don't post as much as I use to but I felt this one deserved a response

 

My opinion is

 

Heath Miller was an integral part of our Championship teams and we should do EVERYTHING possible to re-sign him.

again, he only had 7 (seven) less catches then holmes.  i don't get this under used stuff.  i still say those TE's we drafted late the last 2 years are for spaeth.  miller gets signed at some point.  to upgrade heath we would be talking first or second rounder, not 7th.   mchugh should be holding down the second spot this year. 

I think Heath will be around for a while.

I think he is utilized fine for the most part.  I do not want to see the Steelers go to a tight-end first type of offense (like KC or San Diego, or even Atlanta with Crumpler a couple years ago).  When you do that, you see the WR positions turn mediocre and the offense more predictable.  Also =for this to really work, you typically need a superstar type RB -- like LT in his prime, Larry Johnson or Priest Holmes at their best.

I do not see the Cowboys or Skin going after Miller.  First they most likely do not see enough of him, and they have their TEs in place in Witten and Cooley, both of whom fit their respective systems very well.

I like to see Heath catch balls, I really like the way he blocks, so if that is how he is utilized, I am all for it.  I also like to see the WRs catch balls, the RBs get some screens and check-downs.  Balance is good.

I also don't feel that Miller is 'underused.'  He makes a great change of pace for the teams that key on our solid WR corp.  If they are focusing more on stopping the run he is an excellent blocker.  I also feel Miller is an elite TE in this league, so one could say he is underused in that respect, and I would certainly respect him if he decided to test the financial market.  IMHO the Steelers should do everything in their power to retain him - including the franchise tag if necessary.

Heath in the regular season has stats comparable to Nate Washington last year. Among TE's in the regular season he is not in the top ten in receiving...

We all know Heath has elite TE capability. And I do hope he stays!

My argument is will you pay Heath Miller elite TE money (which we all feel his skills are deserving of) when, in the Steeler offense, he is only going to be your 3rd best receiver and rank OUTSIDE the top ten in yards and TD's among TE's. Thats is why he is under used...

If he is a TOP TE in the league this offense should be giving him the ball and he should have top TE stats...why is the offense not giving him the ball more?

quoting da stellars:

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Heath in the regular season has stats comparable to Nate Washington last year. Among TE's in the regular season he is not in the top ten in receiving...

We all know Heath has elite TE capability. And I do hope he stays!

My argument is will you pay Heath Miller elite TE money (which we all feel his skills are deserving of) when, in the Steeler offense, he is only going to be your 3rd best receiver and rank OUTSIDE the top ten in yards and TD's among TE's. Thats is why he is under used...

If he is a TOP TE in the league this offense should be giving him the ball and he should have top TE stats...why is the offense not giving him the ball more?

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I is just not the way the Steelers have played -- we also have an elite QB but his pass attempts per game are way lower than other top QBs -- I prefer Superbowl wins over stats for the QB and for the TE.  I do not want the TE on the Steelers to be a top receiver.  I like the system the way it is, and with only 7 less catches than Santonio last year, who can complain.  Do we want to mix it up or pass every play?

quoting BURGH43STEL:

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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.

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        We have the games taped and yes Spaeth made some catches...mostly I feel because the defense was surprised they threw to him and the coverage was weak. He did OK feeling in but in my opinion does not have near the hands nor blocking skills that Heath has. He wasn't taking in the first round for nothing, With reps Spaeth could improve but on film he isn't as talented as Heath. Heath is a playmaker.....no one told Ariens yet!

Mostly good comments on this subject folks.  The key comments IMHO are:

1.  Heath is a RFA next year.  That is my understanding.  If, however, the CBA is extended, then this is no longer the case.

2.  Heath is very important to this team in many ways, including intangible factors.

3.  I would certainly make extensive efforts to re-sign Heath.

4.  We can't keep everyone.  I would make Heath a priority, however.  I am not up to speed enough on our salary cap situation to make an intelligence analysis of what our probabilities are here.  For my money, he would be near the top of the list of the FAs after this coming season that I would keep.  I desperately want to see us re-sign Ryan Clark.  Heath might be my next target.

This thread is nonsense.... I don't see the Steelers without him for at least 2 or 3 years down the road...That being said, this is football and any given Sunday, Anything can happen......

P.S.  I LOVE HEATH!!!!  He truly is an integral part of our offense.

quoting dwbarret:

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Mostly good comments on this subject folks.  The key comments IMHO are:

1.  Heath is a RFA next year.  That is my understanding.  If, however, the CBA is extended, then this is no longer the case.

2.  Heath is very important to this team in many ways, including intangible factors.

3.  I would certainly make extensive efforts to re-sign Heath.

4.  We can't keep everyone.  I would make Heath a priority, however.  I am not up to speed enough on our salary cap situation to make an intelligence analysis of what our probabilities are here.  For my money, he would be near the top of the list of the FAs after this coming season that I would keep.  I desperately want to see us re-sign Ryan Clark.  Heath might be my next target.

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Agreed 100%. That is why I still say that we should have offered him an extension first thing after the SB. The one thing I don't get is the logic with the OL that prevented this. Ok, I get that we made due with a subpar line, but I don't see how the FO came to the conclusion that anyone on that line is vital to our success. Heath Miller is a truly great TE. Subpar linemen are a dime a dozen. So  we should have locked up Heath before worrying about the line.

Every O-Lineman on our team is average at best. We have no standouts. We could put a patchwork line out there, paying each vet minimum. What is the worst that could happen? 45+ sacks? Ranked 29th in pass protection? Ranked 23rd in rushing (despite ranking 9th in attempts/game) and 29th in yds/carry? It does not get much worse than that, and if 'that' is ok with the FO, then why pay for it?

We could have locked up both Heath and Keisel with deals that would be less than we will wind up paying them next season and beyond. Instead we are wasting millions on Kemo and Colon and overpaying Starks (again).