Football
The-Ozone Jersey Scrimmage Note and Quotebook
By John PorentasThe Keys: There were a number of keys talked about following the jersey scrimmage, some of them positive, some not so positive. On the plus side, OSU quarterback Todd Boeckman talked about the key to winning the jersey scrimmage and how the OSU offense was able to get that done.
Todd Boeckman "That's the key to winning the jersey scrimmage. If you don't turn the ball over and score a few touchdowns you're going to win the game," said Boeckman.
OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel agreed.
"The offense is typically going to win that scrimmage if there aren't turnovers," Tressel said describing the key to the win.
"That's the same deal as a game. The team that doesn't make turnovers is probably going to win the game, and the team that doesn't get any take aways probably won't."
On the downside, Tressel addressed the issue of three players who were not allowed to participate in the jersey scrimmage for as yet undisclosed disciplinary issues.
"Sometimes you don't do what you're supposed to do and you lose your car keys," said Tressel.
"I guess that's as simple as I can put it."
The players involved are cornerbacks Donald Washington and Eugene Clifford as well as safety Jamario O'Neal. All were dressed for the jersey scrimmage but none participated. Tressel was asked if the situation could jeopardize the status of any or all of the three as far as their standing as team members and their participation in team workouts.
"It's like anything else. When things aren't exactly the way they should be sometimes you lose privileges. It doesn't mean you lose any amount of work or anything, you still get to work hard. Maybe on different things," said Tressel.
Reporters inquired if the three were facing suspension of any type.
"They're on the team, absolutely," said Tressel who added that he does not see any imminent threat of suspensions. Their playing status, however, may be a different story, and that may be determined by their behavior between now and the season opener.
"Everything they do (between now and then) will have an impact on that," Tressel said.
Multi-tasking: There will be a number of players on the roster this fall who will be asked to fill multiple roles. Devon Torrence will play both defensive back and wide receiver, while long-time linebacker Curtis Terry is trying his hand at fullback this spring along with his linebacking chores. Terry says he likes the added role.
Curtis Terry "He (Tressel) asked me to move over and asked me to think about it. Anything to help the team, so I decided to give it a go," said Terry.
Terry agreed to give fullback a try, but made sure he would still be involved at linebacker as well.
"He assured me if I went I would be able to play both. That kind of helped make my decision," said Terry.
Terry said the fullback experience is totally new to him, but that's not without precedent in his OSU career.
"In high school I played everything on offense except fullback. I played everything on defense except for linebacker," said Terry.
Terry says he has taken a liking to having multiple roles on the football team.
"I hope to be playing both sides of the ball. As much as I can do I want to do it. Hopefully come September I'll be playing fullback and linebacker," said Terry.
Terry's fullback role will be that of a blocker, though he did have a pass reception in the jersey scrimmage. He is also hoping he can persuade the OSU coaching staff to expand his role in the offense.
"I wish I could run the ball. I'm lobbying to get some fullback belly plays in," said Terry, tongue firmly in cheek.
Terry said that this spring he has actually spent more time at fullback than linebacker.
"They really wanted to give me a good look at fullback," Terry said.
"I've been here for a long time. The coaches already know that I have a full grasp of the defense. They really just asked me to try and get to learn the offense and try and learn fullback to try and help them out as much as possible."
Scrimmage Standouts: As is the case every year, a couple of players stood out in the jersey scrimmage.
"There were some obvious things," said Tressel.
"Brandon Saine showed that he continues to get more comfortable with a lot of different things we're asking him to do. He's an excellent receiver as well an excellent back. Boom Herron is coming along which we had hoped.
"I thought Etienne Sabino showed up on some plays today, knocked some balls down and had a couple tackles for loss.
"I would say that Todd (Boeckman) played pretty well," Tressel continued.
"He came up with some big throws.
Antonio Henton "In a game if you can come up with big plays as a quarterback and not have turnovers we're going to have a chance to win. I think both those things were true. I thought he looked like he had command of the situation and that's important.
"I thought that Joe (Bauserman) and Antonio (Henton) showed some moments where they looked like they're progressing but then showed some moments where they looked like they have a lot of work to do.
"I thought that Todd was pretty fair and the other guys were pretty average."
Weapon Unveiled: Beanie Wells is expected to star at tailback this fall and is a bona fide Heisman candidate at tailback. Wells did not take part in contact drills this spring as he recovers from off-season wrist surgery. During that time sophomore Brandon Saine has gotten plenty of reps in the OSU backfield and Saine is showing that his talent level may not be far behind that of Wells. Saine had an excellent 22 yard touchdown run in the scrimmage.
"He had one heck of a run there. That was an unbelievable run," said an admiring Todd Boeckman.
What is so exciting about Saine is his versatility. He is not only an punishing and effective runner, but is fast enough to be a threat in the passing game as well.
"He's got a gear, and he's powerful, he's 220 pounds," said Tressel.
"I remember when Keith Byars was here there were times when people thought he wasn't going anywhere and all of a sudden he was running people over.
"When Brandon sees a crease or Brandon sees the goal line or sees some yards to be had he's pretty special," said Tressel.
"He's really become a physical runner," agreed OSU linebacker James Laurinaitis who has had the task of tackling Saine at OSU practices.
"A guy who has really turned it up a lot and done a great job. He's running really hard."
"What I like about him is he can do so many things," continued Tressel
"I think he's a fine, fine receiver," Tressel said.
"Wild card; utility infielder; Those are all good descriptions (of Saine); jack of all trades, master of a lot. We really have high expectations for what he can contribute."
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