Defensive tackle Roy Miller's high standards leave him yearning to improve, despite widespread raves for his practice and game performances.

With the exception of wide receiver Sammie Stroughter, no Bucs rookie has made as big of an impression than defensive tackle Roy Miller.

The University of Texas product has all but been anointed for a three-man rotation at defensive tackle with Chris Hovan and Ryan Sims.

But to hear Miller talk — if you can hear the soft-spoken tackle talk — he’s just a scrub who has to fight just to make a roster spot.

“I am just excited to be able to help this team any way I can,” Miller said after the Bucs 24-23 win at Jacksonville. “I don’t know exactly what that role will be but I want to help out whether that is special teams or the defensive line.’

Though Miller is being tossed accolades by just about every coach and team executive, the praise almost seems to embarrass Miller; that he is not worthy.

“I have my own standards that I know I can play to,” Miller said. “I just have to keep getting better. I know I can get better and that’s what I want to do. I can get so much better. I just know I have to keep working.”

Unlike some athletes who seem to crave attention and praise, Miller appears to shy away from it.

“You can listen to all the people talk but when you start listening to the people patting you on the back, that’s when you start falling back,” Miller said. “You have to keep working. You have to know yourself and know what you can do and I have to get better.”

Miller hasn’t been so much surprised by the size and speed of the NFL but that he literally has to learn to play football a new way.

“The techniques have been a surprise,” Miller said. “I have had to learn a new technique playing in this system. Some things I used to be able to do doesn’t work for me anymore.

“When I get this down there’s no telling. I have high expectations for myself and I know the coaches do, too.