Very optimistic article.
The thing is, when you pick talented players out of the draft, who appeal to you for one or two things, but aren't dominating players, aren't well-rounded players, aren't the smartest or biggest, then you have to plug and play into an ALREADY functioning offense. You can have a winning offense and plug in guys who give you an added dimension. We weren't that offense last year, and couldn't take advantage of Miller's actual strengths.
But they're right to also question Miller, himself, the player. Yes, coaching was horrible and O line was horrible. But you know, every offensive line in the NFL wants to "set the edge" and every running back wants second level blocks and open space. But there's that pesky problem of a defense on the other side of the ball. It's your job as an offense to impose your will on the defense, and that's the responsibility of every player, not just offensive linemen.
We can fix the O line. Will it change these statements? They're not mine, they're pasted right out of the article:
- Miller couldn’t separate from Thomas in camp.
- He is not a player who moves piles with impressive leg drive, or stiff arms linebackers to tack on extra yards.
- Miller is still more lightning than thunder.
- Miller can be felled by arm tackles.
- Miller is not immune to making the wrong read.
- Miller remains a work in progress as a pass protector.
- Miller has surprisingly stiff hands.
- He is neither the strongest nor smartest back.
So those are the questions with Miller, and we'll see how he has developed after another year. He may in fact be a slow learner who might benefit from that year, or another. I watched his biography on TV, and you can see that he's a high character guy but lacking some things upstairs.
