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HS coach: Tressel should let Pryor run
By Joe Schad
ESPN
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The high school coach of Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor says that his former player could be utilized more effectively by Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel.
"They need Terrelle to run more," former Jeannette (Pa.) High School coach Ray Reitz said. "They've put the reins on him and they need to let him go free. When I watch Terrelle play right now, I see a robot."
Reitz, now the coach at Latrobe High, said Pryor was recruited on the premise of a more diverse offense.
"All I know is they promised him that they would teach him a pro-style system with both a shotgun and under center," Reitz said. "Jim Tressel is a great coach and he's been running his offense successfully for 30 years. But I'd like to see some zone-read plays where with one mistake [by the defense], he can be gone. With some zone-read plays, they wouldn't be able to take away all the outside runs because he'd being a threat to go between the tackles."
Pryor threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles as Ohio State (No. 19 BCS, No. 18 AP) was upset by two-touchdown underdog Purdue last week. On Tuesday, Tressel stood behind his quarterback, deflecting fan suggestions that he bench Pryor or move him to wide receiver.
Reitz said he believes that Pryor is being affected by criticism -- though he would never admit it.
"It's gotten to the point where I turn the volume down when watching TV now," Reitz said. "I believe the criticism has seeped into his mind. I'm sure there are some mechanical issues. But all I know is he was accurate when he was in high school."
During a news conference on Tuesday, Tressel was asked about whether Ohio State would consider changing or adding wrinkles to its conservative offensive scheme.
"There's debate all the time, should we be doing what Georgia Tech's doing, should we be doing what Florida's doing, should we be doing what whoever's doing, that's a debate," Tressel said. "There's no right answer to that. There a right answer to whether or not you should be turning it over, regardless of what kind of system you're using."
Reitz said it would be a mistake to move Pryor to wide receiver -- a move which Tressel said does not figure into his plans.
"He would be a great wide receiver or even a great linebacker," Reitz said. "But that doesn't mean you should move him from quarterback. In fact, I don't think he'd agree to a move to wide receiver. Give him time to grow. Put the ball in his hands and if there is a breakdown let him run. It doesn't look to me like he's relaxed. It doesn't look like he has rhythm. It doesn't look like he's comfortable."
Tressel said he doesn't plan to sit Pryor, either, despite the four turnovers in the loss to Purdue.
"He hasn't been perfect in practice, but he's come along in practice," Tressel said Tuesday. "He hasn't been perfect in games, but he's come along in games. Now, did we have three or four moments that were impactful? There's no question about it."
Pryor was among the most highly-sought recruits in his nation when he chose Ohio State over Michigan, Penn State and Oregon, after extending the process beyond signing day. But Reitz believes Pryor's high-profile recruiting process is hurting him now.
"There are people that are rooting for him to fail because he's arrogant," Reitz said. "But it was the college coaches who told him to take time after signing day if he wasn't ready."
"There is no question that Rich Rodriguez's offense, for example, would be more apt to suit Terrelle's skills," Reitz said. "But Ohio State sold him on the idea that they would prepare him for the NFL and that they don't run 'zone-read' in the NFL. Jim Tressel is a great coach. But I can tell you there is more to Terrelle Pryor than what we've been seeing."
At his news conference Tuesday, Tressel was asked about maximizing Pryor's skills.
"I don't know if anyone could question the explosive potential both running and passing that Terrelle brings and have we all done everything to make sure that we magnify that?" Tressel said. "Probably not. Has he done everything he needs to do to maximize that? Probably not. But it doesn't mean we won't stop working on it."
Joe Schad is a national college football reporter for ESPN.
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