OBSERVATIONS FROM C DECK - MIAMI

[rocketman]

I feel like the jury is still out on the RB situation. It's tough to run anywhere when you're meeting the opposition 2-3 yards in your own backfield. Here's hoping that not producing on the ground is a sign of Miami's talented defense, and not some systematic failure on our O. Pryor can still run though... good lord.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Reading through here, some folks think Saine isn't cut up for power football. I totally disagree. I've seen him truck LBs and drag a pile eight yards. However, when you have a LB coming through totally fucking untouched and meets you about 10 nanoseconds after you take the handoff, I don't care if you're Jim Fucking Brown, you're not getting any yardage. Saine got hit immediately in the backfield at least three times in that exact manner, and if I remember correctly, each time it was when he was the only back (Z. Boren was on the sidelines). When Saine at least had some time, he was OK. Miami's DL did a good job of plugging holes and forced Saine to wait on several carries. Many times we praise him for his patience, and he actually has good vision...it's when nothing opens up that he's not going to get the good yardage. Saine will look for holes before accelerating...Herron just blasts into the line.

 

[MaxBuck]

I've said elsewhere (and I guess I'm about to repeat myself here ) that I think Saine does well where there's a well-defined hole, whereas Herron (and especially Jordan Hall) does better in the trash that often occurs in a game wherein our O-line and the opponent's D-line are closely matched. Saine is going to pile up impressive yardage in games against relatively weak opposition, and he'll always be a dangerous weapon in the passing game. I just don't expect much from him when the holes are small or spotty, as they were against the excellent Hurricane D-line.

 

[Bill Lucas]

A couple of Miami fans sat right next and right in front of me. They knew their football and were great to sit and talk with at the game. One is a former Marine so perhaps that had something to do with it. Great guys who I'd talk football and drink beer with any day of the week.

 

[craigblitz]

I thought the older Cane fans were great.. the 20-30 crowd every last one I thought was a cock-sniff.

One ass clown in my isle after the kick off return wearing his Ed Reed Jersey was super pumped and proceeded to say Miami wins this one 28 bitches.. and 7 more to make up for the bull shit in Tempe... I politley told him to swallow my children and cheer proud for his team without being an ass.... I was impressed with how well he thought that would be a great idea

 

[cjmik_75]

I thought the older Cane fans were great.. the 20-30 crowd every last one I thought was a cock-sniff.

One ass clown in my isle after the kick off return wearing his Ed Reed Jersey was super pumped and proceeded to say Miami wins this one 28 bitches.. and 7 more to make up for the bull shit in Tempe... I politley told him to swallow my children and cheer proud for his team without being an ass.... I was impressed with how well he thought that would be a great idea

You may have been too polite.

 

[JBaney45]

Reading through here, some folks think Saine isn't cut up for power football. I totally disagree. I've seen him truck LBs and drag a pile eight yards. However, when you have a LB coming through totally [censored]ing untouched and meets you about 10 nanoseconds after you take the handoff, I don't care if you're Jim [censored]ing Brown, you're not getting any yardage. Saine got hit immediately in the backfield at least three times in that exact manner, and if I remember correctly, each time it was when he was the only back (Z. Boren was on the sidelines). When Saine at least had some time, he was OK. Miami's DL did a good job of plugging holes and forced Saine to wait on several carries. Many times we praise him for his patience, and he actually has good vision...it's when nothing opens up that he's not going to get the good yardage. Saine will look for holes before accelerating...Herron just blasts into the line.

Yep, they were definitely selling out to stop the run and we were a little too predictable with the play calling on early downs imo (when we weren't we scored in 2 plays lol). I just don't think Saine was getting the ball in good situations so it would be pretty hard to grade his performance.

 

[cincibuck]

Reading through here, some folks think Saine isn't cut up for power football. I totally disagree. I've seen him truck LBs and drag a pile eight yards. However, when you have a LB coming through totally fucking untouched and meets you about 10 nanoseconds after you take the handoff, I don't care if you're Jim Fucking Brown, you're not getting any yardage. Saine got hit immediately in the backfield at least three times in that exact manner, and if I remember correctly, each time it was when he was the only back (Z. Boren was on the sidelines). When Saine at least had some time, he was OK. Miami's DL did a good job of plugging holes and forced Saine to wait on several carries. Many times we praise him for his patience, and he actually has good vision...it's when nothing opens up that he's not going to get the good yardage. Saine will look for holes before accelerating...Herron just blasts into the line.

To which I would add that when scouts saw that catch for the TD they put the kid's name in the "we need" part of their report. Took speed, vision, soft hands, toughness and athleticism to get to that ball, catch it, and keep it from hitting the ground. He'll get his shot at Sunday Ball -- remember Keith Byars?

 

[buckeyes_rock]

To which I would add that when scouts saw that catch for the TD they put the kid's name in the "we need" part of their report. Took speed, vision, soft hands, toughness and athleticism to get to that ball, catch it, and keep it from hitting the ground. He'll get his shot at Sunday Ball -- remember Keith Byars?

Did you just compare B Saine to Keith Byars?

 

[Taosman]

Saine will be a NFL Combine freak and get a lot of interest. Saine looks better in I formation football with a leade blocker.

 

[daddyphatsacs]

Fine write-up, as always!

And the more I see of Berry - he looks like s a game changer.

I could not agree with this statement any more. The kid has "it". He knows how to break plays and just seems faster than everyone else on the field when he is running. Play him early and often. :)

 

[cincibuck]

Did you just compare B Saine to Keith Byars?

I don't compare anyone -- including Keith Byars -- to the pre-foot injury/ies Keith Byars. That guy could have been the second Jim Brown, but Saine -- like the apres injury/ies Byars -- will find a home in the NFL because of his ability to catch the ball and do something with it after he catches it.

Sorry for the confusion. Should have made myself clearer.

 

[CalvinistBuck]

I appreciate thoughtful analysis and I'm grateful you take great care to share your thoughts. Thoughtful posting makes this forum relevant.

This is why fans in general need to keep their opinions to themselves and should never, ever questions coaches play calling or personnel decisions.

While I agree with your sentiment, generalizations like this bother me enough to comment.

I think most of us acknowledge that Coach Tressel and his staff know more about football and his team's capabilities than we do. Still, no one is infallible. I'm positively certain that JT and staff later review every decision made and ask themselves what could have been done better.

You say to "never, ever" question personnel decisions yet you say:

And the more I see of Berry - he looks like s a game changer.

So listen up JT. Get him on the field.

We pay your salary coach. And we want Berry.

You might defend your careless generalization with something like, "I was talking about fans questioning the coaches during a game..."

Still, what's so bad about fans yelling, "Go for it!"? (Personally, I want the Buckeye fans in the 'Shoe to yell more.) Coaches and players need to be skilled at making decisions/execute apart from the mob mentality. The mob is usually wrong--but, not always.

Keep up the insightful observations, but please steer clear of questionable generalizations. I write this with all due respect.

 

[BB73]

Calvinist, I thought the same thing for a couple seconds; but then I realized that Oh8ch's blanket statement that fans should never question the coaches, followed in his next point by a comment that the fans want Berry, and 'pay your salary coach' was just a setup.

 

[Tlangs]

Calvinist, I thought the same thing for a couple seconds; but then I realized that Oh8ch's blanket statement that fans should never question the coaches, followed in his next point by a comment that the fans want Berry, and 'pay your salary coach' was just a setup.

OH8 is 1 sneaky s.o.b.