Miller Needs to Impress Bucs in a Hurry

by Gary Shelton on August 20, 2019 · 0 comments

in general, NFL, Tampa Bay Bucs

Dean's skills are showing up for Bucs./TIM WIRT

Tuesday, 3 a.m.

Scottie Miller needs to recover on the fly.

Miller, the team's sixth-round draft pick, has missed most of the preseason with a hamstring injury, meaning that other receivers have passed himon the depth chart. With two preseason games left, Miller has to get noticed in a hurry.

Bucs' coach Bruce Arians said Miller has to make hay.

"A lot – he hasn’t played," Arians said. "He missed two games and a lot of practice time – all that time against the Dolphins – so he’s got a lot of making up to do."

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Dare Ogunbowale hopes to finally make a team./TIM WIRT

Arians spoke about an assortment of issues:

(On his assessment of his team): "It has been a good week of work so far. We’re obviously changing the schedule into a game-style week, so it’s new for everybody, but the tempo of practice both days was really good. (We] basically finished a little bit early. [We have a] good test coming up. We’ll see how long we play [the starters] – that will depend on how well we do. I’ve never set in stone how many plays we’re going to play or how long we’re going to play. I’ve got to feel for that at the game."

(On Ronald Jones II and Mike Evans being held out of practice):  "Ronald’s knee swelled up a little bit and (we’re) just trying to take it day-to-day with him. Mike tweaked yesterday, so we’ll see how (he is) – nothing serious. We’ll see how it is (for Friday). We’ve got a few more days. I think Ronald  probably is going to be OK. I’m not sure about Mike."

(On if receiver Emanuel Hall will get an extended look): "No, he won’t know enough to get an extended look. He’ll get a look, but he’s getting a lot of looks in practice."

(On what he's seen from defensive lineman Terry Beckner): "Terry’s been really solid. He’s more of an inside player. I’d like to see him have a little more position flexibility, but he’s a three (technique) and a nose (tackle), and getting his hands (and) batting a lot of balls down."

(On the health of Mike Edwards):  "Your guess is as good as mine. I’m not a doctor – I just know he’s out."

(On how defensive end Rakeem Nunez-Roches has played in two preseason games): "Don’t jinx him, but [he’s been] pretty damn good. He played a lot of plays and he played really well. He’s maximized his opportunities in practice and in the games."

(On evaluating injured linebacker Anthony Nelson): "I’ve evaluated him enough. It’s just time for him to get back whenever he can."

(On if he can see Dare Ogunbowale’s drive to make the team after being cut seven times): "Yeah, he’s probably been as hurt as the guys that have missed practice [and] he hasn’t missed any. That tells me a lot. I don’t buy into the past – I only buy into what I see – and what I’ve seen of him, you wouldn’t guess those things."

 

(On the key for cornerback Jamel Dean): "Catching the front half of the ball instead of the back half. He tried to catch the back half of another one today. Just his ball skills alone have improved dramatically from college and that was one of the things we loved about him – his length and turning and batting balls away. He made a great interception the other night, and the other one was just too damn easy.”

(On evaluating backup quarterbacks Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Griffin):  "Yeah, I’ve got a ton of confidence in Blaine – he won some games for us (with the Cardinals), and big games against teams that went to the playoffs that year. It’s only the second time he’s been in the same offense in nine years, so he’s got that recall (and) he’s played at full speed for us. Griff had gotten better and better, and I don’t care who you’re playing with – when you do the things he’s done in two-minute (drives), it’s noteworthy. That’s the thing – normally, when a guy’s been in the same system, he can really function for you. Kelly Holcomb wasn’t quite that long, but it took him a few years to get his opportunity, then every time he played he threw for 400 (yards). Griff (is) probably the same type of guy.”

(On if he thinks both Matt Gay and Cairo Santos will kick in the NFL this year): "I don’t think there’s any doubt. The first long field goal this week will go to Cairo.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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