The King Is Dead - Make Room For A New One
by BSD on Sep 14, 2009 12:00 PM EDT
in Football
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As I watched Ohio State snatch defeat from the jaws of victory on Saturday night, I was struck by a thought. Winning the National Championship in 2002 may have been the worst thing that could have happened to Ohio State fans. I say this because I believe that game cemented "Tressel Ball" into the mind of their head coach forever. Penn State fans know the formula all too well: Play tough defense, run the ball, play conservative, and hope you can hang on for the win. It's a formula that will win you a lot of football games against lesser teams where your talent is good enough to overcome anything. But against teams that can match up with you man-for-man, it's usually a recipe for disappointment. Though once in a blue moon it works to perfection and you pull off a miracle like Ohio State did in 2002 and Penn State did in 1986.
Congratulations, Ohio State. You have a five star quarterback that can't read defenses. He stares down his receivers, throws off his back foot, and forces passes he has no business throwing. On top of that, he's an inarticulate headcase who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut leaving one to suspect he has some self esteem issues he's trying to mask. Your head coach has put all his eggs in said quarterback's basket. He knows the deficiencies, but he also knows it's too late to switch horses in this race. He's afraid to take chances, like when he didn't want to even try a 52 yard field goal just before halftime. Or when he opted later in the game to kick a field goal on fourth and goal to put the game in the hands of his defense rather than try to drive the dagger home.
I know all too well what it's like to have the ball in the hands of your five star quarterback with a minute to go and the game on the line and watch him fail. It must have been a helpless feeling to watch your five-star quarterback melt the game away in futile play after futile play. An intentional grounding, a scramble that didn't get out of bounds, a four yard pass, and a helpless Hail Mary that falls to the turf. Game over.
Congratulations, Ohio State. You are now Penn State circa 2006, and your quarterback is Anthony Morelli.
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Beautiful
Wow. Fresh perspective from MikePa, a long time coming. Nice work!
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
great post
Implicit in this argument is that the dark years of psu football in the early 2000s were really good for JoePa and the program in the long-run, because they forced a re-evaluation of the traditional power-football approach. And I don’t disagree with that either.
I wouldn't trust old rooster me neither.
The parallels between Ohio State 2009 and Penn State 2006 are stark. Before the season I know I wasn’t the only one who felt that Morelli and Pryor had many many things in common, and the result is crushing.
Here’s to hoping Tressel doesn’t change to the backup QB, because that kid can throw the ball. IMO he outplayed Pryor in the spring game. If they stick Pryor at WR and Bauserman at QB they’re a top 5 team.
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
When Pryor declares for the draft early (it has to be, I can’t see him fulfilling his education) what do you think he will list himself as? A QB or a WR? Unless he dramatically improves as a signal caller, which he can, he is still only a sophomore, I see most teams wanting him as a receiver. If this is the case, could he pull the diva card and claim that he will only play in the NFL as a QB, thereby alienating a good majority of the teams? I could see this being pretty ugly for him down the line and pretty awesome for us.
by Bob Sacamano on Sep 14, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Two words
Eric Crouch
"In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
You're being to generous
I’m more thinking Xavier Lee.
I was referring more
to any forays into the NFL. Wanting to be a QB in the NFL, not getting his way, crying his way the the Free Agency list…
"In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
yeah
You have to imagine Pryor went to Ohio State mostly b/c they’d make him into an NFL QB. He takes snaps under center, he drops back sometimes. In that regard he’s already much more prepared for the NFL QB position than his royal highness Tebow who almost never takes a snap from under center.
Anyway that leads me to believe he really thinks of himself as a QB, as a future NFL QB for sure… Fotunately for him the zone-read wildcat thing is now popular, so I see him going as a QB…
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
Because...
…the NFL is full of Buckeye QBs. No offense but historically OSU does not put alot of QBs in the league.
"Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got."
Two words.........
Mike Tomczak.
No joke. This is the best QB tOSU has ever put into the NFL. I think Troy Smith winning the Heisman for whatever reason played a factor in Pryor’s decision. I believe Pryor sees a little of Smith in himself.
good lord...
I suffered with that A-hole for years as a Bears fan… thanks for bringing that memory back
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member
by TheMightyErik on Sep 14, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Ouch.
To be fair, Pryor didn’t sling INT after INT in the 4th quarter of a close game at Ohio Stadium like Anth*ny M*relli.
not sure I've seen it posted yet
So, gradulations on two very fine first weeks of pickem! Those are two wicked scores you posted.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
No, and he didn't throw an INT in this game either
He threw a perfect pass to a LB. It was so perfect, I don’t even think they should count it as a an INT.
