November 2, 2005

On Sunday, Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end himself, called Heath Miller the NFL’s best tight end, on ESPN’s Sunday Countdown.

On Monday night, Miller caught two touchdown passes from Ben Roethlisberger to help the Steelers defeat the Ravens, 20-19.

And on Wednesday, Miller will be announced as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for October.

Miller caught 17 passes for 184 yards (10.8 avg.) and five touchdowns during October, and he has a streak of four straight games with a TD reception to tie the team record for tight ends set by Eric Green in 1991.

"He has replaced (Plaxico) Burress in the red zone," said Ditka on ESPN. "This guy is the real deal. Everybody looks at him as a great receiver. He’s the best blocking tight end in football right now. He does everything. He’s the total package, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to get terrific mileage out of him."

Miller has replaced Jerame Tuman as the starting tight end, and his role in the offense has increased by the week. In three games in September, Miller caught just two passes for 16 yards and one touchdown.

"We are trying to utilize him a little bit more," said Coach Bill Cowher on Oct. 25. "He’s a big target who can run. There is a conscious effort with certain plays that we have. He’s another nice weapon to have out there among those other receivers we have. He’s certainly has developed into a big factor in the passing game. More than what people have expected from the tight end position here in the past. When you have that type of talent, it’s a nice weapon to have."

But as Ditka said, Miller’s blocking also has been excellent, and that’s the reason he earned so much playing time in the first place. Had Miller been a liability in the running game, it’s doubtful he would’ve been afforded the opportunities to show what he can contribute as a receiver.

"He reminds me of a tight end who played a few years ago who flew under the radar, and that’s Mark Bavaro," said Ditka. "And that’s a great compliment because Mark was a great team player, and this kid’s a great team player."

Miller leads the team with six touchdowns this season, the most by a Steelers tight end since Mark Bruener had six in 1997. His six touchdown receptions are tied for most by a tight end in the AFC, and he is second in the NFL. His 36 points this season lead all rookie non-kickers.

Also, Miller is only the third rookie tight end in NFL history to catch six touchdown passes in his first seven games; the others were Raymond Chester (Oakland Raiders in 1970) and Green (Steelers in 1990).

"The tight end position has become one that has become multi-dimensional," said Cowher. "One pretty good thing that our guy does is block. He’s still a young player and he still has to prove himself."