Is it time for Ohio State to bench Terrelle Pryor?
When he arrived at Ohio State as the biggest recruiting prize in the country, Buckeye fans were hopeful that Terrelle Pryor would be the second coming of Vince Young. Instead, Pryor looks more like the next Juice Williams.
Terrelle Pryor’s performance in yesterday’s loss to Purdue was a disaster. It wasn’t simply a bad game from a young quarterback. Pryor has been getting progressively worse throughout the season. Rather, it was a performance that raised the question of whether Terrelle Pryor can ever be a good college quarterback, let alone the NFL quarterback he dreams of becoming.
Pryor had two fumbles and two interceptions. But his stats don’t tell the story here. When you watch Pryor play, you wonder why anyone ever thought this kid could be a good college quarterback. Pryor looked like a track star thrown into the game who had never played the position before. He lacks practically all the tools one would need to play quarterback, apart from his size and speed.
* Arm strength – Pryor can throw the ball, but he hardly has a gun. Most of his long throws look like heaves rather than smooth throws.
* Accuracy – Pryor rarely makes accurate throws. Even short throws seem to be a challenge.
* Mechanics – Pryor’s footwork and throwing mechanics are a mess. He’s not a natural at all with the ball in his hands. Sure, coaching can help, but the coaches aren’t developing a natural passing talent.
* Pocket presence – The Buckeyes have a weak offensive line this season, so that makes it more difficult to develop a young quarterback. But Pryor consistently panics in the pocket. He doesn’t seem to have any sense of how much time he really has to make a throw. Not surprisingly, he often relies in his incredible athleticism to buy some time for a possible pass or run, but he often seems to make the wrong choice.
* Decision-making – He rarely seems to do the right thing. How many times have we seen him run out of bounds under pressure and take a loss of five or more yards when he easily could have just tossed the ball out of bounds? He seems to throw when he should run, and run when he has an open receiver. On blitzes, he rarely gets the ball to the hot receiver.
* Leadership and temperament – Pryor often acts like an immature kid who can’t control his emotions. He’s only nineteen years old, so we need to cut him some slack here, but compare him to freshmen like Tate Forcier at Michigan and the surfer dude playing quarterback at USC. They seem to thrive under pressure, while Pryor seems to come unglued under pressure.
Jim Tressel made a good point early in the season when some were questioning Pryor’s play – Vince Young didn’t become Vince Young until his senior season. The message was clear – young players need to develop, and it’s unrealistic to expect them to come in a perform consistently this early in a college career. Tressel prides himself on his ability to develop young players and young men. He knows players and teams will face adversity, and he wants to help them face it and overcome it.
For this reason, we shouldn’t be surprised that Tressel didn’t pull Pryor against Purdue. He should have been pulled, but Tressel doesn’t have a great option sitting on the bench, and he probably wanted to see how Pryor would react in that situation.
As an Ohio State fan, it’s hard to imagine watching Pryor play quarterback for two more seasons. The Buckeyes are loaded on defense, and they have a solid offense as well, even with a mediocre offensive line. All they need right now to compete is a quarterback who can hit open receivers and avoid turnovers. They don’t need a Vince Young or even a Troy Smith. Put Craig Krenzel on this team and the Buckeyes are competing for a national championship. Instead, we have the Terrelle Pryor train wreck, and an excellent defense is being wasted.
Pryor chose Ohio State because he wanted a program that could help him develop as a future NFL quarterback. That seems like a pipe dream now. The kid needs to focus on just being a competent college quarterback.
What should Tressel do? Would sitting Pryor help? Tressel needs to consider this if Pryor continues to turn over the football. He owes it to the other players on the team.
In the meantime, short of benching Pryor, Tressel needs to rethink what he’s trying to do on offense (the issue of Tressel calling the plays will be addressed another time). We can see he’s already tried to incorporate the option more into the offense, but we’re seeing that Pryor’s instincts aren’t much better there. Perhaps with practice he’ll get better, as the option at least plays to his running ability. Tressel should toss aside a good chunk of the playbook and go to a much simpler offense. Focus on running the football, the option, and other Wildcat-type plays, and have Pryor make much simpler throws that play off the running game. Dig up old tape from Oklahoma and Nebraska from the 1970’s, or even most of the Woody Hayes years. Keep it simple until the kid shows he can handle more.
