Yeah, but until someone "steals" him away from us, it's unlikely he's leaving.

quoting FreeTibet:

---

It is tricky. He seems very loyal, and has won two super bowls with the Steelers. He is a huge part of our running game, but we all know how underused he is in the passing game. He has probably the best hands on the team, and is very underrated after the catch. He always gets the most yards possible. I personally can't believe we allow him to go with only 2 or 3 catches per game. He should be pulling in 6 or 7. He's better than Jason Witten; he deserves more recognition than Jason Witten.

It depends what he wants. If he wants more fame, more catches and more touchdowns, he'll have to leave. He could probably also make more money elsewhere, too, although I don't think Pittsburgh will completely stiff him. They seem to understand that he is crucial to us, even if they don't throw him the ball.

And yeah, that article was complete B.S. Just a very bored writer.

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Why is he underused in the pass game? There are not enough balls to go around. Miller is the 4th or 5th option on the team after the RB's and WR's. He is the 3rd option in the passing game. Should he be the first or second option before Ward or Holmes? I don't think so. It is what it is. If they cannot get a deal done, I think Spaeth is a capable replacement. They cannot get afford to keep everyone.

I disagree that he is a better TE than Witten. They are closer to comparable TE's.

quoting BURGH43STEL:

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quoting FreeTibet:

---

It is tricky. He seems very loyal, and has won two super bowls with the Steelers. He is a huge part of our running game, but we all know how underused he is in the passing game. He has probably the best hands on the team, and is very underrated after the catch. He always gets the most yards possible. I personally can't believe we allow him to go with only 2 or 3 catches per game. He should be pulling in 6 or 7. He's better than Jason Witten; he deserves more recognition than Jason Witten.

It depends what he wants. If he wants more fame, more catches and more touchdowns, he'll have to leave. He could probably also make more money elsewhere, too, although I don't think Pittsburgh will completely stiff him. They seem to understand that he is crucial to us, even if they don't throw him the ball.

And yeah, that article was complete B.S. Just a very bored writer.

---

Why is he underused in the pass game? There are not enough balls to go around. Miller is the 4th or 5th option on the team after the RB's and WR's. He is the 3rd option in the passing game. Should he be the first or second option before Ward or Holmes? I don't think so. It is what it is. If they cannot get a deal done, I think Spaeth is a capable replacement. They cannot get afford to keep everyone.

I disagree that he is a better TE than Witten. They are closer to comparable TE's.

---

I think the first comment calls into question the credibility backing the second.

quoting kevdude86:

---

quoting BURGH43STEL:

---

quoting FreeTibet:

---

It is tricky. He seems very loyal, and has won two super bowls with the Steelers. He is a huge part of our running game, but we all know how underused he is in the passing game. He has probably the best hands on the team, and is very underrated after the catch. He always gets the most yards possible. I personally can't believe we allow him to go with only 2 or 3 catches per game. He should be pulling in 6 or 7. He's better than Jason Witten; he deserves more recognition than Jason Witten.

It depends what he wants. If he wants more fame, more catches and more touchdowns, he'll have to leave. He could probably also make more money elsewhere, too, although I don't think Pittsburgh will completely stiff him. They seem to understand that he is crucial to us, even if they don't throw him the ball.

And yeah, that article was complete B.S. Just a very bored writer.

---

Why is he underused in the pass game? There are not enough balls to go around. Miller is the 4th or 5th option on the team after the RB's and WR's. He is the 3rd option in the passing game. Should he be the first or second option before Ward or Holmes? I don't think so. It is what it is. If they cannot get a deal done, I think Spaeth is a capable replacement. They cannot get afford to keep everyone.

I disagree that he is a better TE than Witten. They are closer to comparable TE's.

---

I think the first comment calls into question the credibility backing the second.

---

Are up am expert? I surely am not but I do usually have rational views. I try not to be to much of a homer.

This is not about my credibility. My opinion is that Spaeth is an adequate enough TE to replace Miller. He had a couple of decent games filling in for Miller last year. One area that Spaeth can improve is as a blocker. Spaeth is a another guy that does not get to showcase or maximize his talents on this team because of all the other weapons. You ever think that one reason they drafted the guy was because there was a chance they could not get a deal worked out with Miller?

Is Miller clearly better than Witten? I don't think so. I think they are comparable players.

Some fans act as though Miller is a must sign. I don't think that is the case. I don't think Miller deserves to be the highest paid TE in the league. That might be what he and his agent are requesting. Ben, Polamalu, Holmes, and a few other guys probably fit into the must sign category. I don't think a 3rd option is the passing game is a must sign player. I do hope they can work something out but not at the expense of losing players like Holmes and Woodley.

quoting kevdude86:

---

quoting BURGH43STEL:

---

quoting FreeTibet:

---

It is tricky. He seems very loyal, and has won two super bowls with the Steelers. He is a huge part of our running game, but we all know how underused he is in the passing game. He has probably the best hands on the team, and is very underrated after the catch. He always gets the most yards possible. I personally can't believe we allow him to go with only 2 or 3 catches per game. He should be pulling in 6 or 7. He's better than Jason Witten; he deserves more recognition than Jason Witten.

