Mr. College Football

By Sundevil

March 20, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Terrelle Pryor- Okay,a line has been crossed here. It’s time for this crap to stop.I wish the best for this kid,but this is hurting college football.The whole recruiting circus is hurting the game ,the sport and corrupting the kids that are caught up in it. There is moral hazard here ,too. Does anybody really believe that the rogue boosters have not approached this kid (and many,many others)with big $$$ inducements because the stakes have gotten so high ? Schools are being crowned “National Champions” for recruiting season before the kids ever suit up for the first game. I hate to see innocents punished. its basically unfair. But….But, the NCAA needs to end freshman eligibility.Go back to the way it was before it started being exploited by these cynical hangers on that are making big money handicapping the careers of 18 year old kids.Stop the “hat ceremonies”.*Take back control of the sport for the good of the schools and the players.It’s time. Things are out of control.

By bh

March 20, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

I totally agree something needs to be done. It is out of control. But what can be done. AS much as I have enjoyed ESPN over the last 20 yrs., they have bought into our culture’s hip hop/instant gratification/what have you done for me lately attitude. And as long as the almighty dollar is the goal, sports and more importanlty, young men and women will continue to be preyed upon.

By reservoirDAWG

March 20, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

The fact that these kids are having press conferences is silly, but it is going to continue. I hope this kid has his head on straight and is a success so his Bukeyes can continue to lose MNC games to SEC schools.

By David-ATL14

March 20, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this

if the recruiting process isn’t addressed soon, that will be the downfall of major college Football and Basketball.

By TDone

March 20, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

Ah, but what would you Muttlanders be saying if he had signed with you?

By shane #1

March 20, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

the ncaa has made rule upon rule trying to clean up recruiting.these rules only apply to schools and their boosters.why not take a shot at the recruiting”gurus”that exploit these young men to fatten their own wallets.want to cut back on the hype?have an early signing day,allow only one high school all-american game,sponsored by the ncaa.let’s keep rivals,espn,and tom lemming out of the mix.they all hype the kids playing in their game.old tom is one of the worst offenders.he has advised kids to delay commiting untill half time of”his”all-american game,he has steered kids toward notre dame,he even talked uga’s te commit allen into re-opening his recruiting.two fsu recruits,including lorenzo booker,have stated publickly that he tried to steer them away from fsu and toward notre dame.he has also tampered with some of the gator recruits.he tells these guys that they can’t get a good education in florida and they should commit to notre dame.booker said that lemming bumped him down from a five star to a four star after he commited to fsu.this is a conflict of intrest,recruits know that he will rate them higher if they commit to notre dame.the ncaa should limit contacts between recruiting services and the kids,just like they do with colleges.souting has become a multi-million dollar business,regulating it will not be easy but the ncaa must start somewhere,and start right away.these services are completely out of control.

By reality check

March 20, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

We would say he would redshirt his fresman year then sit on the bench his redshirt freshman year behind Stafford, Cox, and Gray. He would be given a chance to compete for the starting job as a sophomore

By Ramblin Wrecker

March 20, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

I have found this whole T. Pryor thing ridiculous. If I were a recruit who had my pick of schools to attend (which Pryor clearly was) it would take me about 30 seconds to make my decision. I’d go to GT. Just like reservoirDAWG would choose UGA, or Roswell Ed would choose Auburn. When the choice is totally in your hands, why wouldn’t you go to the school you rooted for your whole life? I understand that some kids go to other schools, but that is usually because their favorite isn’t recruiting their position, or they aren’t at the level that their favorite school is looking for. Pryor didn’t have those problems. So why wasn’t he able to say on LOI day that he was going to (insert his favorite college)? EGO!! He is going to fail, because all this pomp and circumstance have made it impossible to live up to the hype. Just ask the Clausen kid at Notre Dame.

By reality check

March 20, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Actually that was probably too harsh. His redshirt freshman year he would compete to be Stafford’s backup and might beat out Cox and Gray

By Calvin

March 20, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

Pryor couldn’t handle high school basketball fans when they started talking smack to him…lets see how he handles the big house when a 100,000 plus start talking smack to him. Pryor choosing OSU over UofM might have been a good choice, but either way it has added more fuel to this great rivalry. As a Michigan fan,I would have loved to have Pryor at Michigan but now that he is going to OSU…well we see. As for the buckeyes (which is nothing more than a hairless nut), we’ll wait until November and see what happens.

By Ghost of JJ

March 20, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

As a lifelong Buckeye fan, I can’t say that I’m too thrilled about Pryor and the recruiting circus, but he’s certainly not the first kid to have a press conference - a LOT of 5 star kids have media attend on signing day. Giving him the benefit of the doubt about wanting to investigate PSU and Oregon after/during basketball season, maybe he thought that having a press conference to say he’s waiting would ease the media pressure a little. Maybe he’s a glory hound. I can’t say.

He does scare me, I’ve heard him called Clarett 2.0. But if any coach has a perfect case study for a player getting too big of an ego and what NOT to do, it’s Tressel. Maurice Clarett was a case where things didn’t work out, Troy Smith where they did (see NCAA suspension for taking money from a booster). I can see this kid going either way - but I wouldn’t worry about him being taunted in the Big House - because of the volume, it’s pretty hard to single out any particular antagonist.

