Former Ohio State Quarterback Troy Smith Looks To Revive Career

Smith had an illustrious career at Ohio State

The Heisman Trophy that Troy Smith won at Ohio State in the 2006 season lays in storage somewhere in Cleveland.

The quarterback is hoping his career avoids the same fate.

Smith is trying to break back into the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who signed him in the offseason as an insurance policy during organized team activities and training camp.

"The 27-year-old who dazzled while leading the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title and a berth in the national title game during his senior season is now a journeyman trying to beat out established veterans Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch for a spot behind Ben Roethlisberger.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Smith made the team and started two games, including a 27-21 win over the Steelers in the regular season finale.

The victory capped an otherwise miserable 5-11 season for the Ravens, who promptly drafted Joe Flacco the following spring. Smith welcomed the competition, but it was over before it barely began when he developed Lemierre's syndrome.

The illness starts as a sore throat then blossoms into an infection. In Smith's case, the disease attacked the pain receptors in Smith's lungs. A bout with tonsillitis followed and he dropped 45 pounds off his 6-foot frame."

Smith never got a chance to compete with Flacco for the job and when Flacco led the Ravens to the playoffs as a rookie, Smith was rendered a backup. 

Baltimore cut him after the 2009 season and Smith landed a spot in San Francisco.

Former Buckeyes Mike Brewster, Andrew Sweat And J.B. Shugarts Find Teams In NFL

Brewster heading back home

Mike Brewster tweeted that he will be joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. He grew up 2.5 hours south in Orlando. 

The Buckeyes' outspoken four-year center, who graduated in December 2011 with a communications degree, hopes to be snapping the ball somewhere this fall and will undoubtedly have numerous teams interested in talking to him about taking the UFA route.

As with the Buckeyes' season, Brewster's 2011 was a bitter disappointment that fell far short of his own expectations.

 However, he was a 2010 All-American and first-team all-Big Ten Conference performer, a four-year starter and the co-Jim Parker Award winner as the team's outstanding offensive lineman along with Pittsburgh Steeler draftee Mike Adams.

He was also one of four team captains for the 2011 season. Only Luke Fickell started more games for Ohio State (50) than Brewster did (49).

No Buckeye in recent history was more valuable to recruiting than Brewster was leading up National Signing Day in 2008, when he actively pursued highly-regarded prospects like Adams, JB Shugarts and Terrelle Pryor. Just as Brewster's draft position had been anticipated to be more favorable, so were the prospects of his Block O comrades along with Pryor. 

Also, former Buckeyes to sign with teams after not being drafted are Andrew Sweat, signing with the Cleveland Browns (law school will have to wait) and JB Shugarts with the Browns as well.

Former Ohio State Player Nate Ebner Drafted By Patriots

Ebner gets his shot in the NFL

In one of the more interesting picks for the NFL draft, Nate Ebner has gone from walk-on at Ohio State to NFL draftee with the New England Patriots.

The second Dublin native to be drafted from this year's team with Mike Adams will be competing for playing time on Bill Belichik's special teams unit, a position where he shined for the Buckeyes after making the move to football from rugby. 

Ebner is a tremendous athlete, having been named the MVP of the Rugby World Cup in both 2007 and 2008. 

He was a tremendous player for the Buckeyes when it came to special teams last season, as he and Ryan Shazier (before the upgrade to LB) dominated the tackling. 

His nose for the ball and his tenacious sense of urgency on the field make him a player that will be pretty important in the Patriots special teams. I'm happy for Ebner as this was a surprise pick.

Mike Brewster remains undrafted.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

Former Ohio State Running Back Daniel "Boom" Herron Drafted By Bengals

Boom Herron is headed to the Bengals

While Daniel "Boom" Herron missed the first six games of the season in 2011, he was still able to make a big impact on the team by rushing for 678 yards, averaging 5 yards per carry (135 total carries).

Today, Boom Herron's hard work at Ohio State paid off as the Cincinnati Bengals drafted Herron in the 6th round with the 191st overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

His total career at Ohio State (4 years) he had 32 touchdowns and 2,872 yards on 593 carries. He once played backup to fellow former Buckeye Beanie Wells and also split time with backs such as Brandon Saine and Jordan Hall.

Herron was also named one of the 2011 team captains by Luke Fickell. He leaves the Buckeyes ranked eighth in TDs and was a first-team All-Big Ten performer his junior season.

