Scotty Miller Rehearsing For His New Team
September 25th, 2022
Playing his way out of work.
Look, Joe is a huge fan of Scotty Miller. But he’s been living off catching a bomb from Tom Brady for a critical touchdown in the 2020 NFC Championship game for too long.
At a time when the Bucs were crying for production from a wide receiver, begging for something, anything, Miller too often today dropped the ball. Or couldn’t make a catch. Or fell down.
Just about anything other than producing.
Miller had five targets today. He had one catch. And how many yards did Mr. Stretch The Field have? Four yards on that one catch.
When a guy is pulled off the street (Cole Beasley) and doesn’t even remotely know the playbook (and likely isn’t in game shape), and he comes in and generates better production than Miller, the handwriting is on the wall.
Simply put, the more Miller plays on offense, the less job security he has.
The more he plays on offense, the more people ask a fair question,”Why is Scotty Miller on this team?”
Miller has not answered the bell. And it may be time to move on, as much as it pains Joe to type that. There is too much on the line to look the other way with non-production.
With so many injured receivers, the Bucs need production. The Bucs have only had three touchdowns in three games, which is appalling (the horrible Bears have twice as many). Part of that lack of production is due to Miller not getting the job done.
Last year Miller was part of two critical takeaways on the punt team. That was last year.
Two years ago he had what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown in the NFC Championship that sent the Bucs to the Super Bowl. That was two years ago. History isn’t going to get a first down.
It is time to turn the page if Cole Beasley can come in and make a bigger impact with just three practices. That tells Joe there may be someone else out there who can do the same.
It’s clear that production isn’t coming from Miller. He has had plenty of chances. Literally and metaphorically, Miller has dropped the ball.
Miller is in a contract year this season. As of late evening, Sept. 25, Joe wouldn’t bet a nickel he returns next year.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:24 pm
Miller was terrible today
September 25th, 2022 at 10:25 pm
I thought Darden played better today. I think if we had one of the three starting receivers we win today. Penalties shut down the few times the offense looked in stride. Brate played well. Our defense is awesome. F they stay healthy we’re going all the way this year.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Scotty’s other big play in 2020 was an identical route against the raiders. He seems to be a 1 trick pony. He’ll lose his roster spot next week when Evans, Jones and Godwin all return.
If Jalen Darden has more value than you, you’re cut.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:32 pm
How much does Light wis he kept Tyler johnson over Scotty at this point?
September 25th, 2022 at 10:33 pm
Scotty was terrible in the preseason games, too. Had several critical dropped passes. Bucs gave him every chance in the world to shine and he just hasn’t. Same with Perriman. If they both get cut, it’s probably a good thing.
Hopefully Cole Beasley can step up and shine—like we all hoped they would.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:33 pm
Darden made a play and seems a safe punt catcher
September 25th, 2022 at 10:34 pm
Scotty isn’t physical enough. Defenders ride him out of bounds. He screwed up that ill-called trick play
September 25th, 2022 at 10:35 pm
Does Scotty Miller, Ko Keif or Kyle Rudolph contribute anything to the passing game whatsoever?
I’d take Tyler Johnson and Oj Howard before any of those guys.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:40 pm
This is a totally fair assessment……Scotty Miller loses his battles with defensive backs……he can’t play the slot……doesn’t block……and frankly, even with his speed, he doesn’t get separation.
I truly, truly wish we had kept Tyler Johnson.
I would love to see Devin Thompkins get a shot.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:46 pm
He was awful in preseason. he dropped catchable balls from Trask and Gabbert. I don’t get it.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:48 pm
Let’s make changes n moves today! Place Darden n Miller on the practice squad, then activate Deven Thompkins from practice squad n let him fill in for Darden n Beasley fill in for Miller. Folks, when u see this kid Thompkins get up in the air n make believable catches, the media would ask, why haven’t this guy been in the game from day one. He’s a sure handed, fearless, catch the ball at its highest point type player.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:50 pm
The Tyler Johnson release is looking like a pretty bad decision so far this year. Heck, Grayson had possible upside because he was still learning a growing. It’s looking like Miller has hit his ceiling and settling into what you get from him. Too bad really, but Cole will run Scotty off if he’s as good as he’s been the last few years.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:51 pm
He needs to go once everyone gets healthy.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:02 pm
Yep. All the hype about him being healthy hasn’t made a bit of difference. He just doesn’t look as fast as he did, and he’s not taking anyone by surprize anymore. I’d certainly keep him on the practice squad if he wasn’t signed, but he’ll get signed. His rep is way higher than his ability.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:04 pm
Miller5252 Says:
September 25th, 2022 at 10:50 pm
The Tyler Johnson release is looking like a pretty bad decision so far this year.
