Maurice Clarett - No Regrets For This Youngstown Boy

On December 14, 2013, after the Heisman Trophy presentation, ESPN will televise its "30 For 30" series, focusing upon the story of former Ohio State stalwarts Maurice Clarett and Jim Tressel, in "Youngstown Boys".  Below is a trailer previewing the episode...



On December 9, 2013, a buddy of mine named Jay Kimball, an Ohio State alum living in New Jersey, had the opportunity to meet Maurice Clarett at an advanced screening of the program.  Jay e-mailed me during the day, asking me if I had one question for Maurice Clarett, and I had a very obvious, but important question ~

What Is Your Biggest Regret?

Below are Jay's comments from an e-mail reply he sent to me, and a picture of Jay with Maurice Clarett.  I hope you enjoy Jay's comments, and I am looking forward to watching "Youngstown Boys" at 9pm EST on ESPN on December 14th.  Go Bucks!

This was a screening of the ESPN 30 for 30 called "Youngstown Boys" which premieres on Saturday night after the Heisman show.  It was at my high school Paramus Catholic just for the kids.  I got a call this afternoon to stop by.  He did a Q&A after.  His answers were not scripted and seemed honest.  I think he has great potential as a public speaker but he needs a little work on his delivery.  I asked him about his greatest regret.  I prefaced it by stating that he was Mr. Football in Ohio 2001, Big Ten Freshman of the Year 2002 and National Champion 2002.  I graduated in '89 and but for my Freshman year we were in the woods until Tressel came in, then Clarett, etc.  So he was a great source of pride and then to hear about a robbery occurring in an alley right behind the bars on High Street and then prison was a great source of shame.  He had the opportunity to set himself and his entire family for life with an NFL contract.  What is your biggest regret?

His answer was something to the effect that he didn't have any regrets.  That when he was involved in drugs and robbery he thought he was doing what he should be doing.  Was he in the right frame of mind, absolutely not.  I thought that response was a little off but he went on to talk more about how he came around in prison and what he was doing with his life now.  So it wasn't a bad response but I think he needs to work on it.  Again, I thought he was being honest and the obvious message of trying to get kids to avoid people places and things that will get you in trouble resonates and he speaks from experience. “

The Ghosts Of Spartan Past And Present Haunt Ohio State's BCS Title Hopes

Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" ranks as one of my all-time favorite holiday traditions.  Not only was I partial to reading the book as a boy, but I have grown to enjoy watching the various versions of the story with my wife and children.  We enjoy all of the versions, from the cartoon of Mister Magoo, to the serious and somber George C. Scott version (that was my Dad's favorite).  Probably our favorite is the Albert Finney musical version, titled "Scrooge".

 Central to the Dickens story are the three ghosts who visit miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge - the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future visiting Scrooge, to get Scrooge to change his ways and embrace the true meaning of Christmas.  Scrooge is transformed upon the conclusion of the story after the visits.  (I truly hope I did not commit a literary spoiler there for anyone who may not be familiar with the story, in all sincerity.)

As I viewed the B1G conference championship game last evening, I felt somewhat like Ebeneezer Scrooge in the sense that I was visited by a ghost from the past.  This ghost was the Spartan Ghost Of 1998.

Congratulations to Michigan State for winning the B1G in deserving fashion last evening.  Below is a tweet I sent out, primarily directed to my co-worker friend Eric, who is a Michigan State fan ~

@EricReplied Congrats to Sparty for outcoaching & outplaying OSU.  Good luck vs Stanford in Rose Bowl.  Play well for B1G.
— Chip Minnich (@ChipMinnich) December 8, 2013

How did the Ghost Of Spartan Present haunt Ohio State and its fans, you may ask?  In the same manner that other teams have tried to hurt Ohio State throughout the entire 2013 season - attacking an inconsistent Buckeye defense. 

Ohio State's secondary was the victim early, contributing painful penalties at the onset (what were you thinking, Doran Grant and Ryan Shazier, on that opening Spartan drive?).  Ohio State fell behind 17-0 early, and it seemed like it was going to be a blowout.

Ohio State rallied in the second half, scoring twenty-four points to take the lead.  No matter, as The Ghost Of Spartan Present was aided by curious Buckeye offensive play-calling, as well as a return by the Buckeyes to lackluster defensive play, and The Ghost Of Spartan Present won the game, 34-24.

And yet...I feel this loss to Michigan State is not as deep, or painful, as the 1998 loss.

Am I disappointed that Ohio State did not win?  Absolutely.  Would I have liked to have seen Ohio State contend for The BCS National Championship?  Without a doubt.  (More than likely, Ohio State seems headed for The Orange Bowl, versus Clemson, on January 3rd, 2014, from projections I have read.)

Yet 1998, The Ghost Of Spartan Past, haunts me more in comparison.  Maybe it was because Ohio State lost at home, in the friendly confines of Ohio Stadium, versus Lucas Oil Stadium.  (Yes, I will concede most of those fans in Lucas Oil Stadium were Ohio State fans.)