Anyone happen to have a picture of Pryor
At the end of the game. I vaguely remember (thanks to many, many beers), but I remember seeing cryor walking off the field at the end of the game, and he just had the whiniest, pissiest, spoiled-little-brat-didn’t-get-his-way look on his face. I want to do some photoshop fun with the picture, but can’t seem to find it.
If anyone has a gallery link to pictures from the game, that would work too.
I bleed Blue and White.
I know the look you speak of
I’m now regretting I didn’t record the game.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, that is rich
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Lovely work!
An easy, easy +1.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!
"Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got."
I disagree
Shouldn’t give any kind of gradulations to…“those people”.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
too late
for me. I’m a sucker for reading behind enemy lines.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
I’m a sucker for going behind enemy lines and being brainwashed by Domers and used for propaganda.
FIXED. I’m now calling you “South Bend Sally”.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The owners of the Student Bookstore would like to admonish against abbreviating that
"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno
by leeharvey418 on Sep 14, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
uh oh
And all this after watching my first nick make it all the way to verb status.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
My Zug...
This may bring some high quality trolls, me thinks.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
See "Bobby Bowden is pathetic" and the Zug vs. Leman poll
:)
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
In Scores of Other Games
With 3:00 left in the Fourth Quarter…
Jacksonville State 9….
……………………………………………………………..
Florida State………………………………………7
Ooooooooooooooooooooooo……..
"far less knowledgeable than the average poster here"
Suck it Bowden
Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good.
by psu on Sep 14, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
F$U would have credited him with the wins anyway
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member
by TheMightyErik on Sep 14, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Tressell ball [re-thought]
You know, if he runs out the clock at the end of the first half, which USC seemed more than content to let Ohio State do, he saves three points.
Instead he let the dummy try to make a couple of plays, and they wound up punting.
"far less knowledgeable than the average poster here"
Morelli
would be a step up, I would think.
"the secret to loving your job is having a hobby that you really despise"
It's really a wash
Pryor can at least scramble if he has to. But that first interception was textbook Morelli. Stare them receivers down, Vick, Jr!
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
the fumble machine?
Lets think of the possible outcomes:
1) “1st and 10. F—k it, I’m going deep”
2)“Crap. Getting blitzed. Lets run back 15 yards so I can go deep”
3)“Crap. Getting blitzed. Lets run and fumble it (hopefully out of bounds”
am i forgetting anything?
by Artiefufkin10 on Sep 14, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Canolipants is open!!!
Wide open on that sideline! Awesome, I’ll throw the ball 20 feet in the air and hit him right between the numbers!
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
Wrong, wrong, wrong
2006 PENN STATE OFFENSE
1st and 10: Bubble screen to Butler. One yard gain
2nd and 9: False start on Ohrnberger.
2nd and 14: Draw to Hunt. Two yard gain
3rd and 12: Out pattern to Norwood. Intercepted. Returned for touchdown.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
"Something"
AKA Tony Hunt.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Tony Hunt: Much tougher than you, and he knows it.
BSD
by KevinHD on Sep 14, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Obligatory
"We heard all that talk all week about the SEC and their speed, but we knew personally that they weren't nearly as tough as us."
-Tony Hunt
Ohrnberger
Even though he became good over time, I’ve always associated him with that false start on 4th and goal from the 1 against Ohio State back in ’06.
It's clearly still sitting with you
So if you bumped into him oneday IRL, would you bring it up?
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
Nope
Don’t see what purpose it would serve, plus he went on to have a fine career. I was at the game in Columbus, though. That’s why the memory is so vivid.
About as much purpose
as droppin a steamer on a hockey party?
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
I know
That post was a long time ago, but that’s why my memory is so vivid.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
Yeah
Sooner or later that post is going to come back to bite me in the ass. The line to the bathroom was so long too. College was fun.
As it stands now, tho
It was your ass that was doing the biting.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
Here's a prediction
I totally agree with Mike that except for rare examples (86 & 02 Fiesta) Talent & Daring > Mistake Free Execution almost everytime. Especially at the upper-tier of college footballl (think M-Rob or Vince Young in 05).
I think scUM is going to beat OSU consistenly over the next three years (read TP Era) using this formula. The OSU loss this past weekend (not to mention all of the other high profile defeats) planted the seed that will eventually lead to the end of Tressel. He will retire shortly after TP graduates.
in his case, he my gradulate... or whatever
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member
by TheMightyErik on Sep 14, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Some fair points
If Pryor doesn’t get better by next year, the QB14 comparison is right on. He still is the most gifted QB in the B11. Like QB14, he can’t execute plays he has the tools to – and it’s purely mental. Ron Powlus ran the option better than TP.
