Chat With Simon Fraser – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | General
Ohio State senior defensive end Simon Fraser was available to answer questions at 1 p.m. Thursday during a live chat on ohiostatebuckeyes.com. Fraser, a defensive stalwart for the Buckeyes the last three seasons, will anchor the Ohio State defensive line in 2004. The lone veteran holdover from 2003’s Ohio State defensive front, Fraser leads the returning linemen with 34 tackles and five blocked pass attempts. A local product from Upper Arlington, Ohio, Fraser is one of two seniors listed as probable starters on the spring two-deep lineup. The Buckeyes will complete spring practice at 1 p.m. Saturday with the annual spring game at Ohio Stadium. For ticket information call 1-800-GO-BUCKS or visit hangonsloopy.com. |
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| Jeff (Columbus): Do you think there is any chance the defense will be as great as it has the past two years? Will the pass defense improve? | ||
| Simon: Jeff thanks for the question. I believe that this year will be just as good as the past two because of the young talent we have and the determination to be better than the last few years. | ||
| Mark H (South Bend, IN): Simon Two years ago the Bucks looked a year away from being a top team and you won it all. Last year on paper the team looked even better but the team fell a little short so you can never look at a roster and say, this is the year, we have the seniors and the leadership. There are lots of holes to fill this year especially on the defensive line. Many people will get a shot to play this year but they are going to be looking for leadership. What will Simon Fraser do this year to make a difference in that role? How do you help prepare a talented underclassman lineman to get him ready? | ||
| Simon: It will be difficult to relpace the leaders from last year but because I have been able to be around them for three years I have gained the characteristics of leading this team to be the best we can. | ||
| Dave -Clearwater,Fla: What is your favorite pro football team? | ||
| Simon: I really don’t have a favorite team but I do like the Chicago Bears if I had to pick one. | ||
| Gary Cook (Troy, MI): Given the depletion of the d line due to graduation, etc., will the “new” line be up to the challenge Go Bucks!! | ||
| Simon: I think we have the guys who can fill the spots left by the departing NFL players, we also have lots of players who played significantly last season so we are ready for the challenge | ||
| Sam Rizzi, Columbus: Simon, How come blocked pass attempts don’t get much attention They are a HUGELY underated defensive statistic, just as important as pass break-ups by DBs don’t you think? | ||
| Simon: Like my HS coach said Offense wins fans Defense wins championships! | ||
| Steve, Fremont: Good luck Simon, and thanks for taking this time today. I know it’s very early, but since you practice against them, have you seen a difference in the athleticism of this offensive line compared to those in previous seasons? | ||
| Simon: The O-Line has improved and we have found about 7 guys who will be rotating in, as athleticism is concerned they have been working hard on footwork and speed to compliment their new run game | ||
| Troy Gamble (Rockford): What are your expectations as you enter the 2004 football season? | ||
| Simon: Great I think we will turn some heads | ||
| Donald (Akron): Do you think Tony Pittman has a chance to start? | ||
| Simon: hard to say I think he has great potential but Mo Hall and Lydell Ross have a lot of experience | ||
| Big Boy (Columbus): With the incredible depth at linebacker this year, will the D-Line be able to focus primarily on pass rush and rely on the linebackers to stop the run? | ||
| Simon: Well I think the linebackers will be a huge part of this defense I think we will be good in that department | ||
| t.h. (columbus): With so many new starters on the d-line, do you think the defense will be able to dominate like last year? Anyone in particular stand out as making a lot of progress? | ||
| Simon: There have been a lot of questions submitted about the young D-line so I will try to answer all of your questions right now. | ||
| Simon: The d-line has a lot of young talent with lots of depth, players like Pitcock, Greene, Patterson, Richardson, and Penton have got lots of playing time which will help out this year. I think we have the potential of becaome a great group of players and will turn some heads this year. | ||
| Andy (Atlanta): Being a former Golden Bear myself, I wanted to see how you think Tim Shafer is progressing at Tackle? Do you think the O-line will be improved from last year. Go Bucks and kick some tail this fall. | ||
| Simon: Shafer is doing well and is penciled in as a starter so hopefully he can do the job for us this year. | ||
| clarksville, tn: Simon – Congratulations on a really good season last year. my question is – what do you find most difficult about being a student-athlete? Good luck this season and GO BUCKS! | ||
| Simon: prob the time management dealing with practice then going to do 3 hours of home work | ||