Maybe it was because The Ghost Of Spartan Past was an unranked Michigan State team, while The Ghost Of Spartan Present is ranked #10 in the country.  Probably by the time you read this, the ranking of Michigan State will be higher, and deservedly so, after last evening's results are analyzed by the voters.

I believe this is the reason, and this is painful to admit ~ the 1998 Ohio State team should have won the national championship that season.  Ohio State fans know it, and so do other true college football fans who remember that season, and that Buckeye team.  

And while this year's team is good, and worthy of a quality bowl game, do you truly believe in your heart of hearts that Ohio State was capable of winning the national championship?

Because deep down, and maybe it is just me, I do not.  And I have not throughout the season.  And I also believe others feel the same way...

Another championship season becomes a might have been because of Ohio State's leaky defense.  http://t.co/Oz4L9NWLrl
— Bill Livingston (@Livy70) December 8, 2013

The Ghosts Of Spartan Past And Present, haunting Ohio State fans yet again.  What about The Ghost Of Spartan Future, you ask?  Ohio State's next visit is scheduled for November 8, 2014, at East Lansing.  The last time Ohio State visited, it was the Buckeyes' turn to haunt the Spartans.  Ohio State fans can only hope it will be like that 2012 visit, and unlike the unwanted visits of The Ghosts Of Spartan Past and Present.

B1G Championship Poster (courtesy of Samuel Silverman)

Ohio State Football: B1G Championship Trailer

[BTN: The Journey] ~ Ohio State @ That Team Up North

Yeah, I can see how that fight happened on the field.  It almost happened in the tunnel before THE GAME...

B1G Chance For Miller Time In Indy

Congratulations to Ohio State on winning their twenty-fourth straight game, squeaking out a victory 42-41 over That Team Up North. Standing squarely and confidently in Ohio State's quest for a twenty-fifth victory are the Michigan State Spartans, led by former Ohio State defensive coordinator (2001-2003) Mark Dantonio.  Dantonio was recently named the 2013 B1G football coach of the year.  Michigan State enters the B1G conference championship game with an 11-1 record, losing only at Notre Dame on September 21st, 17-13.

Coach Mark Dantonio is not the only familiar face that Ohio State will encounter in the 2013 B1G conference championship.  Most prominently, former Ohio State offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Jim Bollman (2001-2011) will be involved as the Spartans' co-offensive coordinator in Michigan State's efforts to claim the B1G championship.  Other Spartans assistants who formerly assisted Ohio State during the Jim Tressel era include Marhttp://www.msuspartans.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/k Staten, Mike Tressel, Rob Harley, and Ken Mannie. 

What do I expect Saturday night when I turn on my TV (Fox will televise the game) at 8:15pm EST?  Perhaps I may be mistaken, but I am expecting pangs of nostalgia, as I expect Michigan State to embrace the "Tresselball" style Ohio State fans became entirely familiar with from 2001-2011.

Here is my logic ~ Michigan State's strength lies in its dominating defense.  In addition, Michigan State has found a winning formula that relies upon steady passing by Ohio native Connor Cook, and dependable running by Jeremy Langford.  While Michigan State's offense is not as explosive as Ohio State's, the Spartans have established a balanced offensive philosophy that has helped to produce eleven victories this season.

Let us get back to that dominant Spartan defense.  A critical match-up that will bear watching will be Spartan DE Shilique Calhoun versus Ohio State's left offensive tackle Jack Mewhort.  Mewhort, entrusted with protecting Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller's blind side, will have his hands full with Calhoun, a lanky and disruptive pass rusher.

Continuing with the Spartan defense, Ohio State will find that running the ball with senior running back Carlos Hyde may not be as easy as it has been for the Ohio State offense in the last few games against teams such as Illinois, Indiana, and That Team Up North.  Michigan State traditionally plays a base 4-3 defense, and will bring up its safeties in run support to make it difficult to run.  Michigan State has confidence in their cornerbacks, led by standout Darqueze Dennard, to play press coverage on Ohio State's wideouts.

Faced with such options, here is where Braxton Miller's performance will be critical.  While I look for Michigan State to sell out against the run versus Ohio State, the press coverage Michigan State may employ could leave the Spartans vulnerable to quick screens and slants.  Perhaps Ohio State tight end Jeff Heuerman can be isolated on a Spartan linebacker or safety on intermediate routes that do not take too long to develop.  With Michigan State probably eager to shut down the Ohio State running game, play-action passes may be there at some point during the contest.

Back to Braxton Miller.  While I am loathe to run Miller too much, exposing him to possible injury, I am certainly hopeful that Miller will not hesitate to scramble for positive yardage on pass plays.  If a play is not there, or slow to develop, I would prefer Miller to scramble for a few yards, versus forcing a deep pass that may be incomplete or intercepted.

Twenty-four straight victories, with a possible BCS Championship Game berth on the line.  In order to get to twenty-five straight victories, it may truly require Miller time on Saturday evening in Indianapolis for the Buckeyes.

ESPN 30 For 30 Trailer: Youngstown Boys, coming 12/14/2013