WR Terrelle Pryor ('10 Rose, '11 Sugar MVP)

[Kueller]

Because I wasn't able to post back on bucknuts (yes, I was on their board searching around. Hey, it's the offseason.) I will post this here.

There seems to be a lot of people who believe Terrelle didn't progress as the season started. I however think he did improve tremendously.

I think the games he struggled most in, atleast passing wise, was the Texas and also the Michigan game. I think the only reasons he struggled in those games were due to the importance and also the type of defenses. Texas imparticular was a very blitz happy defense and simply didn't allow him the time to scan the field, and with a freshman QB who doesn't know where all his targets are that can be problem. I believe for a freshman Pryor was still better than I expected, but apparently that view isn't shared by everyone.

What does everyone else think?

I think Pryor progressed in the regular season amazingly well. I think he surprised everyone, coaches included with how well he was able to adapt. I think this led to the coaches trying to do too much with him during the bowl prep practices. All the QB work, watching tape, learning plays, regular practice and footwork/mechanics instruction, in addition to anything he did at WR. It was just too much for a frosh, even a super-frosh to take in, and as a result he was thinking instead of reacting against texas. I have every confidence in Pryor coming out and lighting things up next year.

 

[MaxBuck]

...IT was bucknuts ...

 

[BuckTwenty]

He's progressed a ton. However, he still has a LOT to work on... particularly with his throwing, as evidenced by his underthrows during the bowl game.

That said, the sky's the limit with Terelle. He could continue the legacy Troy left on this program and take it to a whole new level. No telling how good he could be if he puts in the work here during the offseason(s).

I guess we'll just have to see how much he has progressed when we see him again in the Spring!

 

[JXC]

Because I wasn't able to post back on bucknuts (yes, I was on their board searching around. Hey, it's the offseason.) I will post this here.

There seems to be a lot of people who believe Terrelle didn't progress as the season started. I however think he did improve tremendously.

I think the games he struggled most in, atleast passing wise, was the Texas and also the Michigan game. I think the only reasons he struggled in those games were due to the importance and also the type of defenses. Texas imparticular was a very blitz happy defense and simply didn't allow him the time to scan the field, and with a freshman QB who doesn't know where all his targets are that can be problem. I believe for a freshman Pryor was still better than I expected, but apparently that view isn't shared by everyone.

What does everyone else think?

I'm pretty sure something was wrong with his shoulder. His throwing motion changed. It looked like he was favoring it. It also makes sense why TB was throwing a lot in the Fiesta Bowl. I really don't think it's a mental issue with him, he's a pretty confident kid, the type of player that is going to play better in big games, not worse. I still feel like once he is cut loose he's going to just create big play after big play on his own.

 

[daveeb]

Okay, yeah, when he makes a mistake, he looks like a 6'6" Kordell Stewart. But, here is the reality about TP:

1. He threatened to take himself out of the game if he couldn't move the team down the field.
2. He has been looking to his other options.
3. He has a willingness to learn.
4. He has a billion physical tools.
5. He makes everyone around him better.
6. He has advanced as a QB.
7. He started as a true Freshman without Spring Practice.
8. He's the man on campus.
9. He's a leader: That is what made Troy special.

We'll be more than fine. Whiny Bucknuts people really need to see the big picture. The big picture is that the guy was a true freshman. Yes, he probably won't leave after his Junior year, like a lot of people were predicting. Big deal. He's the man. If he gets the technical part of the game down and if he can learn to use his great running ability to buy time to make the important throws (Northwestern was a preview) nine times out of ten, well, then we should win a lot of games.

 

[Bucks21]

Footwork,confidence, and repetition. Plus, two guys that are natural tackles will be good too.

 

[xcrunner]

Yes, he probably won't leave after his Junior year, like a lot of people were predicting. Big deal.

