Muse Machine rehearsal
.JPG)
Celebs come out for TV's '24'
.JPG)
Stars turn out for film gala
Get latest headlines via RSS feeds
NewsVine
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Furl
Reddit
StumbleuponCOMMENTARY
Tom Archdeacon: Boeckman's hometown stands by its QB
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Saturday's game against Michigan is the final home game for Ohio State seniors. One of the most loyal seniors has been quarterback Todd Boeckman, who waited patiently for his chance to play and then led the Buckeyes to an outright Big Ten title and the national championship game a year ago. As Terrelle Pryor began to develop early this season, coach Jim Tressel tossed Boeckman aside and has barely put him in since.The Dow Jones and NASDAQ are on a smooth, steady Wall Street ride compared to the way Jim Tressel's stock has plummeted in St. Henry these days.
A lot of folks in this fabled Mercer County sports town are upset because they believe the Ohio State football coach has turned one of their favorite sons into a Buckeye scapegoat.
After a crushing loss to then top-ranked Southern California in the third game of the season, Tressel benched Todd Boeckman — the St. Henry-bred starting quarterback — and handed the reins of the Bucks offense to talented freshman Terrelle Pryor, who certainly is a true rising star but has had some rough patches of his own this 9-2 season.
As for Boeckman, a sixth-year senior who was a first-team All-Big Ten quarterback selection last year, led the Bucks to the national title game in January and is a team captain this season, rather than being used to provide seasoned relief for Pryor, he's been exiled to the scarlet-and-gray version of Siberia.
He's only played a few downs the past eight games, and there's talk that not only does the head coach barely speak to him anymore, but that Pryor has at times publicly rebuffed Boeckman's efforts to mentor him on the sidelines.
A few Buckeye starters are said to have voiced their concerns about some of this in front of the team, while one player is said to have had a spirited closed-door debate with Tressel over these same issues.
Tressel — through an Ohio State media representative — was given a chance to respond to these claims, but did not.
"Some people up here have various connections to the team, and there's so many stories going around right now," said Greg Gels, the former Dayton Flyers football player who is a friend of the Boeckmans, a first cousin of Buckeyes linebacker Ross Homan from Coldwater and runs Three Generations restaurant in St. Henry and the Fieldhouse bar on Brown Street in Dayton.
While the other three team captains and five additional Buckeye seniors were brought out for OSU's lone media session this week prior to Saturday's Nov. 22 game with Michigan, Boeckman was not made available to the press.
Back home, Boeckman's dad, Tim (the St. Henry High School athletic director and former football coach who, with his wife, Denise, will accompany Todd onto the Ohio Stadium field Saturday for Senior Day festivities), said he "didn't feel comfortable" talking about his son's situation right now and declined further comment.
"You hear all this from (recently suspended Buckeye) Ray Small and his dad, and how they've spoken out, and that could be Todd and Tim, too," said Charlie Gels, Greg's dad, who runs Gel's IGA in St. Henry and has been a big OSU supporter. "Maybe they can't wait for this season to be over, but they've taken the high road in this. Todd's just handled himself so well. He's never spoken out in public. Never."
But around his hometown, other folks aren't holding back.
Critical of Tressel
"Everybody here's got a real sour taste in their mouths about this," Charlie Gels said. "Coach Tressel's notoriety has fallen by the wayside. A lot of people are really down on him for the way he's handled this. He didn't put any of blame on the coaching; he made Todd the fall guy."
Matt Stelzer agreed.
He runs Fish-Mo's, the tavern and restaurant that is part local sports museum, part communal gathering spot to celebrate the exploits of St. Henry athletes who have excelled on the prep, college and pro stages.
"There was a lot of respect here for Tressel, but now a lot of people here have turned on him," Stelzer said. "There a lot of dislike for him. Some just hate him. They feel he threw Todd under the bus.
"They think Todd should be playing more. When a guy has been that dedicated to your program and done so much for you — they won a lot of games with him (15 of 18) ... — it's just wrong to essentially tell him, 'You're done. You're never getting on the field again.' Tressel could have handled this so much better, and because he didn't, it just doesn't set well with people here.
"Since I've been in the bar business, I've never seen anything like this. Some people who come in don't even want to watch the (Buckeye) games now."
In the past, such thought would have been unfathomable. Few — if any — Ohio towns were more connected to Ohio State than St. Henry, where the high school has won 19 state titles. Seven Redskins players have joined the Buckeyes, and three — All-American Jim Lachey, quarterback Bobby Hoying and Boeckman — ended up stars.
"Even with Ross playing, I'm less of a Buckeye fan now," Greg Gels admitted. "I root for 51 (Homan) on defense, but when the offense is on the field, I make sure I have something else to do so I don't have to watch TV. It's not that I'm anti-Jim Tressel or Terrelle Pryor, it's just that I'm pro Todd Boeckman."
Respect of teammates
Although it's a delicate subject for them, several of the Buckeye players made available Monday gave Boeckman a heartfelt embrace.
"What do I think of Todd's situation?" fellow team captain Marcus Freeman said before pausing to collect his thoughts, then exhaling deeply.
"It's tough because when a bunch of us decided to come back and give it our senior year, we developed this special relationship," the linebacker from Wayne High School said. "I always knew how talented Todd was, but I've grown a new respect for him.
"He's a competitor and wants to be on the field — that's got to be eating at him — but he's doing all the right things. I see him on the sidelines and at practice trying to help Terrelle, and that says something.
"A lot of guys — if their spot gets taken — they ain't helpin' nobody out. They got that 'it's-all-about-me' attitude — but Todd isn't that guy."
Tight end Rory Nicol is one of Boeckman's best friends.
"I feel for Todd ... especially this week. This is going to be more emotional for him than it is for a lot of guys because a year ago he was the All-Big Ten quarterback.
"But even with all the adversity this year, he's never backed away from being our leader. He still gets up and speaks in front of the team every Thursday like the other captains do. He's doing everything he can to be a role model and set an example, and a lot of guys here are really proud of him for that."
Place-kicker Ryan Pretorius believes the future — like the past — will be better for Boeckman than what he's going through now:
"Sure Terrelle has done a good job, but you can never forget that Todd Boeckman — as a leader and a player — took us to the national championship game. And we all know he's got everything it takes to play in the NFL. I'm sure of that without a doubt."
Less certain is whether Boeckman will play in Saturday's season finale at the Horseshoe.
Monday, during his formal press conference, Tressel was asked if he might start Boeckman on Senior Day.
"Well, we haven't talked about that, although we're not very deep into that this week," he said. "One time I remember I had so many seniors on offense that I started 11 seniors on the first play, and then Play Two it was back to the rest of the group. I'm not sure that's in the cards here."
That kind of ambivalence stokes the fires in St. Henry all the more.
"Todd's so grounded, so likeable, he's always shown he's one of the good guys," Greg Gels said. "You always root for your own and you especially do when it's a guy like Todd and he's acting like he does now."
And Jim Tressel?
"His notoriety has fallen here," Charlie Gels said. "I've even got this 75-year-old lady who comes into the store. She says, 'I just don't think (Tressel's) the right man for the job. He's shown me he's not quite the guy a lot of people thought he was.' "
As for Todd Boeckman — around St. Henry and amongst many Bucks players — he's shown he's even more the man than they knew.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2156 or tarchdeacon@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By Notjoetheplummer
December 2, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Beanie Wells won the Big Ten title with a bad ankle, to go along with our defense. Rememeber MSU game last year? Then to lose to UI, come on. I like Boekman, don’t get me wrong, he is an amazing person BUT this whole anti-TRES campaign is absolutly ridiculous because four Big Ten title, 6-1 over Michigan, a NC and countless BCS games is a oretty good resume. Face it,the best player that give us a hcance to win plays QB right now for THE OSU.
