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

[buxfan4life]

I think he'll be a star but I don't think it will be this year. He's got a LONG way to go when it comes to his grasp of the playbook, which is a bit discouraging considering he's been here since the winter. His comfort in the pocket is the key to his success in my opinion. If he can show that he's a threat to beat man coverages and to exploit cheating LBers, he'll be able to capitalize more on his legs. Pretty much the exact same thing Troy was able to do only I see Braxton as having less arm strength and more running ability.
I agree that he can be one of the most feared players in the league but even Pryor wasn't considered in legit Heisman conversations and he WAS the most feared player in the league.

To the bold, you need to realize that the Ohio State playbook is not 10 plays on a piece of paper ala Auburn and sCam. Yes, he has had a decent amount of practice, but until last week he was not running with the ones consistently and timing on pass routes and such take repetitions to get down. I am not discouraged at all by his grasp of the playbook since he is only a true freshman. It was his first game as a starter, and first week in practice being "the man". No freshman QB is going to have a good grasp on the playbook at this point in their career, I don't care who they are.

 

[Bill Lucas]

His moves have moves.

When I watch him run I forget how big he is. 6'3" players aren't supposed to be that quick and elusive.

 

[gooser3439]

I absolutely love what I saw from Braxton on Saturday and believe he is going to be the real deal; however, there seems to be alot of concern over the amount of hits he will take and if he is durable enough to keep it up. The somersault at the end of his one run yesterday had nightmare written all over it ... the last thing we need is Bauserman seeing the field again ala Illinois last year.

How many designed running attempts should he get per game?

How many pass attempts?

 

[bassbuckeye07]

I absolutely love what I saw from Braxton on Saturday and believe he is going to be the real deal; however, there seems to be alot of concern over the amount of hits he will take and if he is durable enough to keep it up. The somersault at the end of his one run yesterday had nightmare written all over it ... the last thing we need is Bauserman seeing the field again ala Illinois last year.

How many designed running attempts should he get per game?

How many pass attempts?

This^^^ Soon as he gets a little more comfortable with the pass game that should help....having Posey return should help as well but he is athletic as hell

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

Pryor threw a better spiral. He threw a good deep ball. His polish on intermediate throws as a junior was comparable to miller this past spring.

Could not disagree more. During his freshman year, Pryor's deep balls drew rain they were so high. The receivers were turned into basketball players and had to do a jump ball drill to get the pass away from the defender. He could throw the ball far, but not on a rope. He was getting better his Junior year and I was looking forward to his senior year.

Braxton is the opposite of Pryor. He is a slasher with great quickness and decent speed. He leaves you grasping for air in the pocket but can't run through you, while Pryor was very mediocre at slicing inside a tackler, but remarkable at treating arm tackles - 300 lbs or 180 - like stuffed animals.

Could not agree more. Pryor looked like he did not want to plant his foot to make a cut. I always felt he was worried about someone taking out his ACL. If someone was coming at him low, he would crumble. If someone was coming at him waist level or higher, he would swat them away like they were flies. Braxton looks like he can get you 5 yards where there might be nothing. With that running style he runs the risk of getting crushed.

 

[sparcboxbuck]

I absolutely love what I saw from Braxton on Saturday and believe he is going to be the real deal; however, there seems to be alot of concern over the amount of hits he will take and if he is durable enough to keep it up. The somersault at the end of his one run yesterday had nightmare written all over it ... the last thing we need is Bauserman seeing the field again ala Illinois last year.

How many designed running attempts should he get per game?

How many pass attempts?

Agreed. Just back from a weekend scouting trip and had time to watch most of the game last night (though I did watch a lot of it on my phone w slingbox ). He looks just like what we need at this point. Mobile enough to make a single-read-and-run offense work while he matures. He's got a bright future, and I'm looking forward to watching him grow over the next few years. Lightning quick feet and release on his throws is a recipie for a lot of wins.

Great game young man! Your team now... Go get 'em!

 

[RugbyBuck]

Braxton's acceleration was amazing. He is at near top-speed, but under control, immediately.

 

[ant80]

Agreed. Just back from a weekend scouting trip and had time to watch most of the game last night (though I did watch a lot of it on my phone w slingbox ). He looks just like what we need at this point. Mobile enough to make a single-read-and-run offense work while he matures. He's got a bright future, and I'm looking forward to watching him grow over the next few years. Lightning quick feet and release on his throws is a recipie for a lot of wins.

Great game young man! Your team now... Go get 'em!

 

[Dryden]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3xz3XyFqYU"]Ohio State vs Colorado 2011 Highlights (Week 4) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[ScarletnGray 33]

Haven't seen a Buckeye with the ability to shake people out of their shoes like that - at any position, much less quarterback - since Teddy Ginn. He doesn't have the world class straight line speed that Ginn has, but in terms of pure elusiveness and jukes/cuts, he just has that wow factor.

 

[Tlangs]

Ohio State vs Colorado 2011 Highlights (Week 4) - YouTube

The 3 yard gain at the 3:12 mark was just sick. He was dead meat and somehow shook loose to turn a 7 yard loss into a 3 yard gain.

 

[Frohlich]

I will chime in and agree with most of what I am reading here.

Running: A- (he had some sick cuts on Saturday)
Passing: C
Potential in passing: maybe a B+ or better??? only time will tell


What most are getting and some are failing to realize is that if he gets to a B+ in passing, it will open up so many other things in the game for the offense. When you are a balanced offense, the defense can't cheat or they will pay the price. The end result is the passing game and running game benefit.

 

[muffler dragon]

I'm looking forward to the time when the game slows down for Braxton and he becomes even more confident.

 

[Buckeyefrankmp]

Haven't seen a Buckeye with the ability to shake people out of their shoes like that - at any position, much less quarterback - since Teddy Ginn. He doesn't have the world class straight line speed that Ginn has, but in terms of pure elusiveness and jukes/cuts, he just has that wow factor.

No Doubt. I have wanted to see a running back do that for years. Our backs have always ran straight forward and veer off in a direction. I don't know if this is taught to them by the running backs coach or not. I remember watching the OSU/USC games, most of USC backs would run like Miller does. They would be able to stop on a dime and change direction as fast as they got there.

 

[NateG]

When Miller has Posey on the outside with Smith(who he has a connection with) the field will open up big. Teams have been doubling Stoney due to the td potential he has shown and they won't be able to do that anymore. Then throw in Philly and Chris fields and things are looking good.