How Good Is Scotty Miller?
December 18th, 2019
GM Jason Licht and Bucco Bruce Arians weigh hin
One thing Joe knows about rookie receiver Scotty Miller is that he’s no Kenny Bell, Kaelin Clay or Robert Herron, late-round-pick receiver flops during the early days of the Jason Licht regime.
Those NFL rejects combined for 12 catches in their NFL careers. Miller now has 13 receptions for 200 yards and a touchdown.
Man, it seems like Licht is a totally transformed guy when it comes to the receiver position, not the same dude who gambled on Louis Murphy and Vincent Jackson returning from significant knee injuries to help the Bucs in 2016. The new Licht would have found younger or healthier blood.
Joe scoffed at Miller earlier this season. He looked completely overwhelmed, and that’s a bad look when you’re roughly a 175-pound rookie.
But Miller came around to contribute.
Before Sunday’s game on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Licht called Miller one of the fastest men in the NFL, “definitely a vertical threat,” which played out after kickoff. Miller ran across the field from left to right, and past the Lions defense, before hauling in a 33-yard touchdown pass, the first of his career.
“He’s just gotten better and better,” Bruce Arians said of Miller yesterday on Buccaneers Radio. “He’s getting more used to the physicality of the NFL and knowing how to use his speed.”
Unfortunately, Miller re-injured his hamstring against the Lions and likely is done for the season.
But Joe’s wondering if Miller showed enough to have the Bucs let Breshad Perriman walk in free agency.
A 2016 first-round pick of the Ravens and a free agent after the season, Perriman will want to get paid when his contract expires in a few weeks. And there’s always a team willing to pay a young speedster who has produced. Heck, the Bucs gave Perriman $4 million this season and he showed less with the Browns last year than he has with the Bucs.
Miller’s rise and the resuscitation of Justin Watson (and how he finishes) will be key cogs in how the Bucs approach Perriman’s looming freedom.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:10 am
My guess is there isn’t a receiver anywhere in the league that wouldn’t love to have Jameis Winston throwing them the ball. Starting over on a new team in another new system doesn’t seem like the best option.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:13 am
Perriman is now a luxury item. He would be a nice retention but he’s just too expensive compared to what we’ll have to pay Watson and Miller. ME and Godwin and our two TE’s give us plenty of leeway here and plenty of expense against the cap to force us to save somewhere……that somewhere is Perriman.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:16 am
1sparkybuc, I will see your statement and raise you desean jackson
December 18th, 2019 at 9:22 am
Desean Jackson is skilled, but his mindset did not lend to collaboration with the team.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:22 am
Desean Jackson is an outlier at this point and also a loser.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:23 am
Philly really got a lot out of DJax this year.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:24 am
Maybe the tables have flipped.
Once upon a time the only reason you’d want to be a Buc was easy $$$.
Now the Bucs are developing into a team a player may want to play FOR, a team on the rise to become a real contender.
Of course, this may not apply to player-whores who only care about $$$.
We will see how this plays out in the off-season.
One comment, though: for years this team has spent big $$$ on the O, neglecting the D. I suspect the tough decisions will benefit the D and away from the O. In that regard, with the development of Miller and Watson, Perriman may be a casualty.
In one sense, with the playoffs gone, sitting Evans and Godwin is not a bad thing. Letting Perriman, Watson and Hudson get real reps is a great opportunity to see what they all have.
I will watch the last two games as development games.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:25 am
They won’t let Perriman walk. Unfortunately, he showed out and they might get out bid.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:25 am
It’s MILLER TIME!!
December 18th, 2019 at 9:30 am
Anybody that doesn’t think Jameis facilitates Jackson’s demise due to his terrible attitude, work ethic and back stabbing is underestimated Jameis. I witnessed a ore season sideline conversation between the two. Jameis was not happy.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:31 am
Wow Joe…..you’re “whichever way the wind blows”…..read your earlier articles on Miller and get back to us.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:31 am
Kaelin klay has how many kick returns now?
December 18th, 2019 at 9:32 am
2 words… Adam Humphries!
