Urban Meyer has a track record, justified or not, of legal trouble following his programs. Well, mostly just Florida. I don't think anyone cared about Utah or Bowling Green having players arrested. The unofficial count at UF was 31 arrests in six seasons. Many of those charges never stuck, but the national media doesn't really care. Nevermind the fact that LSU and Georgia had arrests at a much higher pace.
For whatever reason, Urban Meyer receives the most criticism about his program and the kind of players he recruits when there are legal issues in the news about players on his team. We here at the 614 are going to wait until all of the facts from all of the cases come out before commenting. If you've been following the Carlos Hyde story, that situation has taken three or four turns over the last week. Columbus Police Department, hurry the heck up. We're waiting! (But seriously, do police investigations always take this long?)
In case you were on vacation with no internet or cell service, you may have heard Ohio State had some arrests over the past 7-10 days. Let's briefly recap, leaving out all speculation.
1) Freshman tight end Marcus Baugh was arrested and booked on underage alcohol consumption and possession of a fake I.D. He is 17. Baugh is suspended through week 1, meaning he has lost all financial aid from his scholarship for the summer. Impact on field: minimal. There are two solid guys ahead of him in Nick Vannett and Jeff Heuerman as well as Blake Thomas. Baugh may be a red-shirt candidate even.
2) Tim Gardner, also an incoming freshman, was arrested and charged with obstruction of official police business. No idea what that means but Urban packed him up and sent him home. Gardner will not be playing for the Bucks in 2013. No word yet if the lineman will have a chance to earn his way back in 2014. He was a three-star recruit out of Indy who earned an offer after slimming down for the staff in time for a summer camp last year. Impact on field: none. Gardner wasn't going to play this year.
3) Carlos Hyde is suspended indefinitely from the football team. He is listed as a person of interest in an alleged assault on a female that took place in Sugar Bar 2 in the Brewery District of Columbus, Ohio near 2:00 a.m. on July 20/July 21. Literally everything beyond that has been speculation, hearsay, or rumors. That is all we are going to confirm as fact here at 614 Sports at this time. On the field - could be tough if Hyde is kicked off the team or misses significant time. He was poised to become Meyer's first 1,000 yard running back. He rushed for 970 yards and 16 touchdowns last year in 9 games of action. Simply put, the guy is a beast at 240 pounds and a supposed 4.5/40. The Buckeyes do have several talented, yet slightly inexperienced players behind Hyde. Rod Smith could step up if he has figured out his fumble issues.
4) Bradley Roby was arrested and charged with battery resulting in bodily injury. The police report states that Roby was kicked out of a Bloomington, Indiana bar near 2:30 a.m. and tried to re-gain access. That is when the supposed altercation occurred with the bouncers and he was held until the police arrived. Roby was scheduled to attend Big Ten Media days but was replaced by Christian Bryant. The fourth year junior is an All-American candidate and was listed on the Thorpe Award watch list for best defensive back on the country. Meyer said recently he expects a suspension will ensue following the outcome of the case. On the field: Tough. There's no way to replace a Bradley Roby. He's the shutdown corner every great defense needs. Mock NFL drafts have him as the top DB in the 2014 draft and likely a top 15 pick. The Buckeyes are also thin at corner, though they brought in several highly-touted freshman.
So, to recap, we have two bar/night club incidents by upper-classmen (both of whom may be cleared legally) and two freshmen getting into trouble within a few weeks of getting on campus. The previous 12 months for Meyer? Free of any legal issues with his players.
Many in the national media jumped at the opportunity to rip Meyer for allowing these things to occur under his watch, as if he can control 90+ college kids at all times. He said at Big Ten Media day he doesn't care about his reputation because, well, reputation is what others think of you. The legal issues aren't ideal, but the Bucks should still be a top 5 team come September. Hyde could see minimal punishment if cleared or be off the team if charged and convicted. Meyer already alluded to a likely suspension for Roby - a game or two. This SI article is a pretty fair and accurate report on all the things Meyer has had to deal with regarding his players. There is some pretty detailed back stories at UF and really should give you a unique perspective on how Meyer views these situations.
Camp is just around the corner and the season kicks off in 36 days. Until then, stay out of bars...if you're a D-1 (sorry, FBS!) college athlete.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
First Thoughts on the Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule
The Columbus Blue Jackets are no longer in the Western Conference. They are now in the Eastern Conference as a part of the Metropolitan Division.
Instead of just breaking down individual match ups, I decided it would be easier to put the schedule into three different categories. Starting with.
THE FACTS:
The schedule is back to the normal 82-game format. Last year the NHL had a shortened season starting in January with just a 48-game schedule.
The Jackets' season will begin on Friday, October 4th at home against the Calgary Flames and will end on the road Saturday, April 12th against the Florida Panthers.
The Jackets will play games on back-to-back days 17 times this season, including their first and last two games of the season.
With the new schedule alignment the Jackets will host every NHL team and visit every NHL arena.
74 of the 82 games will start at 8:30 p.m. eastern time or earlier.
