Pryor Owns the Conversation, Family Owns the Game

Ohio State football is a tradition. Akin to any tradition, it transcends generations. Grandfathers educate sons and daughters. Sons and daughters educate grandchildren. Archie Griffin’s acts transition into Eddie George’s exploits transition into Chris Wells’ witnesses.

Woven throughout this afternoon’s tapestry of scarlet and gray were grandparents, parents, siblings, and relatives… Fathers and mothers carried their or walked with hands grasped beside their children, who likely had no comprehension of the ritual they were entering… They were more interested in frolicking among the massive concrete structure, as their parents kept watchful eyes upon them…

The generational companionship was hierarchal; it was not simply adult-adolescent… Collegians walked with their grand parents… Couples sat and spoke with their entire families, immersing themselves in a sacrament, which in certain segments is as or more revered than words, which are spoken inside a church… The clothing may have been similar… The feel of the contest may have been similar… The tradition, now matter how often repeated, is never lost on anyone… This is a day for family…

As for the contest itself, judging the prospective athletes and overall season prospects are always difficult… The spring game is essentially a preseason contest… It’s worse than a preseason contest… The Cleveland Browns don’t divide their roster, mix the first and second squads, and then play before 80,000 (they are terrible before only 40,000)… Gleaning an accurate outlook from the spring game is tantamount to attempting to formulate a column from a five-minute interview with Coach Jim Tressel… You can try… You wont succeed…

One evaluation that was simple and spectacular was Terrelle Pryor… He was as advertised… His first touchdown pass was a scramble induced forty-four yard aerial… His second touchdown pass was a perfectly strewn effort into the hands of Roy Small, who cut inside a man at the ten, splitting three defenders en route to seven points… Pryor wasn’t perfect… His decision-making must improve… However, he exhibited Heisman sparks…

While Pryor’s evaluation was uncomplicated… The other skill player’s evaluations are unclear… Small may be the best receiver, but he isn’t headline material (with his skills…. He is with his drama)… Dane Sazenbacher, DeVier Posey, and Taurian Washington are solid, but unspectacular… Running backs are a much more muddled conversation… I wouldn’t swap a nickel, if someone offered me Dan Herron or Brandon Saine…

Football may be the annual convergence’s motivation… However, the sun soaked afternoon is an entrance and an enjoyment… As I exited Ohio Stadium, I observed a father carrying his daughter… The daughter was dressed in a pink Pryor jersey, but was passed out in her father’s arms… The scene epitomized the afternoon… And it made me want to call my parents…