——–
I just checked the Texans box score and don’t see Johnson on it… If he can’t make the Texans team, why do you think he’d do anything here? He had 600+ snaps last year and did nothing.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:05 pm
Scotty Miller has proven he’s not an NFL-caliber receiver, but neither is/was Tyler Johnson. Both have unreliable hands, and Johnson is slower than most NFL receivers.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:10 pm
sad, because we all love scottie and he will live in bucs lore forever…
darden as of today became sufficient…he had a sufficient day…
but for darden, he had an excellent day…let’s hope it continues onward and upward
September 25th, 2022 at 11:11 pm
He thinks he’s faster that Tyreek Hill, but can’t get open or catch or take over a game like he can. Time for him to take his one trick to the CFL
September 25th, 2022 at 11:20 pm
scottie might have super fast straight line speed… but not quick, no juke, and no wiggle speed…
he really doesn’t separate well, with small catch radius, and backs seem to blanket him from all angles – creating most balls thrown his way to be incompletions…
surprisingly it leaves a lot to be desired…
but yes if he robbed my wallet and ran off i couldn’t come close to catching him
September 25th, 2022 at 11:28 pm
I like Scotty too, but a slow guy who can catch a football would be an upgrade.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:38 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:
September 25th, 2022 at 11:11 pm
He thinks he’s faster that Tyreek Hill, but can’t get open or catch or take over a game like he can. Time for him to take his one trick to the CFL
———–
The Tyreek trash talk was always really stupid. But if he could still do his one trick and blow past people, then you’d want to keep him around. But he isn’t running past people anymore. Not sure what happened – or maybe people confused him for Humphries for a couple of years and only realized after the Packers game it was a different guy so they switched things up. Hard to know.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:44 pm
When fans called Miller a one trick pony it was truely great insight. I will always love Miller just like i always love Bunting. Miller needs to be replaced. He is not good enough to play WR and run all the routes in this offense. I counted 59 yards he left on the fielc today and 42 from last week.
Sorry guy, you are holding this offense back.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:48 pm
Miller’s big play in the NFC chip game was more about coaching than Miller. They put him in slot so he couldn’t get jam. He ran literally a straight line. It only worked because all the attention was on Evans, Godwin and Gronk. Main reason it worked is because he was going against the Scotty Miller of DBs.
I never thought Miller was NFL caliber. Sure, Matched up against teams worse DBs, with other talent loaded around him, he could make a play or two, mainly when the defense blows coverage. But that’s it. The other 98% of the time, he hurts your offense. He’s a good person, great teammate, and a hard worker. A good football player he is not.
September 26th, 2022 at 12:07 am
Not sure why this is a surprise. Many of us have been saying for two years… He has not done anything but run a go route. He’s worthless at everything else. He is not a small quick slot receiver. He’s not quick. He just has straightahead speed.
They have a couple young guys and Perriman who have speed, they should’ve kept Tyler Johnson
September 26th, 2022 at 12:18 am
Scotty has always reminded me of a decent. Canadian league Football player. Not an NFL one.
September 26th, 2022 at 12:23 am
That 2 point conversion should have gone to Beasley. He catches everything he can get his hands on. Miller is toast. It’s official
September 26th, 2022 at 12:39 am
Scotty needs to be put in motion or playing Slot, PERIOD…
He’s to small to be the X or Y receiver!!!!
He gets out-physicaled every time….
Again, the lack of using receiver motion on offense is contributing to guys not getting open…I only saw a couple of plays today using motion…
September 26th, 2022 at 12:59 am
Pains me to say it, but Scott’s gotta go. Would have rather kept Johnson. This just sucks. I like him a lot, but he’s not the dependable Scooter anymore.
