Troy Smith Saga has begun.....

[3yardsandacloud]

Relax StadiumDorm. Reasonable debate about the topic is fine. In the same breath, if your view isn't shared by the majority of posters don't get offended. That's just life. Personally, I think this is getting ridiculous. Too many folks are trying to turn this into a federal case because tressel engaged in some "coach speak". What's he (or any coach) supposed to say? [sarcasm] Well, Smith has no shot to start, he might as well just coast the rest of the season.[sarcasm] No. Coaches do this all the time. What's said publically is often used to motivate players or at the very least to not embarass players. Why are we disecting every syllable of Tressel's answers? It's his job to win games. He takes the heat. For that reason, he gets to make the call on who plays and who doesn't. Not anyone else. Tressel doesn't need to explain or apologize his decisions to ANYONE outside of the AD, coaches and players.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Wow! I guess I should just blindly agree with everything Tressel says and does because he's won quite a few national championships? I guess you can't disagree with JT or the consensus on this board ... at all ... or you get attacked.

FWIW, I agree with JT's coaching decision to go with Zwick. I'm excited about his potential. But, I do not agree with his decision to publicly state that the QB battle was open (and he did say that - any attempt to prove otherwise is futile, because it just ain't true). I can only assume, because none of us can know otherwise, that he told TS that the battle was "open" as well. The battle was clearly not open. JZ went into Cincy and Marshall and did a serviceable job (although not spectacular, as he still has a lot to learn) - and he locked down the job. Obviously TS could not have done a thing on the field to change that, and he wasn't given an opportunity to do so anyway.

So, maybe he should have stated publicly that the job is Zwick's to lose, and the TS would be given an opportunity if Zwick faltered. But, he didn't say that, and now he has to deal with an angry backup. That is his mistake, and I'm not afraid to call him on it.


Prediction: I'll be called ignorant and a fucking moron for having this opinion, even though I've backed it up - but who cares, because I went against the consensus.

listen up you ignorant fucking moron

how do you know that tressel didnt see something in zwick that wasnt in smith during practices? how about this scenario.....

tressel says the qb job is open, both players try hard to win it, JZ is the favorite by the time Cinci comes to town based on practices, plays much better than TS in that game, then in the rest of the practices JZ looks better.

oh, thats right.....you just decide to KNOW what tressel thinks of each player. oooook

 

[bucknut11]

i don't think you can say that JZ was "serviceable" in the Cincy and Marshall games. he put up some big-time numbers in those 2 games. granted, he did throw alotta picks (poor decision making), but he was very effective most of the time. if you want to call his play "serviceable," refer to the NCST game.

as for my opinion, he's doing his job and we're winning. i'm happy with the decision to keep him as our QB and am looking forward to watching him grow for the next 3 years. (<-- that should get you excited!)

 

[OH10]

I don't know why my opinion is being interpreted as one that attacks Zwick or the decision to go to Zwick. My opinion is that the comments made by Tressel prior to the Cincy and Marshall games indicated that the job was still open. It was not, and JT should have said as such. JZ probably earned the job in practice. I don't question that. He did a good enough job in the game to earn the job. I don't question that. I resent the implication that I somehow believe Troy should be playing more. I don't believe that. I simply believe that if JT had been more honest and clear about the situation, he may have been able to avoid the angry backup syndrome. Since he was not more "clear", he now has to deal the problem that TS feels he was not given the opportunity he expected. That's JT's mistake, and he should be called on it.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

I don't know why my opinion is being interpreted as one that attacks Zwick or the decision to go to Zwick. My opinion is that the comments made by Tressel prior to the Cincy and Marshall games indicated that the job was still open. It was not, and JT should have said as such.

first of all....how do you know it wasnt still open?

second, why does JT have to tell the public anything? he doesnt have to tell you shit about the team AT ALL.

third, you pretty much DO attack Zwick when you say he was servicable against Cinci & Marshall.....2 games in which he played very well.

 

[exhawg]

Wow! I guess I should just blindly agree with everything Tressel says and does because he's won quite a few national championships? I guess you can't disagree with JT or the consensus on this board ... at all ... or you get attacked.

FWIW, I agree with JT's coaching decision to go with Zwick. I'm excited about his potential. But, I do not agree with his decision to publicly state that the QB battle was open (and he did say that - any attempt to prove otherwise is futile, because it just ain't true). I can only assume, because none of us can know otherwise, that he told TS that the battle was "open" as well. The battle was clearly not open. JZ went into Cincy and Marshall and did a serviceable job (although not spectacular, as he still has a lot to learn) - and he locked down the job. Obviously TS could not have done a thing on the field to change that, and he wasn't given an opportunity to do so anyway.

