The more I watch tape and clips on Lamar Miller, the more I become sold on him and believe he is worth the 21st pick. This guy is a real game-breaker. After watching tape on all the top backs coming out, his elusiveness, vision, and burst is second to none. He does this with a mediocre Offensive Line and breaks big runs on good defenses. If he had the line that TR had in Alabama....wow. Lamar is a blazer and is by far the fastest top prospect RB coming into the draft. I like his vision and he does not hesitate on hitting the hole. He finds a small crease, then boom, he is gone for 60+ yards. We have not had a home-hitter like this in a long time. I believe he has what it takes to be a 3-down back like TR. The film is there. If we can address OG and CB in FA, then we can honestly look at taking Miller with the 21st pick. Then use the 2nd round pick on a DT instead of the heavily favored Doug Martin (which would be the next RB on my big board). All depends how they address positions in FA. When Miller runs a 4.3 at the combine, his stock raises tremendously. Look at what it did for little ol' Chris Johnson. Out of the 5 top RB's (TR, Miller, Martin, Wilson, Pead), none of them can touch Millers game speed. Watch clips on them all and you will see what I mean. Miller is very impressive!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.
0 recs | 33 comments
This might be the guy I'm looking forward to seeing the most at the combine.......
several people always say, what’s the point of the combine? My answer: for guys like this……limited playing time, huge potential and big numbers that few have actually witnessed firsthand (40 time). Is he able to run at the combine after his shoulder surgery though?
The Van Buren Boys - February 22, 2012
Real Deal
This Guy.(for years to come)
1. De’castro
2. Miller
77CincyRage - February 22, 2012
the signing of RB Aaron Brown
i too think Miller is a great RB but after we just signed Aaron Brown, i’m not so sure we should go RB in rd #1 now…..& i’m not trying to say Aaron Brown is Walter Payton but i saw him in the pre season gm vs our bengals & he looked great….great size & speed…i think he could also be a 3 down back if need be…mix in B. Scott, & who ever else we sign but i’d now kinda go pick 17 RB richardson if he’s there, if not DeCastro if he’s there…if not the best CB on the board…???
pick #21 maybe OG Cordy Glenn, or a DT, or even S Barron if he’s there…but if they do pick RB Miller at #21 i’d definetly still be ok w/ it…point is don’t overlook RB A. Brown…he’s strong & fast….
greenheart - February 23, 2012
Aaron Who?
The Dealio - February 24, 2012
cons on miller
1) not solid at pass protection
2) not a grinder back.
3) injury issues
he would fit our system nicely. miller is a young steven jackson. hell if the rams traded down on draft day securing two 1st round picks (think cleveland), the rams would take the 2nd best tackle in the draft and miller with their later 1st round pick. and probably trade steven jackson.
palewook - February 22, 2012
don't see the comparison to steven jackson at all
jimbasa - February 22, 2012
+1
biggie22 - February 22, 2012
who's scouting report is this?
Straight-line speed
Quickness to the hole
Vision
Shiftiness
Mobile with scrambling ability
Quality size
Solid hands
Receiving ability
Durable
palewook - February 22, 2012
thousands of running backs
jimbasa - February 22, 2012
lol not even close
Jackson tends to run over people not around
AMAS85 - February 22, 2012
yeah that's the most contrasting characteristic for me too
jimbasa - February 22, 2012
That's my biggest problem with Miller
And the reason I think he has real potential to be a bust IMO. He’s fast but he relies way too much on his speed and not his power. He never really runs through tackles, instead he almost always tries to break it or bounce it outside, which can be effective in college but not in the NFL. In the NFL, I don’t care how fast you are that running syle does not work, the players on defense are just too fast and too good too get away with that type of a running style.
biggie22 - February 22, 2012
A lot of that had to do with his shoulder
His tape from his freshman year he lowered his shoulder and ran through tackles. He hurt his shoulder in the second game and I think he favored it a lot and relied simply on his speed.
EPK1979 - February 22, 2012
+1
DiddyGotGrillz - February 22, 2012
Doesn't have the pass-catching pedigree/proven skill that TR has.
I’m sure Miller could be a fine RB, but probably could slip to the 2nd. The draft is super deep on RB talent, no reason to draft one in the first if it’s not TR.
jsl413 - February 22, 2012
i agree 100%
i’m happy to wait until the 3rd or 4th round at rb in this draft rather than over-reach. i remained convinced there will be solid backs that can and will start on day 1 of 2012 in the 3rd and 4th round. turbin will be a 4th round steal. reaching in the 1st, is just a waste of a pick.
palewook - February 22, 2012
+1
biggie22 - February 22, 2012
I'm sorry
I’m just NOT sold on him at all. In fact, there are about 4 other RB’s I’d like to see us take ahead of him who IMO our more complete backs.
I could be wrong and again it’s just my opinion but I think he has bust written all over him but again that’s just my opinion
biggie22 - February 22, 2012
None of the RB’s that we can get in the 3rd or 4th has his abilities at his size. I would love Doug Martin in the 2nd, if we cannot get TR or Miller in the 1st. Miller will not fall to the 2nd. Compare his tape with the others. You will see he does more with less of a O-Line than the others. The kind of guy we need and have lacked. His game speed is legit. Some players that run a high 4.3 or 4.4, does not translate into game speed. Miller’s does. Watch some of his tape against the better defenses of the league.
TonyToa08 - February 22, 2012
i dont know why people keep bring up oline either
I can tell you this, Miami’s offense was built around Miller from the tape a I had seen. they got as many blockers as they can get on most runs.
