Pryor's commitment a sad day for spread
Thu Mar 27, 10:45 AM ET
By Matt Hayes -
Say this much for young Terrelle Pryor: The high school phenom already has turned the college football world sideways.
And the impact is more significant than you think. On the surface, there are bragging rights and championship dreams. When Pryor, the nation's No. 1 quarterback recruit, finally chose Ohio State over Michigan last week, it was a huge boost for the Buckeyes' national title hopes and a kick in the groin to Rich Rodriguez's teardown project at Michigan.
Now come closer, everyone. See the big picture. When Pryor said playing at Ohio State would prepare him better for the NFL, the spread option offense -- the fad that has overtaken college football -- took a haymaker to the nose.
This isn't about coaching ability. Ohio State's Jim Tressel and Rodriguez are among the game's best offensive minds and could teach your yellow Lab to run an 8-yard drag route.
The point is this: The spread offense -- the scheme that is nothing more than the triple option from the shotgun and the scheme Rodriguez has used to change the face of the game -- doesn't prepare quarterbacks for the next level. When was the last time a triple option quarterback made it big in the NFL? Here's a hint: never.
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