Duane Long (Blog Discussion)

[tsteele316]

just a couple of things to point out in this discussion.

several times in chats, conley has made comments that illustrated he had no clue about osu's current recruiting (osu still pursuing cushing, and weston who already committed to uga)

conley takes several jabs at the current staff, some subtle, others not. he was quick to critisize the offer to mccarthy, yet he did the very same thing with donny nickey a few years back.

the lack of visits may be alarming, but it isnt a trend. in '02, '03 and especially last year, osu had swarms of kids up for officials. some people just fail to realize the numerous mitigating factors in this year's recruiting.

osu planned on taking 18-20 this year. they had 15 sewn up in December (counting in lenix who we all knew was coming). they keyed in and felt good about several guys like mccoy and wilson.

now, things went bad with the espn nonsense and allegations. couple that with a class that was already nearing full, and an already trimmed down list of key targets. add to that 2 unexpected defections (bemoll, mccoy), and some others waivering. top that off with a rather weak year overall in-state, and you have our current recruiting situation.

the fact that the staff is already pursuing '06 kids tells you they arent getting lazy with recruiting, but they knew the situation this year.

 

[gobucks19]

just a couple of things to point out in this discussion.

several times in chats, conley has made comments that illustrated he had no clue about osu's current recruiting (osu still pursuing cushing, and weston who already committed to uga)

conley takes several jabs at the current staff, some subtle, others not. he was quick to critisize the offer to mccarthy, yet he did the very same thing with donny nickey a few years back.

the lack of visits may be alarming, but it isnt a trend. in '02, '03 and especially last year, osu had swarms of kids up for officials. some people just fail to realize the numerous mitigating factors in this year's recruiting.

osu planned on taking 18-20 this year. they had 15 sewn up in December (counting in lenix who we all knew was coming). they keyed in and felt good about several guys like mccoy and wilson.

now, things went bad with the espn nonsense and allegations. couple that with a class that was already nearing full, and an already trimmed down list of key targets. add to that 2 unexpected defections (bemoll, mccoy), and some others waivering. top that off with a rather weak year overall in-state, and you have our current recruiting situation.

the fact that the staff is already pursuing '06 kids tells you they arent getting lazy with recruiting, but they knew the situation this year.

Excellent analysis tsteele. I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head.

The shotgun approach is great if you have confidence in getting some recruits or have the need for recruits but like you said, we had 15 spots filled in December. If we were only taking 18-19, I dont think we just throw something at the wall and see if it sticks. Knowing the strength of OH and possibly PN next year, I say bank the schollies [assuming we dont all of the last 3 we are in on] and start working on next year.

 

[BB73]

from MegaWoody on page 2 - Your opinions are not credible, fellas. Stick to reporting facts.

Here's the next issue, based on only reporting the facts:

Ohio State Recruiting News:

Many players are considering tOSU. Some of these players may have offers from tOSU. Some of them lie about offers from schools, and the coaches can't comment on recruits, so we don't really know who has offers and who doesn't.

Some of these players may have difficulty qualifying academically. Despite privacy regulations, GPA's and SAT/ACT scores get tossed around the internet all the time, but these aren't reliable so we don't know which players are fully qualified. Again, the coaches can't comment.

Some players don't understand the fact that if they do have an offer, it's contingent upon them successfully completing their academic requirements and staying out of trouble. So sometimes they can believe all they have to do is say 'I'm coming' when it's not that simple.

Some players will tell so-called recruitung gurus just what they want to hear, so various schools all think they are in good shape with the same recruit. Some guys will actually mislead reporters intentionally, in order to take some perverse pleasure in the eventual disappointment of the overzealous members of the team's fan base.

Some recruiting gurus will misinterpret or misrepresent what they've been told, in order to create more interest in a prospect; in the hopes of selling more magazines or premium subscriptions.

Some people, including fans of rival schools, will pose as a player on internet boards, and some foolish folks will run with that information as gospel.

Some players will change their commitment on NLOID.

Based on all of the above, here are the 'facts' on this year's recruiting class:

We don't really know anything until we have the 'fax'.


Disclaimer - this post is not trying to point out problems with any specific recruiting guru or any individual player's situation, but trying to show to total insanity of the recruiting process. Which includes myself, of course, or else I wouldn't be on this board. :!

February 2nd can't get here fast enough.

 

[BucksinFL]

This scenario to me is not all that bad considering the class in Ohio next year is going to be loaded.

What makes me laugh about Conley is the very fact that you just pointed out. This may very well be JT's strategy. Thinking about future classes. Loading up on scholarships for next year.

If by some chance we end up with Gwaltney and Wilson to end this class and have a few scholarships left over for next year, what can Conley say then? We will have a great class this year while not going after 100 ppl and then next year he can load up and pick and choose whom he wants. I think JT may be smart for doing this.

