Speaking of black quarterbacks...

[Mr. Scot]

Let's discuss the case of one Terrelle Pryor.

Pryor is a 6-6, 235 pound sophomore QB at Ohio State who's been at the center of a firestorm. The primary reason? It's mainly because Buckeye coach Jim Tressel is actually trying to do the right thing.

As he did with Troy Smith before him, Tressel is concentrating on teaching Pryor to be an effective passer rather than just a running QB. Going against the now common practice of using athletic black QBs in one-read-and-run type offensive schemes, Tressel is using Pryor in a way that can put him in much better standing for an NFL career than other systems would.

Unfortunately, Pryor hasn't yet come to the same level of success that Troy Smith did.

Pryor has had some struggles. Because of that, Ohio State alumni, Buckeye fans, and even Pryor's old high school coach have been calling on Tressel to give up on trying to make Pryor into a passer and instead just use him as a runner. It's even been suggested that Pryor would look better working in the offense of Michigan (and former WVU coach) Rich Rodriguez.

If I could say one thing to Jim Tressel, it'd be this...

Don't give up.

Granted, the primary job of a college coach is to win games, but coaches at high profile programs are also preparing the next generation of NFL players. In the NFL, effective passing is an absolute must for a successful quarterback. Running is just gravy. That's why athletic black QBs who want to make it in the pros are better served by coaches like Tressel and WVU coach Bill Stewart, guys who will teach them to pass rather than just trust their athleticism.

Yes, Pryor has struggled. Lots of sophomore quarterbacks do, but if Tressel sticks with his approach, it's entirely possible that Pryor could work through it. And if so, he could actually become a better pro prospect than predecessor Troy Smith, since he doesn't have the kind of physical limitation (lack of height) that Smith did. So if you get a quarterback that's 6-6, 235, athletic and an effective passer, NFL teams will be drooling all over themselves to get him.

Will it happen? Don't know. It depends on Tressel, and of course to a greater degree on Pryor himself.

For my part, I hope it happens, because if it does then maybe other college coaches will follow suit and black quarterbacks will have more options for pro-style coaching than just Ohio State and West Virginia.

And then, maybe one of my longtime pet peeves can finally go away.

[Darth Biscuit]

Troy Smith was a good college QB... I've watched a couple of Ohio State games this year and this guy seems to have a bit of a bad attitude. He's definitely very athletic, but there's something about him that seems off to me.

[scpanther22]

I really like the kid from Texas A&M Jerrod Johnson

[thefuzz]

One of the biggest reasons that I watch pro, and don't watch much college ball anymore, is because of the passers.

The one read and run, modified veer, the run and shoot stuff drives me crazy. I like seeing 3-5 and 7 step drop back passers, and college just does not play that way.

[Darth Hater]

Pryor is about to lose the Rose bowl!

[davos]

Tyrod Taylor

[MadHatter]

Watched quite a few Ohio State games this year. Pryor sucks big time.

And worst of all....he is regressing each season.