August Means Almost (Football)

It's almost here.

I am speaking of course of the best time of the year. FOOTBALL season!

On the pro level, training camps are in full swing. The thing I like about training camp is fans are so hungry for news, things like teammate fights (Buffalo) or a rookie not carrying pads (Dallas) become stories for a day or two.

Not that there is an "offseason" anymore. From the Super Bowl (early February), there's a little gap until the draft (let us all bow before Kiper the great and powerful) in April. Then comes "organized team activities", "minicamp", etc.

As for the rookies, all but three of the first-round picks have signed. Ndamukong Suh (Detroit), Russell Okung (Seattle), and C.J. Spiller (the Bills) are still futzing around. A word of advice to those guys, and any other rookies who have not yet signed contracts — get into camp. You're a rookie, you need to learn as much as you can. I don't care if you haven't received your signing bonus so you can buy a new car or house. Get...into....camp.

Of course, I am also eagerly awaiting the college and high school seasons. Ohio State starts with Marshall, who they have played exactly once before (a win in 2004), then hosts the Hurricanes. First time since a certain duel in the desert in January 2003. By the way, Maurice Clarett is out of jail and has re-enrolled at OSU. I'm thankful for the contribution the guy made to the team that year, I'm sorry his life got screwed up and I hope he stays off the radar.

The Buckeyes and "the U" have met twice in the regular season. In 1977, OSU shut out Miami 10-0 at the Horseshoe. In 1999, Miami beat the Bucks 23-12 in a "Kickoff Classic" at Giants Stadium. Both were season openers.

The first game, I was three. The second game, I'm sure I watched, but I don't recall anything memorable about it. That was the year OSU went 6-6 and missed a bowl for the first time in a long while. Thankfully, John Cooper was fired a couple years later.

I also look forward to taking part in the "Smack Talk" column each week. Of course, now that I have this particular outlet, my readers (all five of you) can look forward to an expanded version in this space.

Back soon....for more SPEAKING FRANKLY