 

[tsteele316]

since metaphors are getting tossed around so much in this discussion, let me just add this:

to conley's remark about casting a bigger net:

sure we may sang more fish in that bigger net, but we also increase the liklihood of snagging a boot or tin can. with a limited class, and a better group next year, the staff decided to use the smaller net. it would be hard to question that logic until seeing how next year pans out.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

I think that OSU is taking the approach of using Scholarships on players that are worthy of scholarships, not just giving them out because they have them. If all the needs are filled (in the eyes of Tressel) why should you stretch just to fill the quota so to speak?

It has become quite obvious that Conley and Tressel did not see eye to eye, and Conley is using every chance to take shots at Ohio State.

I have nothing against Duane Long, I think he does a pretty nice job actually.

 

[LloydSev]

Amazing. When Conley was at OSU, everyone praised how great he was.
Now, according to some he is bitter, and full of ****.
Some of this crap is mind boggling.

So let me get this straight... let's see an example...

Neighbor A works his whole life as a barber.. in fact he was so good at being a barber that all of the celebrities came to his barber shop. One day he decided he has had enough cutting hair and decides he wants to do something else with his life. But once he leaves he finds he has to much time and is approached by Channel 8 news. Now mind you, Channel 8 doesn't want him to report news, they want him to share his opinion on people's hair.

Now, he may have been a hell of a barber... but why in the hell can he not be completely full of crap and showing it while giving his opinion on Channel 8?

 

[sandgk]

since metaphors are getting tossed around so much in this discussion, let me just add this:

to conley's remark about casting a bigger net:

sure we may sang more fish in that bigger net, but we also increase the liklihood of snagging a boot or tin can. with a limited class, and a better group next year, the staff decided to use the smaller net. it would be hard to question that logic until seeing how next year pans out.

Agreed - it seems this year is really about quality. Anyone the staff is interested in having come in to be on roster for '05 is in the best of position or best of breed category. On a star rating per capita rating this class looks remarkablly good and right now class size is 15 and up?
If the staff were taking all this too far, ("lets only get that one 5* blue chipper and then close up shop") then Conley et al have room to grouse.
Fact is the staff are not doing that. Anyone with half a brain or better can see a clear plan of action in '05 and for '06 recruiting.
Seems like Conley's talking with more than half his brain tied behind his back.

 

[Onebuckfan]

Maybe Tressel wants more than Football Players

Conley has been a great football player recruiter. Ijust think that JT, due to some of the problems and hits to his rep wants more than football out of his recruits. JT may be taking a little more conservative aprroach than the shotgun approach. He may want to learn more about his recruits than the obvious football talents.He needs to recruit quality human beings now. He may be less likely to take a chance on a kid with some "issues". than he was 2-years ago. And with the success he's had on the field he can afford to be selective. Lets give this new recruiting group a chance to prove themselves

 

[amybuckeye]

What's going on with Duane Long, he seems to be dissapearing from Bucknuts. What's the story?

 

[Cinfali]

A blurb from Duane Long and some quotes from Conley.

............

Jason Gwaltney of North Babylon, N.Y., rated the nation's third-best running back by Rivals.com, has narrowed his choices to OSU and Southern Cal.

The Buckeyes also are awaiting decisions from defensive end Lawrence Wilson of Akron, defensive back Kyle McCarthy of Youngstown, linebacker Tavares Kearney of Tucker, Ga., and defensive lineman Walker Ashley of Eden Prairie, Minn., all of whom are being pursued by other major powers.

.................

Looking back, we got Lawrence Wilson from that list. We also added Brian Robiskie and Donald Washington late, they are not even mentioned in this article. Among the ones we "missed", Kyle McCarthy was a pretty good player for Notre Dame, while Gwaltney, Kearney and Ashley were total busts.

Funny how things worked out, isn't it?

 

[MUBuck]

Looking back, we got Lawrence Wilson from that list. We also added Brian Robiskie and Donald Washington late, they are not even mentioned in this article. Among the ones we "missed", Kyle McCarthy was a pretty good player for Notre Dame, while Gwaltney, Kearney and Ashley were total busts.

Not to nit-pick, but Kyle is returning for his 5th year.

 

[amybuckeye]

What's going on with Duane Long, he seems to be dissapearing from Bucknuts. What's the story?

So is Duane out at Bucknuts? Seems BK has taken his spotlight.

 

[BuckNutty]

So is Duane out at Bucknuts? Seems BK has taken his spotlight.

Duane has been posting recently but he was away from the boards for a little while because of a death in his family.

Hang in there, dog.

Not sure it's fair to compare what Kurelic and Duane do. Kurelic is about doing recruiting updates and such where Duane's strength is talent evaluation, breaking down film and discussion after Buckeye games. I can't recall too many times where I've seen Kurelic talk about actual football games.

 

[amybuckeye]

Duane has been posting recently but he was away from the boards for a little while because of a death in his family.

Hang in there, dog.

Not sure it's fair to compare what Kurelic and Duane do. Kurelic is about doing recruiting updates and such where Duane's strength is talent evaluation, breaking down film and discussion after Buckeye games. I can't recall too many times where I've seen Kurelic talk about actual football games.

Agreed. You hang in there to...dog .

Anyone have any idea what kind of soup BK gets with his hair cut?