September 26th, 2022 at 1:20 am
I second the Devon Thompkins motion!
September 26th, 2022 at 1:48 am
Good insightful article, Joe. I am sorry to agree with it.
September 26th, 2022 at 1:50 am
Put him on special teams and have him returning kicks.
September 26th, 2022 at 2:02 am
Scotty and beasley are both small but one plays bigger than his height than the other
September 26th, 2022 at 2:39 am
Miller has proven to be unreliable and unproductive.
Adios.
If, IF, we get all of our receivers healthy- it will ve a truly terrifying bunch.
Evans, Godwin, Julio Jones Beasley, and Gage will be too much for any defense.
But if We dont get our O-Line together, they wont get a chance.
As Lombardi said,”Its all about blocking and Tackling”
And we aint blocking
September 26th, 2022 at 2:53 am
@Rod Munch Apparently, Tyler Johnson has been inactive while getting acclimated to the playbook, which is a weird excuse since Beasly came in off the street & played. BUT the Texans aren’t without 3 of their top 4 WRs. Either way, when the lights were on, he outperformed all the WRs and contributed to the offense. Miller’s play during the preseason is precisely what we are seeing now.
September 26th, 2022 at 2:54 am
Scotty is getting his chances and is not delivering.
Re-sign Grayson and wish Scotty well.
September 26th, 2022 at 5:22 am
I have to eat crow on this topic. I backed Scotty cause I like the dude and thought he could bring his A game to the table this year. I was wrong and like you said Joe’s, if he isn’t producing then he doesnt have any right to be out there. Moving on.
September 26th, 2022 at 7:04 am
1 trick pony
September 26th, 2022 at 8:32 am
He is terrible cut his ass now
September 26th, 2022 at 8:42 am
We carry serious baggage at WR.
September 26th, 2022 at 9:00 am
Roberto Duran
Hymnic
September 26th, 2022 at 9:03 am
Cut Miller TODAY. He’s done.
September 26th, 2022 at 9:06 am
Heimlich
September 26th, 2022 at 9:07 am
Ha!!
September 26th, 2022 at 9:09 am
Call up AB.
September 26th, 2022 at 9:09 am
He’s to small to be the X or Y receiver!!!!
He gets out-physicaled every time….
If you think Miller gets “out-physicaled” outside, what do you think will happen if he plays inside?
September 26th, 2022 at 10:44 am
Scotty just doesn’t belong out there. He’s a guy who can come in and make one splash play when everyone is focused on the other WRs. That’s it.
September 26th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
There was a moment in the second half where I looked at my friend and said, “The Scotty Miller Experiment is over.”
September 26th, 2022 at 3:27 pm
Tyler Johnson and Cyril Grayson would contribute more. If they haven’t been snapped up yet. They know the playbook!
September 26th, 2022 at 6:14 pm
He’s as fast as Cheetah Hill, yet he can’t get open unless the defense forgets about him…
THAT is the problem. We already know he can’t handle much contact.
It also doesn’t help that the Arians / Leftwich offensive scheme does almost nothing to actually scheme guys open.
September 26th, 2022 at 9:11 pm
I bet ya Cyril Grayson could at least get off the line of scrimmage in press coverage and not look like he was getting gang raped by the DB who was mugging him. They found Scotty’s kryptonite and that is press coverage. Every team we play is going to play him like that. It’s over in Tampa Bay for the hero of the NFC Championship game.
September 27th, 2022 at 9:04 pm
Maybe Becham ? We need Gronk back.
September 28th, 2022 at 11:22 am
Yea it’s time to move on from Miller AND Godwin and Guage. Maybe a package deal to another team with a good offensive lineman ?
September 28th, 2022 at 8:33 pm
I liked the Grayson experiment last year. Tomkins offers promise too.
September 28th, 2022 at 8:34 pm
Thompkins*
October 1st, 2022 at 8:48 am
I hate to see him go…but it is justified so far. We can only hope things improve throughout the season for him…if he lasts.
He might be released when Gronk comes back.