APJake Stoneburner began the 2011 season by catching three touchdown passes in a season-opening win over Akron. Unfortunately, the tight end could very well end it watching his teammates from the sidelines.
Interim head coach Luke Fickell confirmed Saturday that Stoneburner underwent arthroscopic knee surgery shortly after the end of the regular season. While the junior has not been ruled out of Monday’s Gator Bowl matchup with Florida, it doesn’t appear he will see the field much if at all.
“He obviously won’t be able to play a ton,” Fickell told the media. “He’s not in shape to be able to get in there [every down]. But we’re still hoping there are some situational things we can use him on.”
Stoneburner tied for the team lead in receptions with 14 and led the Buckeyes with seven touchdowns receptions. In the last 10 games of the season, however, he had just six catches and three scores.
Something is strange here. He tied for the team lead in receptions with 14 and had 7 touch downs? So every second pass he caught went for a TD and they only threw to him , evidently on a very limited basis? Either this guy was hurt a lot of time this season, or the offensive coach failed miserably to use his offensive skills a lot, along with the rest of the receivers he had this year.
Woe, OSU had an anemic passing offense. Jake did only catch 14 and was the leading receiver. They had their best WR suspended for the majority of the season and a frosh quarterback that was much better with his legs than arm. Run, run run, bring the safeties up and throw something long. No short passing game to speak of.
Most of this will change next year. New offensive philosophy with a new head coach, another year experience for the QB will make them much more dynamic.
78lion is correct in his assessment. The problem was the Offensive Coordinator. Bollman doesn’t have a clue how to set up a game plan for any team hire than rec league. His game plan was run Herron left, Herron left, QB draw, punt. Followed by run Herron left, Herron right, throw long and pray for the best, punt. The offensive game plan was so bad that at a team meeting Mike Vrable (a defensive coach) reportedly threw it on the table and said “this plan is s___!”
Oh yeah, with Urban Meyer at the helm that for sure will change. That spread offense with the right QB, is a trip to stop.
Tomorrow will be the last game we Buckeye fans have to suffer through under Jim Bollman’s ridiculously horrid offensive game plan… HOOOOOORRRRRAAAAYYYY!!!!!