Catching up with Josh Oglesby
Darryl Slater
Sep 15, 2008
Before I get to this Oglesby stuff, I should note that while chatting with right tackle Blake DeChristopher after today’s practice, I learned that DeChristopher hasn’t shaved his beard in a month and a half. I have no idea how the guy gets a chinstrap around the thing. He said he’s going to keep his beard until he gets sick of it. Guess he likes the Jim James look.
Now, on to some stuff from Oglesby. I’ll have an item on him in tomorrow’s notebook, but here is the unedited version of his candid comments ...
On whether he thinks he might get more playing time—“Your guess is as good as mine. I’ve done did everything I could, man. I played good during camp. [Running backs coach Billy Hite] told me he’s playing three backs. I’ve only seen two. I thought I played pretty consistently during camp, solidified a spot. He had me and Darren [Evans] at the co-No. 2 spot. I haven’t had my shot yet. It’s pretty frustrating.“
Has he talked to Hite about his frustrations? “I’m the type, I’m not going to complain. I don’t want to be looked at like that. I mean, coach Beamer wants me to play. I don’t know. I guess camp wasn’t good enough. I went in and sat in the office and talked to [Hite]. I don’t know. It doesn’t make any sense. He was talking about, ‘You look good in middle drill, but you’ve just got to turn yourself loose every time.‘ I mean, it’s kind of tough whenever you’re out here against your own defense in a practice situation. I thought the scrimmages were what counted. I feel I played damn good during the scrimmages. But it’s not my choice.“
On his confusion over Hite’s advice—“But I still don’t understand what he wants to see. Put it this way: Everything everybody else is doing, I’m pretty sure I can do the same thing. Darren has played exceptionally well. I’m not taking anything away from him or Kenny Lewis. But there’s no reason we can’t have three backs playing. It’s not like it’s Joe McKnight out there. It’s just frustrating.“
How did he respond when Hite told him what he needed to work on? “The way he talks, the thing is, he could pull up anything about anybody. He could make a long list of stuff about Darren and K-Lew. But there’s really not a comment you can come back against him. I don’t want t be like, ‘Well, what about these guys?‘ Because that’s just not my style. There’s really nothing else I can say. He’s been here longer than coach Beamer. I feel I’m in no position to tell him anything. The most I can do is just sit back and just wait, but not wait too long, because I don’t like sitting on the sideline.“
What if he continues to not play much? “I’d prefer not to say anything about that. I don’t think my dad would like me to say anything about that right now. But I don’t like sitting on the sideline. It’s not fun. Especially when I know I’ve got the ability to go out there and help. That [stuff] sucks. ... I don’t want anybody to go down, but I guess that’s the only situation I’d be able to get in there. Somebody would have to get hurt. God forbid if it happens. But that’s what I’m starting to think.“
Is he beginning to question where he fits in? “I’m telling you, especially after my spring, [Hite] had a talk with me. He was straightforward. He told me he’s taking three backs. Jahre [Cheeseman] is gonna be one and Evans is gonna be another one, and it’s up to me to solidify a spot. I stayed up here all summer, worked hard, learned the playbook. But I think he might want me to be just a little bit more consistent at a little bit of stuff in practice. It takes me a little while to get stuff down. The first day of scout [team practice], I might be a little shaky, but Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, I got it down pat.“
On Hite telling him he needs to turn himself loose and hit holes a little harder—“Yeah, but what the hell does that mean out here in practice? Hit it a little harder? When we’re not even going full-speed tackling. That just doesn’t make sense to me. I’m hitting it as hard as I can. There’s a difference between practice and a game situation. A big-time difference. I can’t say that to him. I’ve only had how many carries? Four on the season? That’s mop-up duty. Nobody’s giving the same effort during that. I mean, I am, but I can’t dictate what everybody else does.“
On how the other tailbacks seem to be shaking out (Lewis remains No. 1, Evans No. 2)—“I don’t want to say too much about it. I ain’t trying to bring nobody down. But by the time we get into the big games, [Evans will] be carrying the load. Especially the way things are going now with just him and K-Lew back there, I think Darren will be carrying the load by then, because he’s been our most productive back, I think, all three games in terms of breaking tackles, making people miss and getting up the field. With the two backs that are playing right now, he’s bringing a lot more to the table. I’m not taking anything away from Kenny Lewis, but [Evans is] just a little bit more gifted. Especially for him being so young. Kenny Lewis is, what, 24? [He turns 24 on Oct. 13.] Me and Darren are 19. It’s just raw talent right now. Coach Hite, he still has a list of things for us to work on, but with that list, [Evans is] still going out there and making these big-time plays with a limited amount of playing time.“
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I think little J.O. was just asking for a chance to get in the game, afterall, he did play good during camp. Poor young thing should have learned not to be honest with media.
Sport Serena of Gainesville
Sep. 21, 2008 at 09:50 AM
I wouldn’t be too harsh on Oglesby’s comments. He’s a young kid with a competative spirit who’s dissapointed he’s not playing. What do you think he’s going to say. I thought he was trying to be respectful to all concerned while trying to answer questions from an older, more experienced reporter whose job it is to dig for stuff.
In addition to learning the blocking assignments he needs to learn that the media is not and will not be his friend.
If a player decides to transfer over playing time it’s usually best for both parties and it is certainly his right to do what is in his best interest.
