TP running the ball 22 times is fine by me... but what I have a problem with is how they are making him do it. I'm sick of him going east/west all the time. Look at how Tebow and McCoy run. Fake the handoff to Lamaar Thomas and run up the middle.
pryor can't run up the middle because he never falls forward and doesn't know how to lower his shoulder... and if you're going to run up the middle why not incorporate the wildcat with somebody like thomas...
its ok taylor graham will start next year and TP will be the #1 pick in the 2010 draft...at wr lol...
You guys must know a lot more about Thomas than I do. All I've seen from him is inconsistency at WR, and more muffed kick-offs than I care to remember.
That may be true... however do you think we are utilizing him to his strengths? I like the idea of putting him in at wildcat. Maybe he could be more effective if he was running instead of catching the ball.
I'm just starting to awaken from my post-loss coma. All I can say is we really need to get back to the 'toughness' that football is all about. Tressel doesn't seem to have it. It has always seemed like TP has jut been patted on the back and told "better luck next time" after a bad performance. He took the role away from a senior when he was a freshman, he needs to be reminded that next year that could happen again.
I think a big problem is the coaching situation. Cowherd puts it best: You don't want to surround yourself with guys who are content to be assistants. You want to go out and find the rising Pete Carrolls and Urban Meyers.. the guys who are hungry to be #1. All Tress has is a bunch of guys who are content where they are and will NEVER be #1 coaches.
I re-watched the game earlier tonight(poor me) and came out with some more observations. #1 Ray Small should not be returning punts if he can't hold on to the ball, I would prefer someone who can hold on to the ball instead of someone who is explosive but can't hold on. Replace Ray Small on punt returns with Lamaar Thomas or someone else, and hope for the best. #2 I realize that people think it's stupid when we say 'we didn't use Pryor to his strengths' during the game, especially considering he ran the ball 21 times, but as you saw last year, Pryor's strength isn't 'running the ball', it's dropping back to pass and if he doesn't get an open man go for the first down(like he did last year). #3 Don't abandon the run, why we did this makes no sense to me, Brandon Saine had 7 carries THE WHOLE GAME... He wasn't having an amazing game but he was averaging 4.6 a carry, that's not great but it's definitely good enough to hand him the ball, especially if you actually wanna win the game. #4 We obviously went into this game with the thought 'These guys aren't that good, so we'll just let Pryor try and work on his passing game', BIG MISTAKE(obviously), I don't get how you can look over a team who has played the majority of their games(even against quality opponents like Notre Dame) close. #5 There was something wrong with Pryor this game, I don't mean physically, but mentally, I've never seen him throw off his back foot and be messed up so bad mechanically. There were several times(not just the plays that he threw interceptions) that he would overthrow/under throw his wide open receivers because he's throwing off his back foot, and if you look closely, if his footwork is right he does not miss his receivers. #6 All year our front 4 have provided us with a good enough pass rush and a good enough run defense that our secondary hasn't needed to perform, and in a game where we were missing Larimore, it was obvious. #7 In a game full of disappointments, DeVier Posey and Kurt Coleman REALLY impressed me, Coleman might be one of the smartest damn football players I've ever seen. #8 What is with our obsession with the QB draw? how many times has it ACTUALLY worked this season? This team needs an identity, and they need one bad, defensively we've got a sick d-line, and that's the front and back bone of our defense. Offensively, what are we doing? for as long as I can remember this team ran the ball, our RBs might not be great but they are certainly competent and good enough to get the job done, I guarantee you if you give Brandon Saine the ball 20 times against Purdue he's got over 100 and 2+ TDs, but instead of Purdue stopping him, Ohio State stopped him on their own by just giving up on the run game for what seemed to be no reason. Best case scenario this team goes to the Rose Bowl with a Big Ten title, but I don't see us losing to anyone else the rest of the season with the exception of Iowa and Penn State, and if Tressel wants the fans to re-gain support for him, he better win those two games.
