Running back Brandon Saine will be difficult to keep off the field this season
GREEN BAY- My sojourn to Titletown is over, but not before I had a chance to attend practice on Thursday and the scrimmage on Friday night. Here are three under-the-radar players who impressed me:
1) BRANDON SAINE- A few years ago, Jim Tressel called his star player “as good as a receiver as any running back in America.” The disgraced former Ohio State coach wasn’t lying for once. Saine is very skilled out of the backfield. He has soft hands and he reacts naturally to throws. He was also the most dependable pass protector among all the backs I watched the past two practices. He’s going to get plenty of snaps this season. In fact, if he had better natural running skills, he might never leave the field.
2) JAMARI LATTIMORE – More than a few people scoffed last summer when I wrote that this young man was a better player than Vic So’oto. That opinion is no longer debatable. While So’oto is sinking down the depth chart at outside linebacker, Lattimore is thriving on the inside. A year ago, his terrific speed and explosiveness were often negated by athletic offensive tackles who outweighed him by as much as 100 pounds, but those same attributes will cause interior linemen fits. He’s not ready just yet, but don’t be surprised if he’s competing with D.J. Smith for A.J. Hawk’s starting position a year from now.
3) JERRON MCMILLIAN – M.D. Jennings is receiving a lot of attention because he’s currently one of the two safeties on the field in sub-packages, but I’m not sure how long that’s going to last. McMillian will be the better player; it’s only a matter of time. The fourth-round pick from Maine is extremely raw, but he’s much more talented than Jennings. He’s bigger, faster and stronger. He also appears to be smart, coachable and hardworking. Once he stops thinking and just starts reacting, he’s going to get on the field. Whether that happens in the next few months or not until the 2013 season is the only question.
Agreed with you on Saine. Pleasantly surprised with Lattimore.
As for McMillian, the question everyone has is, can be be “Nick Collins” good? Can be get into that range? It looks like Burnett can be that good. What you’re saying gives me high hopes for McMillian.
And thanks for another great post.
Well Michael, I too just returned from my sojourn to Titletown and I saw the same things you did re: above three players. I also liked what I saw from D Moses (he’s a keeper) and J Worthy. Robert Francois and DJ Smith continued to impress. Nick Perry not so much. In space he was juked out of his jock and he has no pass rush moves off his bull rush. He is nice sized and he’s fast and he locates the ball quickly but I’m not sure he’s the pass rusher we are looking for. I’m not saying he’s a bust and I realize it’s early, things could change, but at this time, he’s not going to be a force. Moses looks like the more impactful better player.
Glad to hear Newhouse’s injury was “only” a concussion. He’s a key piece to the puzzle until Sherrod gets back to playing. Hope the injury on Dominguez wasn’t serious either. Too bad we didn’t get to see Mike Daniels in action.
btw – moving the offensive players not in the play to the fan’s side of the practice field made it much tougher to get a view of the plays being run at practice.