WR Braxton Miller (B1G POY, National Champion)

[Bucklion]

So with it said that Braxton will have the start lets play devils advocate here.

If Braxton comes out and has a fumble or two, as well as an interception and the offense looks a bit inept in the QB position will all the BM supporters give him a pass?

Seems to me that everyone is certainly capable of bringing up Joe's dismal performance but as soon as you meantion that Braxton fumbled the ball or threw incomplete passes (forcing yet another punt) people get butt hurt and make excuses. It will be interesting to see the excuses fly this week when Braxton looks a bit green in the pocket. I get it that the kid has GOOD size, speed, and what SEEMS to be a decent arm against high school opponents (Akron included), but I guess everyone calling him to be our savior will get their wish to check out his game in both an average (Colorado) as well as sizable (Mich State) test in the coming weeks.

Like it or not, Bauserman would be at best an average QB on an average offense this year...Miller is the future, and since this team doesn't have the look of a Big Ten Champion this year, if Braxton takes his lumps and makes his mistakes they can make a run at it next year. Is that fair to Joe? Likely not, but it is for the best in the long-term interests of the team. I wasn't happy when TP replaced Boeckman either, but in the long term it took us to 2 pretty good seasons after that. Miller absolutely isn't going to be a savior, but he could be good in 2012 with some playing experience.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Like it or not, Bauserman would be at best an average QB on an average offense this year...Miller is the future, and since this team doesn't have the look of a Big Ten Champion this year, if Braxton takes his lumps and makes his mistakes they can make a run at it next year. Is that fair to Joe? Likely not, but it is for the best in the long-term interests of the team. I wasn't happy when TP replaced Boeckman either, but in the long term it took us to 2 pretty good seasons after that. Miller absolutely isn't going to be a savior, but he could be good in 2012 with some playing experience.

I agree 100% with what you said and the tact you went about with saying it. Finally someone else is able to at least admit that Braxton isnt going to be a world beater this year, and that all he sitting on is strictly potential and possibilities of his future. Will he be the next Troy Smith? Its just as good of a chance of that happening as it is him being the next Justin Zwick (another highly touted incoming QB).

I know that Miller is our future and its okay to see Joe step aside, but the manner at which other "fans" are speaking of Joe is incredibly disrespectful to a guy that actually played 5 years and was recruited by the great university in which we all adore - not something anyone can really say on here.

 

[BrutusBobcat]

There is a little too much complaining here (sere) about a hypothetical situation. Miller had a horrible game against Miami from a turnover standpoint. However, he also showed some ability to help the offense move the chains and maintain drives, which Bauserman did not do. So I ask you, which issue is more correctable? Can we make Joe a more agile runner? Unlikely. Can we improve his throwing motion or eliminate his knuckleball passes? Possibly, but after five years in the program if mechanics aren't corrected by this point, I don't hold a lot of hope. Decision-making for both guys can be improved.

If Miller has a rough game against Colorado, we'll talk about why, and are they things that can be fixed. Bauserman is not only likely topped out in terms of development, he's also out of time here. Even a bad game by MIller helps build for the future. Even a loss now may be worth it in terms of developing the offense so that we stand a chance of winning in Lincoln (or Ann Arbor).

I am already to accept the notion of a shaky first start from Miller as a down payment on the future. I see no reason to invest more time in a career backup who presents limited return.

Yes, they're both Buckeyes, and none of us should ever root against a kid (or old man) who is out there trying his best and doing everything he can with his ability. However, the reality is that some players present a better opportunity for this team to achieve, and some of us believe that Braxton Miller is one.

 

[SEREbuckeye]

There is a little too much complaining here (sere) about a hypothetical situation. Miller had a horrible game against Miami from a turnover standpoint. However, he also showed some ability to help the offense move the chains and maintain drives, which Bauserman did not do. So I ask you, which issue is more correctable? Can we make Joe a more agile runner? Unlikely. Can we improve his throwing motion or eliminate his knuckleball passes? Possibly, but after five years in the program if mechanics aren't corrected by this point, I don't hold a lot of hope. Decision-making for both guys can be improved.

If Miller has a rough game against Colorado, we'll talk about why, and are they things that can be fixed. Bauserman is not only likely topped out in terms of development, he's also out of time here. Even a bad game by MIller helps build for the future. Even a loss now may be worth it in terms of developing the offense so that we stand a chance of winning in Lincoln (or Ann Arbor).

I am already to accept the notion of a shaky first start from Miller as a down payment on the future. I see no reason to invest more time in a career backup who presents limited return.

Yes, they're both Buckeyes, and none of us should ever root against a kid (or old man) who is out there trying his best and doing everything he can with his ability. However, the reality is that some players present a better opportunity for this team to achieve, and some of us believe that Braxton Miller is one.

I NEVER once said Miller shouldnt be the starter this week. All I talked about was the unbacked bragging on Miller over a few plays - the type of talk we would be quick to shut down if it was coming from an opposing fan base on their QB - as well as the borderline rooting against Joe.

Sorry if I hurt your feeling or offended you man (BrutusBobcat), I mean it.

 

[MaxBuck]

I get that he's a true freshman, and Im willing to give him the pass on that. HOWEVER when posters on here are saying he has "great" abilities - not "good", not "okay", not "potential" - but "great", they are then hyping him up. When he doesnt deliever all they do is give some weak and lame excuses as to why he didnt live up to the hype.

