QB/WR Braxton Miller (B1G POY, National Champion, OSU HOF)

[ScarletnGray 33]

Good luck, Braxton. Just play your game and everyone will be more than satisfied.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

So with it said that Braxton will have the start lets play devils advocate here.

If Braxton comes out and has a fumble or two, as well as an interception and the offense looks a bit inept in the QB position will all the BM supporters give him a pass?

Seems to me that everyone is certainly capable of bringing up Joe's dismal performance but as soon as you meantion that Braxton fumbled the ball or threw incomplete passes (forcing yet another punt) people get butt hurt and make excuses. It will be interesting to see the excuses fly this week when Braxton looks a bit green in the pocket. I get it that the kid has GOOD size, speed, and what SEEMS to be a decent arm against high school opponents (Akron included), but I guess everyone calling him to be our savior will get their wish to check out his game in both an average (Colorado) as well as sizable (Mich State) test in the coming weeks.

 

[OHSportsFan]

Good luck, Braxton. Just play your game and everyone will be more than satisfied.

Maybe.

This is Buckeye Nation we're talking about here.

 

[kn1f3party]

So with it said that Braxton will have the start lets play devils advocate here.

If Braxton comes out and has a fumble or two, as well as an interception and the offense looks a bit inept in the QB position will all the BM supporters give him a pass?

Seems to me that everyone is certainly capable of bringing up Joe's dismal performance but as soon as you meantion that Braxton fumbled the ball or threw incomplete passes (forcing yet another punt) people get butt hurt and make excuses. It will be interesting to see the excuses fly this week when Braxton looks a bit green in the pocket. I get it that the kid has GOOD size, speed, and what SEEMS to be a decent arm against high school opponents (Akron included), but I guess everyone calling him to be our savior will get their wish to check out his game in both an average (Colorado) as well as sizable (Mich State) test in the coming weeks.

My personal take on this is he hasn't been given a fair opportunity to show us what he has. If he does awful, I won't dismiss it. But I can see why some would have an easier time with a true freshman playing poorly in his first start than a 5th year senior in his 3rd. I think you're right, though. We don't know until we see this weekend and next. And if we're still scratching our heads, why not give TG and KG a crack at it?

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Maybe.

This is Buckeye Nation we're talking about here.

No, dont worry, there will be excuses if Braxton does poor - just like there was last week for his interception and fumble.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

So with it said that Braxton will have the start lets play devils advocate here.

If Braxton comes out and has a fumble or two, as well as an interception and the offense looks a bit inept in the QB position will all the BM supporters give him a pass?

Seems to me that everyone is certainly capable of bringing up Joe's dismal performance but as soon as you meantion that Braxton fumbled the ball or threw incomplete passes (forcing yet another punt) people get butt hurt and make excuses. It will be interesting to see the excuses fly this week when Braxton looks a bit green in the pocket. I get it that the kid has GOOD size, speed, and what SEEMS to be a decent arm against high school opponents (Akron included), but I guess everyone calling him to be our savior will get their wish to check out his game in both an average (Colorado) as well as sizable (Mich State) test in the coming weeks.

It's not so that he didn't struggle as much as Bauserman last week, it's that he's going to have growing pains sometimes, might as well be this year rather than next.

I expect him to struggle, but I'd rather watch him struggle than Baus.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

My personal take on this is he hasn't been given a fair opportunity to show us what he has. If he does awful, I won't dismiss it. But I can see why some would have an easier time with a true freshman playing poorly in his first start than a 5th year senior in his 3rd. I think you're right, though. We don't know until we see this weekend and next. And if we're still scratching our heads, why not give TG and KG a crack at it?

All Im getting at is that if you search through the BP threads since last Saturday you will find a plethora of posters scream that BM is going to be our savior.

We havent really seen this kid in action other than High School clips, 2 quarters against Akron, an interception, fumble, and a few nice rushes against Miami. Even with that said people are using Braxton's name in the same sentence of words like: "Troy Smith", "Heisman", "great arm", "Great throwing motion", "great running abilities", etc.

Its insane that fellow Buckeye "fans" are so quick to throw Joe under the bus with his flaws against Miami but boast and brag about the very few things Braxton did correct. Its not like Braxton came out and was a world beater everyone is hyping him to be.

Some people then reference his lack of playing time (yourself included) - okay, if he hasnt had much time in games, then why are you bragging on him? If we havent seen much of him then we really cant say how he will perform from here on out, its pure speculation and guessing. As far as him being a frosh vs. Joe being a senior, its really not as if Joe had a ton of expectations given this was Joe's first year of starting after sitting for years on the bench.

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

If Braxton comes out and has a fumble or two, as well as an interception and the offense looks a bit inept in the QB position will all the BM supporters give him a pass?