Either way, watch for him on special teams this year - he’s not likely to redshirt, and also not likely to seriously challenge Boeckman for the starting QB slot.

By panhandle buzz

March 20, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

END FRESHMAN ELIGIBILITY for both basketball and football. Let the kids enroll in school, play a limited freshman schedule;take classes and get acclimated to college. If they don’t want to do this, fine; let them sign with NBA and NFL(although don’t think NFL wants them just out of high school). It was fine ways back when, will be now if colleges take back control. The adulation and press these kids receive is sickening.

By Peter

March 20, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this

Wow, we have quite a few “haters” reading this column. I find it ironic that the media tends to point fingers at their own behavior…hmmm?

It seems to me that if this young man is the number one recruit, then maybe, just maybe, he will do quite well?

It seems like we are dealing with the stong emotion of jealousy here.

Let’s face it, our entire culture has embodied the dementia of the “I’m gonna get paid” syndrome. Everything popular in America has been sensationalized by the media ad infinitum…ad nauseam.

By Roswell Ed

March 20, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Answer:

The HOHO State fans.

Qusestion:

Who are the most myopic, imprudent fans in the country?

I’m sure it’s completely healthy for a 17 year old kid to have an entourage!!

Tony you are dead on this time!!!

By 3 Rivers jacket

March 20, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this

Tony you are losing al creds. If Pryor had signed with Georgia or even another SEC school you would have been going crazy with what a prospect he wasd and what a good kid he is and that he is a great Christian just like messiah Richt. I heard nothing of this stuff when Stafford signed.

By Mike

March 20, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Does anyone remember Jamie Harris, Ronald Curry and Ron Paulus?

By Georgia Fan

March 20, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

3 Rivers Jacket, Stafford didn’t hold press conferences and bounce around to different campuses like a rock star. He committed very early in the process. Stafford, by all accounts, is actually a pretty level headed fellow. I’m sure Techies would like to think he murders puppies and kicks old people in his free time to make themselves feel better, but that simply isn’t the case. Please try and overcome your uncontrollable hate and jealousy of all things Bulldog. You will be a happier person.

I digress. The biggest thing Pryor will have to adjust to as a Buckeye is getting blasted by SEC teams in bowl games. That’s about it. The Big 10 is a soft and overhyped conference. A player of Pryor’s talent level can put up big numbers. If Troy Smith can win a Heisman (one of the most overrated Heisman winners EVER), the sky is the limit for a player of Pryor’s level. The Big 10 Network (a.k.a. ESPN) knows this. We’ll be hearing plenty about Mr. Pryor over the coming years.

By shane #1

March 20, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

ghost of jj,put a five star qb on special teams?have you lost your everloving buckeye mind?special teams have more serious injuries than any squad in div 1 football.why in the heii would you recruit the number 1 qb in the country and risk ending his career before he plays a down on offense?if i were the osu ad and this kid blew out a knee on special teams i would have a meeting with tressel to explain his retirement options!even the scout team qb wears a no-contact jersey,think about it.

By UMfansgetreal

March 20, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

For all you UM fans… I know you’re still tasting the salt leftover from yesterday’s announcement. Coach Rodriguez didn’t get what he desperately needed and now UM is left scrambling for a QB that would fit the “system”. Will RB Brown take over? Put a freshman in? the Detroit Free Press, sans Pryor, still rates their recruiting an A this yr. HOW is this possible when the program has so many questions on both sides of the ball? EVERYONE IN THAT STATE needs to sip on some kool-aid and get back to reality. At the end, UM will be fighting for a bowl spot and a .500 record. Go BUCKS!!

By PryorNotGoingtoND

March 20, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

I remember Ron Paulus and Jimmy Clausen. What do those two have in common? Maybe because ND just can’t handle high-profile recruits? Maybe it was because Clausen was thrown into fire with the residual expectations stemming from having an All-American QB precede you. There are too many factors, but ultimately Pryor’s athleticism will cancel out all doubts because that is what college football is all about.

By shane #1

March 20, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

3riversjacket———and your point was?stafford comitted early and graduated early.he enrolled a month before signing day.there were no press conferences to announce his choice of schools,or his inability to make a choice.the only thing pryor and stafford have in common is that they were both rated five stars.if stafford had held until late march before commiting i am sure tony,and many others,would have said something.why don’t you read and try to understand what is being discussed before you post?you are the one losing creds,as if you had any!

By Roswell Ed

March 20, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

I guess I’m being banned.

I wrote the web care to see what I’m doing wrong.

My stuff is edgy but all in good fun!!

The only thing I can figure out is that one of the readers is complaining because they know they

can’t match my wit

and the only way to stop me is to say that something offends them to the web master.

If that is the case what a pitiful pathetic loser.

In any case, the AJC is blocking

its funniest blogger!

