:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/11311263/20121018_ter_aw3_200.0.jpg)
Ohio State is reaching the home stretch to this coming Saturday's 2013 spring game in not too distant Cincinnati, Ohio. After today's final pre-walk through practice to the spring game, head coach Urban Meyer, defensive backs/special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs, and a few players addressed the media. Coombs was apparently his usual colorful self while Urban Meyer provided the usual candor Ohio State fans have grown to expect from their fearless leader.
No news from the press gathering stood out as completely surprising. Braxton Miller and Kenny Guiton will both play plenty but will be wearing non-contact jerseys (Cardale Jones will be free to target, it sounds like though). OSU evidently still doesn't have a stand out at right tackle (between Taylor Decker and Chase Farris) or Meyer continues to play head games with the one he does actually like (believed to be Decker). Adolphus Washington's bulked up, which given his flexibility to move to the interior line while also rushing from the outside certainly can't hurt. And Kerry Coombs was still Kerry Coombs.
While Saturday is somewhat an exercise in futility in that other than a season ending injury going down, we're unlikely to learn a ton meaningful (hello, Taurian Washington and freshman Michael Thomas), given the long grind of the offseason, it's nice to get something, anything, resembling football – even if it's effectively the margarine version of the game we all know and love. Those going to Cincinnati should still get an adequate theatrical trailer for a team that should be a top 5 one when the 2013 season finally gets here.
Here are some of the highlights from those in and around the Ohio State beat scene following Wednesday's practice:
Rod Smith did not practice today after suffering a head injury during Saturday's practice. Saw him walking in street clothes.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) April 10, 2013
Adolphus Washington said he weighs about 290 pounds right now.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) April 10, 2013
Washington said Bennett and Hale are the leaders in the defensive line.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 10, 2013
OSU LB Joe Burger says Cincy animosity toward OSU is over blown
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) April 10, 2013
Andrew Norwell says he'll have at least 50 family and friends at PBS for OSU spring game
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) April 10, 2013
Meyer said they're going to give players the full Cincinnati experience: Reds museum, Montgomery Inn, Graeter's and Skyline
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) April 10, 2013
Marvin Lewis will speak to Buckeyes in Cincinnati, according to Urban Meyer.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 10, 2013
Meyer said they will draft the spring game rosters tomorrow.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) April 10, 2013
Meyer says he is finally seeing it with Curtis Grant. He's the starting middle linebacker.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) April 10, 2013
Kerry Coombs: "When you recruit for Urban Meyer and Ohio State, you have inroads everywhere."
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) April 10, 2013
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer said that Bradley Roby won't play in the spring game due to a shoulder injury.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) April 10, 2013
A Cincinnati media member said UC head coach Tommy Tuberville indicated he plans on attends OSU's spring game.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 10, 2013
Urban said the right tackle position is unsettling. Still no starter between Taylor Decker and Chase Farris.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 10, 2013
Meyer said that Braxton Miller & Kenny Guiton will play in black no-contact jerseys. "I'm going to be carrying a bat," Meyer joked.
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) April 10, 2013
Meyer said Adolphus, Spence, Curtis Grant and Doran Grant have been defensive guys who've stood out this spring.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) April 10, 2013