Report: Miller “Excited” To Explore Free Agency
February 28th, 2013
Bucs beat writer Stephen Holder didn’t offer much detail in his morning TampaBay.com report that claims Roy Miller and the Bucs have stopped talking about a new contract. Miller will be an unrestricted free agent March 12.
Miller’s agent implied his client is eager to see what fruits the open market will bear.
It’s unclear what the team is offering Miller and his contract demands aren’t known. But Miller’s agent did nothing to dismiss the notion that Miller is destined to play in another uniform in 2013.
“Roy is excited to see what’s out there for him in free agency,” said his agent, Mike McCartney. “He has a lot to offer after an excellent season, helping a team that was last against the run (in 2011) go to No. 1 against the run last season.”
Joe really can’t give an intelligent opinion without knowing the finances. This all sounds like agent-speak right now.
Miller is a two-down nose tackle, and while he was stout in his role as a run-stuffer in the Bucs’ No. 1 rush defense, it’s hard to imagine he’s not replaceable.
Joe also knows that Miller, in past years, has been plagued by knee issues, weight issues, and back problems. Those could be factors in the Bucs’ approach.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
I think this is a good call by Mark Dominic. Let him test free agency. MD. has a plan in place to replace him already.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Im going to miss Roy. He is a hard working football player. Dont think he is a starter but…he did help Gerald out a lot. Best backup NT in the NFL.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:13 pm
its not good to be the weak link on the worst D-line of the last 3 years. But to his credit, at least he was on the field.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
with 1 year of decent play…he’ll be back
February 28th, 2013 at 1:41 pm
relax guys this is just a way to get a finite number of how much Miller is really worth since the bucs and his agent cant a agree on a number. The only way to do that is to see how much a team is willing to pay. I think hell be back.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
Miller, has been a main stay for a struggling BUCS defensive front and has had very little recognition for it and its time you show him that he has provided more than you’ve brouht here to do.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Just because the NT in this defense isn’t “asked” to rush the passer, I’d be willing to bet the Bucs would prefer someone in that role who can rush the passer on third down if need be.
There are DT’s who are three-down players, guys who can do BOTH jobs of stopping the run on running downs and getting pressure on the QB on passing downs. Just look at McCoy, for example. He does both. There’s no reason to settle for second best by saying something stupid like, “The NT in our defense isn’t supposed to rush the passer.” Only idiots who don’t understand football say that and are willing to settle for less than complete capabilities.
Just watch, the Bucs will either sign someone in free agency or draft a guy in April who can stop the run AND get some pressure on the QB if and when called upon to do so. Then the dummies who believe a two-down DT is all we need can finally stop yapping and learn a thing or two. The Bucs will be much better off with a more well-rounded DT at the nose, that’s for sure.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Resign Miller and either resign or franchise Bennett. Then sign Delanie Walker to fix our TE issue. I think Sean Smith would be a great addition to our Secondary. Then in the draft I would seriously consider Tavon Austin with our 1st round pick. He is the difference maker we desperately need in the slot. Jackson or Williams would get single coverage because Tavon would get so much attention, or visa versa. We could then look at David Amerson or Jonathon Banks in the 2nd round to pair with Smith to give us a stout CB pairing. Then if he is still there in the 3rd round, the Trufant DB out of Washington would be another talented DB to add to our team. These things are all feasible and would drastically improve our team. Go Bucs!!
February 28th, 2013 at 1:48 pm
guy has been there for the team when Price failed and McCoy was hurt and when Hovan and Haynesworth couldnt get it done so why jerk him around
February 28th, 2013 at 1:52 pm
@MikeInTampa2 you dont know football check ur stats Hovan, Price, Haynesworth, and GMC where were they the last 3 years
February 28th, 2013 at 1:52 pm
Roy will be back when he finds out what the market is for a 2 down DT who can’t pass rush and has only had success stopping the run when playing the tilted nose position for one year in Schiano’s defense.
This is the worst year ever to want big money in the NFL. First of all there aren’t a lot of teams out there with the cap space to do big deals. Then the new CBA has changed the rules for accounting for cash spent. No more dream teams! If you’ve noticed, teams with these high-salaried players are demanding that they restructure, take significant pay cuts, or let the door hit’cha where the good lord split’cha!
Roy will be a new man the next time the Bucs talk to him!
February 28th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
I hope we get a new #23 in DRC. Try to get a steal with the Honey Bager. I like Tavon Austin alot. But if Star falls to us then the Rockstar needs to pull the trigger.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Roy was apart of this team before last season, he was one of the reasons we were last ranked run defense in 2011 and as much as MCCoy praises miller for his play this year, I think that is more of them just being good friends. I want Miller back however 2 down run stoppers are not that hard to find.
