QB Tathan Martell (transfer to Miami, transfer to UNLV)

[ORD_Buckeye]

I'm not going to speak about Martell directly. Kids come and go. What disappoints me is that there's not going to be a balls out competition in the Spring the way there was with Haskins and Burrow. You can't tell me that that doesn't make the winner sharper come Fall. I guarantee that it spurred Haskins in several different ways and made him the guy we saw last Fall.

 

[OH10]

I don't know.... perhaps I'm wrong but so far he's come off a little "Baker Mayfield"...at least IMO. Yes, this could be a couple of isolated incidents of diarrhea of the mouth or we could be dodging a bullet if he does chooses to leave. I'm still willing to give him the benefit of doubt. But, only for so long....

It’s cool to come off “Baker Mayfield” when you’re showing it on the field. Before that, it’s more Chase Winovich.

 

[Best Buckeye]

I've decided that i've entered the i"m gonna wait " portal and just not worry about it .

 

[Jagdaddy]

Seems like we're getting into a bit of rampant speculation and armchair psychology bordering on bashing for a kid who's still a Buckeye and may yet remain one.

A few things to consider, for example:

1. We don't know for sure what Day might have told him about his future or opportunity to truly compete for the starting job.

2. We don't know for sure that Fields will be eligible for next season.

3. We don't know for sure that he's leaving before spring practice and that he won't compete for, or maybe even win, the starting job.

4. We don't know for sure that any QB will make it through spring practice without getting unlucky and having a season-ending injury.

My suggestion is to take a deep breath and wait for things to play out before we start yapping about a Buckeye being "a cancer" or "Chase Winovich" ...

 

[scarletngray]

Here is what I see. A QB is the team leader. Leaders put the team before themselves. I don't fault him and I think the argument that the offense is going to value a different skill set is valid. He is too much of a talent to be a benchwarmer. While these things can be acknowledged, his response to Fields was not consistent with leadership. Frustration, disappointment, a naive attempt to exert pressure on the coaches, youth...these things may explain his reactions and all are understandable. However, Martell has communicated fear, not leadership. He has communicated that it is all about him, not the team. He has every right to do that, but I hope that he realizes that such attitudes and behaviors disqualify him from leadership.

By entering that portal, Martell told his coaches and entire team that it's his way or he will not be the QB next year. When he took this step, he ensured that it will not be his way. I have not seen any evidence that this kid is the promised one, but I really hoped he might be until his current behavior. Now, if he leaves, I can only wish him the best.

SLOW. HAND. CLAP.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

but he's also one snap away from being THE MAN.

I see this cited as a reason to stay... frequently. And while I think there's a lot of truth to that, it's also the case that these guys want to play... and then play at the next level. They have to see the field to do that. Considering that Day's not likely to run a QB run first offense, the likelihood of a QB going down is significantly reduced... and to that end, the math may likely be in his favor to transfer to get on the field.

I have no ill will for him in any way for doing what he thinks he should do to make his dream come true. I doubt anyone here does either. Even if it does make QB depth a little (lot) thin...

Edit: And just like we would have loved Joey to stay for the depth, it was the right thing for him to go to LSU. And I hope that we as a fan base show Tate the same kind of love should he decide to move on.

 

[mendensa]

I see this cited as a reason to stay... frequently. And while I think there's a lot of truth to that, it's also the case that these guys want to play... and then play at the next level. They have to see the field to do that. Considering that Day's not likely to run a QB run first offense, the likelihood of a QB going down is significantly reduced... and to that end, the math may likely be in his favor to transfer to get on the field.

I have no ill will for him in any way for doing what he thinks he should do to make his dream come true. I doubt anyone here does either. Even if it does make QB depth a little (lot) thin...

Edit: And just like we would have loved Joey to stay for the depth, it was the right thing for him to go to LSU. And I hope that we as a fan base show Tate the same kind of love should he decide to move on.

Sparcboxbuck: this was in reference to a comment someone made on pg. 76 of the thread about hoping this doesn't cause Baldwin to leave.... and I didn't understand that point of view. My comment was made assuming that Tate transferred and Baldwin was the back up and ONE SNAP AWAY FROM BEING THE MAN. I wasn't referring to Tate's situation.

But the same applies. I do get it though. When u have been "The Guy" your entire life, it's difficult to take a backseat to someone else when u know u can play and excel at this level NOW.

I think the days of having 3 "elite" QB's on the same roster at major Universities is coming to an end. You may be able to recruit a 3rd but keeping all 3 at your school is unlikely. These kids want to come in and play right away, not sit for 2-3 years. If they are good enough to pass #2 or #1 on the depth chart, then they will most likely leave.

 

[Steve19]

This quote from Good Morning, Vietnam describes most of us here at 21:

"...you don't know whether you're shot, fucked, powder-burned or snake-bit."

 

[sparcboxbuck]

Sparcboxbuck: this was in reference to a comment someone made on pg. 76 of the thread about hoping this doesn't cause Baldwin to leave.... and I didn't understand that point of view. My comment was made assuming that Tate transferred and Baldwin was the back up and ONE SNAP AWAY FROM BEING THE MAN. I wasn't referring to Tate's situation.

