Todd Bowles Explains What Scotty Miller Can Do To Stay On The Roster
August 2nd, 2022
Battle for roster spot.
The Bucs, you may have heard, have an absolutely loaded wide receiver room.
It’s so loaded, Joe would not be shocked if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht swings a trade (for a center, a tight end, a guard?) before the start of the regular season using one or more of his receivers as trade bait.
As it stands now, unless your name is Chris Godwin, Mike Evans or Russell Gage, you are not safe with the Bucs. No, not even Julio Jones, although Joe would be a bit surprised if Julio got tossed.
So proven strong reserves like Scotty Miller, Breshad Perriman, the immortal Cyril Grayson and Tyler Johnson likely are battling for two or three rosters spots.
Of those, Miller may be the most accomplished. He made big plays in the Super Bowl season of 2020. And last year, despite being hurt battling a turf toe for much of the season, Miller made two key special teams plays late in the season, including the playoffs.
Yesterday, Bucs coach Todd Bowles was asked what Miller needs to do to keep his roster spot. It’s not something he can control, Bowles said. He just has to avoid injuries.
“Staying healthy is the main thing,” Bowles said. “He goes two or three weeks and [then] he has a freak injury that’s kind of holding him back some.
“But he’s healthy right now, he’s stronger, he looks fast. Again, it’s the first day of pads. It’s a war of attrition going through preseason, so we’ll just take it day by day and try to keep him fresh.”
This is one reason Miller, so he told Joe in June, rocked up and put on 10-plus pounds of muscle.
Miller wants to expand his role and not just catch bombs because he is looking for a second contract. He is in a contract year. But dang, he’s a little guy and as easy as he seems to get hurt, Joe thinks having Miller run inside routes is just begging for the guy to be on the injured reserve list.
Right now, the Bucs’ sole focus is the Super Bowl. A broken-down Miller does nothing to help the Bucs reach that goal.
August 2nd, 2022 at 7:08 am
Run typical WR route’s and catch . That pass he caught yesterday is nothing to me
August 2nd, 2022 at 7:20 am
Training Camp is where the rubber meets the road!
August 2nd, 2022 at 7:49 am
Miller, Perriman, and Grayson are all outside speed guys, right? Miller, with the best hands would seem to have the edge? Can any of them return punts? Darden sure can’t.
August 2nd, 2022 at 8:16 am
Didn’t mention Darden in the group…..is that because he’s a returner or because you don’t think he has a chance?
Miller can return punts….
I think we will keep 7 WRs…
Evans, Godwin, Gage, Jones, Perriman, Johnson & Miller….
August 2nd, 2022 at 8:26 am
They need to trade for a center, a good one. Straight up trade
August 2nd, 2022 at 8:29 am
Does Tyler Johnson even make it if he doesn’t play special teams?
August 2nd, 2022 at 8:58 am
Darden struggled his rookie year , but he’s having a strong camp- he will probably make the team. Perriman is on the bubble- possible trade bait – he’s just not available for a full season, Miller has same issue, but has more upside.
Joe tends to pigeon hole rookies who struggle ( R Jones).
August 2nd, 2022 at 9:00 am
That last 1 or 2 WR spots are going to be hard fought. Hopefully we will have the electrifying WR/ returner this year
August 2nd, 2022 at 9:11 am
Wherever Hainsey is in his ability to play center, if Brady instills confidence in him and he performs well enough to have Tom believe in his playing capabilities, sign a veteran to backup Hainsey or else You’ll never be able to develop players to share position roles with confidence and ability which go hand in hand, I need a beer 🍺
August 2nd, 2022 at 10:17 am
1. Mike Evans
2. Chris Godwin
3. Russell Gage
4. Julio Jones
5. Perriman
6. Grayson
7. Johnson
8. Miller
9. Darden
10-13. Rookies
Wow.
Darden is gone for sure.
August 2nd, 2022 at 12:39 pm
lambeau
I wouldn’t say Scotty has the best hands. His best catches are body catches as he, typically, hauls a deep pass in and goes to the ground. His range is limited and he will never win a contested pass let alone high point one over a taller and more athletic db. How many YAC yards does he have? Hardly many, I’m sure. The key for Miller, as Bowels says, is staying healthy. I would add to this that he improves at clearing the LOS cleanly as defenses now know his vertical speed and will bump him hard at the line. I imagine putting 10 lbs of muscle will help in his arm work at the LOS. Love Scotty and all his effort and attitude but unfortunately his repertoire at receiver is very limited.
August 2nd, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Scotty would be better at kick return and punt return than Darden.
He’s more than a speedster deep threat. Effective in screens, jet sweeps, and was more effective than the other back-up WR in the Rams playoff game. He’s more shifty than people think.
August 2nd, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Of course Darden is having a good training camp, he isn’t worried about being hit too hard.
What is that thing Darden does in a real game where, on a return, his foot “slips” just before he’s about to run into the opposition?
If I, as a fan notice this, doesn’t the coaching staff?
Ya, Miller or Johnson on special teams for punt & kickoff returns. Either could find their niche on special teams, and also be in game-shape to fill-in @ WR when needed. Easy decision, imo.
August 2nd, 2022 at 6:22 pm
It seems no one but us ever talks about Miller for KR, PR. I’ve never seen him even get a chance to return one. I, too, think he would be great at it, but it seems we fans are the only ones to even consider it so I guess we must be wrong.