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Topic: Sprague leaving the program...
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Jeff Johnson
8/17/2016 12:21 PM
According to Jason Arkley and the Athens Messenger, quarterback J. D. Sprague has voluntarily left the Bobcat football program, leaving Ohio with only 3 scholarship QBs.

http://www.athensmessenger.com/sports/ohiouniversity/bobc...
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Mark Lembright '85
8/17/2016 12:48 PM
Jeff Johnson wrote:expand_more
According to Jason Arkley and the Athens Messenger, quarterback J. D. Sprague has voluntarily left the Bobcat football program, leaving Ohio with only 3 scholarship QBs.

http://www.athensmessenger.com/sports/ohiouniversity/bobc...
Wow! I hope he's OK. Say what you will, he's sacrificed a lot (a rib for Heaven's sake!) for the program. I truly hope things work out for him.
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OUcats82
8/17/2016 1:33 PM
Sorry to read this. I would guess he is making this decision based on what is in his best interests long term. Doubt playing a violent game like football less one rib is the safest thing in the world. Sounds like Marshall got their money's worth on the late hit last year.

QB play was already something I was not 100% comfortable about going into the season (especially against our better opponents). I guess if Windham doesn't come out as the starter we will have plenty to build towards in the future.

Here's hoping we have more of a Boo Jackson to TT 1.0 circa 2011 transition.
Last Edited: 8/17/2016 1:34:28 PM by OUcats82
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GoCats105
8/17/2016 1:34 PM
Anyone still NOT worried about the QB situation here?

Sorry to hear JD leaving. Probably the right one for him if he's still feeling the effects of the injury.
Last Edited: 8/17/2016 1:38:45 PM by GoCats105
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LuckySparrow
8/17/2016 1:39 PM
Wow! Did not expect to see this. Best wishes for JD.

This changes the scope of the 2016 season for me. Looks like we'll definitely be seeing a lot of Maxwell this year.
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Valley Cat
8/17/2016 1:45 PM
This is tough to see. Kid was a fighter. Battled through last season, he is a true Bobcat. The best to him in the future, thanks for giving us alums and fans something to be prOUd of.
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rpbobcat
8/17/2016 1:49 PM
Matt Harvey of the Mets went through this this summer,so there was a lot of press about it.

He had his surgery in July,and they're "hoping" he'll be ready for Spring Training.
That's for non contact sport.
I would think the recovery time when it comes to throwing would be similar for baseball and football.

It sounds like there is a lot of rehab,before you can even get back to working out.

From what they were saying,recovery, that is being able to return to your former level in a sport,is far from guaranteed.

I was reading an article about Tommy John Surgery.
A successful surgery is one where the damage is repaired,and function returned.
Whether or not you can compete in your sport again,or at the same level,is not part of the equation.

I would also think he must know something or he would have tried for a medical redshirt.

Good luck to him.
As others have said,he was a true Bobcat.
Last Edited: 8/17/2016 1:52:30 PM by rpbobcat
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ShoreCat
8/17/2016 2:01 PM
My best to JD. If he tried to gut this out this Summer and give it a go, I admire his heart and determination. Good luck, Mr. Sprague.

As for being worried about QB...I don't see how you cannot be. This changes my hopes for the non-conference schedule. 1. Keep QB's and OL healthy. 2. Give time for the O-Line to gel. 3. Begin to determine a RB rotation. 4. Win at least 2 of the games.
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allen
8/17/2016 2:12 PM
Wow, what a crazy turn. He went through a lot more than much of us ever new. God bless him, I hope he has productive life. Maxwell will need to grow up quick.
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C Money
8/17/2016 2:25 PM
From the article:

“He is concerned about his health right now,” Solich said. “He’s lost a lot of weight, he’s been unable to get his strength up to where he wants it. All of that has had an affect on him.

“He felt he couldn’t help the team as much, or in the way he thought, as things stood.”





