Shunning Wings: Terrelle Pryor

Submitted by Geaux_Blue on

I wanted to create a post that could operate as the first in a series of of entries that highlighted those commit/transfer decisions that had significant career/financial ramifications. This is not intended to be a "LOL you didn't go to UM and now you SUXORZ" but, rather, the beginning of a log of those who fans wanted to suit up in maize and blue and who chose less green pastures. 

It will be updated, with a write-up, based upon comment suggestions. As such, I really encourage people to write-in so these become Community pieces and not a GB piece.

Because the flashiest always goes first

Terrelle Pryor

By his own admission, Pryor likely missed out on the chance to make tangible history when he chose to go tOSU. While he has been to a bowl game every year, it was Denard, not Pryor, who broke the NCAA record books this season. Meanwhile, back at the Columbus ranch, TP (T Profit for short) has put up decent numbers in an offense that for all intents and purposes limits him and forces him to utilize his weakest abilities (pocket passing).

Minor occurrences have taken place featuring Pryor in bars or flashing jewelry/cars that have failed to allow allegations by Clarett to disappear regarding OSU recruitment/player care. What's more, maturity issues on the field and off have raised questions about his leadership abilities at a school that, for all intents and purposes, does not have a historical encyclopedia of "field generals" (with some exceptions, such as Laurinaitis, Spielman, etc.)

Slowly languishing in Tressel ball over three years, Pryor has failed to live up to perhaps unfairly tall expectations. Now that a garage sale of fail has led to him being suspended for the first games, the Buckeye passer appears set to either go into the NFL draft with an unheralded college season in which he was not named to the All Big Ten team (and perhaps sit around for a year during labor talks) or play a shortened schedule with OSU sitting potentially at 3-2 before he comes off the bench. In short: has failed to become the next/best Vince Young.

Ramifications: Medium/Significant

Comments

Harballer

December 23rd, 2010 at 5:07 PM ^

I realize he would be pretty unstoppable if he would have chosen Michigan and been put in Rich Rod's system, but I am truly glad we didn't get him just because of his character.  We pride ourselves on being a step above other schools, judging not only talent and grades, but character as well.  When comparing Denard to TP, there truly is no comparison...one is humble and attributes his teammates as much as he can, and one constantly finds his foot in his mouth with his ramblings.  Denard represents Michigan football how it is supposed to be represented.

wolverhorn

December 23rd, 2010 at 5:20 PM ^

I don't know the answer to this, but how much of the blame for his public remarks eventually land on Tressel?  Tressel seems like a pretty decent person and from what I can tell would try to rein in his players from making stupid comments, but I don't look into the program close enough to make a judgment about it either way.

Regardless of Tressel's influence, Pryor would find a way to get his ridiculous statements out (lol TPeezy2), but I'm curious to know how Tressel handles and coaches his players on handling the media.

Newk

December 23rd, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^

Fair point, but there's no way to know that. And I think Tressel's not bad in that department. At the very least, he's a good model to follow for bland, inoffensive public comments - Pryor should try to imitate his coach.

Geaux_Blue

December 23rd, 2010 at 5:24 PM ^

there's no way to know he'd have been the arrogant kid he is now had he come to RR because a lot can change under different advisement. i was discouraging the notion he'd have been a surefire plague and only focusing on the tangible real things that have occurred as a result of him not coming.

steve sharik

December 23rd, 2010 at 6:34 PM ^

I realize he would be pretty unstoppable if he would have chosen Michigan and been put in Rich Rod's system, but I am truly glad we didn't get him just because of his character.

If you had posted this right after signing day (or about Demar Dorsey last winter) you would have been neg bombed into oblivion.  Now, it seems like justifiable relief.

Michigasling

December 24th, 2010 at 12:17 PM ^

and embarrassed the M as much as he has the O, you know that RR would have gotten all the blame.  We're all better off that TP chose otherwise, and even more so because of the gift of Denard. 

So for all the bad luck our program has had recently, this is a nice holiday reminder of a how at least one piece of M luck was remarkably good.

As my dear departed mother would have said about Denard, "He's such a good boy."

CRISPed in the DIAG

December 23rd, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^

Just before the Big Chill, amidst the crush of folks walking south on Hoover and near the northeast gate, I caught a glimpse of Denard riding on the back of a golf cart - apparently rushing into the stadium for his intro.  The crowd parted and people were yelling "Shoelace!" He was smiling from ear-to-ear and high-fiving everyone in sight.  Likewise, everyone in sight were high-fiving each other at what they just saw.   No shit - right then, I was so glad Pryor went to tOSU.

Bronco648

December 23rd, 2010 at 5:22 PM ^

I am also happy he chose to go elsewhere.  I think he's just another media whore and I'd be really surprised if he's able to play for an NFL team for more than a few seasons.  He just doesn't impress me with his skills nor his decsion-making.