By Blase the King
December 1, 2008 10:40 PM | Link to this
Hey jodnottheplummer…what has he done to the program???…try WINNING THE BIG TEN TITLE LAST YEAR…in many people’s opinion, thats a pretty big deal…if u get out there and win the big ten title as the starting qb, i and many other people believe that that is a huge deal…in addition, he led the bucks to the BCS CHAMPIONSHIP…what more can u ask for besides actually winning the game??…not everything can go their way u know
By Jodnottheplummer
November 30, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
I keep reading alot of comments that say ‘we should look at what Boekmans done for this program’ and things of that nature. My question…What has he done? Besides throw a couple deep passes and shine in his first 4 or 5 games, he has done nothing. He will not be a pro, he can’t make more then one or two reads and those are deep routes and out routes. Once teams scouted him his career at OSU was pretty much a wash. I am big ARCH fan but all this column provided was a rant for folks in St.Henry.
By Redskin
November 24, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Have to give Bob Greise alot of credit for speaking his mind during the game on Saturday. When they put Todd in he had made the comment that he did no agree with Tressel by not playing Todd more. He also stated that Todd should have been put in during the Penn State game and been given a chance. That’s all the rest of us wanted was for Todd to be given a chance. Yes we do stand behind our guy, you would to if you were lucky enough to have someone represent your school.
By Jeff
November 24, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this
Fish Mo’s is selling “Todd is my homeboy” t-shirts at half price.
By Buckeye Eli
November 22, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this
This is a shame.Tressel seems to genuinely love Todd,as most OSU fans do because he is a class act.But with an offensive line unable to block for the first part of the season,the best running back in the country hurt,Tressel obviously felt that Todd’s inability to handle defensive pressure and turnovers trumped his experience and obvious passing skills.I feel bad for Todd but I feel Tressel made the right call and it was a gutsy call from a guy who gets criticized for being too conservative.
By Keith
November 22, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
I find it interesting that the Buckeye fans of St. Henry had signs up saying “Troy Who” refering to Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith. This was at the beginning of last season when Todd had a great start to the season. I thought we were all “Buckeye Nation”, I guess the St. Henry people are just “Homeboy Nation”.
By Keith
November 22, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
I find it really interesting that the people of St. Henry put up signs of “TROY WHO” after Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith left and Boeckman was having a good start last year. I thought we were all Buckeye nation but as this latest little incident proves, St. Henry isn’t really Buckeye Nation but “homeboy nation”.
By Blase the King
November 22, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
also teams cannot win a big ten title without a good qb. no team can win ANY conference title without a good qb. yeh the defense was great most of the time last year, but like i said u need a good qb to to have the “package”. so if TB was “awful” how in the heck did osu win the big ten title outright last year? even more how did they make it to the bcs championship game without a “good qb”…u guys have no idea what ur talking about. todd IS going to make it in the NFL even though he didnt play!
By Blaise the King
November 22, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
Parker…just thought id let u know that boeckman IS nfl material…if he entered the draft last year, they thought of him as the 4th best qb of that draft…now please, if you dont think he’ll make it in the nfl, u need to think over what u just said…give him about 5 years…oh just thought id let u guys know boeckman played really well for the few snaps he got
By osu fan
November 22, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
College football is BIG BUSINESS! As a parent of 3 college graduates still making payments …. may I remind everyone that he did receive something most of us don’t don’t get … a FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION!! In todays economy, that is PRICELESS!
Congratulations TB on a wonderful college career. You have many GREAT memories and have made some wonderful friends and connections. You have a wonderful future ahead of you. Make the most of it, where ever it takes you.
By Parker
November 22, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this
This article is obviously Tom Archdeacon’s misguided effort at claiming his, “…fifteen minutes of fame.” Sadly, this grasp at notoriety is exploiting the very same people it is portending to defend.
