RB Jaamal Berry (Transfer to Murray State)

[osucollegebuck]

Id like to see Berry and saine split on both sides of Pryor to run the option

That would be scary indeed.

 

[berryfan]

Berry sent to diversion program (Blogging the Buckeyes)

I have known some kids who got in to trouble down here and wound up completing the diversion program in another state via reciprocity. Happens a lot where you have a tri-state or bi-state areas. Perhaps he will do something with the state of Ohio.

I am relieved to see he can get on to the field and more importantly get on with his studies.

 

[Buckeye86]

nice tie

With arrest behind him, Ohio State's Jaamal Berry promises "I'm not here to make any problems."
by Doug Lesmerises
Thursday August 06, 2009, 9:00 AM

OSU
Jaamal Berry
After Jaamal Berry was arrested on a marijuana possession charge in Miami two months ago, a charge that was originally a felony before it was dropped to a misdemeanor, he thought his Ohio State football career might be over before it started.

"I was worried at first," Berry said. "But when I got the OK that I was good, everything was good to go."

It wasn't quite that simple. The charge was reduced and then last week at a Miami hearing, the charge was dropped all together, provided that Berry completes a six-month drug program that he can take online.

So it's back to football, with one promise to fans of the Buckeyes.
"It's definitely not going to happen again," Berry said Wednesday. "I'm not here to make any problems. I'm here just to ball out on the football field and do good in school."

continued...

 

[brodybuck21]

nice tie

With arrest behind him, Ohio State's Jaamal Berry promises "I'm not here to make any problems."
by Doug Lesmerises
Thursday August 06, 2009, 9:00 AM



continued...

Sounds good to me. Good Luck Jaamal and Go Bucks

 

[Magua]

I definitely like the kids approach. Came out and admitted what he did was wrong and made a pledge to the program and fans that it will never happen again. Now, let's just hope he sticks to his word cause if he does he'll be a good one.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Sounds good to me. Good Luck Jaamal and Go Bucks

 

[Taosman]

Realistically I doubt we'll see much of Berry this year. For a number of reasons.
The school probably finds the whole incident embarrassing and wants to not have him in the spotlight. (ESPN would love to make a story about him playing in prime time coverage)
Secondly, Herron and Saine and Martin will get most of the reps in game time.
Third, he's a true freshman who JT traditionally doesn't trust carrying the rock.
Fourth, he can work on his grades and fulfill his legal obligations.

 

[Buckeye86]

Realistically I doubt we'll see much of Berry this year. For a number of reasons.

You are wrong in just about every regard.

The school probably finds the whole incident embarrassing and wants to not have him in the spotlight. (ESPN would love to make a story about him playing in prime time coverage)

I would be shocked if Tressel cares about what kind of stories ESPN does on his players. Tressel has clearly indicated that the incident will not affect Berry's chances to play this year. Even if the "school" is embarrassed, I don't think the "school" has any say in who Tressel puts on the field. In the absence of another incident, I don't think Berry's career is going to be affected in the slightest.

Secondly, Herron and Saine and Martin will get most of the reps in game time.

Pair and a spare, Berry is a much better spare than Martin in almost all situations with the possible exception of short yardage. I think that Martin and Berry will be battling to see who will be the spare, and they obviously bring different abilities to the table, but I have no doubt that if Berry keeps his nose clean he can earn his spot.

Third, he's a true freshman who JT traditionally doesn't trust carrying the rock.

Chalk this one up under myth. Clarett in '02 is the most obvious example, but Pittman had 72 carries as a true frosh in '04, Maurice Wells had 61 carries as a true frosh in '05, Beanie had 104 carries as a true frosh in '06, Brandon Saine had 60 carries as a true frosh in '07, and Boom had 89 carries as a redshirt frosh last year.

So you are 100% wrong on this one. If Berry earns playing time he will get the rock.

Fourth, he can work on his grades and fulfill his legal obligations.

There is no reason he can't do both of those things while earning significant playing time if he keeps his head on straight.

 

[matcar]

You are wrong in just about every regard.



I would be shocked if Tressel cares about what kind of stories ESPN does on his players. Tressel has clearly indicated that the incident will not affect Berry's chances to play this year. Even if the "school" is embarrassed, I don't think the "school" has any say in who Tressel puts on the field. In the absence of another incident, I don't think Berry's career is going to be affected in the slightest.



Pair and a spare, Berry is a much better spare than Martin in almost all situations with the possible exception of short yardage. I think that Martin and Berry will be battling to see who will be the spare, and they obviously bring different abilities to the table, but I have no doubt that if Berry keeps his nose clean he can earn his spot.



Chalk this one up under myth. Clarett in '02 is the most obvious example, but Pittman had 72 carries as a true frosh in '04, Maurice Wells had 61 carries as a true frosh in '05, Beanie had 104 carries as a true frosh in '06, Brandon Saine had 60 carries as a true frosh in '07, and Boom had 89 carries as a redshirt frosh last year.

