There has been a recent report that Heath Miller could become a victim of salary cap cuts. This is one of the most ridiculous things that I have heard this off-season and most of my media colleagues agree.
That would be similar to saying Darnell Stapelton will be competing with Santonio Holmes for the No. 1 receiver slot. Ahh, not going to happen.
Sources within the Steelers organization have confirmed that the team is indeed actively pursuing extending Millers contract. A call to his agent was not returned. Mike Bires of the Beaver County Times also reported this nearly a month ago.
Miller has a base salary of $800,000 heading into the 2009 season. Cutting him would be illogical now and while there are a number of key free agents heading into 2010, it may be an uncapped year - although that is still up in the air (Sean Crowe the New England Patriots Examiner wrote a nice article on this)
If that is the fact, a team could use its transition tag on two players instead of one, giving them the right to match any offer made by another club, meaning even if the team fails to work out a contract prior to the season, Miller should remain a Steeler past 2009.
Yes, the 6-foot-5, Miller is in the last year of a five year contract and deserves a higher salary. And the Steelers have a policy of not negotiating contracts once the regular season begins. But to release him during the regular season? Ludicrous.
Miller brings so much to the table as a tight end, and while he doesn't make the Pro Bowl or get the publicity that an Anthony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates get, he not only can catch the ball, but has tremendous blocking skills and adds an extra lineman to the picture for protection.
Just ask Steeler offensive coordinator Bruce Arians.
"Pro bowls have nothing to do with the best tight ends going to the Pro Bowl," Arians said in 2008. "It's the guy with the most catches who goes. Those are glorified wide receivers. I've said it every year, Heath's the best tight end in the AFC."
In college, Miller, was a consensus first-team All-American and won the prestigious Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end in '04 at Virginia. He caught 41 passes for 541 yards with five touchdowns. He also showed the type of toughness that epitomizes Steeler football - he played the entire year with a sports hernia.
Here is another reason why Miller will be re-signed by the team. Unlike a Willie Parker ( who is also in the last year of contract) Miller is irreplaceable.
Case in point.
The Steelers currently have four other tight ends on the roster ( Matt Spaeth, Sean McHugh, David Johnson and Dezmond Sherrod ) Not one of them brings the talent Miller does, to the table.
While there are those who feel Spaeth is a capable back-up, that is all he will ever be, and he may not even be that in 2009 as McHugh can also play fullback role and has much better hands than Spaeth. The interesting thing is that McHugh is due $620,000 in 2009 while Speath just $420,000.
If any tight end would be cut (which again is not going to happen, wouldn't it make sense to get rid of McHugh who makes just $180,000 less than Miller?)
As for the Steelers other two tight ends, well lets just say Arians loves the tight end, and leave it at that.
"There is no better place to play football then the city of Pittsburgh, and to be a part of two of the six championships is special." Miller told the Intelligencer-Journal.
'Nuff said.
Comments
Nice way to quash that rumor!! No way is Miller going to get cut or go anywhere in the near future. He is a class act, good in the community and a true Pgh guy..
Nice article. As a Steeler fan, this is a relief to hear. Whoever started that crazy rumor let alone print something like that is obviously someone looking for attention on a slow news day. Keep up the good work. We love reading your stuff in our office.
I like the fact you have a source saying this, and also how you quote Arians. Sean Crowes piece was good too, glad you put that in there. Now that guy can write unlike the clown who staarted the Miller rumor. Keep up the good work Matty.
Matt, nice piece on Heath. I hope the Stillers keep him, but I can appreciate the other writer on this site that has also reported the 'what if' scenario if his contract is not extended.
Though you may not agree with it, it is a possibility. Heath becoming a free agent and him being resigned are both guesses at this point. We'll have to wait and see what happens.
There have been other vets that have walked the plank to free agency that your media buddies would have sworn would never happen. Look at what happened to Rod Woodson, Chad Brown, Carnell Lake, Alan Faneca, Plexico Burress, etc.
So, it's not out of the realm of possibilities that Heath Miller may be lost to free agency.
Jason, thanks for the kudos. My source says they are working on a contract tender but you bring up very good points.
Actually heard the salary cap stuff from some of the other media guys, and found it interesting how PFT actually reported he could actually become a casualty without any real facts.
Anthony Gonzalez is a WR.
Tony Gonzalez is the TE.
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