Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller did not have a touchdown for the first time this season in the win Sunday over the Philadelphia Eagles, but he did have 4 receptions for 41 yards in the game.
Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans the veteran tight end has two milestones within his reach as he needs just 2 receiving touchdowns to tie the great Elbie Nickel (37) for the most receiving touchdowns by a Steelers tight end and 3 receptions to pass Louis Lipps (358) for the fourth-most receptions in franchise history.
Through the first 4 games of the 2012 season Miller has recorded 19 receptions for 170 yards and 4 touchdowns. While he certainly will not see 16 touchdowns, as the pace suggest, he is on pace to beat his single season career best of 7. In addition, Miller could equal or surpass his career best, 76 receptions and 789 receiving yards, that he registered in 2009.
Miller has done it all this season and offensive coordinator Todd Haley is making sure that he gets the tight end the ball this season like he suggested that he would in his introductory press conference this past offseason.
With second year tight end Weslye Saunders set to make his season debut this Thursday, it adds yet another weapon to the Steelers passing game, which in turn could free up Miller even more in certain formations and personnel groupings.
Miller remains one of the most underrated tight ends in the NFL and he does not get enough recognition for his blocking, which was on full display against the Eagles this past weekend. Watch the animated gif below as Miller is out front on a screen and takes Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha for a ride.
While it would be nice to see Miller pass these milestones in front of a home crowd, there will be plenty of members of Steeler Nation on hand in Nashville to shower him with a “Heathhhhh” should he tie or break any of them.
