QB Troy Smith (2006 Heisman Trophy Winner)

[IronBuckI]

Young QB has a QB picked by his team in the first round, before he was really given a chance to perform, and the new first round guy is suddenly the "quarterback of the future." Said Young QB takes over the QB reigns from previous piece of garbage veteran QB before rookie QB is ready to play. Young QB shines and continues to have a successful career with or without the team that showed so much faith in him that they drafted a first rounder to be their "quarterback of the future."

I swear that I've heard this story before, but just can't place it. :tongue2:

who is Drew Brees (Jeopardy style)

Who is Derek Anderson?

Those are the first two names that popped into my head while reading this thread. Troy will get a chance. D1AA Flacco will not be ready to go when the coaches decide that Boller can't be trusted. Troy will be ready.

 

[bukIpower]

If they loved flacco soooo much they wouldn't have traded back to get the kid. Yeah, it was a little high to draft flacco and it was smart to trade back, but if he was their perfect pick they would've felt he was worth the #8 pick (see donte whitner going to buffalo at #8). Personally I think flacco's going to flop and isn't going to amount to jack, and it doesn't really matter who they have I think in the end Troy will be who the fans want. If he doesn't start he will find a starting role somewhere sometime.

They talk about Flacco's HUGE arm etc etc... are they forgetting that Troy can match arm strength for arm strength with this guy? Oh but Flacco's pretty mobile for a big guy!! Ummm Troy can do what he can and then some as far as moving around in the pocket. I also laugh at the people who say he's not very accurate.. Are you kidding? If anything troy's fault is he throws the ball a little too hard on the intermediate routes. There's also two other entangibles that Flacco won't bring to the table A) leadership and B) heart. Sure flacco will show heart but it won't be what #10 will bring to the table. Troy already talks like he runs the offense from what I see through interviews and the such. If baltimore doesn't start him or have him #2 on the depth chart I hope they trade him for Troy's sake.

 

[Best Buckeye]

link

Smith and Boller are competing.

One week before first-round draft pick Joe Flacco joins the team during the Ravens? first mandatory minicamp, quarterbacks Kyle Boller and Troy Smith are doing everything they can to prove they?re worthy of a starting spot.

 

[vioravis]

Bucknuts (FREE)

A nice recap of Troy Smith's tumultuous rookie year in the NFL.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Minicamp photos.

 

[3074326]

Off-topic, but I like the red jerseys more than their actual jerseys.

 

[jwinslow]

Rockin' the pre-06 facemask...

 

[jwinslow]

Off-topic, but I like the red jerseys more than their actual jerseys.

Doesn't work too well with their helmet. Love the all black look, which everyone started copying. Nothing more intimidating than that kind of D in jet black.

 

[rocketman]

Caption contest: "Why did they sign a contract extension for this idiot?"

 

[NFBuck]

link

Smith and Boller are competing.

If they go back to Boller again, Troy should walk out on principle.

 

[BirmBuckeye]

"Heroes of the Horseshoe"-QB-Troy Smith

This summer, Ohio State football fans spanning three popular websites will vote on who they believe are the greatest football players in Ohio State history. This week’s position, quarterback; is certainly a position that has opened up lively debate about statistical comparison, historical relevance and what truly denotes “greatness” at the game’s most pressure packed position.
The fans have voted – and the winner and first “Hero of the Horseshoe” is Troy Smith, with 54.1% of the vote. Rex Kern was second.

