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Buckeye News around the Net for 7/15/08
The Winners Manual

Buckeye News around the Net for 7/15/08

The Winners Manual, OSU Alumni at Camp, Brian Robiskie, Larry Grant, Shane Olivia and more.

By Bill Smith

The Good

            Coach Jim Tressel met with the media yesterday to discuss his book The Winners Manual which is set to be released today.  The Coach said the book which was co-written with Chris Fabry includes previously unpublished stories and anecdotes from his great career.  Coach has also committed his proceeds from the book to support the Ohio State Library Renovation Fund. 

            Former players will address the team on Thursday before training camp kicks off.  The subject will cover many topics including the responsibilities of being an OSU student-athlete both off the field and in the classroom.  The players that have been selected to speak are Scottie Graham, Anthony Gonzalez, Roy Hall, and Will Allen.  Allen said the players should "Cherish your moments at Ohio State and the friends and teammates you have here. They really are people you will rely on the rest of your life."

            Ohio State preseason All American wide receiver Brian Robiskie was honored July 6 by the Columbus City Council and Council member Hearcel Craig for being one of three finalist for the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholars Award.   Robiskie is the first for an Ohio State student-athlete to be so honored.  The Arthur Ashe Sports Scholars Award is presented to an athlete that excels both in the classroom and on the field.  We here at BrutusReport.com congratulate Robiskie for this achievement.

            Trevor Madich of ESPN said in a radio interview Saturday that OSU will prevail in the game at USC mainly because of the number of the larger number of experienced players and the extra game they will have played (2) compared to USC (1).  A win should propel into the #1 spot in the rankings.  However, he also said that because of the two previous losses and a general dislike for OSU, the voters might penalize OSU at the end of the season to try to keep them out of the Championship game.

            San Francisco 49ers signed LB Larry Grant to a four-year deal Friday, July 11.  Grant will compete for the starting strong inside linebacker spot at training camp.  Last year reserve LB Jeff Ulbrich is currently No. 1 on the team's depth chart at strong inside linebacker.

            Former San Diego Chargers OL Shane Olivea had his suspension lifted after the NFL determined Olivea did not receive notification of his failed drug test.  Olivea agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Giants.  Olivea will become a member of the Giants after he passes a physical examination and completes a workout.  He will continue to be drug tested by the NFL.

            John Harris, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports Pittsburgh Steelers WR Santonio Holmes said he has worked as hard as he ever has during this offseason and began training in February. Holmes missed a couple of the team's voluntary offseason workouts but feels it was not a big deal. "If coach wants me there at every OTA, I'll try to make every OTA," Holmes said. "But when it comes down to personal and work, sometimes you have to take a day off." He has been training at Disney's Wide World of Sports with some Steelers teammates and other NFL players. Holmes wants to report to camp at 197 or 198 pounds, a couple pounds heavier than last year, and has added muscle in his neck and shoulders. He has also started wearing weighted gloves to strengthen his hands.

            Holmes wants a chance to return punts and he will get it, said coach Mike Tomlin, who would not allow Holmes to return last season. "The judgment we made in regards to that last year really was more about his development as a receiver," Tomlin said. "He was a second-year player ... He's a year older, seemingly a year wiser. We'll see if he can handle it. If he can, we'll explore it."

            Buffalo Bills SS Donte Whitner guaranteed that the team will make the playoffs this season.

            Indianapolis Colts acquired Doug Datish on waivers from the Atlanta Falcons.  The Colts love centers and it is likely that Datish will be worked in at C or  G.

            Jet's management is down on 07 starter OLB Bryan Thomas who slumped to 2 1/2 sacks last season -- and lost his job -- after a career-high 8 1/2 in 2006.  He needs to win one-on-one matchups more often. His performance likely will determine how quickly the Jets need to bring along rookie Vernon Gholston.

The Bad

            On a live interview on ESPN Friday Football, ex-Buckeye Bobby Carpenter confirmed the rumor that there were discussions in Dallas to trade him prior to the 08 Draft.  His agent talked to Owner Jerry Jones and Jones assured the rep that the Cowboys had plans to get Carpenter on the field more often in 08.  Yahoo lists him as playing behind vet FA Zac Thomas, the former all pro from Miami.

            The Sporting News reports that Ernest Wilford, Derek Hagan and Ted Ginn are the front-runners for the starting wideout jobs, but the team could pursue a veteran to bolster competition.  The article also indicated that Ginn didn't do much during offseason practices to build the confidence of the quarterbacks.           

            The Sporting News also said that Ravens' coaches are impressed with rookie QB Joe Flacco's knowledge of the game and believe he is ahead of schedule in his understanding of the offense. He gets excellent velocity on his throws and is a better runner than expected.  Up to now Troy Smith had the inside track to the starting spot. 

            Another possible candidate is Bret Favre.  The Packer QB wants to play again this year and Baltimore may be a perfect fit.  The Pack owns the rights to Favre and will likely trade him to an AFC team.  They do not want to have him beat them in an NFC title game.

The Ugly

            It's unanimous—OSU ranks high on the “hate” list.  Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch reported that a Web outfit called Bleacher Report listed OSU as the #3 most disliked college football program.  They ranked Miami Fl. #1.  As mentioned above, Madich thinks the Bucks will be pushed out of #1 because of a dislike of the school.  And we reported here a several weeks ago that an ESPN Poll voted OSU as the #1 most disliked football program in the US.

            As Hunter pointed out in his article, the ranking on the dislike list is a badge of honor.  Afterall would anyone rank Indiana high on the list?  No because they lose.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams and has scouted talent.  He is a senior writer for http://BrutusReport.com.  He has also published several novels on http://ebooks-library.com/index.cfm and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com

 
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