By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland.com) —

Hey, Doug: Last year we all saw Malcolm Jenkins was moved to safety in passing downs, probably because nobody would throw his way. Is this something we can expect in ‘08? Or will he be back to his usual cornerback spot? — Robert Cash, Cleveland

Hey, Robert: It appears the plan is for Jenkins to stay at corner all the time this season, and I like it that way. He has a nose for the ball and made some picks from the safety spot by reading the quarterback, but he also got beat twice in the Illinois game by playing too aggressively and getting out of position. He’s your best straight-up cover guy, and I never liked taking him away from a head-to-head matchup on obvious passing downs when you needed his lockdown abilities the most. If that means teams won’t throw at him, then a team’s best receiver is going to be ignored. That’s a good thing for Ohio State.

Hey, Doug: Any extra tickets for the USC game? — Roger Sassen, West Hills, Calif.

Hey, Roger: I can get you a pair for, let’s say, $900. Sets look to be going for between $400 and $600 on eBay, and the extra couple hundred bucks I’ll call my finder’s fee.

At least you’re already there. I know Buckeyes fans with plane tickets and no game tickets who are going to fly first and figure out the rest later.

Hey, Doug: Are the Buckeyes going to have an open practice at The Shoe this year and will there be an autograph session like last year? — Greg Drugan, Ravenna, Ohio

Hey, Greg: We had news on this Friday, but it’s worth mentioning again. There will be an open practice for the third straight year, on Aug. 18, sometime in the evening. But there will not be an autograph session. After a crazy session in 2006 when 1,000 people lined up for Jim Tressel, Troy Smith and Anthony Gonzalez, I thought last year’s event was well-organized, provided good access for the fans and wasn’t too taxing on the players.

But I’m going to guess some fear about a possible mob around Terrelle Pryor played some part in this decision. Even if it was controlled, maybe the coaches thought neither Pryor nor his teammates needed another reminder about the attention focused on a backup freshman quarterback.

- Doug

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