43
Meyer developing his QB with care
Photo
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller looks to throw during a game against Akron last season in Columbus.
Associated Press
COLUMBUS
In order to protect an invaluable commodity — his starting quarterback — Ohio State coach Urban Meyer has not permitted Braxton Miller to run the ball during practices.
The very last thing any coach wants is to get the fulcrum of his entire, new-wave offensive approach injured by some walk-on safety — especially a teammate.
Miller made it clear at practice on Monday night that he’s not pleased by Meyer’s hand-holding.
“He ran a couple of plays yesterday where they were actually designed runs and I blew the whistle before he got to the line of scrimmage,” Meyer said. “He kept looking at me like, ‘What? Are you nuts?’ ”
The wraps will come off officially on Saturday when the 18th-ranked Buckeyes unveil a new era and (Meyer hopes) a new Miller against Miami (Ohio) in the season opener.
“I’m just a little bit older, more mature, more of a leader. It’s a different type of offense, so it’s going to be a whole lot of different things happening,” Miller said, a smile creasing his face at the very mention of the new offense.
Meyer used a one-year hiatus from coaching in 2011 to work as an ESPN college football analyst. He used to sneak peeks at the then-freshman who would in time be the signal-caller for his fast-paced spread attack. He wasn’t exactly thrilled with what he saw.
“When we first got him there wasn’t a whole lot of urgency,” Meyer said. “With the no-huddle, up-tempo offense the quarterback has to be urgent. I think he’s becoming a pro with what he does. And he’s a quarterback of an offense that’s counting on him every play.”
The soft-spoken Miller, almost shy in the huddle a year ago, has taken on more of a leadership role as a sophomore.