BRUCE HALE of MIDLOTHIAN
Sep. 17, 2008 at 04:17 PM
I tend to agree Patrice. It’s funny to see Josh talk about what he isn’t, how complaining isn’t his style—yet he is in fact complaining and doing it in the last way he should. The dig at Kenny Lewis was even more over the top… and qualifying that statement with “I’m not taking anything away from..“ is quite misleading; what I gather from his tone is that he thinks it should be Evans starting with himself having a more prominent role.
I am trying desperately to find anything positive about this… but giving the inclination that one is considering out shows a lack of committment to this team and a more self-centered attitude than this football team needs.
One last thing, while Virginia Tech does offer a fine education, this kid was recruited to play football and bring recognition, and to be honest $$$, to the university. Sad, but true. It hurts my Hokie pride to hear many of these football players talk… especially when they’re immature to boot.
Randy of State College, PA
Sep. 17, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Suspend him for a game, tell him the team is bigger than he is and then banish him to English 1001 for the entire week.
Absolutely pathetic for someone to think they deserve to play. If he is as good as he thinks he is, he’d be starting.
Jon G of Roanoke, VA
Sep. 17, 2008 at 11:13 AM
I think that Josh has a point. He was one of the best backs out there in training camp, I can see his frustration. You have to remember that he is 19 years old as well. It is obvious that he just wants a chance to prove himself in a game situation.
Eric of Ashburn
Sep. 17, 2008 at 08:51 AM
I really don’t see much wrong with what Josh had to say. He’s clearly disappointed, but he also clearly gave deference and respect to Coach Hite. He didn’t say anything negative about his coach or other players, he just expressed frustration with not knowing what he needs to do to get in the game. That’s understandable, especially considering he was a 5-star recruit who was one of 2006’s most sought-after prospects.
I didn’t read any threat that his dad would not be happy, all I read was “I don’t think my dad would like me to say anything about that right now.“ I think he spoke honestly, but a little too honestly for a media interview. He’s 19 and clearly needs to learn to recognize an interview and know what to say to reporters—this reads more like a conversation with a buddy. There are even reports that he didn’t realize this was a real interview. Finally, I wouldn’t criticize his vernacular. We don’t bring in football players and train them to talk like White news anchors. Virginia Tech offers fine classes which will hopefully make him a well rounded and educated individual, but they’re not going to strip away his dialect.
Ryan Silva of Boston
Sep. 16, 2008 at 10:53 PM
First off Patrice, you probably know nothing about what goes on inside the locker room of a major football program, let alone high school. This is nothing more than a young kid that was frustrated, and quite honestly, was taken advantage of by a classless reporter.
J.O. is a good kid, but he’s still young, and he just learned a valuable lesson about how NOT to trust media jerks! Also, FYI, J.O.‘s dad is very close w/Coach Hite, and they go back many years, but i’m sure you already knew that! <rolls eyes>
Doug C. of PA
Sep. 16, 2008 at 07:36 PM
Easy, Patrice. He’s 19 years old, and frustrated. He wants to contribute, and he wants to win. His biggest sin in what I read was venting to a reporter instead of his coach. We all did (or still do) dumb things when 19. Fortunately, we didn’t have a reporter in front of us.
Just as you, I’ve been a proud alumni and Hokie supporter for over 30 years. Give the young man a chance. And while you’re at it, get off your high judgemental horse. Condemning eveything from his attitude to his time in English class and telling him “good riddance” based on a 10-paragraph blog isn’t consistent with the fine education Virginia Tech offered me.
Dave of Ashburn
Sep. 16, 2008 at 07:35 PM
FYI, Josh’s dad claims that he “thought he was having a conversation on the sideline during practice with a reporter waiting to interview Darren.“ Strange that he would think that with a tape recorder sitting right in front of him.
Bryant of Charlotte, NC
Sep. 16, 2008 at 04:26 PM
This was a bait and switch job! Slater you should be ashamed. You acted like all the other looney media outlets. You took advantage of this ‘kid’ and you owe him an apology.
Patrice you need to read what his dad said about these comments. “I posted this on the Gobbler please allow me to post it here,
A few points. while I am disappointed in how things have gone I am not
pissed and neither is Josh. As all high level athletes do, Josh has a
very competitive nature. He thinks he can help and he’s frustrated. He
made a mistake with this “interview”. He tells me that he, (very naively I
might add) thought he was having a conversation on the sideline during
practice whith a reporter waiting to interview Darren. It was a mistake.
Also for anyone that doesn’t already know CBH is a personal friend and
former stablemate of mine at UNC. One reason he is at VT is because I
trust Billy Hite to do what’s in JO’s best interest. It’s still early
and Josh
just needs to be ready when the time comes.
Go Hokies beat UNC! “
cut the kid a break.
JK of Richmond, VA
Sep. 16, 2008 at 02:45 PM
The football board at TechSideline.com indicates that Josh thought this conversation was off the record. How careful does an athlete have to be around the media?
Rick Allen of Richmond
Sep. 16, 2008 at 02:34 PM
As a proud alumni and Hokie supporter, this attitude is exactly what we don’t need on our team. To complain about his coach behind his back, and toss out a threat that his dad would not be happy is unacceptable. I say let him find another team, and good riddance. Excuse me, but what does a redshirt freshman know about coaching? And while he and his dad are out shopping for a new team, Oglesby might want to spend a little more time in English class. How does saying, “I don’t want to say too much about it. I ain’t trying to bring nobody down,“ reflect on the fine education Virginia Tech has to offer?
Patrice Strachan of Midlothian
Sep. 16, 2008 at 07:12 AM
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