Put Up or Shut Up?
Now that the curtain has mercilessly fallen on the vexing career of Ray Small coupled with the reality that Duron Carter is in need of some freshman forgiveness, might it be time to demand that Taurian Washington and Lamaar Thomas put up or shut up?
Does Pryor have confidence in T-Wash?In their defense, it’s not as if Mr. April and Flash are directly quoted each week as saying they might transfer barring a spike in playing time but that doesn’t take away the frustration of hearing these rumblings throughout the season when both have floundered in their admittedly limited opportunities.
Specifically, Washington has received his fair share of love from those who roam these here parts mostly the result of some spectacular spring game stats including a 4 for 92 showing this past season after hauling in a long TD from Joe Bauserman the spring prior. Of course, those efforts proved nothing more than skinny jeaned teasers after Washington started the season with a drop against the Penguins then added a few more in extremely spot duty before going ghost with zero catches on the year leaving the junior at three career receptions against 70 transfer rumors.
Even though many expect Tressel to try and run the Ducks to death, there were still be plenty of three receivers sets so Washington should see his share of snaps. Any chance he steps up and makes a big play or two? If not, are you more than willing to accept Washington moving on or do you like him from a depth perspective heading into 2010? Personally, I’ve always felt like Grant Schwartz was every bit the receiver Washington is so I’m indifferent on a potential transfer excepting a Rose Bowl blow up.
Impatiently waiting for speed to kill…Thomas is another wild card as he continues to struggle with the transition from high school all-purpose running back to big time college football receiver. He actually regressed statistically as a receiver this year with just one reception after blowing up for three as a true freshman. Though he doesn’t possess the prototype receiver’s body that T-Wash features, it’s likely Thomas will also get his fair share of slot reps against Oregon. If nothing else, Tressel could be more at ease with the fact Flash has seen regular playing time albeit as a kick returner (18 for 376). Again, I ask, if Thomas doesn’t do anything spectacular, are you disinterested with whether or not he stays or goes?
Unfortunately, waiting on either of these guys to do something special on offense could be a fruitless exercise since OSU’s 106th rated passing attack doesn’t usually involve the third receiver beyond window dressing and even if it does, you have to wonder if Tressel won’t fill that slot with Brandon Saine now that both he and Boom Herron are healthy or the Vest could even elect to give Jake Stoneburner some looks against Oregon’s 37th rated pass defense.
So what say you, will Thomas and/or Washington seize the opportunity and make a big play?
I go back to my previous comment. I don’t think that, after 4 years, this was going to be the game where OSU was going to feature Ray Small as a WR. As such, I don’t look for or expect much from any of our WRs in this game. See the Michigan game. JT may try to go up top, if and only if it’s there (and more than likely to D. Posey) but not more than once or twice. It’s the running game, folks. If the running game isn’t working it’s going to be a long night.
One frustration I have had, looking at T-Wash and Flash is that they would be great for slant routes. Ah-ha… since T. Smith to S. Holmes, when have you seen the slant route!? Maybe…just maybe… they’ve been working on that in the last 5 weeks!?! Oh, how hitting a few slant routes could open up the running game?!!? Or am I dreaming?!
dreaming.
I’d love for that not to be a dream but I’m thinking the vest is going to pound the rock on those undersized LB’s all day. What I’m looking for is the o-line to continue beast-mode. If that happens we should be okay. Not sure how much the PAC10 face plant in the recent bowls speak to Oregon but I like seeing that thus far the conference is looking non to impressive. Or the MWC is actually good? Given their timezone I never see their games so I’m not quite sure. I would love to see BC beat on The SUV’s, er, USC though.
Well the last time the Ducks went down, Gerhart ran wild. I too expect Tress to take a note from that book, and employ the services of Boom and Zoom quite extensively. I also expect alot of the “buckwild” formation.
