Broncos’ Von Miller: “I’m a Work in Progress”

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

Miller? Miller? Miller?

My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’ brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with a girl who said linebacker Von Miller was in fact on the field last week when the Denver Broncos played the Kansas City Chiefs. For further proof, he tallied one mark on the stat sheet – a single tackle.

After 11.5 sacks his rookie year and 18.5 sacks his second year, Miller was expected to be just as productive despite serving a six-game suspension to start the season. Through four games, Miller has two sacks to go along with 14 tackles (four for a loss), and a forced fumble.

“I really don’t think I have scratched the surface of what I can be,” Miller admitted.

According to him, he needs to step up his practice habits.

“I’m a work in progress,” Miller said. “I definitely feel like I could be more productive. It starts in practice. I got to have better practices and I think that it will carry over into the game. That’s the easiest thing to fix is myself.”

Jack Del Rio made it public Monday that he thinks Miller needs to be more impactful. Calling a player out in front of the media is nothing short of a whip to the rear.

Shaun Phillips leads the team in sacks (9.0), which is great, but Miller needs to get in on the game changing plays as well.

A case could be made that Miller needed to get his football “legs” back under him. A player can workout out all he wants, but until that player gets on the field and starts hitting, only then will football fitness come. With four games in the body, now is the time for Miller to step into his role for which he was drafted No. 2 overall.

The New England Patriots have given up 28 sacks this season, which is the 8th most in the league. Of course Tom Brady has great pocket awareness and he gets the ball out quickly, but Miller has to take advantage of a weaker offensive line.

This is the week where Miller needs to step on the gas, and keep his foot there for the rest of the season. A productive and relatively fresh Von Miller during the playoffs is exactly what the Broncos need to win a third championship ring.

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