Wait, him staying is a bad thing? :P

 

[daveeb]

Wait, him staying is a bad thing? :P

Nowhere near a big deal. A lot of fans with high expectations were just expecting him to be so lights out from day one that he would be a three and done at QB, which is essentially unrealistic. He isn't Superman. But, he's plenty good. It shouldn't even be up for debate.

 

[JXC]

One thing that Tressel has always figured out how to have is good QB play. In 2001 he came into a tough situation as far as the QB position was concerned, but it all led to Krenzel getting the job late in 2001 and in 2002 and 2003, and that worked out great. Then in 2004 Zwick wasn't working out, and it quickly became the Troy Smith story late in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Then in 2007 Boeckman really did have a great year, one of the best if not they best season for any QB in the Big Ten in 2007. Unfortunate he was only remembered for how he played at the very end, but that's the breaks. Boeckman wasn't quite working out at the start of 2008, so in comes TP and adds some fire and life to the Buckeyes, and even though Pryor ended up losing two big games, he also won some big ones, MSU and esp the come back win against Wisky to name a few, and so I feel like that worked out very well.

That's the one thing I've liked about Jim Tressel most. The QB play. Obviously I'm not surprised since it's Tress' position. But we really haven't had to worry much about our QB play since Tressel has been around, so I think we hit the panic button a little more quickly than we maybe should, just because we are used to such great QB play. Tressel doesn't mess around when it comes to QBs. If he had enough faith in Pryor to put him in there as a true freshman, that speaks VOLUMES. Here is a look to see just how blessed we have been with QB play since Tressel arrived.

2001
148/286, 51.7% comp., 2290 yards, 12 TD, 11 INT, 125.16 Eff. Rating, 308 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD, 2598 total yards, 15 total TD

2002
173/280, 61.8% comp., 2425 yards, 14 TD, 7 INT, 146.04 Eff. Rating, 554 rushing yards, 4 rushing TD, 2979 total yards, 18 total TD

2003
208/366, 56.8% comp., 2679 yards, 20 TD, 13 INT, 129.24 Eff. Rating, 461 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD, 3140 total yards, 23 total TD

2004
166/310, 53.5% comp., 2105 yards, 14 TD, 9 INT, 119.68 Eff. rating, 526 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD, 2631 total yards, 16 total TD

2005
196/302, 64.9% comp., 2708 yards, 18 TD, 5 INT, 156.58 Eff. rating, 768 rushing yards, 11 rushing TD, 3476 total yards, 29 total TD

2006
221/340, 65.0% comp., 2791 yards, 31 TD, 6 INT, 160.51 Eff. rating, 347 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD, 3138 total yards, 34 total TD

2007
211/330, 63.9% comp., 2565 yards, 26 TD, 14 INT, 146.75 Eff. rating, 301 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 2866 total yards, 27 total TD

2008
160/267, 59.9% comp., 1953 yards, 17 TD, 6 INT, 137.88 Eff. rating, 927 rushing yards, 6 rushing TD, 2880 total yards, 23 total TD


As you can see, Tessel's first year was the worst year for our QBs, with lows in total yards, TDs, comp %, QB rating, and TD/INT ratio.
Since then Ohio State QBs have thrown for 140 TD while only throwing 60 INT. A 14 to 6 TD/INT ratio isn't bad at all.
And this past season, the TD/INT was better than that. And while the passing yards were at a low, the rushing yards brought the total yards up to an average level of production for an Ohio State QB. Which has been pretty damn good imo. I'm just not too worried about the QB position. People compare 2004 to 2008, as far as the QB situation. If that is the case, and the next two years are like 2005 and 2006 were, then we are golden. But to expect that is a bit much. Looking at Tressel's history though, I know we are going to have solid QB play next year. I think it's the reason we've had a top 10 team 6 out of the past 7 years. And this year's team was the only one not in the top 5.

I'm excited to have Pryor as our QB for the next few years. More excited than I think i've ever been after a QBs first year. But one way or another, Pryor's days will be gone, and i'm positive that the next QB that will step in will be great as well. As long as Tressel is around that is.

