Roy Miller Winning The Fat, Health War
July 31st, 2012
Poor Roy Miller.
The kid came out of college in 2009, where he had a good career playing at 285 or 290 pounds, so Miller detailed last year. Then he was drafted by the Bucs and Jim Bates made him fatten up with all the other D-linemen to allegedly help them in his two-gap scheme that was kicked out along with Bates after half a season.
Miller got up to 325 in 2009, and never felt comfortable and has battled the weight ever since. During the 2011 season, Miller was asked to step on a scale for a Sky Sports (England) TV feature, and the digital scale readings popped 315 pounds.
Miller also was saddled with a MCL tear on the first play of the first 2011 preseason game. And Miller messed up his back so bad after that he could barely sit in a chair for much of last season, so he told WDAE-AM 620 Bucs beat writer Tom Krasniqi recently. Keep in mind Miller played every game in 2011.
But Miller also told Krasniqi his weight is down to 308, as of this weekend, and he feels great. Miller also drew strong reviews at Bucs practice Monday.
Renowned NFL Radio analyst Pat Kirwan, a former Jets linebackers coach and front office executive, said multiple times on the air during the offseason that Miller was among the best players likely to be released when final cuts are made across the league. But that was before Brian Price was shipped to Chicago for a can of Pringles. Kirwan is of the mind that Miller has a lot to offer.
Joe’s not about to pretend Miller has shown enough in his career to get anyone excited. But there are at least strong signs that he could battle the flashing Quincy Black for most-improved-Buccaneer honors in 2012.
July 31st, 2012 at 11:12 am
My God were counting on Roy Miller……
July 31st, 2012 at 11:14 am
Miller actually started playing decent at the end of last year while everyone else was tanking it. I’m skeptical of him, but he does have a chance to put it all together this year.
July 31st, 2012 at 11:17 am
I hope he can put it together. I really hope it was all coaching and not individual talent.
July 31st, 2012 at 11:36 am
Miller is yet another example of how some so-called fans rip into players, whose circumstances and conditions they know nothing about, and whine and blame and basically throw screaming hissy fits while rolling on the floor like 6 year old girls. Whaaa! He’s not an all pro… Whaaa! He didn’t get 20 sacks. There’s more to a player than a stat sheet.
July 31st, 2012 at 11:40 am
I really think Miller has been better than people give him credit for.
July 31st, 2012 at 11:55 am
nice post true.
July 31st, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Well the man did drop from 315 to 308…….
July 31st, 2012 at 12:03 pm
I like your comment TrueBlue. Too much whining about things when people don’t have all the facts.
July 31st, 2012 at 12:03 pm
ROY MILLER = GARBAGE
July 31st, 2012 at 12:35 pm
TrueBlue; AtlBucsFan ;robert
You all seem to be true students of the game I think you all hit the nail on its head. This guys seems to have been the rock when others around him have been powder, when it comes to living up to overall expectations of the complete D-line picture. No hit on GMC, he has just been unable to complete a season, making it hard to get a feel for how he will pan out. Price seemed uncoachable, the sort of guy who could not be counted on to do his job, spent more to on his knees on the field than making tackles, who was also clearly injured last season but refuesed to be placed on IR further hurting the defense. He sucker punches a rook over a chair and everyone wants to give him a pass. The” Rah rigeme” is over there are no favorites here. Miller has helped and will continue to produce.
July 31st, 2012 at 12:53 pm
WVBucfan
You sound like you may have a good birds eye view of this kid.
“Child Please” if you have any energy left after coming up with that original Phrase (Child Please) it was so tough i know, being that you’re tuckered out i will give the stats again…..
“Eric” you are such an idiot, the sad part is anyone with a keyboard has a voice and when you touch your keyboard you make yourself look real dumb. We are not counting on Miller, the article says he may improve. You might read the stat line below as well
Keeping in mind he was not drafted as a “sack master”
he ranked 16th, tied with Suh among DT, for the combined total tackles in 2011, of course there was the suspension with Sue, miller also played injured. He is ranked 6th among NT with 2 more tackles than Terrance Cody who had no sacks at in the 2011 season.
July 31st, 2012 at 12:56 pm
CHILD PLEASE = ORIGINAL
July 31st, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Jim Bates employed a 2-gap scheme, not 1-gap.
July 31st, 2012 at 1:01 pm
Miller tore his MCL in the preseason and I think and hope that much of his problems last year were from his lack of lower body explosion and strength caused by the injury and inability to train the way he needed to. He’s played well in spots the past few years and if he could put it together he could be a decent NT if the UT is doing his job.
July 31st, 2012 at 1:43 pm
I’t s put up time for Miller. No excuses.
July 31st, 2012 at 1:47 pm
It’s***
July 31st, 2012 at 1:55 pm
I have been defendng Roy Miller on this site since he was drafted……IN THE 3RD ROUND…..
Just a reminder for all the IGNORANT, IDIOT, REACTIONARY, FAIR WEATHER, NO FOOTBALL KNOWLAGE typical Bucs fans……
HE IS A 3rd ROUND NOSE TACKLE- HE WASN’T DRAFTED TO BE A “QB KILLA”
STOP EXPECTING HIM TO BE WARREN SAPP- that’s not who he is or what he does.