"The Legend of Troy"​

“It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever -- the one who recognizes the challenges and does something about it.” – Vince Lombardi
In February of 2002, Ohio State signed one of the finest recruiting classes in school history, highlighted by a quarterback who many people believed would leave a lasting legacy on Ohio State football and ultimately be recognized as one of the all – time greats ; Justin Zwick from Massillon (OH), Washington High School. One of the nation’s most sought after prospects, Zwick gave Buckeye fans everywhere hope that the years of mediocre quarterback play the university had endured would finally be put to a halt and the position would once again produce Buckeye glory. The 6’4”, 225 pound Zwick was the prototype, a big strong QB with a howitzer for a right arm and the quarterback acumen to match. With the QB situation for the upcoming season in flux, many believed that Zwick might be able to take the reigns as a freshman, and promptly lead the Buckeyes back to their rightful place among college football’s elite.
Coincidentally, that recruiting class also included a last minute addition; an “athlete” from Cleveland named Troy Smith, who despite a “star rating” of 3 or 4 stars (depending on the recruiting service) was an addition that left many Ohio State fans scratching their heads. Why would Ohio State use a scholarship on a player who was deciding between West Virginia and Toledo? There were plenty of other, highly touted, highly recruited athletes that were far “more worthy” of the spot, after all – this is one of the finest recruiting classes in school history. This guy wasn’t big enough to be a quarterback, and besides, his numbers were far from spectacular, as he didn’t even throw for a 1000 yards as a senior. He isn’t fast enough to be a running back or wide receiver, so what gives? Was it nothing more than a courtesy offer extended to perhaps entice a long list of future Tarblooders to join their high school quarterback and friend at their state school?
Ohio State was, after all, recovering from consecutive Outback Bowl losses to South Carolina, and the program could only muster a meager 15-9 record in the first two seasons of the new millennium. Coach Jim Tressel’s first year could hardly be considered a “success” at 7-5 and something had to be done to show the high school coaches around the state that the state of Ohio would once again be the first place the hometown Buckeyes looked for its talent. What better way to illustrate that point than to offer Smith, whose signing could potentially lead to the addition Glenville’s All-Americans Donte Whitner and Dareus Hiley the following year? It has been said that Tressel “plays chess while others play checkers”, implying that the coach is always a step ahead of his competition. Is it possible he could have seen this as an opportunity to re-energize the high school coaching base? To re-instill state pride among the state’s best high school football talent and to infuse his football team with a new wave of faster, more game-changing players, all in one fell swoop?
Of course, that is all possible. But it’s more likely that he simply saw in Troy Smith then; a hardened, passionate young man who had been through a myriad of life’s most challenging tests, what we all came to see 5 years later. Smith’s journey was anything but routine and nothing if not spectacularly inspirational. A true testament to what any one of us could achieve with the right blend the courage to persevere; a passion to fight against the odds no matter how high they are stacked against us; a willingness to learn from our mistakes; and perhaps most importantly, people who believe deeply enough in who we can be in the future, that they are willing to look beyond who we might be at present.

Troy Smith had to wonder, at some point during the 2004 season if he was ever going to really get his shot at Ohio State. Coach Tressel’s famous “dog-house” is lonely, cold and awfully difficult to get out of – and Smith found himself there for reasons that have never been fully divulged. Some speculate that it was his role in a campus skirmish late in 2003, a skirmish that served as a distraction for a Buckeye team that was a week away from, perhaps the most important Michigan game in three decades. Others, including Smith himself, wondered if his continuing relationship with the exiled running back Maurice Clarett was the principle reason for Smith not being given his turn at running the offense during a “rebuilding year”. A year in which Zwick, the much ballyhooed redshirt sophomore had been given the keys to prior to the season. Despite the teams 3-0 start in non-conference play, the offense was sputtering and Smith grew frustrated at not being given an opportunity to run the offense.
But, as often is the case, it didn’t take long for Smith to get his chance. Back-to-back conference losses to Northwestern and Wisconsin left the faithful restless. Justin Zwick’s pre-ordained ascent to the top of the proverbial mountain quickly morphed from “Chosen One” to “Choosing One”, and many Ohio State fans began to clamor for the volatile, yet undeniably athletic Troy Smith to be released from the bonds of the bench. Still, many others still insisted that Zwick was merely experiencing what should be considered typical “growing pains” and that Tressel should, and WOULD stick with the affable and still-learning Zwick. Smith’s play, they reasoned, was wild and uncontrollable, and Tressel valued ball control first among the attributes his quarterbacks should possess. Then came Iowa City, Iowa, October 16th, 2004.

The Buckeyes were reeling; an offense that was struggling to move the ball, and a defense that couldn’t stop anyone at any time. Only two years removed from a national championship, the Buckeyes seemed closer to falling apart than to contending for even a Big Ten title, let alone another shot at national glory. Down 17-0 early in the second half, Troy Smith replaced an injured Justin Zwick as the Buckeyes quarterback. Despite the 33-7 blow-out loss, the Buckeyes offense found a spark, as Smith led them on their only scoring drive late in the fourth quarter. Zwick’s injury held the door open for Smith, and the Buckeyes offense proved to be the benefactor; turning in efficient performances in each of the next three weeks; and behind Smith’s leadership, they were able to level off their Big Ten conference record at 3-3 . A disappointing loss in West Lafayette at the hands of the Purdue Boilermakers left the Buckeyes teetering on the edge of a losing conference season, and with Michigan week looming, it looked as though the men of scarlet and gray might once again come up short against their storied rival.

