Terrelle Pryor’s announcement yesterday that he will not be returning to Ohio State came as a surprise to no one. Regardless of the results of the NCAA investigation, his die was cast the day Coach Tressel resigned. Although yes, I’ve enjoyed watching him play there is no question that this is what is best for the team. Pryor has become a focal point of the turmoil at Ohio State. His return to the field would just extend the controversy throughout the 2011 season. You know that he would be facing the boos of Buckeye fans loyal to Coach Tressel every time he walked out on the field and media attention aside, his presence in the locker room after all that has happened would be more than a challenge to the leadership of this team.
Ohio State’s relationship with Pryor has been a love hate relationship from day one. We loved his shear athletic ability but were frustrated with his on field decision making. We vented our frustrations as we kept waiting for him to mature into the quarterback he never fully became but we relished in the victories he helped bring this team. The Pryor era has been exciting to watch and it would have been great to see him return for a full senior season. Imagine this team and the 2011 season if the NCAA violations had never occurred. So much potential.
So now we enter a new era. Braxton Miller has the potential to be everything Terrelle Pryor was and more. From all reports, he already has the decision making ability and poise that Pryor didn’t. It is the dawn of a new era Buckeyes. Here’s to 10 more years of great Ohio State football.
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You’re also forgetting his vocal support of polarizing figures like Michael Vick and LeBron James. Both incidents really didn’t sit well with some people here.
There’s plenty about Terrelle Pryor I’m not mentioning here. It’s been a love/hate relationship.
That’s what raised red flags for me. Typically, when you hail questionable individuals, your own character then becomes questionable.
Pryor did mature on the field from his freshman thru his junior year, but it was off the field where he never did mature.
Too bad.
On a side note.. very interesting to read Clarett’s latest output. It took several years in prison, but it appears he has finally grown-up.
He did come a long way on the field. This could have been a very big year for him.
I just got the link for the Maurice Clarett interview. I’ll try to post on it tomorrow.
Hate to see TP leave school, 31and 5 is not bad for a quarterback who has no played his senior year.
It was quite obvious when JT left that TP was going to be right behind him. I wonder if the remaining four will make the leap? Posey has the biggest upside of the remaining 4. I don’t see Boom Heron being
a NFL running back, he’s lacking the size for sure and speed. Lets help Fickell usher in a new era of Buckeye football.
“Imagine this team and the 2011 season had the NCAA violations never occured. So much potential.”
I’m sure Tressell never really thought about it that much when he was covering for them. His main concern was their education.
I say this as nicely as possible because I like having you around but you really don’t have a clue sometimes Gonzo.
Coach Tressel has proved repeatedly that he is concerned about his players education.
For example, under Caoch Tressel former Buckeyes aren’t allowed to hang out around th team unless they have graduated or are actively working on their degrees.
When Maurice Clarett was released from prison, it was Coach Tressel who helped him get back into school working toward his degree. That says volumes right there.
This goes all the way back to high school for TP. His HS coach admitted he was getting benefits back then………. It seems he will never grow up.
But the key point in that Mark is that it is TP, not Coach Tressel or the University.
GonzoHog — do I detect [sarc]?
Actually, it depends on how you read it. According to Jim, it would be defined as fact.
What’s funny is that Jim will deem me as clueless, even though I’ve never disagreed with the fact Tressell puts a high priority on education. There’s two sides to everything, and so far, Jim is still leaning 95% in one direction, while I seemingly sat here somewhere close to the middle.
It’s ok though, Jim. Dave showed me the line.
okay.
Well, I’ll take a stab at the title of this article, “Time To Move On.”
tOSU will move forward.
Scary days lie ahead, but NOT for the people you probably think.
But, because I cannot know what you think until it is revealed, I can wait.
My thoughts are thus: Young men, fresh faces many, will carry on the Tradition we hold dear. From what I can discern from reports, we have class-act Juniors and Seniors ready to guide the fresh faces on the path 95% of the Buckeye Nation prefer — embrace our storied traditions, and make our case on the gridiron (and the hardwood, and the links, and in the pool, and on the diamond) and in the classroom. Class. Room.
We (those who frequent the BuckeyeBlog) know, what we hold and promote is the envy of many, admired by the multitudes, and done justice by so many that came before, — for generations to come.
The 2011-2012 fall season fast approaches. The faithful will relish the contributions of another fine group of young men, who know they will be — Buckeyes Forever.
Isn’t it just awesome?
Calm yourself, and just let go. There is nothing you can do to stem the tide of the Scarlet & Gray.
Very, very well said.