Thursday Take-Twos

Ohio State will be without offensive lineman, Jim Cordle, for at least the next three weeks. The star right tackle for the Buckeyes suffered an ankle injury that has gotten steadily worse. The severity of the fifth year senior’s ankle means J.B. Shugarts or Mike Adams will fill in. The 1-1 Buckeyes play at Toledo this week in the Cleveland Browns’ stadium. OSU is a 20 ½ point favorite over the 1-1 TU team coached by Tim Beckham. Beckham worked under OSU coach, Jim Tressel as the Buckeyes’ defensive backs coach from 2005-06. The Toledo Rockets are no push-over, and Ohio State will have to be on their game. Last week, the University of Toledo manhandled Colorado, crushing the Buffs with more than 600 yards of offense. The Buckeyes present a different monster on defense, but Toledo has scored 85 points in only their first two games of the year. After the miserable loss to USC a week ago, the Buckeyes have plenty to prove. They should not underestimate their week three opponents from the same state. The Buckeyes’ ranking dropped out of the top ten after last week’s flattening. (11th)
These pennant races are definitely heated. Between the Jorge Posada-Jesse Carlson fight and the Nick Green missed strike three call, drama is gynormous on the diamond. New York Yankee backstop, Posada and Toronto hurler, Carlson, were suspended three games and fined for their roles in the benches-clearing brawl in the Bronx Wednesday. The intensity should be condoned and Posada did his best to rectify the situation. Still, the poor incriminating behavior is inexcusable by both sides. The Yankees, unfortunately, have much more to lose by having their players suspended. The Red Sox and Yankees both won on walk-off hits Wednesday night. Pinch-hitter, Nick Green, failed twice to get a third strike call on him and ended up drawing a bases-loaded walk to tie the score. Alex Gonzalez then chipped a blooper down the left field line for the game winner with two outs in the ninth. Boston has the Angels’ number, especially at Fenway. The AL West leaders just can’t seem to win in Boston, and if they teams face off in the post-season, you have to reward the Red Sox the upper hand. The euphoria continued last night as the Red Sox rallied to win their seventh straight game. Boston is on a roll and appears on an unstoppable voyage to claiming the AL wildcard. Their 9-8 victory over the Angels give the Sox a comfortable 6 ½ games lead over the Texas Rangers. The Rangers can’t beat anybody these days. Oakland swept them out of their own stadium to complete their first three-game sweep in three months. The Rangers have scored just one run during their recent four game losing streak. To their credit, Texas is playing without injured starters, Michael Young and Josh Hamilton. The utter possibility of missing the playoffs is becoming more apparent as the summer days dwindle in the Texas sun.
The Patriots are overhyped, but still the most feared team in the AFC. Rex Ryan, the New York Jets head coach, phoned season ticket holders yesterday. Ryan urged Gang Green fans to come to Sunday’s game against New England and show their support. The Jets aren’t quite issuing their version of a Joe Namath guarantee, but the confident New York team is ready to take on their greatest rival, with Tom Brady calling plays. You have to feel sorry for the Buffalo Bills. First, they lose their season opener because of a fumble and great comeback by Brady. They actually looked like an improved team as they held the lead in the fourth quarter last Monday night. However, the Bills are known for collapsing late, and of course they did it again. Secondly, the player who fumbled, Leodis McKelvin, had his front lawn vandalized by local teens. It must be frustrating to be a fan of the Bills, but it is also embarrassing. Finally, T. O. couldn’t keep his mouth shut about the loss. He knocked his quarterback, coach, teammates and just about everyone but himself when pinpointing the blame. It’s hard to live with the fact you’re a Bills fan if that’s what you are.

Parting points: "They've got to be some of the most unhappy people in the world, and I feel bad because we just made them less happy, and I hate to be a part of making someone less happy. I mean, they're already miserable."- Jim Tressel talking about OSU fan emails
Opponents ARE outrushing the Buckeyes by more than 30 yards a game. Maybe the fans have a reason to vent their complaints.