Pregame Postage: Week 1, Marshall
September 1, 2010
So it’s upon us!
Back in March, I thought the season would never get here, but here we are!
I don’t even know where to begin with this game! It’ll just be great to see the Buckeyes run out of that tunnel again. From a scouting perspective, I’m not sure anyone knows what to expect from the Marshall Thundering Herd, seeing as how they have a new coaching staff this year. But they did go to a bowl game last year, which we can’t say the same for the last team we met in the regular season…
But, let’s all remember who the head coach is. This is Coach Tressel’s team, people. Put that together with the fact that this is the opener and we’re likely to see a hefty dose of Tresselball. This is not going to be a beat down. I know that’s what fans are going to want to see, but the chances of that happening are slim to none. Remember last year versus Navy? Now, granted Navy was a damn fine football team, but who was really expecting that game to be decided on the final play? Not this girl!
So, just tame those expectations and appreciate the fact that the Buckeyes are back, and you’ll enjoy the game all that much more!
What I Want to See:
Expectations are high, no doubt, but I’m not looking for a well oiled machine from Day 1. That’s just not realistic. I would like to see the offense move the ball well. I’ll be paying attention to how TP manages the game. Practice footage has been showing a lot of passes to the RB, TE, and FB, in addition to the WR position. I’m very interested to see how this plays out or if it’s even a factor to begin with. This game plan will be vanilla, so maybe there won’t be a lot of those type of passes.
I know the defense will do it’s job. They always show up. I’m sure they won’t show a lot of aggressive blitz packages once we get a lead, but I do want to see how the line plays (even without Nathan Williams) because the Dline, and its backups, will factor heavily into how the 2010 Buckeyes fare this season.
Most importantly, I don’t want to see any injuries, on either side of the ball. So key!
What Will Happen:
The Buckeyes win and then go back to work to prepare for Da U.
OTHER NOTES:
Weather: There has been some concern about rain during the game. Some of the local meteorologists have said that we will make it through the game dry, while others think we could see some. It’ll be warm, humid, & in mid-80s, so it certainly could happen. 20%-30% chance, so very slight. If you’re concerned, bring a poncho. I know I am.
Tickets: There are still some available via Ticketmaster. You’ll be in the C-Deck, but you’ll still be in the ‘Shoe!
Tribute Jerseys: See them here. They will be worn, once again, for the Michigan game.
Conference Divisions: Ohio State is teamed with Penn State, Wisky, Purdue, Illinois, & Indiana. See the breakdown here.
The Internetz Are Funny
August 22, 2010
Serious question: How do other big time programs run their fall camp & spring practice scrimmages? Are they mostly simulations where the 1s battle it out just like they would in a game? That’s the impression I get from the media, but I’m not sure because I don’t feel the need to spend my free time dissecting what other teams are doing.
“Experts” and other CFB analysts report QB stats and that’s it. From there, the public is left to judge whether or not a team is ready and/or whether or not said QB sucks.
If a National talking head simply rattles off TP’s stats from yesterday, and no other details, then a reader (not familiar w/ OSU’s jersey scrimmage practices) is left to compare his numbers to say that of a Greg McElroy & simply write off Terrelle Pryor and Ohio State. That’s their right, but that would be foolish. And let me tell you why. Read the rest of this entry »
Linked Up: August 10, 2010 Practice
August 10, 2010
I know what you’re thinking: “Oh yay…another post full of links…” but it’s not like I was there, so this is what y’all get for now.
STORIES:
Fall Camp Insider: Moeller Returns, Pryor Shines on First Day in Pads (Ozone)
Notebook: Fall Camping (Rivals)
Buckeyes Open Full-Contact Practice (NBC4)
Practice Report: Tues, Aug. 10 (Bucknuts)
Buckeyes try to stay cool in the heat (AP/Dayton Daily News)
More than just the weather was hot (Dispatch)
Pads Pop From The Get-Go (Sports RappUp)
I don’t know about anyone else, but I really like what I’m reading about the 2010 Buckeyes. They seem extremely focused and motivated to be great.
