Misused “Weapon?”
January 29th, 2022
The Bucs ranked second in regular-season scoring (30.1 points per game) and led the league in passing this season, so it’s hard to nitpick usage of personnel.
But one guy who posted scant numbers was third-year receiver Scotty Miller. Joe never would have guessed that Miller would have finished the season with five catches — five! — in nine games of action. This is the same receiver who hauled in 33 balls and 3 touchdowns last year, and then became a playoff hero.
Miller lost half his 2021 season to a turf toe injury, but he certainly looked healthy when he returned. A botched route that led to a Tom Brady interception against New Orleans on Dec 19 appeared to get Miller in Tom Brady’s doghouse. He got just three targets in the next three games.
But Miller flashed his speed on special teams multiple times after returning from injury in late November, and he looked electric when given a couple of handoffs. Miller emerged with a good run and a catch against the Eagles in the playoffs And then Sunday versus the Rams, Miller had two big catches, including a fourth-down grab, during the Bucs’ heroic comeback.
Earlier this week on the Buccaneers Radio Network, Arians talked about Miller growing again as a player this season.
“It was great getting him back out there because he is a weapon,” Arians said.
Joe heard that and had to wonder if that “weapon” stayed buried just a little too much and a little too long.
January 29th, 2022 at 12:27 pm
I like Scotty Miller. but noticed he seems to struggle with press coverage and blocking.
Maybe that is why he was used so infrequently ?
January 29th, 2022 at 12:33 pm
He’s a little dude, so I think that reduces his functionality in this offense.
That said, he made some tough contested catches against the Rams. Showed more strength than what I normally remember seeing from him. Probably could have used him more in 1st half.
January 29th, 2022 at 12:34 pm
It’s not good or bad but Scotty doesn’t fit Arians preferred receiver type. He likes big receivers that can block with speed. Scotty has the speed but no size.
January 29th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
before AB’s arrival last year, scotty was on pace for a 1000 yard receiving season…
he had about 500 when AB got here and a nice amount of targets and receptions…
it all derailed with the AB arrival…as expected…
but no one expected that his play and numbers would dwindle to what they did this past year…
we still need a number 3 or a 3rd star receiver for tom, but scotty should be a next option in the offense at times as well…
and hopefully tyler gets a little more motivated come year three too
January 29th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
After reading the title of this article & before seeing the picture, I thought that player might be an RB. They were certainly underutilized the past 3 years. In addition to “finding Miller a threat” so late in the season, unimaginative plays, both run & pass & the abandonment of the run-game are just a couple of reasons why we shouldn’t miss BL.
January 29th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Let’s not forget Scotty was sidelined with a serious turf toe injury for a large portion of the year.
Even when he returned he probably still wasn’t 100%. Turf toe injuries usually hurt like a B and tend to linger…
Hopefully he will return to full go next season.
January 29th, 2022 at 12:39 pm
Miller showed against the Rams that he’s a much more complete receiver than many morons who drool here claim.
January 29th, 2022 at 12:40 pm
i think they need to forget darden and watson and most others…
keep:
evans
godwin***
#3______
scotty
tyler
#6______
so add a 3 and a 6
or add a 3 & 4 and potentially drop scotty and tyler to 5 & 6
perriman i like – he can be a #3 or #4 ??????
if he and tom get on the same page like he and jameis did towards the back end of 2019, the dude is legit legit legit….but yeah dude’s route running is for the birds
January 29th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
with scotty’s numbers dwindling last year, it certainly didn’t affect the offense one bit though…
we were still as good as ever offensively…
the ball simply just went thru scotty less………much less
January 29th, 2022 at 12:46 pm
Pretty much swampbuc.
There should be an article ripping Tyler Johnson for such an awful performance last weekend.
January 29th, 2022 at 12:48 pm
As a career Brady fan let me ask all of you a question. Sometimes y’all forget Brady’s brilliant i.q. when it comes to football. Is Scotty small???? Have you guys ever heard of Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Julian Edleman??? I could go on and on and on BUT this is all waaaay way way over BL’s head. It’s just my opinion but i think BL and Bowles should just go to Hooters and get sloppy drunk and come back after the games are over. I have wondered why in Hell they don’t have Scotty more involved. Tom has made a career out of throwing to “small guys”
January 29th, 2022 at 12:55 pm
What everyone is forgetting is the imergence of Grayson.
January 29th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
I’ve been away for awhile, so I apologize if someone has already answered this, but how is Medicated Pete doing? I miss his posts. I hope he is doing ok.
Mike in Arkansas.
January 29th, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Whatever Scotty’s limitations, he was underutilized and Tyler Johnson was stubbornly overutilized–hope conquered reality.