THE GOOD STUFF:
Opening night against the Flames should be a great night for the city of Columbus. In a city that is known for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Jackets will begin the season that may start the transformation of the 614 into a hockey town as well. Only time will tell.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 7th. The first time Rick Nash will come back to Nationwide Arena as a player on an opposing team. This game will remind Jackets fans of the team we once had and how much things have changed in just one season. Former Rangers Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Marian Gaborik to name a few, will look to get some revenge on their former team as well. Instead of listing more reasons why this game will be a must-see one, I'll just end this segment by saying I'm looking forward to this game more than any other one this season.
Time to get familiar with the East. Columbus will have to quickly adjust to playing some not-so familiar foes on a regular basis. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders are a few teams the Jackets will be playing at least four times this season.
If the team is successful this year, the last month will bring plenty of excitement. The matchup with the Blackhawks on Friday, April 4th at Nationwide Arena could have a playoff atmosphere if the Jackets are in the playoff hunt.
DON'T FORGET:
The Jackets won eight of their last nine games last season with six of games coming on the road. Expect the three-game road trip to Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose at the beginning of February to be a barometer for this team as they head into the Olympic break.
Columbus dominated Detroit last season with a 4-0-1 record last season. They will look to continue the current success as they host the Wings twice in March. An under-the-radar storyline for the next few seasons in mind is whether the Penguins or Red Wings will be considered more of a rival for the Blue Jackets. Right now I'm going with Detroit. There's no better feeling than sticking it to "Hockey Town".
I'll make this last part quick. The five things I'm looking forward to most next season:
5. The return of Jeff Carter (I don't like this dude). Columbus struggled against the Los Angeles Kings last year. Hopefully they turn it around.
4. With the Olympics in Russia this year, it's only fitting to see the best offensive Russian against the best Russian goaltender. Ovechkin versus Bobrovsky.
3. Opening Night.
2. Games against Detroit and Chicago. Both teams are legit and the Jackets would love to be a considered one of the "Big Boys" if you will in the NHL. You gotta beat the best to be the best.
1. Every big game must have a title. Nash comes back to Columbus. For now the title of this game can be "The Return".
Eric - How are you not looking forward to the Penguins with Crosby and Malkin or the Flyers with Steve Mason (hahaha) and Voracek? Think you could squeeze those into your top 5?
Instead of just breaking down individual match ups, I decided it would be easier to put the schedule into three different categories. Starting with.
THE FACTS:
The schedule is back to the normal 82-game format. Last year the NHL had a shortened season starting in January with just a 48-game schedule.
The Jackets' season will begin on Friday, October 4th at home against the Calgary Flames and will end on the road Saturday, April 12th against the Florida Panthers.
The Jackets will play games on back-to-back days 17 times this season, including their first and last two games of the season.
With the new schedule alignment the Jackets will host every NHL team and visit every NHL arena.
74 of the 82 games will start at 8:30 p.m. eastern time or earlier.
THE GOOD STUFF:
Opening night against the Flames should be a great night for the city of Columbus. In a city that is known for the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Jackets will begin the season that may start the transformation of the 614 into a hockey town as well. Only time will tell.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 7th. The first time Rick Nash will come back to Nationwide Arena as a player on an opposing team. This game will remind Jackets fans of the team we once had and how much things have changed in just one season. Former Rangers Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky and Marian Gaborik to name a few, will look to get some revenge on their former team as well. Instead of listing more reasons why this game will be a must-see one, I'll just end this segment by saying I'm looking forward to this game more than any other one this season.
Time to get familiar with the East. Columbus will have to quickly adjust to playing some not-so familiar foes on a regular basis. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders are a few teams the Jackets will be playing at least four times this season.
If the team is successful this year, the last month will bring plenty of excitement. The matchup with the Blackhawks on Friday, April 4th at Nationwide Arena could have a playoff atmosphere if the Jackets are in the playoff hunt.
DON'T FORGET:
The Jackets won eight of their last nine games last season with six of games coming on the road. Expect the three-game road trip to Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose at the beginning of February to be a barometer for this team as they head into the Olympic break.
Columbus dominated Detroit last season with a 4-0-1 record last season. They will look to continue the current success as they host the Wings twice in March. An under-the-radar storyline for the next few seasons in mind is whether the Penguins or Red Wings will be considered more of a rival for the Blue Jackets. Right now I'm going with Detroit. There's no better feeling than sticking it to "Hockey Town".
I'll make this last part quick. The five things I'm looking forward to most next season:
5. The return of Jeff Carter (I don't like this dude). Columbus struggled against the Los Angeles Kings last year. Hopefully they turn it around.
4. With the Olympics in Russia this year, it's only fitting to see the best offensive Russian against the best Russian goaltender. Ovechkin versus Bobrovsky.
3. Opening Night.
2. Games against Detroit and Chicago. Both teams are legit and the Jackets would love to be a considered one of the "Big Boys" if you will in the NHL. You gotta beat the best to be the best.
1. Every big game must have a title. Nash comes back to Columbus. For now the title of this game can be "The Return".
Eric - How are you not looking forward to the Penguins with Crosby and Malkin or the Flyers with Steve Mason (hahaha) and Voracek? Think you could squeeze those into your top 5?
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Expectations for the Blue Jackets in 2013-14 Season
The Jackets have had what looks to have been a successful off season so far with three first-round draft picks, the signing of Nathan Horton and resigning goalie Sergei Bobrovski. Check out our podcast where we talk about these topics and discuss the expectations for the Blue Jackets next season here.
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