ended that game's run. Back to your point, though, I find Saturday's game intriguing from the standpoint I believe you learn as much about a so-called No.1 team in the country in games like this as you do in ones like the 24-7 win at No.2 Texas last week. Besides, you can't play Texas or Michigan or Penn State or Iowa every week.
How do you think Coach Tressel is perceived nationally? Do you think he is seen as one of the top two or three coaches in college football?
Tim: It depends on how you rate them. Are you talking about gurus, geniuses, fellows whose game plans are considered strident and edge-running? Then no. Are you talking about program builders, task masters, fellows who embrace all manner of doing things on the field and off? Then yes. As for the football part, I can think of only a handful of games where I thought Tressel and his staff were ill-prepared, at least from what was displayed on the field. Two of them were in the 2004 season in the losses at Northwestern and Iowa. I think he has proved without a doubt he is good in the rivalry game (4-1 vs. Michigan) and in the bowls (4-1), and that's about as good as it gets.
I read yesterday that Ohio State had three wins last year by 30 or more points. I think the reputation that Tressel has as a coach who always plays it close to the vest is inaccurate. Sure, he does that when he has to, but I think that since the middle of last season, he's shown he can open it up with the best of them. Granted, the Buckeyes aren't putting 50 points on the board every week, but what team does these days? Do you agree that Tressel is perceived incorrectly by the public (especially OSU fans)? -- Jimmy in Canal Fulton, Ohio
Tim: What I believe is Tressel, first and foremost, wants to get to the fourth quarter with a chance to win every game. Second, I can recall an interview I had with him soon after he arrived concerning his demands on a quarterback, and one of them was, when the big play is there, no matter when it's there, hit it. Texas fans bemoan that lost fumble near the goal line that Donald Washington returned to set up the Buckeyes' first TD last week. But look at the post Smith overthrew to a wide-open Ginn, and the post he just missed to an open Brian Hartline, and the slant that Anthony Gonzalez dropped that might have been another quick six. Giving your QB the right to throw the ball downtown is not the mark of a timid man.
I wonder if the way the quarterback at OSU holds the ball when handing off to a running back, with one hand stretched out and glaringly obvious, is an advantage to a defense. Rex Kern and some other Woody quarterbacks are probably appalled. -- Ted T. in Dayton
Tim: To be frank, I don't see much of a difference in the way they do it and the way the QBs at Texas or Southern Cal or Boise State do it. Besides, showing the ball blatantly is a good way to set up that play-action fake. As for the hazard, Justin Zwick's fumble in the opener as he reached to hand off to Chris Wells came because he tripped over the foot of pulling left guard Tim Schafer. That's the same "over" play the Buckeyes used to score their final touchdown last week at Texas.
I was in Austin and noticed that John Kerr was hardly on the field for the Buckeyes. I thought he was a starting linebacker. What gives? -- Michael C. in Sacramento, Calif.
Tim: Linebackers coach Luke Fickell said he actually apologized to Kerr about that. With the Buckeyes in the nickel defense a lot, there were fewer than 20 plays where the weak side linebacker was on the field, and Kerr sort of got lost in the rotation with Ross Homan. Many observers keep whispering it's only a matter of time before Homan becomes the starter there, but the coaches keep insisting they are pleased with Kerr and encouraged by the freshman Homan's fast warming after rising from Coldwater. Expect them both to play.
With all the people we are playing, where is Robert Rose in the rotation? Redshirt?
Tim: Tressel said last week that Rose is going to play, maybe a little, maybe a little more. There are a lot of fellows they are trying to roll into the rotation up there.
I've heard that Anthony Gonzalez is as fast as Ted Ginn Jr. Fact or fiction? -- Semancha in Boise, Idaho
Tim: I don't think we'll ever really know. Ginn said this week the two have never raced at Ohio State, that they race defensive backs. Both are fast, though. I think that is obvious. It's just that Ginn, with that magnificent stride, more looks the part.
How is the honorary captain chosen for the games? -- C.J. in Columbus
Tim: Tressel, or at least Tressel and his associates, pick them. Like this week, it's 2002 national championship quarterback Craig Krenzel, who is back in town working in private business and doing some radio work for WTVN. It's an interesting concept. Tressel believes in keeping things modern while also making sure his current players are well aware of the past, and thus their responsibility.
Were you surprised by how easily Notre Dame tore apart Penn State? -- Jerry A. in Austin, Texas
Tim: Yes. Oh, you want more than that. OK, what I learned from the result is the Notre Dame defensive renaissance is real; PSU quarterback Anthony Morelli has a ways to go; Penn State has not simply reloaded after last year's surprising run to the Big Ten title; if JoePa was hoping to go out in a blaze of glory, there's a good chance he missed his chariot.