Boom gets to stay in the great state of Ohio, near his friends and family. Herron will get to learn from current running back Cedric Benson has been given a opprotunity from the Bengals to come in and compete right away. I think Boom's tenacity and hard work will pay off with some minutes this fall.

This leaves Mike Brewster from Ohio State as the only other Buckeye prospect that is expected to be taken in the NFL draft this year. With the draft winding down, time is running out for Brewster who's stock fell after a lackluster senior year.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

Former Ohio State Receiver DeVier Posey Drafted By Texans

Posey was the 2nd Buckeye drafted on Friday

Despite only playing three games as a senior due to two five-game suspensions, DeVier Posey was drafted Friday night with the fifth pick in the third round by the Houston Texans. 

The Texans were obviously looking for someone who could really get down the field to help get some pressure off of Andre Johnson.

Posey's draft status doesn't appear to have been too negatively affected by his challenges with Tatgate or the Bobby DiGeronimo scandal that followed. 

He arrived at Ohio State in 2008 and played right away, finishing with 136 catches for almost 2,000 yards despite that abbreviated senior season (in which he almost took the team lead for season receptions in just those three games).

His 18 career touchdowns rank seventh all-time in school history, and his game-sealing touchdown catch in the 2010 Rose Bowl will always be a treasured moment in Buckeye football history.

Posey enters the NFL with a nice opportunity after many thought he might be going much later in the draft. Now he has a chance to really show what he can do as a play maker. 

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

Former Ohio State Tackle Mike Adams Drafted By Steelers

Adams is the first Buckeye drafted in 2012

Mike Adams, the first Buckeye drafted this year, is a Pittsburgh Steeler, reuniting with Cameron Heyward whom the team drafted last year. 

The Dublin Coffman graduate, Ohio State criminology major and Block O alumnus is the second member of the heralded Class of 2008 to enter the NFL, following Terrelle Pryor who was taken by the Oakland Raiders in the supplemental draft last summer.

Adams was a first-team All-B1G performer during Ohio State's vacated 2011 championship season and managed to get onto the second team as a senior despite missing five games due to his Tatgate suspension. He started in his final 23 games, after appearing in five as a freshman and six as a sophomore.

He recently made big news by testing positive for marijuana at the NFL combine, despite knowing for months that he would be tested. Adams now has the opportunity to demonstrate what he was able to do in a largely consistent fashion at Ohio State: Perform admirably both as a run and pass-blocker.

Adams is the first Dublin Coffman/Ohio State player to get to the NFL since Vince Workman in 1985. Notre Dame's Brady Quinn and Chinedum Ndukwe and former Buckeye/transfer to Pittsburgh Nick Goings also preceded Adams in making it to the league.

It seems in my eyes that Adams has been given a third chance at this situation and I sincerely hope he doesn't mess this one up. Best of luck to Mike in the NFL.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

Monday's Buckeye Bits

Good morning Buckeye fans. It was another long weekend for our Buckeyes as yesterday they fell to Wisconsin for another loss at home this season.

After the Senior Day loss, the Buckeyes look to finish out the regular season with one more match up against Northwestern (at home) and Michigan State (at Michigan State).

Soon after that it's on to tournament madness! Let's get on with the Bits.

NFL Combine Is Surprising, At Least. Former Buckeyes Mike Adams, Michael Brewster, Dan Herron and DeVier Posey completed their work at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis over the weekend.

Adams, produced one of the most disappointing performances, with 19 reps on the bench press to go along with a terrible 5.40 mark in the 40-yard dash, even though it might not mean too much, being an offensive lineman. Brewster put up 29 reps on the bench and clocked a 5.35 40 at 6'2", 312.

Herron clocked a 4.66 in the 40, which is not as good as he was hoping for as a running back.

Posey turned in a 4.50, which doesn't really seem to be accurate in my opinion. Interestingly enough, Posey's unofficial time was a 4.37 40. You have to wonder which is his real true speed.

Tuesday's Buckeye Bits

So many Bits..

Welcome to your Tuesday morning Buckeye Bits here at ITS. During the painfully long College football offseason things can get pretty slow. 

The mythical national championship has been played with Bama outlasting LSU 21-0. As for non-SEC football, besides recruiting news, there isn’t much to discuss and or argue about until the spring game chatter heats up. Have no fear fellow bucknutters! ITS is here to scour the news wire for you to uncover any interesting tidbits to quench your thirst for Buckeye news (or anything else that we find funny/exciting/interesting). Let’s get to it!

