UpNorthBuckeye;655897; said:
3rd and short was not a problem in Champaign. Indeed, in the 2nd half, 3rd and short didn't happen at all.
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3rd and short was not a problem in Champaign. Indeed, in the 2nd half, 3rd and short didn't happen at all.
Morning Journal
Tressel trying to recover Wells
JASON LLOYD, Morning Journal Writer
11/09/2006
COLUMBUS -- They tried boosting his confidence by sending him right back in the game. They tried sitting him for a quarter. Now they've taken to benching him.
Less than two weeks before the biggest game in Ohio State-Michigan history and one of the biggest games Ohio State has ever played, coach Jim Tressel is in a conundrum with what to do about backup tailback Chris Wells.
Without him, Ohio State's depth at running back immediately becomes a concern. Last week was the first time starter Antonio Pittman went over 30 carries in a game. Third-string back Maurice Wells is similar in style to Pittman, only he hasn't proven he can do as much. The powerful Chris Wells separating the two has given Ohio State a strong running back rotation capable of running inside or outside.
But with Chris Wells, Ohio State's ball security is immediately questioned. He has now fumbled in three of the last four games and seems to be regressing -- not improving. He fumbled last week against Illinois without even getting hit.
Tressel said there isn't much more the coaches can do for him. This is something he'll have to figure out on his own.
''About the only thing coaches can do is have (Wells) sit down and think about it,'' Tressel said. ''There's a certain length of time that makes sense. He had a chance to think about it through the second half of the game.''
Presuming he has a good week of practice, Chris Wells should return to the lineup this week against Northwestern, Tressel said. The Wildcats surrendered 150 rushing yards to Nevada earlier this year, 230 to Penn State, 300 to Wisconsin and 200 to Michigan.
It would seem an ideal opponent to get Wells feeling good again. But what if he fumbles again -- or what if he doesn't? Does one game against an inferior Big Ten opponent warrant the trust to run the ball against Michigan, which is tied for the lead in the Big Ten with 11 fumble recoveries? That is for Tressel to decide. For now, he's still trying to get Wells to realize the importance of holding onto the ball.
''I've always said that turnovers are all about how deep is your belief of the importance of the possession of that ball,'' Tressel said. ''Whether you're the quarterback getting ready to throw it to somebody, you're the running back or the wide receiver who's got it in their hands or you're the linebacker who's got it right in their sights where he can intercept it, do you understand how important that is? That sometimes takes time.''
It's not uncommon for freshmen to struggle with the idea. Eddie George fumbled twice against Illinois his freshman year and even had one returned 96 yards for a touchdown in what was a close loss. In 2002, freshman Maurice Clarett fumbled three times on the same field Ohio State will play this week.
George grew out of his fumble woes and Clarett never really struggled aside from that day in Evanston. But Wells admitted after his fumble against Minnesota two weeks ago that the fumbles were beginning to take a toll on him mentally. He hasn't been made available to reporters since.
''He's down on himself right now,'' Pittman said. ''As a running back, you don't want to fumble, especially in his circumstance where he's already fumbled a couple times this year. But you have to learn to put it behind you. He's a freshman. He's got a long way to go.''
The underlying danger of not using Wells means quarterback Troy Smith is exposed to more hits. Smith revealed yesterday he's already battling a thumb injury that has been bothering him for the last few weeks.
''It's sort of like a sore ankle because it's going to take that pressure and it's going to take those hits,'' Smith said. ''But you'll never find me crying or whining about it or making any excuses. I have to continue to play ball.''
Smith has been wearing a protective brace on the thumb, but will continue to play through it. Last week against Illinois, he had his worst statistical game of the season, throwing for just 108 yards.
Without Wells, Smith became the second running back last week, carrying the ball a season-high eight times on called running plays.
The more Smith runs, the more he's obviously prone to bigger hits and possibly more extensive injuries. That makes the status of Wells even more critical to the offense.
''I don't think that freshmen have the game slowed down as much as older guys,'' Tressel said. ''When you come from the high school game, I don't care where you play, to the college game, the world is buzzing by you. And you have so many things going on in your head and physically going on. All of a sudden, you're a junior, the game slows down, you can do a better job taking care of everything you need to do, just like in life, when the world slows down, you've got a better chance.''
The Buckeyes can't wait two years for Wells' world to slow down. They now have less than two weeks.
Tressel trying to recover Wells
JASON LLOYD, Morning Journal Writer
11/09/2006
COLUMBUS -- They tried boosting his confidence by sending him right back in the game. They tried sitting him for a quarter. Now they've taken to benching him.
