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RB Brandon "Zoom" Saine (official thread)

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utgrad73;1814324; said:
I was talking to someone from Piqua who saw our famous TB in HS, he felt Brandon Saine was being used incorrectly. He's too fast to be an off tackle runner, most of the time he hits the hole and runs into the OL before they can get off the ball. He was never an "up the gut runner"; he made big gains by getting to the edge and outrunning everyone in HS. He's was the 4th fastest 100 m prep runner in HS in the nation! Those other runners back then are all SEC players or in the NFL by now! He also has great hands - according to the Bio I just saw he started out as a WR in junior high but got the nod as a RB when the other RB got hurt . So why not bite the bullet and say he's a WR and use him that way. Line him up with the other WRs and run them deep down the field. Let them run the DBs into the ground and see what happens. The result should be a completion to an open WR no doubt. When's the last time we saw the wheel route that he ran so well in the past? Come on man, let's give Boom more carries and sneak Berry, Hall and Hyde into the backfield. Let Brandon run free.
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You haven't noticed Saine's role since the Illinois game and how it changed? Yeah, he's gotten a few more carries again in the past couple weeks but he was basically a WR against Indiana. Not sure how you missed that.
 
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A converted Wolverine

Ohio State running back Brandon Saine said Michigan was his favorite team growing up in Piqua, Ohio.

"I mainly think it was to be a rebel," he said. "Everyone liked Ohio State, so why not like Michigan? I had a Desmond Howard jersey that I wore all the way up to my sophomore year in high school."

What happened to the Howard jersey?

"It's gone, definitely. I had to start buying Ohio State stuff."
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http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...11/24/coaching-honor-for-fickell.html?sid=101
 
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cover600.jpg


Mr. Football

That was the title bestowed upon Saine as an Ohio prep star out of Piqua. He saw the field right away in 2007, while classmate and fellow back Daniel Herron redshirted, and Saine proved to be a valuable player.

In the 2007 title game, he caught a 44-yard pass on a wheel route to help OSU build a quick 10-0 lead.

"That was huge for me," Saine said. "It really brought out the confidence in me."

But a nagging hamstring injury ruined his 2008 season. Last year appeared to be the season that would set him up for greatness in 2010, as Saine rushed for 739 yards.

Once again, though, the follow-up season was a downer. Herron seized control of the tailback spot and Saine's playing time decreased.

His career, then, has been a strange and unexpected up-and-down odyssey. Still, he has more than 2,000 total yards (rushing and receiving) and 17 touchdowns, and he proclaims himself satisfied.

"I'm mostly just thankful to be able to step on the field at all," Saine said. "I think through the years I've learned a lot, and being here at Ohio State, I've grown as a man."
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http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/buckeyextra/stories/gameday/2010/week18/cover_story.html
 
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Brandon Saine
RB, Ohio State

War Room analysis
Strengths: Has good size, arm length, and straight-line play speed for the position. Can really accelerate quickly on a straight-ahead track, providing big-play potential to his team. Has soft hands and runs good routes out of the backfield. Is a real weapon as a receiver. Is capable of breaking arm tackles within the box and in running through defensive backs downfield in his run-after-catch ability. Has value as a coverage player for special teams.

Weaknesses: Is not an instinctive runner. Shows inconsistent patience, vision, and decisiveness after taking the hand-off. Is slower than he should be to and through the hole. Appears to feel his way, instead of hitting the hole full speed. Has not been able to nail-down the starting job in the last two seasons. Is inconsistent blocker in pass protection and shows little interest in being a lead blocker in the run game. Has had problems staying healthy thus far in his career.

Bottom line: Saine is in his second season as a tandem running back. His frame and skills gives him the chance to eventually be a versatile running back/fullback type. He shows gear change and acceleration on a straight-ahead track in his play. He is a one-cut and go type of runner, who turns into a slasher-type once he hits full speed at the second level or downfield. He is more comfortable and effective as a perimeter runner. He can really track and adjust to the ball in the air, but for some reason, he is not a great kickoff return man. He lacks the instincts and ability to ever become a starter in the NFL but could be a possible third running back and core special teams player.
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http://warroom.sportingnews.com/nfl/draft/2011/players/10041.html
 
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Saine went to Ohio State as a star - a state sprint champion and Mr. Football. His days as a Buckeye were marked by bursts of production, interspersed with injuries and supporting roles.

Sanzenbacher was unheralded, almost an afterthought, who worked his way up step by step until he capped his career by being voted team MVP.

Their personalities are different, as well. Saine is laid-back and seems curiously detached about his NFL future.

"I'm not really expecting anything right now," he said. "I think that after this whole process is over, and once pro day (March 11) is over, I'll have a better idea of what to expect."

His best bet may be to fit in as a third-down specialist. Saine has excellent receiving skills for a running back and hopes to showcase that aspect of his game during workouts Sunday.

"I think that versatility can really help me," he said. "I plan on catching every ball thrown to me, so we'll see what happens."
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http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...26/outlook-hazy-for-two-buckeyes.html?sid=101
 
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matcar;1880142; said:
Never been any questions about his speed or hands. And frankly he's damn physical as well, Saine's only real weakness is that he just isn't shifty.
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I think "only weakness" is a bit gratuitous. I think he has some problems being decisive in hitting the hole as well as picking up tough yards.

I forsee a nice and long career in the league as a 3rd down back/ H-back in passing situations. He'll be a nice secret weapon in the increasingly matchup driven NFL.
 
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Merih;1880150; said:
I think "only weakness" is a bit gratuitous. I think he has some problems being decisive in hitting the hole as well as picking up tough yards.

I forsee a nice and long career in the league as a 3rd down back/ H-back in passing situations. He'll be a nice secret weapon in the increasingly matchup driven NFL.
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Probably right that the problem is more than just shifty, if you are indecisive then you tend to look less shifty.
 
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Ohio State?s Brandon Saine caught NFL teams by surprise when he finished among the top 10 running backs in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine last month. Saine recorded an official time of 4.43 seconds to improve his chances of being selected in April?s draft.

There were at least 15 teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, that expressed interest in the Piqua native. Saine had an impromptu meeting with Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson while in Indianapolis.

?I got a good vibe from Coach Anderson in the short 15 minutes we spoke,? he said. ?I could tell that he was a really great teacher because he was a wealth of knowledge. I perceived him to be a good guy. He?s the type of coach that players want to play hard for.?

The 5-foot-11, 220-pound Saine was Ohio?s 2006 Mr. Football after rushing for 1,895 yards and 27 touchdowns his senior season at Piqua High School. At OSU, he had a four-year total of 1,408 yards rushing.

?Coming from a small town to O-State, I didn?t really know what to expect,? Saine said. ?All I knew was to go in, work hard, and see what happens.

?I was given a couple of opportunities my freshman year and contributed to the team. The following season I pulled a hamstring during camp, and that threw a wrench in things right away. The injury affected my entire season. I was never able to get back into a rhythm and became a role player that year.?

Cont..
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http://www.journal-news.com/hamilto...back-saine-impressing-nfl-scouts-1102899.html
 
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