MOBILE, Ala. -- Ohio State wide receiver Braxton Miller wants NFL coaches and scouts to see something of Pittsburgh Steelers star Antonio Brown in his game by the time they leave the Reese's Senior Bowl at the end of the week.
And Tuesday was his first chance to show them something, four days before the annual all-star game (airing exclusively live on Saturday on NFL Network at 2:30 p.m. ET).
"AB, Antonio Brown, he's the guy (I emulate)," Miller said. "He's got athleticism and explosion. He can play inside and outside, so he brings both to the table."
Of course, being as versatile as Brown and being as good as Brown are two entirely different things, of which Miller is well aware. Brown was second only to the Falcons' Julio Jones in receiving yards for the 2015 regular season with 1,834, an average of 114.6 per game. NFL Media analyst Lance Zierleinmade a less lofty comparison for Miller: Washington Redskins WR Andre Roberts.
Miller, a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year as a quarterback earlier in his career, transitioned to wide receiver for OSU in the fall, but primarily played in a slot role that didn't quite suit him.
"I love getting to go outside (against cornerbacks in single coverage). It's a lot more fun outside. Either you will win or he will win, so it's a chance to show out. Inside, you've got the safety, you've got a rotation guy, the linebacker, on the outside it's one on one. Inside, it's more traffic."
Miller didn't quite post the numbers he would have wanted as a senior, but that was due more to OSU's passing struggles than his own. He finished the year with 25 catches for 340 yards and three scores. He caught punts Tuesday at the North practice, perhaps a hint of what his role might be in the game Saturday.
"I don't like to get covered. I like a lot of separation, so that's the main thing I want to show," Miller said. "And that I can be a dominant receiver, inside or outside, out of the backfield, punt return, whatever they need."
Here are 10 other things we learned Tuesday from the Senior Bowl:
2. Gronk on Gronk. Kansas State FB Glenn Gronkowski said he reached out to his older brother, Rob, following the New England Patriots' AFC Championship Game loss to the Denver Broncos. The older Gronkowski had eight catches for 144 yards and a score.
"I just told him good season and that he had a great game," Glenn said. "There's nothing else to say after a game like that. Obviously, he's hurting."
Glenn Gronkowski is looking to make the NFL as a special teams player who can contribute at H-back, tight end or fullback.
3. Better late than never for Foster. Arizona State RB D.J. Foster didn't get the call that he was invited to the Senior Bowl until Monday at about 4 p.m., but he was on a plane as soon as possible and arrived in Mobile in time for the first North squad practice. He missed the weigh-in, but will be measured and weighed later.
"My agent called and said 'Hey, they have a slot for you'," he said. "I was ecstatic. I've been traveling here all day. ... They put me in with the first reps today and I was catching on fast, but I have film to watch and a lot of stuff to look over tonight."
4. Winning the battles. Two defensive linemen who were consistently problematic for offensive linemen in one-on-one drills were Louisville's Sheldon Rankins (South squad), who blew past Michigan's **Graham Glasgow** with a spin move at more than 300 pounds, and Temple's Matt Ioannidis (North squad). ... South Carolina TE Jerell Adams (South) was impressive in pass protection drills, while Alabama RB Kenyan Drake struggled in that area. Running backs and tight ends got some tough blitzers in the drill, including Alabama's Reggie Ragland and Florida's Antonio Morrison.
5. Wentz passes. North Dakota State QB Carson Wentz looked sharp in his first practice for the North squad, showing the velocity that has made him a hot commodity in NFL draft circles. He passed his first test Tuesday morning at the weigh-in, where he proved to be roughly as-advertised in terms of size. He'll be closely watched by scouts this week as he looks to rise to the top of the 2016 draft's quarterback class.
6. Weigh-in was must-watch event. The weigh-in at the Senior Bowl has turned into an event in itself. On Tuesday morning, there was standing room only, with coaches and scouts representing all 32 teams packing the large hall inside the Mobile Convention Center to watch 122 players walk across the stage in their skivvies. It's a bit of a freak show, but something that comes with the territory of being an NFL prospect. "I've never stripped down to my underwear in front of that many men before," said Duke kicker Ross Martin after the South practice.
7. Two backs limited. Arkansas RB Jonathan Williams and Navy RB Chris Swain are limited physically this week, withheld from full contact, resulting in the late additions of Foster (see above) and Texas Tech's DeAndre Washington. Williams missed the entire season with a foot injury, but looked quick and well-conditioned in drills Tuesday.
8. Power move. While pass rushers typically tried to make a move on running backs and tight ends during pass protection drills Tuesday, Florida LB Antonio Morrison was having none of that. At 6-1, 230 pounds, the Gators middle linebacker tried to run right over them with power, doing so more than enough to be one of the better performers in the drill.
9. Prescott on target. It was a strong opening practice for Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott, who showed accuracy and anticipation in his first exposure to NFL coaches and scouts in a pro-style offense. Prescott, who is especially effective with the back-shoulder throw to the sideline, doesn't look like a shotgun, zone-read quarterback trying to find his way. In short, he instead looked like NFL Media analyst Charles Davis expected him to look.
10. One to watch. An NFC scout told College Football 24/7 that Arkansas QB Brandon Allen showed mechanics and footwork as good as any quarterback in Mobile Tuesday. Allen made significant improvement as a senior with the Razorbacks and has plenty of familiarity with the pro-style offenses employed at the Senior Bowl.
11. The rain game. Due to expected inclement weather, practice times for Wednesday were pushed back. The North squad will practice at noon ET, while the South will practice at 2:30 p.m. ET.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
