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Football
Rumor Mill Upstages OSU Practice Photo Op and Interview Opportunity
By John Porentas

Ohio State spring football practice was open to photographers for the first time this season yesterday. Rain and thunder in the Columbus area forced the Buckeyes to practice indoors at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center where still photographers and vidographers were allowed to photograph the last 20 minutes of practice. It will be the only photo opportunity this spring prior to the annual Scarlet and Gray game April 19. The-Ozone's Jim Davidson has published a photo gallery from the event.

Reporters were also allowed to stand in the west endzone of the facility as the team practiced. Unfortunately most the drills took place at the east end of the WHAC with the offense facing away from reporters. Very little could actually be seen save for who was on the field with which unit. Even that information was sketchy. Personnel groupings changed on an almost play-by-play basis, making it nearly impossible to get a feel for the two-deep in the short period of time practice was open.

The Buckeyes routinely mix and match different players on different units on a daily basis in the spring. That also made it difficult to get a handle on the two-deep in such a short period of time. At quarterback, for instance, Joe Bauserman appeared to get most the reps with the second team, relegating Antonio Henton to the third team. But according to wide receiver Brian Robiske, coming to the conclusion that Bauserman has passed Henton on the depth chart based on a few minutes of one practice is not something he would recommend.

"I don't think so," said Robiske when asked if that conclusion could be reached.

"It just depends on the day. They do a lot of switching back and forth (in the spring)," said Robiske.

A better feel for the two-deep will be available tomorrow when the media observes the jersey scrimmage. That is a two-hour opportunity in which the personnel groupings will more-closely represent the current status of the two-deep.

Wide receiver coach Darrell Hazell and wide receivers Brian Hartline and Brian Robiske were made available for interview following the practice, but the first questions fielded by Hazell had nothing to do with the unit he coaches.

Earlier in the day pernicious rumors surfaced that as-many-as four players were being disciplined for what could be a serious violation of team rules. It was reported on one internet site run by OSU students that two of the players involved could be suspended for two games and that the other two could be facing more serious suspensions of at least a year or perhaps permanent suspension.

Reporters noted that three of the four rumored to be suspended did not take part in drills but were at practice running. The fourth was participating fully, leading to speculation that there could be credence to the rumors regarding the three. Hazell was asked about those three players running but not practicing.

"A little extra work, that's all. That's about it right now. I'll let Coach Tress handle that one," said Hazell.

When reporters inquired if there were "something to handle" Hazell replied "Not really."

Hazell did confirm that the three, consisting of defensive backs Jamario O'Neal, Donald Washington and Eugene Clifford, were held out of the entire practice on Friday and that Friday was the first day on which that was the case. When asked if the non-practicing status of the three would continue through the remainder of the spring Hazell responded "I don't know that decision."

OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel declined to speak to reporters according to football director of sports information Shelly Poe.

The situation comes on the heels of rumors that wide receiver Ray Small had also irritated the coaching staff in some way and had been disciplined. Reporters noticed that Small's number had been changed from the 4 he wore last season to number in the 80s. Small's practice participation was also limited. Hazell was asked if the switch in numbers was a disciplinary action.

"Just a little reminder. That's all it is," said Hazell, who then confirmed that Small's limited participation in practice was not a result of injury.

"Other decision," said Hazell when asked if Small's practice status was the result of a physical problem or some other decision.

"He's about three quarters of the way in. We'll probably get him a couple of reps tomorrow in the scrimmage," said Hazell.

Wide receiver Brian Robiske has had limited participation in spring drills while he recovers from off-season surgery.

"I had a little minor knee scope so I've been sitting out a little bit. Everything should be good for the fall," said Robiske.

That has opened the door for additional reps for some younger players. One of those is Taurean Washington who Hazell said has begun to impress.

"Taurian the last four practices has looked like he could give us a lot of help. With Robo being out he's had a lot of reps," Hazell said.

"We needed him to be a guy who can help us and he's done a good job of answering the call," Hazell said.

"He doesn't have to be ready today or tomorrow. We looked at the calendar and said he has to be ready for the opener date.

"He's done a good job day by day of bringing improvement. He's really good once he gets up the field. He's got real soft hands. He catches it away from his body, but he's got really deceptive speed with the ball in his hands, so he can some big plays for us."

Washington was practicing in the yellow "limited contact' jersey on Friday.

"In one-on-one drills yesterday he got rolled up on a little bit. We're going to just watch him a couple of days and try to get him back. It will be a day-by-day decision," said Hazell of Washington.

Washington is not the only wide receiver that has stepped up this spring.

"Dane (Sanzenbacher) has done an unbelievable job this spring. I'm really pleased with his progress. I think he's done a phenomenal job for us," said Hazell.

"The other guy who has really done a nice job is Devon Torrence. He's working the slot for us this spring and is doing an exceptional job. He'll help us. He's explosive."

The OSU receiving corps could get a boost this season from two other positions. As noted, defensive back Devon Torrence is also taking snaps as a receiver. OSU is also experimenting with a "pony backfield" alignment that would put running backs Beanie Wells and Brandon Saine in the backfield together rather than on the field individually with a fullback. Hazell said that the versatility of Saine in particularl could be a boon to the OSU passing game. Saine was very effective running the wheel route in the national championship game and is also an excellent ball carrier.

"It's nice because you can hurt the defense's thought process," said Hazell.

"They don't know if you're going to run the football, they don't know if you're in a passing formation.

"We can line up anywhere with him back there, so you're not sure defensively what personnel to put on the field. Are you going to put your base personnel on or you nickel personnel?"

Hazell said Saine could line up in a split back formation with Wells or could actually fill the slot position as a pure wide receiver.

Freshman wide receiver Jake Stoneburner is also in camp this spring. Hazell said that Stoneburner shows promise, but is, after all, a young pup.

"To early to tell," said Hazell when asked if Stoneburner could help the Buckeyes this season.

"He's had nine practices so far and he's a ways away right now. There's so much to learn for a young player; coverage rotation, how to get off of Division I corners, how to play fast, there's a lot of growth to be had for him at this time."

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