Burrow, not Barrett, should be starting QB
Mr. Stein: Since OSU’s spring game was recently announced, I think it is timely to discuss the team’s quarterback problem that culminated in an embarrassing 31-0 loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
I attended the spring game last season and it was perfectly clear to me who should have been the starting quarterback: one Joe Burrow. It has become obvious to me that J.T. Barrett is not the same player since his injury in the 2014 Michigan game.
Here are the numbers for Burrow: 2014 Mr. Football, threw for more than 150 touchdowns at Athens High School and ran for a third of that total.
His other competition, Dwayne Haskins, did such a good job simulating Deshaun Watson that it resulted in a 31-0 whitewashing. Tate Martell is a short, 5-foot-10 Johnny Manziel lookalike. How many balls will be batted down at the line of scrimmage with him at the helm?
The choice is clear. Swim with Joe Burrow, sink with J.T. Barrett. C.M. Rose, Athens C.M.: Not to throw dirt at those who are no longer here to defend themselves, but I think OSU’s quarterback issues the past two seasons can be attributed to the departure of Tom Herman. No matter who is the QB, he’d better have a whisperer in his ear.
Ray: Here is a short, partial list of Ohio basketball talent that has proven enjoyable to watch on cable TV:
Nigel Hayes, Khalid Iverson and Vitto Brown (Wisconsin); Dererk Pardon and Gavin Skelly (Northwestern); Nick Ward (Michigan State); Maverick Morgan (Illinois); Vince Edwards (Purdue); Carlton Bragg (Kansas); Luke Kennard (Duke); Elijah Macon (West Virginia); Seth Towns (Harvard); and Jack Gibbs and Peyton Aldridge (Davidson).
Please note that none are playing at Ohio State.
In the fall of 1965, I walked across campus to watch Ron Sepic play for the Buckeyes. He was the only good player on that year’s team. In 1967 and ’68 things improved, and watching Buckeye basketball became enjoyable.
After 51 years, I still buy season tickets to support my university. I catch myself daydreaming and wondering what it would be like to have some of those young men on our team.
Jim Kossow, Columbus
Jim: Can’t get ’em all, obviously — and the Buckeyes already have five Ohioans among their contributors — but there’s no doubt some from among that group would provide immediate help.
Mr. Stein: As I’m certain you are aware, there are six Ohio teams in the Mid-American Conference — Toledo, Akron, Kent State, Bowling Green, Miami and Ohio.
Wouldn’t it be a novel idea to at least once in a while put their basketball standings in your sports page? I’m certain many MAC alumni live in central Ohio and we are not all fans of Ohio State University.
Chet Bennett, via email Chet: Fair enough. We have published the standings twice in the past 10 days that I know of, and will continue to do so when space allows.