It depends what he wants. If he wants more fame, more catches and more touchdowns, he'll have to leave. He could probably also make more money elsewhere, too, although I don't think Pittsburgh will completely stiff him. They seem to understand that he is crucial to us, even if they don't throw him the ball.

And yeah, that article was complete B.S. Just a very bored writer.

---

Why is he underused in the pass game? There are not enough balls to go around. Miller is the 4th or 5th option on the team after the RB's and WR's. He is the 3rd option in the passing game. Should he be the first or second option before Ward or Holmes? I don't think so. It is what it is. If they cannot get a deal done, I think Spaeth is a capable replacement. They cannot get afford to keep everyone.

I disagree that he is a better TE than Witten. They are closer to comparable TE's.

---

I think the first comment calls into question the credibility backing the second.

---

Bingo. Spaeth is a capable pass receiver, but I wouldn't go beyond that. He is in no position capable of replacing what Miller brings to the team. And Witten is good; Miller being better is only my personal opinion. Miller is certainly a better blocker. I think he is the best blocking TE in the league.

To answer the first question, I think Miller should be in the top 3 options. While he's obviously not a deep threat like Holmes, he does create mismatches on linebackers. He gets open, almost never drops it, and runs well with the ball. Absolutely he should be considered as a top option alongside Ward and Holmes. With his talent, there's no reason he shouldn't be pulling down the numbers that Witten, Gates, and Gonzalez do.

Heath will be a RFA at the end of the year. The Steelers aren't in danger of losing him. I'd gladly take a 1st round pick as compensation if someone wanted to sign him away from us.

Heath is a very good and balanced TE. But he is not an integral part of this franchise. You can't sign everyone.

quoting da stellars:

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I don't know, you can't keep everyone. Heath SHOULD be one of the higher paid TE's in the league. Yet we severely under utilize him. Would we get our money's worth if we sign him to top TE money?

I know people hate Spaeths blocking, but he can catch just as well as Miller can.

Also keep in mind, this is the same team that let go of Eric Green...

If Miller had any ounce of ego in him he would want to get out of Pittsburgh as soon as he can so he can finally become the star he is capable of being.

The fact the Heath is so under used is why Hampton is much more important to the team than he is...

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   I highly disagree that Spaeth can catch as well as Heath...not even close. The rest I agree with...under utilized, under paid, and very smart.

 Although Heath Miller is a top 5 TE, the Steelers do not

utilize there TE as effectively as other teams do. We will get him signed,

The poster that suggested we use Spaeth to replace miller must

be on something, Spaeth couldn't block when he came here and still can't block.

Look for his stay as a Steeler to be over with this year.

quoting 7+83=7:

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quoting da stellars:

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I don't know, you can't keep everyone. Heath SHOULD be one of the higher paid TE's in the league. Yet we severely under utilize him. Would we get our money's worth if we sign him to top TE money?

I know people hate Spaeths blocking, but he can catch just as well as Miller can.

Also keep in mind, this is the same team that let go of Eric Green...

If Miller had any ounce of ego in him he would want to get out of Pittsburgh as soon as he can so he can finally become the star he is capable of being.

The fact the Heath is so under used is why Hampton is much more important to the team than he is...

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   I highly disagree that Spaeth can catch as well as Heath...not even close. The rest I agree with...under utilized, under paid, and very smart.

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Maybe Spaeth can be just as good a receiver as Heath if and when he is given the opportunity? He did a pretty good job filling in for Miller last year.

I think Miller is utilized just fine in the offense. Have to remember that the more opportunities they give Miller, it takes away opportunities from the better play makers in the offense. There are not enough balls to go around. Miller will never be a focal point within this offense. Nor should he be with the other play makers in the offense.

They should give him a bump in pay if it is possible. How much is the question. I hope they can work something out. If not, both will move on.

quoting wardismvp:

---

 Although Heath Miller is a top 5 TE, the Steelers do not

utilize there TE as effectively as other teams do. We will get him signed,

The poster that suggested we use Spaeth to replace miller must

be on something, Spaeth couldn't block when he came here and still can't block.

Look for his stay as a Steeler to be over with this year.

---

They utilized Spaeth to replace Miller for 2 games last season. Were the coaches on something then? Spaeth will be the next guy in line if Miller gets injured this season.

I guess you don't think the guy can improve his blocking skills? This will only be his 3rd season in the league. I believe he can improve. Some of you act like every guy that comes into the league are supposed to be finished products. I am glad the coaches don't give up on players so quickly.