So, maybe he should have stated publicly that the job is Zwick's to lose, and the TS would be given an opportunity if Zwick faltered. But, he didn't say that, and now he has to deal with an angry backup. That is his mistake, and I'm not afraid to call him on it.


Prediction: I'll be called ignorant and a fucking moron for having this opinion, even though I've backed it up - but who cares, because I went against the consensus.

Point taken, but I believe that the QB position was open to a point. TS didn't get an equal shot in game situations, but do you think if he had blown the coaches away in practice, and looked amazing in his chances in games that he still had no shot? Truthfully I think TS did have a chance, and if he had made the most out of it he could have won the job. As it was he went 3 and out in his 2 chances with 4 incomplete passes. Was it totally fair? No, but life isn't fair. JT gave him a chance and that's all he said he would do.

 

[AKAK]

Since he was not more "clear", he now has to deal the problem that TS feels he was not given the opportunity he expected.

Couple things.

First- I don't know why you feel the need 'to call' Tressel. We have no idea what the conversations were between Troy and Coach Tressel were. I think peopel take exception to the your implication that he's a liar. The "coach speak" is a good point.. I think people read into Tressels coments some things that weren't necesarily there...

Second- I tend to think that Troy is missing the part of 'getting opportunities' involves 'making opportunities' for yourself...

Third- I'm glad Troy is pissed he's not the starter. I was always suspicious of MCmullen Happy Go lucky attitude. Anyway... Troy wants to play, obviously.. and that's good.

Fourth- I think the lack of communication probably stems from the reasons that Troy is Practicing at WR, and not why he's not the QB... He probably wondering if he's still #2... or whatever.

 

[3yardsandacloud]

I don't know why my opinion is being interpreted as one that attacks Zwick or the decision to go to Zwick. My opinion is that the comments made by Tressel prior to the Cincy and Marshall games indicated that the job was still open. It was not, and JT should have said as such. JZ probably earned the job in practice. I don't question that. He did a good enough job in the game to earn the job. I don't question that. I resent the implication that I somehow believe Troy should be playing more. I don't believe that. I simply believe that if JT had been more honest and clear about the situation, he may have been able to avoid the angry backup syndrome. Since he was not more "clear", he now has to deal the problem that TS feels he was not given the opportunity he expected. That's JT's mistake, and he should be called on it.

I'm not interpreting your opinion as attacking Zwick, but as attacking Tressel. Reread my post. Why is it such a big deal that Tressel engaged in a bit of coach speak? He needs to keep both players motivated and ready to go. For all we know the position WAS still open for competition. That doesn't mean Tressel is obligated to play both players during a game they need to win. During the game all bets are off. You do what you feel you must to win the game. Period. I'm sorry Smith didn't get the reps he feels he deserves, but frankly his butt isn't on the line if the game is won or lost, Tressel's is.

Further, Smith seems to be backpeddling a bit from the comments he's made. Tressel said the comments were blown out of proportion. I can understand the kid wanting to play, any competitor would. The problem I see is that folks seem to think that Tressel owes us some sort of accountability for how he chooses to use his players. He doesn't, regardless of any comment he has made.

I wish the best for Troy AND Justin. I couldn't care less which one steps up to the challenge of leading this team. Since I don't get to see the practices I will let JT decide who is best suited for that role.

 

[OH10]

How do I know the job wasn't open?
A. Troy's first series against Cincy that went 3 and out. JZ had a few as well, so I don't think the coaches were basing the decision on one series.

B. Troy's second series against Cincy consisted of only hand-offs with the exception of the TD pass, which I believe was setup by all the running plays.

It's clear the TS didn't do anything terrific or abysmal in the first game, but of course, the sampling was pretty small. What is it that he could have done differently to indicate the job was still open? Like I said, it did not matter what TS did in that game because the job wasn't open. He got to pass the ball twice.

C. Troy had one series against Marshall that went 3 and out. Well, JZ's first series went 3 and out as well, so it's pretty clear the coaches weren't basing their decision on the game performance.

The decision to make Zwick the starter was made in practice, and again, I don't question that. But, it's pretty clear that Zwick would have had to lay a complete egg for the job to have been open. I don't know what more evidence you want to show that the QB battle was clearly Zwick's to lose, and only injury or terrible play would have given TS a chance in the games. Tressel should have said "Zwick is the starter, but we will not hesitate to play Smith if it appears Justin can't get the job done. Troy needs to be ready to play if Justin gets hurt, but Justin is the starter."

second, why does JT have to tell the public anything? he doesnt have to tell you shit about the team AT ALL.