The coaches (current and past) LOVE THIS GUY and understand the circumstances he has played under since day 1
I have never seen a fan base have so much HATE for a 3rd round nose tackle- what the hell are you idiots expecting from this guy?
Just a recap…… (1). drafted in3rd round @305-310lbs ( 2). told to gain weight up to 330lbs and play 2 gap ( 3.) told to lose weight back down to 305lbs or so in order to play 1 gap (4.) has had to play next to several different Under Tackles of various talent levels (McCoy, Price, Okam, Haynesworth, Haye) (5.) has SILENTLY battled various injuries that have (and would have) sidelined his other linemates while facing the most amount of double teams on the D line
I’m telling you….this dude can play the nose for this team- he is an ABSOLUTE, LUNCH PAIL WORKAHOLIC NOSE TACKLE and EVERY TEAM needs a couple “Roy Mller’s” on thier D-Line
With proper coaching (he learned to play nose tackle in the NFL from FREAKING TODD WASH his first 2 seasons) and a little good luck on the injury front……..
You idiot a$$ Roy Miller haters will be eating your own words…..just wait.
Get a freaking clue.
Just because you morons happen to have watched Sapp and McFarland for a couple years doesn’t mean YOU KNOW SQUAT about D-line play.
July 31st, 2012 at 2:01 pm
Also….. for any of you that think Gary Gibson is “Roy Miller’s replacement”….. please feel free to compare their career stats side by side
If you do- you will see that Roy Miller has better stats than Gibson in LESS SEASONS
Someone please name a 4-3 nose tackle from another team that puts up “Big stats”
exactly.
July 31st, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Roy Miller was on the D-line that went on the 10 game “Hi! I’ll be your turnstile for the day” run so count me as a little skeptical. I do like Miller and I think he has game, so hopefully this new coaching staff can bring out the best in him because he is a good kid and I believe he can produce.
July 31st, 2012 at 3:01 pm
The entire Dline must bring their lunchboxes to work this season.
July 31st, 2012 at 3:08 pm
It’s been my experience in life that those who loudly proclaim their own superior knowledge about something actually know very little.
July 31st, 2012 at 3:16 pm
“Eric” Reading is fundamental. “Kirwan is of the mind that Miller has a lot to offer” Which you clearly dont do enough….. just another idiot with a keyboard…some of the folks here just may be a little closer to the beat than you know. from the famous words of Forrest Gump “My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get”
July 31st, 2012 at 3:26 pm
Can you fat idiots that know nothing about pain tolerance just shut up.
You cant imagine what it is like for an athlete to play through back pain.
If anything, we should be displeased with Dominick for putting TWO injured DT’s on the field last year.
I am very happy that we signed Okoye and Gibson. And hopefully Roy Miller can have a good year.
Everyone who knows him describes him as a GREAT team player and truly HARD worker.
July 31st, 2012 at 3:35 pm
“facing the most amount of double teams on the D line”
No he didn’t. I can understand defending the guy, but you don’t need to make things up. Clayborn, by far, faced the most double teams. Down the stretch, Bowers was catching almost as many doubles as Clayborn, though in his case, it was usually a chip.
July 31st, 2012 at 3:41 pm
@well spoken
Perhaps you should change your moniker to “uninformed but loud”.
What beat are you close to?
The brotherhood of the enlightened?
July 31st, 2012 at 4:12 pm
I thought I had a football shoved up my a$$ once, but it turned out to just be the head of a wanna-be blogger anal-yst!
July 31st, 2012 at 4:37 pm
Eric
You have yet to provide any factual data to support any of your claims I’m Inclined that you are not a truel scholar of the sport you have never played an team oriented organized sport and that you just what drbinshore Says: one of the IGNORANT, IDIOT, REACTIONARY, FAIR WEATHER, NO FOOTBALL KNOWLAGE typical Bucs fans……
@OAR you just provided us all with your ingnorance, you might as well be in the same category as Erica
July 31st, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Roy Miller is the Quincy Black of the D-line. Tons of hype in preseason followed by a no show regular season. Please show me ONE impact play he has made for the Bucs.
Now with that being said I really think his problem is mental. Coaches throw praise his way all the time (remember Millard last year), yet Miller never puts it together during a game. This is his last chance.
July 31st, 2012 at 4:53 pm
@well spoken
I made no claim just a joke.
I’ll bet Greg Schiano is nervous about relying on Miller, or any other member of our defensive team that gave up the most points in franchise history.
What beat are you close to, or are you ashamed to say?
July 31st, 2012 at 4:59 pm
We really don’t know what we have with Roy Miller. I thought he played decent his rookie year. He didn’t appear to play as well last year, hopefully for our sake that was due to injury and other factors. A player at his position is never going to put up big stats, so the average fan is probably never going to be satisfied with his production (since he can’t read it on a stat sheet). That’s not a shot at the average fan (I probably fall in that category as well), just a reality. We are going to learn a lot about him this year (if he even makes the team).
