I have my doubts but there's certainly a hell of a lot of speculation flying around. The speculation surrounds Ohio State senior quarterback Braxton Miller. Earlier Tuesday, ESPN and SEC Network personality Paul Finebaun reported on his daily radio/television show a "sourse" in Tuscaloosa indicated there was a "chance" Miller could transfer to Alabama. Miller reportedly is rehabbing in Alabama, having graduated in December and making him immediately eligible to play, should he transfer. Saban initially declined to address any specifics but when ask generally if Alabama would have interest in adding a graduate transfer this summer, Saban seemed much more open to the potential, so long as it fit a need. And so, whether Saban is interested in adding a proven playmaker at QB is unclear, but he certainly left the door open for such a move, so long as other things fell into place first.
Welcome your comments...............
Finebaun is just about the only guy left I listen to on the talk shows anymore, i have listened to him a lot this week. I am really confused on the Miller story. I have heard from a few physicians who do not think he would recover 100% from the injuries. I have some really mixed thoughts on him. There is no doubt he is an incredible athlete, in the open field most defenders are left garbbing their ankles. His ability to extend plays and create plays are unmatched by any QB in college last year or next year.
My biggest complaint of him over the years has been his inability to throw the deep ball accurately and his over all arm strength. I have seen him throw a 20 yard pass 50 mph but when he goes deep the arm strength is not that great. Additionally his ability to read defenses has not been the best at times, but that could have been because of the fact he was learning a new offense. The other really obvious note is that when he went down and was replaced by JT and Jones, the offense changed dramatically. When Miller was there it seemed the offense was too reliant on him to make plays, when JT and Jones stepped it seemed they opened a new section of the playbook.
Two years ago coming out of spring when all 3 were healthy, JT and Jones were actually tied for the second spot. It was the immaturity of Jones that held him back, not his ability to perform. Having said all this I believe the job is Jone’s to lose based on what he did in the 3 games he started. He brought the ability to do everything the other 2 did individually. He can run with ball ( of course not like millier ) and he was just as good of a passer as JT but he also gave them the ability to stretch the field and throw the ball where only his guy could get it. When stretching the field so many more things opened up underneath. He was highly recruited out of HS but there were a lot of personal problems and maturity issues.
Braxton Miller just got hurt at the wrong time and it may be very hard for him to get his job back because of everything I said about Jone’s, plus he and JT are young guys and the future of the program. I think if he is healthy and he chooses to stay he will get some time at QB, they will have some packages for him, but as I said, I think Jones will be the guy. I also don’t think Miller can play QB at the next level for many reasons, so he may be choosing to stay to play some slot, H Back, and who knows what else. He can play at the next level with his athletics, but not at QB in my opinion.
If he were considering a transfer I don’t know how he passes on Bama. The team has so much talent stock piled all over the field. They have to be one of the biggest teams, year after year I see. All those #1 recruiting classes have created a team with depth and talent like no one else. Miller can play at this level and has the talent and skill that makes him very dangerous. I think the big issue at Bama this year as last is the QB, they have talent everywhere but there. Which is always a head scratcher for me, Saban recruits like no other, but never seems to get the QB.. If Miller were to move on to Bama they become one dangerous team in my eyes. With the talent they have, you throw a play maker like him in there and they immediately become the team to beat I think. Also, I don’t buy in to a lot of the BS about how a QB cant survive running the ball in the SEC. The SEC has never had a QB like him in my opinion. He does not let you get clean shots on him. He has taken a few big hits running the ball but very few. He is so elusive when in the open field it is very hard to get a clean shot on him. He uses the sideline to his benefit. The biggest hits he has taken have been on the pocket.
So I guess after all that rambling I think it is 50/50 he could move on. I don’t even know if he is registered for school in the fall. That could be very telling, if he has not registered for classes that could tell us what he is thinking. If he does move on to Bama it will be fun to watch him and they become the hunted in my eyes. I still am uncertain who should be the #1 team going into the season. I think there are a handful of teams from across the country in every conference that can have a shot to be the best next year and I am not from the school that says because OSU won it last year and return some good ball players they are the best, plus throw in ND as an independent if they stay healthy and get good QB play. I think OSU is w/o a doubt a top 5 team, but not sure if the best. If BM goes to Bama I vote them #1..
- i'm pretty sure the Tide is doing just fine in the team chemistry and morale department. If Alec Morris was worth a damn he wouldn't be sitting behind 1 or 2 QB at this point (maybe even 3 from what I hear). I really couldn't care less about his morale. this is "put up or shut up" level and a game manager won't get it done without Cooper this year. Personally i still prefer Coker over a new transfer but I'll support whatever they decide. I'm fairly comfortable saying the Kiff and Saban know what is best for their program.
