This was an interesting article in the Plain Dealer about how the offense might change for 2008. I think if Pryor comes in you have to think it would be a Florida type situation from 2006.




Ohio State's veteran offense could have a fresh look in 2008

Columbus- What will Ohio State's offense look like in 2008? How about the 2007 version plus Terrelle Pryor?

"I'm not questioning coaches, but if a coach doesn't build his offense around Terrelle Pryor," said Pryor's high school quarterbacks coach, Roy Hall, "he's crazy. Whoever gets Terrelle Pryor, it's like hitting the lottery."

The Buckeyes are losing just two starters, right tackle Kirk Barton and fullback Dionte Johnson, from the 41st-ranked offense in the country, which averaged just over 31 points per game. So the biggest change won't be by subtraction, but by the potential division of the quarterback duties.

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Whether it's Pryor, the nation's top quarterback recruit who is three weeks from most likely choosing either Ohio State or Michigan on National Signing Day, or No. 2 quarterback Antonio Henton, the Buckeyes should be prepared to implement a second quarterback into their 2008 offense.

Why wouldn't they? Florida won a national title two years ago playing true freshman Tim Tebow as a situational backup to Chris Leak. LSU played two quarterbacks in the national title game and during the entire season. It's not only about what that does for your offense, but what it does to the opposing defense.

"A lot of things an offense does is to make you prepare. We don't know what they're going to do," Ohio State co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell said of LSU's two-quarterback system before the national title game. "That takes that much more to prepare for people and what they're going to do. Sometimes on game day, it isn't as big a deal, but in the preparation it is."

Despite not playing a meaningful snap all season, Jim Tressel said there was a 50-50 chance Henton would see time against LSU. He didn't, but the Buckeyes got him ready during bowl preparation. If he hadn't been suspended for seven games, Tressel said Henton could have worked into the regular game plan during the season.

No offense to starter Todd Boeckman, who undoubtedly will take the opening snap against Youngstown State if he's healthy, but he's going to be Todd Boeckman. Either Henton or Pryor, with their abilities to run, throw and throw on the run, would offer something Boeckman doesn't.

If the Buckeyes want to land Pryor, they almost have to promise him playing time as a true freshman. New Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez can offer Pryor four years of every snap the Wolverines take, and sitting and watching for a year doesn't seem very appealing by comparison.

"Terrelle knows [Boeckman] has one more year, whereas at Michigan it's wide open," Hall said. "At Michigan, with Rodriguez coming in with his new offense, everybody has to learn so he'd be on the same page with everybody. At Ohio State, all these guys know the system."

Hall said the spread Rodriguez runs is much like the offense they run at Jeannette High School outside Pittsburgh. He said Pryor is most comfortable in the spread, but could adjust to any offense and would be ready to play anywhere. But it's not only the offense that will be the deciding factor.

"His biggest concern when we were talking the other day," Hall said, "is he just doesn't know who to trust. Right now, he's a little flustered. He doesn't know what to do."

Pryor told Rivals.com that he's visiting Michigan this weekend, and along with Ohio State, Oregon and Florida has also added to LSU to his possible destinations.

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With or without Pryor, Henton offers a viable option at quarterback. Running back Brandon Saine should be much more involved in the offense as a sophomore, if the national title game is any indication.

Among the incoming recruits, five-star receiver DeVier Posey could see the field. Offensive line recruits Mike Adams, Michael Brewster and J.B. Shugarts could push for playing time. At this point, current redshirt freshman Bryant Browning is the most logical addition to the line, either at Barton's right tackle spot or at left guard, with Steve Rehring moving to tackle.

What matters most is the quarterback, or quarterbacks, they'll be blocking for.

Oklahoma ahead:

Ohio State announced Tuesday a future two-game series with Oklahoma. The Buckeyes will play at Oklahoma on Sept. 17, 2016, then host the Sooners on Sept. 16, 2017. Following the 2008-09 series with Southern Cal, the Buckeyes have two-year series with Miami, Cal and Virginia Tech before getting to Oklahoma.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

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