WR Ray Small (official thread)

[Ttown]

From the posts here I would say that its possible that Dad is more interested in how much Ray will make as a pro rather than finishing college and being straight.

 

[BuckeyeInTheBoro]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm proud of this story. I hope ESPN and CNNSI and everyone else run it into the ground. Our head coach is clearly trying to help a kid become a college graduate and a responsible young man. He's not bending over backward to try to keep a talented player on the field, but is giving ample chances to do the right thing and be treated accordingly. In fact he cares so much... he's making it "personal!"

Ray's dad clearly doesn't get it, but that doesn't mean Ray doesn't. I hope he does.

Any recruit's parent who reads this story and thinks... "I don't want my son going there." doesn't get it either. I'd love to have my son play for a man like Coach Tressel.

 

[Born Buckeye]

I can see the Glenville pipeline closing very quickly.

No way - with the relationship that Ginn Sr has with Tressel the Small situation is a non issue. Think about it - Ginn Jr, T. Smith got the message about being part of tOSU team and went on the NFL. Rose, J. O'neal get it and are contributing members. With the talent at Glenville are we going to get more competition for players there? Yes - but that pipeline runs to the Shoe first for the talent pool there.

My message to Ray - Grow up. You came in supposed to be the next Ginn Jr - you aren't. And no matter if you end up at another school, the NFL, or in the real world - you can't miss work and sleep through meetings or you will be gone. You father may think you can walk on water, my father was one of my biggest fans too - but that doesn't mean that their opinion is right all the time.

No player is bigger than the team, no matter how good they are. What is the most crazy part? Not too many teams in the NFL are looking 5'11" and 180 lbs pain in the ass that has never looked as fast as he was supposed to be.

I wish Ray the best, but until he and his father can get over themselves it will be an uphill battle for him to get back on the field as a Buckeye.

 

[Pryor2Posey]

Unfortunately, I think Ray has played his last game for The Ohio State Buckeyes. If he is back next year I see a tremendous season from him, although I don't see him returning. He's shown flashes of brilliance but hasn't lived up to expectations. Thanks for the few memories, best of luck!

 

[utgrad73]

Time for Ray to go. He has had more than his share of opportunities to turn it around, and he pisses it away every time.

This could be similar to the steps needed to let an employee go. I mean you first document the infraction, meet with him and let him know what he's done. Strike one. Then as time progresses and the same infraction occurs, you document it and write it up. Strike two. Then another violation and nothing has changed, in fact the same issues come up and you have strike three. Is it time for action? You may be right about pissing it away, Ray has had several chances - is strike four in the works? Tressel has more to be concerned about, but turning a kid around is one of the challenges of coaching. Still. I hate to see a talent go away.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

CPD

Small's dad wants answers from Ohio State staff

11/6/2008, 6:07 p.m. EST
The Associated Press


COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) ? What's brewing today with the 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes ...
BUCKEYES BUZZ:@ It was just one kid's dad railing about a lack of playing time, something that is heard around every pee-wee, high school and college team.
But in this case, the player was Ray Small, one of Ohio State's top receivers. And the coach Small's dad was complaining about was Jim Tressel. That makes Small's situation rather big.

The dad was also irate that he can't get answers from the coaching staff.
"They won't talk to me," Ken Small said Thursday. "They won't talk to me about anything. If everything is above board and done right like (Tressel) said, then why won't they answer questions?"

 

[ScriptOhio]

Re: The dad was also irate that he can't get answers from the coaching staff. "They won't talk to me," Ken Small said Thursday. "They won't talk to me about anything. If everything is above board and done right like (Tressel) said, then why won't they answer questions?"

Isn't there a privacy issue here? It is my belief that an university employee is not legally allowed to discuss the status of the child with their parent even they wanted to. I know that the university no longer sends parents copies of their children's grades.

However, I would think that Ray could ask for a private meeting with Coach Tressel and be allowed to have his father attend, etc.

:osu:

 

[BB73]

Isn't there a privacy issue here? It is my belief that an university employee is not legally allowed to discuss the status of the child with their parent even they wanted to. I know that the university no longer sends parents copies of their children's grades.