Best of luck to Mr. Sprague. I'll never blame a guy who walks away from the game for health concerns. As much fight and desire as he showed, I have a feeling we'll be seeing him in the coaching ranks in a few years.
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A-townBound
8/17/2016 2:31 PM
Jeff Johnson wrote:expand_more
According to Jason Arkley and the Athens Messenger, quarterback J. D. Sprague has voluntarily left the Bobcat football program, leaving Ohio with only 3 scholarship QBs.

http://www.athensmessenger.com/sports/ohiouniversity/bobc...
Solich ~ “Greg was very good in the scrimmage,” the coach said. “He’s leading the pack right now."

I have gotten the impression this was the situation even before this new development.
Last Edited: 8/17/2016 2:34:24 PM by A-townBound
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L.C.
8/17/2016 3:21 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Anyone still NOT worried about the QB situation here?

Sorry to hear JD leaving. Probably the right one for him if he's still feeling the effects of the injury.

I'm more worried than I was, but still not overly about it. I never expected Sprague to play much this fall, anyway. I was surprised when he showed up to camp as healthy as he did, but I know that after his surgery it was doubtful if he could have a full recovery by Fall. When he showed up seemingly healthy, and able to play, I was surprised, to be honest. Even then, I thought Windham or Maxwell would be the starter, and he'd be held back for use in spot duty as a backup to preserve his health. Apparently, even that isn't going to work.

Here's hoping that his shoulder recovers well enough that it is not a problem to him later in life. Here's also thanks for all the effort he put in as a Bobcat, and a word of appreciation for the positive impact he has had on the program.

Good luck to Windham and Maxwell. May they both remain healthy this year, and improve a lot as the year goes on.
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FanInTheStands
8/17/2016 3:28 PM
I'm so disappointed to hear this but have the utmost respect for Mr. Sprague and his decision. No one can ever doubt his dedication to the university or the football program. I admire him for having the courage to make such a difficult decision and realizing that he has a full, productive life ahead of him and he must make the best decisions that will enable him to be a productive member of our society for years to come. God bless you, JD, and best of luck in all that the future holds for you!
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Ted Thompson
8/17/2016 3:30 PM

 

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OU_Country
8/17/2016 3:35 PM
Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more

That has to be an incredibly difficult situation for him to be in. I hope that he can continue to be around the team, if he wants, even if he can't play.
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doubledribble
8/17/2016 3:41 PM
L.C., I agree with you on most all things "Bobcat Football", but I have to admit that I am more concerned than you are with the loss of J.D. From the practices that I have seen, it was pretty clear that J.D. was our #1 QB, even with the injury issue and surgery recovery he was dealing with this fall. This development leaves us without an experienced QB anywhere in sight. Our O-line is already banged up, and our running backs are limping around after only one full go scrimmage. File me in the "very concerned" que.
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colobobcat66
8/17/2016 3:49 PM
doubledribble wrote:expand_more
L.C., I agree with you on most all things "Bobcat Football", but I have to admit that I am more concerned than you are with the loss of J.D. From the practices that I have seen, it was pretty clear that J.D. was our #1 QB, even with the injury issue and surgery recovery he was dealing with this fall. This development leaves us without an experienced QB anywhere in sight. Our O-line is already banged up, and our running backs are limping around after only one full go scrimmage. File me in the "very concerned" que.
+1

Panic mode for me. Should we have a campus tryout tomorrow? Back to the defense wins championships line.
Remember NIU last year with their 5th string QB? Ugh.
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GoCats105
8/17/2016 3:55 PM
doubledribble wrote:expand_more
L.C., I agree with you on most all things "Bobcat Football", but I have to admit that I am more concerned than you are with the loss of J.D. From the practices that I have seen, it was pretty clear that J.D. was our #1 QB, even with the injury issue and surgery recovery he was dealing with this fall. This development leaves us without an experienced QB anywhere in sight. Our O-line is already banged up, and our running backs are limping around after only one full go scrimmage. File me in the "very concerned" que.
Even if he wasn't the #1 guy, he was at least battling for it which means the staff wasn't entirely convinced Windham, Sprague or Maxwell were separating themselves to be the #1 guy. He was Ohio's most experienced guy on the roster. Even if he wasn't playing, his leadership would be missed.
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L.C.
8/17/2016 4:16 PM
I agree that he can still be a tremendous asset to the program by helping the newer guys. I'd love to see him on the sidelines in Street clothes this fall.