I believe press conferences are in his contract. And if he didn't answer questions, think about all the speculation we would have then - as if we don't have enough.

third, you pretty much DO attack Zwick when you say he was servicable against Cinci & Marshall.....2 games in which he played very well.

I'm not taking the bait. No reasonable, objective viewer would say he played "very well". He played well enough, but like I said, he's got a lot to learn. I'm excited about his potential, but I'm not going to say he's close to reaching it yet. If that is interpreted as an "attack" and not an honest observation, well, I can only say the standards are set too high.

 

[DiHard]

Tressel should have said "Zwick is the starter, but we will not hesitate to play Smith if it appears Justin can't get the job done. Troy needs to be ready to play if Justin gets hurt, but Justin is the starter."

and if tressel had said that in late august your whiny ass would have been on here saying its an outrage that smith didnt get a chance to prove it on the field.....tressel was damned no matter what route he took....thats my point....why whine about it....


edit: the idiot remark was to darius...not you

 

[3yardsandacloud]

To that post I have to say ... SO?

I mean really, what's the point? Why should Tressel give both players 50% of the snaps? So we (the public) can decide for ourselves which QB we think should win the starting role? That's silly, but it's the only explaination I can find for folks not assuming Tressel can make the correct choice.

So, what's your point SD? You feel that Tressel was unfair? He's a liar? He spoke before thinking? We should hang on very sentence and syllable to make sure he isn't duping us? I don't understand what point you're aiming to make.

 

[AKAK]

Zwick is the starter, but we will not hesitate to play Smith if it appears Justin can't get the job done. Troy needs to be ready to play if Justin gets hurt, but Justin is the starter."

How many fucking times did he say. "If there were a game today, Justin Would Start and Troy would play."

What the hell does that mean?

To be quite honest, I'm a little tried of Coach Tressel said this, or coach Tressel said that.. but who' the only one who's linked a Tressel quote form before the season on theis whoel thread?

Me.

So, I don't know what the hell soem of you have going on in your heads.. but let's see these mysterious quotes that ahve to do with all this 50/50 open competition and equal chances and what not.

 

[RugbyBuck]

SD - I remember him saying that Zwick would start and Smith would play. You are correct. It was open to the extent that had JZ laid an egg, Smith could've won it. I don't discern any misrepresentation or coach speak from Tressel's comments leading up to the season or thus far. In fact, I think he's been very deliberate and consistent in what he has said. To me, this is a non-issue insofar as Tressel's comments are concerned.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

FWIW, I agree with JT's coaching decision to go with Zwick. I'm excited about his potential. But, I do not agree with his decision to publicly state that the QB battle was open (and he did say that - any attempt to prove otherwise is futile, because it just ain't true). I can only assume, because none of us can know otherwise, that he told TS that the battle was "open" as well. The battle was clearly not open.

Stadiumdorm.....It is your right to disagree with anyone but you have to keep in mind that coach T has watched these two guys for over two years and has seen countless practices, he can obviously evaluate talent. The better "quarterback" is playing....Troy Smith is more of an ahtlete and thats not bad, but at this point, its not what the OSU coaching staff wants.

Your right Coach T did say it was a an open competition, but that includes all practices, not just what happened in the first three games, did Smith get the same amount of throws and JZ did in the first two games, no he did not, but he had countless practices to earn the job over Zwick.

I think Tressel's coaching record speaks for itself, the guy knows how to win.

 

[OH10]

I honestly don't care if Smith never got a chance to prove it on the field. I'm absolutely against the idea of a two-quarterback system at any point in a college football season. Naming a solid starter before the first game, I believe, is always the preferred route. And being clear with the competitors about that is very important so both can understand their role and position on the team before the season gets rolling.

If it's fair game to attack Smith's words to the press, it should be fair game to criticize Tressel's - especially since one is a redshirt college sophomore, and the other has a D-1 National Championship as a head coach.

Stadiumdorm.....It is your right to disagree with anyone but you have to keep in mind that coach T has watched these two guys for over two years and has seen countless practices, he can obviously evaluate talent. The better "quarterback" is playing....Troy Smith is more of an ahtlete and thats not bad, but at this point, its not what the OSU coaching staff wants.

I think that's a good point. But, why after two years of evaluation could a bonafide No. 1 not be named before the opener?