Looks like no news on the bowl bid is likely for a while, so I been looking ahead a little. Regardless of how effective our O has been we have sent a ton of players to the NFL the past few season. Not so this year - or next.
OL - It all starts with the line. If you really take a look at what has happened with recruiting the past few years we had no reason for high expectations from this OL. Great lines commonly consist of RS Juniors and Seniors - 4th and 5th year players. We did not have a single scholarship player anywhere on the two deep who was more than two years out of HS at the start of this season. I can't think of a position where growth and experience are so important.
Next year our only loss is Kne. Appreciate all that he has done but if we can't fill that void we need to hang it up. The following year it is Mangold and Sims. Yes, those are huge losses. But look at what has been filling the pipeline recently. Add the rumored influence of Peterson and the optimist in me is screaming that we are going to have a great OL on the field for the next several season.
QB - Smith and his backup - shoot, what was his name - oh, yeah Zwick - will both be back for two more years and the competion for that spot will only increase (I loved the comment from Schoenhoft that his job when he got here was to make Smith better). Of course, we could always have a transfer, but I never count that as a loss. Talk about a positon where experience counts - just look at the emergence of Troy Smith against Michigan.
RB - I really like Ross and Hall, but I can no longer get excited about their contributions. Joe is probably a bigger loss than either as things have evolved. But Pittman and Haw along with two new studs this year (we all know it is going to happen) are going to fill out this backfield nicely. Next season experience could be a factor, but the talent pool will be full. It is critical that we land two can't miss prospects with this class - but that is going to happen. In 2006 we will have some polished RBs hitting those holes the OL is opening.
FB - Dionte has already emerged as the man. We have him for three more seasons.
TE - Hanby will leave after next year, but there are just too many solid prospects on board for that to be an issue.
WR - Wow. This is where I really get excited. By the end of the season our only two upper classmen (Childress and Hollins) weren't even on the two deep.
Ginn is ready to go to the NFL now. He probably should be allowed to go now. But the rules say we got him for two more seasons. Even with Holmes leaving early after next season (he could stay TWO more if he wanted) we have plenty of candidates to build around Teddy - and all will be here for at least two more season.
Of course, during the next two years we should be doing nothing but adding more talent to feed the beast. Let's just hope there are not too many unexpected casualities along the way.
If Jim Tressel finds a way to sit on this Offense he ought to be shot.
OL - It all starts with the line. If you really take a look at what has happened with recruiting the past few years we had no reason for high expectations from this OL. Great lines commonly consist of RS Juniors and Seniors - 4th and 5th year players. We did not have a single scholarship player anywhere on the two deep who was more than two years out of HS at the start of this season. I can't think of a position where growth and experience are so important.
Next year our only loss is Kne. Appreciate all that he has done but if we can't fill that void we need to hang it up. The following year it is Mangold and Sims. Yes, those are huge losses. But look at what has been filling the pipeline recently. Add the rumored influence of Peterson and the optimist in me is screaming that we are going to have a great OL on the field for the next several season.
QB - Smith and his backup - shoot, what was his name - oh, yeah Zwick - will both be back for two more years and the competion for that spot will only increase (I loved the comment from Schoenhoft that his job when he got here was to make Smith better). Of course, we could always have a transfer, but I never count that as a loss. Talk about a positon where experience counts - just look at the emergence of Troy Smith against Michigan.
RB - I really like Ross and Hall, but I can no longer get excited about their contributions. Joe is probably a bigger loss than either as things have evolved. But Pittman and Haw along with two new studs this year (we all know it is going to happen) are going to fill out this backfield nicely. Next season experience could be a factor, but the talent pool will be full. It is critical that we land two can't miss prospects with this class - but that is going to happen. In 2006 we will have some polished RBs hitting those holes the OL is opening.
FB - Dionte has already emerged as the man. We have him for three more seasons.
TE - Hanby will leave after next year, but there are just too many solid prospects on board for that to be an issue.
WR - Wow. This is where I really get excited. By the end of the season our only two upper classmen (Childress and Hollins) weren't even on the two deep.
Ginn is ready to go to the NFL now. He probably should be allowed to go now. But the rules say we got him for two more seasons. Even with Holmes leaving early after next season (he could stay TWO more if he wanted) we have plenty of candidates to build around Teddy - and all will be here for at least two more season.
Of course, during the next two years we should be doing nothing but adding more talent to feed the beast. Let's just hope there are not too many unexpected casualities along the way.
If Jim Tressel finds a way to sit on this Offense he ought to be shot.