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Anybodybody starting Z. Miller over a higher drafted TE? (1 Viewer)

Kwai Chang Caine

Kwai Chang Caine

Footballguy
I get the feeling a lot of sharks got Z. Miller as their second TE cause you knew you could get him late. I have O. Daniels and I'm starting him as I'd like one week to see if Miller is the real deal but I'm curious if anybody else out there has a TE after the top four that they are starting Miller over. I'm a little nervous throwing him in week one since that big game he had last year agianst SD the Chargers were resting for the playoffs--could be a bit of a mirage. Thoughts on this guy? Are you taking a wait and see approach or are you throwing him in the lineup right away?

 
Only real reason why I decided to go with Zach is because I think he has a better match up. Those Broncos linebackers are suspect to me.

 
I am probably starting him over Scheffler (not that I got Scheff early, but I picked Miller up off of waivers earlier last week) unless I hear something that really changes my mind that Scheff's going to be more necessary to the offense to score. In all honesty this one I feel has moved to be almost a toss up.

 
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Starting Witten, of course.

But we can also play a TE/WR flex, and I'm rolling with Zach over Ginn because I don't sweat Denver's safties.

 
Zach Miller is the #1 receiving option on the Raiders. Denver has top 10 corners. I could cover Ashley Lelie. Dre Bly or Champ Bailey will smother Zach Miller on passing plays. Last season's Bate's defense experiment aside, Denver has a history of shutting down some of the best TE's in the league. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates usually have below average (by Gates and Gonzo standards) games against Denver. Denver's weakness defensively is against the run, not the pass. Denver's linebackers are stronger than last year. They signed Boss Baily and DJ Williams is back to playing his natural position. I think Zach Miller will have a mini breakout season this year, but it is not going to start in week 1. I am playing Owne Daniels in one league over Miller, and I am playing Tony Scheffler over Miller in another league. I would not reccomend anyone playing Zach Miller in week 1.

 
shredhead said:
Zach Miller is the #1 receiving option on the Raiders. Denver has top 10 corners. I could cover Ashley Lelie. Dre Bly or Champ Bailey will smother Zach Miller on passing plays. Last season's Bate's defense experiment aside, Denver has a history of shutting down some of the best TE's in the league. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates usually have below average (by Gates and Gonzo standards) games against Denver. Denver's weakness defensively is against the run, not the pass. Denver's linebackers are stronger than last year. They signed Boss Baily and DJ Williams is back to playing his natural position. I think Zach Miller will have a mini breakout season this year, but it is not going to start in week 1. I am playing Owne Daniels in one league over Miller, and I am playing Tony Scheffler over Miller in another league. I would not reccomend anyone playing Zach Miller in week 1.
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:goodposting: Thanks for the well thought out analysis.
 
shredhead said:
Zach Miller is the #1 receiving option on the Raiders. Denver has top 10 corners. I could cover Ashley Lelie. Dre Bly or Champ Bailey will smother Zach Miller on passing plays. Last season's Bate's defense experiment aside, Denver has a history of shutting down some of the best TE's in the league. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates usually have below average (by Gates and Gonzo standards) games against Denver. Denver's weakness defensively is against the run, not the pass. Denver's linebackers are stronger than last year. They signed Boss Baily and DJ Williams is back to playing his natural position. I think Zach Miller will have a mini breakout season this year, but it is not going to start in week 1. I am playing Owne Daniels in one league over Miller, and I am playing Tony Scheffler over Miller in another league. I would not reccomend anyone playing Zach Miller in week 1.
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In the second game against the Broncos last season with Russell at QB, Miller put up 3-58-1. I'm not sure the Broncos are much better defensively this season than last. I think their secondary is overrated to be honest. Bailey is still a good CB but Bly is not Top 10 in my opinion. I don't see the Broncos putting Bailey on Miller the way they have in the past with guys like Gonzo and Gates for this simple reason - he isn't as good as those TEs. I think Bailey will stay on one side of the field like he always does and cover the WR who lines up there. Bly will be on the other side and the LBs and Safeties will deal with Miller. Given how (in my opinion) God-awful the Raiders' WRs are, I expect to see a healthy dose of targets for Miller and McFadden in the first game. I think Miller has an excellent chance of putting up Top 10 TE numbers this week.
 
