after watching the first half of OSU's fall camp, the Fourth Wiseman chimed in with this report...
"Almost very practice they've been working on the return game--seems to be an area of extra emphasis this fall, and certainly an area that the Buckeyes feel they have an edge...
on punt returns its pretty evident that Braxton Miller is the guy they want to have back there. Has a very good feel for when to catch the ball, and you don't get a sense of him being even slightly uncomfortable back there. Has an uncanny knack for making the first guy miss--and has broken off several big ones in practice. Including an eye popper---sideline to sideline 80 yarder that had coaches on the coverage team pulling out their hair. This is another way for them to get Braxton touches---and a way for those touches to be in the ultimate "space"...will be exciting to see him with the ball in is hands....
Jalin is the clear #2 at this point in time--and is in position to step into the #1 spot if Braxton falters...
they have even experimented with a little "rush 9 drop 2"(ala Ginn and Holmes) which was interesting to see.....
kickoff returns is by committee right now---but the guy that has distanced himself a little has been Curtis Samuel. He is absolutely fearless with the ball in his hands, and runs with such velocity he is ideal as a kickoff returner. There is no dancing and hesitating in him---just catch it, explode and go. Probably more apt to get you the 35 yarder than taking it to the house---but he doesn't fumble, and will deliver a wallop when tackled.
Dontre Wilson, Braxton , Jalin and Corey Smith are probably in the next group behind Curtis----but I think Curtis is the guy they trust with the ball in his hands..."
more to come as I review my notes....
"Almost very practice they've been working on the return game--seems to be an area of extra emphasis this fall, and certainly an area that the Buckeyes feel they have an edge...
on punt returns its pretty evident that Braxton Miller is the guy they want to have back there. Has a very good feel for when to catch the ball, and you don't get a sense of him being even slightly uncomfortable back there. Has an uncanny knack for making the first guy miss--and has broken off several big ones in practice. Including an eye popper---sideline to sideline 80 yarder that had coaches on the coverage team pulling out their hair. This is another way for them to get Braxton touches---and a way for those touches to be in the ultimate "space"...will be exciting to see him with the ball in is hands....
Jalin is the clear #2 at this point in time--and is in position to step into the #1 spot if Braxton falters...
they have even experimented with a little "rush 9 drop 2"(ala Ginn and Holmes) which was interesting to see.....
kickoff returns is by committee right now---but the guy that has distanced himself a little has been Curtis Samuel. He is absolutely fearless with the ball in his hands, and runs with such velocity he is ideal as a kickoff returner. There is no dancing and hesitating in him---just catch it, explode and go. Probably more apt to get you the 35 yarder than taking it to the house---but he doesn't fumble, and will deliver a wallop when tackled.
Dontre Wilson, Braxton , Jalin and Corey Smith are probably in the next group behind Curtis----but I think Curtis is the guy they trust with the ball in his hands..."
more to come as I review my notes....
