The New Roy Miller
August 7th, 2012
A lot has changed for Roy Miller in the span of a few months, and that’s not a bad thing for the fourth-year defensive tackle from Texas.
Miller has had a topsy-turvy professional career. First he was ordered to put massive amount of weight on to fit into the heinous Jim Bates Experiment, then asked to drop it the following year, and in his third season, he was hurt most of the year.
Miller, who seemed to be a dead man walking the way Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik was collecting defensive tackles in the offseason, has been reborn and is now listed atop the depth chart with the first-team defense.
Miller’s health, or to be clear, his healthy body, seems to have been the difference. That is what he claimed over and over today after practice today at One Buc Palace.
“The difference between now and before, No. 1 thing is I’m healthy,” Miller said. “And the scheme has changed, too. We’re more of an attack team now. It’s hard to see it, but without actually seeing we’re more of an attack-oriented scheme and I’m excited about that. That’s what I did two years ago and I had a pretty good year. So I’m looking forward to getting back to that.”
The style of play that front seven assistant coach Bryan Cox employs is better suited to Miller’s skill set, so he claims.
“I can play more aggressively and like I said, I’m healthy, so I’m ready, I’m excited,” Miller said. “Last year was a little different, especially with the offseason, and then I got hurt, and so I’m just looking forward to being consistent out here.”
August 7th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
i need to see a preseason game. now.
August 7th, 2012 at 2:41 pm
OH GOD
August 7th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Nothing “new” about Roy Miller……..absolute workaholic nose tackle who wants it more than anyone he competes against. Exact same dude they drafted in the 3rd round of the 2009 draft.
It is often said that Defensive Tackle is by far one of the hardest positions to learn in the NFL….and usually takes guys 3 or 4 seasons to really “get it”
That fact, coupled with a rollercoaster ride of scheme changes, coaching changes, playing weights, and injuries has contributed to Miller’s inconsistant career so far……
I just don’t understand the “outrage”, “hate”, and/or “disapointment” that the so called “Bucs Fans” have towards this guy?
Show me another 3rd round 4-3 nose tackle from another team who has done any better under similar circumstances than Roy Miller……
Once again…..his career stats IN FEWER SEASONS are better than Gary Gibson’s stats- you know, the Gary Gibson who was going to “SHOW ROY MILLER THE DOOR OUT”…..not happening folks.
I was at practice again today….Miller is the FIRST D LINEMAN to EVERY SINGLE DRILL- the whistle blows, he’s off an jogging/running to his next assignment- that’s WAY MORE than I can say about Frank Okam (who appears to be sluggish and lazy at practice compared to the rest of the D-line) and was easily blocked out of position and re-routed by the O-line during several live periods.
Miller works his A$$ off on his craft and you can see it in practice- his father was in the Army and Miller has sited this as the source of his non stop work ethic.
Nose tackle is the least “flashy” position on the D-line…..it requires strength, toughness, leverage, and a non stop motor- all of which Roy Miller brings to the table.
He is being coached PROPER TECHNIQUE and switching back to the “tilt” will continue to help him improve throughout his career.
I have been high on this guy since the Buc’s drafted him…….and the NO FOOTBALL KNOWLAGE “fans” have been bashing him from the get-go…..
Looks like the coaching staff knows more about D-line play than some of our “so called fans” do….
Feels good to be right.
August 7th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
I wish the guy all the best. He’s been a hard worker but oft injured.
August 7th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
I heard a saying years ago…You can put sprinkles on a turd and call it a donut, but its still a turd. Please prove me wrong D-Line!
August 7th, 2012 at 3:08 pm
he is lucky that the “GM Rockstar” was selecting all the DT, otherwise Miller would have been cut for better talent.
August 7th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
@ drbinshore
I hope Roy actually does something this year but he deserves every bit of criticism for his play over his entire career. He may be the first guy to every drill but he’s always the first guy blown off the ball in live game action.They don’t call him “Roller Skates” Roy for nothing.
August 7th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Jeez, I’ve been waiting all afternoon for some one to say it. Alright, I guess I will.
“IT’S MILLER TIME!”
August 7th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
Who exactly calls him “roller skates Roy” ?
August 7th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
drbinshore…I agree with you. It is the same reason people want to give up on GMC…Bucs fans were spoiled by Sapp. Most DTs do not get the bulk of the sacks, they disrupt and collapse the pocket, so that the ends can get sacks. Of course Sapp has said the same thing you did, it takes 3 or 4 seasons to get it.
August 7th, 2012 at 8:22 pm
some call him turtle because he is always on his back and helpless
August 7th, 2012 at 8:33 pm
Doesn’t DomDom always look his best, which lousy, before the season starts. As soon as real bullets start flying DomDom quickly looks like an idiot.
Roy’s best year was his rookie year. The added weight helped him, he has progressively regressed through Schiano’s hiring.
Showing up and working are not the problem with Roy, not being a liability on the field has been. Schiano’s is giving him a chance, I trust Schiano.
August 7th, 2012 at 9:48 pm
Schiano is a man of integrity, honesty, and morals.
Everyone’s slate is clean.
Hope Roy can get a fresh start and get it going.
(Did he really pop that football?)
August 8th, 2012 at 12:26 am
Roy Miller is a certain type of DT. Raheem, who wasxa god-awful DC had no idea of how to use him propery. Many players careers are slowed or ruined by bad coaching.
I always had a liking toward Miller, who I think is a better player than Price was.
August 8th, 2012 at 7:25 am
hoping for the best with this guy, if he cant get it turned around with schianos scheme, then hes never gonna get it going
August 8th, 2012 at 9:19 am
I think with defensive minded coaches like Schiano, Davis et al, this guy will be the freak D-lineman we drafted out of Texas. Schiano never had the ability at Rutgers to recruit guys of this caliber because blue chip lineman were not looking at Rutgers. They went to Texas, SC, UF etc.. Schiano will turn this guy into the beast we drafted. I can’t wait to see the finished product on the field. @drbinshore – couldn’t agree more. All of the experiments and coaching changes have stunted this kids growth. We’ll see if Schiano can fast track him to where he should be developmentally at this point in his career. This season should be exciting even if we don’t contend for the SB. To be just competitive would reinvigorate the fans. Go Bucs!
August 8th, 2012 at 10:58 am
MILLER TIME!!! hard worker is all we ask for in a player and if he doesnt workout then he gave us his all. what more can you ask for. He hasnt held up much cap space and has not hurt the team by being out with the loss of continuity to regain we can only hope things work out GO Bucs
August 8th, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Look, outside of this years draft NONE of the Bucs are Schiano’s guys so it says something that Miller is the first team DT. He is working hard and improving but most of all he is probably being utilized in the proper scheme for his skill set. I was not happy with Miller’s play last year but he was injured and he played through the pain. I don’t think he quit like a lot of players did. Looking forward to this year with a healthy D-line. Wish Bowers were here but there is always next year.
August 8th, 2012 at 7:43 pm
The D line is what cost Raheem his job those guys couldn’t stop the run they were like a dyke spiling over into double digit losses triple digit on the run stoppage we’ll see it all starts up front you can have the best cover guys in the league but anything over four seconds and it’s all over
August 8th, 2012 at 11:05 pm
The dline did not cost Raheem his job….his inability to teach the players through struggle did.
August 31st, 2012 at 1:51 am
MILLER TIME IS HERE!!! Give a chance to the kid. He is healthy, strong and determined. We will see how he does this season. I believe he will make a diference for the bucs. Number 1 fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. GO BUCKS. From the Leone High School Football Coach – Am. Samoa.