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shredhead said:
Zach Miller is the #1 receiving option on the Raiders. Denver has top 10 corners. I could cover Ashley Lelie. Dre Bly or Champ Bailey will smother Zach Miller on passing plays. Last season's Bate's defense experiment aside, Denver has a history of shutting down some of the best TE's in the league. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates usually have below average (by Gates and Gonzo standards) games against Denver. Denver's weakness defensively is against the run, not the pass. Denver's linebackers are stronger than last year. They signed Boss Baily and DJ Williams is back to playing his natural position. I think Zach Miller will have a mini breakout season this year, but it is not going to start in week 1. I am playing Owne Daniels in one league over Miller, and I am playing Tony Scheffler over Miller in another league. I would not reccomend anyone playing Zach Miller in week 1.
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2007Week 4 - Dallas Clark 6/76/2

Week 5 - Antonio Gates 7/113/1

Week 7 - Matt Spaeth 1/13/1, Heath Miller 5/50/2

Week 10 - Effectively shutdown Gonzalez

Week 13 - Zach Miller 3/58/1

Week 14 - Tony Gonzalez 7/76/1

Week 15 - Owen Daniels 3/53

Week 16 - Gates 1/24 (wasn't he gimpy?)

 
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ourmanflint said:
shredhead said:
Zach Miller is the #1 receiving option on the Raiders. Denver has top 10 corners. I could cover Ashley Lelie. Dre Bly or Champ Bailey will smother Zach Miller on passing plays. Last season's Bate's defense experiment aside, Denver has a history of shutting down some of the best TE's in the league. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates usually have below average (by Gates and Gonzo standards) games against Denver. Denver's weakness defensively is against the run, not the pass. Denver's linebackers are stronger than last year. They signed Boss Baily and DJ Williams is back to playing his natural position. I think Zach Miller will have a mini breakout season this year, but it is not going to start in week 1. I am playing Owne Daniels in one league over Miller, and I am playing Tony Scheffler over Miller in another league. I would not reccomend anyone playing Zach Miller in week 1.
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2007Week 4 - Dallas Clark 6/76/2

Week 5 - Antonio Gates 7/113/1

Week 7 - Matt Spaeth 1/13/1, Heath Miller 5/50/2

Week 10 - Effectively shutdown Gonzalez

Week 13 - Zach Miller 3/58/1

Week 14 - Tony Gonzalez 7/76/1

Week 15 - Owen Daniels 3/53

Week 16 - Gates 1/24 (wasn't he gimpy?)
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The Broncos have issues at safety and those will be the players likely assigned to Miller in pass defense.
 
Same dilemma here. I am starting Owen Daniels over Miller in 3 leagues ( same combo in three of four leagues) but I have honestly gone back and forth over it...........

 
Angry Beavers said:
Same dilemma here. I am starting Owen Daniels over Miller in 3 leagues ( same combo in three of four leagues) but I have honestly gone back and forth over it...........
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Starting to go nuts myself here especially since there is some good info being posted here. I usually play conservative (ie. starting Big Ben over Warner even though a lot of other owners if you have seen the threads are rolling with Warner) but I'm starting to think that playing Miller is like investing 5 or 10% of your mutual fund in the "Emerging Markets" catagory. TE typically is the lowest scoring position often behind kicker and team D but maybe the kid has a nice upside that Daniels doesn't. I usually like to go with the player from the better team but I also think that Daniels is the second and possibly third target on his team whereas Miller might be number one. Decisions, decisions...
 
