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Miami's Bratton must show he's healthy, and that he can catch the ball
Tailback coming back from knee injury expected to play a big role in passing game.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
OXFORD — Andre Bratton faces two new challenges in his first week back practicing with the Miami RedHawks.
The junior tailback from Woodbridge, Va., will try to come back from his first injury, and for the first time in his career he must become a factor in his team's passing attack.
Bratton said he is fully recovered from an injury to his left knee that sidelined him for the final 10 games of the 2007 season.
"It's coming along really well," he said Tuesday, Aug. 5, following practice at Yager Stadium. "It's nice to get back into the swing of things.
"I'm limited to doing certain things in practice, but as far as running or cutting, I have no limits. I'm just trying to get back into a football state of mind. I have limited reps (plays during practice)."
Miami head coach Shane Montgomery said Bratton, who led the RedHawks with 285 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns in 2006, is likely to share playing time with sophomore Thomas Merriweather, who ran for 143 yards and four touchdowns in 2007.
"If Andre Bratton is back to where we think he is, he and Merriweather will be in the game a lot," Montgomery said. "Bratton's a speed guy with cutting ability. Thomas is a bigger guy (with strength and good vision)."
"We'll be fine with sharing time," Bratton said.
"I think we can play a big role in this offense, me and Thomas," he added, "a big role in the passing game."
Even though Bratton said he was "definitely not" a pass catcher in high school, he didn't flinch when Miami's coaches informed him that the running backs would have a bigger role in the aerial attack.
"I feel comfortable with our routes and with anything coming toward me," he said.
Bratton said he also is comfortable with being back on the football field.
He became a starter last season after Brandon Murphy injured his knee in the second game against Minnesota. A week later, Bratton suffered the same fate on his first carry against Cincinnati. He underwent surgery near the end of September.
"It kinda got to me for awhile," Bratton said, "but I still had faith in myself, and my family had faith in me. I'm fully comfortable with everything I do now. I'm working out and I know what I'm capable of."
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2197
or pconrad@coxohio.com.
