I have mixed feelings about that. I think they want to break an addiction to relying on Braxton's legs. Remember Robinson a few years ago for SCUM. After non-conference play, everyone was talking about a Heisman for him, then Big Ten play came and he couldn't keep it up. Meyer knows we can't rely on him and so by holding him back, I think he's forcing the other guys to step up. I think in the back of their minds the receivers might be thinking "It's ok if I don't run my route perfectly, because Braxton will make something happen with his legs". or maybe the linemen are thinking "I don't have to hold my block very long b/c Braxton will make something happen with his legs." That's dangerous thinking. So by putting a moratorium on it, they are forcing the other players to not rely on him. I honestly am glad that this was a tough game because you saw Devin Smith and Jake Stoneburner step up in a couple big situations. It really became a crucible in which they were forced to step up.
Man, dude. You apologized in your intro post for any silly comments you might make, but I've not seen a single one. You sure sound to me like you know what you're talking about! Well met!
My evaluation of Braxton Miller at this point is that the talent is absolutely there. Whether it's running, firing the ball on a rope or putting air under the ball with touch, he is a HUGE upgrade over TP in my opinion. He might not be quite as fast as Pryor in a straight line, but man does he have moves! His biggest deficiencies are mental. Reading defenses. Making Decisions. Here too, though, I think he's ahead of where Pryor was at this point in his career. He's made some so-so decisions, but I haven't seen any of the "What the hell were you thinking" passes that Pryor made all the time. The most encouraging thing is that Meyer will not let Braxton not learn to read defenses like Tressell did with Pryor. Braxton will learn these things and will get better as he matures. He's still a sophomore. Let's be honest, we all expected Pryor to be Troy Smith 2.0 and we probably all expect the same thing of Braxton. From what I see so far, I think Braxton has a better chance of actually delivering than TP did.
Thanks you. I know football reasonably well, it's the college version that I'm not so clued up on. I can tell you when something isn't working on the field (Hall for example) but because I don't know the players, I wouldn't be able to suggest a solution based on the talent we have. In the pros I could say; bench Weeden and put on McCoy and run it more, but if Braxton had a 5 pick game I wouldn't know who the back-up is and whether he was a raw freshman or seasoned senior. That's what I was worried about slipping up on. College seems to be a whole different ball game to the pros.
I was gonna ask the same thing when you mentioned how you thought the team felt it was OK to slack on routes because they knew Braxton would make something happen. Did you think Terrelle Pryor had the same effect?
Man that was brutal. Going to try and not post to much today if I can help it. 1.) Secondary playing 8 yards off the receiver when less than 4 yards to make the first down. 2.) Not wrapping up when tackling. 3.) Telling Braxton not to run too much. Several times could have taken off. 4.) Leaving in Hall too much or too long for the first game back. 5.) 1. thru 4. These guy may be good football players, but they are not playing good as a team to this point. And I hate that lining up to the line then standing up to look at the side line for the play. WE ARE NOT THE SEC. SO STOP DOING THAT. LOOKS STUPID. And creates no rhythm when they do that.
It's possible, but we had a much different offensive philosophy back then. It was much more predicated on the power running game and so I think we were relying on that first and foremost. They would rely on Pryor when it got to 3rd or 4th and long. It's hard to say at that point. Posey and Sanzenbacher made their share of plays, but it wasn't always easy. #WishingForTheDaysOfGinnHomesAndGonzalez
not too sound like a dick, but they do it to see how the defense will align then call the play, would u rather they huddle get one play and be told run it no matter what. and sure it was ugly but last i checked a win is a win, and Cal is a quality team, not like they are d2 or something. if anything look at positives when we needed to score braxton made it happen by buying time
They should teach their QB recognition and give him 3 or 4 options for him to call audibles. Then again, we can't expect everyone to be Peyton Manning.
It was nice to see some solid pass rush today... we had what? like 5 total sacks? Reassuring to know we can make big plays with the game on the line.... not reassuring... should've been up 3 TDs at the half at least, should've been up by 5 going into the fourth quarter... the second and 3rd quarters looked way too much like the first quarter of the Miami game... Offense needs to have more consistency and receivers need to find ways to get separation and get open frequently... there were at least 15 passing plays where Braxton had to throw it away, tuck and run, or made a bad throw into coverage because no one was getting open...... Defense... Tackling and covering middle screens/slants... that. was. awful. F-Minus for one on one tackling and for screen/slant coverages, we gave Cal 3 of their TDs simply because we weren't tackling for a crap today... And they were killing us on the slants and screens to the middle and 10 to 20 yard crossing routes... D needs to shore that up fast because the B1G opponents are gonna damn well key in on those huge holes in coverage... Had fun with my sister and her kids... but once again, the way we played that game we're lucky we didn't lose.
Curtis Grant looks absolutely lost. Sabino accepts being blocked Shazier wants to make a kill-shot every time and FAILS to wrap his arms, thus giving up huge gains and TD’s.
Cal's kicker should have been OSU's player of the game. Three misses = potential 9 points. We only won by 7. :happy:
I haven't watched a full game yet, but these defensive concerns are really alarming. The DL was suppose to be unblock-able this early in the season. It looks like they showed up yesterday, but the overall lack of pressure so far this season is a bit worrisome. A positive that can be taken is that we know depth is there, so this unit should be able to stay fresh down the stretch this season and able to handle a injury or two (possibly) Linebackers...judging by the response in this game thread, doesn't sound like much has changed from last year. You wonder if its coaching or if its just bad execution. Either way, Fickell and Withers (and in some small part Urban) is going to start hearing it from the fans if they don't pick their game up. The secondary sounds a bit like the linebackers; bad tackling and bad angles. Not sure about the coverage, but big plays seem to be a problem with them. So if anyone has input on that, feel free B1G Ten play starts soon, I hope we start getting these problems fixed
the bad tackling and angles drive me nuts. there's no excuse for it! i was impressed they did some blitzes with the LB's and secondary. the pressure was there all day but we need to get in the habit of tackling better. i would like to see the stat of yards after one missing tackle for the year.
Bob Hunter commentary: Simon simon broke down after the game. hopefully, this wakes up the guys out there going through the motions or taking plays off.
Agreeeeed!!!! Its troubling seeing so many big plays, and don't look now but that one run was the longest in history .for an oppenent in Ohio Stadium. Giving up a medium play here and there is one thing, but giving up so many big plays is unacceptable.