Josh Miller (punter)
Personal information | |
---|---|
Born: | Queens, New York | April 14, 1970
Career information | |
College: | Arizona |
Undrafted: | 1994 |
Career history | |
| |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at Pro Football Reference |
Josh Miller (born April 14, 1970, in Queens, New York) is a former American football punter and current football analyst.[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 Pittsburgh Steelers. He stayed with the team through 2003, and continues to make his home in Pittsburgh. 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. He now co-hosts The Fan Morning Show with Gregg Giannotti and Jim Colony.
See also
References
- ^ "Josh Miller radio profile for 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh".
- ^ "Celebrity Jews". Jweekly.com. September 29, 2006. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- ^ 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."
- ^ "Josh Miller – Official New England Patriots Biography". Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- ^ "Titans cut former Steelers punter Josh Miller". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Associated Press. August 19, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2008.
- ^ "Former Steeler Josh Miller Joins 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh".
External links
- 1970 births
- Living people
- People from East Brunswick, New Jersey
- Sportspeople from Queens, New York
- Jewish American sportspeople
- American football punters
- Canadian football punters
- Canadian football placekickers
- Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes football players
- Arizona Wildcats football players
- Undrafted National Football League players
- Baltimore Stallions players
- Grey Cup champions
- Seattle Seahawks players
- Pittsburgh Steelers players
- New England Patriots players
- Tennessee Titans players
- Super Bowl champions