Size-Discrimination Victim Scotty Miller?
August 8th, 2022
Scotty Miller
Scotty Miller’s chatter yesterday reminded Joe of a little-known nugget of sad Bucs history.
Back in 2010, the Bucs really liked an undrafted 5-7, 150-pound speedster in rookie minicamp, an guy named Brandon Banks. But then-general manager Mark Dominik thought he was too small for the NFL and didn’t offer him a contract. (Joe’s first thought: then why invite Banks to camp?)
The Redskins scooped up Banks and he was a strong, full-time returner in 2010, and a year later Banks led the NFL in kickoff return yards.
Miller talked about how he wasn’t allowed to showcase his ability in the slot in his previous Bucs seasons, but he’s gotten a chance this summer and is eager to show everyone he’s not just a deep-threat guy. Miller also noted that he played underneath a lot in college and is comfortable there.
Was that Bucco Bruce Arians holding back the 2019 sixth-round pick?
Did the Bucs think Miller was too small? He added about 15 pounds this offseason and looks like he might be playing around 185 pounds.
Joe sees Miller as a very valuable guy with playoff experience who the Bucs shouldn’t kick to the curb, even if they don’t feel they have room in their crowded receiver room.
Why run out and add Julio Jones for depth only to lessen the depth by cutting a dangerous veteran receiver like Miller? The Bucs are too smart to do something like that, Joe believes.
August 8th, 2022 at 1:42 pm
The problem with Joe and all the other Scotty crazies is that they say “Brady trust Scotty”. Hmmm. All Brady has done since he’s been here is recruit guys to play in front of Scotty so he doesn’t have to throw to him. Scotty is valuable in a handful of of plays, that’s about it. If BL was truly in charge of the playbook then, then nothing is going to change for Scotty now. They went out and signed guys like Gage and Julio because Scotty has continuously shown he can’t be that 3rd or 4th guy. At this point, he’s not even that 5th or 6th guy.
Also, why is there such a large crowd cheering for Scotty? Who does that? More proof that him making the team isn’t about football, but fandom.
August 8th, 2022 at 1:46 pm
Jones will end up on the injured list anyhow
August 8th, 2022 at 1:50 pm
OK…..let’s look at our WR corps….
Evans, Godwin, Gage & Jones are sure keepers……
We have to assume at this point that because of his guaranteed salary that Perriman will be kept (unless traded)
So that leaves 2 slots for 4 receivers…..Johnson, Miller, Darden & Grayson
Now that is a daunting task to cut that group by two.
August 8th, 2022 at 1:51 pm
Miller is a play maker, productive, and has good chemistry with Brady. I think he makes the team as long as he stays healthy.
As long as the Bucs stay healthy and/or don’t swing a trade in the next two weeks with a WR needy team (like Chicago) I believe the Bucs will carry seven receivers with that seventh spot being decided in preseason games between Perriman, Grayson, Thompkins, and Darden.
August 8th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
People are so enamored with Scotty, they got mad we signed Julio.
Let me repeat…
PEOPLE ARE SO ENAMORED WITH SCOTTY, THEY GOT MAD WE SIGNED JULIO JONES.
We didn’t sign Julio for depth, we already had plenty of depth. We signed Julio because he can play, very very well!
August 8th, 2022 at 1:55 pm
Evans, Godwin, Jones, and Gage are all excellent route runners and are flexible, in that they can line up either to the outside or in the slot. Miller has read the tea leaves and realizes that the team emphasizes the ability to line up anywhere. Other than great straight-ahead speed, I haven’t seen Miller demonstrate the ability to read a defense and run the proper option. I’m looking forward to seeing how he can perform this preseason.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:14 pm
He reminds me of Beasley who played pretty well at Dallas & later the Bills-small -but quick…He can get open . I’d keep him over Darden..
August 8th, 2022 at 2:18 pm
They say this is a great problem to have. Some of these guys will never clear waivers. IR???
August 8th, 2022 at 2:18 pm
If Miller & Darden stood on each other’s shoulders, they are about as tall as one regular sized human.
Dardiller should count as only 1.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:23 pm
You guys are sleeping on Thompkins.
He at least makes the practice squad.
I think he is shiftier and smoother than Darden.
Perriman is hurt so maybe the practice squad.
That leaves Miller Grayson and Johnson.
What can Grayson do that the Big 4 can’t?
What about Tyler?
Then look at Miller Darden and Thompkins
They can do a lot the Big 4 can’t. Theoretically.