The BCS Is A Joke.  I continually pile on to the current system we have for choosing a national champion every chance I get. I think most would agree that using computers and biased voting is the most un-American selection process out there. Once the current television deal is up, the college football brass will once again sit down and discuss tweaking the format. I guess it is a step in the right direction but there are many roadblocks ahead (cough.. Jim Delany.. cough) before we get the playoff that the nation has been clamoring for. Why can’t these fools see there is even more money to be made from a true playoff? Sigh…

Ballard Pays It Forward

Ballard is a great human being

As we remembered the events of September 11, 2001 this past weekend, a former Buckeye was thinking of a friend currently serving our nation in Iraq.

Former Buckeye Tight End and current New York Giant, Jake Ballard, remembered by most for this acrobatic catch to help set up a crucial fourth quarter Rose Bowl touchdown, collected autographs from Eli Manning and Justin Tuck before getting the items in the mail. He is hoping to reach his friend before he withdrawals from the fighting as part of Operation New Dawn.

Andy Banks, serving with the Kentucky National Guard, grew up with Jake and was a high school football teammate at Springboro. Because of the withdrawal, systems of communication will be breaking down including mail, email and phone. Andy's father said that he was told September 15 was the deadline for getting them mail. Jake hopes the care package of the signed football, jersey and other items, reaches his friend before he is in the dark for a few months.

Jake has been able to keep in touch with Andy, sporadically through Facebook and Andy's family has been able to keep him up to date on Jake's progress with the New York Giants through Skype chats.

As Jake has worked his way from the Giant's practice squad to the game day line-up, he has filled the void left by Kevin Boss. A void, which if consistently filled by Ballard could, lead to a Giant's playoff run. Something those new Giant's fans in Springboro would certainly enjoy...expect for the one who wouldn't be able to watch. Stuart Banks, Andy's father said that was the one thing which frustrated Andy the most before he left "...his biggest frustration would be if the Giants make the playoffs or go on to the Super Bowl this year."

Stay safe Andy!

Fan Favorite Dane Sanzenbacher Makes 53 Man Roster For Bears

It comes as no surprise to the Buckeye Faithful that former WR Dane Sanzenbacher made the 53 man roster of the Chicago Bears...the surprise is that it happened this way!

His acrobatic catches, sure hands and blocking made him an indispensable part of the Buckeye offense last season and we knew he make an impact at the next level. As we all sat and watched the 2011 NFL Draft, as we watched other Buckeyes be taken off the board, we figured that Dane would be taken at some point, and would be a steal for any team. That didn't happen. I was confused as to why, there are plenty of teams lacking at wide reciever who could have used someone like Dane - reliable, smart, with sure hands and speed. He's not the fastest in the stable, but as hard as he works, I didn't understand why no one took a chance.

The Bear's eventually did take a chance and brought him into training camp after the lock-out ended...and I bet they are glad they did! Coach Lovie Smith has been impressed with Dane since Day 1 and Dane has made it easy to be noticed. He has had a solid pre-season and looks to improve with more experience and playing time.

He is a role player, he will play any role, on any team that needs to be played. This along with a great attitude will keep him in the league for years to come. I know it is way to early for this kind of talk but if he stays healthy and gets within the right offense, maybe some day he will join other Buckeyes in the Hall of Fame in Canton.

Everyone else seems to be surprised his skills, but we knew about them all along!

From Fired To Hired: Some Thoughts On Jim Tressel To The Colts

No Photoshop here. I swear.

Before I get started with today’s rant, let me take my foot out of my mouth and eat some crow. In last week’s article, I un-famously stated that Jim Tressel would never take a job in the NFL and would probably be prowling the sidelines for another college team in the near future. I really just thought he was a college gut for life and was probably just sitting out the year to gauge possible openings throughout the NCAA. Imagine my surprise when just a few short days later our former coach signed on to be the “replay consultant” for the Indianapolis Colts.

First of all, what does the title of “replay consultant” entail? It sounds like a pretty cushy job to me. Do you just watch replays and help determine if you throw a challenge flag during the game? Are there any other duties in the day-to-day operation of an NFL franchise? Is there ANY way a 30 year old BGSU graduate working in a mediocre financial job can apply? Let me know if there is and my resume will be in the mail post-haste.

