Skull Session: Ohio State's 2017 Trap Road, Josh Myers Trying to Make Moves, and the Risk-Reward of Signing Terrelle Pryor

By D.J. Byrnes on February 15, 2017 at 4:59 am
Ohio State right tackle Isaiah Prince grins about the February 15th 2017 Skull Session.
72 Comments

Word of the day: Keelhauling.

 IT'S A TRAP. The 2017 schedule isn't as daunting as 2016, yet it includes this stretch: at Nebraska, open week, Penn State, at Iowa, and Michigan State. 

Yeah, you read that right, baby! The local team is headed to Kinnick Stadium for the first time since 2010 when it dumped Iowa for 20-17 win the NCAA says no longer exists.

It could be the Buckeyes' trap game of 2017.

From espn.com:

Trap game: Nov. 4 at Iowa. On the heels of the clash with the Nittany Lions and opening up the closing stretch of November when it becomes more challenging to ignore The Game at the end of the month sits what could be a tough test on the road against the Hawkeyes. In case the Buckeyes need a reminder, they can look back at what happened to the Wolverines when they visited Iowa last year, when a Big Ten title was still well within Jim Harbaugh’s reach. The Hawkeyes are going to be a bit off the radar again this offseason and have some key questions to answer on the roster, but they’re annually one of the league’s most fundamentally sound programs, and they won’t be welcoming hosts for Meyer and the Buckeyes.

When I hear "Ohio State at Iowa," I flash back to Anthony Gonzalez ripping out Herkey the Hawk's heart on national television:

Kinnick isn't as intimidating as Happy Valley, though things could get hectic if the Big Ten makes it a night game. 

Still, I made more jokes about Kirk Ferentz and his asinine contract than I did "Big Game" James Franklin, who now owns as many Big Ten championships as Urban Meyer.

Makes you think, for sure.

 JOSH MYERS READY FOR WHATEVER. Josh Myers is the most physically impressive freshman to sign with Ohio State during the Meyer era. Despite needing to fill the right side of the line, Myers needs time to develop as a pass-blocker.

Right now, the mountain of #teen strength is keeping his nose down and grinding under the tutelage of Mickey Marotti.

From an interview with Mark Neal on WING-AM’s Dayton Sports Scene, via 247sports.com:

“I wake up around 5:30 most mornings and go in and work out at 7,” he said. “I should add it’s not a very easy workout. Then after that, I usually go home and get ready for class and go to class around 12:40. I usually have a class after that. I usually have a tutor sometime after that.

“Then I go home and do homework, go to bed and get up and do it again.”

[...]

“I’m familiar with the right guard spot,” Myers said. “As of right now, I don’t know where I fall into the mix or if I’m even in it. I just keep doing the best I can and work hard and stay the course. Wherever it ends up it will end up. That’s all I can do.”

It's hard not to feel bullish on the offensive line, even despite last year's struggles.

Between Myers and Wyatt "Wavy Dubb" Davis, I expect one of the two to contribute to the offensive line this year. Whether it's as a starter or as a contributor remains to be seen.

 THE PRYOR PARADOX. Unless the Cleveland Browns franchise tag Terrelle Pryor, he will be an unrestricted free agent. The 6-4, 224-pound freak athlete will only turn 28(!!!) in June. 

Pryor played wide receiver for the second year in 2016—his first year of playing the position if you disavow the 2015 season he spent on the sidelines before the Browns cut him.

He had massive performances in 2016. He also had weeks where he made as much impact as I did. Should he hit the free market, he will make for an interesting dilemma for teams looking to sign him.

From pff.com:

In 2016, Pryor legitimately looked at times like a No. 1 receiver. There were also times he looked like a one-trick pony. At 6-foot-4, 223 pounds with the ability to run a 4.4-second 40, he could just be scratching the surface of his potential, but there is more to playing the receiver position than physical dominance. 47 percent of Pryor’s receiving yards came in only four of his 16 starts, while his 1.7 yards per route was 34th among starting wideouts.

Two weeks ago, a well-placed source in the Browns organization wouldn't commit to the re-signing of Pryor. I still think Cleveland gets it done. They can't allow a specimen like Pryor to walk out the door while they're sitting on $300 million (conservative estimate) of cap space.

Whatever sorry soul they trot out as their quarterback next year will need a receiver over 5-11.

 VIRTUAL REALITY THE WAVE. Football is a copycat sport, and it would seem the new wave is virtual reality. Clemson used it to great success with quarterback Deshaun Watson.

From foxsports.com:

Clemson is one of the college football programs that has been on the front end of the virtual reality movement in sports. The Tigers’ staff estimates that Watson devoted about 40 percent of his time in virtual reality immersed in blitz pick-up situations. Obviously, Watson’s own talent and vision was a key factor in his ability to burn the ‘Bama blitz, but his coach also gives credit to VR for helping the Tigers take their program to the next level.

[...]

“He was able to sit in my meetings for 30 minutes and the other 30 minutes, I’d send him to the VR room, which is right next to my room, and he would go thru all of the concepts, cross it off on the playbook and he’s ‘in’ the game,” said Tiger QB coach Brandon Streeter. “He’s in 7-on-7. He’s really doing it almost. He’s done very well.”

I haven't read anything about Ohio State using virtual reality with its quarterbacks. I can guarantee, however, Meyer is at least aware of it.

 MORE FIRE IN SPARTA. Michigan State suspended three unnamed players and a staffer last week amidst a pending Title IX sexual assault investigation.

Michigan State confirmed the suspension of its director of football recruiting Tuesday.

From lansingstatejournal.com:

EAST LANSING – Curtis Blackwell, Michigan State’s director of football recruiting, is suspended.

University spokesman Jason Cody confirmed to the Free Press that Blackwell has been suspended with pay but could not release details or circumstances surrounding the suspension.

Cody said that Mark Dantonio and his assistant coaches are not suspended and remain full-time university employees.

It's unclear if Blackwell, who founded the Sound Mind Sound Body Camp in Detroit, is the unnamed staffer involved in the investigation. Either way, it's all bad news right now in East Lansing.

 THOSE WMDs. When things go missing... Pedro Hernandez found guilty of killing Etan Patz in 1979... $325k wedding nixed after brawl erupts at rehearsal dinner, lawsuit says... Texas couple shares their home with a buffalo... Taxpayers on the hook for UNM Bigfoot search.

72 Comments
View 72 Comments