Heath Miller: In the backfield more, Yes. As a blocker? No. (1 Viewer)

[Sigmund Bloom]

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Miller has set up in the backfield as a receiver more than ever, continuing an experiment that began last season. Grisham has been a favorite target of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in camp, continuing another trend from a year ago, and likely will take departed Antwaan Randle El's spot among the group of wide receivers.

Moving Miller to the backfield gives the offense more versatility and also creates more confusion for a defense.

"It's something new and exciting," said Miller, who enters his sixth season. "I'm always up for trying something different. I got exposed to it last year. I'm up for the challenge.

"It's probably more for passing situations than running situations. I think it helps with protections -- maybe when you get two backs in the backfield, it's harder for the defense to pick up on whether you're blocking [for the run], protecting [for the pass] or releasing."

Miller's teammates believe he is the most complete tight end in the league and, at 6 feet 5, can be more productive as a receiver if need be. He made the Pro Bowl after he had personal highs of 76 receptions and 789 yards in 2009. That fell off to 42 catches for 512 yards last season when the Steelers cut back on the passing game.

The new move is an indication they want to take more advantage of his catching ability.

"It's really just taking a halfback out and getting an extra receiver in," Roethlisberger said. "So I think we evolved a little bit. We did it a little bit of it last year but you're going to see a lot more of it. We have different packages. We have to get him in there, we have to use him.

"He's the best full tight end in the game. Nothing against Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates and those guys, but they're receivers playing tight end. Heath is the best because he can also block. He blocks defensive ends sometimes; we ask him to do that, and pick up blitzes. That's why he's so special, he can do whatever we want. He's an extra lineman and a receiver. I see a big year ahead for him."

 

[baconisgood]

link

Miller has set up in the backfield as a receiver more than ever, continuing an experiment that began last season. Grisham has been a favorite target of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in camp, continuing another trend from a year ago, and likely will take departed Antwaan Randle El's spot among the group of wide receivers.

Moving Miller to the backfield gives the offense more versatility and also creates more confusion for a defense.

"It's something new and exciting," said Miller, who enters his sixth season. "I'm always up for trying something different. I got exposed to it last year. I'm up for the challenge.

"It's probably more for passing situations than running situations. I think it helps with protections -- maybe when you get two backs in the backfield, it's harder for the defense to pick up on whether you're blocking [for the run], protecting [for the pass] or releasing."

Miller's teammates believe he is the most complete tight end in the league and, at 6 feet 5, can be more productive as a receiver if need be. He made the Pro Bowl after he had personal highs of 76 receptions and 789 yards in 2009. That fell off to 42 catches for 512 yards last season when the Steelers cut back on the passing game.

The new move is an indication they want to take more advantage of his catching ability.

"It's really just taking a halfback out and getting an extra receiver in," Roethlisberger said. "So I think we evolved a little bit. We did it a little bit of it last year but you're going to see a lot more of it. We have different packages. We have to get him in there, we have to use him.

"He's the best full tight end in the game. Nothing against Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates and those guys, but they're receivers playing tight end. Heath is the best because he can also block. He blocks defensive ends sometimes; we ask him to do that, and pick up blitzes. That's why he's so special, he can do whatever we want. He's an extra lineman and a receiver. I see a big year ahead for him."

This would be a lot more interesting if they hadn't just signed Cotchery. With JC, Ward and Wallace how many receptions/Yards/TDs are left? 650-700 would be a nice year for his draft slot but its hard to see him breaking that by much.

 

[JuSt CuZ]

Cool, way to do everyones work for them!

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

link

Miller has set up in the backfield as a receiver more than ever, continuing an experiment that began last season. Grisham has been a favorite target of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in camp, continuing another trend from a year ago, and likely will take departed Antwaan Randle El's spot among the group of wide receivers.

Moving Miller to the backfield gives the offense more versatility and also creates more confusion for a defense.

"It's something new and exciting," said Miller, who enters his sixth season. "I'm always up for trying something different. I got exposed to it last year. I'm up for the challenge.

"It's probably more for passing situations than running situations. I think it helps with protections -- maybe when you get two backs in the backfield, it's harder for the defense to pick up on whether you're blocking [for the run], protecting [for the pass] or releasing."