Kwai Chang Caine said:
I get the feeling a lot of sharks got Z. Miller as their second TE cause you knew you could get him late. I have O. Daniels and I'm starting him as I'd like one week to see if Miller is the real deal but I'm curious if anybody else out there has a TE after the top four that they are starting Miller over. I'm a little nervous throwing him in week one since that big game he had last year agianst SD the Chargers were resting for the playoffs--could be a bit of a mirage. Thoughts on this guy? Are you taking a wait and see approach or are you throwing him in the lineup right away?
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Would you rather watch the train wreck, or be on the train?
 
Wow - another Daniels/Z. Miller owner here. I am knocked out by the number of people that have this TE combo - just must be how they fell if you waited till 10th or so for a TE and bought the love for Z. Miller from FBG (especially Cecil & Sigmund). Seemed to make sense - we'll see how it works. I currently have Daniels in the line-up for tomorrow ...and not expecting to change it. I want to see a bit more of Z. Miller (just hoping right now).

 
Wish I started Miller over Cooley :confused:

I would start Miller over Daniels today.

Just a gut based on match ups and based on I really think Miller will lead all Oakland

receivers on targets and production. Daniels never would.

I am flipping a coin Miller over Shocky. I have Shockey in now but I am tempted to change it!

 
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I went with the Footballguys' TEBC approach for my roster and while I did get the recommended two TE to make it happen (Z. Miller & L.J. Smith), I"m going to go with L.J. with the Rams/Eagles matchup in Philly.

 
I had Daniels and ZMiller. But I dropped Miller to pick up Bengals Defense :unsure: for the week. I hope it pans out. My other Def is the aging Baltimore Ravens.

 
Binky The Doormat said:
Wow - another Daniels/Z. Miller owner here. I am knocked out by the number of people that have this TE combo - just must be how they fell if you waited till 10th or so for a TE and bought the love for Z. Miller from FBG (especially Cecil & Sigmund). Seemed to make sense - we'll see how it works. I currently have Daniels in the line-up for tomorrow ...and not expecting to change it. I want to see a bit more of Z. Miller (just hoping right now).
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Another Daniels/Miller owner. Want to see Russell/Miller more. Plus I think Oak may keep Miller in to block more for Russell in the beginning of the season.
 
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Yenrub said:
I am trying to decide between these two guys myself. I also have Andre Johnson so not sure if I want 2 Texans going up against the Steeler D
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This is the only thing that gave me pause, since I hae Schaub in (over Delhomme). Week 1, though, I generally play them as I drafted them.
 
