Ex-Ohio State QB Pryor postpones pro day for second time

Terrelle Pryor's uncertain road to the NFL supplemental draft has led to a second postponement of his pro day.

The former Ohio State star pushed back his showcase event because the NFL still had not ruled on his eligibility for the supplemental draft, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported on Wednesday.

The NFL free agency cycle is in full effect, with teams and players agreeing to terms fast as training camps open. Get the latest on all the news right here.

The Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys all reportedly planned to attend the event, which was to be held at a high school in Greensburg, Pa.

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported Wednesday that more players were declared eligible for the Aug. 17 draft, according to league sources, but Pryor was not on the list. A league source said a final decision on Pryor's status has not yet been made. Pryor was also missing from the previous list of eligible players the league included in a previous memo sent to all 32 teams.

Determining eligibility for the supplemental draft is done on a "rolling basis," according to the league, so Pryor could be added to the list later. Pryor's situation is still under consideration, a league source told La Canfora.

Pryor announced in June that he was leaving Ohio State amid claims that he accepted improper benefits from a tattoo parlor owner in Columbus, Ohio. He was suspended for five games of the 2011 season by the NCAA, but could have regained eligibility for the rest of the Buckeye season.

Because of that, Pryor's status is muddled. NFL rules state the supplemental draft is open to "any player who is ineligible."

View the original article here

Newton's QB coach expects to work with NFL-minded Pryor

What could Terrelle Pryor have in common with Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers?

Pryor might be the latest protégé of quarterbacks coach George Whitfield, the Canton Repository reported Sunday.

Ex-Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor (above) likely will turn to the same man whom Cam Newton did to help him prepare for the NFL. (Ben Liebenberg/NFL.com)

Whitfield said he's close to being hired to tutor Pryor as the former Ohio State quarterback prepares for the NFL Supplemental Draft, whenever that might be, according to the Repository.

"It is my understanding I am heading (to Miami)," said Whitfield, who's wrapping up a 2,000-mile bus tour of visits with 40 quarterbacks. "I look forward to working with him. From a kid that grew up in Ohio and knows how important the Buckeyes are and my relationship with (former Ohio State) coach (Jim) Tressel and his relationship with coach Tressel ... on top of the fact he's talented and a big competitor. It's a challenge to me. I know Terrelle wants to be as good as he can be."

Whitfield disagrees with the assessment of some analysts that Pryor's best position in the NFL might be tight end.

"I almost jumped off the couch (during the NFL draft) when I heard that," Whitfield said. "They put in all their chips against him and made a definitive statement about a guy who is 31-4 at one of the more premier college programs in America."

Whitfield already has a blueprint for Pryor.

"The big thing is I've got to get him more familiar with his operation in the pocket in terms of footwork and throwing from the pocket," Whitfield said. "Of the guys I've worked with, Pryor has played more under center than any of them. It's not that he’s deficient in that area, but it's what the NFL wants. The league puts a premium on operation from the cockpit, and we'll work on that."

Whitfield coached Newton before and since his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers. Whitfield also worked with Roethlisberger while the Pittsburgh Steeler sat out his four-game suspension at the start of the 2010 season. And Whitfield worked with Rivers in 2007 while serving as an intern on Cam Cameron's Chargers offensive staff.

View the original article here

Pryor apologizes to Tressel: 'I never meant to hurt anybody'

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. -- Terrelle Pryor ended his silence Tuesday -- for exactly 97 seconds.

Speaking out, albeit briefly, for the first time since his college career at Ohio State ended embroiled in scandal, Pryor appeared with agent Drew Rosenhaus and gave a brief statement. He apologized to the Buckeyes, to his former teammates and to now-departed coach Jim Tressel for his role in the mess that may take down one of America's proudest programs.

"I say sorry to all the Buckeye nation and all the 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."

Terrelle Pryor, sitting with agent Drew Rosenhaus, apologized to Ohio State and coach Jim Tressel for his role in the scandal that led to his five-game suspension and his coach's resignation. (J. Pat Carter/Associated Press)

Pryor had already been suspended by Ohio State and the NCAA for the first five games of what would have been his senior season this fall for accepting improper benefits, such as cash and discounted tattoos. The scandal led to Tressel's forced resignation. Tressel acknowledged knowing his players were taking improper benefits but covered it up for more than nine months before Ohio State officials discovered his knowledge.

Pryor is Ohio State's all-time leading rusher among quarterbacks, with 2,164 yards. He also threw 57 touchdown passes, tying a school record, and is now aiming to be selected in the NFL's supplemental draft this summer.

"In terms of coach Jim Tressel, a special shout-out," Pryor said. "I'm sorry for what all went down and 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 and place that you loved to be. I regret the fact that you're not there any more and I regret the fact that I'm not there any more."

The NCAA continues investigating all aspects of Ohio State's athletic program, particularly the football team, including whether athletes received cars, money or other extra benefits that would be against collegiate rules. Last week, when Pryor revealed that he was leaving school, ESPN reported that a former friend of his, speaking to the network under the condition of anonymity, claimed the quarterback made up to $40,000 annually signing autographs.

Pryor may still be asked to cooperate with that NCAA investigation. However, his attorney Larry James said last week the quarterback feels no obligation to speak with NCAA investigators now that he is no longer enrolled at Ohio State.

"He is very sad about what has happened to his college career and Ohio State," Rosenhaus said. "I can tell you that he is extremely, he is responsible for the mistakes that he has made. He has owned up to that. There are no excuses here, guys. No excuses at all. But the past is now the past for him and we have to move ahead. There is no point in him looking back."

