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Veteran Buckeye ready for Thunder
NILES — During Mahoning Valley Thunder games at the Chevrolet Centre this season, Tim Cheatwood has as slim a chance of hearing “Oh Canada” as he has the Ohio State marching band’s version of “Hang On Sloopy.”
At age 30, the former Buckeye is further removed from his college playing days than his years in the Canadian Football League, but he’s not too old to strike up a new tune in af2.
“I’m a family guy now and have kind of slowed down [from a steady diet of football],” Cheatwood said. “So I’m just waiting for the opportunity to play a little football because I still love the game.”
The 6-foot-4, 260 lineman was a poster boy for durability with OSU, with whom he made appearances in 41 games.
He also exhibited versatility with 64 tackles, two blocked kicks, an interception and three receptions for 17 yards.
He added six seasons in the CFL and attended the NFL Houston Texans’ training camp in 2005.
Born and raised in Cleveland and one of two in Mahoning Valley’s camp from Ohio (Howland’s Maurice Smith is the other), Cheatwood last played with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2007.
His first CFL experience was two years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
“I did well,” Cheatwood said. “I was team MVP, an all-star and led the team in tackles and sacks.”
Then he signed with the Texans.
“Things didn’t work out with them,” he said, “so it was back to play with Hamilton two more seasons.”
After injuring a knee, Cheatwood was released by Hamilton.
“It was one of those GM [general manager] things where if you’re hurt they don’t have to pay you,” Cheatwood said.
A day later, he signed with Montreal, but didn’t play a down for the Alouettes. He then went to Edmonton and played eight games.
All of his pro games were at the defensive end/outside linebacker positions.
With both college and CFL careers behind him, Cheatwood’s quickness and hand speed are still among his best tools.
“I have quick hands and like to use those. However, af2 is a bit less hands and more quickness. I’ll have to use a little of both until I get acclimated to this game.”
In a sense, Cheatwood could claim membership in the EFL — extreme football league — because he finds himself adjusting to a field that was 110 yards long (excluding 20-yard deep end zones) and 65 wide to one 50 yards long.
“I go from the largest football field to the smallest. It’s a little bit of work to get used to but I can handle it,” Cheatwood said.
He also goes from games with 11 and 12 players, to games with eight.
“I’ll get my angles down because with the 12-man game [like CFL], it’s just a little bit more of a loop,” Cheatwood said. “Here, you’ve got to get up on your man quicker. It’s just a matter of time before I adjust my angles and get everything down. Now, I’m just learning the plays and rules of this game.”
Cheatwood’s biography credits him with having an excellent football IQ.
Just what is that?
“I’ve played so many positions that I pretty much know them all,” Cheatwood said. “I know my reads and can read a play before it happens. I just know what’s going on on the field.”
In Columbus, Cheatwood was redshirted in 1997 and spent four years under John Cooper. Tim’s final season was under Jim Tressel before graduating in 2002.
Since high school at Cleveland Benedictine, Cheatwood has donned No. 49 and would hope to wear it with the Thunder.
Is af2 his last shot?
“I’ll take that as it comes. Right now, I’m just here to make this team better. I don’t see [anything] in the future,” Cheatwood said. “I’m just taking it day by day. I’m not just using this team to get somewhere else. I’m actually here to compete and have a good time because I still love the game.”
bassetti@vindy.com