Pryor's Lessons From Tebow

 Wow!  Did we have a great time or what these past four years.  Not only did we have an opportunity to see many talented players and teams but we were able to admire a very special one.  Mr. Tebow has left a trail that very few who play the quarterback position at the NC2A level will travel. There is no question that he is one of the greatest college football players of all time. I believe everyone knows the records for wins and losses, championships, individual stats and his ability as a leader.  As special as his career was, something was missing the entire time and only a few individuals really paid close attention.  Knowing that he has always had NFL aspirations, those few "experts" took note of the missing NFL arm.  Now, Tebow has great size and decent arm strength but his ability to pass the ball as opposed to throw the ball was identified very early in his collegiate career. In college, a QB with his skill-set, supporting cast and system will play well and very likely win games.  The NFL? Well, it's different until someone, maybe Tebow can prove us all wrong.  Not until there's an NFL coach willing to try something very different like run the wild cat as a standard offense or develop something new.  I like the young man and I wish him the best. He's a class act but I shall remain a skeptic for one reason.  In NFL history, I don't think that a QB or any player for that matter has been able to correct or develop a fundamental skill-set in a matter of weeks to affect draft day decisions.

 This brings me to Terrell Pryor. He's in a very similar situation as Tebow. He's had a ton of playing time, big games, successes and failures in his brief career in a major program. He's a phenomenal athlete and a flat out playmaker. Hmmm, sounds familiar. He plays for a very good coach and in an ever evolving system, which may be one of Pryors pluses to Tebows minuses. Terrell also has seen himself playing on Sundays as a youngster which takes us back to national signing day and his choice to not only attend OSU but to also give up basketball. Tebow has taught Pryor some very valuable lessons during his career and one could hope that "TP" has taken note.  Although you can have a great career and win games, if your ultimate goal is the NFL, you need things to break your way.  Pryor plays in a more traditional system which Tebow didn't.  The Buckeye offense is ever evolving to not only capitalize on his talent but to also give him an opportunity to grow as a player. This my friends is the biggest plus.  Finally, I believe Tebow, like Pryor knew his short comings going into college but totally bought into the Gator system.  I really don't think Pryor did when he came to O-State. I believe Pryor felt for all things considered by an 18 year old star, that this school was best for him with a belief that it would adapt to "his" talent and help him become a truly great player.

The NFL is calling all Tebows and all Pryors. The question is can they find the phone in their four year windows, playing in the best programs in the nation.  I am a firm believer that if Michael Vick could pull it off, these two, in the right systems can. Oh did I forget their biggest similarity... That throwing mechanics thing is a demon when the pros come calling.