Do you feel that the Buckeyes will have a letdown tomorrow? If so, do you think it will be enough for UC to pull off a major upset? -- Steve F. in Columbus
Tim: I mean this in all sincerity -- if the Buckeyes win a close one, I wouldn't be surprised to hear them say there was a letdown. If they win a blowout, I wouldn't be surprised to hear them say they weren't looking ahead or behind. My point is, a play can go this way or that way and turn what's supposed to a tight game into a blowout, or what was supposed to be a blowout into a tight game. Like Texas last week -- did the Longhorns have a letdown? That said, there are so many jobs still up for grabs, especially on defense, I don't know how there could be a letdown.
Other than Michigan, which remaining opponent do you think presents the biggest threat to OSU? -- Antonio in Boston
Tim: Iowa on the road is a threat, believe it. And Michigan State on the road is, too. The Spartans had the Buckeyes right where they wanted them last year before that fiasco of a field-goal attempt -- too few players on the field -- was blocked and returned for a TD by Ashton Youboty. That MSU offense is going to give anybody trouble.
When our defense returns to top five next year, will Tressel revert to his old, predictable ways on offense? -- Peter in New York
Tim: Look at it this way: not only will he have a veteran defense, but he'll have a first-year starter at quarterback, at least three new starters on the line, possibly the loss of Ted Ginn Jr early to the pros, the loss of starting fullback Stan White Jr. Predictable might not be the right way of putting it, but "walk before you can run" might be.
Moderator: Time to wrap it up. Thanks, Tim. Nice job by you and our readers. As always, thanks for the time, and please pass along our sympathy to Ken for having to head out to the 'Shoe tomorrow.
Transcript of OSU football online chat with Tim May
The Columbus Dispatch
Friday, September 15, 2006 1:15 PM
Log on to Dispatch.com/buckeyes or BuckeyeXtra.com/buckeyes every Friday at noon during Ohio State's football season for a live chat with either Ken Gordon or Tim May, OSU football reporters for The Dispatch.
Below is a transcript of Tim's chat before the Buckeyes' game against Cincinnati:
Moderator: Welcome to the Dispatch.com/BuckeyeXtra.com Ohio State football question-and-answer session with OSU football reporter Tim May. Our chat will begin in a few minutes.
How are the modifications to the WHAC going, and will this help with our current recruits and their parents? -- Jim C.
Tim: Only time will tell if it is helps with recruiting, the nearly $20 million renovation being done to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The way I understand it, the project is on schedule, the players already are using the locker room and the meeting rooms. Most of the extra stuff, like the expanded weight room and players lounge, etc., won't be completed until early next year. But in short, it's all about keeping up with, and perhaps a little ahead of, the Jonses.
We start Big Ten play after the Cincinnati game on Saturday. Have any other teams in the Big Ten impressed you with their out-of-conference play? -- G.B. in Cleveland
Tim: G.B., first of all, is G.B., short for Green Bay? Were you named after your father's favorite NFL team? Pardon me, but I was just stalling. No. That's my answer. But it can be yes after Saturday if Michigan makes an honorable showing at Notre Dame, if Michigan State dumps Pitt and if Iowa handles Iowa State. Iowa's struggle last week without Drew Tate was to be expected, but my goodness -- Syracuse stunk last year. And Northwestern losing by 17 at home to Division I-AA New Hampshire? I know NH has a strong program, but are you kidding me?
I couldn't tell by watching TV, and of course the idiots in the booth never mentioned it, so what was your impression of the Ohio State fans' presence at the Texas game? Was there a noticeable amount of scarlet and gray in the stands? -- Susan, stuck in Ann Arbor
Tim: No. 1, forget this chat and call a tow-truck company -- see if Bo's Tows is still in operation. As for the OSU crowd at Texas, as I walked in the gate with our sports editor, Ray Stein, I talked with two OSU-clad fans who had paid $450 each for tickets. What I'm getting to is the OSU wedged in the NW end zone was packed, starting with the band; there were a couple of other pockets of scarlet, and then the rest of the crowd was peppered with the stuff. We guessed there might have been 8,000 to 10,000 OSU fans in total.
Would Ohio State ever consider playing Cincinnati in Paul Brown Stadium or maybe a MAC team in Cleveland Browns Stadium? Thanks. -- Allie in Toledo
Tim: Pssst, Allie, the Buckeyes are playing Toledo in Browns Stadium in 2009. They have played Cincinnati in Paul Brown Stadium. Don't you remember the near-miss they had down there in the national championship season of 2002? There's a chance they could play there again, but nothing is concrete yet.
Would tOSU have beaten UT with Zwick at QB? -- Scott L. in Bozeman, Mont.
