Free-spirited Miller provides spark for Jets on kickoffs By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer November 2, 2006 HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- Justin Miller is the New York Jets' class clown, keeping things loose by constantly joking with teammates and bouncing around the locker room with youthful exuberance. "He's a crazy dude and he's definitely energetic," safety Kerry Rhodes said with a laugh. "He does what he wants. He's a free-spirited guy and he's fun to be around." It's a different story when Miller steps on the field. Then, there's no kidding around for the second-year cornerback and star kick returner. "You just go out there and do what you've got to do," he said. "And make something happen." Miller knows all about that, especially when it comes to returning kickoffs. "What I love about Justin is when he has the ball in his hands, he's fearless and he's aggressive and he takes the fight to the kickoff team," coach Eric Mangini said. Miller has two long touchdown returns this season, and is second in the NFL to New England's Laurence Maroney with 29.7 yards per return. He was also named the AFC's special teams player of the month for October. With each momentum-changing return, opponents are realizing that kickoffs are Miller time. "Every time they kick off, it feels like he's going to hit it," said receiver Tim Dwight, who has been one of the NFL's most successful kick and punt returners for nine seasons. The 22-year-old Miller is the youngest player on the Jets, but certainly doesn't lack confidence. He thinks he's going to end up in the end zone each time he touches the ball -- which he's already done three times in his young career. "I believe that every time," he said. "And I think my return team thinks the same thing." Last Sunday at Cleveland, Miller returned a kick 99 yards in the third quarter when he took off down the middle, brushed off an arm tackle, sidestepped kicker Phil Dawson and put a vicious stiff arm on Justin Hamilton before zipping into the end zone. "He certainly has the knack to do this," special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff said. "Justin has the things that you want. He's got the speed. When he breaks away, he's tough to catch. And he's strong. As he's gone on, he's had to learn some of the reads. Early in his career, he missed some of those. But he's gotten better and better and better. He's really into this." Miller is 5-foot-10 and a rock-solid 196 pounds, and is blessed with blazing speed. He's one of three Jets -- joining Chad Morton (2002) and Leon Burton (1960) -- to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a season. "His physical toughness -- he's not afraid to get up in there," Dwight said. "The one he took Sunday, he took up the middle the whole way through and wasn't afraid to get hit." Miller broke through two tackles and set a team record with a 103-yard kickoff return Oct. 1 against Indianapolis, briefly giving the Jets a late lead. He's an instant momentum changer. "It's important to have firepower like that because there's certain games where sometimes you're going to struggle on one side of the ball and special teams is a time where you can make big plays," Dwight said. And so is playing defense. While Miller has been a star on kickoffs, he's had his share of struggles at cornerback. He has shut down receivers on some plays, but been caught out of position for key completions on others. "You just have to put plays behind you," said Miller, who is still looking for his first NFL interception. "As a corner, you've got to have a 5-second memory block. If something doesn't go right or a play goes wrong, you have to have 5 seconds to put it behind you. The most important play is the next play." Miller, a second-round pick out of Clemson last year after skipping his senior season, lost the starting job for three weeks before regaining it last Sunday at Cleveland. He again showed the inconsistency of a player who's made just 12 NFL starts. "He's developing," Mangini said. "He has good natural ability for the position in terms of change of direction, speed bursts, strength and ability to jam at the line of scrimmage. Like any young player, that's got to be refined." Miller has no doubt that will all come with more experience. "I've always been a very confident person," Miller said. "My main goal is just to go out there each time and play smart football."
Talk about him not being a good cornerback and might not be in the Jets future needs to stop. He will improve as a CB, and is an amazing kick returner.
Everytime he touches the ball on the KR's he's a threat to go all the way. Major weapon...give him time he may develop into a solid corner also.....
Didn't know Miller was the youngest player in the team. Well, hopefully we'll see more maturity from Justin Miller on defense.
There is real value in him as a KR, but not as a starting CB (at least not now). I was really surprised at the "Whispers" that the Jets may cut him due to the development of Drew Coleman. I really don't buy that, but regardless, the Jets need to find a way to keep him. Also, not only has he returned to kicks for TDs, but they were at huge points in the ball game that he did it. Unforunately, the Jets lost both games, but with the pressure of a big situation and the Jets trailing, he has twice returned kicks for TDs.
blah blah hes not a cornerback. shut up.... 12 starts, youngest player on the team. thats what should be remembered. like i said, the consensus is WR's take 3 years to develop. yet some of you expect a CB to be flawless when he hasnt even started a full season yet. give it some time.
Justin will learn to play corner, however he is a joy to watch as a return man. Quite frankly if he keeps up this level of perfromance he would not have to do any thing else. Any one remember Chad Morton? That dude was instant good field posoition. JM appears to be doing the same for us.
