The Second “After Further Review” First-Year Star Award

[AceRimRat]

The Second “After Further Review” First-Year Star Award: Rookie record-breaker

March 7, 2008
By Eric “Ace” Strauss, Raiderfans.net Staff Columnist


Zach Miller, Oakland Raiders TE

When the Raiders drafted Arizona State tight end Zach Miller 38th overall in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft, it was the third time in six years Oakland chose a tight end in round 2.

The third time proved a charm, as Miller started all 16 games, broke Tim Brown’s rookie receiving record with his 44th catch in the final one and, as a bonus, proved a solid blocker.

Not to mention erasing memories of failed predecessors Doug Jolley and Teyo Johnson.

Now, the members of Raiderfans.net have capped off Miller’s year by nearly unanimously voting him the winner of the “After Further Review” First-Year Star Award.

The “After Further Review” First-Year Star award is given to the rookie or first-season Raider judged by the members of Raiderfans.net to have contributed the most to the team in the just-completed season.

A total of 75 votes were cast on Raiderfans.net, and Miller received all but four of them, for a 95 percent victory.

It’s the second year in a row the Raiders have had the 38th overall pick, and the second year that player won: Linebacker Thomas Howard was the 2006 winner after his dazzling rookie year.

Miller is no stranger to first-year success and records. As a freshman at Arizona State, he was Pac-10 Freshman of the Year, breaking the Sun Devils’ records for receptions by a freshman and receptions by a tight end with 56.

After two more seasons of 38 and 50 receptions, respectively, Miller came out for the draft as a junior eligible. He was widely considered one of the top two tight ends in the rookie class, along with Greg Olsen, eventually chosen 31st overall in the first round by the Chicago Bears.

Miller, who “does everything well, but is not exceptional in any area,” according to Pro Football Weekly’s 2007 Draft Preview, indeed didn’t have a lot of highlight-reel plays on the year, averaging only 10.1 yards per catch and scoring only three touchdowns.

But after not catching more than four balls in any game, he saved the best for last, catching eight passes from No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell in Game 16, racking up a career-high in receptions and yardage.

The suggests the Class of 2007’s top-two tandem of Russell and Miller could be a strong combination for the Raiders for years to come.

For Miller, the contributions have already come. That’s what made him the “After Further Review” First-Year Star.

With any luck, Miller will take the next step forward as a sophomore, like Howard before him, and become the long-term solution at tight end the Raiders have been looking for since the days of Ethan Horton in the early 1990s.

If there was no surprise whatsoever about the winner, the surprise may have been the runner-up.

Fifth-round pick Jay Richardson wound up starting 11 games at defensive end, second-best among the rookie and first-year class, but it was sixth-round fullback Oren O’Neal who got the four votes that didn’t go to Miller.

O’Neal was not much more than a bit player early in the season, but as the year went on, he showed signs he could be the road-grader fullback the team hasn’t had since Jon Ritchie left in 2003.

And if there’s one thing Raiders fans love, it’s a tough, pancake-blocking fullback.

It was a tough year for the rookie Raiders: Russell held out and didn’t get much playing time. Third-rounder Johnnie Lee Higgins struggled as a receiver and punt returner. Fellow third-rounder Mario Henderson and fourth-rounder John Bowie barely played, and fourth-rounder Michael Bush and seventh-rounder Johnathan Holland didn’t play at all. Worst, top third-rounder Quentin Moses and fifth-rounder Eric Frampton didn’t make it out of training camp.

Amid all that, not to mention a 4-12 season, Miller was a rock of consistency.

After further review, that’s what made tight end Zach Miller the team’s First-Year Star.

[RaiderInNY]

Zach was one of the better rookie performers we've had in a long time. And he looks to have a bright future, and a well rounded TE that will be productive for the offense as a pass catcher and a blocker.

[MT Raider]

Zach showed us some great promise. Here is hoping that he becomes a significant target for big JR

[Raidersabc123]

When did everyone vote

[AceRimRat]

Originally Posted by Raidersabc123

When did everyone vote

Shortly after the season, there was a poll in the main Raiders forum.

[ottojimotto]

I'm really excited about watching him grow into a Raider Great.....

[crizpynutz]

Although I was leaning toward Tony Ugoh, Steve Smith or Ryan Kahlil at the time, I became a big fan of Miller's the more and more I got to see him play. I'm very impressed with how solid is all-around game really is. It's nice to know we have the TE position fairly solidified for what should be a very long time.

Nice write up Ace!

[trueraiderfan17]

Good Read

[Raider5000]

Zach Miller will become a Great TE in this league for a long time. Him and Russell will be connecting for a while!

[RAIDERZ1000]

As you can see by the picture I have posted, I truly am a Zach Miller fan. Kudo's to you man, kick ass in 2008.

[Raidersabc123]

Miller is going to be a great TE we have been waiting for

[lwd8ball]

look forward to seeing him produce another great year,,,,, kudos as welll zach

[Christafur]

Out of all those picks Miller & DE-Richardson were worthy #1 picks in my book. Moses, Bowie, Framton, Higgins and Holland were wasted picks. Our scouting needs to do a better job this year. And as for Russell, we'll all I can say is 6 years-70 Million. I really hope he is worth it. It would seem logical since Kiffin came from USC and he runs the west coast system. That we should of signed Garcia which knows the system and waited for John-David Booty. Which is going to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick this year. And will cost around 5 years 9 Million at the most. Us trading that #1 pick would of really set us up for this season in the draft and trades. Just bad business all the way around.....