Various reports say Braxton miller to WR
Miller was certainly dangerous scrambling in a spread offense with the extra blocker, and he could be great as a yards-after-the-catch or 3rd down kind of player, but good as he is I have to think he'll be less effective lined up directly over Peppers next year instead of running out of the backfield on passing downs.
Do people not remember how bad Gardner looked when he tried WR for a year? He was a very awkward route-runner, had difficulty finding the ball, and generally showed a lack of awareness as to his positioning on the field. That's because it's very difficult to learn a new position in a few months. People expecting Miller to become a great H-Back are going to be very surprised.
I also hear people say how dangerous it would be if OSU had Miller, Jones, and Barrett on the field at the same time. Why? Replacing seasoned skill players with rookies who can't block generally doesn't help your offense.
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Sure, he made a few nice plays, but he was pretty low-impact overall, which is exactly what I think Miller will be. It seems that he just moved from the bench at one position to the bench at another position.
Miller is great on space. He's fast an elusive. He's a far better runner than a passer. I wish he would've stayed at qb. He doesn't have to be a polished receiver to play the h-back position. I'm sure their coaches will know how to get him the ball in a position that allows him to best use his talents (bubble screens, handoff's, sweeps, swings). The guy is 2x Big10 player of the year for a reason and it wasn't his passing skills.
I wish he would've stayed at qb, where I think he would hurt their offense more than help it.
Reports are braxton is a natural pass catcher, and there is video of him doing some Odell Beckham type 1 handed catches. I think he'll do better than you think, but I kinda agree with you and he'll probably play second fiddle to Jalin Marshall.
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Where is everyone getting this notion that Braxton doesn't have the speed it takes to be a H-back/WR?
Braxton was listed as having a 4.47 40 time coming out of high school, and it was his shoulder that was injured not his legs... You would think that 4 years of college conditioning would make him faster, not slower and a sub-4.47 40 time seems plenty fast to me for a WR.
Comparatively, Ezekiel Elliot had a 4.42 40 time coming out of high school, and Braxton was nearly step-for-step with him during the "fastest student race" during OSU's spring game.
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call me crazy, but is this the first OSU news to hit national headlines since Harbaugh took over? UM >> OSU in online clicks!
Important stuff.
I'm pretty sure it was national news when they won the college playoff.
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I really can't see them losing a game. They have too much talent on both offense and defense. I definitely think they will be 11-0 when they come to Ann Arbor. I would love to take a perfect season and playoff spot away from them - maybe even a Big Ten title out of their grasps as well just like the old days!
but I get nervous before most games let alone the big ones. Also, for us to repeat we have to beat MSU, beat you guys at your place, win the B1G championship, win the semifinal, and then the NC all consecutively.
That won't be easy assuming we are undefeated going into the MSU game.
I'll be curious to see how Miller pans out here. I've always thought he was a phenomenal athlete and very gifted runner (although not the best passer), so this is probably a good move. He is extremely difficult to square up and get a good hit on. I know Frank Clark blew him up once when he blind sided him in the pocket, but I don't think I've ever seen him take a big hit in the open field. He has amazing start/stop and change of direction ability for a guy his size. I haven't seen him catch the ball yet, so I'm not sure he can do that. And, it seems like you get a lot better perspective from a vision standpoint when you are the QB with the ball in your hands versus if someone hands or passes the ball to you, so it may not translate. But, having 3 potential guys like Barrett, Miller, and Elliot in one backfield is a little scary. I hope our LBs are ready.
Would be much better suited for running back if you ask me with his elusiveness. i don't think of him as a guy with blazing speed and since he has never played WR there is no telilng whether he will be able to run good patterns or catch hard thrown balls.
Or Percy Harivn. Good fit.
Embarrassment of riches.
If anything this just allows him to save face at not losing starting QB role and gives him a small boost to make a NFL squad by having some game tape on him at WR.
Why won't this help OSU- well they already have studs at RB/WR, he has never blocked before, his shoulders are damaged goods and both roles WR/RB will require some blocking and direct hits to those shoulders, i.e. every carry with tackles and every route other then 9/fly.
I hope he stays healthy and can make the leap, but given his history of medical problems to a shoulder that will receive contact regularly at WR/RB, I just don't see this ending up happily.
The good news, he is a very nice guy and will make a great Big Ten Network sideline reporter
I'd be curious to know what the actual injury was. I've only heard the generic "shoulder injury" statement. Did he tear one or more of the rotator cuff muscles, is he getting chronic dislocations, is the labrum damaged, was there a fracture, etc? Knowing that may have an impact on what he can do. He can for example effectively use the shoulder in limited ranges of motion, but may not the able to handle throwing at high velociteis or be able to stabalize in the lay back position. From the sounds of it the shoulder is healthy as he said he's been practicing at QB too, but I'd be curious.