QB Troy Smith (2006 Heisman Trophy Winner)

[buckeyeboy]

Herbie was stating that Troy did nothing wrong, yet tOSU fans were calling in and writing emails voicing their concern and displeasure for his judgement. He and Hooley were stating that they could not figure out why the fans were so livid and the only explanation they could think of was that it might be racially driven.

I must say; that while I typically enjoy listening to the Big Show and generally agree or at least understand what Herbie and Hooley are saying; I am completely flabbergasted by this discussion. I have to believe that the ONLY reason they had this discussion was for ratings and controversy. I find it laughable that this was a serious conversation today!?

The arguments and examples of Buckeye Nation not being racially motivated are numerous and everywhere, so I don't think the argument needs to be made, but why would this even be brought up? Am I extremely naive and blind, and just am not seeing their side of the story?

Um, how about this, Herbie--maybe Buckeye Nation is upset with Smith b/c this is another case of him doing something he shouldn't have been doing when he's supposed to be a leader of this team, thereby possibly sacrificing the team's chances of success by jeopardizing his eligibility. I don't understand why Herbie can't see that. As you say, maybe he brought this up just to get ratings, but that's reprehensible if so. Although many people on this board didn't agree with me when I said it before, I think that Herbie sold us and the university out last year by piling on with his ESPN buddies when the Clarett accusations came out. Now he's selling us (the fans) out again, by bringing up this preposterous insinuation. He should be ashamed of himself, and I'm finished listening to his dopey show.

Herbie, no matter how big that new house in Bristol is or how much try to distance yourself, Ohio will not wash off. You can't change what you are, but you can certainly hurt a lot of people who put you there. We are once again disappointed in you, not because you expressed a viewpoint that did not support Ohio State, but rather because you expressed one that was intended to hurt Ohio State fans and your reasons could not have had anything to do with good journalism. Just remember, one day, when your masters at ESPiN drop you like they did Graham Joffe and others, you may want to come home.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[AJHawkfan]

Buckeyes' QB Troy Smith seems to enjoy living his life on the edge

Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith closely resembles a fearless dog who just loves to dart through oncoming traffic.

In most cases, he makes it to the other side of the street without as much as a scratch, until that one occasion, when his lack of good sense finally gets him flattened by the 15-inch wheels of a '79 Lincoln Continental.

He always seems to be playing by the fire, yet slick enough not to touch the flame. With a mantra like this, you can't help but wonder just how long his luck is going to last.

Already suspended for the season-opening football game against Miami University, after taking money from a Springfield-based booster, the multi-talented OSU quarterback found himself in the headlines again last week - albeit for a much-lesser issue.

This time, he skipped a summer class to work a football camp sponsored by Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair, an act originally thought to have broken NCAA rules. Turns out, he didn't break any rules at all, as OSU announced Monday that Smith's work at the camp fell under "student-athlete employment" classification, which means he didn't need permission from anyone within the athletic department to make the trip, and that missing the class cannot merit a suspension and/or reprimand.

Smith may be clear with the NCAA, but OSU coach Jim Tressel is another matter, saying Monday that Smith would be punished for his skipping class. He's already sitting out the opener, and with the awaited matchup with Texas looming in Week 2, we'll see just how serious Tressel is with his players missing classes.

In reality, we're probably picking on Smith a bit, seeing that he was cleared of doing anything wrong by the NCAA. By all rights, we probably should be digging someone else's grave.

But theory says there is a problem here.

Smith's latest episode is the third in a series of personal problems he has run into at OSU, from his role in a dorm fight during his freshman year, to the run-in with the booster, to skipping class to work the camp. When you're a freshman, or even a sophomore, for that matter, less-than savory behavior can often be attributed to being young and in new surroundings. When you're 19, and on your own for the first time, life can treat you like an unseasoned pitcher with a wicked fastball - when one hits you on occasion, it's going to leave quite a mark.

Chalk the dorm fight up to that. One can only imagine the real story behind that ordeal. When college kids become inspired by voices such as Jack Daniels and Jagermeister, bad things are going to happen.

But then there was the booster. You're told from Day 1 at a place like Ohio State that you can't take monetary blessings from anyone other than your parents, no matter how bad your personal situation might be at the time. It's a line that simply isn't to be crossed, no excuses. Smith is fortunate that he had the luxury of beating Michigan's defense like a soiled floor mat in his corner. Otherwise, he might just be another sob story to his friends back home.

That's why this deal with the camp is rather disturbing.

You would think after his previous ordeal that Smith would have learned not to put the NCAA to the test. The school took six weeks of its time and money to investigate the matter, two things that should have been spent on something else, not a football player's lack of good sense.

Had he not been such a vital part of the team's resurgence last year, Smith may not have been back for this season. But beating Michigan can evidently earn you a lot in the eyes of Buckeye Nation.

After a while, you have to figure this kid somewhat enjoys walking along the edge of the frying pan. At some point though, he's going to slip off and scorch himself for good.