January 29th, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Turf toe is a bitch. Rest usually doesn’t cure the problem. Wouldn’t be surprised if he goes under the knife soon. Miller is fast, but lacks the lateral quickness Brady loves in a reciever. Edelman was never the fastest guy on the field, but ran a ridiculous three cone drill at the combine. It’s also why Brady drooled over AB. His ability to get open quickly. Without that catch against Green Bay before the half, y’all wouldn’t even be talking about the guy. One trick pony
January 29th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
This is where I think BL still has a way to go as a coach. You look at the real great OC, head coach or play caller and they know how to use all the talent around them. After seeing Scooters speed and fresh legs against the Eagles and he should have been used in a lot of different packages. Including fielding punts and KO’s. Seeing him in the Eagles game made me think of White the year before with his fresh legs. Too much speed to just let him sit.
January 29th, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Botch a route with Brady that ends in an interception is not good….Just ask Justin Watson…….
January 29th, 2022 at 1:45 pm
It’s ok to nit pick the offense Joe. As good as it was it still lacked imagination. Not many reverses, flea flickers, you just never saw anything new once, in awhile. Plus with Brady, you can’t run any rpo’s. Every team knows Brady ain’t keeping it. So yeah, as good as we are, we could still do better.
January 29th, 2022 at 1:58 pm
Scotto in Darden out.
January 29th, 2022 at 1:59 pm
We scored a lot so I guess BL thought it was good enough. Heck we won a Superbowl last year so again he thought if ain’t broke don’t fix it. BUT I would’ve loved to see some creative play designs. Always wanted to see Fournette and Rojo on the field together. But we averaged 30 a game I think a creative mind would’ve got us close to 40.
January 29th, 2022 at 2:12 pm
I just didn’t understand the what BA saw in Darden, he was horrible. No vision and lacked balance, which is why he tripped over himself consistently. Miller should have gotten a shot. Above all BA needs to really make some schematic adjustments to his offense, such as try not make the slot receiver block LB’s so much which takes a toll over the season.
January 29th, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Scotty should have been returning punts and kickoffs.
January 29th, 2022 at 2:21 pm
John Brown will have a chance to make the team next year. He is a super interesting guy to keep an eye on
January 29th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
Another part of the equation was the advent of Cyril Grayson, while Scotty was recovering.
Grayson learned a lot and was willing to throw his body into the line of fire. He is a fierce downfield blocker and deserved added playing time.
January 29th, 2022 at 2:34 pm
Perriman also shows promise.
January 29th, 2022 at 2:34 pm
Is it true?? Brady just announced retirement??!! If so…THANK YOU Tom Brady!!
January 29th, 2022 at 2:37 pm
Brady just called it
January 29th, 2022 at 2:38 pm
Well, it’s just been announced. Brady retiring. Time to reload. It was a great 2 years.
January 29th, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Agree with Lambeau; Miller isn’t BA’s type because of his size.. We kept seeing Tyler on the field–but not connecting with Brady.. Wonder who the moron was who waited until middle of 4th qtr to put Miller in ?? .
The Rams were so concerned about Miller; they rolled their secondary to MIller’s side –when Brady saw it ,, he knew Evans was 1 on 1 on the other side & threw a 60yrd dime to Mike Evans for TD …
I still think BA was the moron
January 29th, 2022 at 2:45 pm
Dang. Eddleman’s 3 cone drill was even faster than Tebow’s. 6.62 vs. 6.66.
January 29th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Brady gone. Time for a stiff drink!
January 29th, 2022 at 2:51 pm
He is a guy who is fast and can catch the ball, that’s certainly worth something. But he seems to struggle with physicality due to his size/strength. That presents issue in extricating himself from press corners, taking hits, blocking, etc. it turns him into exactly what the coach said, a good one trick pony. While I wish they would have used that trick more, I wonder if his name was Tyrone Miller would he even be in the NFL.
January 29th, 2022 at 3:49 pm
Bucs Being Bucs- Blunders all around. Upper Management, coaching…He played well enough to at least get us to another Super Bowl, if not win again. Shame.
Epic experience watching him and having him as our leader. Wow!!!
January 29th, 2022 at 4:44 pm
Brady just said he’s coming back for one more season
January 29th, 2022 at 8:21 pm
Oneilbuc. Where did you hear that?
January 30th, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Unfortunately a decision was made to play Cecil Grayson , Tyler Johnson and Darden (bust) over Scotty, the first two played okay but Darden are you kidding me? Maybe BA can get creative and draw up some plays that put Scotty in position to succeed.