3yardsandacloud
Administrator Emeritus
Here's an interesting read with a quote from Tressel on Reynolds. Other stuff as well, but I figured I'd put it here and Bold the Tressel/Reynolds quote.
http://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/story/068202005_new03_bhcc.asp
Belmont Hills goes scarlet and gray
By BETTY J. POKAS, Times Leader Area Editor
SCARLET AND gray fever hit Belmont County Tuesday when the Belmont Buckeye Boosters were hosts to Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel and many of his staff at a golf outing at the Belmont Hills Country Club.
Not only did the booster group raise $7,800 to advance academics and athletics at OSU, but they learned more about the prospects for the upcoming season from Tressel and defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Jim Heacock. The amount raised brings the total given by the Belmont County group to more than $70,000.
The event was enlivened by the attendance of others from the football coaching staff as well as former Martins Ferry resident Jim Brown, who has been OSU's head men's golf coach for more than three decades, and his son, Jeff.
"We're excited about the upcoming season," said Tressel. "We felt we had a good spring practice."
Experience and depth are among the Buckeye team's assets this year although the team is thin in a couple of areas, according to the coaches.
As for the quarterback positions, things look good, according to Tressel.
"We'll have more experience there than we have had. A year ago at this time, we were talking that we liked those guys, thought they had some ability, but they needed to get tested, and they got tested - on and off the field.
"Our quarterbacks had some challenges; hopefully, they've learned some lessons. I think they're going to be better than they were a year ago, and I feel good about that position."
He also said that some players had undergone post-season surgeries, resulting in more conservative play by those individuals.
"This gave our younger guys a lot more reps. I'd like to think this will pay some dividends as we come back for pre-season. I think we'll have a lot more depth in some of the areas."
Speed shown by such players as Ted Ginn Jr., Santonio Holmes and Anthony Gonzalez was mentioned by the coach.
Ginn, a former track star in addition to his football abilities, clearly demonstrated his versatile talent on the football field last season.
Tressel reported he had told newly hired speed and nutrition specialist Butch Reynolds, "If you can make Ginn faster, you're a genius. I don't know if that's possible. Plus, don't screw him up."
The team, Tressel admits, is a little thin at tight end.
Up front, however, the team has a lot more guys, and he added, "I think we have the best center in the country - Nick Mangold - he's incredible."
Mentioning special teams and the loss of Lou Groza award winner Mike Nugent, Tressel said, "The test of time is going to be interesting on special teams."
He later commented, "I think we'll have enough firepower to carry the football. I feel good about the offensive group. We've just got to become consistent."
The head coach, however, took time to poke fun at his staff. "We have our defensive staff here with us today. We didn't play well enough on offense to give them a day off this summer so they're in, trying to figure things out," he joked.
Both he and Heacock appeared confident about the team on defense.
Heacock said he was going to go out on a limb and make a prediction: "Our team on defense is better than our coaches' golfing today. We better be."
Defense lost two starters from last year, but quite a few lettermen are returning.
"We've got a real challenge ahead of us," Heacock added. "It looks to me like we'll have some good talent. We've got some good individual players. I think the real key is going to be coming together and if we get this group playing as a unit, playing together and playing for Ohio State instead of themselves, I think we're going to be pretty good."
While commenting on the fellowship and how good it was to be at Tuesday's event, Tressel said, "We appreciate how much Ohio State means to all of you."
He noted that Emanuel "Manny" Mehallis, who spearheads the golf outings along with Mike Maistros, had mentioned that the coaches' last visit to Belmont County had brought them luck as the team went on to win the national championship.
"Manny hasn't missed a home game for a longer time than I've been alive," said Tressel. Mehallis has attended all the Buckeyes' home games for 53 years.
Mehallis expressed appreciation to the businesses, individuals and groups who helped to make Tuesday's event so successful.
Varied factors contributed to that success, including the food which was relished with enthusiasm. Golf coach Brown pointed out some of the golfers were commenting, "'Wait until we eat.' It's all they talked about from the first tee on."