By shane #1

March 20, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

pryornotgoingtond,lemming must have had an off day.i think the problem with nd is the head coach.weis won with the players he inherited,he just doesn’t seem to be able to teach or motivate his own recruits.colin cowherd really grilled a scout on his radio show one day,colin was asking if nd’s recruits were overated or if weis couldn’t coach.nd had two highly rated classes in a row and finished 3-9.the scout did a good job of ducking the questions and never really gave an answer.imo,it’s a two headed monster,nd’s recruits ARE overated and weis CANNOT coach.

By GiveWeisAChance

March 20, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Shane,

Let’s give Weis one more year to prove himself with this new beastly incoming class.

The only reason i say this is because Weis became a God in South Bend overnight and ND fans are going to criticize him just as quickly.

Would it be fair to say that instead of the recruits being overrated… maybe ND just can’t recruit? it’s a glass half-full/empty argument. Even Quinn was almost a bust his fresh/soph year before Weis came in.

By DuffyWVA

March 20, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

All I can say say is thank goodness that Terrelle Pryor didnt go to Michigan. Go Bucks.

By War Eagle

March 20, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

I remember when Jamarcus Russell came to Auburn for official visit before signing with LSU. He walked into the athletic dept.to meet with CTT with his entourage, sunglasses, black jackets etc. This was not a very good impression on Auburn coaches. Recruiting is out control with press conferences, using other players commitments as a decision for themselves. Auburn had a high school commitment, who had the whole at yards at his school. Pack gym, school and political figures…NEVER PLAY A DOWN AT AUBURN

By buckeyedominance

March 20, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this

I have to believe that any of us on this blog would taken this Pryor kid in the upcoming Freshman class for our favorite college teams. Can you name another QB you would prefer to have gotten in this recruiting class? The haters surfaced when he announced, leaving Michigan, Penn State, Oregon and others to feel like they lost hope in the short-term future of their respective programs. Dont hate on this kid for being wanted and being good, instead blame the media, boosters and coaches for drooling over him so much. If he prooves to not be everything that he was cracked up to be, alot of very smart and very experienced football analysts would have been wrong.

So let’s just call it what it is. He is a huge talent. Ohio State is very excited to get him. Other colleges wish they had got him. He has all of the tools to be a monster of a college quarterback. He will learn under one of the very best coaches in college football. He will play for a team that is expected to contend for a national championship…again. He will play on one of college football’s largest stages. He will have unmatched national exposure. He will, no doubt, be a part of a winning team.

Sounds like a win/win to me.

Besides USC, LSU or Florida, I can’t think of any another program that has anything to offer a kid like Pryor… and the other 3 that I mentioned weren’t even in the picture.

By Ken Greene

March 20, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

In no way should a High School player ever be allowed to have a press conference on School grounds. That is part of the problem. What kind of message are we sending to student - athlete when we allow them to do something that we do not do for anyone else? TP will find that life is not like High School. you have to earn your team mates trust before you can be accepted on the team. Here is a guy that has been told he is the greatest QB in the Nation, and he thinks that it is true. The whole process has gotten out of hand. I can only hope that he does not follow in another OSU players foot steps…Maurice Clarett.

By mark

March 20, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Tony,

What came first, the Pryor press conference, or you sitting in the seat calling for a comment?

By coopdawg

March 20, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

Athletic quarterbacks are one of the most unsure things in football. See Xavier Lee, Adrian Mcpherson, Reggie Ball, and Ryan Periloux. All of them have or had issues on and of the field. Not to mention the threat of injury like Dennis Dixson or Pat White(both their teams were lost without them). Tebow was half as effective when he was dinged up and he is supposed to be superman. They dont all have careers like Vince Young. Dare I mention MV7. The five stars do not mean he will be on the field leading the buckeyes past sec teams in the NCG for the next four years. Take chill pill and wait for him to at least get a practice jersey before his crowned king of CFB and the Suckeyes key to dominating UM and the SEC.

By Spike

March 20, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

3Rivers jacket…. “al creds”? What is that about? Knucklehead. Stafford was different. He announced his intent very early. The media did not drool over him nearly as much as this kid, and Stafford did not have a press conference a month after signing day. First, learn English. Second,get your facts straight.

By jaysen

March 20, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

I am glad he went to OSU. Now we have the number one quarterback in the country 2009 coming to Michigan. He already said it, which is more than what Pryor said. It might take a couple of years, but Michigan is definately headed in the right direction. Go Big Ten! ex: Michigan beat the great Gators…………remember that……probably not.

By Spike

March 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

Jaysen… And lost to Appy State in the Big House. Remember that? Probably not.

By jaysen

March 20, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

yes. it was on my wedding day. it was awful. it goes to show that with hard work and refusing to give up, you can and will get better. i will never not admit a beating by another team. we got beat. that is why you play the games though. i played at that level, and i can tell you that it is easy to overlook another team. michigan had no idea what they were doing on defense. it was a great win for ap state, and an embarrasment for mich. all i am saying is, the big ten is down, not as fast at the skilled positions, but all that is changing. watch and see what happens over the next few years. i do not love one conference and hate all of the others, i just love football, and i really beleive that michigan and the big ten are going forward and will be more competitive in the near future. Oh, and if you look at the records, mich has a winning record over every other conference they have played.