December 18th, 2019 at 9:41 am
Gotta bring back perriman… Guy can fly and is a low risk high reward type signing.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:42 am
Morgus the Magnificent Says
“Wow Joe…..you’re “whichever way the wind blows”…..read your earlier articles on Miller and get back to us.”
And you had good things to say about Scotty Miller in the first half of the season? Hmmn?
Even I, who am huge on player development, had my doubts about the kid. I understood why they kept playing him, but it was frustrating to say the least.
People who point to Joe’s earlier opinions are just silly. He’s not a robot. His opinions can change.
December 18th, 2019 at 9:48 am
On topic, the Bucs may have to let Perriman walk:
• At $4 million, has he actually been worth the investment? Outside of a few rare plays, he’s had one good game. That’s a horrible return.
• The salary cap. We have a lot of must-have players to re-sign, and he is not one of them. QB and Defensive Line take priority. We can find cheap WRs so long as we have our starters in place.
December 18th, 2019 at 10:03 am
Yeah.. I wouldn’t think perriman would break the bank.. hes been garabge most of the year and haf a couple ood games. Is he really expecting a big contract??
no miller hasn’t proven much yet. For all we know he wouldn’t make many teams but had had a few good plays. I still wouldn’t feel secure about any of the guys aftwr evans and godwin. Depth is important
December 18th, 2019 at 10:04 am
Jameis Winston has made a career for Cam Brate, Adam Humphries, Scotty Miller, Russell Shepard(although his special teams leadership was pretty valuable), Perriman and probably a few more guys. Without Jameis these guys would be on the practice squad. Especially Cam Brate.
He has the ability to create chemistry with all his receivers…Djax was a p.o.s. that didn’t wanna work hard. I left out Evans and Godwin because they are obvious stars that would be great on any team.
I’m at the point where I will overlook the turnovers as long as we find ways to win. If we can get to 11 wins next season and he throws 30ints so be it. I’ll take the good with the bad. Just let it rip.
December 18th, 2019 at 10:28 am
Don’t be surprised if a bunch of the current one-year guys re-up with another one year deal.
Their post-2020 value may be substantially higher than post-2019 if this team can breakthrough.
Plus, with the new CBA pending, it would almost be malpractice for an agent to suggest a longer-term deal if all the numbers go up.
December 18th, 2019 at 10:30 am
@ Siege the Bay:
While you are correct about Brate, Humphries, etc., it can also be said that Evans, Godwin, Humphries, Koetter, Arians, Leftwich and others have “made” Jameis Winston.
December 18th, 2019 at 10:55 am
Draft Perrimans replacement. KJ Hill if around in rounds 4-5 or Devin Duvernay in the later round or as an UFA both have speed.
Both have played the all over the field and both have experience as returners. So even if they cant contribute on offense year 1 they can play special teams.
December 18th, 2019 at 11:04 am
If not for his speed he wouldn’t even make an xfl roster.
December 18th, 2019 at 11:18 am
Cobra- Has BA and staff made Winston or was Lovie/Koetter holding him back?
I think it’s more the latter but a little of both.
December 18th, 2019 at 11:19 am
Wow Wesley…so profound!
December 18th, 2019 at 11:48 am
Stanglassman: I think it’s both.
IMO, Koetter is a fine strategist/play-caller, but a middlin’ coach.
I think the Arians staff is doing a better job at coaching the position.
Keep in mind that Monken was supposed to be the mega-excellent QB guru, but he’s been a total fail in Cleveland. Koetter has not exactly set Atlanta on fire, and he’s got decent tools.
On another note, I’m pleased that Gay has gotten over the Big Stage jitters. He’s had a decent season, jjust needs to get a little “straighter” on the PAT’s.
December 18th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Cobraboy Says:
December 18th, 2019 at 11:48 am
On another note, I’m pleased that Gay has gotten over the Big Stage jitters. He’s had a decent season, jjust needs to get a little “straighter” on the PAT’s.