Without sounding like a shrink, there seems to be a rather denigrate pattern of behavior that should scare a coach to death. You just never know from one night to the next what is going to surface with this guy.

What happens when it's Michigan week, you're undefeated and you get that call in the middle of the night saying your star quarterback has been arrested. Or worse yet, what if you're in Pasadena preparing for a national championship. I mean, this is one of your superstars, a guy every man counts on from game to game to make big plays and lead the offense.

Talk about walking on egg shells.

You can't simply send him on his way. You'd have a lawsuit the size of a wildebeest waiting for you. So what's a coach to do? Live with it, that's what.

Smith isn't a troublemaker. It's not like he's out selling crack or crashing into interstate guardrails after a night of boozing it up in the brewery district. He's merely another college kid who can't be trusted enough to leave sight for too long. You just have to keep him in line.

It's time Tressel stops giving Smith the benefit of the doubt, because obviously, he hasn't earned it.

If not, he'd better have his phone on voicemail.

[email protected]
(740) 450-6723

Originally published July 27, 2005

http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050727/SPORTS/507270308/1006

 

[ZachDumas]

Correct

So Hayn, you would know. Don't these things have to be coordinated through the SID and coach before he can get approval to attend/help?

That is exactly right. All extracuricular activity goes through the SID (PR), and/or coaching staff.

Troy also should have gotten pre-approval for accepting a large wad of sweaty cash from that dousche bag booster.

 

[FKAGobucks877]

You people need to lay off the speed. I also listened to Herbie's show yesterday, and while Hooley is a toolbag pigfucker (sorry, had to throw that in there), nobody EVER said this was about racism. A caller suggested it, and the only mistake Herbie and Hooley made was to consider it. They asked for calls and emails for other listener's opinions, and what Herbie had to say made a lot of sense.

He basically said that he didn't understand how all the OSU fans were so pissed at Smith, AS OPPOSED to the players involved in the 18 (or however many) other incidents that have taken place in the last year or two. He specifically referenced DUI's and the like, wondering why there was so much animosity towards Troy, especially considering his performance in the scUM game. In his experience, he said, with Buckeye fans, a career performance against scUM earns a lot of forgiveness. He also specifically said that he did not agree with this, but he has seen it a lot, and can't understand why things are different with Troy.

He further went on to say that he thinks that race has nothing to do with this, that Buckeye fans are simply very rabid and fanatical, and the QB position in particular is where a lot of the "hate" is aimed. He again used a specific example, citing how Craig Krenzel let OSU to the national championship in 2002, yet was booed when he went back into the 2003 scUM game (after McMullen brought OSU back within 7).

Relax, people. While Hooley is a moronic pillow pirate, even he didn't go anywhere with this racism thing. The worst they did is ask for callers opinions as to whether or not anyone agreed that this could be racially motivated.

 

[WTEXBUCK]

You people need to lay off the speed. I also listened to Herbie's show yesterday, .

I agree, I listened yesterday as well and here is how it all went down. They wanted to take calls on a subject. They picked the fans anger with T Smith. They wanted to know, if it isn't Racially motivated, then what is it? It was really not the huge deal people are making it out to be. It worked like a charm as people from both sides showed their stupidy live on the Radio. It also served another purpose, to get listeners to talk about the show to other people. I like Herbie as both a Radio Host and Gameday personality. He will never sit well in a lot of Buckeye fans graces because he doesn't puff out his chest and want to fight everyone who says something bad about the program. Just my take.

 

[DaveyBoy]

Sorry, but Herbie and Hooley both said at least twice each....."I can't think of ANY other reason why all the hate for Troy is out there other than racism........unless you callers can explain otherwise". That's what they said for at least the first 30 or 40 minutes of the segment. I too listened...very carefully....hoping that they would soften that stance. They eventually did toward the end of the segment.....but the damage was done. They jumped straight to racism as the primary cause for the Troy bashing and it was then the duty of callers to convince them otherwise.

I did hear Herbie toward the end of the segment say that he didn't think it was racism....but that was well after they had lit the fires with their incendiary "Jesse Jackson" type of talk.

Herbie perhaps was just duped into this by Hooley......but he should have backed off much quicker than he did and much more distinctly. He didn't. He fed it instead for a considerable time.

Why should we lay off the speed? The Troy Smith incident probably won't garner much media attention....but I guarantee you that the racism issue will rear its ugly head with some ignorant, reckless talking head journalist and then suddenly OSU will be labeled as a racist program to which black players shouldn't go. Mark my words.....this will be used against OSU.

And Troy's incident will eventually cause problems for either he, the team, or Tressel....and possibly all 3. The media will be watching on September 10 to see if Tressel is truly serious about enforcing team rules about class attendance or if he reinforces the recently promoted media belief that OSU is nothing more than a jock factory that wins at all costs.

we're sick and tired of the crap

 

[daddyphatsacs]

If we roll into Ann Arbor undefeated, with 110,000 hostile fans bearing down upon you, ready for another fantastic chapter in a fantastic rivalry...who do you want behind center?

