Von Miller: Dirty?

[iknowftbll]

I report, you decide. By that I mean I link two articles covering both sides of this issue. The first is from Arrowhead Pride and the second from Mile High Report. Chiefs fans accuse Miller of being a dirty player. One of the MHR guys breaks down some stats and penalties to counter this accusation. I think we have a solid group of fans here who can step back and make a pretty unbiased assessment of the Broncos or a Broncos player.

Read the articles and share your thoughts:

Von Miller's cheap shots: A brief history

Is Von Miller a dirty football player?

 

[iknowftbll]

My thoughts: I think Lynch does a better job of breaking down the stats and there's less cherry-picking. The counter argument that a talented pass rushing LB is going to naturally draw more penalties in this era is pretty sound too. The hit on Smith last year in KC was no worse than some we've seen on Manning that haven't been flagged. Sure, it's going to get called, but it's not a dirty hit. Miller plays with some fire.

This is what I will say though. I think it's possible Miller plays with a little more chip on his shoulder toward the Chiefs. He and Kelce seem to really have it out for each other. Also, it's only Chiefs fans seeming to complain about Miller being dirty. And as far as I can tell, only since the last two games with the Chiefs. If Miller upped his game for those two contests there should be no surprise. Put yourself in the context of either game going in. The Chiefs were surging and the Broncos had recently lost a surprising upset to the Rams. This year the narrative going into week 2 was the Chiefs were going to destroy the Broncos. I recall watching pre-game coverage and experts just assuming the Broncos were going to get beat and bad.

That Miller has played these two games in this context with the intensity he has is no surprise. I don't think he's dirty. I think he gets up for the Chiefs and plays a little more chippy against them than other opponents. Despite the Broncos 8-1 record vs the Chiefs since Miller's arrival, and despite the fact that the Chargers are the only AFC West team to have beat the Broncos since Manning's arrival, the Chiefs have been essentially the Broncos' biggest rival in terms of press coverage and expectations in Miller's time with the Broncos. It shouldn't be a surprise that he takes his insane game to another level for the Chiefs.

 

[Mingo]

I wouldn't play that way.

Two things I have a comment on:

1) When the Seahawks - won the Super Bowl and beat the Broncos - that set the standard for how an NFL defense is played to maximum effect. Von Miller yes - but the Broncos over all are playing with swagger and attitude - and that draws more penalties - in the NFL success on the field - the winners win and the losers cry foul.

2) Von Miller does not draw near enough calls for holding - because if they officials called it on every play - there would be no football game - if the Refs are not protecting you - you find it logical to gain respect by other means.
Again - that is not how I would play it - if I was blessed to be as athletic as Von Miller (but I've never been in his shoes).

To the question - no - I don't find Von Miller dirty as a player. The examples shown in the Chiefs article - you see all the time in the NFL. If I was coaching him - I'd ask Von to play with more discipline.

 

[58crash]

No Dirtier than all NFL players ...They all after that edge .

People don't see what happens before and what was all going on .. The Colts were up to some stuff that first half they sold out at all cost and that was lightly addressed(He did not want fined .) buy Kubiak he was pissed at some of the many plays turned in to the NFL this week ..

 

[CEH]

He's not suh but he's dirter than most
Joel Dressen said he'd pull dirty crap in practice and they would always be on him to knock it off

 

[Orange Crush77]

He's not suh but he's dirter than most
Joel Dressen said he'd pull dirty crap in practice and they would always be on him to knock it off

Now that is interesting

 

[58crash]

there are enforcer types there is one on all teams .. if you don't have one you are screwed ..

 

[58crash]

Some are your Centers they are wired to be pretty hateful .. Most teams have at least one Mean ass nasty MF .. and ?????????

 

[Broncosr0k]

Chief blogger is letting is bias fly in that one. Knee to the throat? Not possible considering the pads and size of these dudes.

Miller lost his cool Sunday like a lot of our team. No knee incident, no dirty player conversation.

As for the unnecessary roughness, most pass rushers are told to hit the QB even if it is a little late. He may take it a little too far but it is not a new concept.

Weren't the chiefs the team that had the crotch groping lineman on it a few years ago? I am sure pitching another mans groin is acceptable for the chiefs.

 

[58crash]

KC was the most dirty team ever they tried to hurt Elway . the Cheaps

They seem to hurt our OL quite often .. Nailen to Retirement and Kuper also

 

[cdumler7]

I read both articles and yeah it seemed like the Chiefs writer loved to cherry pick to fit his thought process. I do think Miller likes to play right to the edge and sometimes does go beyond. He has gotten us some very stupid penalties just like I have seen Malik do just like I have seen TJ Ward do as well. This just comes with the territory when you want that defense that is just going to knock the crap out of a team. We just have to accept that in pretty much every game our players are going to get called for a few very close/questionable calls because refs are watching them so much closer.

I will say though what I do love is come playoff time the officials do seem to get a memo saying "let the players play a little more." This aggressive style seems to hold up better in the playoffs than in the regular season.

 

[iknowftbll]

^ You're right: we do get our guys playing on the edge and that is going to naturally draw more penalties than not. But how many times have we as fans complained over the years about a lack of intensity by our defensive unit. I for one have said I'd rather take an occasional penalty than play so passively on defense.

The Seahawks won a SB by playing that way. They more or less banked on the refs not being able to throw a flag on every play and look what it got them. In this era where all the rules favor the offense this isn't a half-bad strategy and while I hope the likes of Miller and Jackson can cut back some of the stupid penalties I do not want it to come at the expense of the ferocity of the defense. They DO need to clean up the penalties, but they cannot afford to lose the attitude they have on defense.

Somewhere there is a nice balance.