Video: First Media Session

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Video: Behind The Shield w/ Jeanette Thompson

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Video: ESPN’s story

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Video: Pryor’s First Day (Comcast SportsNet)

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So, TP’s first practice with the Oakland Raiders is in the books! And I see the rumors were true that he chose #6. But after seeing that he was told he could not have #2, I gotta wonder why. Hmmmm lol Doesn’t matter. I’ll be coppin’ one!

As expected, it was a little shaky/rusty, but dude has had a whirlwind of a journey leading him to California. To think he’d step into his first practice and be lights out would be a ridiculous expectation. But I’m positive that won’t stop the skeptics from prematurely proclaiming that he’s a bust. If it hasn’t happened yet, it will soon. Just wait.

Honestly, nothing Terrelle does this season is going to affect my thoughts on his NFL future. Let him take in this season, be a part of the team with a full off-season, and full camp (next year), then maybe I’ll start to take inventory. But not until then. I suggest y’all do the same.

After practice, Coach Hue Jackson had the following to say about Terrelle:

“…looks like a quarterback, feels like a quarterback, sounds like a quarterback, and I’m very excited to work with him.”

So, can everyone just chill with the hyperbole already?

Photo source: AP via Daylife & Raiders.com

Terrelle Pryor is official on board with the Oakland Raiders. He signed his contract late tonight and will be on hand for his first practice in the morning. These are exciting times for TP, and I wish him the best! Let’s get this party started!

Here’s some more info on his contract, from ProFootballTalk:

Pryor receives a $586,000 signing bonus, and a base salary of $375,000 (pre-suspension). In 2012, he’ll earn $485,000, and he’s eligible to earn a $20,300 incentive based on playing time. In 2013, the salary is $595,000 with a $40,700 play-time incentive. In 2014, the salary moves to $645,000, with a $61,100 play-time incentive.

I hope my next post here has to do with what jersey number he’s gonna rock. Rumor Mill has him wearing #6. We’ll see!

BONUS READING: Check out the signing story on the Raiders website.

Here are some pictures of Terrelle’s Pro Day today in Hempfield Township, PA that I gathered from around the internet (Daylife, Zimbio, etc.) I claim no ownership. Images remain property of original copyright holders.

I know, I know. It took me a minute to write this post. I was still basking in the glow that was another wonderful Buckeye victory over Michigan. And no, it doesn’t get old!

I said Ohio State would win, and it would be double figures, but no way did I think the explosive Wolverine offense would be held to just 1 touchdown. The Buckeyes went on to win 37-7.

TP’s FINAL STATS: 18/27 for 220 yds, 2 TDs, INT. Rushed 49 yds on 12 carries

I didn’t think Robinson would get knocked out of this game, but he did. In hindsight, that probably would have been a safe bet. I mean, exactly how many games has he completely finished for UM? Are there any?

And, true to form, Ohio State had a slow start out of the gate. I thought that if Michigan were to have any chance at competing in this game, they’d have to jump on the slow Buckeye start and take an easy lead. Well, they failed to do so. Even after the OSU offense went 3-and-out on their first 2 possessions, the Wolverines still couldn’t put any points of their own on the board. How embarrassing for them…

IN A NUTSHELL:

