Blade
Buckeyes rich with wealth of tight ends
250-pounders Nicol, Ballard often on field at the same time
By MATT MARKEY
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
COLUMBUS - When Ohio State pounds the football down the field and stacks up the yardage and the points, the reputations of its marquee players are enhanced. Quarterbacks, wide receivers and tailbacks collect the accolades, the media saturation, and the Heisman Trophy campaigns. But those in the spotlight readily admit that they need the guys with the scraped and scarred knuckles, those guys with the beat-up, old metal lunch buckets and the blue collar work ethic, to accomplish anything. At Ohio State, the tight ends labor in that shadow, blocking like linemen, catching passes like receivers, and comfortable in their obscurity. They play a critical position that receives precious little recognition.
Cont...