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RB Brandon "Zoom" Saine (official thread)

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RB/WR or Both?

OSUBucks22;833146; said:
I'd be really surprised if Saine wasn't the backup RB by the end of fall camp...
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He would still be available for a catching a few passes out of the backfield and the potential for a run would keep defenses on their toes. I have always like the Reggie Bush style running back similarity others have pointed out.
 
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utgrad73;833149; said:
He would still be available for a catching a few passes out of the backfield and the potential for a run would keep defenses on their toes. I have always like the Reggie Bush style running back similarity others have pointed out.
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Of course he would... I just meant to say that Brandon is a natural RB... Everyone (not you utgrad, just a comment about the ozone's piece) has wanted him to be the next Teddy Ginn because of his speed, but Saine is 6-1 220 lbs and a RB... I think people forget that sometimes... I'll be interested to see all the ways that staff comes up with to use him, but I think he's a RB first and foremost... And we need him there...
 
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What makes sense to us is to take a look at Saine as a wide receiver. He is by-far the fastest of the incoming Buckeyes with speed rivaling that of Ted Ginn. Using him at tailback would probably relegate him to the third team, particularly early in the season when he will be just learning the offense.
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First, I don't see the need to move a 210 lb back with 4.34 speed out of the backfield. Even if he's "only the third string back", what happens should Beanie or Mo get hurt? Also, if he were to make the move to WR, he still would be "just learning the offense", and at totally new position which would make the transition to big-time ball even harder.

Additionally, the Buckeyes will be breaking in a new quarterback this season, and until whoever the third tailback is learns to pass-protect, he probably isn't going to see the field much. The Buckeye coaching staff isn't going to ask a new quarterback to run for his life in the passing game to accommodate a third-string tailback. They have two tailbacks that know how to block and who to block now. It would be really tough for an incoming tailback to earn significant playing time in 2007, but one could certainly earn a backup role.
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If Saine were the third string back, chances are the times he'd be in the ball game would be times when we're not throwing the ball much and instead running out the clock, so pass blocking wouldn't be that much of a requirement.

Moving Saine to wide receiver would have a lot of benefits and little downside. It probably gets him onto the field faster than at tailback for the reasons mentioned above and fills a void on the OSU offense that needs to be filled, namely a player out wide that will terrify defenses with his speed.
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"Void" at WR? Did Robiskie and Hartline turn pro, too? With these guys--and Lyons and Dukes making improvements--along with true WRs Sanzenbacher and Washington coming (and let's toss in "athletes" Clifford and Hines into the potential WR mix), Saine would be lucky to see the field at all at WR unless he grew some Terry Glenn hands over the summer.

Additionally, if the OSU coaching staff decides not to redshirt Saine, he can also fill in on kickoff returns, another area of need. That still leaves OSU short a tailback, but Herron is coming in as well and could fill that role as OSU's third tailback.
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I agree with giving Saine a chance at returns, but don't move him out of the backfield just because he has speed and we have Herron at RB coming in with him...if Saine's the third best RB on the team, he needs to be the third-string RB, period.
 
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Him coming in over the summer, will really help him in getting him into college game ready shape, and will help him learn the playbook...

I agree that he could very easily be the backup running back at the start of the season...But Mo Wells did show me an improved running style in the spring game...
 
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I agree with Mili and 22

Saine is not a WR. He lacks the sharp cutting ability to come out of his routes quick, but his straight line speed can't be questioned. Saine already has the size and speed to be a Proto-typical big time back. He will be a hard guy to keep off the field with his measurables. It will be interesting to see how the staff will use him next season.
 
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No one wants to lessen the impact of a 4.34 sec forty RB will have on the team this year. All I'm saying is having that speed and size gives us more than one option. He may be a RB at heart but he's also a threat with the pass. Have we lost our imagination about how someone as unique as Brandon Saine can be used? This is a kid who scored three TDs in his HS Div II State Championship Game in crappy weather and not all was from running the ball. We know he's a freak, the coaches had better plan to use him in ways to keep our opponents off guard. I saw him play in the first round last year and we doubled teamed him and held him to 100 yards while Piqua passed their way to a decisive win. Saine could be used the same way again and open up the offense. I'm not trying to be difficult just offering my point of view.
 
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It seems like we could still keep him at RB, but occasionally have him run some deep routes every now and then to keep defenses from cheating up too much couldnt we? I agree with utgrad in that I really hope that the coaching staff uses Saine's talent to the fullest, and not be boxed in by labels like "RB" or "WR". I'm not saying that he should be running passes all the time, but with speed like his it would seem like he could stretch the defense every so often.
 
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utgrad73;833183; said:
No one wants to lessen the impact of a 4.34 sec forty RB will have on the team this year. All I'm saying is having that speed and size gives us more than one option. He may be a RB at heart but he's also a threat with the pass. Have we lost our imagination about how someone as unique as Brandon Saine can be used? This is a kid who scored three TDs in his HS Div II State Championship Game in crappy weather and not all was from running the ball. We know he's a freak, the coaches had better plan to use him in ways to keep our opponents off guard. I saw him play in the first round last year and we doubled teamed him and held him to 100 yards while Piqua passed their way to a decisive win. Saine could be used the same way again and open up the offense. I'm not trying to be difficult just offering my point of view.
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I don't think the guys were trying to disagree with you necessarily UT, your opinion isnt off mark.

Brandon has adequate hands and the ability to run routes, but the only time I want to see him lined up out there is maybe the Shot-Ginn formation or if he's motioned out there. We have some excellent receiving options this season as Mili pointed out and Brandon would be best served letting him use his talents in his best position. Screen plays, swing passes, draws... all great plays for Brandon and Mo Wells. Brandon gives us another bruising back as well though which is where he will pay dividends into the Big10 season.

As far as returning kicks, there is no player currently on our roster with the abilities Saine has for returning kicks. There may be other good returners but Brandon will be the best option back there as long as he's a Buckeye. Think Ted Ginn with 20 more pounds, and I've seen it with my own eyes for both of them.
 
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Bestbuck36;833219; said:
...Screen plays, swing passes, draws... all great plays for Brandon and Mo Wells. Brandon gives us another bruising back as well though which is where he will pay dividends into the Big10 season.

As far as returning kicks, there is no player currently on our roster with the abilities Saine has for returning kicks. There may be other good returners but Brandon will be the best option back there as long as he's a Buckeye. Think Ted Ginn with 20 more pounds, and I've seen it with my own eyes for both of them.
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I'm starting to get those football goosebumps already thinking about ways he will be lined up this fall. When you factor in Hartline, Robo, Small, Christian (the walkon), Lyons, T Washington, and Dane S, we'll have a potent WR corp (now and the future). A RB that can add to that just gives us another weapon with Ginn type speed, returning kicks, and catching a few passes along the way. I sure hope the Gators are reading this.
 
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OmahaBeef;833209; said:
It seems like we could still keep him at RB, but occasionally have him run some deep routes every now and then to keep defenses from cheating up too much couldnt we? I agree with utgrad in that I really hope that the coaching staff uses Saine's talent to the fullest, and not be boxed in by labels like "RB" or "WR". I'm not saying that he should be running passes all the time, but with speed like his it would seem like he could stretch the defense every so often.
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Exactly, Brandon's speed and size will wreck havoc with opposing teams. I like the idea of using him for an occassional pass play. But agree he will be used mostly as a RB and keep defenses in check.
 
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