http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jets/ny-spjets305782378jul30,0,5880024.story Jets' Miller is one happy camper BY ERIK BOLAND | erik.boland@newsday.com July 30, 2008 An NFL player is rarely described as "enjoying" or "appreciating" training camp. Justin Miller is an exception. "It feels good," Miller said after yesterday morning's practice at Hofstra. "Every time I step on the field I'm excited." Miller, a fourth-year cornerback/kick returner out of Clemson who was the Jets' 2005 second-round pick, had a season to forget last year. He missed a large portion of training camp with a hamstring injury and then blew out his right knee in the second week at Baltimore. It was a jolt to a player clearly on the rise. Miller led the league in kickoff return average (28.3) in 2006, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl, where he won the NFL's fastest man competition. He looked as if he might work his way in as a starting cornerback as well, but after a 22-yard return in the second quarter of last season's Week 2 loss at Baltimore, Miller stayed down on the field. He had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, losing a season that had just started. "It's like anything else you love to do," Miller said. "If you can't fish and you love to fish ... it's horrible. But they're just things you have to get through. It's part of life." The reason a day like yesterday - nearly 90 degrees in the morning with high humidity - hardly registers in the negative with the perpetually grinning Miller. "I definitely appreciate being out here," Miller said. "It's a great group of guys. I enjoy being with these guys, I enjoy being with these coaches. You love being out here with these guys, getting the chance to play and do something that you love to do." Miller, who had offseason surgery on his knee, has been brought along slowly. During the May organized team activities (OTAs) he was limited, but did see time with the first team, starting at the corner opposite Darrelle Revis. The competition for that spot appears to be between David Barrett and Miller. The rap on Miller has been that he had all the physical tools to be a good corner, but he struggled with the nuances of the position. Coach Eric Mangini said that is where he's noticed the biggest difference with Miller this offseason. strength] at the line of scrimmage or that's one of your strengths, you have to force those guys to deal with you," Mangini said. "But if your footwork's not right, you can't do that and still cover and transition down the field. So he's spent a lot of time on his footwork and I can see, each day, I see the difference. It's showing up, day in and day out a little bit more." afety Kerry Rhodes said Miller still shows some rust from being out last year and like everyone else when talking about Miller, mentioned the corner's raw athleticism. "We know he's an athlete, we know he can make all the plays, but it's just him getting consistent and getting back in the swing of things," Rhodes said. "He missed the whole year, so his timing is a little off but he's working." Rhodes added: "He's a strong guy and he's fast. So even if he messes up early at the line, he has the make-up speed to be able to get back in coverage." Miller so far this camp has split time with Barrett as the No. 2 cornerback and the battle, early in camp, is neck-in-neck. "I really don't see it as a competition, I see it as us playing and getting better as a team," Miller said. "Regardless of who's out there, I think we all want to see each other successful, that's the main thing." For Miller, just being out there in some capacity, for now, is enough. He has reason to be, especially after 2007 gave him little in the way of excitement
Man, I really hope Miller lives up to his potential this season...although resigning will be tough if he does. ...and Boland needs a new editor: "neck and neck", what the heck is "neck in neck"...that's just gross!
Ya know, a lot of people thought the sky was falling as we approached training camp without a clear-cut 2nd Corner. But with Miller competing again (and apparently stripped of his cockiness, which is a good thing) and Lowery making strides, I feel pretty confident about our 3 CB sets. That Lowery guy... I really think he's gonna be good. That jaw injury really screwed him up. He's over it. Screw Branch, Jeaux.