By notsofastmyfriend

March 20, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

michigan’s previous winning record has ZERO to do with the nightmare season you’re about to experience this yr and quite possibly the nxt few. which No. 1 QB in 2009 are you talking about? matt barkley? he’s going to USC buddy. what makes it even more complicated is the fact that the QB needs to fit a certain mold for Coach Rod’s sake. good luck! i think the reason why the UM/FL game is almost forgotten now because UM probably had one of the most disappointing season in the history of the school. UM fans… please feed off of anything you can cuz you’ll need it!

By drew

March 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

cough michigan, the winningest program in college football history cough cough Pryor, be ready for the pain.

By Rick Almony

March 20, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

And there is more to this story than meets the eye. There have been allegations that Pryor was connected to an Ohio State booster. This booster is a very successful businessman…from Jeanette, Pa.; the same town Pryor is from. I have seen a published photo of Pryor standing next to the booster’s car, which the booster “loaned” to Tyrelle for his prom. Maurice Clarett and some other former Buckeyes have revealed Ohio State’s less than scrupulous ways of “taking care” of their players. Perhaps this is more of the same.

By Dick Rod

March 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

yeah, it’s real tough when a 9-4 season with a bowl victory is one of the worst seasons in the history of the school. loss to a 1-aa team, loss to the arch-rival at home, but still better than all but about 20 teams last year. save it.

By shane #1

March 20, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

war eagle,i remember jasper sanks coming to uga.the next herschel.i have to admit old jasper had something that herschel never had,slow feet.did none of the coaches and scout services bring a stop watch to any of the camps?a five star running back at a school that has turned out a buschel basket full of nfl backs and he is best remembered for a fumble!i thought jasper should have been switched to fb,he was a heck of a blocker.

By boostersareateveryschool

March 20, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this

rick- to be honest, did OSU really need pryor as bad as UM?

i bet you that coach rodriguez was willing to do anything to get that kid

corruption and boosters exist at every school.. just like corruption and lobbyists within the government. don’t pretend to be naive and take that angle.

the kid probably saw what coach rod was willing to do for him and it turned him off.

so stop hating and blame your coach for the lost recruit.

By Gil Brandt

March 20, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this

Tony, can you give us any updates on the Pro Days @ SEC schools?

By UMstilldelusional

March 20, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

hey dickrod- tell that to mike hart and jake long.

i’m almost SURE that they would say the same thing you said.

By quaildawg

March 20, 2008 6:01 PM | Link to this

A name to be filed for Mr. Pryor… WILLIE WILLIAMS. As Coach Durham used to say about potential (of which this kid supposedly has alot of) “It means you haven’t done Sh*t”. Think that sums up Mr. Pryor now that he is beginning his college career.

By buckeyechick

March 20, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this

True, the recruitment process has gotten out of hand and the press conference was definitely a little over-the-top, but it is my naive and humble opinion that we might be inserting drama and negativity where there really doesn’t need to be. Pryor is a good kid and is handling the pressure and hype as well as can be expected for an eighteen year old. So far there is absolutely no indication that he will be a Clarett-esque trainwreck. So he’s had a couple spats on the court… what hot blooded high school boy hasn’t? As a diehard Buckeye I am proud to have him and I’m confident he’ll be a leader, a class act, and a real asset to our program under Tressel. Go Bucks!

By buckeyedominance

March 20, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this

Just wanted to make one addition to my original statement from earlier. I should have added Texas to the list of teams that potentially had something to offer Pryor. That program has most of the things that a kid like Pryor should have been looking for. That said, they too weren’t even in the picture.

I also wanted to comment on the ongoing underhanded remarks about “Ohio State losing to SEC schools in the BCS.” You never seem to hear anyone compare Ohio State to any other team…just an entire conference. And arguably the best and deepest conference in college football today. When your argument sides one college football program against the toughest (entire)conference in college football today, you seem to be making the point that no single team can compare with Ohio State. Based on the numbers from the past decade, that is probably true.

So the facts will allow us to agree on two things. First, the SEC is one heck of a football conference and is probably the deepest in college football today. And second, Ohio State has been the most dominant college football team in the country over the past decade.

So to close the loop on the Pryor decision that came out this week. Since Pryor can’t commit to play for the entire SEC conference, wasn’t Ohio State the most logical choice all along? He based his decision on facts and decided to go play for the best program in the country. There are a handful of other “elite” programs in college football today, which I mentioned. But when a player, like Pryor, has the freedom to go play for any team in the country and everyone is standing at his door, he is forced to answer some very difficult questions. In this case, he got the answer right. He said, “I want the best guarantee that I can get, based on facts and previous history, that I will stand in the limelight, I will be well- coached, I will be surrounded by talent, I will win a ton of games, I will compete on the largest stage possible, I will compete for national championships and I will be viewed as a WINNER.”

I don’t think it is selfish for him to want these things and I applaud him for making the right choice. He could have made 4 or 5 other really good choices, but there was only one RIGHT answer.

I think the Pryor decision should be telling the college football community something that the fans of individual teams or polls can’t answer. What is the top college football program in the country today? Not just this game. Not just this week. Not just this season.

Terrelle Pryor just answered that for you.