• Seven in a row. That is all.
• I wanted a kickoff/punt return and I got one. They were due, and what better game for it to happen than The Game?
• Speaking of the kickoff return TD, did everyone see Jaamal Berry’s block? Damn, son!
• Those refs sucked ass. No other team, w/ those Nike Pro Combat gloves, has gotten a penalty for showing them to the crowd. Including Oregon in the Rose Bowl & Bama in the National Championship.
• Not being in front of the TV, there were quite a few things that confused me. One being why the Michigan kicking game was non-existent. Didn’t learn, until I got home, that kicker was suspended. So, why wasn’t Forcier kicking all game? He’s serviceable, and if he’s kicking there’s no way he can throw an interception, right?
• As usual, TP is money on broken pass plays. When he doesn’t have to “think” and can, instead, just ball out, he’s lethal!
• I have to go back to those refs. I mean seriously. What were they smoking?
• Does Corey Brown have concentration problems? Whole lotta drops lately…
• Back to the refs again. Was their like a rule that they couldn’t call holding on Michigan?
• Hooray for Shugarts not registering a false start!
• I spent the entire first half wondering if Boom was hurt. He only had a couple of carries & the game plan seemed kinda weird and all over the place. It was working, so that was good, but lack of RB carries had me concerned, while I watched from the stands.
• I really liked the way the jerseys looked in the sun. The gray pants with the gray socks looked, well, odd. Someone on Twitter said it looked like the team were wearing leggings lol. Can’t argue with that! I liked the socks Jordan Hall had on, with the white stripes. Much better!
• Reading, after the game, that TP’s shoulder was really bothering him, made me respect him even more than I already did. TP just plays through all sorts of injuries that we don’t ever know about until after the fact.
• Was it me or weren’t there a few awkward center/QB snap exchanges?
• It was cold as hell in the ‘Shoe. Wasn’t so bad in the 1st half, when the sun was out, but the second half was quite chilly. I don’t know how many layers I had on, but soooo worth it!
• Really gonna miss these seniors. There are so many of them too! I wish them all the success in the world in all their endeavors! Hope to see quite a few of them in the league next year (barring a lockout, of course).
• Tate Forcier throws a pretty good ball; just not to the right people, and not on time.
• Very impressed with Shoelace in the 1st half. Knew he was good, and didn’t disappoint. His receivers didn’t help him out that much. Buckeye fans know what that’s like. It’s called last weekend in Iowa City.
• Another Big Ten Championship and probably another BCS Bowl. Seriously, Buckeye fans. Take a minute to step back & appreciate was Tressel has done for this program. Then look at what USC, Texas, and Florida are going through this year. That never happens to Ohio State. A “bad” year is 2-3 losses. Never have to worry about not being bowl eligible. Puts things in perspective, doesn’t it?
• The constant singing of “We Don’t Give A Damn for The Whole State of Michigan” was definitely a highlight. Loved it!
• It didn’t dawn on me, until now, that I won’t be able to see the Buckeyes in the ‘Shoe again until April. There will be withdrawals. As usual.

IN CLOSING:

Pictures from The Ozone

TP got a little sloppy, as he tends to do when his team has a commanding lead, but for the most part, I thought he played very well. And once more, his legs weren’t needed. I liked the return to the offensive game plan that led this team through the 2009 November gauntlet and to the Rose Bowl. This needs to be their identity and stay that way. No more trying to get cute and do too much. Focus on this offense over the next few weeks and the execution will continue to gel.

Ohio State got its long overdue shutout, exacting revenge on Purdue with a 49-0 win. TP finished 16/22 for 270 yds w/ 3 TDs, 2INTs.

IN A NUTSHELL:

• Thankful for the shutout, even though I was expecting it!
• What a statement game! Exactly what I wanted to see from this team. They’re not done, Buckeye fans!
• TP’s short passes looked really great this week. That’s the biggest improvement I’ve seen in his passing game.
• JB Shugarts’ injury sounds serious. I hope the staff just sits him and lets him rest until the Penn State game. It’s a liability in pass-blocking and he really shouldn’t be needed next week at Minny.
• The defensive secondary continues to take hits on the injury front. Maybe it’s just me, but the injury bug seems to be hitting college football a lot more this season than it has in the past.
• Loved seeing the ball get spread around the way it was in the passing game. Lot of receivers involved. Looks like Corey “Philly” Brown may have locked down the 3rd WR spot.
• Boom continues to produce for this team. For all the crap he’s gotten about not being an “explosive” or “game-changing” back, he continues to do well and will continue to do so as the season continues.
• Noticed that TP ditched the high-top fade. I don’t care what anyone else says, I was kinda diggin’ it!