They went back to doing it just in haunted houses they set up around the park instead of filling the whole park with smoke machines and creepers. It was still good, but I do like the other way better.
wow that's disappointing. It was awesome (and more fun) when people were walking around the park too.
I definitely think motivation wasn't there for this game. I bet these guys thought they could breeze by Purdue and handle them at will.
after i had a day to think about it. i just think the youth and inexperience showed on saturday. i understand the fact that these guys need to step up. but whatever we are looking for we won't see it this year. we have a lot of potential from our oline to our wr. having potential is one thing and converting that to success is another. it's going to take some time. i myself am not hitting the panic button just yet. i honestly feel this team won't win the big ten this year. the offense is not consistent enough. our defense is good enough to shut down teams and create opportunities. i feel we can still win against minnesota, new mexico st, iowa, and michigan. going on the road to happy valley is another problem. if we can stop the bleeding when it comes to turnovers we may have a chance to win out. pryor and everyone on the offense need to step up. progress forward not backward at this point in time. not asking for flashy plays or blow outs just points. as much as i hate FG's i will take them at this point. at least give our defense time to rest and get back at it. this season isn't lost like some buckeye fans have already claim. JT isn't going to get a offense of play caller anytime soon and pryor is not going to start slinging the ball like tom brady. we have to make due with what we have and find our strengths. i would like to run a no huddle a few times and see how the offense responds to it. we did the past 2 games and we moved the ball. change the pace a little bit and see what happens. this will also wear on the other defense a little bit. if it doesn't work then scratch it. at this point anything is worth a try.
Keep in mind; this is the same group that lost to the number 3-5 team in the nation, pending which poll you like or follow, and should have won... Maybe the next game or two we get a red-ass and start taking it out on opponents the way we should during all games! Never quit and never say never! If we do not beat Minnesota like a drum, then yes it will be a frustrating finish to 09. Go Bucks! P.S. We all feel the pain, now it is time to share!
This goes back to what lout8 is talking about. Very, very young team. With youth comes turnovers, penalties, and inconsistency. I don't care who is coaching these kids, when you take a group comprised mostly of 19 and 20 year-olds on the road, you're going to have problems. I agree though, this team is much better than Saturday's performance.
That is exactly what is so frustrating.........there is a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball...............youth is hurting us...... Just my opinion but this is the second worst loss in the Tressel era............the Iowa game was the worst in my opinion..........that team quit on the field............. Saturday I saw a team continue to fight until the end...........
As frustrated as I am with this team after last Saturday, I have to agree with Junkie. Despite a terrible first 3 quarters of play, we came back within one possession of tying the game up and going to overtime. In fact, if Pryor's final pass was thrown a little bit longer, then we might be talking about a different outcome. It doesn't make this loss hurt any less, but at least we aren't giving up. We're learning, and (IMO) we are still progressing. Maybe Pryor has hit a sophomore slump in the learning curve, but you're kidding yourself if you think Graham is going to come in next year and save the program. Remember, Tebow went 9-4 his sophomore year, Bradford went 11-3, and McCoy went 10-3. In his REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE year, Troy Smith went 8-4 overall. You guys should know that I'm not the most kool-aide saavy poster on this site, but let's give it time.
Scout.com (Free) Tressel: Focus Lacked Prior To Purdue.................... Scout.com$ Buckeyes Admit To Overlooking Purdue....................
I just caught the 3rd quarter again on BTN. Man that looked soo bad. At one point, in a span of 5 passes, we threw two picks and another was dropped. But what was really bad that I haven't really seen was Pryor slamming his helmet (while still on the field) and yelling at Duron Carter. Carter could've made a much better attempt at the ball with one of the picks. And then there was Posey throwing up his arms and yelling at Pryor when he threw a near-interception on the next drive. A few of you guys have mentioned that the offense is lacking leadership, and I agree 100%. And it doesn't even have to be one guy. Our defense shows great cohesion even without that great All-American senior (think Laurinitis or Hawk).