Buckeye fans often get frustrated with Tressel’s conservative play-calling, but opening up the offense is not the solution here. He has to pull things back and start over. And, if Pryor can’t cut it in a simpler offense, then Tressel will have to make a change.
Posted in: OSU Football
Tags: bench Terrelle Pryor, Jim Tressel, Juice Williams, Tate Forcier, Terrelle Pryor, Terrelle Pryor accuracy, Terrelle Pryor arm strength, Terrelle Pryor bench, Terrelle Pryor decision-making, Terrelle Pryor decisions, Terrelle Pryor Jim Tressel, Terrelle Pryor Juice Williams, Terrelle Pryor leadership, Terrelle Pryor maturity, Terrelle Pryor mechanics, Terrelle Pryor pocket presence, Terrelle Pryor temperament, Terrelle Pryor train wreck, Terrelle Pryor Vince Young, Vince Young
Can someone show this guy how to throw the football? He can run like the wind but damn his arm needs serious help.
Tressel is insane to not have used Saine in the second half.
As a PSU fan, I am thanful that Pryor chose OSU. I was not saying that 2 years ago.
Aside from his creativity running with the football Terrelle brings nothing special to the table as a college QB, much less a pro. If the kid wants to play in the NFL badly enough he’s going to have to switch to WR where his speed and size are much more tangible assets.
“Vince Young didn’t become Vince Young until his senior season” Vince Young left after his junior season (which yes, he did redshirt). Vince was amazing after the TX-OU game his sophomore season onward, which would be this weekend for Terrelle. Time for Coach to come up with some better excuses.
Like the PSU fan said, I am thankful Pyror chose OSU over Michigan. Tate Forcier is already better than Pyror will ever be.
By-the-way, I’m sick of defending the Big 10 to all the SEC fans down here in Florida… so could someone in the Big 10 win a BCS game this year please.
Pryor is terrible. Bench him now or move him to SLot receiver. Bring in a smart quarterback that can control his mind, mouth, and is not flashy, but gets the job done. Vince Young / Vick are both loser QBs. Look at the passing numbers. You MUST be able to be an EFFECTIVE and SMART passer to win. Pryor has neither.
Excellent article!! This is what a number of us have been saying since the USC game this year. Bench the kid, move him to a WR, and use him as a Wildcat QB. He is athletic but does not have the smarts to be a QB. At 6′6″ 235lbs with 4.3 speed he would be a nightmare at WR (that is if he can learn to run routes).
Ohio State is always overrated, and this is just another example of it. Pryor is a terrible quarterback, but a great natural athlete. Forget the hopes of being Vince Young, he looks more like Jamarcus Russel throwing the football.
“Put Craig Krenzel on this team and the Buckeyes are competing for a national championship.”
I can’t tell if this is sarcastic or not. Based on the irrationality of many (not all) Buckeye fans, I’m assuming it’s not.
Until OSU defeats an elite, quality program, only then could the words “national championship” and “Buckeyes” be depicted in the same sentence. It doesn’t matter who the Buckeyes start at QB, the team simply does not have the speed to compete at the upper echelon of college football.
“It doesn’t matter who the Buckeyes start at QB, the team simply does not have the speed to compete at the upper echelon of college football.”
how can you say that ohio state doesnt have the speed. We completely outplayed the highly speaken USC offence and defence. I was at that game, and I honestly thought that we would have gained our respects back from that game. But the ignorant people like yourself, cannot seem to look past that infamous line of “ohio state doesnt have the speed”
you’re an idiot.
Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve
Millions of people outside of Buckeye nation can’t be wrong, no?
Last I heard games are decided via the final score, not who outplayed one another.
OSU did play well that game. You ask how can I say OSU doesn’t have the speed? Well, I don’t have to verbally validate myself.
Maybe this will give you a flashback. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imHK7utsP0U
-An idiot
As a Michigan fan, I can’t say that I was glad when TP chose Ohio State. I think that his actions signaled that he may be head case (Not signing on national signing day, the reported Corvette incident), but I did not doubt his on field talent. I am pleasantly surprised that instead of leading the Buckeyes to Roses, this guy is proving to be a thorn in their side.