Rosenhaus, who famously once kept repeating "Next question" at a news conference he hosted about client Terrell Owens -- the agent even got the pronunciations of their first names mixed up at one point -- took the tact of "No questions" on Tuesday.

"I think I've said it all," Rosenhaus said after he spoke for about six minutes in which, among other things, insisted he believes Pryor will be a first-round pick in this summer's supplemental draft. "So I'd like to thank everybody for coming. Guys, we're going to shut it down right now and I appreciate your time. Thank you."

Reporters shouted questions and followed Rosenhaus, Pryor, other members of the entourage and some security up a hotel corridor, to no avail.

"Terrelle Pryor will be a great -- not a good quarterback -- a great quarterback in the National Football League," Rosenhaus said. "He is going to be a star. This experience that he has gone through will galvanize him and make him a better person, a stronger person."

Rosenhaus said he spoke with Tressel before signing Pryor as a client, and that the former Buckeyes coach will remain involved with Pryor's future. "He's going to champion this young man," Rosenhaus said.

The agent, who represents many NFL stars, also compared Pryor to Cam Newton, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. Some prognosticators have suggested Pryor may not be worth more than a fourth- or fifth-round pick in the supplemental draft, in which teams would have to forfeit a parallel round choice in the 2012 draft by making a selection. Others have speculated that Pryor may be better served changing positions.

"This league needs quarterbacks. Are you kidding me? Middle round for this guy?" Rosenhaus said.

As Rosenhaus was speaking during the event, Pryor mainly stared straight ahead, arms folded and resting on the table. He worked out Tuesday morning with a group including receiver Chad Ochocinco, who offered praise on Twitter.

"With the right coaching after what I saw today with my own eyes he can be a great QB," Ochocinco wrote.

Pryor also said he wants to graduate from Ohio State, noting he's nine credits short of his degree.

"I'm working hard every single day on the field and off the field to be a better quarterback," Pryor said. "Also, one of my goals is to be the best person I can possibly be off the field."

When Pryor finished, Rosenhaus looked at him and said, "Terrific. Thank you, Terrelle."

Pryor didn't speak again.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here

CFL's Roughriders claim negotiating rights to ex-OSU QB Pryor

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Saskatchewan Roughriders have acquired the negotiating rights to Terrelle Pryor and have spoken to Pryor's lawyer about bringing the former Ohio State quarterback to the Canadian Football League.

Pryor's attorney, Larry James, said Wednesday that the CFL is a genuine possibility for the ex-Buckeye.

"Yeah, it's like I told (the Roughriders). My house is not for sale, but at the right price, it's on the market," James said.

James was in a meeting and had yet to speak with Pryor about the Roughriders. James said he did not believe Pryor had ever mentioned the CFL as a strong possibility in their conversations.

Pryor, a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, announced Tuesday that he is giving up his senior season while the NCAA investigates Ohio State players getting improper benefits, including tattoos, cash and possible sweetheart deals on cars. Pryor has admitted he broke NCAA rules by accepting improper benefits from a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner.

Roughriders general manager Brendan Taman told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the team owned Pryor's CFL negotiation rights and was intrigued by the 6-foot-6, 233-pound quarterback.

"He's a heck of an athlete," Taman said. "We get a lot of U.S. college football up here. We're well aware of him. With the (bigger) field up here in Canada, with the athlete that he is, he would be an interesting component to come up here and run around and do some things as a quarterback."

Taman said he was more concerned about Pryor's passing ability than his past.

"(The CFL) is a pass-oriented league, so that's one thing he'd have to master," he said. "But as a runner he would flourish up here, I know."

Asked if the ongoing NCAA investigation into Pryor and the fact that he was unable to complete his college career would be a concern for the Roughriders, Taman said no.

"Any time we sign a player, we check into their character and whatnot," he said. "If we get these talks advanced, we'd obviously have a thorough discussion with him and get input back on exactly what went down. What little I know about him, I don't think there's anything that's a major red flag that he's just totally a kid you would ignore."

Pryor has other options. He could make himself available for an NFL supplemental draft, although there are questions about whether one will be held because of the labor unrest in the league.

He also could take a year off to heal from ankle surgery last January and prepare for next year's NFL draft. Many experts think that might be the way to go.

"When we look at him athletically I think he's a good athlete, but I don't think he's an athlete like (former Auburn QB and Heisman Trophy winner) Cam Newton," said NFL draft analyst Gil Brandt, a former general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.

Pryor could join another player who fell into disfavor and did not finish his Ohio State career, running back Maurice Clarett, and sign with a team in the United Football League. Clarett plays for the Omaha Nighthawks.

Nighthawks coach Joe Moglia didn't sound excited about the idea of that pairing.

"The job of any coach is to do what's in the best interest of his players, his coaches and his fans," he said. "If that were to come up, we would take a look at that. I'm not the type of guy normally who hypothesizes on something that probably, under normal circumstances, may not happen."

James said he will discuss the opportunities with Pryor, possibly next week.

"We would try to get through next week in order to do our due diligence, in order to figure out where we are," James said. "No. 1, try to figure out whether the NFL's going to have a supplemental draft. If they are, what's the timetable and what's the protocol. Then we'd also explore what are the processes and procedures for the Canadian league and what would be the dates and deadlines and decisions to be made."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

View the original article here