The saga continues for Ohio State and it’s former quarterback Terrelle Pryor. After announcing he was leaving Ohio State, the drama has continued for the signal caller who was once considered so talented he could become the best dual-threat quarterback in college football history. Since his decision to depart from the university, the stories have continue to swirl.
What is Pryor, the media, and his lawyer saying about the future? Well it’s all up in the air at this point.
Ari Wasserman gives us insight at The Buckeye Grove to kick things off on exactly why Pryor made the decision to forgo his senior year. According to Pryor’s lawyer Larry James, a lot of it has to do with due process. No matter what, the quarterback would have questions to answer, and he has made it clear he wants to play in the NFL. Staying around for his senior year not only hinders that, but it takes away from his teammates. The first step is to move on and pursue what is next for the quarterback. There is no doubt that any NCAA investigation negates personal rights, but it’s also clear at this point that there is nothing more important to Pryor at this point to give himself the best chance to succeed in professional football.
It might be north of the border, but we find out through the Associated Press and Pryor’s lawyer that the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders have acquired the negotiation rights for #2. Larry Drew made it clear that though it seemed like a solid opportunity, Terrelle Pryor most likely wasn’t moving across the border.
Along the way, the rumors swirl about Terrelle Pryor and his desire to play right away in the NFL. The story still continues to be that the projected wide receiver at the professional level would enter the supplemental draft (if there is one.)
Things stay quiet for a some time (less than a day is still quiet in the world of electronic journalism. Until Larry James dropped some bombs in the national media.
James told Sirius/XM’s “Jason & The GM” show on Thursday his thoughts on various opinions on the matter. James started with blasting the report on Outside the Lines that Columbus photographer Dennis Talbott gave Pryor up to 40,000 dollars to sign memorabilia.
The first time this allegation of Dennis Talbott and the $20,000 to $40,000 came up was [on ESPN’s] Outside the Lines. I know Dennis Talbott and I don’t mean to belittle Dennis Talbott but Dennis Talbott is not a deep-pocket player. This is out of his league, he doesn’t have that kind of cash. He is not one of those dealers that one would say ‘Dennis has the ability to negotiate the buying and selling of memorabilia that Terrelle has signed.’ No, Dennis was a part-time photographer that knew a lot of the players, guy around town, most of us knew him. He was basically harmless, he is no big deal, and he definitely did not have the wherewithal to do that kind of stuff. And that story is just bogus.
…the [Outside the Lines] story is close to being reckless and malice and over the line. And that’s something that Terrelle, at the appropriate time, may look at once he gets in a position to say, ‘I have the wherewithal to bring that lawsuit.’
After stating that ESPN could be part of the lawsuit down the road when his client is more stable, James went on to compare the NCAA to slavery in an exchange with hosts Steve Phillips and Jason Horowitz.
Phillips: “Does Terrelle have any sort of anger or resentment he still holds against coach and the school?”
James: “No, not at all. Not at all. I think he understands that he made a mistake that he’s held accountable for. He wishes he had some things to do over. Irrespective of how harsh and idiotic we think some of the NCAA rules are they are still on the books. You know, they had slavery for all those years. Those rules are still on the books and courts uphold them so until we bring the right lawsuit to go after the NCAA on some of these issues, they stand.”
Horowitz: “And is that something you’re currently working on?”
James: “I am definitely reviewing it.”
Phillips: “Which issues are the ones that you think are the most closely related to slavery? That connection seemed odd to me.”
James: “Well, you’ve got a captured system here in college football. It’s mandated, it’s dictated. The student-athletes have no rights, they have no relief. It’s an archaic, draconian process by which you are basically financed for about nine and a half months of your school year and then you’re to find the money for whatever else is left [of] your expenses. You live in basically poverty through that time period and you’re making a million dollars for institutions.”
After Jame’s comments blow to the wayside, we find out through a “well-placed UFL source” that many coaches and personnel of the UFL believe that Pryor could benefit from the up and coming league. Despite the offers, Pryor remains set on giving the NFL a go. Numerous quarterback coaches have contacted the quarterback through his lawyer to work with him. The ESPN report also stated that Buckeyes head coach Luke Fickell and Athletic Director Gene Smith did not suggest that Pryor leave the school. The fact of the matter was that “The fun was gone for him.” Adam Schefter and John Clayton of ESPN.com both also believe that a supplemental draft will be held despite labor issues, and it most likely will take place in July.
This morning, the Columbus Dispatch brings us this doozy. Larry James has now on the record stated that this whole mess regarding Dennis Talbott is completely false. The Columbus based lawyer also said that Pryor is starting to work towards his dream of the NFL by working out and getting in shape. The lawyer doesn’t believe it’s going to be in Columbus where it will happen.
It looks like the next step too will really sink things in for Buckeyes fans as well. Drew says his work is almost over for Pryor. The quarterback who has led this team to a 31-4 record the past three seasons will need to officially move on by hiring a representative.
Whatever is upcoming, it will be interesting to see how it develops. Without a doubt there will be scrutiny, doubters, and a whirlwind of opinions on what # 2 should or shouldn’t do.
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