DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Senior offensive tackle Kirk Barton is going into the start of Ohio State's fall football camp today determined not to commit another faux pas.

But the four-year starter from Massillon is making no promises.

He was chastened in 2004 for telling the media that quarterback Troy Smith deserved a shot to start over the struggling Justin Zwick, and Barton was admonished again last year for taking a bottle of expensive champagne and a lit cigar to interviews after the Michigan win.

"When you make a mistake, you kind of tone it down," he said. "I'll never answer another quarterback question in my life — I've learned that one. I'm probably not going to bring anything into the media room again — I've learned that one."

But while most major-college football players turn into drones in public — most offering only comments seemingly scripted by the coaches — the second-team All-Big Ten pick refuses to let the glare of the spotlight suppress his personality.

Ask him about the shellacking by Florida in the national title game, and you get Barton unplugged.

"You only get an opportunity like that once," he said. "That's like (model) Brooke Burke wanting to go on a date with you, and you fall on your face and break your arm. You don't get that chance again. It's over. You look like an idiot.

"It reminded me of when Nebraska beat Florida (62-24 in 1995). That was the worst beating I've ever seen in my life. That's the game I still remember. I don't remember any other national championship games, but I remember that one."

Leaving so many Buckeye fans disheartened was worse.

"The difference between college sports and professional sports is that when the Cleveland Indians lost the World Series in '97, Omar Vizquel flew to Venezuela and stayed there two months," Barton said. "When we lost, I had to be in history the next day."

Barton is so engaging with the media in part because he's looking to join their ranks one day, following the path of glib sportscasters.

"I've listened to Jim Rome since I was in seventh grade," Barton said. "I love sports talk radio. Not to sound too corny, but you know how guys go to fantasy camps? They go to Notre Dame or go be with the Boston Red Sox and pay like five grand to get to be a Red Sox player? That's kind of what I'm like.

"Kids were listening to Britney Spears and Puff Daddy growing up. I listened to Dan Patrick and Jim Rome. Then I get in front of you guys, and I have to remember I'm Jim Tressel, not Jim Rome. I have to channel him."

As the only projected senior starter on offense, Barton is considered a likely captain, which would mean conducting his postgame interviews in front of Tressel himself. But Barton is showing he can dodge potential land mines.

Asked to assess this year's quarterback race, he remembered that promise he made to himself.

Smiling, he said: "They're all Secretariat and Seattle Slew."

Ohio State fall camp schedule

Monday: First practice

Saturday: First practice in full pads

Aug. 18: Intrasquad scrimmage

Aug. 22: Kick scrimmage

Aug. 24: End of two-a-days

Sept. 1: Season-opener vs. Youngstown State

Note: Practices and scrimmages are closed to the public.