Tim: Who knows? You had to be impressed with OSU's plan, though, rolling Troy Smith away from the pressure, clawing at the Longhorns' belly with the flips to Anthony Gonzalez early, then going over the top to Ted Ginn Jr. late. Texas admitted it loaded up expecting more running from Smith. Whether that would have changed with Zwick in the game we'll never know. But as Jesse Jackson said on Saturday Night Live, "The question is moot."
Everyone knew that OSU's defense had to improve between the NIU game and Texas -- clearly they did -- but by how much? What are the lingering concerns, especially against the run? -- Sam O.
Tim: The lingering concern is just that: Can the Buckeyes consistently stop the run? People are quickly referring to it as a bend-don't-break defense, but from this vantage point it's been a bend-break-their-back-with-a-big-turnover-return defense. It's still a young unit, though, and they are playing so many guys it's tough to get that chemistry right off the bat. And then here comes Cincinnati, averaging less than a football field rushing in its first two games. I'm not sure there will be a clear answer from this game.
Can you tell me anything about the new quarterback recruit from Georgia? -- Butch in Atlanta
Tim: For one thing, Antonio Henton is bigger than I envisioned him when the Buckeyes signed him in February. He has those stout legs like Troy Smith. In fact, many who have watched him in practice say he reminds them of Smith, i.e., in both his running and passing potential. He's quick and fast, and he throws a snap spiral. Other than that, he is spending a red-shirt season, which should make spring drills interesting, considering he'll be competing with upperclassmen Todd Boeckman and Rob Schoenhoft in the race to replace.
Can you please explain the roughing-the-passer penalty on Richardson during the Texas game last week? I don't think this call was given its due in The Dispatch last week. Was there ever an explanation from the officiating crew? -- Mike in Westerville
Tim: Immediately after the game it proved to be irrelevant, due to the final score. But not given its due? I wrote about it in the Wednesday OSU notebook and the Friday notebook, and Ken Gordon and I touched on it I believe in our "Inside the Beat" column on Monday here on the Web. Bottom line, it looked like a high hit by Richardson on Colt McCoy, but appearances are deceiving. Couple that with the officials' obvious intent to protect QBs more this year, and voila. Besides, the referee was standing behind the QB, and, well, if you saw the 6-7, 285-pound Richardson bearing down on you, you might want to throw a flag, or throw in the towel, too.
I noticed that Troy Smith has not run much the past two games. What is the reason for this?
Tim: Easy. He hasn't had to. Plus, they've only called about six plays that involve the QB running, and about four have been options where they'd rather he pitch it anyway. Besides, why run when passing is so much fun? Keeping something in the tank for Big Ten opponents could never be considered a bad thing.
What the hell is wrong with Ken Gordon saying that if he wasn't being paid he wouldn't watch the Buckeyes play Cincinnati? -- Max D. in Columbus
Tim: There is noting wrong with him saying that. He said it -- actually, he typed it -- in our "Inside the Beat" column that appears on Buckeyextra.com on Mondays. He can say - uh, type - what he wants. This is America, man. As for me, I'd watch Tulane vs. North Texas if that was my only alternative for seeing a college football game on a given Saturday. Growing up, I'd actually go into slight depression once the football season was over. I counted the days until the first game of the year on television, and I'm talking about that old College All-Star game in Chicago, when a team of stars played the defending NFL champion in Soldier Field. A huge thunderstorm ended that game's run. Back to your point, though, I find Saturday's game intriguing from the standpoint I believe you learn as much about a so-called No.1 team in the country in games like this as you do in ones like the 24-7 win at No.2 Texas last week. Besides, you can't play Texas or Michigan or Penn State or Iowa every week.
How do you think Coach Tressel is perceived nationally? Do you think he is seen as one of the top two or three coaches in college football?
Tim: It depends on how you rate them. Are you talking about gurus, geniuses, fellows whose game plans are considered strident and edge-running? Then no. Are you talking about program builders, task masters, fellows who embrace all manner of doing things on the field and off? Then yes. As for the football part, I can think of only a handful of games where I thought Tressel and his staff were ill-prepared, at least from what was displayed on the field. Two of them were in the 2004 season in the losses at Northwestern and Iowa. I think he has proved without a doubt he is good in the rivalry game (4-1 vs. Michigan) and in the bowls (4-1), and that's about as good as it gets.
I read yesterday that Ohio State had three wins last year by 30 or more points. I think the reputation that Tressel has as a coach who always plays it close to the vest is inaccurate. Sure, he does that when he has to, but I think that since the middle of last season, he's shown he can open it up with the best of them. Granted, the Buckeyes aren't putting 50 points on the board every week, but what team does these days? Do you agree that Tressel is perceived incorrectly by the public (especially OSU fans)? -- Jimmy in Canal Fulton, Ohio
Tim: What I believe is Tressel, first and foremost, wants to get to the fourth quarter with a chance to win every game. Second, I can recall an interview I had with him soon after he arrived concerning his demands on a quarterback, and one of them was, when the big play is there, no matter when it's there, hit it. Texas fans bemoan that lost fumble near the goal line that Donald Washington returned to set up the Buckeyes' first TD last week. But look at the post Smith overthrew to a wide-open Ginn, and the post he just missed to an open Brian Hartline, and the slant that Anthony Gonzalez dropped that might have been another quick six. Giving your QB the right to throw the ball downtown is not the mark of a timid man.
