Long, long until the 2008 Football Season far, far away…A NEW HOPE.  After a week or so of despair and the questions of my Buckeye fanhood from friend and family alike, and wanting so bad to move on but held captive by the past.  Behold –  the last couple days have been quite an enlightening experience – I am now a fan reborn.  Completely stoked about the upcoming 2008 season.  Due much in part to the 12 returning juniors and to a new perspective on our incoming recruits my Buckeye fire been stoked once again and next season we will be a force to be reckoned with.  I have to give a big O-H-I-O to Laurinaitis, Jenkins, Boone, Freeman, Robiskie, Hartline and the rest for all returning.  To think about what some of those guys passed on to wear the scarlet and gray another year is absolutely amazing and has earned them Buckeye stickers for life.  Gholston may have gone but that is okay, I thank him for the great moments and wish him a long and prosperous NFL career.   But in the wings we have Thaddeus Gibson – a rush linebacker / defensive end that until now coaches have not been able to find a starting role. It is definitely a testament to the quality of program at OSU – 12 out of 13 chose to stay for a senior season as a Buckeye.  Now both sides of the ball are stacked with experience.In addition to getting all those returning senior starters, we also had a number of players injured last year other than Wilson that I had forgotten about that will be coming back.  Remember Ross Homan (redshirt – LB), Curtis Terry (senior – LB) – they are both back.  So is Andre Amos (CB) who was recovering from an ACL last year, as well as Robert Rose (DE).  So our already veteran defense just got deeper and competition at each position breed greatness.I originally had questions about our speed going into next year and upon further review after the most recent recruiting report – we have solid verbals some potential burners coming in next season that could help out by stretching the opposing defense.  Devier Posey, from Cincinnati LaSalle HS - a 6-3 190lb wideout that can run a 10.7 sec 100 meters (similar to Ginn) is a five star skill position that can stretch a defense vertically.  Also we landed Lamaar “Flash” Thomas out of Maryland.  He may be only 5-11 and 170 lbs but clocks in at 4.36 in the 40 (10.3 in the 100) and he is supposed to be the next Reggie Bush – will also play wideout at OSU.  On the other side of the ball we have Travis Howard from Miami, a DB that can run 4.43.  Not to mention the last time I checked we were still in the Terrelle Pryor sweepstakes, if he was smart he would see that if he comes to OSU that he will have playmakers to complement himself.  Barton may have graduated but with two five star O lineman (Adams and Brewster) and another four star (Shugarts) and it seems like we have just stocked up on ammo to reload the running game for several future seasons.Let’s not forget to throw in Heisman candidate Beanie and emerging star Saine and there is an abundance of weapons all over the field.

 
Praise Brutus and Woody – I have seen the light.  Buckeyes are going all the way in 2008!!

How many days until Sept 13th?