Everyone – thanks for the comments
gocanes23 – Should I assume you’re a Miami fan? And you’re calling the Buckeyes overrated? How many points was Miami favored by when the Buckeyes upset them for the National Championship? Have you noticed that Miami has never been the same since that game?
Bex – You’re right, the Buckeyes have had a tough go the past couple of years, but they have won a national championship in the last decade, which is more than most teams can say. Also, this year’s defense is very good. With a guy like Krenzel they would have beaten USC (Pryor killed the Buckeyes in that game).
Well at least we have Kent Graham’s kid coming in…
Still not off the bandwagon, but its getting tougher and tougher to stick with Pryor…
Gerardo – I appreciate your reply. The Buckeyes are a very good program, but as we both know, these last few years have not been as good as 2002-2005 when it comes to the team making statements (unable to beat the Floridas, LSUs, USCs) to solidify its position as an elite program. Personally, I feel that 2005’s team is their best this decade and may have won had they played Texas again.
But, I disagree with your claim “with a guy like Krenzel, they would beat USC.” Do I think they “could?” Possibly. But saying they “would” is extreme. Remember who you’re dealing with, Pete Carroll is not Larry Coker. His game plan would have obviously been different than that against Pryor, but I’m sure Carroll would have made it just as difficult for Krenzel as he does for all his opponents. It hurt to say that. USC is my most hated team. The most arrogant fans by far.
Bex – Fair point. “Could” would have been more accurate. My point was that this team has some similarities to that National Championship team, though probably not as good. They showed a very physical defense that could play with USC. Krenzel could avoid mistakes and keep them in that game. My point is they would be “competing” for one – not necessarily winning it. I don’t think there is a dominant team this year.
Right now, the Buckeyes are not one of the “elites” – they are more like a top ten team. Many of us hoped Pryor would elevate the program, but right now he’s dragging it down.
The problem with OSU is Tressel. He is so overated. I cannot stand his press conferences. Have you ever heard a coach spew off such nonsense and totally avoid the question. He does not play to win, he plays not to lose. You have to have confidence in your team. OSU could have beaten USC if Tressel put the hammer down.
OSU could end up 7-5, with three losses at the end of the season.
ok are you guys crazy, did u see the o-line an them dumb plays that were called , I tell u what if that happens they will get beat an beat badly,this kids needs some work,but is still young ,all ya talking bad about him will be looking stupid when the light clicks on an he becomes a star,,,the best qbs in college aren’t the best qbs in the Nfl,its all bout the system that u are in, He just going thru a learning curve, an vince is coming back Kerry collins is garbage I’M sick of people saying TP is not smart,them basic plays that tressel has a 5th grader can learn. an to the PSU an Mich fans I say one word Iowa , I bet Ostate beats Iowa. go bucks go TP
No way – we all want the light to go on for Pryor, and the Buckeyes are still probably the best team in the Big Ten. But, he’s been regressing. If the reports are true that he’s taking some responsibility for his play, then perhaps he can improve. We need to see improvement.
The other term I would use is “he has his moments” as defined by Tressel.
It is more suttle for the word suck even though it has the same meaning.
Anyway, what is Tressel going to do?Bauserman looks to green to start with some big games coming up.
Do you ever see Terrelle and if so, does he walk around campus like he’s the greatest thing since Mike Vick….lets not go there..
How does Mr. Pryor carry himself on campus?
I see on T.V. he has tattoos now, he reminds me of someone trying to be Mr. Cool Hip Hop.
The look on face reminds me of someone that looks clue less. Would say this is a fair assessment?
A Clue Less Mr. Cool Hip Hop who is way in over his head.
Ok…
Last game against Penn State was great.
Pryor did well and manage the game pretty good.
Good job Terrell
He has been playing better. Throwing less and reducing mistakes.
Terrelle:
You are the MAN, even though I was critical before, you have shown you can get the job done.
Great job against Oregon.
Thank you.
Yep – I need to post about this, but Terrelle really stepped up. Tressel deserves credit for reigning him in, and then turning him loose.