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packersfan said:
shredhead said:
Zach Miller is the #1 receiving option on the Raiders. Denver has top 10 corners. I could cover Ashley Lelie. Dre Bly or Champ Bailey will smother Zach Miller on passing plays. Last season's Bate's defense experiment aside, Denver has a history of shutting down some of the best TE's in the league. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates usually have below average (by Gates and Gonzo standards) games against Denver. Denver's weakness defensively is against the run, not the pass. Denver's linebackers are stronger than last year. They signed Boss Baily and DJ Williams is back to playing his natural position. I think Zach Miller will have a mini breakout season this year, but it is not going to start in week 1. I am playing Owne Daniels in one league over Miller, and I am playing Tony Scheffler over Miller in another league. I would not reccomend anyone playing Zach Miller in week 1.
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In the second game against the Broncos last season with Russell at QB, Miller put up 3-58-1. I'm not sure the Broncos are much better defensively this season than last. I think their secondary is overrated to be honest. Bailey is still a good CB but Bly is not Top 10 in my opinion. I don't see the Broncos putting Bailey on Miller the way they have in the past with guys like Gonzo and Gates for this simple reason - he isn't as good as those TEs. I think Bailey will stay on one side of the field like he always does and cover the WR who lines up there. Bly will be on the other side and the LBs and Safeties will deal with Miller. Given how (in my opinion) God-awful the Raiders' WRs are, I expect to see a healthy dose of targets for Miller and McFadden in the first game. I think Miller has an excellent chance of putting up Top 10 TE numbers this week.
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I was about to unpack this myself, but Packersfan hit the a couple points that I agree with. - The Broncos secondary is not that good. Champ is great, but Bly is an over-rated corner overall. He's not an isolation, cover corner. He's a gambler and play maker. Playing opposite Champ, Bly is only as good as the Broncos pass rush, which doesn't look overly promising. Plus, the Broncos interior line looks wretched, so the Raiders will probably load up on the run and blast away as much as possible. HC Lane Kiffin has not made that any secret. They want to run the ball a lot. If DeWayne Robertson is not up to the task, the Broncos will have more problems with the Raiders than most people think. - Gates has done just fine against the Broncos aside from two games in the last three years. One was at the end of last season when Gates was clearly limited. FWIW, Gonzalez hasn't done as well against Denver, though I would contest that as more to do with the Chiefs QB and inability to make plays just as much as the Broncos denying him. Either way, when they put Champ on the TE it's their best chance to slow down the TE, but it leaves them vulnerable on the edges, so pick your poison.- I also think Miller will be the #1 target in the Raiders passing game. Curry #2. McFadden right there as well. Walker is unreliable. If I were the Broncos DC I would strongly consider putting Champ on Miller and put Karl Paymah on Curry and take my chances with Bly on Walker. It would be a gamble, for sure.
 
ScottyFargo said:
I am probably starting him over Scheffler (not that I got Scheff early, but I picked Miller up off of waivers earlier last week) unless I hear something that really changes my mind that Scheff's going to be more necessary to the offense to score. In all honesty this one I feel has moved to be almost a toss up.
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I went w/ Miller over Scheff 'cause T.Howard may be the best cover LB in the NFL. Morrison is pretty good in his own right. Huff is turning into a solid ballhawk center-fielder, and G.Wilson should be an upgrade over any safety the Raiders have marched on the field since Woodson. I don't like TEs vs. the Raiders this year, especially if Hall and Aso-soup are a little dinged up and warrant being tested.
 
mightyeskimo said:
Starting Miller over Heap. :pickle:
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I have the same two TE's and I still haven't decided and a little over an hour to do so. You have a rookie QB starting his first game with what should be an average at best offense with Heap against an average at best defense CIN and then you have Miller with a young QB against superior CB's with a team in Oakland that sure can run the ball. The best case scenario for both Heap and Miller is for the opposing teams to get out to a good lead. Then they can dink and dunk to the TE's late in the game.
 
I was about to start him over V.Davis but decided against it. I would like to see a week or two to see how Russell works with him. However, Davis is in the same situation w/ the 49ers QB. However, I like the Martz factor.

 
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Also have Daniels and Miller, starting Daniels this week, Denver usually pretty good against oppossing TE's, and don't queit trust in Russell yet, give them a couple of weeks. :rolleyes:

 
crickets... :hophead:

i think it's safe to say that the zach miller experiment has ended before it ever really began, esp considering the TE's available in most leagues...

 
fatboyj711 said:
crickets... :thumbdown: i think it's safe to say that the zach miller experiment has ended before it ever really began, esp considering the TE's available in most leagues...
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agreedI dropped him for LJ Smith or Fasano in every league I had him in (which was a lot) - after watching about 2/3rds of the OAK game tonight. If he should get any targets, Id should be when theyre getting crushed.That offense is too bad for me too see him as being a consistent start. They consistently ran the ball until they were down 24 points.At this point, Id think Rosario for CAR will be more consistent than Miller. DEN is pretty good, their D is not quite as good you might believe
 
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He showed enough to let hang around. Can't imagine the Raiders are going to look this bad on offense all season, and he still managed to put up at least a few points in PPR. Though I'll def. be putting in claims on a few of the hot TE prospects as insurance.