AMAS85 - February 22, 2012
DISAGREE
Miller is already in the second level by himself. I havent seen his blockers much at all in the second level. When was Miami known to have a good O-Line?
TonyToa08 - February 22, 2012
what does being in the second level have to do with blocking?
if they bring in an extra TE or full back to block, there are most likely to going to take the defense player out at the line, not in the secondary, unless you are a WR maybe a full back or gaurd. But most teams stacked the box against Miami. So I doubt they would have much need to have blocking in the secondary.
Most of the time when RB breaks it to the second level, he already is past his blockers. So im not sure what you mean by that.
AMAS85 - February 22, 2012
i wouldnt hate the pick
But he just doesn’t have the power to be an afc north back imo.
JCompton41 - February 22, 2012 via mobile
for some reason, I have a feeling Green Bay will pick him if he falls to their pick, maybe even the patriots
but i think the patriots probably wants a more rounded RB.
AMAS85 - February 22, 2012
He is still raw.
I don’t know where people get off saying he won’t be a threat in passing situations. He caught 29 balls in 2 years and that was being a 2 down back for the most part. He may need some work as most running backs will in a pro style passing game but he is more than capable. The injury he had was his only injury and he played the whole year with it. He had his best games against the best competition he faced. He is only 20 years old and I think if he is coached up and put in a great situation, he could be a top ten back. I think he could put on 6-10 pounds and not lose much speed but would make him take more of a pounding. I think he is a cross between McFadden and Portis. He is a great player but is ANY running back besides TR worth taking in the first? I say maybe not.
EPK1979 - February 22, 2012
But
If Martin, Miller, Wilson or Polk are all sitting there in the 2nd, which is highly unlikely, I’m taking Miller hands down over them all.
EPK1979 - February 22, 2012
Lamar Miller would be a good 2nd round pick
But definetly not a 1st round pick…He has a quick burst with the size he has but he just isn’t good enough..if he’s got a hole to run through he’ll make it happen but if he doesn’t he can’t make it happen.
Bengal4ever - February 22, 2012
DISAGREE
How is he not good enough when he has torched some pretty good defenses at the college level? If you have watched him play enough, you would see that the holes he runs through are not that great and has made numerous plays when caught in the backfield with his vision and speed to get out of trouble. He would be great value in the 2nd round where we pick on the back end. Unfortunately, when he kills the combine, he solidifies his 1st round selection. He goes in the 1st round regardless in most expert mocks. His value will increase after the combine.
TonyToa08 - February 22, 2012
Lamar Miller is a Chris Johnson type back
He needs a hole not a gaping one because of his speed, but a hole nontheless. We draft him and we’ll complain about him only gaining 1,300 yds like Tenn did CJ this year. At pick 21 I would take him.
ashunte23 - February 22, 2012
just as long as we get on of these five players, I will be okay
Richardson, Pead, Martin, L. James, and Miller
AMAS85 - February 23, 2012
Not a fan of Polk or Turbin?
I don’t like Wilson either, though! Too fumbly!
Luke - February 23, 2012
I Tried telling you and here's the proof (copied & pasted from 1/26/12)........1 MO.Ago.........
………….“THE FASTEST PLAYER IN COLLEGE”!!
…………………..Ranked on the “RB” who I think will have biggest Impact in the NFL.
Before you attack that I ranked Miller over Richardson, remember when everyone
thought that Mark Ingram (Bama) would be the second coming?
Bottom line……Miller did “more” with a lot less in front of him than Richardson.
Speed “does matter” in the NFL and Miller is the fastest player in college, period!
Faster than WR’s. Faster than CB’s. Faster than LaMichael James and Chris Rainey.
Speed, Shiftiness, Ability to run into the 3 C’s (my patent)
Creases,Cracks, and Crevices before they close up.
That’s what this kid does!
I’m from Miami and have seen this Kid play, and believe me when I tell
you that he will have the biggest Impact as a RB out of this years crop.
#1Miller
#2Richardson
#3Martin
#4Polk
#5James
#6Pead
#7Wilson
#8Rainey
Nobody else worth talking about.
“What we do in this life echoes in eternity”
Maximus*
by gratefulmax on Jan 26, 2012 2:08 PM PST
gratefulmax - February 27, 2012
I'm just saying...................
I’m from South Florida and I’ve followed this kid and have seen every
game he has played at the "UofM"
and I’m telling you…..This kid can get through the hole before it closes
and is a threat to take it to the house every time he touches it!
Something we haven’t had around here in ages!
Be it inside, outside, or cathching the ball out of the backfield.
Almost everyone at CJ argued with me about me saying that Lamar Miller
was "The Fastest Player" in college (faster than LaMichael & Rainey)
Well, now you have seen it first hand @ the “Combine”!!
One down and One to go……….that being, that IMO "Miller will make the
Bigger Impact than Trent Richardson as an NFL Running Back!!"
Richardson will probably be gone by #17
If he is……………and Miller is sitting there at #17, I’ve said it many times before……….
Address "OL" in free agency
who can catch really good out of backfield and is "fresh"
with nothing but upside being that he’s only played 2 yrs. of college ball
who sticks to people like "Flypaper"
Get a #2 WR @ #53 (2nd rd)
1 pk in 3rd (secondarydepth )
1 pk in 4th (fill needs).
2 pks in 5th (fill needs).
1 pk in 6th (fill needs).
1 pk in 7th. (fill needs).
gratefulmax - February 27, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Cincy Jungle to post a comment.