As for himself, the former Ferrian said, "I'm under par in eating."
http://www.timesleaderonline.com/news/story/068202005_new03_bhcc.asp
Belmont Hills goes scarlet and gray
By BETTY J. POKAS, Times Leader Area Editor
SCARLET AND gray fever hit Belmont County Tuesday when the Belmont Buckeye Boosters were hosts to Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel and many of his staff at a golf outing at the Belmont Hills Country Club.
Not only did the booster group raise $7,800 to advance academics and athletics at OSU, but they learned more about the prospects for the upcoming season from Tressel and defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Jim Heacock. The amount raised brings the total given by the Belmont County group to more than $70,000.
The event was enlivened by the attendance of others from the football coaching staff as well as former Martins Ferry resident Jim Brown, who has been OSU's head men's golf coach for more than three decades, and his son, Jeff.
"We're excited about the upcoming season," said Tressel. "We felt we had a good spring practice."
Experience and depth are among the Buckeye team's assets this year although the team is thin in a couple of areas, according to the coaches.
As for the quarterback positions, things look good, according to Tressel.
"We'll have more experience there than we have had. A year ago at this time, we were talking that we liked those guys, thought they had some ability, but they needed to get tested, and they got tested - on and off the field.
"Our quarterbacks had some challenges; hopefully, they've learned some lessons. I think they're going to be better than they were a year ago, and I feel good about that position."
He also said that some players had undergone post-season surgeries, resulting in more conservative play by those individuals.
"This gave our younger guys a lot more reps. I'd like to think this will pay some dividends as we come back for pre-season. I think we'll have a lot more depth in some of the areas."
Speed shown by such players as Ted Ginn Jr., Santonio Holmes and Anthony Gonzalez was mentioned by the coach.
Ginn, a former track star in addition to his football abilities, clearly demonstrated his versatile talent on the football field last season.
Tressel reported he had told newly hired speed and nutrition specialist Butch Reynolds, "If you can make Ginn faster, you're a genius. I don't know if that's possible. Plus, don't screw him up."
The team, Tressel admits, is a little thin at tight end.
Up front, however, the team has a lot more guys, and he added, "I think we have the best center in the country - Nick Mangold - he's incredible."
Mentioning special teams and the loss of Lou Groza award winner Mike Nugent, Tressel said, "The test of time is going to be interesting on special teams."
He later commented, "I think we'll have enough firepower to carry the football. I feel good about the offensive group. We've just got to become consistent."
The head coach, however, took time to poke fun at his staff. "We have our defensive staff here with us today. We didn't play well enough on offense to give them a day off this summer so they're in, trying to figure things out," he joked.
Both he and Heacock appeared confident about the team on defense.
Heacock said he was going to go out on a limb and make a prediction: "Our team on defense is better than our coaches' golfing today. We better be."
Defense lost two starters from last year, but quite a few lettermen are returning.
"We've got a real challenge ahead of us," Heacock added. "It looks to me like we'll have some good talent. We've got some good individual players. I think the real key is going to be coming together and if we get this group playing as a unit, playing together and playing for Ohio State instead of themselves, I think we're going to be pretty good."
While commenting on the fellowship and how good it was to be at Tuesday's event, Tressel said, "We appreciate how much Ohio State means to all of you."
He noted that Emanuel "Manny" Mehallis, who spearheads the golf outings along with Mike Maistros, had mentioned that the coaches' last visit to Belmont County had brought them luck as the team went on to win the national championship.
"Manny hasn't missed a home game for a longer time than I've been alive," said Tressel. Mehallis has attended all the Buckeyes' home games for 53 years.
Mehallis expressed appreciation to the businesses, individuals and groups who helped to make Tuesday's event so successful.
Varied factors contributed to that success, including the food which was relished with enthusiasm. Golf coach Brown pointed out some of the golfers were commenting, "'Wait until we eat.' It's all they talked about from the first tee on."
As for himself, the former Ferrian said, "I'm under par in eating."
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