UPPER CLASS SUBURBS, OH - Many of you probably think that the excellent columnist Jason Whitlock has the monopoly on playing the race card. If that's the case, then CursedCleveland.com has the monopoly on playing the race card poorly. But we'll give it a try.
For the second year in a row, Jim Tressel and staff have assembled a top five recruiting class - 1st overall by Scout, 3rd by Rivals, 9th in ESPN's laughable list (*edit - They must have dropped us lower b/c they saw that our roster looked like a booking after a Duke Lacrosse Frat party!) Thanks for the heads up,, and 2nd by Tom Lemming (he does know we aren't Notre Dame right?). Given all of that, you have to be excited about landing two straight top notch classes, especially after the dud in 2007
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But Hudson, we might have a problem. Should Buckeye fans be worried that the recruiting class photo above looks more like a collage out of West Beverly's yearbook (Ian Ziering bottom right) than a bad ass picture you might see at LSU? Does the name Reid Fragel sound one bit like a player who's going to take charge in the open field - or does it sound more like someone who should be working in a field? I was reassured when saw the name Adam Bellamy that maybe things would be OK, until I realized he too was as pasty as can be. Some of the guys look like they could have auditioned for the part as the Opus Dei Monk in the Da Vinci Code.
Let's take a look a the Caucasian breakdown on some of the other top classes, followed by their percentage of pallidity.
LSU - 5 out of 24: 20.8%
USC - 3 out of 19 (one is a kicker...we'd be more worried if he wasn't white): 15.7%
Bama - 4 out of 27: 14.8%
Texas - 6 out of 20: 30%
Ohio State - 9 out of 25: 36% although not as bad as 2008: 1o out of 20: 50%
In the two national championship losses, it became clear to the rest of the nation that Ohio State could match up with any other team's top five or six guys. But after those players, the Buckeyes lacked the athleticism in the two-deep that other teams boast. So while the last two classes have been well-balanced for Tressel and will likely have the Bucks graduating plenty more to the pros, I'm not sure the Buckeyes are getting any more athletic overall anytime soon.
But Hudson, we might have a problem. Should Buckeye fans be worried that the recruiting class photo above looks more like a collage out of West Beverly's yearbook (Ian Ziering bottom right) than a bad ass picture you might see at LSU? Does the name Reid Fragel sound one bit like a player who's going to take charge in the open field - or does it sound more like someone who should be working in a field? I was reassured when saw the name Adam Bellamy that maybe things would be OK, until I realized he too was as pasty as can be. Some of the guys look like they could have auditioned for the part as the Opus Dei Monk in the Da Vinci Code.
Let's take a look a the Caucasian breakdown on some of the other top classes, followed by their percentage of pallidity.
LSU - 5 out of 24: 20.8%
USC - 3 out of 19 (one is a kicker...we'd be more worried if he wasn't white): 15.7%
Bama - 4 out of 27: 14.8%
Texas - 6 out of 20: 30%
Ohio State - 9 out of 25: 36% although not as bad as 2008: 1o out of 20: 50%
In the two national championship losses, it became clear to the rest of the nation that Ohio State could match up with any other team's top five or six guys. But after those players, the Buckeyes lacked the athleticism in the two-deep that other teams boast. So while the last two classes have been well-balanced for Tressel and will likely have the Bucks graduating plenty more to the pros, I'm not sure the Buckeyes are getting any more athletic overall anytime soon.
18 comments:
I couldn't agree anymore with this post. Every year they say the problem with the Big 10 is a lack of speed - so what does JT and the Bucks go and do - sign a host of slow un-athletic white guys. Can't wait to watch another several years of the SEC blowing us out.
In fall fairness, Jamaal Berry runs a 4.3 when healthy. He's going to be very good. That TP guy is pretty athletic too, when he stays in-bounds.
Now the Borens on the other hand..
Don't forget about thad. We're the top recruits over the last two seasons. I can't figure out why we aren't making the tourney.
I have no problem with these recruits
TCR
It's the year 2008. This is even a topic of discussion? It's sad that you see people by the color of their skin, not the content of their character or their god-given abilities.
This article is terrible. First off ESPN ranked us 9th and your link is not even to the final rankings. Second, only one of these guys plays a skill position and that is TE. It's all lineman and LB's and last time I checked they do pretty well at both positions.
As long as they are big and slow offensive linemen, we'll be fine. Wait, that's not good either. My head is spinning from all the whiteness.
Well the SEC dont hold their student-athletes to as high of an academic standard as the Big-10. Maybe thats why they get more blacks :)
I agree. We need to recruit more guys like Maurice Clarett, Ray Small, Eugene Clifford, Donald Washington, Devon Torrence, should I continue? K thanks.
I am outraged! I can not believe that in this day and age we'd actually read a blatantly racist column of this nature. Apparently the author feels there is no fear of backlash as a result of his ignorant racist views. The author has seen fit to perpetrate a negative stereotype without regard to the individual's abilities and character.
This is an egregious assault on the collective public conscious. It's premise has no place in our society. If we are to evolve as a people then we must not allow this type of negativity to set us back.
We all know what kind of backlash there would be had this statement involved a blacks only negative stereotype. There is no place for this kind of behavior in a society that is trying to rid itself of racism. It only sets us back.
"This article is terrible. First off ESPN ranked us 9th and your link is not even to the final rankings"
Wow, I did have the wrong link for ESPN. They must have dropped us lower b/c they saw that our roster looked like a roundup after a Duke Lacrosse Frat party! Thanks for the heads up, I will edit it.
I want my players black and my coaches white!
I like my players like I like my Coffee. BLACK!
Most everyone thinks that our country has come a long way because we elected a Black president..but in all reality, the more transcendent achievement was that a Black guy made the US swim team. (and he wasn't the weed smoker!).
This is hilarious.
I tend to agree with the article, but believe me, recruiting is the least of tOSU's problems.
And I do remember Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, and Craig Steltz playing on a good team a few years ago...
don't even try and bring up white running backs, jacob hester is freak of nature. A once in a generation type of player. I doubt I will ever see a white running back carry the load for a national championship team again in my lifetime.
Yep, three guys prove that white guys are just as athletic. Nice try anonymous!
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