Many people have been quick to write off Von Miller after a down year in 2023 after an ACL injury in his first year with the Bills the year prior. He was a non-factor for Buffalo last season, drawing heaps of frustration and lamentations from Bills fans.
If there's one thing that shouldn't have been done by just about anyone, it's counting Miller out. Now a year removed and feeling healthy, Miller could be an instrumental asset to the Buffalo defense, especially on pass rush.
Von Miller standing out in today's practice
From the people that have their boots on the ground, Miller's name is popping up all over the place. Some hype:
"Von Miller looks like Von Miller, which is a very good sign for the Bills," Matthew Bové of WKBW, ABC 7 Western New York.
"Von looks GOOD," @Cover1.
"This has been Von Miller's most active day of #Bills training camp. A would-be sack and three or four other strong pressures. Team drills today is featuring a lot of third and long so perfect time for Miller to thrive and he is. #BillsMafia," Alex Brasky, Bills Digest.
"Von Miller has stood out today in 11on11 drills. Speed and bend looks the best it's looked since the injury. He's beaten Spencer Brown on a few occasions with at least one would-be sack. They're battling and Brown has had his wins," Matt Parrino, Syracuse.com.
"Another good rush by Von Miller, who was very close to chasing Josh Allen down after he was flushed out," Sal Capaccio, Extra Point WGR.
The reporters in attendance keep flooding my timeline with good news about Miller, which would be a huge development heading into preseason games.
It's not just the reporters.
"Von is Von," Offensive tackle Dion Dawkins said after practice. "I don't know if y'all see what's going on, but they better look out. 40 is back."
Von Miller is returning to Hall of Fame form in training camp
Miller will hear his name called in Canton someday. He's a lock for a gold jacket and a bronze bust. He's the active career sacks-leader at 123.5, a number that has him within striking distance of some of the all-time greats.
Miller is two sacks behind Dwight Freeney, and three behind Derrick Thomas. One or two very productive years could see him chase down John Randle (137.5), DeMarcus Ware (138.5), Terrell Suggs (139), Jason Taylor (139.5), or maybe even Michael Strahan (141.5). Strahan currently sits at 10th all-time in sacks.
In his prime, Miller was capable of being a game wrecker. He could take over seemingly at will, and was football's version of Mariano Rivera – a closer. When Rivera came out of the bullpen, opposing fans knew the game was over. Similarly, when Miller was on the field in a passing situation late in the game, you expected him to finish it.
Miller had 8.0 sacks in his 11 games with Buffalo in 2022. Now fully healthy, he's a lottery ticket that could dramatically boost the Buffalo defense if it cashes and he returns to anywhere close to his 2022 form.
Related: Keon Coleman making a splash with as good a training camp as Bills fans could have hoped for
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