If he is your guy, you will give him a pass. If Joe is your guy, you will pick Miller apart. That is just how people will go about it. I would give the freshmen more of a pass than the senior until he starts carrying the ball like a loaf of bread again.

 

[Jake]

So with it said that Braxton will have the start lets play devils advocate here.

If Braxton comes out and has a fumble or two, as well as an interception and the offense looks a bit inept in the QB position will all the BM supporters give him a pass?

Seems to me that everyone is certainly capable of bringing up Joe's dismal performance but as soon as you meantion that Braxton fumbled the ball or threw incomplete passes (forcing yet another punt) people get butt hurt and make excuses. It will be interesting to see the excuses fly this week when Braxton looks a bit green in the pocket. I get it that the kid has GOOD size, speed, and what SEEMS to be a decent arm against high school opponents (Akron included), but I guess everyone calling him to be our savior will get their wish to check out his game in both an average (Colorado) as well as sizable (Mich State) test in the coming weeks.

Joe Bauserman is a 6th year senior walk on with virtually no experience. Braxton Miller is a freshman five star recruit with virtually no experience. One represents the future. One does not. Which one does it makes sense to live with the growing pains? It's not "butt hurt" to understand the answer to that question.

Frankly, I don't see either of them as our "savior" this season. I do, however, see one of them as a potential star next year and beyond. Again, it's not "butt hurt" to understand the difference. Both are good kids. But the program is bigger than either of them. Braxton needs to play.

 

[kinch]

I think this is a great move by coach. Miller knows now that he is the starter, not after a few good series in the game. He gets to play with the ones in assumedly most if not all the reps. He can feel confident rather than uncertain. The first big move will be to leave him in after two turnovers. Let him know he is the man so he can focus on the game at hand.

I remember how fragile my psyche was at that age. . .

Also, does Luke read this board? It seems he is getting the psychology thing.

 

[Buck 'em up]

His athletic ability provides something to the offense and to me, he still throws a better ball than Bauserman. The interception last week and the fumble are things that playing experience will only help. It is also very difficult for someone to come of the bench for a series here and there -- especially when it is clear that Fickell and the coaching staff had no plan as to how the rotation would work. I also hope we have seen the last of Bauserman this season. I would rather see Graham and Guiton get PT before Bauserman.

 

[Tlangs]

It's not so that he didn't struggle as much as Bauserman last week, it's that he's going to have growing pains sometimes, might as well be this year rather than next.

I expect him to struggle, but I'd rather watch him struggle than Baus.

This.

Bauserman was given his shot. He has seen consistent snaps throughout the first 3 games. He was given consecutive series where he should have been able to adjust to what the defenses were doing. He couldn't get it done. Miller hasn't been given his shot yet. He played some against Akron, mostly with the second string offense. DNP against Toledo. Then played a little against Miami while getting Jerked in and out of the game.

If Miller plays bad, the only excuse is he is a true freshman with few game reps. Reps that he did not get against Akron where the consesus was he should have played more. No reps against Toledo. Then going on the road at night and getting jerked around the whole game.

Even if Miller stinks up the joint, you stick with him. A 3 and out (with our kick coverage) is the same thing as moving the ball down field and then turning it over.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

If he is your guy, you will give him a pass. If Joe is your guy, you will pick Miller apart. That is just how people will go about it. I would give the freshmen more of a pass than the senior until he starts carrying the ball like a loaf of bread again.

It shouldnt be black and white, like it or not BOTH of these guys are Buckeyes. BOTH of these kids have given it their all to be where they are. They are the best for our team deemed so by the likes of Tressel, Fickell, and our other position/offensive coaches.

If you are willing to pick one a part for his bad game you should be willing to do the same to other other guy seeing as how it is a team effort and neither one of them looked great or good last week.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Even if Miller stinks up the joint, you stick with him. A 3 and out (with our kick coverage) is the same thing as moving the ball down field and then turning it over.

I get that he's a true freshman, and Im willing to give him the pass on that. HOWEVER when posters on here are saying he has "great" abilities - not "good", not "okay", not "potential" - but "great", they are then hyping him up. When he doesnt deliever all they do is give some weak and lame excuses as to why he didnt live up to the hype.

 

[HeightsBuck]

It shouldnt be black and white, like it or not BOTH of these guys are Buckeyes. BOTH of these kids have given it their all to be where they are. They are the best for our team deemed so by the likes of Tressel, Fickell, and our other position/offensive coaches.

If you are willing to pick one a part for his bad game you should be willing to do the same to other other guy seeing as how it is a team effort and neither one of them looked great or good last week.

People are going to pick apart Joe more than Braxton bottom line, why? Because you expect more from a 25yr old 5th yr senior who has been in and around the college game, than a 18 yr old true freshman who doesn't have all the playbook down, and is still adjusting to the speed/physicality of the college game. JB will be held to a higher standard period.