By Matt McCoy

Urban Meyer talked with the media Wednesday, revealing Ohio State's two-deep roster following spring football. (Click here to see two-deep) While there could be some changes prior to the September 1 season opener versus the Miami Red Hawks, Meyer made it clear, the spring was critical to earning playing time.

"Our focus in August is not developing a depth chart, it's trying to go win a game," Meyer said. "I think the urgency was there this spring, especially after the players were made well aware that your playing time will be determined in spring practice, not so much in the fall."

Meyer singled out center Corey Linsley as the most improved offensive player and Michael Bennett as the guy who made the biggest strides on defense. In terms of the most improved unit, Meyer said it was the offensive line. He said the improvement of true freshman Taylor Decker, which upgraded the overall depth, had a lot to do with it. Meyer also said both quarterbacks, Braxton Miller and Kenny Guiton, made significant progress.

He also discussed recruiting, academics, the off-season and more. To listen to Meyer's conversation with the media click here.

By Matt McCoy

Anyone who witnessed Orlando Pace play during his time at Ohio State (check out the Ohio State/Penn State highlights below) knows how embarrassed College Football Hall of Fame voters should be. Pace won the Lombardi Award twice. No one has ever done that. He was eligible for the Hall but did not make it when the class of 14 players and three coaches was revealed Tuesday.

So why was he left out? Well apparently there's an unwritten rule, pointed out by CBSsports.com, that kept Pace, former Nebraska quarterback Tommy Frazier and several other dominant college players on the outside looking in.

The Hall does not elect players from the same school, two years in a row. Since Ohio State's Eddie George was part of last year's Hall of Fame class, Pace, even though he's eligible, had no chance. In Frazier's case, Nebraska had lineman Will Shields go in last year so he was ignored. 

Does anyone else find this is silly as I do? If you're a Hall of Famer, you're a Hall of Famer. Why shouldn't traditional programs like Ohio State, Nebraska, Alabama, or USC have players going in every year? It's the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of 'Let's get as many schools represented as we can.'

You can bank on Pace and Frazier being elected next year, but undoubtedly there will be a new batch of eligible stars who will be snubbed. Until the silly unwritten policy is buried, it's hard to take the College Hall of Fame very seriously.

Hey D-Wade...shut up

Following Tuesday's 78-75 NBA playoff loss to Indiana, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade complained that the Pacers were too excessive in celebratration of a game two victory.

"They wanted to be like the Dallas Mavericks," Wade said, referring to last season's NBA champions. "I saw their little celebration at the end of the game so I don't know if they didn't expect to win but every night we go on the court and expect to win."

Hey D-Wade...ever hear the old saying "the pot calling the kettle black?" What team was it that introduced its "Big Three" like a boy band?  What team was it that not only celebrated the LeBron James and Chris Bosh signings like it had won a championship, but actually declared there would be...not one...not two...not three...etc..NBA titles? In case you can't remember...the video is below. And Indiana celebrated too much? Yeah right.

Basketball Bucks honored

The basketball Buckeyes were part of history during March Madness. Ohio State was one of four Ohio schools to advance to the Sweet 16 in the Division I tournament, joining Ohio University, Cincinnati and Xavier. Governor Kasich honored those schools with a reception at the Governor's mansion Tuesday afternoon. 

Also on hand were the Ashland and Mount Union women's teams and the Wittenberg and Wooster men's squads who made the Sweet 16 in Divisons two and three.

Fore!

The Memorial Tournament held its Media Day Tuesday. Here's the WTVN crew. From left to right, Joel Riley, me, Mr. Golf Ray Hustek and Dave Maetzold. Thanks to Tournament Director Dan Sullivan, Media Relations director Tom Sprouse and the entire crew at Murfield for having us out.

By Matt McCoy

It wasn't a sexy choice. It wasn't a move that will grab major headlines. It wasn't a choice that will sell any tickets...but that may not be a bad thing.

The Blue Jackets decision to take the interim tag off of Todd Richards and sign him to a two-year contract to remain head coach made too much sense. 

He took over a Blue Jackets team that was a mess midway through last season, with an 11-25-5 record. Over the final 41 games the Jackets went 18-21-2...certainly not awe inspiring but the numbers only tell part of the story.