Poor Todd Boeckman. Tressel didn’t handle this correctly. What was Tressel supposed to do? Call a press conference and tell everyone Todd was losing his job? To the whiners and moaners, Grow up! You remind me of a bunch of little league travel ball parents. Todd is not NFL material.
By Jennifer
November 22, 2008 4:08 AM | Link to this
This article is a joke, right? Did the Dayton Daily News accidently get a hold of this when it really was supposed to be published in the National Enquirer?
Boeckman was never more than a caretaker — every time he was asked to step up against stiff competition, he folded like an accordion. Pryor is a playmaker — he has made freshman mistakes (the costly fumble vs. Penn State), but his talent is immeasurable. Buckeye Nation agrees with Tressel, not Mr. Archdeacon.
By Doc
November 21, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
I’m at every home game, and I watch these guys closely. TB is a mediocre QB. He locks on receivers—as Rey Maualuga knows—and can’t throw a tight spiral. After a fine game at Penn St last year, he couldn’t catch up as defenses made simple adjustments. He has no hope of playing pro ball anywhere. Pryor should be playing.
Tressel, meanwhile, has his spit-and-clean image. But the guy is really Youngstown mafia. He’ll smile and cut a throat if he thinks he has to.
By Fan
November 21, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
How many passes did Todd throw into the ground at the beginning of the year? Could you imagine a top SEC or Big 12 quarterback playing like that? Especially a veteran?
By Jim
November 21, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
It’s odd that nobody in the story argues that Todd gives OSU a better chance to win football games. If you’re not arguing that, then what makes you think he should be playing?
Tressel’s responsibility is to make decisions that will allow the Bucks to win football games. It is that simple.
By Jac
November 21, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
This isn’t just about Pryor playing over Todd. Or who is the better quarterback. This was written to show the Class Act that comes out of Saint Henry. Todd is as classy as they come. If you have never played collegiate sports you can’t appreciate the blood, sweat, tears, emotional, physical, and mental draining that comes along with it…after 6 years of doing nothing but giving is exhausting. Most of you would be pouting on the bench. Not Todd!
By Dave
November 21, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
This article proves that not even Jim Tressel can make eveyone happy!St. Henry folks want their “boy Todd” to play even though he had his chance, blow it, and then lost his job.They also have to remember that yes coaches call the plays but the players have to execute them and if you can’t, you get replaced.Doesn’t matter if you are a QB or OL!Remember last year’s Mich game? TB throw an ill timed interception right before the half that put them in OSU territory! OSU’s D saved the day once again!
By jim nabors
November 21, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
how is losing your starting job equal to being thrown under a bus? tressel has never said a single negative word about boeckman. tressel has never deflected blame away from himself, or towards any single individual.
i’m not a huge tressel fan at the moment but it has nothing to do with the qb situation. he needs to shake up his offensive philosophy somehow. whether the main cause is personnel, play calling, or coaching (probably a combination of the three) is beyond me.
By Pdog
November 21, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Anyone who is objective can see that this team has a better chance of winning with Pryor. Boeckman played well for the first part of the season last year but his numbers since then (in particular bad interceptions thrown) tell a different story. In high school there’s a lot loyalty to seniors and I like that. College is different and a coach has to play the players that give the whole team the best chance to win.
By The Facts
November 21, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
The transition was handled very poorly, for Tressel to through Boeckman under the bus after the USC game was unacceptable. Who called the option in the Red Zone with Boeckman at QB? Who didn’t have the courage to tell him that he was benched the day of the Troy game? We only have the defense to thank for this season. Last I looked we are 84th in total offense and 106th in passing in Division 1. Now…that is some BIG TIME COLLEGE FOOTBALL offensive stats…that won’t win very many BIG games
By Adam
November 21, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
The primary thing people missed is that Boeckman is gone after this season, and Pryor is the future of the program. Once the USC game was blown, we had no chance the national championship; however, our defense and Beanie have us in position to make a BCS game. Unfortunately for Todd, he won’t be here next year to help out the championship run - Pryor will. That’s why we have to groom Pryor now, get the kinks out, and let him learn - so that we can contend next year. Brilliant strategy, I think.