The question for me? Is Pryor recovered from the “alleged” injuries? I think the mobility he lost from the bum-hammy forced him to scrap the option to run and look for better options.
but don´t you think chip kelly will be expecting that?
I’m more interested in seeing Flash get more involved. You can’t teach speed and I’d hate to see him take that talent elsewhere…
Where are the TGII packages? (i.e. reverses, WR sweeps) I’d rather see him run the “Buck-Wild” instead of Boom.
I know I’m dreaming too, but I think Flash takes one to the house in the Rose Bowl.
You’re dreaming. I’m pretty sure Flash is suffering from “Rossrasta-itis”
How can you say that? He hasn’t got a chance to show what he can do. He could be the next Terry glenn or he could be the next K. Rambo time will tell.
T Wash leaving would simply free up an extra scholarship for a year. He has not, and will not, contribute anything to this team that the next guy on the chart couldn’t. It is hard to give him any credit when he drops passes when given an apportunity.
Flash has some upside in his speed, and it seems like he could be a weapon. It doesn’t seem like they have tried to work his skills into the game plan, with the exception of a few swing passes last year. I also think it is a matter of time before he takes a kick back. Unlike T Wash, I would be disappointed to see Flash leave the program.
I think that Flash could be used as a decoy and run flat out downfield and hope that he takes 2 DB’s with him. We know Posey will draw double coverage. Dane over the middle or (Gasp!) the TE. JT said that they need to hit “a home run” to keep the f#%k ducks from stacking 9 at the line.
Guess I’m dreaming also.
News from the future: Taurian Washington’s Rose Bowl stats: 9 catches for 180 yards and 2 TDs.
Nevermind, I’m drunk.
A college football blogger calling out amateur athletes who have never voiced frustration or transfer possibilities publicly? Calling out back-up WR’s on a team with a horrible passing game? Talk about a grade-A D-bag (just like Ray)…
not sure how I’m calling anyone out? And I’m pretty sure I mentioned the passing attack isn’t exactly the Red Gun. Happy Holidays.
During the course of the season Flash has voiced via his facebook repeated “prayers” asking God whether he should transfer or not several times.
In an ideal world Thomas could play a slot receiver/running back hybrid position and motion from one spot to the other (like what Florida does). Of course that would probably involve the Buckeyes running some version of the read-option spread…
some of the insiders over on the scout board are saying it may be unlikely that Thomas even plays at all, and that he is set on transfering….rumor is that he will not even be returning kickoffs, and that Saine and Jordan Hall will be the two back there….again, who knows if there is any truth to this, but some of the “insiders” seem to think that Thomas is all but gone…
Talk about “flash.” Here’s a newsflash: Urban Meyer is stepping down at FL.
For me, either of these guys will be no better or worse than Small or Carter. Not just because the passing game isn’t great, but because what have either Small or Carter really done this year? Do I care if either leave? Not really. Flash is fast, but obviously he hasn’t exactly torn it up in practice or shown much to the staff. I mean, could he have a great game in the Rose Bowl? Sure, but there’s one reason and one reason only he hasn’t gotten a chance to prove himself, he isn’t getting it done in practice. If he were better than Small, don’t you think he’d be playing. Small isn’t exactly the coaching staff’s favorite player. If there was a person they could have replaced him with, don’t you think they would have?
JT said last week that the loss of Ray Ray and DC simply means that guys like T Wash, Flash, and Stoneburner will have to step up. Let’s forget about T Wash and Flash. How could any gameplan that features Posey, Sanzo, and Stoney be a bad thing?
Unless Pryor and his offensive line can come together to allow time enough for Pryor to make his reads then what is the point of talking about a pass offense anyway. Just run the zone read and run the option. Staring down Posey does not do squat for us or other recievers trying to get better. I think they both got a raw deal along with the fans who expected Pryor to mature quickly.
Our Defense will be the deciding factor in this game. Not trying to hate but I am waiting for this Pryor QB show to explode into WOW!