I would say that a nose tackle does receive a lot more double teams than a DE. Clayborn may have been chipped by the tight end or picked up by the running back, but he was almost never double teamed, at least not on passing plays. The interior of the line is double teamed on nearly every play.
July 31st, 2012 at 5:07 pm
And OAR just says, kill it all with fire. Laughing my ace off.
July 31st, 2012 at 5:10 pm
well spoken
Finally, it’s about time! Whoo-hoo, I’m in a category!
Makes me as happy as Navin R. Johnson, when the new telephone books arrived…..I’m somebody now!! This is the kind of spontaneous publicity – your name in print – that makes people. I’m in print! Things are going to start happening to me now.
BTW the feminine cramp blog is on a different site. Please act accordingly. Seriously lighten up!!
July 31st, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Personally, I hope the WHOLE defense plays better, not just a player or two. They have alot to prove on the field after last year. With that said, I believe they will! Afterall, real coaching and disipline go a long way!
July 31st, 2012 at 5:17 pm
” you have yet to provide any factual data to support any of your claims I’m inclined that you are not a truel scholar of the sport you have never played an team oriented organized sport”
Pure genius Mr. Well spoken.
And I guess there is no beat. Making things up on a Bucs site? Sad.
July 31st, 2012 at 5:19 pm
” The interior of the line is double teamed on nearly every play.”
I am only passing on what I saw on tape, sitting through the misery. The interior of the Bucs line last season was not doubled as much as Clayborn was. Or Bowers, in the stretch run of the season. And I did say that a lot of that on Bowers was chipping by a back or tight end.
Now, before GMC went down, it may have been different, but it is tough to say, because teams were using a lot of different strategies with GMC, for instance he was being trap blocked a lot.
July 31st, 2012 at 5:26 pm
OAR, you are just a fair weathered fan. I read it on the internet, so it must be true.
Is dodgeball a team oriented organized sport? Because if we are counting that, I am the truest scholar of them all.
July 31st, 2012 at 5:33 pm
aj
Fair weathered fan? I resemble that remark!
Actually being a Buc fan, makes me a stormy weathered fan!
July 31st, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Dodgeball is a sport of violence, exclusion, and degradation.
Dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge!
July 31st, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@Eric LMAO you are a joke!!!! Schiano took the job knowing what challenges he faced. You don’t know what you don’t know. The facts are however what they are. They are provided and are very visible for all to analyze in any facet onle might like.
The intangibles are what can’t be measure when you are interviewing for any coaching job. You know what you are capable of doing given the right resources. Those resources must all be able and willing to buy into your program and want to win. Which is why K2 and Price have moved on. I all that is trying to be said her is that this kid has proven himself to be a good consistent resource and could help in future.
As far a the beat goes, its not a big deal. Except to say lets beat the heck out of our opponents.
July 31st, 2012 at 6:14 pm
Ladies:
A strong argument can be made that Roy’s best year was 2009 – his best for Sacks and Stuffs. He did have a few more tackles in 2010.
This whole theory that Bates defense requiring a heavier Nose and weight gain for Roy leading to poor play doesn’t hold water. Roy was better or equal statistically at 330.
So Eric’s point about the 7lb weight difference meaning zilch has merit.
Nobody, including RahRah and Keith Millard thought enough about Roy to start him over a 60% Price. To me that speaks volumes.
Yes Roy works hard and is respected as a teammate, and I agree your nose isn’t intended to be a sack artist like your UT/3 tech or DE’s – but Roy needs to be MUCH more productive with gap control, penetration that flushes the QB demanding doubles etc – for 3 years he has done too little.
July 31st, 2012 at 6:30 pm
@ well spoken,
I don’t know what your talking about, but I join you in hoping we beat our opponents.
July 31st, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Since the last defensive system was a disaster (or a Joke!) I’m willing to give every single player who did not quit a chance to show he’s a valuable part of this team.
July 31st, 2012 at 9:27 pm
Joe here,
@Brandon – Thanks. Joe was thinking two but his fingers typed one.
July 31st, 2012 at 10:12 pm
yeah schiano is so neverous that he shipped out price and put miller in his spot.they obviously like what they have seen and think he is capable
July 31st, 2012 at 10:13 pm
nervous
July 31st, 2012 at 10:17 pm
OAR, you crack me up. Good job.
Miller has faced adversity much like McCoy, but has played through most of the pain. I am also hopeful Roy can be a force in the middle, but I hope everybody on the D will improve. I truly believe they will be better from top to bottom. Myron Lewis may get shown the door though, from all indications, but I haven’t been to any practices. I’ll have to rely on 2’nd hand information from Thomas.
It never fails, my workload always increases this time of year, but I’ll still make the games and rest when I’m dead. Yo Bucs !!!
July 31st, 2012 at 10:19 pm
The funny thing is that the Bucs are already asking us to start paying for 2013′ tickets. LOL
August 1st, 2012 at 5:58 am
Once again the comments are more entertaining than the article. It’s so funny to see the opinions of the self-proclaimed intellectuals slowly deteriorate into juvenile name-calling. And all over a, to date, mediocre player for whom a mere 3rd round draft choice was expended. And that’s even without the typical offering from Dino’s Bicep to send the comments section spinning down the commode.