By St. Hank
November 21, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Second - This article is crap. His St. Henry quotes - 3 “pillars of the community”, 2 bar owners and store owner. They speak for everyone? Tressel could have handled better, but any way it was done was going to get bashed…..this is BIG-TIME FOOTBALL! Tressel is paid to win games, and Pyror gives them more versatility. There is NO DROPOFF in going to Pryor, so why not play the younger QB with more ability/potential.
By Boo Who
November 21, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
I could care less about the backwoods of st. henry and the thoughts of a former UD flyer probably living his buckeye dreams thru TB. Until st henry delivers buckeye nation a gamebreaker with 4.3 speed keep breeding corn loving beef eating linemen with nfl capabilities cause the buckeyes need a guard. Hint Hint! TB has earned his captain stripes demonstrating superb humility & this article was uncalled for taking away what little dignity he had left as a player.
By St.Hank
November 21, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
First - born and raised in St. Henry, I love Fish-mo’s - still the best pizza I’ve ever had. Loved every second I was there…to people that call it a bunch of hilljacks, you’ve never been there. Not a lot of poverty in that small hilljack town……
By Link
November 21, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Hey Y’all I am from Hicksville, oh I mean St Henry. The people here didn’t seek out this columnist to voice their opinions, he wanted to voice his opinion through them. Life is not always fair or equal and for Todd, his life will will still be great after OSU because he -is- a good person. Just so all of you know, we don’t just raise football players here in the Mercer County cornfields…. we raise doctors, engineers and teachers. Life isn’t all about football…I am sure Todd knows that!
By JoseOle
November 21, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
Bottom line is high school football is religon in Mercer County.The loyalty is with high school first so St. Henry folks are just protecting their own.I don’t think any of them will say the game last year at michigan, the debacle against LSU, the horrible Ohio game, and the drubbing at USC were the finest moments for the Bucks.What they are Tressel botched the transition and the Oline is blame too.Todd got thrown under the bus and people are frustrated.I think he will get his chance in the pros.
By FRED
November 21, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this
This article is complete garbage. Nice sources. Of course everyone from that backasswards hick town is gonna be upset, they’re probably all related to him. Can’t get quotes to stir the pot from inside the program, so let’s go to the benched QBs hometown and ask people how they feel. What a joke. The sooner Boeackman and the rest of the seniors, Jenkins aside, are gone, the better off the program will be.
By ed slominski
November 21, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
We Love Todd, and hope and pray for his continued success, and he’s is a class act. Todd knowns Ohio State is bigger than one person. It’s about team. That’s exactly why he’s a class act and will succeed in anything he does in life. Tressel has one job, to win games. Anything else is secondary. No doubt it is harsh. Would Woody make a move that he felt would give his team the best chance to win? You bet. Corny Green got the nod in a similar situation. Beat the team from up north. +++++
By Blase is the King
November 20, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
and off of brians comment,(everybody up there has the last name of Boeckmen,Mullenkamp,Fullenkamp, Langenkamp,Heitkamp,or Goettemoeller.As soon as you drive north of St Rd 47,the banjos start playing)Im not sure if st. henry has owned a banjo in their LIFE lol…and im pretty sure there is MAYBE 2 mullenkamp and fullenkamp families in the whole town…oh and by the way joe YOU dont even know what ur saying on this post…YOU may be the one trying to cause trouble…and redskin, TOTALLY AGREE
By Blase is the King
November 20, 2008 11:42 PM | Link to this
Ok…first off, yes Boeckman did not do too well in the Illinois game last year but do u remember how awful the defense was???…im pretty sure their qb ran for 200 yards that game so they didnt even give Todd a chance to redeem himself at the end of the game!!…second off, if the o-line in the championship game would have given boeckman a little more time, maybe he would have had a little better game…so please do not put all this crap on how “todd blew the games osu lost during last year”
By Not Joe
November 20, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Brian’s funny. Give that man a harumpf. Or would that be a harumpfkamp.