Troy Smith, however, had an altogether different idea. Once the smoke had cleared, the Buckeyes had shot first and far more frequently – stunning the seventh ranked Wolverines 37-21. Smith’s performance was legendary in the truest sense of the word on a football field; a masterpiece on foot and a symphony of spirals; he would pass for 241 yards and 2 scores, and run for an Ohio State quarterback record 145 more yards on the ground, including another score. His 386 total yards were the most by ever by a Buckeye QB in the history of the storied rivalry. Smith had resoundingly secured his place as the quarterback of the future, besting everybody’s All-American in the process, and was on his way to cementing his place in Ohio State lore.

Smith’s critics often would say that he was an act first, think second type of quarterback, and that mentality led him to more off the field trouble shortly after his record-breaking performance against Michigan. Weeks before Smith was slated to lead the Buckeyes in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, it came to light that Smith had received $500 in cash from an Ohio State booster, an NCAA violation. When this transgression was discovered by the Ohio State athletic department, Smith was immediately suspended for the bowl game and the 2005 season opener. Smith was back in the vaunted Tressel doghouse, and many wondered if this would be the last shot Smith would get.

The 2005 Buckeyes were a team that many thought would be a dark horse contender for the national championship. The defense that was young and inexperienced a season before was now mature and seasoned. The offense, with emerging superstars Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn, Jr. on the edges, and a strong sophomore tailback in Antonio Pittman would be much more consistent this time around; the question was, like it always is – who will lead the team from the quarterback position? Justin Zwick had played well in the season opener against an under matched Miami University (Ohio) team, but the questions about his ability to play effectively against stronger competition lingered, and Troy Smith, who proved in a blink of an eye that he could be both brilliant and thoughtless, a leader of men – and a man unable to get out of his own way. It didn’t seem as if either of these quarterbacks was capable of carrying the expectations or responsibilities of a team of 85 players on their backs, let alone the hopes and dreams of hundreds of thousands of Ohio State alumni and fans.
Smith however would carry at least one burden on his back that season, as many Buckeyes hold him responsible for an early season home loss to Texas, the eventual national champion, in the season’s second week. Smith, who was held out of action in the opener was noticeably rusty, his suspension had cost him valuable repetitions in that game and in practice. The Buckeyes fell again a few weeks later to Penn State, in a game where the offense was abused by a Nittany Lion front seven that appeared to be straight out of Canton. The Buckeyes, fazed but not knocked out would respond by winning the next 5 games before heading to Ann Arbor, where the Michigan Wolverines awaited. The dazzling performance by Smith in Columbus a year earlier was fresh in the minds of many, but no one could have expected the encore that they were treated to. Smith threw for 300 yards for the first time in his career, and a touchdown, and added 37 more yards and a second score via the ground game. With the Buckeyes trailing 21-19 and only 4:18 left on the game clock, Smith engineered a John Elwayesque drive; leading the Buckeyes 88 yards to the final, and winning score, an Antonio Pittman 4 yard burst with 24 seconds left. The hero had officially re-entered the building, and the Buckeyes finished the regular season as co-champions of the Big Ten and had earned themselves a berth in the Fiesta Bowl, where they at 9-2 would face the 9-2 Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The Fiesta Bowl proved to be just that for the Buckeyes, a party of points and yards – as they piled 617 yards of offense; the most ever allowed by any squad in Notre Dame history. Highlighted by another dynamic effort by Smith, who threw for new career high 342 yards and two long scores to Ginn and Holmes, and ran for 66 more yards - the Buckeyes opened eyes around the country and put themselves among the teams to beat in 2006.

Smith’s transformation from goat to hero had been as thorough as it was predictable. This was a young man who was forced to pull himself up off the mat many times, a young man who survived his fair share of ordeals, self-inflicted or otherwise. He recognized that for success to come, maturity was necessary; and maybe, just maybe – he would have to finally start holding himself accountable for his actions.

Smith’s own words said it best, "I don't stop to look at the person I've become," Smith said. "The minute I do that, I'll stop becoming that person....You continually grow as a man." Smith had indeed grown, both as a man, and as a football player, quarterback and leader. He went into the offseason as the poster-boy for a new style of Ohio State football.