Less than two weeks before the biggest game in Ohio State-Michigan history and one of the biggest games Ohio State has ever played, coach Jim Tressel is in a conundrum with what to do about backup tailback Chris Wells.
Without him, Ohio State's depth at running back immediately becomes a concern. Last week was the first time starter Antonio Pittman went over 30 carries in a game. Third-string back Maurice Wells is similar in style to Pittman, only he hasn't proven he can do as much. The powerful Chris Wells separating the two has given Ohio State a strong running back rotation capable of running inside or outside.
But with Chris Wells, Ohio State's ball security is immediately questioned. He has now fumbled in three of the last four games and seems to be regressing -- not improving. He fumbled last week against Illinois without even getting hit.
Tressel said there isn't much more the coaches can do for him. This is something he'll have to figure out on his own.
''About the only thing coaches can do is have (Wells) sit down and think about it,'' Tressel said. ''There's a certain length of time that makes sense. He had a chance to think about it through the second half of the game.''
Presuming he has a good week of practice, Chris Wells should return to the lineup this week against Northwestern, Tressel said. The Wildcats surrendered 150 rushing yards to Nevada earlier this year, 230 to Penn State, 300 to Wisconsin and 200 to Michigan.
It would seem an ideal opponent to get Wells feeling good again. But what if he fumbles again -- or what if he doesn't? Does one game against an inferior Big Ten opponent warrant the trust to run the ball against Michigan, which is tied for the lead in the Big Ten with 11 fumble recoveries? That is for Tressel to decide. For now, he's still trying to get Wells to realize the importance of holding onto the ball.
''I've always said that turnovers are all about how deep is your belief of the importance of the possession of that ball,'' Tressel said. ''Whether you're the quarterback getting ready to throw it to somebody, you're the running back or the wide receiver who's got it in their hands or you're the linebacker who's got it right in their sights where he can intercept it, do you understand how important that is? That sometimes takes time.''
It's not uncommon for freshmen to struggle with the idea. Eddie George fumbled twice against Illinois his freshman year and even had one returned 96 yards for a touchdown in what was a close loss. In 2002, freshman Maurice Clarett fumbled three times on the same field Ohio State will play this week.
George grew out of his fumble woes and Clarett never really struggled aside from that day in Evanston. But Wells admitted after his fumble against Minnesota two weeks ago that the fumbles were beginning to take a toll on him mentally. He hasn't been made available to reporters since.
''He's down on himself right now,'' Pittman said. ''As a running back, you don't want to fumble, especially in his circumstance where he's already fumbled a couple times this year. But you have to learn to put it behind you. He's a freshman. He's got a long way to go.''
The underlying danger of not using Wells means quarterback Troy Smith is exposed to more hits. Smith revealed yesterday he's already battling a thumb injury that has been bothering him for the last few weeks.
''It's sort of like a sore ankle because it's going to take that pressure and it's going to take those hits,'' Smith said. ''But you'll never find me crying or whining about it or making any excuses. I have to continue to play ball.''
Smith has been wearing a protective brace on the thumb, but will continue to play through it. Last week against Illinois, he had his worst statistical game of the season, throwing for just 108 yards.
Without Wells, Smith became the second running back last week, carrying the ball a season-high eight times on called running plays.
The more Smith runs, the more he's obviously prone to bigger hits and possibly more extensive injuries. That makes the status of Wells even more critical to the offense.
''I don't think that freshmen have the game slowed down as much as older guys,'' Tressel said. ''When you come from the high school game, I don't care where you play, to the college game, the world is buzzing by you. And you have so many things going on in your head and physically going on. All of a sudden, you're a junior, the game slows down, you can do a better job taking care of everything you need to do, just like in life, when the world slows down, you've got a better chance.''
The Buckeyes can't wait two years for Wells' world to slow down. They now have less than two weeks.
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Dispatch
BEANIE?S BANE
Fumbling the football has been problem for talented Ohio State freshman Wells
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State?s Chris Wells lost his fourth fumble of this season midway through the second quarter against Illinois and cornerback Vontae Davis.
What to do with Chris "Beanie" Wells?
The Ohio State freshman tailback has loads of talent. He is a load, actually, at 6 feet 1 and 225 pounds of speed and muscle.
He can help the Buckeyes win games.
But Wells also has a problem. He fumbles. It?s fair to label him a fumbler at this point, because he has lost four this season and three in the past four games.
