'05 MD LB Rico McCoy (Tennessee signee)

[jwinslow]

Originally Posted by Tresselbeliever

Let's not go down the road of speculation. For all I know, the biggest reason McCoy chose Tenn. was the MoC circus. I don't think he really gives a hoot about any of OSU's underclassmen.

Of course the sky is not falling. We will never be subpar at Ohio State in the linebacking department. But is that what we strive for, not having the sky topple? I know no one is in a really gorgeous mood right now. I guess this is just a complaint that I have for the fan base. We always think to ourselve that we are going to be all right as long as the "sky is not falling" while we just sit and watch as superior teams like USC and OU keep on stockpiling. We can't be content. We can't be complacent. The job of the fan base is not to be apologists, it is to point out the short-comings of the programs.

Are you kidding me? Have you been around in recent years? Sure, USC has been doing great (great weather, no conference to lose games, great coaching in big games) and OU's done okay in the Big2+10.

The reason tOSU is going to be such a dominant force next year is that Tressel's recruiting class in 2002 was ranked #2. The 03 and 04 classes weren't slouches either. And this year's class still will be a top 10 team and could close near the top-5 if they pick up the remaining guys.

We all hate clarett but he is probably one of the best RBs to play in the big10 since Eddie. Ginn might be the most electrifying player to play for tOSU ever (not greatest, most electrifying).

We will have hands down the greatest LB corps in the nation, arguably the greatest WRs, a recently dominant DL, and a studly secondary.

Where are we struggling here?

Rico McCoy's UT decision hurt. But we haven't exactly sucked it up even in the LB dept. Freddie Lenix looks to be a gamechanger, and Spitler, Laurinitis, & Kearney? don't look too shabby either.

Plus keep in mind that if the best LB in the country in 06 wants to come in and start immediately for a good defense, he could always come here as well, not that he'll be needed. We've been bringing in studs at LB recently, and will have 2-3 years to train them before they are needed at all. Also keep in mind D'Andrea might get an extra year (not for certain, but worth hoping for).

[Buckeyecty4]

1) I dont think DAndrea will get another year.
2) Kearney would be a big pick up. His senior season was extraordinary. If he put up those numbers as a junior he'd be going into this season as a 4 or 5 star player. He's a true speed rusher coming off the corner.
3) I think Lenix will play safety.

[StoRMinBrutus]

Originally Posted by Tresselbeliever

We can't be complacent. The job of the fan base is not to be apologists, it is to point out the short-comings of the programs.

Who is complacent?? If anyone reads this site on a regular basis, or any other Buckeye site, they'd know there is NO complacency amongst Buckeye fans and/or the Coaches at OSU.
FACT is that Ohio State has one of the better classes we've seen in a long time. Coach Tressel got commitments from the key positions OSU has needed in recent years. If Recruiting rankings really mattered then Texas would have won about four National Championships in recent years. OSU will be contenting for a National Championship very soon with what they have signed. Yes Rico did not sign and he would of looked great in a S&G uniform... oh well. Wish him well but do NOT ever think OSU has short-comings because of this kid going elsewhere. It's STILL great to be a BUCKEYE !!!

I don't about you but I thought the "job" of a Buckeye fan was too cheer for our beloved Ohio State Buckeyes no matter what. "Short-comings" are for those teams that make excuses like that team up north who's lost 3 of the last 4 games or for teams that can't win gracefully.

p.s. Tresselbeliever, not trying to bash you in any way or anything along those lines. Just a difference of opinion. I feel your pain on Rico not signing with OSU but I think OSU has a great team and it's going to be so fun watching the Buckeyes.

[Tresselbeliever]

I'm not saying that we don't have player. We have excellent players. But I'm saying that about a dozen or so other elite programs in the country ALSO have excellent players. Our goal is to win a NC right? How do you do that? You get SUPERIOR talent.

Look, why haven't our defense been as dominate this season as the past two? Lack of pass-rush until late in the season when Kudla stepped up. While we were losing out players like McClover, Edwards, Crable, etc etc etc over the past two or three recruiting seasons, numerous fans acted as apologists for the program, giving the excuse of "yea, but look at who we have coming back: Richardson, Kudla, Penton, Fraser, Golston, Arden...". I see some of the types of excuses given the past two recruiting seasons, and that scares me a little.

[StoRMinBrutus]

Oh well .... Anyways, Good luck Rico !!!

TB thats a discussion for another thread I guess.

[Tresselbeliever]

I guess you are right bro.

Anyway, good luck to Rico and have a productive career at Tenn.

[gost8]

Originally Posted by Tresselbeliever

Our goal is to win a NC right? How do you do that? You get SUPERIOR talent.

I don't think tOSU's last NC had anything to do with superior talent. Just a great group of kids who played well together and sucked it up to get it done during crunch time. Even if we don't get another recruit they will be fine. As always...