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tBBC Alumni Interact: Founder Jeff, Former Editors Mali and Ken
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
It’s the tenth anniversary of the night that Jeff created the Buckeye Battle Cry in his mothers basement, and what a better way to celebrate it than including the three people who helped make it what it is today. Jeff spent years building and burping his baby until handing over to Mali who was our fearless leader when I first came on. Technically I replaced Jeff as a writer that year but nobody can replace Jeff as a writer. Then Ken came along and was the glue that held us together during our post-Mali era. He wrote more articles in the time he was here than anyone else combined. I appreciate they’re participation in this weeks edition of The Fans Interact.
The Silver Bullets are beginning to become the true strength of this years team, what are you the most surprised with after only giving up 14 to the Sooners in their stadium?
Jeff – Speed. There’s so much speed on this team, it reminds me of Urban’s 2006 team that kicked our tails in the BCS title game. The opponent doesn’t see what’s coming until it is too late.
Mali – I was impressed with the aggressiveness of the defensive calls and pressure on Mayfield. Given that he’s pretty comfortable scrambling, I thought they might try to pocket contain him… not a chance. “Release The Hounds!!”
Ken – The secondary’s ability to make plays. Be it deflections or turnovers, they seem to have a knack of getting to the ball.
JT Barrett’s leadership skills are on display regularly, who else’s leadership on offense do you think is making the bigger impact right now?
Jeff – Curtis Samuel. He was waiting for his moment to shine, watching how Zeke handled success the last two seasons. He learned from one of the best and is allowing us to see what he learned.
Mali – Pat Elflein. Everything starts with the center, from the blocking and protection calls to the snap of the ball.
Ken – Too many new faces and too soon in the season to point to anyone else.
The normally strong special teams showed a crack in their armor during the Oklahoma game, specifically Mixon 97 yard kick-off return for a TD. Was it a product of his abilities only or is there something to worry about?
Jeff – Two guys ran into each other early in the run and it blew up the lane Mixon was running through. Simple mistake. Same guy got a handful of returns after that, never got past the 30 if I’m not mistaken.
Mali – Nah- it was a fluke… one missed lane assignment (on a cross stunt to the boundary). Shows again why it’s important for everyone to do their job… and why it’s important to carry the ball all the way into the end zone.
Ken – It looked like it could have been a blown lane coverage assignment. Mixon is very talented, though, so credit due to him. Nothing to see here…
Bonus – So, was Oklahoma as big of a test everybody was wanting for this young team early or are they just overrated? Why did the Buckeyes have such an easy time in Norman?
Jeff – They’re not overrated, in my opinion. Mayfield has success because he’s got a killer running game. He marched the Sooners right down the field in the first drive. But once Ohio State had a double-digit lead, we took them out of their game plan and they had to rely on a pass-heavy offense. Our defense was able to counter because we knew most down were a passing situation. They’re a REALLY good team that we curbstomped. They’re not #3 like they once were ranked, and they’re not #25 like they currently are placed. It’s more in between those, like 12 or 13, and whipping a Top 15 team in their home stadium is a huge accomplishment. They’ll get back to their rightful place soon.
Mali – Huge test, and also overrated. Oklahoma is a good team, and well coached. However, they don’t have the resilience to play all four quarters, and you could tell that they found themselves pretty stunned being down so early.
Neither Oklahoma nor Notre Dame should be ranked in the top 15 until they both prove themselves… no more of this “Irish Mystique” or “Big Game Bob” benefit of the doubt.
Ken – The Sooners are a talented team, particularly on offense. Beating them in Norman was a big test passed by Ohio State. I wouldn’t say it was that easy, but Ohio State just had a couple more playmakers on offense that Oklahoma couldn’t handle. I don’t think that stat line reflects the score; OSU just made a few more “plays” than OU.
Thank you again to all three for brushing off the moth balls and helping us this week and thank you to all three for playing some a huge role in making this blog what it is today!