By Joe
November 20, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Does anyone remember the horrible decision Todd made against USC, trying to flip the ball that resulted in an interception returned for a TD? You want that guy to still stay in the game in a tandem? How about the garbage against Illinois last year? And against LSU in the title game. Todd spent more time on his back than Nicole Richie and you want the guy to stay in the game? Pryor showed he was ready to play. I can’t see how anyone can think Tressel threw Boeckman under the bus. He’s a 6-yr sr.
By Brian
November 20, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
Tressel is a class act, and there is no proof of these St Henry allegations about him. Mercer County is a bunch of inbreds…everybody up there has the last name of Boeckmen, Mullenkamp, Fullenkamp, Langenkamp, Heitkamp, or Goettemoeller. As soon as you drive north of St Rd 47, the banjos start playing.
By Joe
November 20, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Hey Redskin, you are exactly what I’m taking about. Someone who is trying to start trouble for no reason. If you have sources, name them or shut up. I’m not questioning whether Todd is a class act or not. I’m sure he is. But he stunk in big games. And the same offensive line that Pryor is flourishing behind is the same line Boeckman played behind. And to the rest, how did you want Tressel to handle the benching? THERE IS NO NICE WAY TO BENCH A GUY. What did you want, TB to be gradually taken out
By Nancy
November 20, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Loyalty versus results. That’s the bottom line. I still remember the Bellasari years, and I couldn’t for the life of me understand why we wouldn’t sit the guy. I do agree somewhat with the idea of a 2-qb system, but Pryor is the future. I like TB, and admire his maturity, particularly in light of this transition. But the Buckeyes must be about who gives us the best chance to win - and in this case, a mobile QB is better.
All of that said, I do hope that Tressel starts TB on Saturday.
By jungledawg32
November 20, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Get over it people. The world doesn’t revolve around St.Henry Ohio and Fish-Mo’s….
By Bill
November 20, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
This is a good story if your sole interest is in what Mercer County residents think about OSU football. Folks elsewhere may not share those opinions. Todd Boeckman performed well in the 2007 season but you can’t deny the gradual decline in performance that started during the last three games of that season and carried into this year. Pryor gives OSU the best chance to win each Saturday. Like it or not, the investment has been made and now it’s time to watch it grow.
By cbizzle
November 20, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
just because he is the nicest guy and a stand-up person does not mean he should get to start. terelle gives the team a better chance to win based on the lack of talent at wide receiver and tressel’s UNDENIABLE lack of talent calling plays.
By GB
November 20, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
The Buckeye urban jungle is missing the point. This article is about “The way Tressel handled the benching of Boeckman”, not who is the better athlete. If your going to blow “Mr. Rogers sweater-vest” smoke in front of the cameras all year long about..”character, leadership, preparing students for life, etc” but you end up making your Senior Captain who took you to the title game last year hitch-hike to the Shoe…what good are your recruiting words. Did coach handle this the best way. No.
By Josh
November 20, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
This article only represents hometown bias attitudes. I’m sure that Boeckman is a great guy but he was not getting the job done. The last three games of last year, he played poorly. His poor play transcended into the 08’ season. I believe that Tressel needs to evaluate his assistants at the end of season because it is not all of Boeckman’s fault. However, TP is the future and you have to go with the guy making the plays. That was surely not Boeckman!
By Reality
November 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Todd Boeckman is not a good quarterback. He was terrible playing against any team that had a decent defense. His main claim to fame is throwing the ball up in the air behind wide open wide receivers so they could get in a jump ball situation.
By Mitch G.
November 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Give me a break… this is a TEAM. The head coach has a responsibility to play the BEST players… period. Todd was a 6th year senior for goodness sakes and he continued to make the same mistakes over and over. He hit his peak during the Penn State game last year and regressed after that. He blew it against Illinois last year with interceptions and Tressel took the game out of his hands vs Michigan when he was shaky early. The LSU game went the way it did partly due to Boeckman also.
