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

[Nicknam4]

They've called a number of passing play's and Braxton is being patient enough, the WR's just aren't getting open consistently.

With that being said, I'm still baffled that we refuse to throw a screen pass to the RB's. And what about the TE screen to Stoney that went for a TD against NEB? Maybe we are saving it for a key time down the road. How about a shovel pass? A roll out and a pass to the TE in the flat? WHY do we insist on throwing vertically 10-20 yds down the field ALL the time? If the WR's are not consistently getting open let's us the TE, RB and Fullback...just a thought.

:osu:

I do remember seeing one screen pass to Boom during the Indiana game, but it was eaten up.

 

[Bill Lucas]

I do remember seeing one screen pass to Boom during the Indiana game, but it was eaten up.

IIRC that really wasn't a screen. Boom was the dump off man in the flat and had no blockers in front of him.

 

[HorticullyBuck]

for those who didnt see. heres a meh youtube clip

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=707hncdFgzY"]B-Miller 3rd Td Run. Go Bucks! - YouTube[/ame]

 

[7 Heismans]

there is no question that Braxton is a more talented runner.

The difference in running ability is pretty much a wash. Both have shown much talent. Both have shown the ability to run away from defenders, though both have taken numerous sacks as well. Both have shown trouble holding onto the ball.

Pryor never had runs up the middle

Incorrect. You either have a short memory or an inability to search the Internets (and yes, i'll spell it out for you - I intentionally added the letter 's' to 'Internet' - as a 'Dubbya' reference). In any case...(took me less than 7 seconds to find this clip)

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJTd-wm75RM"]Terrelle Pryor Runs - YouTube[/ame]

While Pryor was able to out-physical defenders, he was definitely more shy of hits than Braxton is.

By your own admission, Pryor was physical with defenders. Therefore, Pryor was clearly not afraid of contact. I already posted a clip showing Pryor's willingness to stay in bounds specifically to lay a hit on a defender.

As I stated before, sometimes running out of bounds is the best option available to a QB (which is also a reflection on QB IQ).

That's how good of a runner he [Miller] is. Could you say that about Pryor?

I don't need to say it; others already have. DickRod (and other coaches) wanted Pryor (first and foremost) for his running ability. Pryor chose OSU, because he desired to be the best overall QB, not just the best runner.

"With his rare combination of size and speed, Pryor could be a natural fit at wide receiver, tight end or even running back if he is able to make the necessary adjustments." (at the NFL level. Will the same be said about Miller?)

http://www.nationalfootballauthority.com/2011/08/terrelle-pryor-shows-athleticism-at-pro.html

There's a reason Pryor didn't break too many big runs and that is the middle third of the field was never an area he exploited. He'd get up the field and then immediately look to bounce out to the outside.

I'm curious. Did you find fault with Pittman for running behind Boone? Did you fault George for running behind Pace? Why do you think they did? Could it possibly be a matter of comfort? If Pryor was more comfortable running to the outside, then why wouldn't you want him to? For some strange reason, you would rather fault Pryor for not running up the middle. Regardless, Pryor did run up the middle, so your argument lacks merit.

Pryor took on defenders from an arms length, no pun intended. He'd stiff arm guys...

You're right! Pryor was very elusive. I have yet to see Miller stiff arm guys, run people over, etc...the way Pryor did.

And did you really just link a youtube of a video game?

I guess you weren't observant enough to note the "" after the video. I initially placed a "" but changed it, because the wink was too obvious (too obviously that it was a joke). I guess in the future, I'll spell everything out just for you.

I want Miller to be better than Pryor and the potential is clearly there. Here's what I like best about Miller - his composure. I rarely see him show emotion.

 

[jwinslow]

7, Pryor avoided contact like the plague, and curled up into a ball when tacklers closed in.

he was very tentative in traffic despite being larger than most of the tacklers, and able to shed tackles by almost all of them.

his occasional inside runs didn't change the tendency. defenses always had the sideline as a twelfth defender, even if he was in the middle of the field. it was very easy to string Pryor out to the sideline

Pryor had far better strength and pure speed, but was a long strider who made himself slower by running to protect his body inside. there were certainly benefits to that.. though..

Braxton is much quicker, more agile and runs with reckless abandon, which is good and bad.

 

[southcampus]

Again, I'll be the first to tell you that Pryor was a great weapon here. My point is he wasn't as big of a home run threat to go the distance as Braxton is and I think it's mostly because Pryor didn't run in the middle third much. The video you linked featured very few runs that were in the middle. Maybe his skill set was better suited for sideline running, maybe he was afraid of contact. Regardless, Braxton seems to be able to break bigger runs using the entire field. Pryor had a great stiff arm. Watching the video, he really dominated guys with that. So in that sense, he was physical with defenders.

Pryor at running back is moronic. Period. Was that article written by a school paper or ESPN or something?

