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RB Brandon "Zoom" Saine (official thread)

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Well now that the spring game has gone and passed.... Why does it seem like whenever brandon runs with the ball that there's never much room to run, but when say beanie or even Herron running there does?

It's the same type of thing when pittman could find room but Ross couldn't? Or when Beanie rips through gaping holes but MoW can't gain more than 2 yards at a time?

It's just so odd because we all know Saine has such a great blend of speed and power. Anyone have an insights here?
 
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bukIpower;1144267; said:
Well now that the spring game has gone and passed.... Why does it seem like whenever brandon runs with the ball that there's never much room to run, but when say beanie or even Herron running there does?

It's the same type of thing when pittman could find room but Ross couldn't? Or when Beanie rips through gaping holes but MoW can't gain more than 2 yards at a time?

It's just so odd because we all know Saine has such a great blend of speed and power. Anyone have an insights here?
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OK, here's what I think for what it's worth. Remember how Beanie hit the hole too quickly in the eartly season last year? He learned to be patient for an open hole and his game improved dramitically. I think Brandon has such quick burst that he is where he's supposed to be before the hole opens. To fix this - watch Beanie run. Also, there's an issue with his running style, not as shifty as Mo or Boom, he's more of a slashing style runner. Maybe that's why he seems to be more successful as a WR. In HS he ran a play that put him in motion in the backfield running east to west directly behind the QB, he would take the handoff approaching full speed and turn upfield. That worked well. There are two different running styles required for two unique positions WR and RB. It's a subtle thing but just my observation from C Deck.
 
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Very true... Watching his film he looked really good on that play going toward the sidelines, but doesn't look as comfortable when he's trying to run between the tackles. I guess his speed would create a problem for him if he's hitting the hole before it even developes. Who would've thought having too much speed would be a bad thing?? His running style does kind of concern me though. I could be very wrong about this but is it me or does he seem to be a bit of a high runner? The raves on him this spring kind of didn't pan out for the spring game but so what. I think he's most effective as a reciever as well as running draws and screens. IMO, the I formation is not for brandon. However, in 1 year with Pryor as the QB the offense will better suite brandon. Right now with the great line and heisman type running back brandon will have to adjust a bit.
 
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bukIpower;1144290; said:
Very true... Watching his film he looked really good on that play going toward the sidelines, but doesn't look as comfortable when he's trying to run between the tackles. I guess his speed would create a problem for him if he's hitting the hole before it even developes. Who would've thought having too much speed would be a bad thing?? His running style does kind of concern me though. I could be very wrong about this but is it me or does he seem to be a bit of a high runner? The raves on him this spring kind of didn't pan out for the spring game but so what. I think he's most effective as a reciever as well as running draws and screens. IMO, the I formation is not for brandon. However, in 1 year with Pryor as the QB the offense will better suite brandon. Right now with the great line and heisman type running back brandon will have to adjust a bit.
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Brandon needs to find that play action where he's most effective -where his speed and running style are used in the best combination. The spring game allowed a few guys to shine like Boom and Taurian. I think that's a combination of being in the right place at the right time sometimes. Maybe he needs to watch his film and compare his style to Reggie Bush or other similar RBs. Maybe coaches just haven't sorted it all out yet. Or maybe Tressel just wants to save the "special" plays for later in the fall. I was there watching and wondering if there may have been scouts there from other schools hoping to get a glimpse of our secret weapons. I'm sure JT doesn't put it all out there for everyone to see. (Although, that pass to Nicol was new - he overthrew him but showed a good arm)

You can't teach speed and it's up to the coaching staff to figure the best way to use him to utilize his speed and his running style. IMO, we have only seen a fraction of his full potential. He and a few others are going to explode this year. Once the offense comes together and they have had some time to sort out the new pony backfield, this will be water under the bridge.
 
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I think Brandon would probably do better in a single back formation or possibly split backs where the blocking is more zone oriented and he can pick a hole and go. When he has a lead blocker he's up the blockers backside so quickly that the blocker ends up clogging the hole for him. In a spread type offense Brandon Saine would be ridiculous, much like Slaton but with more power.
 
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The idea of brandon in WVU's offense is something that brought a smile to my face, but I don't think he's suited all that well for what we run to be honest. I love his versitility, but with a person of his speed you have to have a set hole for him to run through so he can jus hit it full speed without thinking. Unlike reggie/LT where saine is different is he doesn't have that shake ability nor the vision that they have.

Brandon's young and he'll grow into his roll of being a dual threat running back, but as far as a pure tailback i just don't know. I don't know if he can do what beanie or pittman does so well, and thats run the ball and find those holes. Proove me wrong though brandon!
 
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I also wondered why Saine did not do more in the Spring Game.

But as mentioned by others above, Beanie also seemed to struggle a bit when he came off the bench into an offense that was better aligned to Pittman. Once Beanie became the featrured back with plays built more to his style (the toss sweep for example) he got in a rythym and has since flourished.
I hope we see that with Brandon as the two back "Pony" set develops and when he becomes the featured back.

I recall (showing my age here) when OSU used a two back set with Jim Otis and Leophus Hayden in 1969 and then with John Brockington and Leophus Haden in 1970. Worked well as I recall.
 
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Eric Dickerson had a straight up running style, much like BS has, and Eric did pretty well in both college and the pro's. Let's remember that BS was just a freshman last year and his play against teams like Washington and LSU gave a glimpse of what he is capable of. This is especially the case in the "Pony" formation when teams have to focus in on Beanie, as well.

Zoom and Boom are going to be a leathel duo once Beanie is gone and they both have a few years under their belts.

:osu:
 
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scarletngray;1147025; said:
Eric Dickerson had a straight up running style, much like BS has, and Eric did pretty well in both college and the pro's...
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My biggest concern with Brandon has been vision, not running style. People like to say that speed is something that you can't teach, even though that's false (see:speed coach). What I'd like for Brandon to do is harness that speed. His patience has been lacking, and that has resulted in his speed being negated. I have seen just about every (running)style of runningback be successful at tOSU. Brandon needs to work on patience...that will improve his vision...and that will allow him to utilize whatever running style that he prefers.
 
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