Hate seeing this type of article...Heath Miller

[papillon]

[url=http://www.examiner.com/x-14024-Pittsburgh-Steelers-Examiner~y2009m7d1-Steelers-TE-Miller-may-become-a-salarycap-casualty]Heath Miller[/url] may become a cap casualty. Lets hope not, but the Steelers are going to have to make some decisions at some point.



Pappy

[SteelTorch]

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

Hate to say it, but I could see this happening. As good as he is, Heath is terribly under-utilized in our system. For crying out loud, you'd think with our terrible O-line, that would be a different story. He's a pro-bowl level TE who never gets the credit he deserves, and I could see him migrating to a different team that will utilize him much more effectively and pay him top dollar, especially now that he has two SB rings.

Of course, I'm hoping that DOESN'T happen. But with our FO, you never know...

[steelernation77]

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

This is just speculation by some blogger. The "examiner" **** isn't legit.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

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

All I will say is we better F'ing resign Heath Miller.

[Djfan]

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

Speath goes before Miller.

[RuthlessBurgher]

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

Heath is not some luxury. He is a young player with star potential, and prototypical Steeler TE. He is by far the most important of the pending FA's. No way he walks. We either re-sign him now with the Starks savings (although that money may go toward Clark/Reed/Hood), give him the franchise tag next year if the is a CBA (about half what we were scheduled to pay for Max's tag), or give him an RFA tender if there is no CBA (since he would need 6 accrued seasons instead of 4).

[frankthetank1]

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.

[papillon]

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

Heath is not some luxury. He is a young player with star potential, and prototypical Steeler TE. He is by far the most important of the pending FA's. No way he walks. We either re-sign him now with the Starks savings (although that money may go toward Clark/Reed/Hood), give him the franchise tag next year if the is a CBA (about half what we were scheduled to pay for Max's tag), or give him an RFA tender if there is no CBA (since he would need 6 accrued seasons instead of 4).

Aren't the Steelers too close to the cap limit to tag him at about 4.5 million per year?

Pappy

[Jigawatts]

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.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

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.

[MeetJoeGreene]

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

Hate to say it, but I could see this happening. As good as he is, Heath is terribly under-utilized in our system. For crying out loud, you'd think with our terrible O-line, that would be a different story. He's a pro-bowl level TE who never gets the credit he deserves, and I could see him migrating to a different team that will utilize him much more effectively and pay him top dollar, especially now that he has two SB rings.

Of course, I'm hoping that DOESN'T happen. But with our FO, you never know...

I, unfortunately, think you may be right. He is not utilized and thus could be replaced, much cheaper, by a good-blocking, adequate catching TE...... and use the $$ elsewhere. I hope that I am wrong, but it could be.....

[Flasteel]

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

Heath is not some luxury. He is a young player with star potential, and prototypical Steeler TE. He is by far the most important of the pending FA's. No way he walks. We either re-sign him now with the Starks savings (although that money may go toward Clark/Reed/Hood), give him the franchise tag next year if the is a CBA (about half what we were scheduled to pay for Max's tag), or give him an RFA tender if there is no CBA (since he would need 6 accrued seasons instead of 4).

Agreed. Besides, the only times we've ever let a player walk who was this young and talented was when they hit the open market and we had to compete with unrealistic salary demands (like Chad Brown) or they had the markings of a turd (like Plax). I say Miller stays put.

[RuthlessBurgher]

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

Heath is not some luxury. He is a young player with star potential, and prototypical Steeler TE. He is by far the most important of the pending FA's. No way he walks. We either re-sign him now with the Starks savings (although that money may go toward Clark/Reed/Hood), give him the franchise tag next year if the is a CBA (about half what we were scheduled to pay for Max's tag), or give him an RFA tender if there is no CBA (since he would need 6 accrued seasons instead of 4).

Aren't the Steelers too close to the cap limit to tag him at about 4.5 million per year?

Pappy

We are too close this year, but he is already signed for '09, so that is not an issue. There should be a lot of money coming off the cap next (all of the other guys going into their last season who may not be re-signed next year) so $4.5 million for Heath should be do-able.

[SteelHead]

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

Hate to say it, but I could see this happening. As good as he is, Heath is terribly under-utilized in our system. For crying out loud, you'd think with our terrible O-line, that would be a different story. He's a pro-bowl level TE who never gets the credit he deserves, and I could see him migrating to a different team that will utilize him much more effectively and pay him top dollar, especially now that he has two SB rings.

Of course, I'm hoping that DOESN'T happen. But with our FO, you never know...

I, unfortunately, think you may be right. He is not utilized and thus could be replaced, much cheaper, by a good-blocking, adequate catching TE...... and use the $$ elsewhere. I hope that I am wrong, but it could be.....

Despite Heath being under utilized I have to disagree that anyone on the team or in the FO believes replacing him with a less talented TE just to "match production" would be the right move. His numbers don't stand out I know but he is the definition of reliable. How often does he drop passes with limited opportunities , hardly ever. He blocks his tail off , never gets hurt and always picks up huge first downs with his grit and determination. I love seeing tacklers bounce off the guy , see the NE game. Heath is everything that being a Steeler is about and if the decision gets made that a cheaper , less talented TE will bring to the table what Heath does , you're in for a let down.

[BURGH86STEEL]

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

This is a tough situation for Heath. I guess a lot depends how he and his agent see his value. I think the Steelers have some idea of his value. Based on how they use him and the other weapons in the offense, they may not see him as a top 5 TE in the league. He may think that he is even though his numbers don't support that argument. How much do the other qualities that he brings override the numbers in the Steeler's minds?

If they cannot get something done with Heath, I think Spaeth is a capable replacement. They cannot afford to keep everyone.