Miller's teammates believe he is the most complete tight end in the league and, at 6 feet 5, can be more productive as a receiver if need be. He made the Pro Bowl after he had personal highs of 76 receptions and 789 yards in 2009. That fell off to 42 catches for 512 yards last season when the Steelers cut back on the passing game.

The new move is an indication they want to take more advantage of his catching ability.

"It's really just taking a halfback out and getting an extra receiver in," Roethlisberger said. "So I think we evolved a little bit. We did it a little bit of it last year but you're going to see a lot more of it. We have different packages. We have to get him in there, we have to use him.

"He's the best full tight end in the game. Nothing against Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates and those guys, but they're receivers playing tight end. Heath is the best because he can also block. He blocks defensive ends sometimes; we ask him to do that, and pick up blitzes. That's why he's so special, he can do whatever we want. He's an extra lineman and a receiver. I see a big year ahead for him."

This would be a lot more interesting if they hadn't just signed Cotchery. With JC, Ward and Wallace how many receptions/Yards/TDs are left? 650-700 would be a nice year for his draft slot but its hard to see him breaking that by much.

Cotchery is the #5. insurance for Wards age, Sanders feet, and Brown's inconsistency.

 

[solorca]

I bought the hype on Miller last season and waited to take him. I'm not willing to do that this year. With that said, he has all of the tools and the right system to put up good to great TE numbers.

 

[Anonymous Internet User]

I'll believe it when I see it. The pass blocking from the o-line needs to improve significantly before they'd regularly send Miller off the line.

 

[UnknownCoach]

If they start handing the ball off to him that could certainly improve his fantasy value. I dont see it having a big impact on his receiving numbers. It could lead to him running more shorter routes. His receiving numbers should be solid though just on the fact that the Steelers have Big Ben back to start the season.

 

[ThePittbully]

I'd love to believe this because I have him in a few leagues, but I'm just not buying it. Too many options in the pass game and Steelers are going to ask him to stay in and block too often

 

[-jb-]

It's nifty and all, but it will be tough to move the needle with it. How many times can they line him up like that? Even if it's 3 times a game, it won't amount to a ton more production.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

I think a case can be made in both directions. The O-line isn't strong in Pittsburgh and they have a new LT, but they weren't particularly strong in 2009 either, so that might be a wash.

Moving Heath Miller into the backfield could give him options to run screens or short curl / wheel routes out of the backfield, or it could afford one of their best and most mobile blockers a chance to pickup blitzes coming from either side of Big Ben. The jury is out on that one for me.

As far as going back to 2009 when the passing game was more open, I'm not sold on that either. Big Ben had over 30 attempts in 2009 and in the 12 games he played (started) last year. The attempts averaged 32-33 a game both seasons, so I don't see a "return to he passing game" as being applicable.

The curious thing about last year vs. 2009 is that the WR1 and WR2 were the clear leader in targets for the Steelers, while Miller was right there above the WR3 for 3rd place in targets. The interesting part of it is that all four of those roles saw fewer targets last season - and it cannot be all applicable to Ben's missing the first four contests. What caused the big drop? All I can "see" from the numbers is more targets to the RBs last year.

Quick breakdown:

Role - 2009 Targets (Player) - 2010 Targets (Player)

WR1 - 138 (Holmes) - 98 (Wallace)

WR2 - 136 (Ward) - 93(Ward)

WR3 - 72 (Wallace) - 49 (Sanders)

TE - 98 (Miller) - 65 (Miller)

RB1 - 31 (Mendenhall) - 33 (Mendenhall)

RB2 - 32 (MMoore)- 30 (MMoore)

So WR1 lost 40 targets, WR2 lost 43, WR3 lost 23 and Miller lost 33. That's over 100 targets that vanished last year.

Ben threw it 502 of the 534 times in 09, but just 389 of 477 last year due to the 4-game suspension.

My question is where did the targets go? Even if you adjust for 10% less passes than 2009, there's a big drop in targets >10% for everyone, including Miller. The root of that has to be beyond WR3, as Pittsburgh threw to WR4 (Randle El) and WR5 (Antonio Brown) 57 times last year, while WR4 and WR5 in 2009 had just 24 targets.

So rolling it all forward, I can see how Pittsburgh might move Miller to the backfield to get more chances - but that could also be better to block on a blitz. The bigger question is regarding how much Pittsburgh will throw to WR1-3 and the TE or will Brown and Cotchery see more than 2-3 targets a week. If they do, they have to come at someone's expense.