 
abishagenaden said:
I'd carry him in PPR leagues only, especially with the other options out there after week 1.
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Same here. 4 receptions per game is pretty good. 4 receptions in one half (Miller had 0 on only 1 target in the first half last night) is real good. My league has tight roster limits so I'd have to cut Miller to pick up someone like LJ, Fassano, Rosario or one of the other Week 1 wonders so I'm going to hang onto him. The Raiders' offense is absolutely brutal but if Russell shows any improvement that should lead to Miller doing ok most of the time.I don't find myself agreeing with Mike Ditka very often but I agreed with him about the Raiders' approach last night. It was mind-boggling how they didn't ease Russell into the game by having him work shorter routes to Miller in the first half. Only one target (though it came inside the 10) is pretty poor coaching in my opinion. And I'd say that even if I wasn't a Miller owner.
 
shredhead said:
Zach Miller is the #1 receiving option on the Raiders. Denver has top 10 corners. I could cover Ashley Lelie. Dre Bly or Champ Bailey will smother Zach Miller on passing plays. Last season's Bate's defense experiment aside, Denver has a history of shutting down some of the best TE's in the league. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates usually have below average (by Gates and Gonzo standards) games against Denver. Denver's weakness defensively is against the run, not the pass. Denver's linebackers are stronger than last year. They signed Boss Baily and DJ Williams is back to playing his natural position. I think Zach Miller will have a mini breakout season this year, but it is not going to start in week 1. I am playing Owne Daniels in one league over Miller, and I am playing Tony Scheffler over Miller in another league. I would not reccomend anyone playing Zach Miller in week 1.
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Dre Bly or Champ Bailey might smother Zach Miller on passing plays...if the DC assigns them to cover Miller instead of the Oakland WR's. :lmao: You might get a CB on Miller in a nickel or dime package but even then there's a good chance the secondary is playing zone in the middle. Good TE's exploit the gaps in zones and can body up on smaller defensive players.

 
JamesTheScot said:
shredhead said:
Zach Miller is the #1 receiving option on the Raiders. Denver has top 10 corners. I could cover Ashley Lelie. Dre Bly or Champ Bailey will smother Zach Miller on passing plays. Last season's Bate's defense experiment aside, Denver has a history of shutting down some of the best TE's in the league. Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates usually have below average (by Gates and Gonzo standards) games against Denver. Denver's weakness defensively is against the run, not the pass. Denver's linebackers are stronger than last year. They signed Boss Baily and DJ Williams is back to playing his natural position. I think Zach Miller will have a mini breakout season this year, but it is not going to start in week 1. I am playing Owne Daniels in one league over Miller, and I am playing Tony Scheffler over Miller in another league. I would not reccomend anyone playing Zach Miller in week 1.
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Dre Bly or Champ Bailey might smother Zach Miller on passing plays...if the DC assigns them to cover Miller instead of the Oakland WR's. :lmao: You might get a CB on Miller in a nickel or dime package but even then there's a good chance the secondary is playing zone in the middle. Good TE's exploit the gaps in zones and can body up on smaller defensive players.
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Champ Bailey was, on several occasions, covering Miller last night.Not sure of the packages, but it was something I noted while at the game.

It was frequent enough to be a Bronco plan of implementation.

 
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I took Zach Miller as my only TE in 2 leagues, and I'm not selling him out for someone like Fasano after a week. Miller looks like a good blocker, so at least he'll be in the game at all times. His hands are very good, he got an end zone look, and he did lead the team in catches, though with a mere 4.

Oakland's offense looks very bad, but they may soon realize that they need to use Miller more. (And if they do, hey, good for us.) I'm keeping him until the bye at least, I think that's week 4 or 5.

 
Miller will be fine. he is eons better than anyone else they have running routes and Jamarcus knows this. it was VERY obvious he was Russel's favorite target in the preseason. he will get 4-8 catches a game easily. that's all you can ask from a tight end not named Witten this year.

 
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