Tressel family turmoil

Thanks to whetstonebuck for pointing this out in the comments section. As our season has spun out of control this fall, I have stopped looking at the TUOS news. I can only handle so much football fun at any one time.

Buckeye WR and PR Ray Small has been suspended in what his father describes as heavy-handed and unfair treatment on the part of coaches. His Dad is claiming his son was suspended for two games for "missing a class" -- the buckeye staff is calling the suspension a result of "unspecified violation of team rules". Either way, Ray Small and his dad are not happy.

Since the end of last season, Small had his number changed from 4 to 82, was not given a full bio in the media guide and, spent much of spring ball running instead of practicing. Insiders have indicated Small had repeatedly been late for class and for meetings, and fell asleep during a meeting. Small was also cited last September for driving a car with unregistered plates. Small was demoted for the fourth game of the season against Troy. He played once in that game, a reverse on third and long. Ken Small claims Tressel played him against Troy to assure that Small could not red-shirt this season. If he had not played, Small could have faked an injury, received a medical red-shirt, and then transferred with two years of eligibility left.

Ken Small (Dad) said Wednesday night, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "We see it as a family that they are intentionally blowing his whole career, Whatever it is, it's personal. As of today, I don't think they'll ever put him back on the field, I'm pretty sure that they're saying 'get out' in a polite way."

Ray Small was the Buckeyes' leading receiver through the first three games of the season and returned a punt for a touchdown. Since Terrell Pryor has taken over the QB spot, Small has seen less playing time and has caught only four passes in the past six weeks. He still is a leader in the Big Ten and is 14th nationally in punt returns with a 13.2-yard average. It is interesting to note that Small is a product of the Buckeye speed factory Cleveland Glenville High School (Ted Ginn Sr. is the football and track coach). I doubt this will have a long term effect on the Tarblooders pipeline to Columbus. But we can only hope that Ginn Senior does not like to see one of his guys treated this way.

My message to both Ray and Ken Small (and any other really fast Glenville players): You don't need to take that kind of treatment. You would look great in a Wolverine uniform in the future. Come north and enjoy our happy family friendly football program we are building in Ann Arbor.