He can cause the Buckeyes to lose games.
So again: What to do with Beanie Wells?
"That?s the million-dollar question," said former Ohio State coach John Cooper, who once dealt with a similar problem when freshman Eddie George lost two costly fumbles in 1992.
Current coach Jim Tressel makes more than a million dollars, about $2.4 million this year, and he?ll earn it by how he handles Wells.
"How concerned am I? Tremendously concerned," Tressel said, "whether it?s Chris or anyone doing any job that isn?t getting done the way we need it. I?d like to think that he?ll one day get that under control, and I?m hoping it?s this day.
"He can add a lot to this team. Unfortunately, just like a quarterback who can add a lot to the team, if they throw it to the other guys ? What?s the risk vs. reward component? "
The Buckeyes are ranked No. l in the nation at 10-0. They play Saturday at Northwestern before facing Michigan on Nov. 18 for an apparent spot in the national-title game.
After his first three fumbles, Tressel put Wells back into games. Last Saturday at Illinois, he tried a different tack, sitting him for the last 2 1 /2 quarters.
It sounds as if he plans to give Wells another chance this week.
"If he practices well, he?ll be in good stead to go in and carry the ball like any other time," Tressel said. "About the only thing coaches can do is have someone sit down and think about it, but to me, there?s a certain length of time that makes sense. He had a chance to think about it through the second half of the (Illinois) game."
Current and former players say fumbling is a common problem with freshmen backs. Junior Antonio Pittman lost two fumbles in 72 carries his freshman season in 2004, and has lost just one in 438 attempts since then.
Tyrell Sutton, an Akron native and Northwestern sophomore, said he lost six or eight fumbles last season compared with two this season.
"I was trying to do too much and fight for extra yardage," Sutton said. "It?s great to fight for yards, but at the same time, you have to know when and where to go down."
Maurice Hall was a backup to freshman sensation Maurice Clarett in 2002. He watched Clarett fumble three times against Northwestern that year but still get put back in the game.
Hall believes sitting a fumbling back at the first sign of trouble can damage a player?s psyche. But he also thinks a repeat offender needs to be benched.
"I?ve seen both sides," Hall said. "If (Wells) continues to fumble, he has to have some kind of disciplinary action, that?s the only way he?ll learn.
"But if you sit someone down after one fumble, it does get into your head that if you make mistakes, you won?t play. Running backs are successful because of their instincts and decisions they make quickly. If you have to think about (not fumbling), it can eliminate your effectiveness."
So that?s both sides of the issue, but not really a definitive answer.
Being pragmatic sorts, coaches faced with this conundrum tend to boil the issue down.
"What other kind of players have I got?" Cooper asked. "If I have another capable running back I believe in, I?d probably play that guy."
Tressel has Pittman and Maurice Wells. Tressel said Maurice Wells was fine last week after suffering a shoulder stinger the week before, but he did not get a single carry at Illinois.
Clearly, Beanie will play Saturday. But if he fumbles for a fifth time, will he see the field against Michigan?
"Oh, gosh, I don?t know," Tressel said. "Give me the rest of the scenario. Am I the next tailback in the game? Then he?s playing."
BEANIE?S BANE
Fumbling the football has been problem for talented Ohio State freshman Wells
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
What to do with Chris "Beanie" Wells?
The Ohio State freshman tailback has loads of talent. He is a load, actually, at 6 feet 1 and 225 pounds of speed and muscle.
He can help the Buckeyes win games.
But Wells also has a problem. He fumbles. It?s fair to label him a fumbler at this point, because he has lost four this season and three in the past four games.
He can cause the Buckeyes to lose games.
So again: What to do with Beanie Wells?
"That?s the million-dollar question," said former Ohio State coach John Cooper, who once dealt with a similar problem when freshman Eddie George lost two costly fumbles in 1992.
Current coach Jim Tressel makes more than a million dollars, about $2.4 million this year, and he?ll earn it by how he handles Wells.
"How concerned am I? Tremendously concerned," Tressel said, "whether it?s Chris or anyone doing any job that isn?t getting done the way we need it. I?d like to think that he?ll one day get that under control, and I?m hoping it?s this day.
"He can add a lot to this team. Unfortunately, just like a quarterback who can add a lot to the team, if they throw it to the other guys ? What?s the risk vs. reward component? "
The Buckeyes are ranked No. l in the nation at 10-0. They play Saturday at Northwestern before facing Michigan on Nov. 18 for an apparent spot in the national-title game.
