By Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/steelers/
Heath Miller is tackled by New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather (31) and cornerback Lewis Sanders in the third quarter of their NFL football game in Foxborough, Massachusetts November 30, 2008.(Reuters)
Seems like everybody has the answer for what's wrong with the Steelers' offense: Put a fullback in the backfield and let Fast Willie Parker run behind him.
Simple, right?
I'm here to tell you there's a better solution: Throw the ball more to tight end Heath Miller. At least keep him on the field every play so the defense has to worry about Ben Roethlisberger throwing to him.
One of the most puzzling things about the offense this season has been the silly decision to take Miller out and use a four-wide receiver formation on some third-and-4 and third-and-5 plays. Only Hines Ward is a more dependable third-down receiver than Miller -- and even that's a toss-up call.
Here's another way to look at it: Would you rather Big Ben throw to Limas Sweed or Miller?
I thought so.
So what gives, Bruce Arians?
"Well, there are times when a fourth wide receiver is a better matchup against a fourth cornerback," the brains behind the offense said the other day. "It also gives you a little more speed down the field."
On third-and-15, maybe.
Not on third-and-5.
Not ever.
"Well, we need to get Limas Sweed on the field," Arians said. "He's got to play to grow as a player."
Not now.
Not with the San Diego Chargers in town tomorrow for an AFC playoff game.
Not with so much at stake.
It wouldn't be the least bit surprising if Miller, given the chance and the pig, is the difference against the Chargers. "If you put the ball close to him, he'll catch it," said Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker James Farrior, who knows a great tight end when he sees one. "Then, he's going to run over the first guy who tries to tackle him."
That's the way it worked when the Steelers last played January football. You might remember Miller had a career night with eight catches for 85 yards and a touchdown in the 31-29 playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Four of those catches and the touchdown came during three second-half scoring drives that gave the Steelers a 29-28 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
That's what Miller is capable of doing in a big game.
Just call it Miller Time.
Seems to me it would be awfully tempting to throw him the ball 15 times Sunday.
"Fifteen? I wouldn't bet on that," Miller said, sheepishly, which is how he says just about everything when the topic of conversation is him.
OK, 15 might be out of the question, but it is encouraging that Arians seems to have started using Miller as significantly more than just a terrific blocker. After missing two games at midseason with an ankle injury -- including the odd 11-10 Heinz Field win Nov. 16 against the Chargers -- Miller averaged 4 1/2 catches a game in the next six games. In the most recent game against Cleveland, he had five catches for 55 yards. The game before that at Tennessee, he had eight catches for 69 yards.
"It all depends on what the defense gives you," Miller said. "They were playing a lot of soft coverage in those games, and the underneath stuff was there. But against certain defenses, the better matchups are on the outside. I have confidence that those guys are going to make the plays, too.
"All that matters to me is we play well as a team and have success and win. I don't care how many catches I have. I never have."
That's Miller.
The ultimate team man.
Hey, there are worse things to be called.
Still, it's a crying shame Miller doesn't get more national recognition as one of the game's great players. He just might do his job better than the any of the other Steelers does his. Certainly, he's every bit the player that Chargers' brilliant tight end Antonio Gates is. Gates, a Pro Bowler for the fifth consecutive season, just happens to play in an offense that puts more emphasis on his pass-catching skills than his blocking.
Who knows? Maybe the perception will change tomorrow.
All week, the Steelers talked about finishing in the red zone. In that 11-10 game, they had three possessions inside the Chargers' 4 and came away with just two field goals. It's no coincidence Miller was out with his injury. Betcha didn't know the Steelers are 14-5 when Miller catches a touchdown pass. Roethlisberger would be smart to look for him this time. Arians would be smart to make sure he's in the game at all times.
"Heath gets my vote as best tight end in the league," Farrior said.
Mine, too.
Ron Cook can be reached at rcook@post-gazette.com.
First published on January 10, 2009 at 12:00 am
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