February 28th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Much rather have Terrance Knighton who is available as well, and has been a productive run stopper for more than one season. Same age and almost same stats at Miller.
February 28th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
FLBoyInDallas you dont know football most your sacks dont come from the NT they come from the edges or DE’s if you look things up you would know that there are only a few guys out there who can do that and the Bucs are not willing to pay for it
February 28th, 2013 at 2:06 pm
@FLBoyInDallas
hope you dont think your gonna find a guy who can go agains the leagues trend and tell the Glazers to pay him because he will much to expensive for their pockets
Sacks dont come from the NT’s as often as you might think check yu rStats guy sacks come from the DE’s and LB’s primarily if we could get more coverage sacks which is a combo of pressure from all angles with good down field coverage then its a well oied machine
February 28th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
If you run a 4-3 you need to have a guy like Miller to take the double and triple teams to open up gaps for McCoy, the DE’s, and LB’s coming on the blitz. Miller is perfect for our system. He puts in the dirty work that doesn’t show up on the stat sheets.
February 28th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
better bucs than roy miller have tested free agency and not liked what they’ve seen. i recall rich mckay letting ronde barber do the same thing. would like to see roy back next year, but if his expectations are too high they’ve got to let him look around
February 28th, 2013 at 2:54 pm
@bang
Re-read my post and see if I used the word “sack” anywhere. Pressuring the QB on passing downs doesn’t mean there has to be sacks from the NT. Just pressure. Collapsing the pocket. Learn how to read before telling someone else they don’t know football.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:11 pm
@FLBoyInDallas
For guy who can do both will be expensive. I doubt the if the Bucs will pay for it. I would perfer someone who is just good at run. They can move Bennett(if he resigns) in like they have been doing this season.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
I think MacB is onto something…it’s also very difficult to gauge Miller’s value. He’s been decent at times and A candidate for roster cuts at times as well.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
I also think that it sounds like Miller (and mostly his agent) are determined to move on. Better ask Winslow 2 what happens when you over-estimate your worth.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Saying “Tampa’s defense doesn’t ask the NT to get after the QB” is also something that we don’t know for sure anyway. The old Tampa defenses, yes. We don’t really know what exactly Schiano wants going forward. He just let half of staff go, so for all we know, maybe he wants two McCoys on the field.
And is it too much to ask for people to use some punctuation every now and then? Come on.
February 28th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
…and with the 13th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select:
Sheldon Richardson, DT Missouri
February 28th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Testing free agency is not a bad thing in the case of Roy miller he had 1 good season 1….. So we wont overpay him. Do I want him back? Yes why not however at what price is the question. Last year everyone said cut him blah blah now it’s resign him. When you are talking millions of dollars that’s not your or my money it’s easy to say what to do isn’t it? Let it play out like it does what’s most important to me is that we have a winning season.
We have lots of cash and a great position in the draft lets make something of it
February 28th, 2013 at 4:59 pm
@bucfanjeff
you may be right
February 28th, 2013 at 5:45 pm
let him walk
February 28th, 2013 at 5:59 pm
We are dangerously thin at dt, Star Loutelelei would help, or resign roy and draft richardson. Richardson at 298 will not be the nose tackle but as a rotation guy, and a sub for miller on passing downs we could be on to something.
February 28th, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Didn’t Culpepper do a good job penetrating?? NT’s don’t have to be immobile.
The DT class in the 2013 draft is deep.
February 28th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
I like rotoworld’s take: ” As a two-down interior tackle that only fits in a 4-3, Miller may find a softer market than he anticipates.”
February 28th, 2013 at 8:56 pm
Am I blocked joe?
February 28th, 2013 at 8:58 pm
Oh guess not am I saying something wrong ive tried to post my thoughts on Miller on 3 different computers, but the won’t pop up lol
February 28th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
Not only did Culpepper get QB pressure, but so did Booger playing next to Sapp. The NT in a 4-3 isn’t the same as in a 3-4. They don’t have to be two-down run stoppers. The better ones are capable of getting pressure themselves. Look for the Bucs to upgrade their DT depth to try and get more pressure up the middle to help the DE’s do their thing. Two or three new CB’s will help as well.
February 28th, 2013 at 9:50 pm
our d line has sucked since we got him good bye
February 28th, 2013 at 11:07 pm
If Miller walks, FA’s like Starks, Hill, Jones (if the knee checks out), or Bryant (if he’s sober and has destroyed that mugshot) would alleviate the need. Or taking a flyer on Dorsey, Ellis or Branch might work as well for the right price.