Hard Hard Choice man. Can’t let the new unexplored guys go blow it up somewhere else.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:44 pm
Owing to what happened by the end of the season, I’ll bet they keep seven and not six
August 8th, 2022 at 2:55 pm
If he makes the roster, this is a prove it season for Miller. Yes, he has world class speed, but he hasn’t proven he can get off the jam consistently. He’s also terrible at the top of routes. Health is another factor. A Ferrari with a blown tire is about as useful as boobs on a boar.
It seems to me that everything needs to be perfect for Miller to succeed. That doesn’t happen often. I’d love to see him as a punt returner/kickoffs. Right now he’s at best a fourth option. Like many here, I had high hopes for the kid. Guess we’ll see.
August 8th, 2022 at 2:56 pm
Draft ego will keep Darden on the team for at least another year…..Licht traded up in the 4th to pick him…….
Tyler being a 5th vs Scotty a 6th gives Tyler Johnson an edge.
Grayson is the odd man out……
And, yes…..draft ego exists…..
August 8th, 2022 at 3:04 pm
Miller could be another Cooper Kupp given a chance.
August 8th, 2022 at 3:08 pm
Devin Thompkins!
August 8th, 2022 at 3:25 pm
When you think about it….
If Evans, Godwin, Gage or Jones go down…..Tyler Johnson is the most logical replacement because of his size & blocking ability……I think for that reason he makes the team
Thompkins & Grayson to the PS…..(Miller….I just don’t know)
We should absolutely keep 7 WRs……
August 8th, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Miller could be another Cooper Kupp given the chance is like saying Darden could be another AB if given the chance or saying Tyler Johnson could be the next Jerry Rice if given a chance. Miller, Darden and Johnson should never be mentioned with the names Kupp, AB and Rice.
If Scotty could have developed just a decent amount of change of direction, he could have been the next Tim Dwight, one of my all time favorite players. But I don’t think that’s possible at this point.
August 8th, 2022 at 3:49 pm
To paraphrase Coach McVay, at least Miller can’t break tackles. But the boy is fast so let’s hope we see the Bo Jackson tunnel treatment a few times this year.
All kidding aside, I vote we keep Miller. He’s a scrappy lil dude. And, the boy is fast.
August 8th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
Tyreek Hill is 5 ft 10 185 lb.
Scotty Miller is 5’9 174 lb.
How do we know Miller isn’t a route runner? He missed practically the entire season, only caught a few passes. I’ll assume he concluded he has to be able to take hits in the middle, hence the 15 lb of added muscle. That would probably help on special teams too. I’d hate to see him get cut, go to another team and then blow up
August 8th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
I think I’ll watch a preseason game first. I’d base my picks on what I’ve seen in training camp, but I’m not a season ticket holder sooo…
August 8th, 2022 at 4:36 pm
All good points Maniac Buc.
Scotty Miller’s NFC Championship game catch will always be one of the greatest plays in Tampa Bay sports history.
Reminds me of Dan Johnson with the Rays. Some of the most clutch hits in Rays history came off his bat but his career didn’t amount to much. We should celebrate what he did and he should never have to pay for a drink in Tampa but I won’t care if Miller makes the team or not.
August 8th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
Stop it!
Why are you saying this, because he’s white? I don’t want to hear any nonsense that I’m bringing race into the discussion because apart skin color they have no similarities at all. Cooper Kupp is about 6 inches taller and 35lbs heavier. Miller’s physical attributes do not compare.
In 2020 Miller played 40% of the snaps. If you were to average out Miller’s numbers to where he was playing 94% of the snaps (Kupp’s snap %) his numbers would not be anywhere near Kupp’s numbers.
Think of what you’re actually saying here. You’re saying that Arians, Licht, Bowles, all the scouts, the Glazers, all the assistant coaches, etc… have all missed the boat on Scotty Miller. If someone in the NFL believed Scotty Miller had Copper Kupp talent then every GM in the NFL would be looking to trade, at minimum, a 2nd round pick for him.
August 8th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
Good, salient counter-points, D-Rome. Whilst I personally like Miller, I’m not sure he’s a steady, reliable talent at WR. I think his value is his blazing speed. He hasn’t shown ANY of us he’s a 3-down WR target (yet). Will he be? I doubt it, but I think it’s worth keeping him on our team.
August 8th, 2022 at 5:13 pm
Keep 7 with Miller, Grayson, and Johnson. Let Perriman go… let the million go down the tubes. Keep Tompkins or Darden as the return guy. The other to the practice squad.
August 8th, 2022 at 5:34 pm
what happen to Perriman ?
August 8th, 2022 at 5:39 pm
Miller is fast and Hill is quick and fast. Lateral movement and the ability to break tackles are important.
August 8th, 2022 at 5:40 pm
BillyBucco,
I agree, folks r sleeping on DThompkins. This kid maybe small but what separates him from Darden is he’s fearless. He has speed n agility and after watching his highlights, it’s obvious that he’s not afraid of contact. The kid is a Spud Webb (former nba slam dunk winner) on the football field, he’s a 5’7 give or take pure rebounder at going for passes at its highest point.
