Oakland Raiders’ tight end Zach Miller is well on his way to becoming one of the most successful and popular players ever to wear the Silver and Black. Miller is currently 11th all-time in receptions for the Raiders after just his fourth NFL season. Next year, he will most likely move into sixth place all-time surpassing Jerry Rice, Art Powell, Dave Casper, James Jett, and Jerry Porter. If he plays five more seasons with the Raiders, at the pace of 56 catches per season (his lowest total since 2008), he will pass Cliff Branch and be on the heels of Fred Biletnikoff for second all-time. While Miller hasn’t had a knack for making catches in the end zone, he has become of monumental importance when the Raiders are between the 20’s. That’s why tag or not tag, the Oakland Raiders must re-sign Zach Miller.
There were negotiations in progress between the Raiders and Miller prior to the expiration of the prior CBA back on March 4th. When the Raiders were unable to reach a contract agreement with Miller, the deadline for negotiations quickly approached and the Raiders were forced to apply the highest restricted free agent tag. Miller fully expects talks to continue when the new CBA is established and I think it would be suicidal if the Raiders don’t reach out to Miller’s new super agent, Tom Condon.
Why is it so high priority that they sign him to a new deal? Because Zach Miller’s so good, he actually made JaMarcus Russell look good at times. Not only is he the best hands on the team, but there’s a good possibility that he’s also the best route runner despite the plethora of wide receivers. And how many tight ends do you know that have an 86-yard touchdown on their résumé? Just one, Zach Miller.
I mean, have you seen the available free agent list for tight ends? After Zach Miller, it’s a wash. I think I’d rather see them fly with what’s already on the roster if they lost Miller. If the Raiders don’t re-sign Miller, they could end up with Kevin Boss as their tight end…yuck!
Zach Miller is a Raider. He looks awesome in the Silver and Black. He has been like the Nnamdi Asomugha of the Raiders offense. Other teams would be like, “Yo, who do the Raiders have on offense?” and the answer would always be Zach Miller. But it’s not going to cost the Raiders nearly as much money to re-sign Miller and he actually gets his hands on the ball and gets some points once in a while. In that way, Miller is money.
Miller also takes pressure off of the players around him. By being such a threat as a great route runner with those fantastic hands, opposing teams have to make sure they account for Miller. And good luck covering him with a linebacker; if you don’t have at least a safety on the guy then you are toast before the ball is even hiked. If the Raiders loose Zach Miller, they could be losing the only receiver in their offense that commands more than two eyes.
Miller wants to rejoin his teammates and try to make a playoff run following his first ever Pro Bowl season. “I’d like to be back in Oakland but I’m open to other opportunities,” Miller said earlier this year. So if another team should come along and sweep Miller off of his feet, he could get on his horse and getty-up out of town. That’s why this should be the first move Al Davis makes when he gets to open his checkbook this season.
At the conclusion of this article, I have just one question: Really Zach Miller? Dude is sick, tag or no tag, Al Davis must re-sign Miller
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