I wonder if the way the quarterback at OSU holds the ball when handing off to a running back, with one hand stretched out and glaringly obvious, is an advantage to a defense. Rex Kern and some other Woody quarterbacks are probably appalled. -- Ted T. in Dayton
Tim: To be frank, I don't see much of a difference in the way they do it and the way the QBs at Texas or Southern Cal or Boise State do it. Besides, showing the ball blatantly is a good way to set up that play-action fake. As for the hazard, Justin Zwick's fumble in the opener as he reached to hand off to Chris Wells came because he tripped over the foot of pulling left guard Tim Schafer. That's the same "over" play the Buckeyes used to score their final touchdown last week at Texas.
I was in Austin and noticed that John Kerr was hardly on the field for the Buckeyes. I thought he was a starting linebacker. What gives? -- Michael C. in Sacramento, Calif.
Tim: Linebackers coach Luke Fickell said he actually apologized to Kerr about that. With the Buckeyes in the nickel defense a lot, there were fewer than 20 plays where the weak side linebacker was on the field, and Kerr sort of got lost in the rotation with Ross Homan. Many observers keep whispering it's only a matter of time before Homan becomes the starter there, but the coaches keep insisting they are pleased with Kerr and encouraged by the freshman Homan's fast warming after rising from Coldwater. Expect them both to play.
With all the people we are playing, where is Robert Rose in the rotation? Redshirt?
Tim: Tressel said last week that Rose is going to play, maybe a little, maybe a little more. There are a lot of fellows they are trying to roll into the rotation up there.
I've heard that Anthony Gonzalez is as fast as Ted Ginn Jr. Fact or fiction? -- Semancha in Boise, Idaho
Tim: I don't think we'll ever really know. Ginn said this week the two have never raced at Ohio State, that they race defensive backs. Both are fast, though. I think that is obvious. It's just that Ginn, with that magnificent stride, more looks the part.
How is the honorary captain chosen for the games? -- C.J. in Columbus
Tim: Tressel, or at least Tressel and his associates, pick them. Like this week, it's 2002 national championship quarterback Craig Krenzel, who is back in town working in private business and doing some radio work for WTVN. It's an interesting concept. Tressel believes in keeping things modern while also making sure his current players are well aware of the past, and thus their responsibility.
Were you surprised by how easily Notre Dame tore apart Penn State? -- Jerry A. in Austin, Texas
Tim: Yes. Oh, you want more than that. OK, what I learned from the result is the Notre Dame defensive renaissance is real; PSU quarterback Anthony Morelli has a ways to go; Penn State has not simply reloaded after last year's surprising run to the Big Ten title; if JoePa was hoping to go out in a blaze of glory, there's a good chance he missed his chariot.
Do you feel that the Buckeyes will have a letdown tomorrow? If so, do you think it will be enough for UC to pull off a major upset? -- Steve F. in Columbus
Tim: I mean this in all sincerity -- if the Buckeyes win a close one, I wouldn't be surprised to hear them say there was a letdown. If they win a blowout, I wouldn't be surprised to hear them say they weren't looking ahead or behind. My point is, a play can go this way or that way and turn what's supposed to a tight game into a blowout, or what was supposed to be a blowout into a tight game. Like Texas last week -- did the Longhorns have a letdown? That said, there are so many jobs still up for grabs, especially on defense, I don't know how there could be a letdown.
Other than Michigan, which remaining opponent do you think presents the biggest threat to OSU? -- Antonio in Boston
Tim: Iowa on the road is a threat, believe it. And Michigan State on the road is, too. The Spartans had the Buckeyes right where they wanted them last year before that fiasco of a field-goal attempt -- too few players on the field -- was blocked and returned for a TD by Ashton Youboty. That MSU offense is going to give anybody trouble.
When our defense returns to top five next year, will Tressel revert to his old, predictable ways on offense? -- Peter in New York
Tim: Look at it this way: not only will he have a veteran defense, but he'll have a first-year starter at quarterback, at least three new starters on the line, possibly the loss of Ted Ginn Jr early to the pros, the loss of starting fullback Stan White Jr. Predictable might not be the right way of putting it, but "walk before you can run" might be.
Moderator: Time to wrap it up. Thanks, Tim. Nice job by you and our readers. As always, thanks for the time, and please pass along our sympathy to Ken for having to head out to the 'Shoe tomorrow.
