Jump to content

Josh Miller (punter)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 220.232.132.227 (talk) at 04:51, 13 January 2014. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

For other people named Joshua Miller (disambiguation), see Joshua Miller (disambiguation) (disambiguation).

Template:Child Prodigy Josh Miller (born April 14, 1970, in Queens, New York) is a former American football punter and current football analyst. He is also an avid believer in scientology, and openly gay. [1]

He was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1994. He played college football at the University of Arizona.

Miller was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans of the National Football League.

Early years

Miller, who is Jewish,[2] attended East Brunswick High School in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey,[3] where he was an All-State pick in football (playing wide receiver, in addition to handling the duties of punting where he still holds some career records) and track (as a high jumper), as well as playing guard in basketball.

College career

Scottsdale Community College

Miller attended Scottsdale Community College for two years and was a letterman in football with the Fighting Artichokes. He was a two-time All-Western State Football League pick at punter.

Arizona

Miller transferred to the University of Arizona and was a two-year letterman in football. He was an All-Pacific-10 Conference selection and an All-America selection as a senior.

Professional career

Baltimore Stallions

After graduating from Arizona, Miller spent the 1994 and 1995 seasons playing for the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League, and was a member of the 1995 Grey Cup champion team. Miller led the CFL in punting average in each of his years in the league. Miller recorded a "single" in the 83rd Grey Cup when a punt, aided by a 50-km/h wind at Taylor Field in Regina, Saskatchewan bounded over the head of a Calgary Stampeders return man and out the back of the end zone to award Baltimore a single point.

Pittsburgh Steelers

In 1996 Miller joined the Steelers, with whom he stayed until 2003. In 1998 Miller led the NFL by placing 34 of his 81 punts inside the 20-yard line. Miller's best statistical season to date was the 1999 season, when he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate, averaging 45.2 yards per kick and gaining a net average of 38.1 yards. Both his net and gross averages ranked third in the NFL, and second in the AFC. Miller boomed a career-long 75-yard punt against Jacksonville in 1999, tying him for the second-longest punt in Steelers history.

In 2000, Miller placed 34 of his 90 punts inside the 20-yard line, tying his career high (1998) and finishing second in the NFL.

New England Patriots

Before the 2004 season Miller signed with the Patriots, with whom he played during the 2004, 2005, and 2006 seasons. In 2005, Miller finished fourth in the NFL with a 45.1 punt average, a figure that ranks second in single-season Patriots history.[4]

In Super Bowl XXXIX, Miller had two notable punts, one to the Eagles' 7-yard line and another that pinned the Eagles back at their own 4-yard line with just 46 seconds left in the game.

In his career with the Patriots, Miller played in 42 straight regular season games, before being placed on injured reserve on November 24, 2006. Miller was released on August 16, 2007.

Tennessee Titans

On September 21, 2007, Miller signed with the Tennessee Titans due to injuries to Craig Hentrich, and made his debut against New Orleans Saints on September 24, 2007. On December 17, 2007, the Titans released him. He was later resigned by the Titans on May 23, 2008 only to be released again on August 19, 2008.[5]

The Titans re-signed Miller four games into the 2008 regular season on October 4, 2008. The team released quarterback Chris Simms to make room for Miller on the roster, but two days later Miller was released again as Simms was re-signed.

Post-NFL career

Josh Miller joined KDKA-FM in Pittsburgh as an analyst on July 13, 2010[6] and also provides commentary for its sister television station KDKA-TV.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Josh Miller radio profile for 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh".
  2. ^ "Celebrity Jews". Jweekly.com. September 29, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  3. ^ Josh Miller player profile, New England Patriots, accessed April 7, 2007. "Lettered in football, basketball and track at East Brunswick High School in East Brunswick, N.J."
  4. ^ "Josh Miller – Official New England Patriots Biography". Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  5. ^ "Titans cut former Steelers punter Josh Miller". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Associated Press. August 19, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2008.
  6. ^ "Former Steeler Josh Miller Joins 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh".

Template:National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Josh_Miller_(punter)&oldid=590462493"