Buckeye News Around the net for 08/12/08

Buckeye News Around the net for 08/12/08
Donald Washington

Buckeye News Around the net for 08/12/08

Troy Smith, Rob Sims, Roy Hall, Ashton Youboty, Shawn Springs, Ryan Pickett, Brandon Mitchell, Othello Hunter, Mike Vrabel, Doug Datish, Donald Washington, and Jamario O'Neal.

By Bill Smith

Preseason NFL Report

            QB Troy Smith (Baltimore) will start the team's next preseason game Aug. 16. Smith was 5-for-12 for 74 passing yards in the team's first preseason game Thursday, Aug. 7.

            RG Rob Sims (Seattle) is home again starting at RG.  Last year he played LG.  In the game against Minnesota, Sims looked very good.  The team ran against the #1 run D in the league last year.  He was up against Kevin Williams an excellent player.  Sims is comfortably entrenched in the starters job at RG.  Because the starters only played.        

            Ashton Youboty did not start but was on the nickel and dime coverage packages in the Bills preseason game against the Redskins.  He helped his cause significantly by getting an interception in the game.  He started and played well with the second unit.  Even so, he is still in danger of not making the 53 man roster. 

            CB Shawn Springs had to start at free safety Saturday, Aug. 9, because the Redskins had a thin secondary due to injuries.

The Good

            Cleveland signed former Ohio State defensive back Brandon Mitchell, who joins the Browns after spending his 2007 rookie season as part of the Houston Texans practice squad.  The Browns are very very thin at DB.  They traded away their best corner to get Shaun Rogers DT, and then lost their 3rd corner Daven Holly to a season ending knee injury.  They hoped that former CB/S Gary Baxter might finally be able to contribute after tearing both patella tendons on a single play in 2006.  But Butler was released because he did not pass his team physical.  The bottom line is that Mitchell will be given every chance to not only make the 53 man roster but contribute this year.

            Former Buckeye BB player Othello Hunter has been signed by the Atlanta Hawks.  According to his agent David Lee Hunter was told by a couple of teams before the draft that he would be picked in the second round if he agreed to play in Europe this season.  He decided not to and was successful in the summer league.  As a result he has a decent chance to make the Hawks roster.  At the very least he will be in the Developmental league this season to further hone his skills.

            LB Mike Vrabel (undisclosed) was removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday, Aug. 5. Vrabel participated in the team's practice Tuesday, Aug. 5, but is uncertain to play in the preseason opener.

            The Baltimore Sun reports “Breaking sharply from what had been the norm over the past several days, all 3 Ravens QBs had good outings during yesterday morning's practice at McDaniel College in Westminster. Kyle Boller, Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco all had zip on their passes. Boller's best pass was during a 7-on-7 drill with WRs Matt Willis and Marcus Smith , a rookie, running similar post patterns, with Willis a few yards deeper. Boller slung the ball over Smith and CB Corey Ivy to a wide-open Willis, who would have added substantial yardage downfield. Flacco hit his WRs in stride. He launched a pass before Smith made his move on a deep post pattern, and Smith didn't break his rhythm. Troy Smith 's ability to scamper out of collapsing pockets and turn losses into modest gains can only help the patchwork offensive line. On one play, Smith bounced to his right to get out of the pocket before turning upfield.”

            After the practice each QB was interviewed on NFL Channel.  Both Boller and Flacco talked about themselves trying to get the #1 spot.  Smith, however, talked about the team.  “This is preseason.  There's a lot to come out of this.  I know we're going to get the same amount of playing time.  The cards will fall whichever way they will and hopefully our preparation will get us wins.”

            We here at BrutusReport.com congratulate Troy on his attitude and wish him luck in the season.

The Bad

            The Atlanta Falcons signed free-agent C Doug Datish (Colts) Thursday, Aug. 7. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.  Datish was released by the Colts earlier in the week.  While he played well in the Hall of Fame game, he was a casualty of numbers because the Colts drafted 3 centers in 08 including their first choice Mike Pollak (2nd Round-59th choice) and their 2nd 6th round choice Steve Justice with the 201st pick.

            The Associated Press reports Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said the team is going to have some problems on the defensive line because of injuries including the one to DT Ryan Pickett (hamstring).

            WR Drew Carter (knee) sustained a right knee injury during the team's preseason opener Friday, Aug. 8, and did not return. 

            FS Bryan Scott worked with the first-team defense Monday, Aug. 4, because SS Donte Whitner (ankle) was not participating.  Whitner has an ankle injury he suffered Saturday, Aug. 2. Whitner is scheduled to have an MRI.

            WR Joey Galloway (groin) did not play in the team's preseason opener Saturday, Aug. 9, against the Miami Dolphins.  Galloway was held out of morning practice Tuesday, Aug. 5.

            WR Roy Hall (hamstring) did not participate in the Colt's preseason game Saturday, Aug. 9.

The Ugly

            Coach Tressel announced the suspensions for cornerback Donald Washington and backup safety Jamario O'Neal.  Each will be suspended 2 games for violations of team rules.  Coach Tressel did the right thing and the penalty is reasonable. 

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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