Whether judging the strength of the entire Big Ten conference based on Ohio State’s performance in the 2006 and 2007 BCS title games is justified or not, there’s another dubious opinion that’s entirely less disputable: Ohio State can’t seem to develop quarterbacks. The last Buckeye signal caller to establish a “respectable” NFL career was Tom Tupa, who spent most of his 17 years in the league as a punter.

So it’s notable that the two of the most recent fellows to play under center in Columbus are looking for their respective props. Troy Smith, who now plays for the Ravens, asked for a trade while his team is in the middle of a playoff race, while current Buckeye quarterback Terrelle Pryor just wants everyone to stop dumping on the Big Ten.

Smith’s timing for a trade request seems dubious, since there seemed to be little doubt in Baltimore over the past 12 months that Joe Flacco was going to be The Guy. His team is chasing down a wild card spot; why make waves now? And why do it through your agent on Twitter?

Pryor, meanwhile, seems eager to carry the flag for the Big Ten into the Rose Bowl on New Year’s day. It’s about time somebody did. Too bad that it had to be a quarterback from Ohio State.

via Truth & Rumors.

Busted Coverage put together its own scouting report for NFL wide receiver prospect Brian Hartline. And it looks like he did more at Ohio State than never get open; below is Hartline in his natural habitat with his reported fiance’, Lindsey. Lindsey apparently works in law enforcement, which could make for a tenuous relationship with a football player in Columbus. But at the same time, a good set of handcuffs would never be out of reach. You know, for restraining potential perps.

Here’s the book on Hartline, since we couldn’t find a landscape shot and therefore clamoring for filler, from Cleveland.com, whatever that is:

SI.com’s Peter King sure heard good things about Hartline, calling him a second- or third-round choice based on his latest workouts. Hartline isn’t a blazer, but his numbers in the agility drills show he has the quickness to work in the middle of the field as a slot guy in the NFL, and he has enough size to hold up in there.

Oh, by the way, Hartline caught 21 balls last year. Twenty-freaking one and they’re saying he’ll be a first-day pick. For those counting, that only 19 more than Lindsey caught last season. With her face.