So you are 100% wrong on this one. If Berry earns playing time he will get the rock.




There is no reason he can't do both of those things while earning significant playing time if he keeps his head on straight.

Me thinks you don't hit the pipe and hence are more inclined to be accurate than the previous poster.

 

[Pimpinnati]

From the film I've seen the kid is quite talented. With the position being mildly thin I could certainly see Jaamal garnering moderate playing time.

But I am biased. He's probably my favorite recruit from the past class. I just loved what I saw on the tape.

 

[osucollegebuck]

Doesn't he mean do "well" in school? haha

 

[Taosman]

You are wrong in just about every regard.



I would be shocked if Tressel cares about what kind of stories ESPN does on his players. Tressel has clearly indicated that the incident will not affect Berry's chances to play this year. Even if the "school" is embarrassed, I don't think the "school" has any say in who Tressel puts on the field. In the absence of another incident, I don't think Berry's career is going to be affected in the slightest.

His career already has been effected. He has legal obligations that are more important than his playing time.



Pair and a spare, Berry is a much better spare than Martin in almost all situations with the possible exception of short yardage. I think that Martin and Berry will be battling to see who will be the spare, and they obviously bring different abilities to the table, but I have no doubt that if Berry keeps his nose clean he can earn his spot.

Martin brings something no other back in camp has, he's the only big back we got.



Chalk this one up under myth. Clarett in '02 is the most obvious example, but Pittman had 72 carries as a true frosh in '04, Maurice Wells had 61 carries as a true frosh in '05, Beanie had 104 carries as a true frosh in '06, Brandon Saine had 60 carries as a true frosh in '07, and Boom had 89 carries as a redshirt frosh last year.

Tressel has said publicly that he hasn't seen anything of Berry yet. No one can just assume that Berry will get any game time just because Tress has used freshman before.

So you are 100% wrong on this one. If Berry earns playing time he will get the rock.

So. Not 100% wrong but I'll give you credit for the freshman carries. Keep in mind none of those guys had "legal" obligations which are more important than participation.




There is no reason he can't do both of those things while earning significant playing time if he keeps his head on straight.

That's a tough load for a 18 year old to handle. Class work, legal obligations and football. I would expect Tress will be conservative in what he asks of the kid.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

That's a tough load for a 18 year old to handle. Class work, legal obligations and football. I would expect Tress will be conservative in what he asks of the kid.

Every player has to handle classwork and football...Berry's "legal obligations" should not take up all the much extra time. Barring injury, Berry will get some carries this season.

 

[Buckeye86]

That's a tough load for a 18 year old to handle. Class work, legal obligations and football. I would expect Tress will be conservative in what he asks of the kid.

His legal obligations consist of taking an online course. I don't think that will be too taxing.

The college level school work and football will be new and Berry will need to adjust to handle the new lifestyle just like any incoming freshman, but I fully expect to see Berry get the standard 40-80 touches this year that most incoming freshman seem to receive during the Tressel regime. Once again, though, all of this hinges upon no further off the field incidents.

 

[Buckskin86]

RB admits dropping the ball
Friday, August 07, 2009
Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter

Columbus- After Jaamal Berry was arrested on a marijuana possession charge in Miami two months ago, a charge that was originally a felony before it was lowered to a misdemeanor, he thought his Ohio State career might be over before it started.

"I was worried at first," Berry said. "But when I got the OK that was I good, everything was good to go."

It wasn't quite that simple. The charge was reduced and then last week at a Miami hearing, the charge was dropped altogether, provided that Berry completes a six-month drug program he can take online.

So it's back to football, with one promise to Ohio State fans.

"It's definitely not going to happen again," Berry said this week, as the Buckeyes prepare to report for preseason camp. "I'm not here to make any problems. I'm here just to ball out on the football field and do good in school."

When Ohio State starts practice Monday, Berry should be in the mix at tailback, behind veterans Dan Herron and Brandon Saine and along with converted fullback Jermil Martin. At the moment, though, OSU fans know him best as the guy who got arrested.

"I don't know their impression of me, but I hope it's not bad," Berry said. "I learned my lesson, hanging around with the wrong people, about making better decisions and just moving on from there. Everyone makes mistakes. It's how you go along and move forward from there."

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel declared that Berry's arrest will not cause him to be held back in camp in any way. So as far as his football career goes, it is behind him, provided it's an isolated case. Now he's just a guy who was ranked as the No. 8 running back in his class by Scout.com and is coming off a left ankle injury that caused him to miss part of his senior season.

Playing at between 190 and 193 pounds before the injury, Berry said he reported to Ohio State at 173 because he lost so much weight in his legs while sidelined. After several weeks of summer workouts, Berry said he's back up to 188 and his ankle is close to normal. Berry guessed it was around 95 percent healthy.

"I can feel my body getting stronger," Berry said. "I definitely feel I can make an impact as a freshman this year."

RB admits dropping the ball - Cleveland.com