However, I think the Tresselball stereotype is a little unfair. They opened it up when they had Troy Smith.
by InScoresOfOtherGames on Sep 14, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions
I think you are
forgetting about a certain DC17….
"That's why you don't play! 'Cuz you're no good!" -Joe Paterno
To be fair, though
‘Gifted’ athletes typically know how to use their gifts.
"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno
by leeharvey418 on Sep 14, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Pryor and Morelli
I think Jimmy is going to do what Joe did with Morelli and not bench him under any circumstance. It’s obvious that Pryor has confidence issues, especially when he faces adversity. He has never experienced failure, so he does not know how to act or react when it comes.
PSU stuck with Morelli for fear that if we put Clark in for a play, Morelli would just curl up in a ball. OSU is going to have this same problem. Regardless of how great the backup QB is….OSU is riding and dying with Pryor.
"I'm not affraid to compete"
~Robert Bolden
Media Pick
for Big Ten Pre-season Player of the Year. Good job media, you really nailed that one by picking him over the returning Big Ten Player of the Year.
Wasn't it Clark?
Or am I still hungover from the weekend?
Laughing at the "He's only a sophmore" delusion
Next year, he’s a junior. And what happens after that?
If he were any other kid, I’d give him a pass for being young. But the hype surrounding TP has been cultivated by both the media and himself, and so far NOTHING has been farther from the truth. For everything we have heard about him, he should have AT LEAST pulled a Matt Barkley. And even then, he would not have lived up to anything close to what was expected.
This is more like 
& 
than
Is that Vanilla Ice?
"Red, it took me sixteen years to get here. You play me, and I'll give ya the best I got."
No, that's Michelle Wie
"I thought the kid we were using had the potential to be a good quarterback, and I blew that one." - Joseph V. Paterno
by leeharvey418 on Sep 14, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
did you realize QB14 has an 8 month old daughter?
No son to join the F_ _K it i’m going deep club…yet
"I'm not affraid to compete"
~Robert Bolden
Not to pop your metaphor
But Michelle Wie has had a heck of a year on the LPGA. No wins, but three top 3 finishes and had an outstanding performance at the Solheim Cup.
But how did she start out?
Overhyped, maybe?
by Mr. Rosewater on Sep 14, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
I’ve been warning OSU fans that the kid is careening towards a Clarett for some time now. Although, to be fair, Clarett was a damn good, heady player before all the . . . stuff.
by InScoresOfOtherGames on Sep 14, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
This post is the equivalent of setting fire to the internet.
--
"Not everybody is the perfect person in the world. Everyone does - kills people, murders people, steals from you, steals from me." -- Terrelle Pryor
by Run Up The Score on Sep 14, 2009 1:33 PM EDT reply actions
Ya think?
Do you suppose anyone will link to it?
This must be what it feels like to be Dennis Dodd.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Do you feel your ego inflating? Do you have the urge to write the 356000th article bashing the “Weak Televen” for being slow? Are you constantly pointing out the age of Joe Paterno?
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
THAT. IS. AWESOME
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Watch out for that first step, it’s a doozy!
by Bob Sacamano on Sep 14, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
WOW...just WOW
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
that's not really J.T.
no sweater vest
Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won't taste good.
Deconstructing: The grisly demise of 'Tresselball'
There’s no sugar-coating this: Jim Tressel and his staff were outcoached against Southern Cal and Pete Carroll, . Again. Particularly on offense, Ohio State’s gameplan against the Trojans was utter rubbish, and it failed to meet the number one requirement of every gameplan: put your players in position to succeed.
When I watched the game live, I was struck by what I considered poor playcalling and mediocre execution. ….
I don’t agree with this. It’s an easy excuse to say “he was outcoached.” McKnight wasn’t shut down for 3.5 quarters because his coach was better than the Ohio State one. A lot of his decisions didn’t work out but I can understand most of them.
Everyone has been all over him for his last 2nd quarter moves, but then they turn right around and call him too conservative during that final offensive drive that ended in a punt. You can’t have it both ways.
BSD
by KevinHD on Sep 14, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
That was another great, great game. CFB is like that: outcomes can turn on single plays. That diving punt blocker is a half a foot to the other side? Different outcome.
I think MikePa’s got close to the right read on this original comparison. My money’s on Tressel to, like JoePa has, adapt.
However eventually.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
I don't know
Tressel has now lost five straight big games to big time OOC opponents. No changes so far.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
That article reminds me of our offense
circa late 90’s, early 00’s. Remember when Michigan’s players said they always knew exactly what we were gong to run? When Tubby from Toledo was up in his booth high-fiving and laughing at us?
yes...
it was very damning. Complete rip job. Seemed to make some good points, but I don’t know enough about schemes and x&o’s to know how on target the assessements were.
