Roy Miller Wants To Stay In Tampa
February 12th, 2013
Bucs defensive tackle Roy Miller is sort of the forgotten free agent. With Ronde Barber and Michael Bennett each having their contracts come to an end, it is sort of easy to forget Miller could leave as well.
Now Joe has been told both on the record and off the record by Bucs coaches and suits how much they worship Miller’s play last year, as the Bucs were the top team in the NFL at stopping the run. Joe is not making this up when he says his sources just lit up when describing Miller’s play.
So it was a bit surprising yesterday to read Stephen Holder of the Tampa Bay Times claim that the Bucs and Miller’s representatives have not had serious contract talks.
In a few weeks, Miller becomes an unrestricted free agent. Despite that, we’ve learned there have been no substantive contract talks between Miller and the Bucs, calling into question the team’s commitment to re-signing its 2009 third-round pick.
And as Holder points out, there is still plenty of time. Today is Feb. 12, a month from the start of free agency, March 12. It only takes a few hours to hammer out a contract if both sides are on the same page.
Late last night, Miller himself took to Twitter and explained how much he wants to stay with the Bucs.
@THE_ROY_V: I’m really ok I was joking but I cant wait to be past this part and be apart [sic] of this great movement that is going 2 happen in Tampa next yr!
The “joking” element Miller referred to was a previous Twitter post where he claimed if no NFL team wanted him, he would play professional rugby.
If it is true that Bucs rock star general manager Mark Dominik hasn’t had “substantive” talks, that just tells Joe that Dominik is playing poker.
Could Joe see some team overpay for Bennett? Sure. Can Joe see a team overpay for Miller? No. Given how valuable he was against the run and how he kept traffic off of Gerald McCoy, probably his best friend (the two are really tight), Joe would be pretty surprised if Miller walked, especially given how much he wants to continue his days with the Bucs.
February 12th, 2013 at 9:08 am
We still have time until free agency, that being said we need to sign him. He’s proven (when healthy) a great run stopper and we have PLEANTY of cap space..
February 12th, 2013 at 9:23 am
I’d like Miller to stay. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him and managed to find a nice place outside of Bustville.
February 12th, 2013 at 9:28 am
Get him signed. He’s to vital on the run game to mess around trying to find someone who could maybe produce an extra sack or two, but lacks the same tenacity to defend the run. With better CBs, we will get more sacks, and the guys we have now, will get it done, and get M Bennett re-signed also. Find quality depth for the defensive line and we’ll be good.
February 12th, 2013 at 9:52 am
Roy’s problem is: Henry Melton is a Free Agent (that’s the ONLY DT who’ll get big money). 70% of the teams are in Cap Hell. Roy will be back (Although I’d prefer Henry Melton)
February 12th, 2013 at 9:55 am
Re-sign him and let Bennett walk!!
February 12th, 2013 at 10:26 am
I think he’ll be resigned. As long as he’s reasonable with his pay expectations….the same with Bennett too.
February 12th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
To let Bennet walk would be to contradict everything we have done (all the time spent/Draft picks used) to find an effective pass rusher.
Finally have an up and coming one here only to let him walk??? lol
February 12th, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Don’t jerk Miller around. He has performed well, been a team player, stayed away from trouble and wants to play in Tampa. Sounds like a Buccaneer Man. Sign and pay the man!
February 12th, 2013 at 2:13 pm
Sadly…things go this way…its a business. you could sit in your business all day not get a single customer who wants your product walk through the door or even take a single call to give quote, for the full 8 plus hours you’re there but it only takes one customer who is willig to pay retail for what you are you turn a profit just like that..
February 12th, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Hopefully he’ll give a discount to stay a Buc.2.5 mill per for 2 year’s would be great.Bennett 7.5 per for 2 year’s both with playoff bonuses.
February 12th, 2013 at 3:27 pm
I think both Roy’s and Bennett’s will be longterm contracts
Read yesterday the Bucs are going to make a run at the TE brother which bodes well for us.
February 12th, 2013 at 3:46 pm
With all the cap poor team’s releasing more Free agent’s.It will be a buyer’s market.Some team’s have a lot of space(Cincy)but are known for being cheap.So if all NFL team’s only have 100 mill to spend.But a ton of free agent are on the market expecting 200 mill worth of contract’s.The Welker’s,Bennett’s and Melton’s will get paid.But the 2nd and 3rd teir FA can be had for half price.