Thursday, September 14, 2006
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Heath Miller stands atop the leader board for the Steelers with 101 yards receiving. No tight end has led the Steelers in receiving yards for a season since Eric Green did so in 1993 and 1994. He does not expect it to happen this season, either.
"I don't think it's going to change much, I think we'll take the same approach," said the second-year player. "In cases like that, when teams are concerned bout Hines [Ward], maybe I'll pop up some more like last game."
Thursday night against Miami, Charlie Batch looked off Ward, who was double-covered, and threw a looping pass to Miller, who ran 87 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown. NBC-TV proclaimed it the longest touchdown catch by a tight end since the New York Jets' Richard Caster scored from 89 yards in 1974.
"I didn't know that," Miller said.
As a rookie, Miller was second on the team with 39 receptions to Ward's 69. Miller was third with 459 yards receiving and second with six touchdown catches. He's nearly one-fourth of the way to his total receiving yards last season after one game. He caught three passes against Miami.
Many who saw the 6-foot-5, 256-pounder run along the sideline were surprised at his speed.
"I was just running as fast as I could," said Miller, who claims not to know his 40 time. "I got a pretty good head start on those guys, so I'm sure that helped out a lot."
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks