Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

[Ozey74]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

I love Heath just like the rest of you, but Spaeth did have two six-catch games last year when he had to fill in for Miller.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

Spaeth is not nearly the blocker that Heath is, and drops way more passes. Heath has Pro Bowl potential while Spaeth is a solid backup. Huge difference there. This team does not let young elite talents walk. I think Heath qualifies.

[buckeyehoppy]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

well this is probably hampton's last season so wont they have money free to re-sign heath after the season? i would rather see any of the guys mentioned go free agent before heath. i did not know gay is a fa after next season but i doubt he would cost a whole lot. i would even rather see clark sign some where else before heath. clark is older and a lot more injury prone than miller.

Based on their lengths of service, it isn't highly likely that either Hampton or Clark will be re-upped. And there's virtually no way that both are.

And the Steelers saved $$$ on the Starks deal...and Heath will get 2/3rds of his annual jack if he's lucky. And Arians needs to get it through his fat head that Heath needs a more versatile role in the offense anyway.

Heath is a must sign. Colbert and the brain trust need to get this deal done before camp, if possible. The clock is ticking.

[NKySteeler]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

Personally, I can see the points made in the article with Clark, Gay, and Holmes. But Hampton, Townsend, and Keisel may become expendable... But let's not forget Reed, who is also coming up on "deal time", and he needs to be signed IMO.

I like Spaeth, but he's no "Miller"... But if you're gonna spend the $$$, he needs to be utilized more, and I'm just not sure that will ever happen with Arians deriving the offensive schemes.

... All of that said, the author failed to address the issue of the "uncapped" season we will be having... Yea, the Rooneys will still have to come up with the cash, but we will have the available room to make some of these signings if we choose, if it in fact happens, if I understand it correctly.

Bottom line, I'm torn on this issue with Miller... I see the point being made, but I also see the advantages he provides...

Personally, I hope to see him signed because I think there will be a way when the dust settles.

[steelcityrules!!]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

I can't possibly see them dumping miller for a quazi-cheaper version. He's all upside, no downside. hands of glue, toughest S.O.B. on the team to tackle, and superb blocker to boot. throw in his durability and that most T.E.'s don't break the bank anyhow, and it's a can't miss deal.

hampton's days are numbered i think, and if mundy fills in like I know he can WHEN clark gets dinged up this season, Clark might never see is starting job again.

I love clark, but we all know he's going to be hurt at some point, he's like a missile.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

i did not know gay is a fa after next season but i doubt he would cost a whole lot.

William Gay is entering the 3rd season on the 3 year rookie deal he signed after being drafted in '07. He will be a restricted free agent after this year. Depending on the level of the tender that we give him, we would be due draft pick compensation if another team were to sign him to an offer sheet that we chose not to match.

Here were the RFA values for this season (they are likely to go up next year, but not significantly)

$1.01 million = 5th round pick (since Gay was originally drafted in the 5th)

$1.545 million = 2nd round pick

$2.198 million = 1st round pick

$2.792 million = 1st and 3rd round picks

We gave Sean McHugh and Anthony Madison $1.01 million RFA tenders and gave Willie Colon the $2.198 RFA tender for this season. We did not give Anthony Smith an RFA tender, allowing him to sign with the Packers instead.

[papillon]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

A few have mentioned that they would like to see Heath be a bigger part of the offense. I don't believe that he can be a bigger part of the offense; unless, of course, his increase is at the expense of another receivers catches. Since Ben took over in 2004 the Steelers have averaged 238 completions per season with last year's 281 being the most. If your #1 receiver gets 80-85 catches, #2 around 60, #'s 3 and 4 combine for 60-65 and the backs tally 20 total there isn't much left for Miller.

I just don't see Miller ever being more than a 40-45 catch TE with the Steelers. For the Steelers that's all they need, because, many of those catches move the sticks and occasionally result in a TD. If Miller is fine with that role and is willing to be paid as a 40-45 catch guy he'll be a Steeler; if he believes he can be a bigger part of an offense he'll leave.

No matter how good he is, he'll never be used like Winslow, Gates or Gonzalez in the Steeler offense. I hope he stays, it will be up to him.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

A few have mentioned that they would like to see Heath be a bigger part of the offense. I don't believe that he can be a bigger part of the offense; unless, of course, his increase is at the expense of another receivers catches. Since Ben took over in 2004 the Steelers have averaged 238 completions per season with last year's 281 being the most. If your #1 receiver gets 80-85 catches, #2 around 60, #'s 3 and 4 combine for 60-65 and the backs tally 20 total there isn't much left for Miller.

I just don't see Miller ever being more than a 40-45 catch TE with the Steelers. For the Steelers that's all they need, because, many of those catches move the sticks and occasionally result in a TD. If Miller is fine with that role and is willing to be paid as a 40-45 catch guy he'll be a Steeler; if he believes he can be a bigger part of an offense he'll leave.

No matter how good he is, he'll never be used like Winslow, Gates or Gonzalez in the Steeler offense. I hope he stays, it will be up to him.

Pappy

I think as Hines ages (which inevitably will happen no matter how much we don't like it), his numbers will decline. Hines always specialized in being a dependable, sure-handed guy who could catch the tough ball over the middle in traffic, move the sticks, lay the wood on blocks, and find the open spots in the end zone. The next closest thing that we have on our roster to fit that description is Heath Miller, even though Hines and Heath play different positions. Holmes, Sweed, and Wallace can be big-play, downfield, vertical threats. I don't necessarily see those guys being responsible for the types of catches in the future that Hines always seemed to make routinely. As Ward's numbers decline with age, I think Miller's numbers can rise with experience, since they will play much the same role in the passing game (even though one guy is 6'0" and the other is 6'5").