After his first three fumbles, Tressel put Wells back into games. Last Saturday at Illinois, he tried a different tack, sitting him for the last 2 1 /2 quarters.
It sounds as if he plans to give Wells another chance this week.
"If he practices well, he?ll be in good stead to go in and carry the ball like any other time," Tressel said. "About the only thing coaches can do is have someone sit down and think about it, but to me, there?s a certain length of time that makes sense. He had a chance to think about it through the second half of the (Illinois) game."
Current and former players say fumbling is a common problem with freshmen backs. Junior Antonio Pittman lost two fumbles in 72 carries his freshman season in 2004, and has lost just one in 438 attempts since then.
Tyrell Sutton, an Akron native and Northwestern sophomore, said he lost six or eight fumbles last season compared with two this season.
"I was trying to do too much and fight for extra yardage," Sutton said. "It?s great to fight for yards, but at the same time, you have to know when and where to go down."
Maurice Hall was a backup to freshman sensation Maurice Clarett in 2002. He watched Clarett fumble three times against Northwestern that year but still get put back in the game.
Hall believes sitting a fumbling back at the first sign of trouble can damage a player?s psyche. But he also thinks a repeat offender needs to be benched.
"I?ve seen both sides," Hall said. "If (Wells) continues to fumble, he has to have some kind of disciplinary action, that?s the only way he?ll learn.
"But if you sit someone down after one fumble, it does get into your head that if you make mistakes, you won?t play. Running backs are successful because of their instincts and decisions they make quickly. If you have to think about (not fumbling), it can eliminate your effectiveness."
So that?s both sides of the issue, but not really a definitive answer.
Being pragmatic sorts, coaches faced with this conundrum tend to boil the issue down.
"What other kind of players have I got?" Cooper asked. "If I have another capable running back I believe in, I?d probably play that guy."
Tressel has Pittman and Maurice Wells. Tressel said Maurice Wells was fine last week after suffering a shoulder stinger the week before, but he did not get a single carry at Illinois.
Clearly, Beanie will play Saturday. But if he fumbles for a fifth time, will he see the field against Michigan?
"Oh, gosh, I don?t know," Tressel said. "Give me the rest of the scenario. Am I the next tailback in the game? Then he?s playing."
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A little confidence booster for the rookie as we head to the biggest week of the season. We will need a little thunder against that bunch from the North.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
11 rushes
98 yards
1 TD
longest run 33 yards
0 fumbles
Great job Beanie!!!
Let's hope this is the Chris Wells that we will see at Ohio State for the remainder of his career!!!
98 yards
1 TD
longest run 33 yards
0 fumbles
Great job Beanie!!!
Let's hope this is the Chris Wells that we will see at Ohio State for the remainder of his career!!!
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SanClementeBuck
Heisman
Beanies' fast feet remind me of Keith Byers' fast feet. This young man is gonna be fannntasssstic!
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BuckTwenty
Parties with Pete Johnson's Beard
Now that teams are aware that Beanie has a tendency to drop the football, don't be surprised to see some scUM players try their hand at ripping the ball out of his hands next week when he gets a carry.
GREAT day for Beanie though! Looked a little cautious at first, but his two long runs were beautiful! Even showed confidence in him in the 2nd quarter, letting him tote the ball on 3rd and 1, taking Pittman out. He's got confidence at JUST the right time!
GREAT day for Beanie though! Looked a little cautious at first, but his two long runs were beautiful! Even showed confidence in him in the 2nd quarter, letting him tote the ball on 3rd and 1, taking Pittman out. He's got confidence at JUST the right time!
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OmahaBeef
Intergalactic Planetary Planetary Intergalactic
BuckTwenty;658606; said:
If he has really gotten over his fumbling problem, that may actually work to his advantage. He's already hard enough to tackle, if Michigan just goes for the ball, its going to make it easier to get more yards after contact.
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OhioState49
Hall of Fame
What a great game he had against Northwestern. I am glad he hasn't fumbled lately. Hopefully he can run like he did against Michigan next week.
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BuckTwenty;658606; said:
Yeah he had a day that really helped his confidence I'm sure.
He still has moments where the ball seems a bit loose, but he's a freshman so there's time for him to figure it all out.
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VprHis
Get off my lawn, you hooligans!
BuckTwenty;658606; said:
Like this?
I think he'll be OK. Just a hunch, but he's built some good momentum, and hopefully he'll build on it with a good week of practice.
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