As for "faulting" Pryor for running to the outside, I'm simply saying that, that could be a reason why he didn't break many big time runs. He limited himself. Braxton has already broken some impressive runs and it's because he is very talented and comfortable using the entire field.

 

[FrancisSoyer]

7, Pryor avoided contact like the plague, and curled up into a ball when tacklers closed in.

he was very tentative in traffic despite being larger than most of the tacklers, and able to shed tackles by almost all of them.

his occasional inside runs didn't change the tendency. defenses always had the sideline as a twelfth defender, even if he was in the middle of the field. it was very easy to string Pryor out to the sideline

Pryor had far better strength and pure speed, but was a long strider who made himself slower by running to protect his body inside. there were certainly benefits to that.. though..

Braxton is much quicker, more agile and runs with reckless abandon, which is good and bad.

I don't see that. As elusive and quick as Pryor was, he was never that fast in a straight line. If he broke into the open field he usually got caught from behind. It looks to me like Braxton can match him in quickness and elusiveness but exceeds his straight line speed. If we can get a good QB coach I have no doubt that Braxton can be better than Pryor.

 

[Taosman]

Pryor's thinking and play evolved from his first year. We may well see the same from Brax in running out of bounds to avoid hits. Especially with his injury history.

 

[Jaxbuck]

7, Pryor avoided contact like the plague, and curled up into a ball when tacklers closed in.

he was very tentative in traffic despite being larger than most of the tacklers, and able to shed tackles by almost all of them.

his occasional inside runs didn't change the tendency. defenses always had the sideline as a twelfth defender, even if he was in the middle of the field. it was very easy to string Pryor out to the sideline

Pryor had far better strength and pure speed, but was a long strider who made himself slower by running to protect his body inside. there were certainly benefits to that.. though..

Braxton is much quicker, more agile and runs with reckless abandon, which is good and bad.

agree 100%

I'm not sure Braxton's lack of concern over contact is a good thing for a QB but between the two of them Pryor most definitely had more of a natural inclination to avoid contact.

TP did not like getting hit, which is not questioning his courage or toughness, it was just the way he was.

 

[ScarletnGray 33]

Hmm... Sorry I started this Braxton/Pryor running comparion, but nobody is going to convince me that Pryor was a better runner than Braxton was. Whoever called me out for bringing this up because TP was at the center of the memorabilia for tats scandal is full of shit, as I loved watching Pryor play and still wish him the best of luck in the NFL. He wanted no part of contact (most of the time). Thanks for the link of a highlight where he lowered his shoulder for once at the Minnesota game THAT I ATTENDED. Smh. Pretty sure most people that post here have seen every play of his career, so spare us the Youtube clips. Seriously. And a post of an NCAA Footabll video game highlight? Really?

I remember in the Fiesta Bowl when Pryor ran out of bounds 2 yards before the sticks to avoid getting hit by the Texas defender who was still five yards away from him. He could've easily moved the chains. What does Braxton do in that situation? Plants his right foot in the ground and breaks the defender's ankles. The dude runs like (as another poster said, a running back), and looks like a kick returner when he gets in the open field.

It seems that most agree that Braxton > Pryor running the football, though. Now let's get into the passing debate!

 

[dav713]

I don't see that. As elusive and quick as Pryor was, he was never that fast in a straight line. If he broke into the open field he usually got caught from behind. It looks to me like Braxton can match him in quickness and elusiveness but exceeds his straight line speed. If we can get a good QB coach I have no doubt that Braxton can be better than Pryor.

It was reported that Pryor ran the fastest 40 on the team. Speed was Pryor's biggest strength as a runner. When he ran, he just effortlessly glided past defenders taking poor angles. And I don't recall Pryor ever being caught from behind.

 

[RugbyBuck]

Two different styles and body types. One great college qb and one on the way there. Pryor was faster, but much less quick and needed some space to hit top speed due to his long stride. He was also considerably bigger than Braxton and mostly avoided contact when it wasn't necessary. Miller needs to be himself, but has got to stop taking all of the hits he gets. Some he's not going to be able to do anything about so he should try to avoid those that he can. Physics always wins... eventually.

 

[Nicknam4]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWzqIY0RhiY"]Braxton Miller's 81 Yd Touchdown Run Against Indiana - YouTube[/ame]

 

[FrancisSoyer]

It was reported that Pryor ran the fastest 40 on the team. Speed was Pryor's biggest strength as a runner. When he ran, he just effortlessly glided past defenders taking poor angles. And I don't recall Pryor ever being caught from behind.

By straight line, I was thinking of 50+ yard type runs. When he broke into the open field he eventually was caught from behind rather than going the distance. Like I said, Pryor was very quick (40 yard dash) and very elusive (for his size) but Braxton just had the longest run by an OSU QB in history. His straight line speed (50+ yards) is another level up from Pryor's. That is a fact.

 

[TooTall]

Braxton Miller's 81 Yd Touchdown Run Against Indiana - YouTube

Such a sick downhill runner. I'm so glad he's on this team.