That one quote from earlier in this thread jumped out at me. Not for the obvious reason that Haw is going to bring huge speed into the backfield this year. Not in the context of the Jersey Scrimmage or the upcoming Spring game where we get to see how explosive this offense is against something closer to a number 1 D.
No not for any of the above do I quote that line. I quote Haw because of what his words tell us about Tressel.
Last year, the running game was in trouble -- we all saw that. Last year, Tressel patiently stayed with Ross, Pittman and Hall as the primary tailbacks and then adapted the gameplan with Brandon Joe once Ginn and Smith started to blossom.
Tressel patiently stuck to his guns and did not prematurely pull the trigger to bring Haw into the line-up, burning his red-shirt and throwing into confusion plans for the next 3-4 years.
Now think on this, how many coaches would give their left nut to have a back with Haw's speed available? A lot I think.
How many of those coaches would have resisted the urge to put Haw in right away, even before the season started -- to keep that young talent off the field of play so he might one day play to his fullest potential?
Some but not all, I am sure of that.
Now ask how many would be so steeled when their team seemed in dire need of a quick fix?
At least one, Jim Tressel, did that and we should be glad this year that he calls the shots for the team we all follow fanatically.