Long, long way for me to say that Miller's a solid TE2 but I wouldn't expect 2009 numbers again. Something between last season and 2009 is possible, but that's a best case ceiling. I don't expect 76 catches, 789 yards and 6 TDs at all (or 98 targets). Something above 42-512-2 from last year? I can see that. 50-550-5 would be about right as a projection, but I wouldn't expect more than that.

 

[BassNBrew]

Good thread and actually has me moving Miller down. I was under the assumption that Miller finished strong. His best 8 game stretch at the end of the year was 29-345-2. Over 16 games that would be 58-690-4. I think that has to be his ceiling on the recpts and yardage. I'd rather take my chances with Olsen, Keller, or Hernadez.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Good thread and actually has me moving Miller down. I was under the assumption that Miller finished strong. His best 8 game stretch at the end of the year was 29-345-2. Over 16 games that would be 58-690-4. I think that has to be his ceiling on the recpts and yardage. I'd rather take my chances with Olsen, Keller, or Hernadez.

Olsen I have very very close to Miller. Hernandez may top Miller's numbers at season's end and I would rank higher in a best ball, but week-to-week could be a nightmare for him. Keller I think is trending down. Bulking up to become a better blocker and Jets personnel moves don't indicate that his role in the pass offense will increase.

 

[baconisgood]

link

Miller has set up in the backfield as a receiver more than ever, continuing an experiment that began last season. Grisham has been a favorite target of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in camp, continuing another trend from a year ago, and likely will take departed Antwaan Randle El's spot among the group of wide receivers.

Moving Miller to the backfield gives the offense more versatility and also creates more confusion for a defense.

"It's something new and exciting," said Miller, who enters his sixth season. "I'm always up for trying something different. I got exposed to it last year. I'm up for the challenge.

"It's probably more for passing situations than running situations. I think it helps with protections -- maybe when you get two backs in the backfield, it's harder for the defense to pick up on whether you're blocking [for the run], protecting [for the pass] or releasing."

Miller's teammates believe he is the most complete tight end in the league and, at 6 feet 5, can be more productive as a receiver if need be. He made the Pro Bowl after he had personal highs of 76 receptions and 789 yards in 2009. That fell off to 42 catches for 512 yards last season when the Steelers cut back on the passing game.

The new move is an indication they want to take more advantage of his catching ability.

"It's really just taking a halfback out and getting an extra receiver in," Roethlisberger said. "So I think we evolved a little bit. We did it a little bit of it last year but you're going to see a lot more of it. We have different packages. We have to get him in there, we have to use him.

"He's the best full tight end in the game. Nothing against Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates and those guys, but they're receivers playing tight end. Heath is the best because he can also block. He blocks defensive ends sometimes; we ask him to do that, and pick up blitzes. That's why he's so special, he can do whatever we want. He's an extra lineman and a receiver. I see a big year ahead for him."

This would be a lot more interesting if they hadn't just signed Cotchery. With JC, Ward and Wallace how many receptions/Yards/TDs are left? 650-700 would be a nice year for his draft slot but its hard to see him breaking that by much.

Cotchery is the #5. insurance for Wards age, Sanders feet, and Brown's inconsistency.

Cotchery has been a solid receiver for several years now (with some questionable QB play) and is on the right side of 30- I would be surprised if he can't play his way onto field if he is healthy.

 

[BassNBrew]

Good thread and actually has me moving Miller down. I was under the assumption that Miller finished strong. His best 8 game stretch at the end of the year was 29-345-2. Over 16 games that would be 58-690-4. I think that has to be his ceiling on the recpts and yardage. I'd rather take my chances with Olsen, Keller, or Hernadez.

Olsen I have very very close to Miller. Hernandez may top Miller's numbers at season's end and I would rank higher in a best ball, but week-to-week could be a nightmare for him. Keller I think is trending down. Bulking up to become a better blocker and Jets personnel moves don't indicate that his role in the pass offense will increase.

Let's throw out Miller's three best regular season games and look at his next next best three based on ppr. 5-60, 4-46, and 4-40. Your looking at a sub 10 ppg guy 12 of 16 weeks. Even his best games were 15, 13, and 12. Is week to week really that big of an issue? Hernadez top 10 pts in ppr 7 times last year and was only under 5 ppg 3 times. Basically Miller's better than average games would net you 9 pts while hernadez's below average games would net you 6 pts.