Also, it's "for all intents and purposes".

Tater

December 23rd, 2010 at 5:44 PM ^

If Pryor had done at Michigan what he is doing at OSU, Michigan would be slapped with major violations, lack of institutional control, and RR would have already been fired. 

Maximinus Thrax

December 23rd, 2010 at 6:11 PM ^

I seriously just pissed myself a little (although that might be partially du to the Bell's Snowberons, the Milwaukee's best Ice (with a neighbor), and the Short's Freedom of 78 brews that I drank).  Bravo!  I must change my pants now (don't feel bad, it was bound to happen tonight sooner or later).

Big Katz

December 23rd, 2010 at 6:16 PM ^

U SAY tyrell is bad person  but do U kno him? i have met tyrelle let me tell U he has best taste in man clothing vary nice tuxedo look have goin on. now I want you to think back when U were young guy what did U care about well most I am sure U care about thing like pointy tit and having nice time with ladie but U cannot say he have NO pasion for game of gird iron can you. NO! tyrelle just tryin to do following three thing first work hard two have pasion for winnin and becoming best so amybe U should not talk about thing which U  xperience knowing about. truth is complicate U do not take truth for granite.  i remember when i was buck eye that i use to hanfg out with joe germane and mike varabal and we would do thing like drink many washington apple and have play game with many wimmen called night of round table.

uminks

December 23rd, 2010 at 7:53 PM ^

TP will not get to play against Toledo, Akron and Colorado.  Miami may be their toughest game.

Who knows may be TP replacement will play well enough to keep him on the bench.

 

I just want to beat them at home next season!

Hardware Sushi

December 28th, 2010 at 4:43 PM ^

Correct, the report has their suspensions at 5 games, but it was also mentioned that in a situation similar to AJ Green, the precedent has been set at 4 games a few times beforehand.

With OSU appealing the punishment, a few writers are expecting the NCAA to hand down a four-game suspension. If I find the link to the article, I will post.

EDIT: Plus, MSU sucks! WOOO!

Logan88

December 28th, 2010 at 6:02 PM ^

Supposedly, the 5th game was added to the suspension because the players involved (and tOSU) did not report the infraction once they were made aware of the rule they claim they did not know about *wink* *wink*.

Considering that the NCAA is letting them play in a big-money, BCS bowl game even though it defies all logic, I expect the 5th game to stand and they will not be playing against MSU.

I'm not sure how much any of this matters as it seems pretty likely that most of the guys who got the 5 game suspension will now just declare for the NFL draft and effectively face no punishment whatsoever.

amk7

December 27th, 2010 at 8:20 AM ^

but rushing for almost 1200 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman doesnt really seem like he headed for "less green" pastures. i would like to see someone like kevin newsome, who threw for a earth-shattering 78 yards at good ole Paterno State after decommitting from UM

BlueDragon

December 24th, 2010 at 12:12 AM ^

As long as we beat OSU next year, Pryor can be used as a punch line for years and years to come.  Here is the most-hyped player in history getting suspended for the first five games of a senior season he grudgingly came back for to be better prepared for the draft.  Add to that the fact that he shunned RR in his first year to play for OSU.  I can't wait to see how he does in the NFL with that attitude problem of his.

Of course, if M loses again, it'll be a lot harder to make fun of Pryor because then we'll be 0-4 against him.

AC1997

December 24th, 2010 at 9:23 AM ^

For the way he carries himself off the field I am glad he didn't choose UM.  But I do wonder where the program would be at this stage had he been behind center the past three years instead of two years of freshmen and then Denard. 

But I want to make one other point (that my brother pointed out).  Everyone immediately jumps to the "Tressel ball" statement when talking about Pryor's mediocre statistics thus far in his career.  But Troy Smith won a Heisman in this same offense as an athletic QB.  How much of Pryor's mediocre performance thus far is on Tressel and how much is on Pryor? 

Hardware Sushi

December 28th, 2010 at 4:39 PM ^

I couldn't agree more. If TP could handle Tressel Ball, then I bet Tressel would slowly start to give TP a little more slack and allow him to try some new things on offense, a la Troy Smith. Hell, he has one of the best defenses in the country watching his back.

Instead, JT doesn't trust him enough, even though he's surrounded by one of the top-5 most talented teams in the country, to try anything other than power run and play action.

Brightside

December 24th, 2010 at 9:43 AM ^

No surprised Herbie is hammering TP, and I can tell you the Buckeye alumni will not be happy about these guys selling BT championship rings and especially the Gold Pants...

I have lived in Columbus since graduating from UM in 1990, and my neighbor is a 4 year starter at tackle...  The gold pants are their most coveted award, and it is egregious for these guys to sell them.

I can't think of any parallel in the UM world, but it seems to be a major disconnect between these current buckeyes and thier history and tradition.

Time to turn the tables...  We are done losing to tOSU every year...

Go Blue!