By Bucknuts
November 20, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
I have to agree TB was given the chance early in the year and it did not work out. I do feel sorry for him but it is Tressel’s job to field the best team possible, in this case it meant starting Pryor. For all of you that say Pryor has some character issues you need to get a life. He is 19 years old and has handled himself great on and off the field. The future is bright for the Buckeyes. TB will always be part of the “Buckeye Family”. I do think as a loyal appreciation TB should start on Sat!
By DRE
November 20, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
This article is hilarious. DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER HOW AWFUL TODD PLAYED IN BIG GAMES?
By Redskin
November 20, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
I’m from Nowhere, Ohio and we do take our football to heart. Todd is a great person and athlete. He did struggle at times but so did his front line, it’s not all Todd’s fault. I think some alumni with big bucks said this is what I want and Tressel went along with it. I’m tired of hearing the TV announcers tell me what a great guy Pryor is, I’ve heard different from very good sources, what goes around comes around. Nowhere, Ohio is very proud of Todd, he’s a class act.
By JD
November 20, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
A lot of people are wearing their feelings on their sleeves here. The bottom line? The Big Ten has to change, period, to be competitive. It is not the Haye’s or Cooper era. The need is for speed. You saw how it was during the LSU game, which was slightly better than the Florida game. Todd is a pocket quarterback who can hardly run, and is lucky when he does make it. He is a better passer, true. But the need is for one who can do both. Unfortunately, TB isn’t, and that is why he isn’t playing.
By Joe
November 20, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
Shame on Archdeacon for making it seem like there are problems in the locker room. I’m sure there are a few of Boeckman’s friends who are upset but to the extent reported in this story, I doubt it. For a newspaper that doesn’t even cover the games regularly anymore, you guys sure can stir up negative stuff. How about an interview with all of Chad Johnson’s friends and family over the whole no-trade thing that happened earlier.
By Joe
November 20, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
First, this was the most one-sided story ever written. Poor journalism. Tom Putzdeacon failed to mention the poor play by Boeckman in all the big games last year (one win, two losses) and his poor play this year. Maybe Mercer County is unhappy but they are biased. 100,000 people saw Boeckman stink against Illinois, struggle against Michigan and blow it against LSU and USC. A change had to be made for the good of the team, not to please a bunch of hilljacks in Nowhere, Ohio.
By Joe
November 20, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this
First, this was the most one-sided story ever written. Poor journalism. Tom Putzdeacon failed to mention the poor play by Boeckman in all the big games last year (one win, two losses) and his poor play this year. Maybe Mercer County is unhappy but they are biased. 100,000 people saw Boeckman stink against Illinois, struggle against Michigan and blow it against LSU and USC. A change had to be made for the good of the team, not to please a bunch of hilljacks in Nowhere, Ohio.
By UpNorthBuckeye
November 20, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
I thought Todd’s confidence was gone going back to the Michigan State game last year. I thought after that, the coaching staff, right or wrong, called games to minimize the risk side.
Todd did have a great game later against Penn State, but other than that, at least the way I remember it, he did not have a high quality game.
I agree with what some are saying that the coaching staff is equally to blame, if not more, for the USC game debacle.
Hey - OSU fans all love TB just the same.
By Greg
November 20, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Tressel is politically smoother than Obama when it comes to handling the sports media. He ended up taking the easy path after the USC game and threw Todd under both wheels of the bus. Tressel should have taken a history lesson from Florida’s “Chris Leak/Tim Tebow” situation and adapt a game plan that utilized both QB weapons. Then, the 2008 Buckeye results would have been better both on the field and on the small town street corners. “Attitude Reflects Leadership” coach Jim.
