Tweet
This was a necessity if the Buckeyes really wanted to win the Big 10.
Smith’s workload about to increase
He’ll get most snaps in practice this week
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Quarterback Troy Smith led the Buckeyes to their only touchdown, a 36-yard pass to Santonio Holmes, in the loss to Texas.
Troy Smith is back at the front of the line of the Ohio State quarterbacks, coach Jim Tressel said last night, as the ninth-ranked Buckeyes prepared to rebound from their 25-22 loss to No. 2 Texas.
"We’re going into this week with the thought in mind that Troy will be the quarterback (against San Diego State) and have the most significant number of reps in practice, perhaps 75 percent to 80 percent," said Tressel, speaking on the Buckeye Roundtable radio show.
Smith had been No. 1 at the end of the regular season last year, taking over for injured Justin Zwick seven games in, then cementing his spot with 386 yards of total offense in the win over Michigan. But Smith was suspended for the Alamo Bowl and the season opener against Miami University for accepting $500 from a booster.
Zwick started those games and also got the first call Saturday night against Texas. But he and Smith split time in the loss.
Though Zwick had better numbers, Smith generated the team’s only touchdown, a 36-yard pass to Santonio Holmes. That tight end Ryan Hamby couldn’t get a grip on what would have been a TD pass from Zwick to increase the OSU lead to 10 points in the third quarter apparently is moot.
"Obviously (the quarterbacks) did not grade well enough for us to win, although I would say it wasn’t because of their performance we didn’t win," Tressel said.
But he said an explanation was needed in Smith’s case.
"The thing that I think some people fail to keep in mind was, that was Troy’s first game back after missing the bowl game . . . the opener and that’s week’s preparation along with some practice time in preseason," Tressel said.
On Saturday night, Tressel said Smith "was pressing a little bit, because he wanted so badly to make it happen for his team. So he probably was not as efficient as he could have been."
Tressel indicated sticking with one quarterback in practice last week might have helped that player to be better prepared.
"I think a big issue is preparation, and there’s only so many snaps in a practice," Tressel said. "There is a school of thought some coaches use that their No. 1 guy gets all the snaps, and the No. 2 better learn by watching . . . and I think there’s some validity to that."
He discounted the notion that not settling on one quarterback created a leadership void on offense, and sees the importance of naming a No. 1.
"The thing I think is neat about our guys is whoever walks into the huddle, they believe in him," Tressel said. "But there is no question about it, the quarterback is a natural leadership position."
Zwick will still get some snaps with the first team in practice, but the No. 1 spot belongs to Smith again.
"As we move forward into the San Diego State ballgame, Troy will get the bulk of the work," Tressel said. "And I expect him to play very well."
He’ll get most snaps in practice this week
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Quarterback Troy Smith led the Buckeyes to their only touchdown, a 36-yard pass to Santonio Holmes, in the loss to Texas.
Troy Smith is back at the front of the line of the Ohio State quarterbacks, coach Jim Tressel said last night, as the ninth-ranked Buckeyes prepared to rebound from their 25-22 loss to No. 2 Texas.
"We’re going into this week with the thought in mind that Troy will be the quarterback (against San Diego State) and have the most significant number of reps in practice, perhaps 75 percent to 80 percent," said Tressel, speaking on the Buckeye Roundtable radio show.
Smith had been No. 1 at the end of the regular season last year, taking over for injured Justin Zwick seven games in, then cementing his spot with 386 yards of total offense in the win over Michigan. But Smith was suspended for the Alamo Bowl and the season opener against Miami University for accepting $500 from a booster.
Zwick started those games and also got the first call Saturday night against Texas. But he and Smith split time in the loss.
Though Zwick had better numbers, Smith generated the team’s only touchdown, a 36-yard pass to Santonio Holmes. That tight end Ryan Hamby couldn’t get a grip on what would have been a TD pass from Zwick to increase the OSU lead to 10 points in the third quarter apparently is moot.
"Obviously (the quarterbacks) did not grade well enough for us to win, although I would say it wasn’t because of their performance we didn’t win," Tressel said.
But he said an explanation was needed in Smith’s case.
"The thing that I think some people fail to keep in mind was, that was Troy’s first game back after missing the bowl game . . . the opener and that’s week’s preparation along with some practice time in preseason," Tressel said.
On Saturday night, Tressel said Smith "was pressing a little bit, because he wanted so badly to make it happen for his team. So he probably was not as efficient as he could have been."
Tressel indicated sticking with one quarterback in practice last week might have helped that player to be better prepared.
"I think a big issue is preparation, and there’s only so many snaps in a practice," Tressel said. "There is a school of thought some coaches use that their No. 1 guy gets all the snaps, and the No. 2 better learn by watching . . . and I think there’s some validity to that."
He discounted the notion that not settling on one quarterback created a leadership void on offense, and sees the importance of naming a No. 1.
"The thing I think is neat about our guys is whoever walks into the huddle, they believe in him," Tressel said. "But there is no question about it, the quarterback is a natural leadership position."
Zwick will still get some snaps with the first team in practice, but the No. 1 spot belongs to Smith again.
"As we move forward into the San Diego State ballgame, Troy will get the bulk of the work," Tressel said. "And I expect him to play very well."
Comment