Ur right about that which made me just realize next year one position we dont have to worry about is kicker how long has it been since our bucs could say that’ “Bryant era” I believe is the last time💯🤷♂️😁
December 18th, 2019 at 12:10 pm
No way we resign Perriman. The goal would be to lock up Godwin now a year early so he stays a buc. Can’t afford perriman also.
December 18th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
I’ve seen a couple mocks with us taking the receiver from SMU in latter rounds.
Let’s see if this track star has anything to contribute.
Either way I think Perriman is a cap casualty
December 18th, 2019 at 12:43 pm
Bonzai, that is idiotic. I have offered no opinions whatsoever on Miller, but Joe has VOCIFEROUSLY offered many. All negative. Change opinion? Sure. Ignore the past proclamations? Nope. And Joe’s prior opinions were vitrolically loud and strong. You simply cannot back away from that without someone pointing it out.
December 18th, 2019 at 3:41 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
December 18th, 2019 at 9:48 am
On topic, the Bucs may have to let Perriman walk:
• At $4 million, has he actually been worth the investment? Outside of a few rare plays, he’s had one good game. That’s a horrible return
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Respectfully disagree. BP has played like a very competent #2 the last few games and if he stays healthy he would have good numbers for the half a season that he was our #1 or 2. $4 mil a season is nothing for a good #2. Even if you just count his half season stats and consider his pay for half a season, $4 mil, you multiply that by two and even $8 mil for a quality #2 is cheap.
December 18th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Billy_45 Says:
December 18th, 2019 at 12:32 pm
I’ve seen a couple mocks with us taking the receiver from SMU in latter rounds.
Let’s see if this track star has anything to contribute.
Either way I think Perriman is a cap casualty
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Proof that some opinions don’t count.
#1 the track star has been cut multiple times and has never showed at any level above HS that he can contribute.
#2 Perriman CAN’T be a cap casualty if he isn’t under contract
#3. We’ll have close to $100 mil in cap space.
December 18th, 2019 at 3:55 pm
I did enjoy watching Miller blow by those Detroit defenders. They had no idea what just happened. If he can do it regularly and contribute in the short game, it’s a win for us. We’ll find out if he can’t. Most WRs, with few exceptions take 2 years to figure out the NFL game. He’s already better than many of our late round wr picks. Hump was a good 3rd down WR. Great hands and good routes, but he frightened no one with his speed. Miller can give some guys a scare at full tilt. They’ll have to play off of him.
December 18th, 2019 at 4:17 pm
Wow!
Wasn’t one J** just calling Miller a CFL player a few weeks ago?
…and yes you deserve the right to change your tune, same as we do based on all the bi-polar and contradictory articles as of late.
Fair and balanced!
December 18th, 2019 at 4:22 pm
…and it’s one thing to question the overall talent ceiling of a player.
It’s another to come up with cheesy, borderline insulting nicknames for professional athletes who’ve managed to reach the NFL.
Bet you wouldn’t call Dontee Dye a “Misplaced Calgary Stampeder” to his face.
December 18th, 2019 at 4:22 pm
Remember that if some of these 1 year guys sign big deals elsewhere, we will be in line for compensatory picks. I believe that we will make an offer go Perriman that is team friendly. If he doesn’t sign it,we let him walk and say thanks for your service.
December 18th, 2019 at 4:28 pm
Wesley, that’s like saying “if he didn’t have a d###, he’d be a girl.” Stupid take of the year there. He also doesn’t drop the football and runs good routes. You really said that because you don’t know who he is.
December 18th, 2019 at 4:37 pm
It feels like Perriman is really just for the first time in his NFL career finding exactly who he can be. Unfortunately, it seems likely that it will be to some other team’s benefit. I would really love to be able to keep him. He shows like he can really be a factor for us.
December 18th, 2019 at 5:33 pm
It’s awesome to see a 6th round rookie contribute. Perriman has earned a nice chunk of change that we likely can’t afford, especially since Jameis has played well enough to earn another year.
December 18th, 2019 at 6:17 pm
There is not much drop off from Perriman to Miller. Miller will probably 7 million cheaper than Periman. That money could be better used on re-signing Godwin.