OUTLAWS DRAFT PLOP, ASK HIM TO DROP WEIGHT
Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic | Mar 7, 2020 | Phoenix
Pete “Plop” Miller and his teammates watched Arizona’s S20 highlight film, The Start of a Dynasty, on the short flight Friday morning to practice with the New Orleans Second Line. The film isn't one of Miller’s favorites because he isn't one of its stars, but he plans to be in the future.
"There are stars, and there are extras," Outlaws GM Unicorn said. "Movies aren't great because the extras are great. Movies are great because Denzel Washington is great. On this team, Saba Donut is our Denzel Washington. He was Denzel last year, and he’ll probably be our Denzel this year and next. But, who knows? We’ve got some great young talent coming in, including guys like Miller – if he can lose some weight."
Miller reported at 340-345 pounds after gaining significant amounts of weight last season. He’s had little trouble losing the weight in the early parts of training camp. The formerly bulky Miller arrived at training camp this weekend looking like a scaled-down version of himself, dropping nearly 40 pounds since the end of last season.
"He looks a little funny, doesn't he," defensive end Ricardo Morris said. "Looks fantastic though. I like what he did for himself. That should add many more sacks and tackles for loss to his stat line." Miller did just fine at his old weight at the beginning of last season, but it caught up to him in the second half and playoffs.
Miller is as talkative as always on the field, trash talking and dropping one-liners throughout practice all weekend. Miller said he hadn't stepped on a scale in a while but that he was motivated by next season's schedule and some harsh words from opponents to lose the weight.
It won't be the same this year. He is right around 310 and ready to go. He plans to be a huge part of the Outlaws’ highlight film for S21.
"At the end of the season, my name won't just be in consideration for Nose Tackle of the Year," Miller said. "It will be on top."
In S20, playing for the Norfolk Seawolves, Miller had 45 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles despite gaining some weight near the end of the season. The former Kentucky Wildcat, All-SEC nose tackle signed a three-year, $9 million contract after being drafted by Arizona in the second round.
"I sat at home and watched The Amazing Race," Miller said. "I sat on my ass. I didn't work. I didn’t put in the time. I'm at my best when I'm on the job and surrounded by teammates. I have something to prove, and I'm ready. It's important to my team and our success."
"Miller has to be a dominator," Unicorn said. "Our defense is built around a strong interior defensive line. He had a good year in the DSFL, but we expect him to be better. We want him to perform at the all-pro level. After his poor performance in the playoffs, he felt the weight was the way to go. He feels much better now, and his weight is down significantly."
Embarrassment was Miller’s motivation. He wasn't happy with his performance, and he was determined to do something about it.
"It's not fun to watch yourself chasing running backs in the film room and not catching them," Miller said. "It's bad when quarterbacks that you know you should sack get away. It was more than enough of a reason for me to push myself to work out hard during training camp."
"I feel great when I get up in the morning," he said. "It's a lot easier to get out of bed and start the day. Other than that, I simply wanted to be in good physical condition to join this team and hit the ground running. It’s hot in Arizona, and I know how physically draining that can be. I'm going to spread the word because, if I don't, we're going to finish every game in real bad shape because Arizona’s heat is not to be taken lightly while playing four quarters of football."
The difference is obvious. Joining Reggie Culbertson on the interior, the Arizona defensive line will be among the best in the NSFL.
"Plop has been zooming," co-GM dankoa said. "He was disappointed about last season. He's a great guy."
"He is fast out here, he's flying around. Obviously we're extremely happy where he's at right now," Unicorn said. "He had told us a number of times how hard he was working in recent weeks. He's right on schedule."
Miller said the Outlaws, 7-6 in S20, will be more like an 8-5 playoff team in S21.
"We know what it's like to be an underdog," Miller said. "We have adjusted to it, and we will deal with it this season. Our defense will still attack quickly. It's what we play best."
Miller is enjoying the work against the Second Line. He's looking forward to today's scrimmage in State Farm Stadium.
"It's my house," Miller said. "I imagine every Outlaw says the same thing. It's where we’ve grown from individuals to a team. It's the Wild West. We control the game. Every time I drive past the stadium, I think about how great we will be."
For Outlaws’ opponents who were hoping Miller would retain his weight, his recommitment to excellence and his condition leave them disappointed.
"Sorry to disappoint," Miller said, "because that’s not me. It took less than half a season and one playoff game of underperforming to realize what it means to my team and me for me to play well. That won't happen again."
Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic | Mar 7, 2020 | Phoenix
Pete “Plop” Miller and his teammates watched Arizona’s S20 highlight film, The Start of a Dynasty, on the short flight Friday morning to practice with the New Orleans Second Line. The film isn't one of Miller’s favorites because he isn't one of its stars, but he plans to be in the future.
"There are stars, and there are extras," Outlaws GM Unicorn said. "Movies aren't great because the extras are great. Movies are great because Denzel Washington is great. On this team, Saba Donut is our Denzel Washington. He was Denzel last year, and he’ll probably be our Denzel this year and next. But, who knows? We’ve got some great young talent coming in, including guys like Miller – if he can lose some weight."
Miller reported at 340-345 pounds after gaining significant amounts of weight last season. He’s had little trouble losing the weight in the early parts of training camp. The formerly bulky Miller arrived at training camp this weekend looking like a scaled-down version of himself, dropping nearly 40 pounds since the end of last season.
"He looks a little funny, doesn't he," defensive end Ricardo Morris said. "Looks fantastic though. I like what he did for himself. That should add many more sacks and tackles for loss to his stat line." Miller did just fine at his old weight at the beginning of last season, but it caught up to him in the second half and playoffs.
Miller is as talkative as always on the field, trash talking and dropping one-liners throughout practice all weekend. Miller said he hadn't stepped on a scale in a while but that he was motivated by next season's schedule and some harsh words from opponents to lose the weight.
It won't be the same this year. He is right around 310 and ready to go. He plans to be a huge part of the Outlaws’ highlight film for S21.
"At the end of the season, my name won't just be in consideration for Nose Tackle of the Year," Miller said. "It will be on top."
In S20, playing for the Norfolk Seawolves, Miller had 45 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks, and two forced fumbles despite gaining some weight near the end of the season. The former Kentucky Wildcat, All-SEC nose tackle signed a three-year, $9 million contract after being drafted by Arizona in the second round.
"I sat at home and watched The Amazing Race," Miller said. "I sat on my ass. I didn't work. I didn’t put in the time. I'm at my best when I'm on the job and surrounded by teammates. I have something to prove, and I'm ready. It's important to my team and our success."
"Miller has to be a dominator," Unicorn said. "Our defense is built around a strong interior defensive line. He had a good year in the DSFL, but we expect him to be better. We want him to perform at the all-pro level. After his poor performance in the playoffs, he felt the weight was the way to go. He feels much better now, and his weight is down significantly."
Embarrassment was Miller’s motivation. He wasn't happy with his performance, and he was determined to do something about it.
"It's not fun to watch yourself chasing running backs in the film room and not catching them," Miller said. "It's bad when quarterbacks that you know you should sack get away. It was more than enough of a reason for me to push myself to work out hard during training camp."
"I feel great when I get up in the morning," he said. "It's a lot easier to get out of bed and start the day. Other than that, I simply wanted to be in good physical condition to join this team and hit the ground running. It’s hot in Arizona, and I know how physically draining that can be. I'm going to spread the word because, if I don't, we're going to finish every game in real bad shape because Arizona’s heat is not to be taken lightly while playing four quarters of football."
The difference is obvious. Joining Reggie Culbertson on the interior, the Arizona defensive line will be among the best in the NSFL.
"Plop has been zooming," co-GM dankoa said. "He was disappointed about last season. He's a great guy."
"He is fast out here, he's flying around. Obviously we're extremely happy where he's at right now," Unicorn said. "He had told us a number of times how hard he was working in recent weeks. He's right on schedule."
Miller said the Outlaws, 7-6 in S20, will be more like an 8-5 playoff team in S21.
"We know what it's like to be an underdog," Miller said. "We have adjusted to it, and we will deal with it this season. Our defense will still attack quickly. It's what we play best."
Miller is enjoying the work against the Second Line. He's looking forward to today's scrimmage in State Farm Stadium.
"It's my house," Miller said. "I imagine every Outlaw says the same thing. It's where we’ve grown from individuals to a team. It's the Wild West. We control the game. Every time I drive past the stadium, I think about how great we will be."
For Outlaws’ opponents who were hoping Miller would retain his weight, his recommitment to excellence and his condition leave them disappointed.
"Sorry to disappoint," Miller said, "because that’s not me. It took less than half a season and one playoff game of underperforming to realize what it means to my team and me for me to play well. That won't happen again."
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