August 8th, 2022 at 5:40 pm
My guess is Scottie ends up in practice squad
August 8th, 2022 at 5:41 pm
Perriman has a minor injury……
They could cut Perriman and not lose the $1m if another team picked him up….but I think he could be traded.
mark2001
That would be 8 WRs…..
August 8th, 2022 at 6:11 pm
40 times in underwear doesn’t count. There is no way he’s as fast as Hil, once you put a helmet and pads on. We know he’s not a great route runner, because he’s never been a great route runner, even in college. Sure, if you don’t get a hand on him, he’ll run by you. But, DBs play through him. If Miller can’t get up to top speed, he’s virtually useless. Next you guys will compare him to Welker and Edelman.
August 8th, 2022 at 6:16 pm
TBBF… Jones, Godwin, Evans, Gage, Miller, Grayson, Johnson…. and a kick returner… Thompkins or Darden. The loser on the practice squad.
August 8th, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Set our personal preferences for which ever WR aside. Miller now falls into the same group as Perriman, Grayson and even Jones. They all are basically on 1 year deals. Bringing any of them back next year would require a new contract and some more money. Darden and Johnson on the other hand have an advantage. With all this pushing contracts into the future, having guys who can play on cheap rookie deals in 2023 and in Darden case, Beyond, gives them an advantage to be kept on this roster. So if Miller shows he much better than Johnson and Darden, clearly you keep him. Same goes for Perriman and Grayson. But if they’re all sitting in a group bunched together, then future control and price will play a role in who is kept. It’s why Darden, unless he completely stinks it up, is almost a lock to be kept. His cheap salary will help in 23 and 24 when them bills come due.
August 8th, 2022 at 6:38 pm
That doesn’t just apply to WR. That also applies to guys like Britt, Stuart, Vaughn, McCollum, Keift etc
August 8th, 2022 at 7:58 pm
LFG SM PERIOD.
August 8th, 2022 at 9:36 pm
The roster ain’t big enough to keep him this year. Cut’em early so he can latch on to another NFC team while on ER.
August 8th, 2022 at 9:58 pm
Fact of business is, if Miller ran a 4.6 instead of a 4.4, he probably wouldn’t have been drafted. Just too many deficiencies in his game.
August 8th, 2022 at 10:27 pm
If the Bucs were not just smart, but brilliant, they’d be working Scotty into the run game in a big way. End-around, sweeps, trick plays. Make him a serious double threat and put defenses really back on their heels.
August 8th, 2022 at 11:13 pm
Scotty. Makes. The Bucs.
Why?
Tom Brady.
Dardung?🤣
August 8th, 2022 at 11:17 pm
People here assuming Jones is still Jones. He isn’t. Not even close. If he was, the Titans or Falcons would have lined up to sign him. I think it’s about 50/50 he makes the roster.
August 8th, 2022 at 11:44 pm
Thanx tampabaybucfan for answering why darden is still around …..
August 9th, 2022 at 12:37 am
Kody….Amen!! I was saying that last year. There’s no linebacker in the NFL who could hang with Miller on a wheel route. No one. Even if they knew it was coming.
August 9th, 2022 at 7:43 am
Brady has always smaller tough underneath guys, Scotty doesn’t fit that build. He is useless in the red zone and who cares if he is faster than Hill, he doesn’t get open like Hill does. Not sure why he isn’t a return guy if he’s put more size on. Darden has no balls. Johnson is a dime a dozen.
August 9th, 2022 at 11:49 pm
I’ve never been sold on Miller. He has A+ speed and C- route running. Comparing him to Cooper Kupp or Cole Beasley is laughable. Compare Beasley to Edelman, ok with an edge in toughness to Edelman.
The closest thing he’s done compared to Kupp is that touchdown bomb at the end of the half against GB in the NFC title game. It was a broken play on defense (like the very painful Kupp play last year) when GB was expecting Brady to run out the clock and Miller did the one thing he does…run fast and the GB defense was snoozing.
Perriman is faster (4.19 40 to Miller’s 4.39 40), is a bigger target and runs better, more diverse routes. I’ll take Perriman all day over Miller. I like the kid and think he can still learn to run better routes, but for now I see kick returns in his future. Slower guys know how to deke a DB to get separation. Miller runs 3/4 speed, stutter steps then hits the jets. That’s his move. No head or shoulder turn back to the QB to get the DB to break stride and look back to the line of scrimmage to get separation.
I’m excited to see the Bucs passing attack and keeping my fingers crossed for Miller to rise to his potential