Heath Miller Finally Being Consistently Involved In Steelers Offensive Attack

I had predicted the depth at WR would hurt his involvement this year, but I’m happy to see BA getting Miller more focus.

I think a lot of time Miller is an early read for Ben, but they are also working in a lot of screens and slips for Miller. He kills on those plays, because he is such a good blocker.

Heath does everything that a great TE needs to do.

I’ve been saying it for 3 years now: on third down, find 86 or 83…one will be open, and will make the catch.

It helps his stats when the Steelers are consistently throwing the ball over 30 times a game too.

For years that Miller is one of the premiere TE in the league. Only good things happen when he gets the ball, and getting to yell HEEEATTHH at the Cardinals pre-season game was just awesome. I read somewhere he loves getting the ball at home just to hear the crowd do the chant.

The only problem I see with him, is he does not break tackles well for being so big. He’s normally down on first contact.

For yards after ccatch, but part of that is because he’s getting a lot more short passes where he hasnt had a chance to build up a head of steam. When he catches the ball in the seam 12-20 yards down the field, he’s much more of a force and harder to bring down. I’m fine with him not being able to juke and jive for extra yards if it means we’re moving the chains and getting some rhythm established offensively.

He’s actually pretty good, imo, after the catch. Just hasn’t been in good situations the past two games to do much after the catch.

He’s averaging about 7 yards a catch I think, but they are finally utilizing his abilities. Unlike what the Cowboys do with Witten, they seem to prefer Heath as a dump-off guy. I say great, better him then Carey Davis. Heath should be a 60 to 80 catch TE. I think he could be as dangerous as any TE in the league, but he will never be used that way here.

It;s freaking funny shit

That’s a pretty dreamy picture of Heath. Do I need to let Drew Brees know that your attention is wandering? ( :

Great post, but I doubt heath makes the pro-bowl. Just too many other guys in line (that guy from San Diego looked pretty good)

I remember how much we used EG back in the early 90’s. The TE is a great position and when you have a player as talented as my boy, Heath Miller, you have to include that dynamic into the offense more and more!

Throw to Heath 15 times a game and he will have 15 receptions! Make it happen Arians!

Was going to do my own write-up on Heath’s game against the Chargers, but haven’t had time. He quietly put up about 70 yards in that game. Not too shabby for a TE on a team that ran the ball almost 30 times. All the post-game love went to Mendy (deservedly so), but Heath was a minor monster on Sunday.

include Heath in his check-down consistently. Could save a few coverage sacks.

These are from his excellent Twitter feed with my commentary:

@cdhe Steelers had another chance to sign Harris to 53, but chose Eason instead. In fact, they could do it today, any day, if they wanted.

- Guess that tells you were their head is with Sonny Harris. They could have had him on the 53, but preferred Eason. Makes sense – ton of young guys already on the team, coaches want the security of a vet – even one who doesn’t have much upside.

@feuerstarta Oh, Sweed will get another chance, or three. Too much talent not to, and a good blocker & teams player. Will he respond? Dunno.

-As all of you know, I am a charter member of the play-sweed-now club. I have argued extensively why we need to see what he can do sooner rather than later. I have also argued that his ability to stretch the D makes him more valuable as a 4th receiver than McDonald. I like to hear from Wexell he’s a good blocker too. Let’s get him out there the next two weeks. Too much talent. We have to test him now, not in January.

@rkapur000 I can’t complain about not using the hands team when Mundy figures to be on it anyway. Catch the stinkin ball.

- Yup. Yup. My solution. Replace Mundy on the hands team – let’s see which of our DB’s could step in? Oh, I got it! Ike Taylor!

While I agree it’s great to see Heath more involved this year, I disagree about the likelihood he will be named to the Pro Bowl. Gates and Clark are all but guaranteed to be named ahead of him because of their big play ability.

Heath has great hands, always seems to find a way to get open, and almost always gets extra yards after initial contact, but he lacks the speed to make the big plays that other TEs are capable of.

Right now he is ranked in the mid 40’s for all TEs in the league in terms of yards per catch (7.5 ypc) and first down %. Despite being tied for second in the league with 24 catches, he only ranks 10th in term of total yards. Additionally, he has the lowest ypc of the top 30 TEs in the league in terms of total yardage.

I think the only way he makes it to the PB is if Clark or Gates get injured or if they decide to name 3 TEs again this year as they did last season. If that’s the case then I could certainly see him being named. His primary competition for that third spot would appear to be Owen Daniels who was named to the team last season.

Personally, I’d much rather have him play the week before the PB. Most should certainly agree with that.

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Yeah, love that about Johnson. I know that he doesn’t have great hands, but I’d love to see him get wildly free underneath a few times against Bmore just so he could give their back 8 a “pound-me-in-the-brisket” clinic.