Terrelle Pryor Appeals 5 Game Suspension In NFL

Pryor is appealing the 5 game suspension

Former Buckeye and current Oakland Raider QB Terrelle Pryor is now deciding to appeal his 5 game NFL suspension after he was taken in the 3rd round of the 2011 NFL supplemental draft. Pryor well before the draft had said that he would not appeal the 5 game suspension.

An interesting note is that Tressel was hired Saturday by the Indianapolis Colts as a consultant in the video replay, otherwise telling them when they should challenge, and when they shouldn't challenge a call on the field.

To complicate Pryor's situation, a couple days before the supplemental draft, he had come out and said that he wouldn't appeal once more, but on the day of the actual draft taking place, Terrelle mentioned he would appeal the suspension only if Raiders owner Al Davis asked him to do so. Pryor would end up signing a 4-year, 2.7 million dollar contract with the Raiders, but with the suspension in place, he's not allowed to practice with the team. 

Pryor could have played in the Raider's two preseason games but oddly did not. As it stands, Pryor is sitting 3rd on the depth chart, behind QB's Jason Campbell and Kyle Boller.

There have been rumors since he got drafted that the Raiders might try him out a WR, with Pryor's frame at 6'5'', 232 pounds and was clocked at running a 4.3 40, which for his size is very rare. Raiders head coach Hue Jackson says he likes Pryor as a QB, but hasn't said if Pryor will start this season. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, with hope that nothing comes back and haunts OSU to help worsen the NCAA situation.

Terrelle Pryor Eligible For 2011 Supplemental Draft

"The NFL announced Thursday that its supplemental draft has been rescheduled for Monday and former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor will be part of it.

There is a catch, though. The NFL press release warns teams that Pryor would be ineligible to play or practice with any team that drafts until after the fifth game of the season. Commissioner Roger Goodell informed teams in the release that this early-season ban is because "Pryor made decisions that undermine the integrity of the eligibility rules for the NFL Draft" — citing Pryor's lack of cooperation with the NCAA and hiring an agent in violation of NCAA rules.

The supplemental draft, originally scheduled for Wednesday, had been postponed while the NFL reviewed Pryor’s eligibility.

Six players were declared eligible for the supplemental draft, highlighted by Pryor and former Georgia running back Caleb King. The others are Western Carolina DB Torez Jones, Lindenwood DE Kinden Mace, North Carolina DE Mike McAdoo and Northen Illinois DB Tracy Wilson.

Pryor gave up his final season with the Buckeyes following an NCAA investigation at OSU."

Ex-Buckeyes Find Home In NFL

Ready to go

When all of the undrafted free agents saw that the lockout was lifted, their agents quickly moved to action, and just about a day later they had homes. Some big names like Dane Sanzenbacher and Justin Boren were quickly taken off the free agent list. Now we get to see how they turn out in the NFL. So let's take a look at who was drafted and where they ended up.

- Dane Sanzenbacher, Chicago Bears
- Devon Torrence, Minnesota Vikings
- Brandon Saine, Green Bay Packers
- Dexter Larimore, New Orleans Saints
- Justin Boren, Baltimore Ravens
- Bryant Browning, St. Louis Rams

I really wanted Sanzenbacher for the Bengals, but it's a smart move for him to go to Chicago, because he'll get a lot of playing time with the thin lines of the Bears receiving core. I'm really interested to see if he can have a break out year in the next couple of years. I think it's interesting that the Packers signed Brandon Saine, and I have to think he will some sort of a returner, but I don't see him in a running back role in the NFL. Justin Boren is going to be a fantastic lineman for the Ravens, and could fit in nicely with the running game-style of play. I really think these group of guys will do well in the NFL, and we can't wait to see them on Sundays.

It's Officially Official, Ohio State Says Pryor Isn't Coming Back

While this was fairly obvious, apparently the NFL was waiting on word from the NCAA that Pryor was eligible for the supplemental draft. Now that we know he is set to move on, the question is where he will end up.


Ohio State made it official on Tuesday that former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor could not have played at any time during the 2011 season and also banned him from any contact with the school's athletic program for the next five years.


Ending speculation that Pryor had not met the NFL's requirements for a supplemental draft, Pryor's lawyer sought and received a letter from Ohio State stating that he would not have been eligible even after his five-game suspension to start the season.

Should Buckeye Fans Accept Pryor's Apology?