| Ken (cincy): Simon, I am torn between being really comfortable with our D next year becuase of Great LBs and DBs, and being a little nervous because we lost 3 of our 4 Great D-linemen. If you are confident about next year is it becuase: 1) The great support behind the line 2) The talent replacing Smith, Anderson, Scott 3) Combination Thanks | ||
| Simon: Combination of both we are young up front but have great talent and behind us are a lot of fantastic palyers | ||
| Jeff- London: Hey I just wanted to ask how the addition of all the new coaches will effect you come August? | ||
| Simon: I think having new coaches will be benificial to us becasue its like getting new ideas and help in areas that we may have been struggling before, Coach Tressel surrounds himself with winning people and these new coaches will be great | ||
| Solly Sammartino Minneapolis, MN: How is the “new” team coming together? Does it have the same chemistry of the past couple of years? | ||
| Simon: The team is doing great and our chemistry is just as good as the past couple of years | ||
| Casey Todt (West Portsmouth, OH): What game are you looking forward to most in 2004? Also, What will it take for Ohio St. to make a return trip to the BCS Championship game? | ||
| Simon: I can’t wait to play a lot of teams. But the top three are Cinnci, Wisc. MICH. all in the SHOE!!! | ||
| tony(broadview): how do u get tickets for the spring game? | ||
| Simon: its $5 at the ticket office in the stadium. hope to see you there | ||
| Wally (Athens): Who will be the biggest surprise this fall. The player you really think is going to step up and impress. | ||
| Simon: the biggest suprise will not come in a single player but as a team no one is giving us a shot and we have a lot of talent to do some amazing things this year. | ||
| Kevin (Toledo, OH): Hello and congrats on great future 2004 season with the Bucks. My question is playing against all of the good up and coming young O-Lineman who is really stepping up? | ||
| Simon: the o-line is comming together and are doing a good job at stepping up to the losses of the NFL guys. they are young but they will be just fine once we get to the season. | ||
| Robert Speakman: Are you plannig on going to the nfl. | ||
| Simon: yes i hope to follow in the footsteps of will darion and tim | ||
| Dave (Ashland): Do the Bucks have any sort of chance with all of the changes in personel taking place in the last couple of years to crutial positions such as quarterback and running back? | ||
| Simon: it tough to win games without great leaders and competitors in any position. I think it will be helpfull this year with everyone fighting for starting job everyone will give 100% and we will find the best persons for the job | ||
| Nick(cincy/ohio state student): So being on defense how would you say things have changed with the loss of Coach Dantonio to UC and how much are you looking forward to taking on that team from down south? How do you think things will shape up come 136 days from now till that kickoff | ||
| Simon: not much has changed on defense but we are looking forward to the UC game and have some fun | ||
| David (Chicago): Last year a strength of the OSU defense was their ability to rotate players, and keep everyone fresh and not exhausted during the games. With all the young talent, will that still be possible? I think the football world is in for a surprise at how good the OSU defense will be. | ||
| Simon: our depth is real strong at all positions, we will be able to rotate and keep fresh all game | ||
| Denzel ( Texas): WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU NEED TO IMPROVE ON TO BE A FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK? | ||
| Simon: well not only do I need to have fantastic stats but also great strength and speed. I work every day on technique work and film study in hopes of getting to that position, what do you feel i need to work on? | ||
| Timson (Dallas): Simon- You’ve seen them all this spring. Who do you think will starter at Quarterback, and who will be the most explosive player on offense in your opinion. | ||
| Simon: There have also been a lot of questions submitted about the QBs. | ||
| Simon: To me all the QBs have done a fantastic job this spring and I will be interesting to see how they play in the spring game, but it all comes down to how Coach Tressel feels to be the best one, I think all of them have certain qualities that make them great. | ||
| Denzel (Dallas): I’m certainly no expert, but I would say keeping blockers from getting into your body and using your hands better. Hope you have a great year Simon. | ||
| Simon: Thanks for the tip, I have been working on my hands and learning new stuff about gettting of blockers, hopefull it will work this season | ||
| Simon: Thanks everyone for submitting questions. We are sorry we didn’t have time to answer all of them. I have to get over to practice now. I hope to see all of you at the spring game Saturday. Maybe we will be able to do this again another time. GO BUCKS!! | ||
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