There are numerous times in the life of a blogger that you just wish you had the opportunity to cover a football game like the local media in Columbus. Let’s face it, for the most part, those of us who are online entities just do not have the chances that the O-Zone does. They have some of the best writers covering Ohio State sports and do a good job of delivering the facts, and have a legacy of doing so.
If you were paying attention to twitter at all on Saturday, with the help of Brandon Castel and Tony Gerdeman, we got our information through RT’s and a heaping spoon of sarcasm. I have to be honest and admit right up front that I love the OZone and what they do. I frequent their message board and read a lot of their stuff and wouldn’t be honest if I said I didn’t wish I was in their shoes.
What happened Saturday to the local media was very interesting, and seemed to be a slap in their collective faces. It seems, and I am not sure why it happened, only the Big Ten Network and ESPN have been given permission to cover the team during this preseason- at least in comparison to other years. I for one wasn’t very happy about it and can only imagine how the Ozone felt about it. If you’d like to get a good idea of how Gerd felt about it you can read it here.
Online sites seem to almost always be on the outside looking in when it comes to getting first hand information as it is delivered. We do have people writing that have contacts in the recruiting realm, and that can sometimes be a huge plus since other times everyone else is receiving the same info at the same time and from the local guys. We do our best to put it in a great little package and most of the time at the same level as the fans.
I myself will probably never be a writer who works for a site like the Ozone or a local media outlet. I just do not have what it takes to get there. So I will continue to look in from out here and admire the job that those guys do that provides us with a ton of information on a daily basis. I will also continue to side with them and support them when something like this happens. They deserve it and they’ve definitely earned my respect.
On a lighter note, we begin the day just a mere #12 days away from kickoff and I have to say this has been one of the more exciting camps in recent memory. What’s even more amazing about it is the fact that the Buckeyes will be only playing for pride in the upcoming season and they are presenting hype like we are the #1 ranked team in the preseason. It is a far cry from the Shock the World (PSU is borrowing BTW) and the Men of Action (which it was great to see the T’s and books still hanging around) a throwback to Coach Fickell’s season.
I am excited that the team will be playing spoiler in about three of their conference games. I am also excited to see what this team can do for its seniors who clearly are the victims of the penalties handed down. There’s a few of them, Reid Fragel for one, who have gotten my respect and I will remember this group of young men for a long time for what they’ve been through and for what they will accomplish. Fragel removed himself from competition to be the #1 TE headed into fall in order to give the Buckeyes some depth at tackle this past spring. He has been in a dead-lock battle with frosh Taylor Decker and has not disappointed. Of all the seniors, I respect him the most and am looking forward to seeing him kick some tail this season.
The Buckeyes start off the season ranked #18 in the AP poll and a huge congratulations goes out to the five captains named for the 2012 season. They are John Simon, Zach Boren, Etienne Sabino. Garrett Goebel, and Jordan Hall.
Lots on the horizon this week, enjoy your Monday… it’s only12 days until kickoff.
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