It's very possible that privacy is involved when it comes to Ray's grades and attendance records. My daughter's in college, and I don't get to see her grades unless she shows them to me. However, her University does allow me to view her tuition bill and easily pay it online. :tongue2:

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Link

Tressel defends discipline policies while downplaying Small family's criticism

Posted by [URL="http://blog.cleveland.com/sports/about.html"][EMAIL="[email protected]"]Doug Lesmerises[/EMAIL][/URL] November 06, 2008 18:11PM

Marvin Fong/The Plain DealerRay Small's punt return for a touchdown was the deciding play in the Buckeyes' narrow victory over Ohio in September.

Small has been suspended for this week's game at Northwestern, but coach Jim Tressel left open the possibility the receiver/returner will get another chance to play this season.


COLUMBUS -- Jim Tressel grew uncomfortable with continued questions about the suspension of receiver Ray Small before the coach cut short his usual Thursday session with reporters, but not before asserting confidence in the way he treats his players. "I'm sure there are both ends of the spectrum out there in opinions, like there are about what we're doing in football," Tressel said. "There's one end that feels this way and one end that feels that way and most things lie somewhere in the middle. But I don't feel bad about how we tried to help any of our guys."
On Wednesday, Small's father, Ken, said Ray, a junior out of Glenville High, was suspended for two games for missing classes that his son claims he attended. Tressel confirmed that Small would miss Saturday's game against Northwestern but said the receiver had a chance to return based on his actions in the meantime.
"[It's] just what you do from this point on," Tressel said.

Ken Small said the suspension, and Ray's previous lack of playing time, was treatment he considered unfair, saying "they are intentionally blowing his whole career. Whatever it is, it's personal."

Continued..............

 

[Deety]

Well, he just guaranteed that if OSU does talk to him, it will have to be such a careful conversation it won't be worth much anyway. With the comments in that article, it seems likely the switch has to flip from what is appropriate for Ray given whatever the circumstances may be to not leaving the door open for a lawsuit.

Odd strategy.

 

[scarletngray]

It's very possible that privacy is involved when it comes to Ray's grades and attendance records. My daughter's in college, and I don't get to see her grades unless she shows them to me. However, her University does allow me to view her tuition bill and easily pay it online. :tongue2:

Too funny. Thanks for the laugh.

:osu:

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Another twist...........

Bucknuts.com$ (Dave Biddle)

Small's Father Thinks Son Will Stay At OSU.................Ray's father now states that it is a possiblity Small will stay at tOSU and also indicates their were no issues with attending class a week ago when he spoke to the staff. Indicates they will not return his calls. Admits Small has had his struggles in the classroom.

 

[Jake]

From the posts here I would say that its possible that Dad is more interested in how much Ray will make as a pro rather than finishing college and being straight.

Bingo.

 

[BuckeyeRyn]

Coach Tressel and my son have developed a bit of a relationship, I'm now known as "Joe's mom." Keeping in mind that my son is 6, there are things that Tressel has told him that have sunk in deep... I hear Joe passing these statements on to his little friends. I hope throughout the course of his life that Joe has coaches, teachers, mentors equal to that of Coach Tressel.

I hope from this point on that Ray makes good, solid and mature chioces/decisions in life, on and off the field. The only thing people other than Ray can do is teach, encourage and lead by example... all things I am sure Tressel has been doing. In the end, it is only up to Ray!

 

[ScriptOhio]

Re: The dad was also irate that he can't get answers from the coaching staff. "They won't talk to me," Ken Small said Thursday. "They won't talk to me about anything. If everything is above board and done right like (Tressel) said, then why won't they answer questions?"

Isn't there a privacy issue here? It is my belief that an university employee is not legally allowed to discuss the status of the child with their parent even they wanted to. I know that the university no longer sends parents copies of their children's grades.

However, I would think that Ray could ask for a private meeting with Coach Tressel and be allowed to have his father attend, etc.

:osu:

It's very possible that privacy is involved when it comes to Ray's grades and attendance records. My daughter's in college, and I don't get to see her grades unless she shows them to me. However, her University does allow me to view her tuition bill and easily pay it online. :tongue2:

Too funny. Thanks for the laugh.

:osu:

For those that don't know, this isn't a joke. That's the way it really is.