Sorry you've been so upset by the criticism of Joe B. If you expect people to treat the growing pains of a true freshman to the performance shortcomings of a 26-year-old 5th-year senior, you are likely to be disappointed.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

Ken Gordon of the Dispatch frequently gets on my nerves with his "look down on the fans" world-view; but I can't deny that his tweet is truth.

paraphrased: Miller may never be more popular than he is right now.
-tweeted right after the news broke

 

[Bucklion]

Ken Gordon of the Dispatch frequently gets on my nerves with his "look down on the fans" world-view; but I can't deny that his tweet is truth.

paraphrased: Miller may never be more popular than he is right now.
-tweeted right after the news broke

The backup QB is always the most popular guy on any team that struggles on offense. That's not a uniquely OSU thing.

 

[MaxBuck]

As an aside, no one I've talked to has expressed the opinion that Miller is a "savior" of any sort. Very different vibe from Pryor's freshman year. Fans seem to have the idea that it's just time to give the freshman a chance to make his mistakes this year so that next year we'll be ready to compete for championships again.

 

[RB07OSU]

As an aside, no one I've talked to has expressed the opinion that Miller is a "savior" of any sort. Very different vibe from Pryor's freshman year. Fans seem to have the idea that it's just time to give the freshman a chance to make his mistakes this year so that next year we'll be ready to compete for championships again.

This. Everyone realizes this team is not likely going to be competing for a title. Of course I hope being best down by a subpar Miami team was an anomaly, but I doubt it. I dont know how many freshman mistakes Braxton will make, but I doubt they will be worse or any more contributory towards a loss than throwing to the water coolers for a 3 and out all game.

 

[joefoshow]

I agree, let him get over the first year jitters now when a national title is out of reach. I hate to see Joe not perform well but it is the best in interest of the team if they wish to compete in the future to have a qb already good to go.

 

[Buckeneye]

No, dont worry, there will be excuses if Braxton does poor - just like there was last week for his interception and fumble.

Braxton =Freshman.... Baus = Senior.

This setting in?


I have zero issue with a freshman making mistakes. Now if those mistakes become egregious, then we'll talk.

 

[Telekinesis]

About the 'savior' talk: I'd never claim that he will be, but I'm willing to claim right now that can be. If there's one person on this team I'd put faith in to turn things around, it's Braxton. So yes, I feel that he has the capability and I wish him the best. I believe he has what it takes once he settles in. Whether that comes now or in the future, I couldn't say.

 

[BrutusBobcat]

I NEVER once said Miller shouldnt be the starter this week. All I talked about was the unbacked bragging on Miller over a few plays - the type of talk we would be quick to shut down if it was coming from an opposing fan base on their QB - as well as the borderline rooting against Joe.

Sorry if I hurt your feeling or offended you man (BrutusBobcat), I mean it.

Ah, you're seeking attention not a discussion. Got it. Carry on.

 

[jlb1705]

So with it said that Braxton will have the start lets play devils advocate here.

If Braxton comes out and has a fumble or two, as well as an interception and the offense looks a bit inept in the QB position will all the BM supporters give him a pass?

Seems to me that everyone is certainly capable of bringing up Joe's dismal performance but as soon as you meantion that Braxton fumbled the ball or threw incomplete passes (forcing yet another punt) people get butt hurt and make excuses. It will be interesting to see the excuses fly this week when Braxton looks a bit green in the pocket. I get it that the kid has GOOD size, speed, and what SEEMS to be a decent arm against high school opponents (Akron included), but I guess everyone calling him to be our savior will get their wish to check out his game in both an average (Colorado) as well as sizable (Mich State) test in the coming weeks.

All Im getting at is that if you search through the BP threads since last Saturday you will find a plethora of posters scream that BM is going to be our savior.

We havent really seen this kid in action other than High School clips, 2 quarters against Akron, an interception, fumble, and a few nice rushes against Miami. Even with that said people are using Braxton's name in the same sentence of words like: "Troy Smith", "Heisman", "great arm", "Great throwing motion", "great running abilities", etc.

Its insane that fellow Buckeye "fans" are so quick to throw Joe under the bus with his flaws against Miami but boast and brag about the very few things Braxton did correct. Its not like Braxton came out and was a world beater everyone is hyping him to be.

Some people then reference his lack of playing time (yourself included) - okay, if he hasnt had much time in games, then why are you bragging on him? If we havent seen much of him then we really cant say how he will perform from here on out, its pure speculation and guessing. As far as him being a frosh vs. Joe being a senior, its really not as if Joe had a ton of expectations given this was Joe's first year of starting after sitting for years on the bench.

Braxton Miller is an investment with room for growth. Joe Bauserman is a sunk cost. That should be the only relevant difference in how their performances are evaluated.

Finally someone else is able to at least admit that Braxton isnt going to be a world beater this year, and that all he sitting on is strictly potential and possibilities of his future..

Oh, c'mon. With all due respect to Bucklion, he is certainly not the first person to express a reasonable opinion on this subject. The idea that Miller should be playing ahead of Bauserman for developmental and evaluative purposes has been expressed in various threads around here for the last nine months. It's in this thread, the Bauserman thread, the Fickell thread, the Quarterbacks thread, the Offense thread, the Bollman thread, the Miami game thread, the Toledo game thread and probably several others as well.

Here's the thing about the "savior" talk. I've never used that word in reference to Miller or even danced around that idea... until now. With all of the instability, with the personnel they have at quarterback, with the lack of offensive identity, the Buckeyes have to find out whether or not this kid is a "savior" or if he is capable of becoming one. The answer to that question is going to have widespread implications, from on-field performance to philosophy, from the composition of the coaching staff to the composition of future recruiting classes. The clamoring that you've heard about Braxton Miller and the quarterback situation isn't just people who think they have the answer, it's also people who are begging for the coaching staff to ask the question.

 

[AF_Ohio32]

I was wondering if someone could help me out? Since Miller is starting I do not want to miss watching the game, but I am stationed in germany and they will not be showing the game on the Armed Forces Network. Does anyone know a way to watch over the internet (ex. Buckeyevision or something?). Any help would be really appreciated.