By War Eagle

March 20, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

shane#1, tough luck today, Xavier was better than I expected, but UGA made a gut showing last week to win SEC title… ALL YOU BUCKEYE FANS, load up on all you can get and hope SEC does not come knocking on your back door again…Florida and LSU last two years, UGA, Auburn next two years, if you are present.Big Ten top teams are middle SEC teams. There was four more SEC teams who would whip up on Ohio State, UGA, Florida, Auburn and Tenn.

By just a fan

March 20, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this

I went to high school with Terrelle’s father in what seems a long time ago. I don’t live in the area anymore, but I went up to Pennsylvania to see one of his football games. Currently, I’m a teacher and I’m part of my high school’s football coaching team and I have never seen a high school football team play like the Jeannette Jayhawks. It was a game to remember. Terrelle is a talented young man, but so is the rest of his football team around him. If you are going to complain that he has too big of a head - blame yourselves. If he fails - it is your fault. It is difficult for young people to handle a media circus, you can not expect them to always handle with grace.

By ruchaven

March 20, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this

Ditto to the comments, “by just a fan”. I, too no longer live near Jeannette but I did see both PA football state title games, last year and this year in Hershey. These young men matured so much in one year, it was great to watch them. No matter what is blogged, none of you can take away what is so special about football from the WPIAL to our Steelers. The rest of the country has no clue - I know. We have had a lot of great QBs over the years from home, and Terrelle will add his chapter to that book. He never called himself #1, someone else did, and the rest of you boobs bought into it. Don’t punish him for your stupidity.

By gt buckeye

March 20, 2008 11:43 PM | Link to this

hey war eagle……

the sec didnt come knockin on theosu’s backdoor.

last time i looked osu came knocking.

which is a whole lot different than say lsu or fla playin the bucks in the horseshoe.

we gt folks already know ALL about the sec.

the league with the notoriously creampuff schedule. Lousianna Monroe anybody?

the league that cant go a whole year without a cheatin controversy.

the league that whines an whines an whines about beating itself up every year.

didnt the war eagles duck out on a scheduled game not too long ago?

cheaters should not throw stones from glass houses.

By Brian

March 20, 2008 11:51 PM | Link to this

It is really sad to read some of the comments on here from people who act like experts but actually have no idea what they are talking about. And yes this includes the guy who wrote the column. Terrelle Pryor is a very good kid who spurned a guaranteed starting position at Michigan to learn from Sr Todd Boeckman as a backup and these are his own words. Do a little research and youtube the press conference. It is also common knowledge that he didnt sign on signing day because his father would not sign the LOI until he took an official to Penn St. Terrelle’s reason for picking OSU, Jim Tressel. Must be a smart kid if you ask me.

By ceehook

March 21, 2008 2:55 AM | Link to this

I would just like to say i have seen many outstanding high school football players in my area including Joe Namath,Tony Dorsett,Ty Law,Mike Ditka,John Skorupan,among others who played in the NFL and this kid is the BEST highschool football player i have ever seen,change that too best high school athlete i have seen. If he doesnt get hurt he will see plenty of action on the field as a freshman period.

By Donald

March 21, 2008 5:59 AM | Link to this

The purpose of athletics is to produce people who are capable of cooperating(teamwork), being disciplined, paying the price(goal oriented), being physically fit, being unselfish, being a leader, being a role model for others, etc. Does anyone think that this Pryor kid will ever be able to do all of these basic things—-chances are he will go the way of OSU’s famous freshman running back of a few years ago!!!!

By Ben

March 21, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this

Tony. Thanks for your concerns. I really would be interested to know who in the tOSU camp feeds you this information.

By Paddy

March 21, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this

You should have a press conference at school. It should be held to announce the highest ACT score or highest GPA amoung the senior class. What are these school administrators thinking about????? If they can’t think for themselves, where is the school board? Has everyone gone to sleep around our children in this country. The only time any player should announce he is having a press conference is when he is donating an organ to a family member to save his/her life.

By 82DAWG

March 21, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

If you are going to end freshman eligibility, you have to increase scholarship limits by at least 10. The reason so many freshmen play is because they HAVE to due to scholarship limitations.

By rick

March 21, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

Tony, I understand your point about these excesses; and we are simply blogging, but how do you justify waking up one day with a “bad feeling” about this one (Pryor)? Unless there is something in the grapevine or some evidence of character issues that you are privy to and can not openly express to the masses.Please reply, thanks.

By tcroyle

March 21, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Very nice article. You are right on target with your concerns about the wellfare of the student athlete…but doesn’t this stuff, in the grand scheme of things, result in the employment of zillions of sports analysts, writers, and TV announcers? Time was, three networks and a few good syndicated sports columnists could cover the whole country. So, it is a slippery slope…the media has a conflict of interest. You rightly express concern about the well-being of the recruit and I share that with you. As a Buckeye, I don’t have to think too far back to a kid who didn’t handle the limelight well at all (Maurice C.). And the tragedy of that event is not that we would have had a better chance beating an SEC team with him on the squad…the tragedy is personal for him and universal for college sports. OSU tried to handle that difficult situation carefully. In the end, the message was that one kid is not bigger than the university. I hope Mr. Pryor understands that concept and that the university carries through on their expressed goal of developing the man as well as the athlete. As a peripheral comment, I would like to see a stipend paid to college players to offset the cost of travel, cell phones, etc. It is hypocrisy to allow the universities and media to gather millions from the sports these kids play yet expect them to scrimp to have a cell phone, travel home once in a while, have an automobile, or order out a pizza at night - all normal activities for the generally well-off non-athletes who make up the majority of the student body.

