Ricardo Miller: TE-Like Substance

Submitted by Wolverine MD on

(Insert disclaimer about creeping player on facebook.)

According to his FB status, Ricardo Miller is up to 237 lbs. This is great news. 

Anyone else expect a breakout year for Miller?

You can go back to drinking Sparty tears.

Wolfman

January 17th, 2012 at 9:58 PM ^

I would agree with you if offensive football had not changed so dramatically over the past decade. Gone are the days where a road plow is needed at every ol position and technique and quickness, along with strength, are still far more important than the weight one carries. You must remember when one blocks a DT from the TE position, it is a ¨down blocker¨ that dictactes quickness and moving the dt away from the play rather than a pancake block.

Additionally, this  would give us much greater speed at TE which will cause the opposing DC  to decide which type of lber-the normal matchup for this position-he wants to go with and may give us an edge there as well. 

It is not prototypical weight for a TE, but then again there aren´t many positions that are the same as they were a few or even just one decade removed. We had two 1,000 yd rushers this year for probably the first time since Lytle and Bell and we relied much more on quickness than gigantic OLmen.

 

michfan6060

January 17th, 2012 at 9:34 PM ^

Honestly, I think Hoke has changed the tide on the rivalry. Hell people in Ohio are starting to believe him. Never in a million years I would have thought that. Selling Michigan jerseys is a good start.

jmblue

January 17th, 2012 at 10:29 PM ^

If he's still got most of his old speed, he could become a major part of the passing game next year, especially with WR being a little thin.  The next Tony McGee?

dennisblundon

January 17th, 2012 at 10:35 PM ^

He doesn't need to be 250+ nor do I think he will ever be. His nitch will be catching passes and creating bad matchups  for LBs. Miller could be one of those pleasant surprises like Gallon was this year. Hell he may even move back to WR as thin as we are there.

Indonacious

January 17th, 2012 at 10:42 PM ^

He is fine to play at this weight people...calm down.
Ricardo Miller just finished his RS year and he is 6-4/237. 

Mackey Award Finalists: Height and Weights
Orson Charles --> Jr./6-3/241
Dwayne Allen --> Sr./6-4/254
Tyler Eifert --> Jr./6-6/248

Semi-Finalists from the Big Ten:
Jacob Pederson --> Jr./6-4/240
Drake Dunsmore --> Sr./6-3/235.


 

gopoohgo

January 18th, 2012 at 7:54 AM ^

Would love to see him as a Hernandez-type in our offense.

Blocking is important, yes.  But the the Saints, Patriots, 49ers have shown the matchup difficulties a tall, athletic TE can create down the seam against LBs and safeties.   Especially since most opposing defenses will be sneaking a safety into the box to try to stop our run game/spy on Denard...