QB Terrelle Pryor (official thread)

[MaxBuck]

I need to sound off on one phenomenon that has me royally [censored]ed off - those knuckleheads who posit that Pryor "is an athlete, not a QB," suggesting he'll never be very good leading the Buckeye offense. What stupidity.

I'll acknowledge that Pryor's development has been less rapid than all of us would like. But in retrospect, how surprised should we be? Terrelle was a transcendent athlete playing QB at a relatively small high school in western PA, against competition several levels below what most top-level recruits have faced. His success relied upon "just being Terrelle," and as a consequence he likely developed a number of bad habits that impede his development at D1 college level against far superior opponents. Ingrained habits are hard to break, and for some folks, some can be nearly impossible. In other people, though, there is a "light coming on" moment that can't be predicted ahead of time.

Can Pryor improve to become the Heisman candidate we were all hoping for (and, let's be honest, expecting)? Who knows? Nobody can accurately predict development of QBs; that's why the correlation between draft position and success in the NFL at the position is so poor. But it's way too early to say he cannot, or that he is "not a quarterback." With that said, I certainly understand the frustration of Buckeye fans who allowed themselves to believe (with some enabling by the media) to expect instant success from the young man. But harsh criticism of him doesn't seem likely to advance the process of improvement at all.

JMHO.

[BigWoof31]

High School coach of Ohio State Buckeyes QB Terrelle Pryor says he's not being used effectively - ESPN


I hate, hate, hate, hate articles in any website or publications like this.

This is the lowest form of investigative writing. Is it not reasonable to think that the game was 10x easier for Mr. Pryor in HS than in College, due to the quality of competition?

Does the reporter not understand that Coach T's responsibilities lie to the program and not just to the QB?



Clearly - I'm not a Buckeye alum, booster or fan. But I loathe this type of crap and rise to OSU's and "The Vest's" defense when this stuff gets published.

[Merih]

[censored] me. This will make for some more garbage conversation. I never took well to TP's highschool coach in any of the interviews.

[NFBuck]

Thing is, and bare in mind, I'm as big a Jim Tressel homer as you'll find, it's hard to argue with this on the surface. TP is a classic read-option QB and with his still raw talents, he would probably benefit from playing in a more option based offense like WVU ran with Pat White. But, looking at the bigger picture, if taking some lumps early on leads to him becoming a much more polished all around QB...it's worth it.

[Merih]

Originally Posted by NFBuck

But, looking at the bigger picture, if taking some lumps early on leads to him becoming a much more polished all around QB...it's worth it.

This

[OSUsushichic]

Good Terrelle, bad Terrelle: What to do with OSU's QB

By Doug Dilillo

Let's be honest; Ohio State can't win big games, at least not in recent memory. On Saturday, they proved they might now struggle to win the little games, too.

So, when was Ohio State's last big victory? Simple: March 19, 2008.

That was the day Ohio State got its biggest victory since 2002. It won the recruiting battle for one of the most highly touted recruits of all time, Terrelle Pryor.

The 6-feet 6-inches, 235 pound quarterback picked Ohio State over arch rivals Michigan and Penn State.

So far, it hasn't been easy, but I sure wouldn't want to see Pryor wearing Blue and Maize or White.

Lately, some critics would rather see Pryor become the most highly touted wide receiver of all-time.

Pryor's lack of progression is frustrating, but it cannot be put solely on his shoulders.

The Lantern - Good Terrelle, bad Terrelle: What to do with OSU's QB

[FCollinsBuckeye]

NF is right again

"Turn TP loose" now for instant gratification, or experience 'growing pains' while molding him into more well-rounded QB for longer term benefits.

Seems pretty straight forward to me.

[jwinslow]

So Coach Reitz barely prepares TP at all as a quarterback but wants to throw stones at how others use him? Par for the course.

But I'd like to see some zone-read plays where with one mistake [by the defense], he can be gone.

Outside of youngstown state (or minnesota), I haven't seen many (or any?) of these situations.

"It's gotten to the point where I turn the volume down when watching TV now," Reitz said. "I believe the criticism has seeped into his mind. I'm sure there are some mechanical issues. But all I know is he was accurate when he was in high school."

"He would be a great wide receiver or even a great linebacker," Reitz said. "

Linebackers have to initiate lots of contact. That's not something Pryor enjoys.

[BigWoof31]

thanks to the admin that merged this thread. I didn't want to post in an OSU player thread as an opposing fan - especially when the article is of a dubious nature.

[BuckeyeGuy513]

Let him run the ball more.... so he can become like Vince Young? How is he enjoying watching 40 year old Kerry Collins throw the ball.

TP is young he will learn. He is a kid not a super hero.

[billmac91]

Outside of youngstown state (or minnesota), I haven't seen many (or any?) of these situations.

Vince used to bust an occassional 50+ yarder from the read option, but more frequently on broken plays while scrambling. I think Vince was a better runner though, and definately not afraid to run inside or break a tackle on the sideline.

I still think Texas' zone-read system would be a much better fit. Ballard or Stoneburner could have been beastly this year like David Thomas was off of the play-action and run threat.

[jwinslow]

Vince was certainly a more aggressive runner, but looking at his 03 & 04 highlights, it's interesting to see only 1 read option play in the first 3 min, and a truckload of QB draws.

VINCE YOUNG 2003-2004 Highlights - Texas Longhorns Football

I still think Texas' zone-read system would be a much better fit. Ballard or Stoneburner could have been beastly this year like David Thomas was off of the play-action and run threat.

And you see a LOT of Thomas, particularly over the middle or as a security blanket underneath.

[Bucklion]

Originally Posted by BigWoof31

High School coach of Ohio State Buckeyes QB Terrelle Pryor says he's not being used effectively - ESPN


I hate, hate, hate, hate articles in any website or publications like this.

This is the lowest form of investigative writing. Is it not reasonable to think that the game was 10x easier for Mr. Pryor in HS than in College, due to the quality of competition?

Does the reporter not understand that Coach T's responsibilities lie to the program and not just to the QB?



Clearly - I'm not a Buckeye alum, booster or fan. But I loathe this type of crap and rise to OSU's and "The Vest's" defense when this stuff gets published.

Meh, it's about what I would expect. The funny thing is that I'm sure said coach also wants to see TP make it in the NFL, and one only needs to look at the fact that Vince Young couldn't get off the bench when his team was down 45-0 to realize how well that's going to work if JT doesn't do what he's trying to do with him. And Pennington is hurt...is Pat White playing QB? In other words, he can't win no matter what he does.

[jwinslow]

And Pennington is hurt...is Pat White playing QB?

Perhaps more scathing (since Pennington can be written off as Henne = good)... Ronnie Brown is a more effective quarterback in the wildcat than Patrick.

[ThirdGenBuckeye]

Originally Posted by jwinslow

VINCE YOUNG 2003-2004 Highlights - Texas Longhorns FootballAnd you see a .

Good link.

Something that I saw VY do a lot that helped quite a bit on both his running and passing were the pump fakes. He almost seemed to use them at will. The pumps are something that I haven't really seen from TP this year at all. I recall him doing it a couple times last year maybe, but it seems like it could be an easy way to open a lot of things up. Perhaps when he's running to the sidelines if he uses the fake he can run up field or get a db to bite and dump a pass over the top. I know it's pretty basic and obvious but it just seems like a simple thing that isn't hard to implement. Especially considering how a lot of NFL quarterbacks are starting to utilize the pump fake more and more now.