RB Jaamal Berry (official thread)

[osugrad21]

Play him. He needs to mesh with the offense and continue the progress.

[scarletngray]

I would love for JB to get some playing time this Saturday against New Mexico State. I think that eligibility wise, with Smith, Hyde, etc. coming in next year, it would be wise for JB to get a head start on these guys.

[BrutuStrength]

Originally Posted by Poe McKnoe

...I can't remember Tressel ever burning a redshirt this late into the year, so my guess is that Berry wants to play, was told he wouldn't be redshirted, or has bigger plans than OSU down the road.

Jermale Hines? I thought he didn't play until around game 7 or so, and that was just for special teams play.

[BuckNut65]

If you redshirt him that gives you two great backs for next year with Roderick Smith coming in. There's no guarantee that Carlos Hyde will make it back so that gives us some added depth. Would also probably hurt any chances of Eric Howard getting an offer but he probably wasn't going to make it here academically anyway.

I would love to see him play but we are over halfway through the season and I would hate for him to lose a year of eligibility for getting 10-20 carries if that much.

[Merih]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

Play him. He needs to mesh with the offense and continue the progress.

Finally, people to back me up on this! I've been hoping to see Berry play and think that he brings something unique to the table. With him in the fold we would have every different type of back imaginable for the offense.

[Buckrock]

Originally Posted by Merih

Finally, people to back me up on this! I've been hoping to see Berry play and think that he brings something unique to the table. With him in the fold we would have every different type of back imaginable for the offense.

If he's healthy and can help them the staff will play him. I'm not in favor of "saving red shirts" especially with a depleted back field. B. Saine has a track record of not staying healthy. Our offense needs impact players making plays. He can do that.

[jwinslow]

Now: 2 frosh RBs.
Next fall: 2 veterans, 2 quality sophs, 1 bluechip recruit.


Now sounds like a great chance for Jamaal to make his mark. Boom will be healthier next fall, Brandon will be over his concussion, and the other three could really blossom in the next 10 months.

[Merih]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

Boom will not be healthy this fall, Brandon suffered a concussion, and the other two options have minor experience. OSU doesn't have the luxury of redshirting Berry if he can make an impact.

Next year, all four backs return, and a blue-chip freshman will be added to the mix. This sounds like a great opportunity to give Jamaal a shot, with 2-3 less backs then he'll be competing against next fall.

I'm still mad at you.

[jazzman]

Originally Posted by Poe McKnoe

Very, very interesting. With Herron and Saine dinged up, it makes sense to make sure you have at least 3 viable RBs for the tough 3 game stretch. Definitely shows that Tressel believes in Berry or Berry believes in Berry, or both.

Even if this situation did not arise, Jaamal was gonna play as soon as he was fit, as JB himself was not interested in red-shirting. Also, even with the guys above him in the depth chart, i.e., Boom, Zoom and Jordan....none of these guys are "home-run" threats....or they haven't been so far. Jaamal may well be that guy....and he could contribute in a big way immediately. I don't think that there is anything to be debated here.....if Jaamal is fit, he gets a shot.

[Merih]

It's Tressel believes in Berry. Every week Tressel has been talking about Berry, which I have never seen him do for a freshman who should've (could've) redshirted. Even when Hall emerged after Toledo, Tress still spoke about Berry. I think he really likes Berry's skill set and can't wait to get him into game situations. This weekend is a perfect time for it.

[RB07OSU]

My thinking is you have Martin and Hall coming off of hot weeks and they would suffice against NMSU. A Big 10 title is still possible but how likely is it that we win out? I just don't see it happening with a tough Iowa on the schedule and a night game at PSU. If we play Berry and end up at a Meineke-type Bowl, it's a bad decision imo. I would love to see what Berry can do but I also hate to see a year's eligibility used up on 4 games.

[Merih]

Originally Posted by RB07OSU

My thinking is you have Martin and Hall coming off of hot weeks and they would suffice against NMSU. A Big 10 title is still possible but how likely is it that we win out? I just don't see it happening with a tough Iowa on the schedule and a night game at PSU. If we play Berry and end up at a Meineke-type Bowl, it's a bad decision imo. I would love to see what Berry can do but I also hate to see a year's eligibility used up on 4 games.

I really don't think that extra year of eligibility is going to come into play at the tail end of his career. And the coaches aren't going to make decisions based on the thought process of "well, we're going to lose one of these game here."

I don't see that happening.

[buckeyes_rock]

I think playing Berry this year would be awesome. This kid came here to play and he's a difference maker. If he's healthy, no way he sits on the bench watching Jordan Hall get further ahead of him in grand scheme of things. A little healthy competition between Berry and Hall...pushing each other to get better...sounds like a formula for big time success for the Buckeye running game...now and down the road!

[RugbyBuck]

I'll be surprised if they take off the redshirt.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by RB07OSU

If we play Berry and end up at a Meineke-type Bowl, it's a bad decision imo. I would love to see what Berry can do but I also hate to see a year's eligibility used up on 4 games.

If he isn't a major contributor by his 3rd year, there will be someone recruited who will take those carries anyway.

He is either special or average...one means he will likely leave early anyway and the other means he will be passed up on the depth chart.