By Buckeyeshoe
November 20, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
It had to be a tough decision for Coach Tressel to take Todd out of the starting lineup but let’s face it, the team was not playing well and the quarterback is the ignitor. I think Coach Tressel missed a chance to win the Penn Stat game by not puting Todd in when it became apparent Penn State was not going to let Pryor run with the ball. A good passer like Boeckman could have loosened up the defense to allow our running game to flourish. Hope Todd gets the start against Michigan..right thing!
By The other Jim
November 20, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
To the Jim who stated he is a longtime Buckeyes fan who is rooting for Michigan this year. No TRUE Buckeyes fan would EVER root for Michigan. We really don’t need or want fans like you, so good luck with your 3-8 Wolverines. Astonishing to see supposedly real Buckeye fans say that they would rather play a lesser talented QB just because he started last season.
By Dave
November 20, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what all the complaining is about. TB hasn’t had a good game since the Penn State game in the middle of last year. TP is the best QB and gives the Bucks the best chance to win. TB had his chance and it just didn’t work out. Good luck to TB in the future.
By david
November 20, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this
I agree 100% with what Sidney says. There is no question that benching Todd Boeckman is a very hard thing to do. But you have to do whats best for the team and there is no question Todd had his chances. You have to put the best team on the field and not go by what fans think even if he is a St. Henry favorite. In big games, Todd just does not perform well and that is the bottom line. You cannot throw the ball to the other team and with this offensive line, you have to be mobile.
By Donn
November 20, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
These people need to take the binders off. Pryor is playing with the same line with the addition of another freshman. There is no doubt who the better athlete is and for a team sport not a populatity contest shouldn’t the head coach put his best on the field? By the way, how many other division 1 schools are playing a 6th year senior?
By Jim
November 20, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
I’m a longtime Buckeye fan, but I’m rooting for Michigan. Terrelle Pryor is certainly a star quality player. However, Tressel should remember all that Boeckman has accomplished for the team and Beckman’s loyalty. Tressel has dumped him on the trash heap. His mistreatment of Todd is just not right.
By bigrobj
November 20, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
todd should not have seen the playing field at all this year….it is what it is….pryor is far superior than todd…u play your best…if your goal is to win…todd has been there six long years…..if he could play at all…he would be in the pros
By Jason
November 20, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
It wasn’t the USC game, it was the his performance against Ohio University one week later that sealed his fate at OSU. A 16 for 26 performance against the vaunted Bobcats and getting the ball snapped off his facemask on the goalline didn’t help his cause as being a team leader. I do agree that Tressel has taken little responsiblity in the matter and let Boeckman be the fall guy. Our line is 1500lbs of wadded up cookie dough and the coaches should be responsible for that.
By Ben
November 20, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
I do feel for Todd and very humbled to see him handling the situation so well for the team and for Pryor.
I strongly believe that if Beanie was playing the USC game, then the loss would not have been a blow out. I think Todd would not have lost his job if that was the case. In addition, the O-line was horrible at best, and the offensive play calling sucks…still does.
Todd, I hope you get to start this Big Game! You deserved that much!!!
By Carl
November 20, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
I dont understand how the Buckeyes are better off with Pryor when Boeckman has taken the Buckeyes so far last year. We dont even know how the team would of been with Boeckman at QB because he was never given much of a chance this year.
By Jim
November 20, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
I can understand how some in St. Henry are feeling, but it is ultimately Tressel’s job to put the best team on the field, not to play favorites or seniors with lesser talent. This is not a knock on Boeckman, I respect him for what he has done and how he is presenting himself now. I just feel that the team is better with Pryor running the show and obviously Tressel feels the same way. And as far as Small goes too, there is no way a coach is going to be able to satisfy everyone.
By Sidney
November 20, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
He handled it the right way. There was no gentle way to bench him. Boeckman had his chance; he did not play the way a 6th year Senior should be playing. The team is much better off with Pryor at the helm. Tressel’s job is to make the right decisions, not necessarily the most popular. He would be out of a job by now if he cared what the fans thought.