| Is Pryor's apology enough? |
Pryor spoke publicly for the first time since Tressel resigned under pressure on May 30 and since it was announced last week that Pryor, the subject of another NCAA investigation for receiving improper benefits, would forgo his senior season.
"In terms of Ohio State, I'd like to say sorry to the coaching staff, say sorry to my teammates, say sorry to all Buckeye Nation and all Buckeye fans across the country," Pryor said. "I never meant to hurt anybody directly or indirectly with my conduct off the field, and I am truly sorry.
"In terms of coach Jim Tressel, a special shout-out. I'm sorry for what all went down. I apologize with all my heart. I love you just like a father. You taught me a lot, and I apologize for putting you in a situation and taking you out of a job at a place where you love to be.
"I regret the fact you're not there anymore, and I regret the fact I'm not there anymore."
I have to wonder, and question Terrelle Pryor. Those first two quotes are pretty decent, and he sounded sincere at the time. My only problem is when he says he regrets that he (and Jim Tressel) are not there. If Terrelle Pryor regrets that he is no longer with Ohio State, does that mean Ohio State forced him to go? Or did he hear a rumor that (which most people believed anyway) that he would be suspended his whole senior season?
Either way, there is something fishy about that quote. Pryor's agent had something to say as well.
"For anyone who questions where he is going to be drafted, I expect him to be a first-round pick in the supplemental draft," Rosenhaus said. "This league needs quarterbacks. Are you kidding me? Middle round for this guy?"
"You talk about (Heisman Trophy winner) Cam Newton being the first pick of the draft and he deserves it? Let me tell you what, I'll make all the comparisons all day long."
He then went on to reel off Pryor's stats, from his 31-4 record as a starting quarterback, to his school-record tying 57 career touchdown passes, his more than 8,000 yards of total offense and back-to-back MVP awards in Bowl Championship Series games.
"The reason I signed him is because I am a firm believer, after 25 years of experience, that Terrelle Pryor will be a great, not a good quarterback, a great quarterback in the National Football League," Rosenhaus said. "That he is going to be a star, that this experience he has gone through will galvanize him and make him a better person, a stronger person."
This summer is getting more interesting by the minute. We'll be sure to keep our eyes on how Pryor does in the next 3-5 years.
