For those of you still questioning Pryor’s performance against Minnesota (I know, he got off to a slow start passing), check this: Pryor became only the third player in Ohio State history to rush for more than 100 yards and throw for more then 200. And while Coach Tressel was quick to point this out in Tuesday’s presser, it’s the focus on improvement that got my attention.
Without a bye this season, you would think that against a team like New Mexico State, as soon as the Bucks developed a comfortable lead, they’d be pulling players, resting the starters and by the end of the game, exploring the deeper recesses of the bench. Although it might be typical “every game is a tough game” talk coming from Tressel, he keeps going back to the recognition that this team is not where they need to be. Practices are limited a this point in the season and according to Tress, “…if a guy can play, if he’s allowed to play, he’s going to play.”
And so the mantra this week is “We’ve got to get better.” November is going to be a tough month and there just isn’t time to sit back and coast through a game. If Tressel isn’t driving it home with the players, at least he’s driving it home with the press. To be specific, Tressel used the words “get better” eight different times during Tuesday’s press conference.
From a player motivation factor, it’s a great talking point. Convincing anyone that New Mexico State is going to be a difficult opponent would be a tough sell. Convincing them that we’re not ready for Penn State or Iowa, not so hard.
Personally, I’m hoping the Buckeyes open a big ‘ol can ‘o get better against New Mexico State.
Smith to Pryor – You Da Man
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting today that Troy Smith’s been giving Pryor a few tips. Along with telling Pryor that he needs to run more and get back to being the athlete he is, Smith is quoted in the Dispatch as saying Pryor, “…has a chance to be a hundred times better than I ever was there.”
Sounds good to me. Eventually, Pryor will perfect his passing game and the offensive line will give him the protection he needs. Until that day however, let Pryor do what Pryor does best. If that means he’s pushing 200 yards rushing, then so be it. He’s deceivingly fast, floats down the field and has a stiff arm from hell. Use it.
That means Pryor needs to avoid the hesitation and go and the coaching staff has to recognize that there’s a lot of potential in a one yard qb sneak.
Other notes:
Sane’s good to go. Boren’s not.
One of the quarterbacks in the Shoe Saturday will be an Ohio native.
Where’s Bob? (Maybe he’s out eating a kielbasa.)
In case you haven’t heard, Griese’s out for one week thanks to that comment. I’m sure Spiels will do just fine without him. (Something tells me that video will show up over here sooner or later. The stunned silence is reason enough to post it.)
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Is this the kind of team they need to get better against. They need to get people healthy for the stretch run. They need to win of course. What really can you do to get better against a weak sister. I really hate to see this kind of game at this time of the season with the quality of teams they will be playing next month. They should have scheduled a much better opponent than New Mexico State. This is they kind of game when your starters play for a half then you put the subs in. I know Florida and some of the other top notch teams schedule weak sister this time of year, but we have to be better than them and play a quality opponent.
TP being a better player than Troy Smith, I don’t think so. Troy was just to talented and had an arm. He was my favorite OSU quarterback of all time.
At this point all we can do is watch the season play out. Go Bucks.