That's what I thought.

Hostile? Come on now, thats giving the occupants of that toilet bowl a little too much credit.

By the way, I want the guy behind center that is in good graces with the coach. No one here doubts Smith's ability as a QB, he is the best on the team in my book. I just question his judgement.

 

[Buckin' A]

Troy Smith is probably our best QB right now...


That being said, I don't give a shit if you are purple, green, or jewish...the last thing tOSU needs right now is bad press. You have had two very bold warnings for your past indisgresions...if you want to be the starting quarterback for THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY....act like it!

 

[Steve19]

Sorry, but Herbie and Hooley both said at least twice each....."I can't think of ANY other reason why all the hate for Troy is out there other than racism........unless you callers can explain otherwise". That's what they said for at least the first 30 or 40 minutes of the segment. I too listened...very carefully....hoping that they would soften that stance. They eventually did toward the end of the segment.....but the damage was done. They jumped straight to racism as the primary cause for the Troy bashing and it was then the duty of callers to convince them otherwise...I guarantee you that the racism issue will rear its ugly head with... (OSU)...labeled as a racist program to which black players shouldn't go. Mark my words.....this will be used against OSU.

we're sick and tired of the crap

Davey, I didn't hear the program, but it sure sounds like a formula that I associate with ESPiN.

Select an outrageous allegation as pretext for a discussion. Don't worry about who gets hurt by the innuendo, just make sure it gets people excited. Then, here and there, indicate the you really would like to believe that the allegation is untrue. That way, if anyone points out the disgusting basis of the program, you can point to your comments out of context and claim to have just acted as a moderator of the telephone calls while ignoring your role in establishing the tone and context of the program.

And, I agree, it will be used against tOSU in the future. In recruiting and potentially as "proof" of previous racism, if racism is ever alleged by anyone (e.g., "viewers will remember that tOSU fan racism was alleged in the benching of Troy Smith in 2005. The latest allegations...")

 

[BB73]

At this point, I'll reserve judgment on Herbstreit until I've heard the radio show or seen a transcript of it. Does someone have a link to the show?

One other point I haven't seen a discussion about is how the story originally broke. It seems obvious that tOSU was investigating this incident for weeks, hoping to determine that no violation had occurred, so they could then issue a report to the NCAA that would have been completely non-newsworthy. If no word of the investigation had leaked until the final determination had been made, there would have been minimal angst and a much shorter thread on this subject.

There also would have been less newspapers sold and less radio show listeners. Reporters have been known to pay for such information. But any 'Buckeye fan' who has access to athletic department information, and leaks information to media members that could be damaging to tOSU, is not a true Buckeye.

That this may have occurred in this case is pure speculation on my part, and mentioned so that anyone in a similar position in the future considers their loyalty to the program before passing on inside information. Note - I'm not saying the info should be hushed up, I'm saying the athletic department should be allowed to choose the timing of its release.

 

[jwinslow]

This was known quite a while ago. But I agree it would have been nice if it could have been saved until he was fully cleared.

 

[BB73]

This was known quite a while ago. But I agree it would have been nice if it could have been saved until he was fully cleared.

Jwins, I know about the PM from the other site. And I don't have a problem with that, it didn't mention the player by name. It's however Todd Porter (or whoever first broke the story) got the details about Smith and the camp that I'm referring to.

 

[buckeyeboy]

Just another example of ESPiN ganging up on tOSU: in today's article regarding Spurrier's return to college football, Gene Wojciechowski says, "That's because Spurrier and Saturdays in the SEC go together like Ohio State and investigations." I don't know what it is with ESPiN hating us. I don't know if it goes to the fact that they're bitter that they broke a supposed story on us with the whole Clarett allegations that turned out to be nothing and then they had to eat their words or there is some other reason. However, I think it's obvious tOSU has become ESPiN's favorite punching bag recently--they'll do anything to try to drag our school down, and when they turn out to be wrong in their outlandish allegations, instead of apologizing, they will make light of our university (e.g., I'll bet they would have loved to printed "go together like Ohio State and violations" but they cannot because we turn up clean). I know there are a lot of Herbie fans that post here, and I was once one too, but he has done nothing recently but convince me lately that he's part of ESPiN's effort to drag the reputation of tOSU and its fans down.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

...but he has done nothing recently but convince me lately that he's part of ESPiN's effort to drag the reputation of tOSU and its fans down.

If you think Herbstreit is purposely in some agenda against Ohio State, you're on crack...

 

[buckeyeboy]

If you think Herbstreit is purposely in some agenda against Ohio State, you're on crack...

Does he purposely have some agenda against Ohio State? I don't think so. However, in light of what's been reported about his radio show regarding the Smith investigation and his comments last year when the Clarett allegations surfaced, I think it's very easy to say that he's not been defending the university or its fans lately. Do you disagree with that?