Heath Miller’s role likely to grow in Todd Haley’s offense

[Jooser]

Heath Miller’s role likely to grow in Todd Haley’s offense

Posted by Josh Alper on May 31, 2012, 10:01 AM EDT
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There’s been a lot of focus on the relationship between the new Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley and quarterback [URL="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/1181/ben-roethlisberger"]Ben Roethlisberger[/URL] this offseason.

While those two continue to build a working relationship with one another, the rest of the Steelers offensive players are figuring out their roles. Tight end [URL="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/3145/heath-miller"]Heath Miller[/URL] has to like what he sees on that front.

Miller hasn’t lacked for opportunities in his years with the team. His 337 career receptions are the fourth-most in the history of the franchise and he has 93 catches for 1,143 yards and four touchdowns over the last two seasons. Those numbers could look even better this season. Early reports out of Pittsburgh are that Haley plans to make Miller a big part of the offense, something that Miller [URL="http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/heath-millers-tale-gets-another-big-twist-638236/?p=0"]confirmed to reporters[/URL].


“I definitely see opportunities for that to happen,” Miller said, via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “That’s not to say there weren’t opportunities in the last offense. We are going to be involved a lot.”


Tight ends weren’t a big part of Haley’s offenses in Arizona, but [URL="http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5841/tony-moeaki"]Tony Moeaki[/URL] did have 47 catches for the Chiefs when they won the division in 2010. Miller has had at least that many catches in four of the last five seasons and this year’s focus on protecting Roethlisberger while he throws high percentage passes could result in a lot of action for Miller.

Not a bad thing, most folks around here have hungered for more Heath in the passing game the past few years. He smoked NE* last year when BA actually utilized him as a passing threat instead of a blocker.

[Crash]

Miller's production under Arians wasn't a problem.

[Jooser]

His production was fine, when he was utilized. Saying that the player could be MORE productive means you simply use the productive player on a more consistent basis, not just every once in a while to break up a bit of the predictability of a very predictable offense. This is a good thing Crash, despite how you may decide to spin his past utilization under your Lord and Savior, Bruce Arians.

[Crash]

You can't increase Miller's role, give Brown his touches, pay Wallace big money (if they sign him) AND force the run game down our throats.

Only one football. SOMEONE is going to be left out.

[Eich]

His production was fine, when he was utilized. Saying that the player could be MORE productive means you simply use the productive player on a more consistent basis, not just every once in a while to break up a bit of the predictability of a very predictable offense. This is a good thing Crash, despite how you may decide to spin his past utilization under Bruce Arians, close friend of your Lord and Savior, Ben Roethlisberger.

Fixed that for you Jooser...

[Eich]

You can't increase Miller's role, give Brown his touches, pay Wallace big money (if they sign him) AND force the run game down our throats.

Only one football. SOMEONE is going to be left out.

But you CAN increase ANYONE's role, game to game, based on the weaknesses of the opponent. BA actually did this quite successfully last year against the Cheaters. Hope that Haley can figure out how to do it more consistently against the rest of the league.

[Slapstick]

You can't increase Miller's role, give Brown his touches, pay Wallace big money (if they sign him) AND force the run game down our throats.

Only one football. SOMEONE is going to be left out.

I'd like to see Ben and Haley try, though...

[Jooser]

But you CAN increase ANYONE's role, game to game, based on the weaknesses of the opponent. BA actually did this quite successfully last year against the Cheaters. Hope that Haley can figure out how to do it more consistently against the rest of the league.

Ding Ding! My point exactly.

[Crash]

I'd like to see Ben and Haley try, though...

Can't. They are going to run the ball more if you believe four different players.

[flippy]

If the OLine improves, you take away Hines, the running game pulls more defenders in the box, etc. it's only natural that Heath's role should grow.

[steelnavy]

You can't increase Miller's role, give Brown his touches, pay Wallace big money (if they sign him) AND force the run game down our throats.

Only one football. SOMEONE is going to be left out.

Seriously, I am starting to believe the inferences that you are a troll. At a minimum you sound like a miserable, depressed individual. Why do you even follow the Steelers if you hate everything that they do? Is there maybe another football team that you can actually agree with in ANY decisions that they make?

According to you, the number one defense absolutely SUCKS, the number 21 offense was perfect, since Ben is a great quarterback, to call any other play other than having him slinging the ball is blasphemy, and the owners spent too much money on a defense that is NUMBER ONE in the NFL. Did I miss anything?

[Jooser]

Seriously, I am starting to believe the inferences that you are a troll. At a minimum you sound like a miserable, depressed individual. Why do you even follow the Steelers if you hate everything that they do? Is there maybe another football team that you can actually agree with in ANY decisions that they make?

According to you, the number one defense absolutely SUCKS, the number 21 offense was perfect, since Ben is a great quarterback, to call any other play other than having him slinging the ball is blasphemy, and the owners spent too much money on a defense that is NUMBER ONE in the NFL. Did I miss anything?

SN, you know what they say about locking eyes with an idiot, right? Keep that in mind as you try to apply reason to insanity here buddy.

[Crash]

According to you, the number one defense absolutely SUCKS

Their 4th quarter scheme SUCKS. Get it right.

You're first sentence says it all. People like you love the fact they "rank" #1.

Me? I'd rather they prevent Joe $%^&*( Flacco and Tim Tebow from beating them and be ranked #15.

#1 rankings mean little when they don't come up big in key games.

[RuthlessBurgher]

You can't increase Miller's role, give Brown his touches, pay Wallace big money (if they sign him) AND force the run game down our throats.

Only one football. SOMEONE is going to be left out.

If you have less three-and-outs and more sustained drives, then everyone can get more opportunities in this coming season.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Seriously, I am starting to believe the inferences that you are a troll. At a minimum you sound like a miserable, depressed individual. Why do you even follow the Steelers if you hate everything that they do? Is there maybe another football team that you can actually agree with in ANY decisions that they make?

According to you, the number one defense absolutely SUCKS, the number 21 offense was perfect, since Ben is a great quarterback, to call any other play other than having him slinging the ball is blasphemy, and the owners spent too much money on a defense that is NUMBER ONE in the NFL. Did I miss anything?

You forgot to mentioned that Hines Ward is DIVORCED!!!!