By September of 2006, the cat had been let out of the bag, as they say – and Troy Smith was front and center, firmly entrenched as “BMOC”. The Buckeyes were preseason #1 and Smith; for the first time was the unquestioned leader of the team, for his on the field excellence and his off the field demeanor. The Buckeyes opened the season right where they left off, destroying each and every team that they played, day or night, home or away – and they quickly and thoroughly avenged both of their defeats in 2005 by dismantling Texas and Penn State in the first four weeks of the season. Smith was being hailed nationally as a potential Heisman candidate and the Buckeyes steamrolled to a 11-0 start. As is the custom, the Buckeyes, now with Heisman front runner Troy Smith, would have one game left to make or break what seemed to be a season destined for glory. In their way was once again the University of Michigan, also 11 games up and no games down, in what was being billed as the “Game of the Century” – Ohio State and Michigan, the first and second ranked teams in both NCAA polls for the first time ever heading towards “The Game”. This year’s contest in Columbus was different from the start, as “The Game” is historically a grind it out, defensive struggle won and lost by big mistakes rather than big plays. But these teams, both experienced and talented were ready for an epic battle, and they did not relinquish their respective chances at a national title berth easily. The Buckeyes offense proved too much for the Wolverines however, and by virtue of the unbelievable 42-39 final, the Buckeyes headed southwest to Arizona for their second BCS championship game in 5 seasons.

Smith’s incredible senior season had put him in the position to become Ohio State’s 6th Heisman Trophy winner, and on December 7th, 2006 – he added his name to that illustrious group of Ohio State legends in the same dominating fashion that he displayed so often between the white lines. Smith received a record 86.7% of the first place votes, and won the award by the second largest margin of victory in the long tradition of the Heisman Trophy, while becoming the first Big Ten quarterback to ever win the award. Smith’s victory in NYC was just one of the many awards he would win for his performance, as he would also lay claim to the Johnny Unitas award for the nation’s top SR. quarterback, the Davey O’Brian Award for the nation’s top quarterback, and the Walter Camp National Player of the Year award, as well as being named a consensus first team All-American.

Unfortunately for the Buckeye team and its fans, the Buckeyes failed to win a national championship, falling to the underdog Florida Gators 41-14. The loss ended Smith’s career in the scarlet and gray on a down note, and once again Smith found himself in the crosshairs of many critics. Some surmised that his time on the award circuit cost him conditioning and game-planning opportunities, and rumor and innuendo places Smith at the center of a team scuffle inside of the Ohio State locker room during the BCS Championship game.





As it turned out, the recruiting “experts” were right, the 2002 class did ultimately produce a quarterback who would not only rewrite Ohio State record books and change the way the position was played at the school for the foreseeable future, but also a quarterback who would leave as one of the Big Ten conference’s greatest success stories. The ups and downs that Smith went through, which all of us no doubt lived vicariously through were remarkable – there were never subtle changes in his story. It is the opinion of this Buckeye fan that in a twisted way, the entire, awful Maurice Clarett ordeal that scandalized and tarnished the rich tradition of Ohio State football (at least to the novice fan and the new wave of “experts”) may have ironically twisted Troy Smith’s fate. Smith’s friendship with the controversial tailback meant a lot to him, and his attitude and actions embodied Clarett’s mindset. If Maurice Clarett had remained a Buckeye, and not fallen from the dizzying height that he found himself in during the fall of 2002 to the embarrassing low that had consumed him by the start of 2005, I don’t know that Troy Smith would have ever really recognized the road that he was heading down. I have been a die-hard Buckeye fan as long as I can remember, and probably before that as well – and I know that I have never seen one player transform himself so completely as Troy Smith, both on and off the field. I would doubt that most of you have either.
Obviously, Troy Smith is recent history – and therefore my ability to write this piece on his Ohio State legend is a bit easier than it will be to write it on some of the players who will be voted as “Heroes of the Horseshoe” in the coming weeks and months, so I ask any of you – if you have details, stories or information about any of those represented, and especially those who would be considered the “likely” winners at each position, please feel free to email me and help me out. I hope you’ve enjoyed this article; I’ve enjoyed it writing it.

--BirmBuckeye--

 

[Buckeye_in_Cali]

Troy looks really lean in those photos, in a good way. I bet he's as elusive as ever and stronger as well.

 

[Bucks21]

Troy looks really lean in those photos, in a good way. I bet he's as elusive as ever and stronger as well.

No In-N-Out Burgers on the east coast.

Seriously Troy is going to be a good starter in da league. I think the Ravens see Flacco as similar to DA but it just is not going to happen.

 

[Buckeye Nut]

Troy looks really lean in those photos, in a good way. I bet he's as elusive as ever and stronger as well.

First thing I noticed as well. Looks like he's dropped about 10-15 lbs and is in great shape.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

First thing I noticed as well. Looks like he's dropped about 10-15 lbs and is in great shape.

Oh yeah...he looks great! Man I hope he gets the nod to start. Troy is a winner. Boller...not! Boller had his chance many times over and hasn't proven his value at QB. Let Troy have his shot!

And I wasn't ever that impressed with Flacco either. Hopefully, once Troy gets the job, he'll prove it's his to keep!

Go Troy!