| 23 April 2011
Saturday's Ohio State spring game was probably the most interesting since 2002 when everyone wanted a look at Maurice Clarett. Of course, it shouldn't have been interesting at all. If it wasn't for the looming five-game suspension of the Tat 5, including starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor, Saturday's scrimmage would have been the typical "who should be the third-string strong safety?" kind of stuff that comes about every spring.
Instead, 40-some thousand Ohio State fans shelled out $15 (WHAT THE!?) to watch four quarterbacks slug it out in an attempt to get a leg up heading into the summer practices.
Most who left - and the legion watching at home via the Big Ten Network - came away a little giddy with the performance of true freshman Braxton Miller. An early enrollee, Miller looked composed, led the offense on two scoring drives and looked, well, competent.
There are caveats, of course.
A) It was the Spring Game, virtually meaningless to everyone except fans desperate for a glimpse of something, anything.
B) The Ohio State secondary was beyond banged up. There were more pads left at the practice facility then on the field.
C) Did I mention it was the Spring Game?
Yet Miller just looked like a quarterback (and a lot like a QB named Troy Smith from a few years ago.) The rest of the field was up and down.
Senior Joe Bauserman remains a veteran with a scattershot arm - capable of drilling it into a window 30 yards downfield on one play and into the first row of B Deck on the next.
Sophomore Kenny Guiton looked better than his reviews coming into the game, but doesn't have the physical skills of the others.
Redshirt freshman Taylor Graham is a dead ringer for his Dad, Kent and lacks all the same mobility. (I was hoping Elliott Uzelac would start calling option plays for the kid just for a stroll down memory lane.). Graham has a big arm and threw a nice touch pass for a 68-yard TD pass. But he took five sacks - and really, how many non-mobiile QBs have seen consistent playing time under Tress?
Lots of time between now and the fall, but it's hard to envision Braxton Miller NOT involved in the offense the first fives games.
Other thoughts:
- The Buckeye defense will again be very good, if not a dominant force. A nice rotation of plenty of guys up front, some good linebackers finally getting their turn (Etienne Sabino in the middle) and lots of competition in the defensive backfield.
- Safety play may remain a concern, but most of those guys were watching from the sideline today.
- Running backs look strong with the trio of Jordan Hall, Rod Smith and Jamaal Berry providing a nice versatility of styles and strengths until Boom Herron comes back in game 6. Carlos Hyde was the second back in, but didn't have a great day. Still, he's the only true thumper and he'll get some carries.
- Wide receiver wasn't as bad as advertised. There were some drops, but there's talent. Enough to get through the first five games without Devier Posey? Maybe.
- The offensive line struggled with the first-team defensive unit, but was without starting tackle J.B. Shugarts. Either way, spring games are never easy on offensive lines.
So, things aren't as bad as I think most had feared. Too bad this wasn't one of those boring spring games where the vets are in place. But, it was a little more interesting than usual.
