Koo’s Corner

Last week I plugged the first two parts in my 4 part series looking back at the NFL rookie years of the 2006 Buckeye offensive stars. Below you will find the final segments which includes my interview with Troy Smith.

Troy Smith

Anthony Gonzalez

Ted Ginn

Antonio Pittman

In other interesting Bucknuts news, OSU will be taking on Memphis in basketball the next 2 years. The dates have not been finalized but its a home and home with Memphis hosting next year.

The kickoff time for OSU vs USC has been announced for 8et 5pt for this upcoming September. I am hoping and praying that I find myself on the field for it.

Lastly its been leaked that the OSU marching band will not be heading to LA for the game agaisnt USC. Its a shame that funds are not available to cover the long distance trip. 2 years back, a booster made a 6 figure donation to ensure that the band could make it out to Austin for the game against Texas. I am hoping someone steps up to the plate this year. If they do, I’ll be sure to give them some love here and on bucknuts.

Thought I would chime in with some news on the Buckeye front as well as plug my latest two articles.

Awhile back I came up with the concept to write a look back at the Ohio State’s 4 offensive stars NFL rookie years (Antonio Pittman, Ted Ginn, Anthony Gonzalez, and Troy Smith). I actually snared an interview with Smith. Bucknuts is running the series in four parts this week. Below are the links for Pittman and Ginn with Gonzalez and Smith coming tomorrow and Saturday.

Antonio Pittman

Ted Ginn

Below is an except explaining the concept behind the series.

“Woody Hayes Hayes’ “Three yards and a cloud of dust” offense has long been referenced in describing Ohio State’s offensive philosophy well past Hayes’ departure 30 years ago. Although the Buckeye offense has constantly evolved and been successful in many different incarnations, the consistency of a possession-focused running attack has perpetuated the reputation of a dated, conservative, and uncreative offensive system.

A group of four former Buckeyes erased or at least challenged this national perception with two-plus years of offensive proficiency and achievement. Included in this offensive revival were two Cleveland Glenville high school teammates deemed as position “tweeners”, and two largely unheralded Northern Ohio recruits.

When the smoke cleared from their successful Buckeye careers, this foursome would include two first round draft pick receivers, an all-conference running back, and Ohio State’s sixth Heisman winner.

While their accolades, accomplishments, highlights, and stories will be forever preserved in Buckeye lore, Ted Ginn, Antonio Pittman, Troy Smith, and Anthony Gonzalez are now trying to find similar success as professionals in the NFL. This is the story of their transitions, trials, tribulations, and triumphs in their rookie year in the NFL.”

In other news Bucknuts news, I have locked down a interview with the young man responsible for making the video below.

Lexco44 has agreed to let Buckeye nation in on who he is and how he makes his great vidoes. The above video has no highlight footage but the one below shows his uncanny ability to remix highlights, photos, text, with a soundtrack. Can’t wait to talk to him and let Buckeye nation know who to thank for these great videos.

In other news Justin Boren’s younger brother Zach has committed to Ohio State. If you recall older brother Justin announced his transfer from Michigan to Ohio State last week. Hard to believe the two sons of a Michigan football player and Michigan cheerleader now find themselves on the other side of the rivalry.

On the basketball front, freshmen Kosta Koufos has decided to leave school to prepare for the upcoming draft. Koufos may opt to play professionally in Greece depending on where he is drafted. Koufos came on strong in the NIT tournament but still needs seasoning in my opinion to play in the NBA.

In some non Buckeye news, an interesting story came out on how Tennessee Guard Chris Lofton endured cancer surgery and treatment this off season to play for the Volunteers. Lofton struggled a bit in his senior year, but played exceptionally considering he was recovering from cancer treatment. Great article and a great story.

First I just wanted to say that I will be attending the BCS Championship game and plan on blogging about the experience (maybe even some video and pics to go along). Sinking in the time and money on this trip is always a gamble. Some of my fondest memories in life are of hitting the road for a highly anticipated game, soaking up a new city, watching a closely contested game, and soaking up the thrill of victory.However when traveling into enemy territory (that’s what it can feel like) the harassment, travel time, ticket/trip costs, coupled with a painful defeat can make the experience a complete nightmare.

Many Buckeye fans are weary of going this year, espicially with the game being in LSU’s backyard in New Orleans. Factors making the decision tough for Buckeye fans include

- Buckeyes being 4 1/2 point underdogs

- Pricier than normal prices on flights and hotels

- Thoughts of last year’s debacle in the desert, which hurt all Buckeye fans heart’s while burning a hole in other’s wallets.

- Fear of a very hostile pre game and post game atmosphere with LSU fans having a reputation for being very enthusiastic, vocal, and full of bravado

I was on the fence about making the trip but am optimistic it will turn out for the better. Only time will tell. I am also on the hook for convincing 2-3 friends to make the commitment as well. The saying applies, “In Tressel We Trust”

Other Interesting Items

- On a somber note, starting CB Donald Washington has been suspended for the championship game for the Buckeyes for violating team rules. Washington had an absolutely stellar year and will be missed come January 7th. Many believe Chimdi Chekwa will start in his place with Jamario O Neal filling in the Nickel Defense.

- Florida State will be without the services of about 1/2 of their starters due to an academic cheating scandal (23 players suspended.. This news leaked yesterday and many shrewd betters were able to use this information before the line was pulled until the formal announcement was made.

- This football recruiting season has had a disproportionate amount of early commitments. While not really newsworthy all the coaching changes and reshuffling of staffs has caused a sizable amount of committed players to re open up their college recruitments as well.

The case of DJ Woods is an interesting one as Woods opted for Nebraska in early September over Ohio State. By October, Woods was looking at other schools as Nebraska started to implode, with OSU rumored to have pulled his scholarship offer. Bill Callahan was fired and Woods was back on the free market not wanting to be part of the program rebuilding efforts in Lincoln. Woods settled on West Virgnia only to have head coach Rick Rodriguez move onto Michigan. Woods has not heard anything from the West Virginia staff about his standing with the program and has yet to hear anything from Rodriguez and his new regime in Michigan.

Woods’ case is one of many interesting story lines on the national recruiting scene where the coaching shuffle and other fluid moving scenarios have stirred up the recruiting landscape. Although not affected by major coaching changes, Florida State and Miami’s woes have caused some of their commits to re evaluate their options.

- There are some absolutely wild rumors circulating about West Virginia regarding Big name recruits, the current coaching staff, the possibility of Rodriguez returning, and who his replacement will be. Very interested to see what materializes.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAbW-jMvPU8]

- Lastly its being reported that regardless of Brian Billick’s man crush on Kyle Boller, Troy Smith is likely to get his first NFL start on Sunday. Smith is a legend in Buckeye lore, with many believing that the NFL has turned a blind eye to his potential. Baltimore fans, media, and players have seemed to embrace Smith (and have soured Boller and Billick) so it will be very interesting to see what unfolds on Sunday.

- My colleague at Bucknuts, Jeff Rapp, wrote a fantastic article about Nader Abdallah, a New Orleans native on the Buckeyes whose family actually moved in with him at OSU due to be displaced because of Hurricane Katrina. Great story.

I have some future bucknuts articles in the works so stay tuned.