By Ghost of Hayes

March 21, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Two small, but important things from a Buckeye fan:

1) The whole news conference to announce there wasn’t news was not Terrelle’s idea. He had scheduled it weeks in advance and when he and his father disagreed on his choice (Dad wanted Penn State) just days before, his principal told him the school went to a lot of trouble setting it up and he should have it anyway. Not wanting to let anyone down as always, he wrongly went ahead with the request.

2) Pryor will NOT redshirt this year, per Coach Tressel. Not having to start right away helped Pryor pick OSU, he says.

By Hardy

March 21, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

How many times has a recruit with the hype failed = a lot.

How many times have they succeeded to that hype, More than you would think. But, not all.

If pryor hits 70% of what some think and graduates with a degree of quality, not the Kiesiolgy or a Basic Business degree (an almost non-major cert) that some Big 11 schools (1 in particular) promote. Then, he will be a success in my mind.

Remember, the term is “student athlete”.

Hardy

By haters

March 21, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

hardy- ummm, the kid has a 3.4 GPA in HS. i would say that’s a good start towards becoming a student athlete.

By Tech75

March 21, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Well, when you have “role models” like PacMan Jones, MeAngelo Hall, T.O., Ocho Cinco, etc. it’s not surprising behavior.

Also look at this USC B-Ball player O.J. Mayo. What a piece of work he is.

This Pryor kid obviously believes his own hype.

If he’s really 6’6”, he’s not going to survive at this level very long by running the option - they’ll break him in half. He’ll have to throw and throw well to get a start at OSU.

I think that experience will be humbling for him. He’ll probably end up transferring - that’s my bet.

By morehaters

March 21, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

tech75- TP is 6’6”…. 230 lbs. who’s going to break him in half? a slow def tackle? he’ll be able to beat def ends on the outside. who is going to touch this guy? it seemed like vince young, who is an inch shorter than pryor, never EVER went down on the initial tackle.

By Ohio State=OVERRATED

March 21, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

I have honestly never in my life seen a group of fans more full of themselves than Ohio State fans. Dominance? Can you even say that with a straight face? If by dominant you mean getting absolutely steamrolled to the tune of a combined 79-38 score in the past two BCS title games then I can see your point. Otherwise you are simply delusional. Getting to the BCS title game from the Big 10 is no big accomplishment. If Hawaii had played in the BCS title game last year would you call them dominant? I wouldn’t. I’d call them an overrated creampuff from a sissy conference. That, to a lesser degree, is exactly what Ohio State is. At some point you have to wake up and smell the coffee. Its no coincidence to get beat down like that two years running. Something is clearly wrong.

Expect more of the same against USC in ‘08. USC is the closest thing to an SEC team you’ll find outside of the SEC. They’ve got speed, size, depth, coaching, and will humiliate the Buckeyes. You cannot hang with teams of that mold. The writing is on the wall. Read it.

Dominant? Don’t make me laugh. And you better pray to the ghost of Woody Hayes that you don’t see another SEC team again any time soon.

By USCfan

March 21, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

I think the USC-OSU game this year will be closer than people think.

Can Mark Sanchez take the Trojans to the promised land?

By gibby

March 21, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

Ohio State=OVERRATED, Please make yourself available next Sept. Would like to chat with you then. Which elementary school should I pick you up from. Another Georgia educated blogger. Nice!

By jaysen

March 21, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

It sure is interesting reading all of this on here. Just out of curiousity, how many of you actually played football past the high school level? And for that matter, how many still put the pads on and go at it? Just wondering because everyone sounds like a pro on here.

By Bob

March 21, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this

Do you remember the days when the Heisman Trophy was a press release only. Things have changed. The explosion and sheer size of the media makes this all possible. I’m here responding on my computer to this article. Let’s get real, things have changed.

By G Hale

March 21, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this

Pryor has way to many people around him, you know like his brother,sister and other family memmbers. This is why most of the people here are just dumb. He doesn’t have a posse’ he doesn’t have his hang on friends. All the people you saw around him were family. The only reason you are hearing from Dog fans now is there preseaon ranknings. If this was last year there would be have the dog posts. BANDWAGON HERE I COME, oh I know its supposed to be Dawgs….but not on my post.

By Randall Levin

March 21, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

Would people be saying “enough is enough” if Pryor was white? Would there be comments about his “entourage,” or would they simply be referred to as his friends and family?

By Vince

March 22, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Since he’s not suppose to start or even play in close games next year, he will be allright as long as he’s smart. Boeckman in the man right now in Colombus.Pryor looks smart, if he’s not, he’s not the number one prospect in the country. As a PSU fan, I understand his decision to go to a good basketball program too. He should not feel the pressure too early.

By michaelz.