[papillon]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

A few have mentioned that they would like to see Heath be a bigger part of the offense. I don't believe that he can be a bigger part of the offense; unless, of course, his increase is at the expense of another receivers catches. Since Ben took over in 2004 the Steelers have averaged 238 completions per season with last year's 281 being the most. If your #1 receiver gets 80-85 catches, #2 around 60, #'s 3 and 4 combine for 60-65 and the backs tally 20 total there isn't much left for Miller.

I just don't see Miller ever being more than a 40-45 catch TE with the Steelers. For the Steelers that's all they need, because, many of those catches move the sticks and occasionally result in a TD. If Miller is fine with that role and is willing to be paid as a 40-45 catch guy he'll be a Steeler; if he believes he can be a bigger part of an offense he'll leave.

No matter how good he is, he'll never be used like Winslow, Gates or Gonzalez in the Steeler offense. I hope he stays, it will be up to him.

Pappy

I think as Hines ages (which inevitably will happen no matter how much we don't like it), his numbers will decline. Hines always specialized in being a dependable, sure-handed guy who could catch the tough ball over the middle in traffic, move the sticks, lay the wood on blocks, and find the open spots in the end zone. The next closest thing that we have on our roster to fit that description is Heath Miller, even though Hines and Heath play different positions. Holmes, Sweed, and Wallace can be big-play, downfield, vertical threats. I don't necessarily see those guys being responsible for the types of catches in the future that Hines always seemed to make routinely. As Ward's numbers decline with age, I think Miller's numbers can rise with experience, since they will play much the same role in the passing game (even though one guy is 6'0" and the other is 6'5").

Maybe, however, that wouid be completely out of character for the Steelers to increase the TEs catches to compensate for declining production atg the WR position. The Steelers are hoping that the Holmes/Sweed 1-2 combo will combine for the 140 catches that the Ward/Holmes tandem caught.

It's going to come down to will the Steelers pay elite TE money for a TE that has the capability to put up elite numbers, but won't because of the offense.

Pappy

[BURGH86STEEL]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

A few have mentioned that they would like to see Heath be a bigger part of the offense. I don't believe that he can be a bigger part of the offense; unless, of course, his increase is at the expense of another receivers catches. Since Ben took over in 2004 the Steelers have averaged 238 completions per season with last year's 281 being the most. If your #1 receiver gets 80-85 catches, #2 around 60, #'s 3 and 4 combine for 60-65 and the backs tally 20 total there isn't much left for Miller.

I just don't see Miller ever being more than a 40-45 catch TE with the Steelers. For the Steelers that's all they need, because, many of those catches move the sticks and occasionally result in a TD. If Miller is fine with that role and is willing to be paid as a 40-45 catch guy he'll be a Steeler; if he believes he can be a bigger part of an offense he'll leave.

No matter how good he is, he'll never be used like Winslow, Gates or Gonzalez in the Steeler offense. I hope he stays, it will be up to him.

Pappy

I agree, I've stated before that there are not enough balls to go around in the offense. Miller will never be a focal point within the offense with all the other weapons they have, nor should he be.

I do hope he stays.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

IMO this article is nonsense. I haven't seen next year's cap numbers but I know that the team has, and they did two very important things to prepare for next year.

1) They cut Kendall Simmons prior to June 1 of this year. We are taking a big $4.67M bite on that one this year so that we were able to clear him off the books for next year.

2) Same for Sean Mahan. He is counting $2.4M this year so that we have nothing for him next year.

Also, consider the favorite Steelers move - the restructure. This team is always ready to get that done to save us a few bucks under the cap.

Believe it or not, this FO is still a little bit smarter than guys who just write blogs. I'm pretty sure they know which contracts are coming due and are working at keeping the guys who they believe are most important. If they want to keep Heath, the only way it doesn't happen is if he decides to pull a Faneca.

[Acero]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

How much do the other qualities that he brings override the numbers in the Steeler's minds?.

I think if you ask the same question of Hines Ward, you'll have your answer. Miller certainly deserves to be extended and I hope he does. He's a great team guy, has a great relationship with Roethlisberger and is money on third downs when given the chance.

[plainnasty]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

There is no way that Miller will be a cap casualty! If they don't sign him this summer, it'll be because of the CBA. In that case, they will sign him to a long term deal next year.

[Chachi]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

As good as he is, Heath is terribly under-utilized in our system.

I'm a stupid fan who blames the offensive coordinator for this.

I'm a stupid fan who blames the Steelers' institution for this.

How many years, over how many players, over how many OCs have we been saying, "Our TE is under-utilized in our system"?

10 years, 15 years? Steelers fans were saying this even in the days of Eric Green....before Green.

[Oviedo]

Re: Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

I'm one of the biggest advocates on this board of increasing the number of touches that our TEs get but I really can't see Miller ever getting more than 30-40 catches unless we have a real problem losing our top two WRs. Our WRs right now are just too good and potentially our RBs are too good to eliminate touches from both those position to increase Miller and Spaeth getting more.

I do think that Miller brings a huge benefit to the offense with his blocking ability and until they get this OL performing at a high level that will make keeping him all the more essential.

I realy don't think there will be an issue with Miller staying unless Miller doesn't want to stay. If there is no CBA he will be at a minimum tagged for one more year, possibly two.