Doubledribble, I'll have to defer to you, since you've actually been to the practices. I'm just going off of the praise that Russ and Arkley have had for Windham. As I said, I have been skeptical that Sprague would be able to play, so Windham and Maxwell practicing well was alleviating my concerns. In turn, your less glowing review raises them.

For those who were not impressed with Sprague in the bowl, think back and you have to respect that he even played at all.

Oh, and no need for campus wide tryouts. I noted in Arkley's article that they filled Sprague's slot in camp already with a walkon QB.
Last Edited: 8/17/2016 4:24:20 PM by L.C.
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Mark Lembright '85
8/17/2016 4:23 PM
Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more
What a great kid! My heart goes out to him as you can tell his heart is still with the Bobcats. Knowing the class that Coach Solich and the program have, I would hope and EXPECT the team to allow him to be around to lend whatever support he can lend. God bless JD Sprague-he's a stronger man than I am, that's for sure.
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colobobcat66
8/17/2016 4:31 PM
L.C. wrote:expand_more
I agree that he can still be a tremendous asset to the program by helping the newer guys. I'd love to see him on the sidelines in Street clothes this fall.

Doubledribble, I'll have to defer to you, since you've actually been to the practices. I'm just going off of the praise that Russ and Arkley have had for Windham. As I said, I have been skeptical that Sprague would be able to play, so Windham and Maxwell practicing well was alleviating my concerns. In turn, your less glowing review raises them.

For those who were not impressed with Sprague in the bowl, think back and you have to respect that he even played at all.

Oh, and no need for campus wide tryouts. I noted in Arkley's article that they filled Sprague's slot in camp already with a walkon QB.
LC,
You know that having about 100 or whatever snaps of experience is not good. The probability that a QB plays a season without an injury that requires missing snaps must be near 0.
Hold on to your hats, it's going to be a bumpy season.

As for Sprague, if you read his tweet, he's been hurt and never felt worse in his life, has lost a lot of weight per Solich and he's the number 1 QB. Makes you worry about #2 whoever it is.
Last Edited: 8/17/2016 4:34:41 PM by colobobcat66
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ytownbobcat
8/17/2016 4:34 PM
My concern was getting Maxwell reps in 2016 because we had two Senior QBs. I guess he will now be one hit away from being our starter!

I loved Sprague's gutsy play and how quick he was on a keeper play.
We are really going to miss him.
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Ohio69
8/17/2016 4:50 PM
Goodness. I'm sorry it had to end for you in this manner. You always seemed like a prepared, confident, and tough player to me. Thank you Mr. Sprague for your dedication and effort.
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D.A.
8/17/2016 5:17 PM
First of all, I feel horrible for JD and wish him well on his recovery and resumption of a normal life. Dude is a true Bobcat trooper.

Secondly, I'll have to lean on our resident game plan experts here, but have to believe this forces us into a more traditional offense and less play action/run options with the QB, which in the long run may be a blessing in disguise considering Maxwell will fit that bill. I believe Windham to be more of a traditional pocket passer, and with that, by extension, would lend to more two back sets/two tight ends that a certain poster has been clamoring for. I have no idea of the blocking schemes are easier or harder for the O line in this case or not. LC, thoughts?

And lastly, I hate to play what if's, but what if the coaches hadn't given JD the "let's build his confidence into 2016" start in the Camellia Bowl, and we started Vick, who claimed he was 100% for the game? I hate myself for even thinking it, but I can't help it.

Knock 'em dead Greg, and do us proud!
Last Edited: 8/17/2016 5:18:56 PM by D.A.
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PhiTau74
8/17/2016 5:36 PM
He's smart for not playing anymore and I wish him well. When I was 42 my shoulder was killing me and I couldn't play any more golf so I had shoulder surgery on my AC joint. The first thing the doctor said after looking at my xrays was "when did you break your collar bone". I realized then that I broke it in August of 69 in practice tackling a 265 lb lineman but I didn't realize it was broken. It was extremely painfull all season but I sucked it up because I wanted to play. Long story short I played my entire senior year with a broken collar bone and didn't realize it was broken. The doctor said it more than likely caused the bone spurs that resulted in my shoulder surgery. Its just not worth risking permanent damage that cause issues your entire life especially as you age.
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