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

[BuckNut65]

That lack of toughness you describe is the opposite of the freshman I saw successfully rush against USC, singlehandedly launch a Minnesota linebacker, and stiff-arm Michigan State into submission.

I agree with you on each of these instances. I think we all would like to see him play that way all of the time.

I would agree that he is carrying a heavy burden with huge expectations. He is a perfectionist and isn't immune to what he reads or hears. I am sure there are some confidence issues here since he is not used to hearing this type of criticism. I am anxious to see where we are at after this upcoming three game stretch. He is going to need a big confidence boost going into those final three games.

 

[Woody1968]

I think it's an excellent question.

Pryor was not ready to start last year, but the situation was such a disaster that he was thrust into action before his time. Sure, he has double-digit starts, but young QBs forced into action too early do not progress at the same rate as those who were ready. It only increases the learning curve when the quarterback is a runner without much development as a passer.

Pryor's status as a recruit distorts things as well. His athleticism & potential were undeniable, but so was the amount of improvement he needed to make before becoming a star.

The situation was not really a disaster. People were just indignat about losing to USC big.

 

[TJnTN]

I think it's an excellent question.

Pryor was not ready to start last year, but the situation was such a disaster that he was thrust into action before his time. Sure, he has double-digit starts, but young QBs forced into action too early do not progress at the same rate as those who were ready. It only increases the learning curve when the quarterback is a runner without much development as a passer.

Pryor's status as a recruit distorts things as well. His athleticism & potential were undeniable, but so was the amount of improvement he needed to make before becoming a star.

I wish I could find the quote but I remember a local coach here in TN, George Quarles (Maryville High School), coached Pryor in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was asked about Pryor and basically what he said was that Pryor was the most amazing athlete he has ever been around or had coached but that his mechanics were so poor, he couldn't even do a 3-step drop properly.

think about that a little and take it into perspective.....

 

[jwinslow]

The situation was not really a disaster.

Ray Small averted a near disaster a week before. Maybe 'ugly' would be a better word choice, disaster should be saved for the 08 UM offense or 09 UM defense

People were just indignat about losing to USC big.

I don't really care what people were like... they have little to no impact on the coaching decisions. Todd & that OL were a bad combination.

I wish I could find the quote but I remember a local coach here in TN, George Quarles (Maryville High School), coached Pryor in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was asked about Pryor and basically what he said was that Pryor was the most amazing athlete he has ever been around or had coached but that his mechanics were so poor, he couldn't even do a 3-step drop properly.

think about that a little and take it into perspective.....

And he could get away with it better than almost any high schooler between his nearly peerless athleticism and terrible opposing competition.

 

[Poe McKnoe]

I wish I could find the quote but I remember a local coach here in TN, George Quarles (Maryville High School), coached Pryor in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was asked about Pryor and basically what he said was that Pryor was the most amazing athlete he has ever been around or had coached but that his mechanics were so poor, he couldn't even do a 3-step drop properly.

think about that a little and take it into perspective.....

So....................you're saying once the staff teaches him how to properly do a 3-step drop, Ohio State will win a national championship? I'm holding you to that.

 

[Woody1968]

I don't really care what people were like... they have little to no impact on the coaching decisions. Todd & that OL were a bad combination.

Without Beanie, I agree. But I think it was wrong to throw Todd under the bus after that game. He did play in the NC game the year before.

That said, I think Pryor will come on strong over the rest of the season.

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

The bottom line is he does not like to get hit. He often will run laterally to avoid being hit or stop all together to avoid contact.

It looks like to me that if he is going to get hit low, he stops moving his feet and falls forward. Its like he does not want to have his feet planted to avoid a knee injury. He can take (and sometimes give) a hit in the upper portion of his body, but his legs are like glass.

 

[jwinslow]

But I think it was wrong to throw Todd under the bus after that game.

I didn't like the way the change was made, but I don't think they had another choice if they wanted to win the b10.

He did play in the NC game the year before.

Not because of Todd. Todd got OSU through October (including a great PSU performance), but he was a big part of their struggles in November.

Beanie had to compensate for Todd's struggles vs Wisconsin.

Todd's 3 interceptions cost OSU the Illinois game. Ill scored TDs after the first two, and iced the clock after the third. The 2nd was in scoring range for OSU, and the 3rd took the ball away from beanie, who had just pounded it down Illinois' throats for a score to cut the lead to 7 pts.


Virtually the entire top-10 stunk up the joint after that, and allowed OSU to back into the title game.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

I wish I could find the quote but I remember a local coach here in TN, George Quarles (Maryville High School), coached Pryor in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was asked about Pryor and basically what he said was that Pryor was the most amazing athlete he has ever been around or had coached but that his mechanics were so poor, he couldn't even do a 3-step drop properly.

think about that a little and take it into perspective.....