Is Pryor's apology enough?

Former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor apologized yesterday for his part in creating the downfall from NCAA violations that have hurt Ohio State, and he took responsibility for the resignation of former coach Jim Tressel.


Pryor spoke publicly for the first time since Tressel resigned under pressure on May 30 and since it was announced last week that Pryor, the subject of another NCAA investigation for receiving improper benefits, would forgo his senior season.


"In terms of Ohio State, I'd like to say sorry to the coaching staff, say sorry to my teammates, say sorry to all Buckeye Nation and all Buckeye fans across the country," Pryor said. "I never meant to hurt anybody directly or indirectly with my conduct off the field, and I am truly sorry.


"In terms of coach Jim Tressel, a special shout-out. I'm sorry for what all went down. I apologize with all my heart. I love you just like a father. You taught me a lot, and I apologize for putting you in a situation and taking you out of a job at a place where you love to be.


"I regret the fact you're not there anymore, and I regret the fact I'm not there anymore."

Remembering A Buckeye: Ron Springs

It is hard to believe that Woody Hayes came to Lafayette High School, in Williamsburg Virgina on FIVE recruiting trips. You would think that he would have been too busy trying to keep all the great Ohio football players in Ohio. Something, or someone special, had to have been playing in Virgina. That someone was Ron Springs.

Springs graduated from Lafayette High School and went from being a navy blue and gold Ram to a scarlet and gray Buckeye (with a stop in Coffeyville for a season). A running back, Ron rushed for 2,140 yards all time as a Buckeye. He still ranks 18th on the all time rushing list at Ohio State.

After being drafted in the fifth round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Cowboys, Ron went on to play for Tampa Bay before his career ended in 1986. He amassed over 2,000 yards both rushing and receiving in his NFL career, scoring 28 touchdowns.

Why Was Sanzenbacher A Snub?

The attitude of #12 earned respect from his teammates

From humble beginnings as an unheralded receiver from Toledo Central Catholic, Sanzenbacher made his way to Ohio State to try and make a name for himself. He came to Ohio State as an unknown who had to fight for everything he got, and what he got was being a 4 year starter, and a lot of love coming in all directions. The way he ended his career, by putting all that motivation into one great performance against Arkansas, was simply spectacular. Most Buckeye fans will remember the Great Dane for his excellent route running, superb hands, and always, always, being in the right place at the right time. 


The way he played was 110% effort no matter the down, quarter, or game. You might hear of Ray Small or DeVier Posey dogging it a couple of plays, but they were the big time talents, right? I think more receivers should be like Sanzenbacher, who wasn't always the deep threat, even with his decent speed. No, he was more of a possession receiver that went for the extra yards, the receiver that wasn't afraid to go down the middle. The 5'10" Sanzenbacher reminded some people of Wes Welker, who is still a key receiving component for Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.


Perhaps that is why when the 2011 NFL Draft was upon us, many saw Dane going in the later rounds, but certainly being an absolute steal for any team.

Heyward Selected 31st, No Other Buckeyes Drafted Yet

With the only surprise in the draft as far as Ohio State players was that Cameron Heyward was selected that low. He was heard to be in serious talks with the Ravens, but they ended up taking another person before him. It seemed chances were grim when they reached toward the end of round 1, but Cameron Heyward was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31st overall.

Meanwhile, the other Buckeyes in waiting will most likely be there awhile, with the possibility of a couple of them  going in the 2nd and 3rd round. After not having a player selected in the first round of last season's draft, Heyward gives OSU its 17th first round selection since 2000.


Here's the NFL Draft's take on the pick, and Heyward:


 "The Steelers opt to upgrade their defensive line instead of addressing their secondary with the selection of Heyward. He gives them another athletic five-technique to throw into the rotation, and his overall skill set is a perfect fit in their "30" scheme. This pick is another illustration of the Steelers stockpiling young players to groom for huge roles down the road."

ITS Mourns the Loss of Jack Tatum

Former Buckeye legend and NFL All Pro Safety Jack Tatum died of a heart attack at age 61 yesterday. Tatum was part of the "super sophs" class that lead Ohio State to an undefeated season and national championship in 1968. In his three years as a starting safety at Ohio State, the Buckeyes went 27-2 and also won two Big Ten titles. Coach Tressel had this to say about Tatum:

"We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes. When you think of Ohio State Defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans."