Recap: Fall Camp Practice

The O-Line needs to have a great year

Another day of Ohio State football practice is in the books, as we get closer and closer to opening day. I literally cannot wait much longer, the excitement of college football is awesome. So as we do get closer, let's take a look at how the Buckeye team is shaping up to look like.

- It appears Bradley Roby is starting to pull away from the rest of the cornerbacks for that spot opposite to Travis Howard.

- Freshman linebacker Ryan Shazier and freshman defensive lineman Steve Miller were playing with the 2nd team, and Miller played with the first team at times during pass defense drills.


- Jordan Hall played with the first team at RB, while Corey Brown and Verlon Reed continue to be the starting wide outs, with Chris Fields coming in with the starting unit in the slot at times.


- Evan Spencer and Devin Smith, both freshmen receivers, spent time running with the 2nd team today.


- The injury list continues to grow, but most of the injuries are not serious. Solomon Thomas (leg), Nathan Williams (shoulder), Tyler Moeller (leg), Jeremy Cash (back), and Devier Posey all wore yellow limited contact jersey’s today and spent time on the sidelines doing rehab work, although Posey spent a majority of his time with Coach Drayton instructing the young players. Most of the players listed above is Luke Fickell being cautious not to lose anyone early. Moeller and Williams have very mild injuries, but Fickell wants them to be 100% before going back into hitting drills.

Sitting Down With Tyler Moeller

Interview is after the jump


You may have heard of Tyler Moeller, the 6'0" 210 lb senior from the Queen City. One of the fan favorites on defense, Moeller started to get some recognition in the 2008 season when he earned his first start against Illinois, recording seven tackles, two TFL, and forcing an Illini fumble. In 2009, Moeller was prepared for a break out year after a very impressive spring game. About a month before the season began, though, Moeller was attacked, suffering a severe injury to his head, and taking him out of the college football world. Some thought he wouldn't be able to play again, but he recovered well enough to garner attention for the 2010 year. 


Finally, fans got to see Tyler Moeller step into a sort of lead role on the defense, with his flying to the ball on every play, never taking a break. Moeller was able to account for 19 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and a sack on the year. Then came Illinois. During the game, Tyler felt something "rip in his chest" and once again, Moeller would sit the rest of the year out. Now, being granted a 6th year of eligibility, Moeller will come in to lead a new look Silver Bullets for the Buckeye squad. We got a hold of Tyler to talk to him about the upcoming season, and a little bit about himself.

Buckeye News All Around

Yesterday, FOX announced that they would be holding the Big Ten Championship game from 2011-2016. I'm actually OK with this, because I honestly thought the Big Ten Network might take it, for some reason. Obviously would not have happened because not everyone has the Big Ten Network, but you get my point. Hopefully Ohio State will be in that first one at Lucas Oil Stadium. The game is set for December 3rd at prime time. That is awesome, because we will be competing with the SEC for ratings.

Also announced yesterday was that Tyler Moeller would receive his medical redshirt. This guy will be back next season as a senior, and we already know that he will be leading this defense. The guy is an outstanding tackler, and always looking to make a play, big or small. He gets the job done, and I can't wait until next year to see him flying around like a Silver Bullet that he is.

Tyler Moeller Injured Once More.

We'll miss you #26

The ball hawking STAR player that overcame a brutal blow to the head to miss the 2009 season, came out in 2010 ready for action. Most people took notice as he became a key player in the defense and was name Defensive Player of the Week in Week 1.

Today in the first quarter against Illinois, Moeller went down with another injury and this tweet confirmed many fears that he would be out for the season. Moeller has a chance to appeal for a sixth year of eligibility with a medical redshirt, so we hope to see the great defensive man back on the field next year.


Also, this sums up our feelings.

10 Quick Hitters: Marshall

He's fast. (AP Photo Terry Gilliam)

1. Terrelle Pryor wasn't lying when he said he was working hard over the off season. Pryor took over the game after the early fumble from Marshall, and never looked back from there going 17/25, 247 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions.

2. The Offensive line will be good this year. Two drives, and they were out. No sacks. Pushed up front, giving room for Saine and Herron to run all around this Thundering Herd team. They will face a tough and true test against Miami next week. 

3. Brandon INSAINE had a terrific night, going for 103 yards averaging 11.4 yards. 11.4. Jaamal Berry had the same average with 80 yards. Berry is the man.

4. The Duo is ready, but who will step up for that number 3 spot? Posey and Sanzenbacher had great nights with a combined 3 touchdowns, and 154 yards. Taurian Washington is still known as Mr. April, and I saw no freshman that can step up. I wonder if Laamar Thomas would be in talks at this point.

5. Special Teams were atrocious. A big kick return, 2 blocked kicks  (1 for a touchdown), and a couple of dumb penalties like roughing the kicker. Jim Tressel stresses special teams, so you know these guys are going to hear it from him. They can't play like that against Miami, or it will be a long night.

6. Storm Klein wasn't on the field as far as I could see. This shocked me as I had him starting after the spring season ended. Now he is third on the depth chart, and apparently got no playing time. We will be keeping a close eye on any news about him.

7. The Silver Bullets are back again, continuing they're dominance from last year. Forcing fumbles, intercepting for touchdowns, it's like no one left. Tyler Moeller and Brian Rolle were flying around the field like street football. 

8. Jaamal Berry started ripping off some pretty big runs in the 4th quarter, and some people were vying for him to get more playing time. I have to agree, and although a bit biased, he is also explosive like nothing I've seen.

9. As a team, the Buckeyes seem close. I'm really impressed because it seems like they've stayed together since the Rose Bowl, pushing to get better, to get in that National Title game.

10. We saw a different Jim Tressel than before, although people will say it was Evil Tressel, I didn't feel the evilness. I felt like he feels that he needs to win games like these in a stylish manner. I think he finally understands the BCS system in a way that can help us in the long run.

AP Photo/Jay LaPrete

Spring Finals: Safety

We all know by now that spring has come and gone, football wise that is, so we will be taking a look into all the positions, tell you how they did, and where they might be this fall. Today's topic is Safety.

The Safeties have always been the second line of defense behind the corners in pass protection. Fortunately, they don't just stand there on runs either, so they get a buck load of tackles during the season. Safeties are generally big corners, that hit hard, and leave some memories. Ohio State last year had Kurt Coleman, an outstanding safety, but was picked in the 7th round. The only reason in my mind was that he was a tad too slow, and the size. Size is important, but when your good at everything you do, it shouldn't matter. This year we have some great talent and will be able to use more of it in the past. One more quick note that will send smiles everywhere across Buckeye Nation. Anderson Russell is not on the roster, nor is there anyone that plays like him. (Sorry, still haven't gotten that edgy feeling away whenever I think about him). We've got some people coming back, but for the most part, you will be seeing some new faces deep in the defensive backfield this year.