Written by David Regimbal

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“Telling Quotes” is a weekly recap of the Big Ten’s top stories using five quotes from around the conference (with a moderate Ohio State lean).

With the college football season just over three weeks away, teams around the country have been hitting the practice field for the start of fall camp.

The Ohio State Buckeyes reported last Friday as upperclassmen took the field at 6:00 am for an early morning practice. Freshmen members of the football team took part in a separate practice at 5:30 pm that evening. Over the last seven days, a number of storylines have developed as the Buckeyes work their way toward the 2012 season. We’ll explore some of those stories and check in on something stupid involving the Penn State situation as we look back at this week’s quotes.

1. “This is definitely the deepest D-Line we've had since I've been here." - John Simon, Ohio State Defensive End

It’s no secret that Ohio State’s defensive line is the strength of the team. The Buckeyes didn’t lose a single member of the d-line that played significant time last year, and Meyer gave the Buckeyes an embarrassment of riches up front with his success on signing day last February. John Simon has played on some talented (and very deep) defensive fronts, but when your third team rotation includes the No. 1 ranked defensive end recruit in the country (Noah Spence), the No. 8 defensive end (Se’von Pittman), the No. 6 ranked defensive tackle (Tommy Schutt) and nearly 400 pounds of anger at the other tackle position (Chris Carter), it’s safe to say you have a deep d-line.

2. "The guy that looked good today was Devin Smith. My gosh, do we need a guy like that to do something." - Urban Meyer, Ohio State Head Coach

The Buckeyes were lacking playmakers after spring practice and that was before Jordan Hall injured his foot during the offseason. With Hall expected to miss the first few games of the season, Meyer is desperately seeking a few guys to step up at the skill positions. Sophomore Devin Smith reportedly had a fantastic offseason, and if he can step up and be a go-to guy in this offense, Meyer’s transition year will play out a whole lot smoother.

3. “I always tell the coaches I can play receiver too.” - Bradley Roby, Ohio State Cornerback

If Urban Meyer is desperate enough for playmakers, he can look to his defensive backfield and find a willing volunteer in the redshirt sophomore cornerback from Georgia. Roby emerged as arguably the best cornerback on the roster last year with a breakout season opposite Travis Howard. After running a 4.31 40 yard dash this offseason (twice), he would bring an element of speed that’s imperative to Meyer’s offense. So far this week though, Roby hasn’t lined up with the offense for any reps at wide receiver as the coaches want him to focus on defense. If he does at some point, the obvious comparisons to Chris Gamble would be there -- and if he could reproduce Gamble’s results, Meyer might have to entertain the thought.

4. “So are they less stupid now? I don’t know. Right now we’re going to do the best we can to help them be less stupid. If there was a bad guy situation, they wouldn’t be playing.” - Urban Meyer, Ohio State Head Coach

Meyer spoke about Jake Stoneburner and Jack Mewhort -- two starters on offense -- for the first time since their offseason arrest and ensuing suspensions this summer. The two had their football scholarships revoked and had to pay their own way through summer courses as a result of their minor run-in with the law. Despite temporarily occupying Urban’s doghouse, Stoneburner and Mewhort have worked their way back into good standing with the coach and are anticipated to be leaders for the team this fall.

5. “We file this notice of intent to appeal the NCAA’s consent decree entered against The Pennsylvania State University.” Wick Sollers, Paterno’s Family Lawyer

It has become a weekly occurrence for the Paterno family to display their ignorance in some public fashion -- whether it’s with television interviews or carelessly worded press releases -- but their legal notice appealing the NCAA’s decision to sanction Penn State tops the cake. The family is rightfully devastated by the Sandusky scandal, but their unwillingness to accept the obvious facts that their father/husband wasn’t superman in high-waters is mind-numbing. The staunch stand they’re taking despite the overwhelming common sense the rest of the country seems to be operating under is a perfect example of how this tragedy was even possible in the first place. A lot of folks in the Penn State community are looking to fight the NCAA sanctions -- including some members of the board of trustees -- which makes you wonder what it’s going to take to shake some sense into these people.

Along with other men in position of power, your coach committed a horrible act against humanity. It’s time to stop fighting for a flawed man’s legacy and look for ways to move forward in the healing process.

(Photo credit - Jim Davidson - TheOzone.net)

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