PICTURES:
Ozone’s Gallery
Bucknuts’ Photo Gallery
VIDEO:
Breakdown of a nice Pryor TD pass, with breakdown from Plain Dealer
Linked Up: Practice & Media Day
August 9, 2010
Lots of good stuff from Sunday as Coach Tressel opened up practice to the media, and it was also family/picture/media day. I waited a day so a lot of the news, pictures, and video could make its way online. That way, I don’t have to edit this post.
We also learned, today, that TP was added to the 2010 Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list.
Also, if you’re interested in OSU-related iPhone themes, check the TPO twitter stream. I shared some screen shots of my creations earlier today. Your feedback is welcomed!
PICTURES:
CoachTressel.com Gallery
Media Day Gallery / Practice Gallery (Ozone)
Media Day Gallery / Practice Gallery (Josh Winslow)
Media Day Gallery Part: 1 2 / Practice Gallery (Bucknuts)
Media Day and Practice Slideshow (Dispatch)
STORIES:
‘Humbled’ Terrelle Pryor says he wants to be OSU’s QB as a senior in 2011 (Plain Dealer)
First glimpse at fall camp (Dispatch)
Pryor showing maturity of a leader (Bob Hunter/Dispatch)
Improved Attitude is Catalyst to Improvement for Pryor (Ozone)
Fall Camp Insider: Bucks Take in Practice and Photo Day (Ozone)
Pryor has ‘business’ plan for junior season (News-Herald)
Check out some video after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »
Linked Up: 2010 Camp Check-In
August 5, 2010
Just a quick round-up of links from the Buckeyes checking in to the team hotel for camp today.
PICTURES:
The Ozone’s Gallery
Josh Winslow’s Pictures
Bucknuts Gallery
VIDEO:
Rivals (Buckeye Grove)
10TV-WBNS
ABC6
NBC4 (Bucknuts)
NBC4
STORIES:
The Ozone: Two Missing as Buckeyes Report for Camp
Dispatch: Buckeyes say focus essential amid hype
Dispatch Blog: Buckeyes report; Smith to arrive shortly
Plain Dealer: Buckeyes check in for start of Ohio State preseason camp
First day of practice is Friday and media day (where we get all the posed pictures of the team in their jerseys) is Sunday.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year…Again
August 2, 2010
I went to bed last night pretty sure that Wisconsin’s John Clay would be announced as the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year today during the 1st day of Big Ten Media Days. No big deal, right?
Well, I was wrong! TP did get the nod again, as did Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones (on the defensive side of the ball). I just thought the media would go with Clay since he got it at the end of last season, and the only thing that changed was that TP tore it up at the Rose Bowl. Guess that was enough? Or maybe the media was collectively throwing their support behind what some call the Big Ten’s only legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate?
I don’t know and I don’t really care. I’m sure TP doesn’t care either. But what I find comical is the salty Wisconsin fans. Just because Clay didn’t get the nod, doesn’t mean you need to throw shade at TP. My favorite argument is the “what has he done in the big games?” Besides get the win?
No, but really. What did Clay do in the “big games”? He had 59 yds against the Buckeyes and 75 against Iowa, the 2 ranked Big Ten teams they faced. And let’s not forget that the Badgers didn’t even play Penn State (also a Top 15 ranked program) this past season. Both shined in their bowl games. So, I think the whole “so-and-so struggles in big games” argument is pretty much a wash.
Again, does it really matter? It’s preseason, for crying out loud! The Big Ten has 3 squads that are legitimate Top 10 teams. Let’s celebrate this instead of tearing each other down! Say it with me:
Check out what Tressel had to say today, below the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
Quick News: TP’s Knee & Charitable Activities
July 24, 2010
- Ever since his surgery, Terrelle has been adamant that his knee is fine. Well, just a couple of weeks ahead of camp, he’s giving yet another update on the health of his knee.
“It was minor surgery. It’s never going to be 100 percent ever again for anybody who gets any type of surgery or anything like that. But you should definitely bounce back and be a high percentage and keep going. That’s where I am right now, I feel pretty good.”