Remember the culture Richards was dealing with. Beyond the mounting injuries which resulted in AHL line-ups many nights, there was the Rick Nash trade deadline circus. It was a major distraction but Richards was able to guide the team through it. The Jackets also seemed to play better, the longer Richards was there as evidenced by wins in seven of their last 11 games.

Is Richards the guy to lead the Jackets to the playoffs? Who knows. Maybe this will be yet another coach who will soon be on the unemployment line, but I do think he earned a shot. I applaud the Jackets for giving it to him.

Richards joined Joel Riley on WTVN Tuesday morning, click here to listen.

The Dookies again  

I blogged a couple weeks ago that another Ohio State/Duke match-up was on the horizon. It's official now. The Big Ten and the ACC announced the games for the 2012 'Challenge' and the Buckeyes will visit Duke November 28.

It will be a monumental task for Thad Matta's team. Duke has won 94 consecutive non-conference home games and the Blue Devils will be seeking revenge after Ohio State's 85-63 win in Columbus last year.

"It's going to be time for the long pants when Ohio State goes into Duke," 610 WTVN basketball analyst Tony White said. (Click here to listen to Tony White talk about Ohio State's match-up with Duke) "Duke is going to be Duke so they're going to be very talented and very good and that crowd is going to be what it always is...given the drubbing Ohio State put on Duke in Columbus last year, you have to expect that Duke is going to be circling this game with a big red pen."

Evan Almighty

If you've watched any of the NBA playoffs you've seen the development of former Buckeye Evan Turner. The second year pro still has moments of inconsistancy but he also has become a key player in Philadelphia's run.

In Monday night's 76ers 82-81 win in Boston, which evened the Eastern Conference semi-finals at a win each, Turner turned a bad night at the office, into a good one.

With three minutes left in the game, he was just 2-9 from the floor with four points. But in those final minutes, Turner shined, scoring 6 points and grabbing two rebounds.

His most important basket came with 40 seconds left when he drove into the lane and made a twisting, acrobatic lay-up to give Philadelphia 76-75 lead. It turned out to be the basket that put the Sixers ahead for good.

"I closed out games back in college a lot," Turner said. "I don't really get nervous in those situations and I don't like fading away in those situations and thank God I didn't."

The degree of difficulty for Turner's go-ahead hoop was about 9.5.

"Evan Turner made a miraculous shot," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. You can see for yourself below.

By Matt McCoy

The football player formerly known at Chad Johnson is at it again. Former Bengal and now Patriots receiver Chad Ochocino wrote an open letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who he refers to as "Dad." It deals with concerns over the health of players in the league. If you haven't seen it...enjoy.

Dear Dad,
I know it has been a rough week, so I wanted to reach out. Players dying, players suing and on top of that my peers are just going off on you in the media. It does not help that ESPN has all of a sudden become Medical TV with damn near every brain expert on the planet. This has got to be the worst week ever. Since no one is showing any support, I figured I would be the first. You are in one big ass catch 22 and quite frankly, I am not sure there is any solution. One thing I think can help is killing the NFL PR machine.
Y’all do a darn near perfect job at portraying this game as one played by heroes.
But let’s be real dad. This is a nasty, dirty and violent game with consequences. Sign up or go get a regular job. Watch it or turn off the TV and go fishing with your kids. It is really that simple. I know there are probably legal and financial implications that prevent this blunt depiction, but am not sure if you have a choice. If you don’t say it now, the mounting evidence being revealed publicly will say it for you very soon. In all, I love you and if anyone can lead us out of this mess, it will be you. Oh by the way, I have a deal for you. Am having a rebound year and plan to do a lot of celebrating in the end zone. Can my fine money go to supporting ex-players suffering?

Sincerely,
Chad

Votto's Mother's Day Magic

The Reds Joey Votto had two home runs all season until Sunday. He hit three versus the Washington Nationals, carrying the Reds to a 9-6 victory. Votto's last homer was as dramatic as it gets...a game ending grand slam with two outs in the 9th. It helped the Reds avoid a three-game sweep and it improved Cincinnati's record on 'get away games' (last game of a series) to 10-1.

Hey Whitey, where's your hat?

If you watched any of the Players Championship this weekend, you saw the bizarre pre-shot routine by Kevin Na. By all accounts, Na is one of the good guys on tour but it was both painful and aggravating to watch. It reminded me of another well known golfer...Judge Smails from Caddyshack. Compare for yourself. Here's Smails' swing and Na's is below. Na is just lucky Al Czervik wasn't nearby for heckling.