March 22, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

I like how arrogant the SEC fans are, assuming that everything evolves around them. Since 2002, LSU has one more title than the Buckeyes. Florida has one. What you SEC people don’t realize is that everything is cyclical. Just ask Florida State fans. Keep running your stupid gums though….

By Ohio State=OVERRATED

March 23, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

If everything was cyclical, you’d think the great Buckeyes would have at least nabbed ONE victory against an SEC team in a bowl game by now. We’re running our stupid gums because we CAN. Ohio State is a hyped up joke. Just because ESPN says you’re great doesn’t mean we have to buy into it. Nobody thinks much of Ohio State down here in the south. Can you give me one reason why we should? Florida fought, scrapped, and paid with its life to make the BCS title game in 2006. Then it proceeded to pounce on the great Buckeyes like they were a D-1aa team. Can you explain this? LSU lost two games last year, both of which to SEC teams that had several losses on their record. That didn’t stop it from making Ohio State look like a high school team however. Please expain this for me. I really don’t understand why any SEC fan should have any respect for Ohio State. Just give me ONE reason. Just one.

By buckeyedominance

March 23, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Dear Ohio State=Overated,

I used the term “dominant” to described the OSU football program because the term fits. Take five minutes and look up the highest winning percentages among college football programs the past ten years. Second, look up the number of BCS Bowl Championship appearances since the inception of the BCS. What you will find is that USC and Ohio State have risen to the top of the list of best football programs over the past decade. Based on recent recruiting classes, that trend should continue.

A common response to a comment wsuch as that one would be to say “Past decade?” “What have you done for me lately?” Just back to back BCS National Championship appearances. Dont forget, 70% of the NCAA coaches voted Ohio State into those games. I think their opinion of top programs carries a little more weight than your opinion or mine considering they are paid millions to evaluate football talent everyday.

As for the “cream-puff BIG 10” comment. I think you need to do some research to better understand the accomplishments and talent associated with one of the game’s finest conferences. I will agree that the SEC is in it’s prime and gets my vote for college football’s toughest conference today. But that’s just this year’s vote. You dont have to go back too far to get other opinions and include other conferences in that conversation, including the Big 10.

As for the Hawaii comparison, not sure why you are bringing them into the conversation. They have no business being involved in a conversation about college football’s elite progams. You need a hypothetical situation to try to make a point, while I have tried to just deliver facts.

The last thing that I want to throw out there is a question? What if the BCS National Championship game were played in inclimate weather? Is location an advantage? Because if it is a factor and if it creates advantages and disadvantages to teams, then who has benefited? Like other conferences, the Big Ten has a propencity to display certain charecteristics in their brand of football. Great running backs. Big strong offensive lines. Tough hard-hitting linebackers. Cold weather football. Our brand of football is built for the fall weather in the Midwest. Gametime temperatures are commonly found to be in the 30s,40s and 50s while the wind swirls through the stadium. We are not talking about 70 degree track meet conditions, if you get my point. So back to my question. What happens to LSU or Florida if they play Ohio State on our home field? Or in the Big House up in Michigan? I certainly understand why they don’t, but I think that it would drastically impact the game. It would slow it down, make deep passing plays more difficult and heighten the importance of the running game, offensive line and defensive lines. Mmmm? I am not suggesting that Ohio State would have won those games if they were played in conditions more similiar to those that their brand of football is built upon. But I am saying that the playing conditions and location gave an advantage to our opponent based on the contrasting styles of football that both teams play throughout the year. Put Florida’s spread offense in 40 degree windy and wet conditions and lets see what happens. Put LSU’s deep passing attack in 40 degree windy and wet conditions and let’s see the vertical offense go to work. And put Ohio States linbackers, offense line, running game and conservative passing offense on a cold wet field and see how it holds up. The same way it had all year.

So for those who said that “Ohio State better hope that the SEC doesn’t come knocking on our back door.” I actually wish they would. Because if the SEC were knocking on our back door they would find themselves in very unfamiliar humbling territory. If they were at our house knocking, they would be standing in cold wet and windy weather, a long way away from the palm trees and track meet conditions that their brand of football was built upon. They would find that their vertical offense has shrunk in the wind. The speed that they had recruited was useless on the wet field. The between the tackles power running game is kinda tough to stop.

So SEC fans, rest assured that we wish like heck that your great teams would come to Ohio State and start knocking on our back door. It would be a first. Because every bowl game that we have played in, we have had to go knocking on soemone elses.

By Ohio State=OVERRATED

March 23, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

Okay, let me just go ahead and get this out of the way. Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Are you serious? Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?

Your implication that SEC teams never come to Big 10 territory is biased. Guess what? Big 10 teams don’t come to SEC territory either. When was the last time a Big 10 team played in an SEC stadium? Its a two way street pal. I’ll go ahead and let you know I’m a Georgia fan. Georgia tried to set up a series with Michigan not too long ago and Michigan wanted no part of it. There’s a FACT for you. Don’t throw stones from glass houses my man.

Bowl games do not count. The Big 10 has just as much control over where bowl games are played as does the SEC. That argument is ridiculous.