And that’s good news for us Buckeye fans!
- I’d like to take a second to talk about some of the good TP, and his teammates, have been doing. We always hear (usually via ESPN) when they mess up, but the national media is nowhere to be found when these fine student athletes are out making a difference.
Well, this week, Coach Tressel, the staff, and players welcomed The Weinland Park Dawgs to the WHAC for a tour and some words to live by; delivered by JT himself. The Buckeyes took time to meet with the young players from inner city areas of Columbus.
Watch a short video below:
- Lastly, here’s a bit of irony.
Wasn’t it just last week when the national media were complaining about how TP wouldn’t be among the OSU players headed to the Kickoff Luncheon and Big Ten Media Days? Yea, I think it was.
Funny, how that hasn’t hurt CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, who has a few words from Terrelle and Coach Tressel in one of his recent columns about The Fall of Troy. Looks like you can get access to T. Pryor if you actually have a story idea, rather than just wanting to listen to him speak, in hopes he says something incriminating. There’s a difference and Tressel knows it.
TP’s California Trip Confirmed
June 7, 2010
A couple of weeks ago I posted the following on Twitter re: a possible trip to Santa Barbara, California by Terrelle for the Steve Clarkson Dreammaker Tour finale event:
TP may have been in Santa Barbara, CA this weekend. Maybe for the Steve Clarkson Dreammaker Natl Championship & season finale QB event?
TP FAN
terrellepryor
At the time, I couldn’t find any press or confirmation on the trip. That status didn’t change until yesterday, where TP was mentioned in an article detailing an Oklahoma youth’s participation in the Steve Clarkson event.
The quarterbacks also received instructions from Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley, alums of Clarkson’s program.
Nice of TP to take time out of his schedule to help out with the event, which is being turned into a web reality series. He was a participant in the 2008 Clarkson “Super 7″ QB retreat. And if you missed it, portions of that camp, including a TP sighting, appeared on Snoop Dogg’s now-defunct E! reality show, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood.
Quick News: Phil Steele Preseason Lists + Scholar-Athlete Awards
May 21, 2010
As I posted on Twitter, Phil Steele has released his 2010 Preseason All-American Teams and to my surprise (I’m pretty sure I’m not alone there) TP was Steele’s selection for 1st All-American QB. (The linked list is from the Big East conference, but the National All-America lists is included) Pretty big honor considering all the other QBs out there in College Football. Now that Tebow, Bradford, and McCoy have moved on to the NFL, Terrelle probably is the biggest name out there. Is that enough to garner a preseason All-American honor? Who knows! But it’s still nice to see TP’s name next to the best in the country! [Side note: is this the cover image for the National Magazine?]
Terrelle attended OSU’s Scholar-Athlete dinner on Wednesday. TP has said many times that he feels that it’s very important that he maintain a high GPA to show how seriously he takes his role as a team leader. He wants his teammates to follow his lead and excel in the classroom as well. So, naturally he should be proud that the football team had more student athletes on hand than any other sport with 44. TP had the following to say to Ohio State student newspaper, The Lantern:
“Our goal is always to be 3.0 students. Every time we have more teammates who get that GPA, it’s a huge accomplishment. I’ve really matured. I’m growing up and it’s all about being a man. I have to have a schedule to succeed and go by that plan. Once you mature as a person it shows on the field as well as in the classroom.”
TP also shared that he hopes to be Academic All-American this summer.
Well done, Terrelle. Well done.
Terrelle to Work Out with Vick This Summer
May 11, 2010
The DailyPress is reporting that TP will work out with Michael Vick and Virginia Tech QB Tyrod Taylor this summer.
Vick, who is entering his second season with the Philadelphia Eagles, said Friday he plans to meet this summer with [Tyrod] Taylor and Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor for a serious football skull session.
…
We’re supposed to work out this summer along with Terrelle Pryor from Ohio State and try to prepare them for the next level.”
Knowing how much TP looks up to Vick (even if he didn’t explain it very well last year), you know he’ll take full advantage of his time working with him.
