One thing that's been talked about a fair bit in the past few weeks has been the improvement of the Steelers' running game, particularly against the Jets. John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote an excellent article about the same, and had particular praise for Heath Miller:

"We're trying to be a physical team in every phase,'' said the soft-spoken Miller. "Obviously our defense has that reputation.''

Miller played a mean and nasty game in what was easily his most physical performance in a Steelers uniform. He, as much as anyone, helped fuel the run game.

"When you look at film, you see Heath Miller about every time driving somebody to the ground, driving them 10 yards back,'' Redman said.

During one memorable second-quarter run near the goal line, Miller didn't stop blocking Jets outside linebacker Bryan Thomas until he had deposited Thomas on his back in the end zone.

 

I was curious if Miller played as lights-out as advertised, so I made a cut-up of every running play from the first half of the Jets game. Without knowing the play call and blocking scheme, it's hard to say how well he did on every single play, but I think it's safe to draw the following conclusions:

1. He consistently played to the whistle, finishing his blocks.
2. The Packers aren't the only team that can run a full-house backfield out and make good plays.
3. Heath was downright beastly on many plays, with his man ending up flat on his back.

I hope you all enjoy the video, if Heath plays this way on Sunday, he'll be more than doing his part to secure ring #7.

#83 AFC championship (via acrollet)