Seriously. Didn’t expect the team to destroy Purdue the way they did. As I pointed out, the past few years, Purdue has given them fits and culminated with the big upset game of 2009 in West Lafayette. But gone is the offense that caused all that mayhem; the dink-dunk down the field versus the infamous OSU soft zone, which I loathe. Having a freshman forced into the starting position, whose strengths are not that of Robert Marve, played a large role in OSU’s domination today, as did not having RB Dan Dierking available.

On to the next one…

PICTURES:

The Ozone, Josh Winslow

Buckeyes win 73-20 in the highest scoring affair of the Jim Tressel era & most since 1950.

TP’s final stats: 20/26 for 224 yds, 4 TDs. 7 carries for 104 yds, 1 TD. 1 20 yd TD reception. 0 INT

IN A NUTSHELL:

• I pretty got everything I wanted except the shutout. I’m not sure what was wrong with the defense today (I’m aware several starters were out/dinged), but still. That was a pretty poor performance by their standards.
• TP was the man today! Couldn’t have been more pleased with his day. Rushing TD, receiving TD, 4 passing TDs, no INTs. Yes, please!
• Very happy to see Jordan Hall make a big impact on the game. He’s getting reps with the 1st team Oline now. Gonna make it very hard to keep him on the sidelines. Just sayin’.
• How clutch was Dane Sanzenbacher? 4 TDs? Go ‘head, boy! He runs perfect routes & catches everything! This team will miss him next season.
• There were no Special Teams breakdowns today. Very happy to see that, but I do realize that Eastern Michigan was the opponent du jour.
• Just 1 punt? Don’t get to see that very often!
• I was in the stadium today and I must give a big shoutout to the North endzone Block-O section. They were awesome! I thought they out-did the South squad in a big way, especially in the 4th quarter when they started freelancing a little. Loved them starting up the “We Don’t Give A Damn For The Whole State Of Michigan” everytime EMU scored, and the special teams penalty. Also, the back-and-forth with Freshman long snapper Nick Piening (#58), who was charged with getting the tee after each kickoff, was classic. Good stuff!
• Jaamal Berry is fast.
• I couldn’t believe my eyes looking at that scoreboard. What did EMU/Ron English do to make “Evil Tressel” come out today? Don’t know what it was, but I like the results! And I took a picture to commemorate the occasion.
• Bring on the fight for the Illibuck Trophy!

More pictures, but ones I did not take, after the jump…

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

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…
VIDEO:

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Raw interview video footage from NBC4 Columbus

Proud Parents Backing Up Their Sons(ABC6)

Maturing Terrelle Pryor at OSU Picture Day (ABC6)

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.

And that leads me to my new camera. It has a nice zoom. I was in the C-deck on the visitor side of the field. Below is one of my shots, with just a little bit of zoom. You can see how how far away I was:

And here is one of my zoomed in pics of TP on the opposite sideline:

Not bad, huh? View the full gallery here. Regular appearances from Brew Crew members.

Read on for news on Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten selections.

We already learned that Terrelle is Phil Steele’s pick for 1st team All-American QB. So given that knowledge, we pretty much already knew he’d be the 1st team All-Big Ten. But those picks were released as well and will probably garner a lot of chatter amongst other Big Ten fans.

Conference media/coaches won’t see things the same way. I can almost guarantee it. TP was only honorable mention at the end of last season, and the conference/media picks for All-Big Ten honors were serverely lacking in Buckeyes. (It’s a wonder Jim Tressel continues to dominate the conference with so many below average players…) Mark it down: Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi and Wisconsin’s Scott Tolzien will be some version of 1st team and 2nd team All-Big Ten; ahead of TP. Just watch! There will also be a small fraction of Buckeyes, in general, on those lists as well. It’s just the way it is. Then those slacker Buckeyes will go on to win the conference…again. And Jim Tressel will be passed over for Coach of the Year…again. Same story, different year.