And your weather argument is simply pathetic. Last year’s BCS title game was played in a dome. All the benefits that come from playing in a dome on turf were equally available to Ohio State as they were LSU. All the benefits of playing in Arizona weather in January were equally available to Ohio State against Florida, hence the term “neutral site”. You act as if LSU and Florida had some advantage that Ohio State didn’t. The only advantage they had was being a better football team. And have you ever been to south in late October through November? We’re not exactly sitting by the pool in our flip flops around that time of year dude. Its cold and its wet and SEC teams have to play in it. Georgia plays Kentucky in late November every other year in Lexington, which is closer to Big 10 country than it is SEC country. Please spare me your pathetic excuse. And while we’re on the topic of weather, how do you think those Big 10 teams would hold up in September 90 degree, 100% humidity weather? Again, everything is a two way street.

Yeah, I wish Georgia could play all of its bowl games at Sanford stadium too. I’m sure all teams wish they could play their bowl games at home. I bet all the teams in the NCAA tournament right now wish they didn’t have to travel far and wide for the games. How easy it would be to just wake up in your own bed and play them at home!!! That would be a nice advantage. Unfortunately that is a pipe dream and a typical cop out for the teams on the losing end of the stick. Surely a program as “dominant” as Ohio State doesn’t need such a cop out do they? Surely such a dominant program can play anybody anywhere and come out with a W? Don’t make me laugh.

By j. kwapich

March 23, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

You can take any team in the SEC,ACC, look into there football program and come up with a lot of things wrong. Wasn’t there a school that lost 1/2 of there class because of grades ? Maybe you can comment on them. Thanks jjk

By kirk robeson

March 23, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Lets be honest,the real problem is the pathetic media. If you think a press conference for an eighteen year old is too young than don’t show up. The media is pathetic and don’t go blaming it on the kids. YOUR THE PROBLEM. The kids have grown up with the YOUR garbage thrown at them, what do you expect? Let’s be honest, you don’t give a rats as about T.P. In fact, I’m positive you will be all over the story if he fails. Nice Job.

By Youdontknowchit

March 24, 2008 12:44 AM | Link to this

you might try getting the facts straight before you write complete Garbage, first off Pryor told ESPN not to come to his high school during signing day, they came anyhow you know didnt want to lose that mighty dollar, where do you get off bashing a 18 year old kid, so try this, why dont you not show up for the damn press Conf, why dont you the media stop making a 18 year old High School the number 1 recruit in the nation, and why dont you the media stop looking around for dirt on someone that never asked for it to begin with, we take care of our own here, you on the other hand would sell your soul for the a dollar and this piece of crap you wrote proves that,

By Miles

March 24, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

Pryor chose Ohio State because he knew he couldn’t make it in the SEC!

By Woodman

March 24, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Oh, my! SEC fans twisting their hankies over whether football is just too darn overemphasized these days. Give me a break!

By Dave Andrews

March 24, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

First of all, lets stop blowing this thing up. Yes, I believe the recruiting press conference thing is going in the wrong direction.Terrelle did not ask for all that hype it was the media, hands down. Terrelle is a very relax 18 year old that loves playing football and basketball. Yes, he is a very talented kid and like coach Tressel expressed(extraordinary),what is wrong with that.HE is a gamer obviously, he will adjust like many before him have done and he will be fine.

By tch

March 24, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

I wonder if the recruiting criticisms would be so harsh in ATL if Pryor would have chosen UGA instead of OSU. Unfortunately for UGA/SEC, OSU can recruit anywhere in the US, ie Peachtree Ridge’s CAMERON HEYWOOD. I am pretty sure Mark Richt isn’t recruiting in OHIO. Sour grapes for UGA again.

By tch

March 24, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

I wonder if the recruiting criticisms would be so harsh in ATL if Pryor would have chosen UGA instead of OSU. Unfortunately for UGA/SEC, OSU can recruit anywhere in the US, ie Peachtree Ridge’s CAMERON HEYWOOD. I am pretty sure Mark Richt isn’t recruiting in OHIO. Sour grapes for UGA again. Georgia fans will continue to wave the SEC IS SO GREAT FLAG because since 1980 its been wait till next year for UGA. In order to win a NC you have to play in the national championship game. So just like every bulldog fan, at OHIO STATE WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR ACTUALLY MEANS SOMETHING, JUST ASK TERRELLE PRYOR.

By lane

March 25, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

i can sum this up quickly and concisely - tony should be referred to as ‘Mr. Village Idiot’ not Mr. anything related to college football.

there you go, we can all move along now.

By Jimmy

March 27, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this

Buckeydominace, are you saying that SEC teams can’t play the same style as Big10 schools, ie “3 yards and a cloud of dust?” Youre joking, right? Ok, so take Florida out of the equation, but look at LSU, UGA, and Tenn. They were built around huge strong 0-Lines that would pound you w/ the run THEN go vertical w/ the play action. It’s basically on defense where the “speed” factor takes over. While OSU and every other Big10 school is living in the past w/ 4 huge slow D-Linemen, it’s the SEC who now uses faster 250 DE’s to speed rush past your slow fat O-linemen. Dont act as if it’s just the Big10 that plays that physical style first.