Never mistake effort for achievement.
by Esteban d' Amur on Sep 14, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I read Smart Football pretty regularly, they’re good and have a good understanding of the x’s and o’s. Read the article about constraint plays. It can serve as a background for this article, and after reading it you can understand the points they make that Tressel didn’t take advantage of the defensive looks that USC was giving them (i.e. Not taking advantage of bubble screens when USC was giving you an open look).
by Screen Name 20 on Sep 14, 2009 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Has anyone read any OSU blogs?
What’s the mood? Are people ready to jump off the TP bandwagon or is it just a bump inthe road to their eventual NC?
"We hugged as grown men do. It was a great moment. Then, it was business as usual." -- LJ Sr.
General consensus
Barkley vastly outplayed Pryor who should be much further along in his development.
A lot of anger at Tressel for the offense looking terrible once again.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
Navy's QB outplayed him
It’s not looking good.
by Mr. Rosewater on Sep 14, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I read two of them
Bucknuts and We Will Always Have Terry Porter. Polar opposites, really. Sam is reasoned and remains prideful, which I think I would be if I were a bucks fan. Bucknuts, not so much.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
Terry Porter
Cough it was a penalty cough cough.
DO YOU HAVE PRIDE, DANNY?
by ReadingRambler on Sep 14, 2009 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
By the time Pryor is ready for the draft
the wildcat offense will be history. I just can’t see him in any other QB role in the NFL.
Pryor= Brad Smith...or Matt Jones (with or without drug use)
"I'm not affraid to compete"
~Robert Bolden
If he swallowed his pride, he would be a great WR IMO
That kind of size and athleticism combo is rare at that position. But I don’t see him being willing to play WR. Athleticism doesn’t help you read a D or throw a spiral the way it helps you juke defenders and create separation.
Black Shoes. Basic Blues. No Name. All Game.
"Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth."
OSU has a LOT of work to do
but just as interesting, USC seems to have quite a bit to do themselves. I could see us beating USC in the Rose Bowl IF they make it that far.
As for Ohio State, they’ll probably finish top three in the conference, but I think they’re probably only going to be the 4th best by the time the year’s out once teams work out the kinks.
In related news, has anyone ever seen so many near-upsets without too many actual upsets as they have this year? It’s taking forever to shake the dust off.
Pryor not bad -- but he's not what Bucks are expecting, either
Fifteen games into a career he hoped would lead quickly to the NFL, Terrelle Pryor has yet to win a big game. Dennis Dodd says OSU hopes the phenom takes that next step soon.
ESPN College Gameday
Did anyone see Desmond Howard pick USC because “he really likes Bill Withers, and Carroll had Bill Withers come to practice one day after one of the freshman starting singing ‘Lean on Me’”? I know it’s OK to have some fun with this predictions business, but I’d appreciate some degree of analysis with your prediction.
I did see that, it was pointless, had nothing to do with anything and made me hate ESPN so much more than I already do.
by Bob Sacamano on Sep 14, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn't a truely wise man note the link between Morelli & Pryor back in July?
Well, maybe not, but I did: http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2009/7/29/965950/nitt-picks-is-defiling-your#18880206
How many times did we hear about each of them having worked with his receivers over the summer, taking on a leadership role, etc.?
Born and raised in the shadow of Mount Nittany
I really don't think this is a failure of Tresselball.
I think it’s a testament to its success that OSU made it as close as they did. Let’s not forget how good USC is.
If OSU had a more competent QB, the game would’ve been over by the 4th quarter. Just like if Boeckman had been throwing to Pryor for most of last year (and not just the Fiesta Bowl) we would have been torched in the ’Shoe.
You’re right about Pryor being the new he-who-must-not-be-named, though. Unless Tressel realizes this, and has the guts to do something about it, OSU can get used to 3 more years of big game heartbreak (and even worse, being beaten by DickRod. Gosh, that almost makes me feel bad for them). Still I’m not looking forward to matching our O line against OSU’s D. They looked freaking good.
USC's not that good this year... MANY are picking them to finish 2nd in the Pac 10
… though Oregon was one of their main competitors…
I agree
Somebody is going to knock off USC soon. They will have a game where their offense struggles and the other team manages to put 17 points on the board and steal one.
Mike
Black Shoe Diaries
And hopefully it's one of those ones that really looks bad for them
where they get to caught up in their own hype that they blow it, a la OrSU last year.
said it before... Cal on 10/5 gonna be tough for USC
if they thought Herron was tough wait til they get a look at that 2 headed monster that Cal has in the backfield
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member
by TheMightyErik on Sep 14, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions
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