Ohio State Already Off to a Big Start at Media Day
Both are surprising media selections indeed, but none more surprising than tabbing Pryor as the preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Every Buckeye to a person is expecting Pryor to be significantly improved from his freshman form. He showed flashes of brilliance and signs of why he was the uber-recruit he was in 2008. He runs like, honestly, nothing I’d seen before in a quarterback. Where there were obvious growing pains (and wounded ducks) in the passing game, we all expect Pryor to be much better in a year where he wasn’t thrown into the fire midway through the season. He almost has to improve by sheer work ethic and determination. But to expect, as of now, for that to translate from 105th nationally in passing offense into Offensive Player of the Year status over the likes of Arrelious Benn or Daryll Clark? It seems far-fetched, and I’m already anticipating the reaction from the Penn State fans alone. It’d be delightful if it pans out that way.
Picking Ohio State to win the conference isn’t as far-fetched, but it’s sure to get the goat of Penn State fans. Any discussion of who wins the Big Ten had Ohio State and Penn State dueling for the confernece crown. Since Penn State won the 2008 matchup in Columbus and will host the 2009 meeting, picking Penn State to be the preseason favorite to win the conference seems rather academic. They return arguably the Big Ten’s best quarterback (Clark), best running back (Royster), a defensive line that may again devour Bollman’s unit (led by Jared Odrick), and return Sean Lee to the fold with Navorro Bowman. Penn State has a lot working for them, but I guess media voters must have felt that issues at the offensive line, secondary and wide receiver may make Penn State vulnerable. It’s not like we have the same issues at offensive line, linebacker, and cornerback.
Still, the news can only mean that football is around the corner. I won’t get to watch any of the Media Day coverage. So, if you are able to watch, feel free to leave comments.
Watched about an hour of the Big Ten media coverage on BTN.
some thoughts…….
RichRod at the podium was asked how he thought Pryor did last yr and if he thinks he’ll improve this yr. ( I started laughing when I heard this ) He just cannot get away from Pryor questions. Rich’s response was typical……” Look I really want to talk about my players ” but he then went on to compliment Pryor’s ability and skills yada yada. He was also asked about his mass exodus of players…………and he responded by basically saying its typical after a new coach takes over a program ( Oh really Rich, and just how many is typical? ). He also stated he doesn’t care about the kids who aren’t there anymore ( yes he said it that way ) . I am sorry Richie boy, it isn’t normal for a heavily recruited kid to pick Tulsa or wherever over a program like MIiiiiiiichigan . And to say he doesn’t care about the kids who have left , he could have chose his words better . I mean he came off as kind of ” There not here , so F ‘m ” .
A very intense coach ( name is slipping me right now ) is the new head man at Purdue. He is a straight up no nonsense type . He thought his starting QB for this coming season should have played last yr , even though Curtis Painter was their guy last yr.
Tress was his typical self , the Senator type. He was asked about the RB’s , and he stated that Boom and Brandon ‘s time is now. He was asked about Pryor’s progression, and he responded saying he’s done very well, but were not gonna know until game time. Tress also stated how its been awhile since our team has been this young at different positions, and he’s looking forward to see who steps up and makes positive things happen for us. He was asked how some other Conference teams have scheduled games in December this yr, and what he thought about the lag time between Bowls and how it affects teams. He sort of responded by stating the pros pf both views of the debate. But he prefers how it is, he said that we won Bowl games and a National Title with 30 or 40 days off, and we’ve lost a couple as well. But he concluded to that question that the Conference as a whole will decide down the road what’s best , whether adding another team or scheduling later games. In his opening statement he mentioned how important this September is gonna be for our season ( its gonna tell alot of things ) , he mentioned Navy coming into Columbus , saying that a armed forces academy hasn’t come to the Shoe since the 1930′s . He mentioned the Sept. 12th meeting with SC………..in his words ” we have SC on Sept. 12 th , and thats self explanatory ” . I have a feeling Tress has been prepping that game for a while now .
I stopped watching after Tress was done. JoePa and Ferentz were on deck , but I had to walk my dogs. So anyway , thats my scoop on the first half of the Big Ten media coverage…………..
Huh. I watched Tressel eventually, since the video was hosted by the Big Ten Network’s website. I did not watch (nor ultimately care) about anyone else.
I saw on 11w’s Twitter feed that someone asked RichRod about Pryor and that Rodriguez was not the least bit interested in talking about the one that got away. Explicitly saying that he “doesn’t care” is curious, and not without precedent. I seem to remember him taking such a curt, abrasive tone towards Ryan Mallett even when he was on his way out of the program. http://www.freep.com/article/20080109/SPORTS06/801090414/
If I remember correctly, I think he even mentioned Mallett’s disinterest in WVU when Rodriguez was still there and trying to recruit him. I can’t source that one, so maybe I’m remembering wrong.
For every Kurt Wermers who invokes that claim of “eroding family values” duplicitously, Rodriguez still leaves some things that support what Justin Boren said on his way out. He should probably not do that.
Vico , I have smelled a foul odor from RichRod day one. I know it’s T.S.U.N , but they deserve better than this poor excuse for a coach / human being they have now. I mean this guy would screw your dog in your backyard if you weren’t paying attention.
Sorry everyone, but around my house he’s known by one name only: DickRod. Even my wife calls him that(not in front of the youngest ones) But even in front of the teens. LOL. Nothing made me laugh harder than the weasel blogs after Boren turned away from the dark side. Suddenly, this alll conference lineman was a softy and lazy and sucked. Based on what we have heard from the spring, he’s proven to be anything but that (OK in fairness, the real facts won’t be known until he’s not hitting another silver helmet). Pappy always said where there is smoke there is fire. Plus, I heard Glenn Close…errr the WVU co-ed Mrs Rodriguez wanted to move away from, has transferred to Ann Arbor. They deserve each other (The city and the coach)