Monroe, regarding DBs, I don't really know how many were all-MAC, but I can tell you that the one position where Ohio has sent more players to the NFL than any other position is at DB. In fact, when you look at players that actually appeared in NFL games, it may be more players at DB than all other positions combined. Certainly when you look at players who are starters in the NFL that is true.

Byrum - Carolina 2006/7
TJ Wright - appeared ready to make the cut at Cincinnati in 2007 before an injury ended his NFL career
Parson - Houston 2009, New Orleans 2009-11
Mitchell - Oakland 2009-12, Carolina 2013, now starting for Pittsburgh
Turner - Indianapolis 2010, Patriots 2010, Arizona 2011
Posey - Jets 2011, Dolphins 2013, Browns 2013, Vikings 2014
Carrie - starting for Oakland
Koenig - Cleveland Browns 2008


When you return players, generally they improve significantly from one year to the next. College players are still developing physically, getting bigger and faster, and they are gaining experience, and making fewer errors. As an example, Crutcher is now a stud at D-line. He played back in 2011 as a true Freshman because he was needed, but really wasn't that great back then.

My point regarding injuries was simple. Barring another year where all the safeties get hurt again, next year these people should be healthier than this year, and thus should show improvement for that reason as well as improving just because of age/experience. I'm not "laying" things off to that. I'm saying that it is a reason to expect improvement.

All in all, I expect the DBs next year to be significantly better than this year.


What?? The only player drafted last year was a DB, Carrie. The only player who might be drafted this year is Crutcher, a defensive lineman. He'll probably get invited to the Combine, but may not be drafted without putting up some good numbers at the Combine. If the isn't drafted, he'll certainly get a FA deal. McLeod is more iffy, but might get a FA deal, too, and most likely will get a tryout somewhere.
Currently McLeod is rated 108 of 183 DTs in the US http://tinyurl.com/qyg6geb
Crutcher is rated 22 of 183 (about 20-25 get drafted) http://tinyurl.com/o52fv58

I do agree with you that next year the DL may not be as good as this year, but much depends on the progress of the young defensive linemen.

I've given clearly defined explanations for why I have a minimal amount of respect for you. I assure you, my antipathy is rooting in reason.

As for "dealing with it", I am. And despite my previous direct criticism of your posts, you continue to shovel out your usual bull $#!t. The latest and greatest example displayed right here when you attempt to discredit the significant successes we've had recruiting DBs recently. Maybe worse than that, you overlook the accomplishments of the players themselves. (And you give no mention to the potential play makers at DB we have signed for next season)

You may think you're the squeaky wheel, out for some grease. But all I see is bull $#!t. And I'll call it like I see it. Deal with it.

In Solich's time at Ohio, 23 players have signed NFL contracts of one sort or another, while 56 have made All-MAC. This does not include players who had tryouts only, but never were signed, but neither does my list above. In any case, 8 of 23 players who have signed NFL contracts were DBs, so DB has been a stronger than average position.

Interestingly there is not as much overlap between All-MAC and NFL-Contract as you might think. I suppose All-MAC is mostly political, whereas NFL contracts are based more on talent. Anyway, DBs that were named All-MAC, but never signed an NFL contract include Steven Jackson, Gerald Moore, Donovan Fletcher, and Devin Bass, while DBs that signed NFL contracts, but who were never named All-MAC include Mark Parson, Michael Mitchell, and Todd Koenig.

Go figure, though. A guy who was a 2d round pick in the draft, and who is starting in the NFL was not All-MAC even in his senior year, while his fellow safety that year, Steven Jackson, was All-MAC? What sense does that make?


They may be wonderful players, for all I know, but Aloese and Porter are just Freshmen this year, and haven't played much. In the absence of real information, I can't project their future stardom. That's why I said that how good the DL is next year depends on how fast they progress.

It doesn't help that good DBs are harder and harder to come by each year. Especially with the emergence of spread offenses used by approximately 60-75% or more of college football. You need more stud DBs to guard all the receivers, so maybe you take one or two more instead of a LB or DL when recruiting. If the Power 5 schools are doing that, it will have a trickle down effect.

Personally, I think it's incredible that Ohio has had the run at DBs that it has had. Just look at the list LC put up. Those guys Byrum, Wright, Parson, etc were studs.

I don't take much value into "All-MAC" rankings anyway. Those are arbitrary votes. I'd like to see how those All-MAC lists parlayed into NFL tryouts, contracts, and significant NFL playing time.