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

Okay, yeah, when he makes a mistake, he looks like a 6'6" Kordell Stewart. But, here is the reality about TP:

1. He threatened to take himself out of the game if he couldn't move the team down the field.
2. He has been looking to his other options.
3. He has a willingness to learn.
4. He has a billion physical tools.
5. He makes everyone around him better.
6. He has advanced as a QB.
7. He started as a true Freshman without Spring Practice.
8. He's the man on campus.
9. He's a leader: That is what made Troy special.

We'll be more than fine. Whiny Bucknuts people really need to see the big picture. The big picture is that the guy was a true freshman. Yes, he probably won't leave after his Junior year, like a lot of people were predicting. Big deal. He's the man. If he gets the technical part of the game down and if he can learn to use his great running ability to buy time to make the important throws (Northwestern was a preview) nine times out of ten, well, then we should win a lot of games.

Excellent points. I also like what Bucks21 said "Footwork,confidence, and repetition". I can see him turning his passing game around in a complete offseason program. That includes reading defenses and knowing which receiver will be open against what coverages.

Another key in his passing game will be what offense we run next year. Is he going to get more than 11-16 passing attempts? Can we design a play that will get the receivers open in space and let them use their speed.

 

[RugbyBuck]

Anyone who is down on TP after this season is a moron with absurdly unrealistic expectations. Period. Damn, if you can't see that this kid is actually better than the hype he had coming in, what games were you watching?

 

[martinss01]

Anyone who is down on TP after this season is a moron with absurdly unrealistic expectations. Period. Damn, if you can't see that this kid is actually better than the hype he had coming in, what games were you watching?

+1

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

Anyone who is down on TP after this season is a moron with absurdly unrealistic expectations. Period. Damn, if you can't see that this kid is actually better than the hype he had coming in, what games were you watching?

I agree with what you said. I am not down on TP. With that being said, I also want people to keep an open mind on what they are/were seeing his freshman year. I have read where people are things like "His talent at PASSING in unbelievable". For a true freshman his passing was OK. There were a lot of deep throws that were underthrown turning them into jump balls. I am sure they are going to work on this in the offseason. If you look at the numbers, he did not throw the ball a lot this season. He just needs more reps with his receivers to get timing down. When he gets those reps I am sure his passing will be "unbelievable".

 

[brodybuck21]

Anyone who is down on TP after this season is a moron with absurdly unrealistic expectations. Period. Damn, if you can't see that this kid is actually better than the hype he had coming in, what games were you watching?

+10000000

 

[1926Buckeyes]

Because I wasn't able to post back on bucknuts (yes, I was on their board searching around. Hey, it's the offseason.) I will post this here.

There seems to be a lot of people who believe Terrelle didn't progress as the season started. I however think he did improve tremendously.

I think the games he struggled most in, atleast passing wise, was the Texas and also the Michigan game. I think the only reasons he struggled in those games were due to the importance and also the type of defenses. Texas imparticular was a very blitz happy defense and simply didn't allow him the time to scan the field, and with a freshman QB who doesn't know where all his targets are that can be problem. I believe for a freshman Pryor was still better than I expected, but apparently that view isn't shared by everyone.

What does everyone else think?

Exactly. If it was injury or not or just a bad game, it shouldn't have been made as big of a deal as it was. Yet Buckeye fans always overreact.

People, for some reason, fail to see that as a true frosh Pryor has put up great stats, amazing plays, and some good performances. He's far ahead (IMO) of were Vince was as a RS Frosh and maybe even sophomore and ahead of Tebow as a Frosh. I guess some thought he was going to put up super stats right away, even with passing only 13 times a game.

People like to say that Griffin is the better player, and he could be, but he had many many more attempts than Pryor. I think we are going to see much more passing this coming year (hopefully) and a very good year by Pryor.