Buckeye Blogger Network
Do you feel lucky, Bucks?
For those Buckeye fans who are more than ready to talk some football, today was a good day.
First up, Ohio State Head Coach Luke Fickell joined Dan Patrick today and talked about his status,
Seemed a lot more relaxed than at the BTN Interview and press conference… although, the Taylor Swift things makes me a little nervous.
This afternoon, the “conversation” continued, as four members of the Ohio State football team met with the media for a scheduled time of Q&A. Unscheduled, and welcomed, were comments from Coach Fickell, who joined Buckeye Seniors Joe Bauserman, Mike Brewster, and Nate Oliver as well as John “The Sandman” Simon.
Eric welcomes new tBBC member Jason Winrow with a podcast all his own!
Jason played Offensive Line (Guard) for Ohio State from 1990-1993, eventually being drafted by the New York Giants. He now writes for us here at the BBC, as well as his own blog “The State of College Football”.
Jason and Eric talk the NCAA/OSU situation, Amateurism – with a special look at Jason’s vision for a College Football Playoff – Jim Tressel and Luke Fickell!
Jason has some fascinating things to say, so make certain not to miss it!
Also, make sure to subscribe on iTunes so that you’ll be up to date with the latest from our writers and guests.
The saga continues for Ohio State and it’s former quarterback Terrelle Pryor. After announcing he was leaving Ohio State, the drama has continued for the signal caller who was once considered so talented he could become the best dual-threat quarterback in college football history. Since his decision to depart from the university, the stories have continue to swirl.
What is Pryor, the media, and his lawyer saying about the future? Well it’s all up in the air at this point.
tBBC Investigative Reporter Westy drops in to provide another point of view on the recent Terrelle Pryor news.
Continuing the excellent tradition, of having No Clue At All
I had a rough day talking about Buckeye football yesterday, so to prevent myself from getting all preachy to the OSU fan base in my first ever blog post, I’ve decided to take a step back and let feelings and facts simmer for a while before commenting on the events of yesterday. So lets try something different for now….
I want you to picture something for me, an alternate life for yourself.
Let’s imagine you’re 18. You’re 18 years old, and you’re about to graduate High School. Now by the good grace of God you happen to be a financial genius. You have the talent and the know how to go into the stock market and start earning hundreds of thousands, if not hundreds of millions of dollars. People are already beginning to whisper that you may be the next Warren Buffet, or possibly even greater! But there’s one problem. Wall Street recently decided to enact a rule that you have to be at least three years removed from High School in order to trade stocks.
This is devastating news for you isn’t it? What are you going to do now? Get a job at McDonalds or something for three years? Maybe you can go trade stocks in the Canadian Stock Market? But wait, there is still hope! Lucky for you the local University has a program for people just like you. They are going to offer you free room and board, along with a pretty nice monthly stipend of $1000. You’ll get to practice trading on the stock market under a legendary financial guru, one of the best of his time. On a frequent basis you’re going to have a place to show off your talents to the big whigs running financial firms on Wall Street. Assuming you live up to your potential, they’re going to be licking their chops to get at you when your three years are up. The University is even going to give you free tuition towards a degree in finance! In return all they ask is that you go out into the stock market and use your talent and trade in their name. Use your talent and make them millions of dollars, millions upon millions of dollars. If you’re talented enough you might even make them hundreds of millions of dollars.
We wrote on Tuesday about former three time Academic All Conference QB Terrelle Pryor’s decision to end his career at Ohio State, a move that was a surprise of sorts to many Buckeye fans.
Certainly, there were reasons to speculate that he’d played his last in the Scarlet and Grey, but given his legal team’s remarks last week that he was planning on completing the season, it seemed strange for this move at this time. Particularly given the NFL lockout, his recent evaluation, and his recovery from off-season surgery.
Innocent autograph, or Bigger problem?
Late Tuesday night, news broke that may have answered the “Why Now?” question. First, ESPN reported via Outside the Lines that a former friend of Pryor’s has stated that Terrelle received between $2ok and $40k during his tenure with the Buckeyes by signing memorabilia for free-lance photographer Dennis Talbott.
The former friend, who is identified only as someone who was with Pryor every day until they had a falling out, saw Talbott provide Pryor with merchandise and with cash and checks. In addition, this source has indicated that Pryor’s celebrity resulted in his receiving numerous loaner cars and free tattoos (reinforcing earlier concerns), as well as free meals and preferential treatment at various Columbus area establishments.
Pryor’s lawyer stated adamantly that his client did none of the things alleged in the report, which went on to describe Pryor’s purchasing habits and verified expenditures on some “lavish” items including those from Gucci.
Terrelle Pryor in 2009 Fiesta Bowl
Per his lawyer, Terrelle Pryor has decided to end his Ohio State playing career.
Pryor released the following statement through his lawyer,
In the best interest of my teammates, I have made the decision to forego my senior year of football at The Ohio State University
This is a not-too-surprising move for the embattled quarterback, who was discovered in December to have sold championship memorabilia for cash and discounts on tattoos. Pryor has taken a lot of heat (fairly or unfairly) in recent months for his car addiction, and for being the reason for Jim Tressel’s forced resignation.
It is unclear at this time what Pryor will do and whether he will be able to enter the NFL Supplemental Draft. To enter the supplemental draft would require his eligibility status to officially change. Pryor’s sudden decision could indicate an upcoming announcement regarding any further suspensions. Any guess as to where Pryor may be headed is at best speculation at this point.
Stay tuned with the Buckeye Battle Cry as we follow this developing story.
UPDATE:
The University has released the following statements to the media.
Athletic Director Gene Smith: “We understand Terrelle’s decision and wish him well in this next phase of his life. We hope he returns to The Ohio State University one day to finish his degree.”
Head Coach Luke Fickell: “I was notified this evening that Terrelle has decided to pursue a professional career. I wish him the best in his pursuits.”
UPDATE 2:
ESPN is reporting that Terrelle Pryor may have earned up to $40,000 signing memorabilia. If true – the source is unnamed and as yet unsubstantiated – it would represent a major change in the tone of the NCAA investigations against Pryor.
It is unclear what effect this might have on the football program as a whole, particularly as very little information on the NCAA investigation has been released to the media. We’ll continue to update as things unfold.
I know that is a very loaded title, but I feel it best suits my current thoughts.
It is what it is...
I understand the Mark May’s and Desmond Howard’s of the world taking every chance they get to smear the Ohio State University and our transgressions- they have been waiting for this day for so long. We have been a top program for the last decade and America likes to see the giant fall.
If it was Michigan, Florida, Texas, Oregon, Auburn we would probably jump on that train as well; unless you are of the opinion those that live in glass houses don’t throw stones. Those are the haters that you brush off though, because they always do so out of spite and dislike and they never go away. It hurts sometimes to be the brunt of jokes, but get back to doing what we should be and everything will be fine.
What is hard to fathom is how we handle our own. How many ex-Buckeye players, media, or fans have you heard badmouth Coach Tressel and Terrelle Pryor, for example? Or what about “snitching” or calling for the heads of your own president to be turned over on a silver platter? I completely understand some constructive criticism, but comments like “fake buckeye”, “I hate so and so”, “This player should be kicked off the team”, etc. coming from our own fans hurt.
Opposite of Shakespeare
Here are your updates from Thursday-
Legally Speaking*
Responses from Youngstown
Other Buckeyes In The News