The post tBBC Alumni Interact: Founder Jeff, Former Editors Mali and Ken appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
It’s the tenth anniversary of the night that Jeff created the Buckeye Battle Cry in his mothers basement, and what a better way to celebrate it than including the three people who helped make it what it is today. Jeff spent years building and burping his baby until handing over to Mali who was our fearless leader when I first came on. Technically I replaced Jeff as a writer that year but nobody can replace Jeff as a writer. Then Ken came along and was the glue that held us together during our post-Mali era. He wrote more articles in the time he was here than anyone else combined. I appreciate they’re participation in this weeks edition of The Fans Interact.
The Silver Bullets are beginning to become the true strength of this years team, what are you the most surprised with after only giving up 14 to the Sooners in their stadium?
Jeff – Speed. There’s so much speed on this team, it reminds me of Urban’s 2006 team that kicked our tails in the BCS title game. The opponent doesn’t see what’s coming until it is too late.
Mali – I was impressed with the aggressiveness of the defensive calls and pressure on Mayfield. Given that he’s pretty comfortable scrambling, I thought they might try to pocket contain him… not a chance. “Release The Hounds!!”
Ken – The secondary’s ability to make plays. Be it deflections or turnovers, they seem to have a knack of getting to the ball.
JT Barrett’s leadership skills are on display regularly, who else’s leadership on offense do you think is making the bigger impact right now?
Jeff – Curtis Samuel. He was waiting for his moment to shine, watching how Zeke handled success the last two seasons. He learned from one of the best and is allowing us to see what he learned.
Mali – Pat Elflein. Everything starts with the center, from the blocking and protection calls to the snap of the ball.
Ken – Too many new faces and too soon in the season to point to anyone else.
The normally strong special teams showed a crack in their armor during the Oklahoma game, specifically Mixon 97 yard kick-off return for a TD. Was it a product of his abilities only or is there something to worry about?
Jeff – Two guys ran into each other early in the run and it blew up the lane Mixon was running through. Simple mistake. Same guy got a handful of returns after that, never got past the 30 if I’m not mistaken.
Mali – Nah- it was a fluke… one missed lane assignment (on a cross stunt to the boundary). Shows again why it’s important for everyone to do their job… and why it’s important to carry the ball all the way into the end zone.
Ken – It looked like it could have been a blown lane coverage assignment. Mixon is very talented, though, so credit due to him. Nothing to see here…
Bonus – So, was Oklahoma as big of a test everybody was wanting for this young team early or are they just overrated? Why did the Buckeyes have such an easy time in Norman?
Jeff – They’re not overrated, in my opinion. Mayfield has success because he’s got a killer running game. He marched the Sooners right down the field in the first drive. But once Ohio State had a double-digit lead, we took them out of their game plan and they had to rely on a pass-heavy offense. Our defense was able to counter because we knew most down were a passing situation. They’re a REALLY good team that we curbstomped. They’re not #3 like they once were ranked, and they’re not #25 like they currently are placed. It’s more in between those, like 12 or 13, and whipping a Top 15 team in their home stadium is a huge accomplishment. They’ll get back to their rightful place soon.
Mali – Huge test, and also overrated. Oklahoma is a good team, and well coached. However, they don’t have the resilience to play all four quarters, and you could tell that they found themselves pretty stunned being down so early.
Neither Oklahoma nor Notre Dame should be ranked in the top 15 until they both prove themselves… no more of this “Irish Mystique” or “Big Game Bob” benefit of the doubt.
Ken – The Sooners are a talented team, particularly on offense. Beating them in Norman was a big test passed by Ohio State. I wouldn’t say it was that easy, but Ohio State just had a couple more playmakers on offense that Oklahoma couldn’t handle. I don’t think that stat line reflects the score; OSU just made a few more “plays” than OU.
Thank you again to all three for brushing off the moth balls and helping us this week and thank you to all three for playing some a huge role in making this blog what it is today!
The post tBBC Alumni Interact: Founder Jeff, Former Editors Mali and Ken appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...