Steelers Miller expected to play on Thursday

[fordfixer]

Steelers Miller expected to play on Thursday
By Scott Brown, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 14652.html (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_714652.html)

» Steelers tight end Heath Miller is slated to practice today and play Thursday night against the Carolina Panthers after missing the last two games because of post-concussion symptoms. "We anticipate Heath being fine," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. What will ultimately determine whether the sixth-year veteran plays against the Panthers is how Miller responds after practice and the Steelers' walkthrough tomorrow.

» Left tackle Jonathan Scott, who got pulled for the Steelers' final possession of last Sunday's loss to the New York Jets, did not exactly receive a vote of confidence from Tomlin. When asked yesterday if Trai Essex, who replaced Scott, might start against the Panthers, Tomlin said, "We're still in the process of evaluating (Sunday's) performance and putting together a formula for success this week. A lot of things are involved in that. Personnel matchups is one of them. I'm just not ready to have that kind of discussion at this juncture."

» Defensive end Aaron Smith, who is recovering from a partially torn triceps, will be fitted with a shoulder brace this week and could soon start doing some football-related activities. Smith, who has already been ruled out for this week's game, is not expected to return until the playoffs. Defensive tackle Steve McLendon (stinger) is expected to be able to play against the Panthers after missing the Steelers' last two games. Wide receiver Arnaz Battle is "touch-and-go," Tomlin said, after sustaining a rib contusion against the Jets.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers' Miller makes his presence felt

By: Andrew Chiappazzi Beaver County Times
Friday December 24, 2010 12:33 AM

http://www.steelersgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/heath-miller.jpg

PITTSBURGH — Four plays into the Steelers’ first drive against Carolina, Ben Roethlisberger dropped back to pass and hit Heath Miller with a perfect 20-yard strike over the middle. Miller used his forearm to break a tackle and take the ball down to the Panthers 11-yard line.

The play didn’t lead to a touchdown — the Steelers only managed a field goal — but it was an emphatic return to the lineup for the tight end.

While Miller might thank Roethlisberger for a perfect pass and an early opportunity to get his feet wet after missing two games due to a concussion, he’ll also want to look a few locker stalls down and give a pat on the back to the man who just might have sparked a renewed emphasis on the tight end in the Steelers’ offense.

That man is the beleaguered Matt Spaeth, Miller’s backup and the one who had two opportunities to defeat the Jets slip through his hands. Spaeth was targeted eight times against the Jets, the most that Roethlisberger looked toward a tight end in a game since he targeted Miller nine times against the Patriots.

While Spaeth slipped back into his reserve role as primarily a blocker, Miller stepped back into the offense and became an early target for Roethlisberger in the Steelers’ romp over Carolina. Miller caught five of the six balls thrown his way for 73 yards. For a guy who caught 76 passes a year ago, it seems like a normal day. But it was a season high for Miller.

The importance of a high-quality tight end to the Steelers’ offense cannot be overlooked. Yes, the fans love Miller and are aware of his skills, but Miller also has a very tangible effect on the Steelers’ ability to put points on the scoreboard.

Since Mike Tomlin took over as head coach in 2007, the Steelers’ offense has ranked 17th, 22nd, seventh and 19th in points per game. Miller’s corresponding reception totals for those seasons are 47, 48, 76 and 38 catches.

It’s a small sample size, and it’s open to additional factors — including performance of teammates, play-calling, opponent game plan and various in-game situations. But only a few tight ends have the capability to both block well and pose as distinct receiving threats. Those tight ends comparable to Miller — San Diego’s Antonio Gates, Dallas’ Jason Witten, Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez — are all large presences in their team’s offenses.

Miller’s presence also provides a small increase in the team’s chances of winning a game. Tomlin is 42-21 as coach of the Steelers, a .666 winning percentage. When Miller catches four or more passes in the Tomlin era, the Steelers are 17-8 for a .680 winning percentage.

It’s a small increase, but if the Steelers’ use Miller correctly, it could be the difference between a Super Bowl and an early tee time.

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