Brian Hartline, Mark Sanchez Departures Lighten Ohio State's Snow-Bound Day

If you live anywhere near central Ohio (or the Midwest, for that matter), you have likely had your day altered by the day’s brutal snow. Yet, I feel totally unshackled. Why, you ask? Because two of my biggest worries for next season magically evaporated.

First, Brian Hartline mercifully decided to seek fame and fortune in the League. Good luck with that.

Second, and more importantly, Mark Sanchez appears to be headed for that very same league and an actual high draft pick.

The idea of seeing Hartline line up in the slot for another season made my stomach turn. I am sure he is a nice guy, a diligent student, and a fine citizen, but the simple fact was that he was not half of an extremely mediocre receiving corps. While Brian Robiskie showed glimpses of greatness (see the Fiesta Bowl), I cannot say the same for Hartline.

In fact, against the top three passing defenses in the Big Ten (behind Ohio State)—Purdue, Penn State, and Wisconsin—Hartline had five catches for 77 yards. Let me repeat: That sucks. I will not even mention his performances against USC and Texas. (Okay, you talked me into it: three for 19 yards and zero for zero yards, respectively.)

On to the more important part: the sailing of The Sanchez. As much as I am looking forward to the 2009 Ohio State season, I was/am not particularly looking forward to the USC offense with Sanchez facing a rebuilding defense.

Who knows, Mitch Mustain or Aaron Corp may be just as good. Lord knows, USC’s worst QBs are still sweet, but at least they will not have a proven commodity on their first big road trip of ’09. That is, unless their quarterback is Mustain, who was 8-0 as a starter at Arkansas.