Interesting. I know lots of people seem to blame coaching on his lack of progress (and that could very well be the case for all I know). But it seems like TP has had tons of things to work at in a pretty short time. It's just not as easy as we'd all hoped I guess. Not every guy with amazing potential turns out to be an All-American. Now, I'm not trying to be a downer here...just trying to point out that sometimes there's only so much a coach can do and the rest is up to the player.

I keep thinking that one game it's just all going to click at once for TP and the perfect storm will rain down some offense! In the mean time, I'm just thankful that we at least have a guy with this type of potential...and to keep it all in perspective I think about one thing...Steve Bellesari...:)

 

[ThirdGenBuckeye]

I keep thinking that one game it's just all going to click at once for TP and the perfect storm will rain down some offense! In the mean time, I'm just thankful that we at least have a guy with this type of potential...and to keep it all in perspective I think about one thing...Steve Bellesari...:)

Shhhtteve Belleshari wasshh a greeeat quarterback!!11!!!!one!:cheers:

 

[Woody1968]

I didn't like the way the change was made, but I don't think they had another choice if they wanted to win the b10.
Not because of Todd. Todd got OSU through October (including a great PSU performance), but he was a big part of their struggles in November.

Beanie had to compensate for Todd's struggles vs Wisconsin.

Todd's 3 interceptions cost OSU the Illinois game. Ill scored TDs after the first two, and iced the clock after the third. The 2nd was in scoring range for OSU, and the 3rd took the ball away from beanie, who had just pounded it down Illinois' throats for a score to cut the lead to 7 pts.

I don't disagree with your recap. But I would point out that we were not really expected to be back in the title game that year, and Todd's contribution to that run cannot be ignored.

 

[Woody1968]

Shhhtteve Belleshari wasshh a greeeat quarterback!!11!!!!one!:cheers:

He was no Austin Moherman, that's for sure...
:)

 

[jwinslow]

I don't disagree with your recap. But I would point out that we were not really expected to be back in the title game that year, and Todd's contribution to that run cannot be ignored.

The Todd Boeckman who started the 2007 season was missing in Nov 07, Jan 08 & Sep 08. The guy who stood tall and delivered the ball in the face of an untouched pass rusher was not around when Wisky, Ill, LSU, Ohio & USC came after him.

Todd certainly accomplished more in a rebuilding year, both individually and as a team, than most expected. But his regression was undeniable.

 

[jimotis4heisman]

I didn't like the way the change was made, but I don't think they had another choice if they wanted to win the b10.
Not because of Todd. Todd got OSU through October (including a great PSU performance), but he was a big part of their struggles in November.

Beanie had to compensate for Todd's struggles vs Wisconsin.

Todd's 3 interceptions cost OSU the Illinois game. Ill scored TDs after the first two, and iced the clock after the third. The 2nd was in scoring range for OSU, and the 3rd took the ball away from beanie, who had just pounded it down Illinois' throats for a score to cut the lead to 7 pts.


Virtually the entire top-10 stunk up the joint after that, and allowed OSU to back into the title game.

the defense got punched in the mouth, they couldnt stop ill run game. in big ten football when you get rolled up for 260 yards you arent going to win many games... toss in they milked the entire last 8 mins off the clock as they shoved it down the defenses throats.

Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Box Score, November 10 2007 - NCAA College Football - ESPN


but the pryor v boeckman thread had its day. hard to say the should of/could of/would of the reality is using 2007 when the kid shows up in 2008.

 

[Woody1968]

The Todd Boeckman who started the 2007 season was missing in Nov 07, Jan 08 & Sep 08. The guy who stood tall and delivered the ball in the face of an untouched pass rusher was not around when Wisky, Ill, LSU, Ohio & USC came after him.

Todd certainly accomplished more in a rebuilding year, both individually and as a team, than most expected. But his regression was undeniable.

I guess we can agree to disagree on that. I tend to blame predictable play calling for some of his interceptions. The long ball was working well in September and October, but lead to interceptions in November because defenses knew it was coming. In some cases, the receivers looked as if they were conceeding the pick. I notice that scUm is not on your list, btw.

As for last year, he did struggle coming out of the box. If he hadn't gotten the hook, who knows? It is academic now, but because Pryor played very well last year, the expectation was that he would play better this year. Some of it may be from poor play calling in the first couple of games. Some of it may be because defenses have had more time to prepare for him. Personally, I think the expectation that he has to be "special" or play a perfect game is bunk. Even with erratic play, the USC game was never out of reach. All he has to do is try to limit turnovers and we can hang with anyone.