But the same applies. I do get it though. When u have been "The Guy" your entire life, it's difficult to take a backseat to someone else when u know u can play and excel at this level NOW.

I think the days of having 3 "elite" QB's on the same roster at major Universities is coming to an end. You may be able to recruit a 3rd but keeping all 3 at your school is unlikely. These kids want to come in and play right away, not sit for 2-3 years. If they are good enough to pass #2 or #1 on the depth chart, then they will most likely leave.

Ahh, get it. Yes, totally on board with your thoughts. My response was, while directly a reply to your post, more of a general commentary.

 

[billmac91]

I'm not going to speak about Martell directly. Kids come and go. What disappoints me is that there's not going to be a balls out competition in the Spring the way there was with Haskins and Burrow. You can't tell me that that doesn't make the winner sharper come Fall. I guarantee that it spurred Haskins in several different ways and made him the guy we saw last Fall.

You can certainly disagree, but this was a calculated decision. Whether you think there was going to be a competition or not, I get your point.

Fields came to tOSU knowing how this was going to play out.

My point being, Fields never anticipated a competition, and if he did, Ohio State would not have been his destination. He feels ready to lead and was looking for that opportunity under a great offensive mind that would elevate his skill set. The only question was where he would land and how rosters would shake out from there.

And it’s also speculation on my part, but I truly believe Ohio State had concerns about Martell being the face of the program as starting QB. I’m not saying he’s a bad kid or anything, but he’s basically Baker Mayfield 3X without accomplishing anything at this level. I mean, you could see it in his tweets. You could see it in his comments to reporters with his very loose language, and almost a sense of entitlement to the job once Haskins left. I dunno.....I don’t want to say there were significant character concerns, but there were character concerns. He’s polarizing.

Fields is an amazing leader and has gotten rave reviews about his character on the field and off.

I just think when you add all of the factors together, Fields comes out way ahead, and that’s why the staff opted to bring him in, and essentially let Tate walk.

All this said, I truly hope Tate puts on a show wherever he goes. I think his mobility is Kyler Murray-lite, his arm strength is above average, and in the right system he could put up huge stats. I hope he does. I’d prefer it not be at Miami (seems to be early frontrunner) but I’m going to pull for him as hard as I do Burrow.

 

[NFBuck]

Welp.

Sucks, because from a selfish standpoint, if Tate didn't win the job, it's nice to have an uber-talented backup. But in today's cfb, if you're that talented and not starting, you're probably looking for a new school. I can't fault him. It looked like the job was his next year, now one of the best prospects in recent cfb history transfers into your qb room and appears likely to play immediately. He's gotta do what's best for him. Maybe he didn't handle it the most...um...diplomatically, but i get it. If he is headed elsewhere, i hope he excels.

 

[Bill Lucas]

before we start yapping about a Buckeye being "a cancer"

I made the cancer comment so I'll respond.

I made the comment because Tate made comments himself regarding Fields that were A) completely selfish and B) completely disregarding the team. It's a football team. Period. You win by placing that team above yourself. I haven't seen any comments by Tate lately that do that. He needs to grow up emotionally. You have to work for what you get in life and you know what? Sometimes you do the work and things don't work out the way you want them to work out.

That said, he has obviously put a lot of work and time into his time at Ohio State. I hope he stays (and learns to think before putting his thoughts and emotions out for all to see) and stays at Ohio State and wins the job. Not because he just put in time but because he's earned the the job to become the starting quarterback. He's on pace to graduate in about three years. He's obviously a bright person albeit a highly emotional person. I wish him nothing but good fortune. The irony here is that by graduating in May he can go through spring practice and win (or lose) the job and make his decision then without recourse. Honestly, putting his name in the portal in January when he has that option in May (as Joe Burrow did) makes little to no sense to me.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

I'm not going to speak about Martell directly. Kids come and go. What disappoints me is that there's not going to be a balls out competition in the Spring the way there was with Haskins and Burrow. You can't tell me that that doesn't make the winner sharper come Fall. I guarantee that it spurred Haskins in several different ways and made him the guy we saw last Fall.

True, but from what I've read about Fields he is serious about his business so I think he'll be ok.

 

[bigdog3300]

I'm not going to speak about Martell directly. Kids come and go. What disappoints me is that there's not going to be a balls out competition in the Spring the way there was with Haskins and Burrow. You can't tell me that that doesn't make the winner sharper come Fall. I guarantee that it spurred Haskins in several different ways and made him the guy we saw last Fall.

Speak for yourself ORD!

I'm the conductor on the Baldwin train - choo choo. People really have no idea how good this kid is.

If he didn't play at the QB capital of the world, he would have started more than 1 year and been a 5* kid, no doubt.

 

[zincfinger]

I've decided that i've entered the i"m gonna wait " portal and just not worry about it .

Does that mean we don’t have to accept you back if you decide to stop waiting?