LOCALS IN PROS: Miller has memorable day

BY TIM HAYES

Bristol Herald Courier

Sunday afternoon could be classified as one of the most memorable days of Heath Miller’s professional career.

The former Honaker High School standout caught five passes for 71 yards for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their 31-28 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

Miller scored the go-ahead touchdown, hauling in a 2-yard scoring reception from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with 3:13 remaining.

As usual, Miller did not talk about his own performance after the game, instead praising Roethlisberger.

"He’s a winner," Miller told the Uniontown (Pa.) Herald-Standard. "He just made play after play, either from in the pocket or after running out of it. Whatever we needed to day, he did it."

Whatever the Steelers have needed Miller to do this season, he’s done it as well. He now has 31 catches for 421 yards and six touchdowns.

He already has more receiving yards than he did last year and the six TD receptions are tied for the most he’s had in a season.

Miller also reached a personal milestone as he made the 100th reception of his pro career on a 25-yard catch in the second quarter.

Witten held in Check

Former Elizabethton High School star Jason Witten had his least productive game of the season on Sunday for the Dallas Cowboys in their 31-20 win over the New York Giants.

Witten was held to two catches for 12 yards. A large part of that was probably due to the fact New York was keeping a close eye on the fifth-year tight end.

Witten collected six catches for 116 yards and a score in week one against the Giants.

Latest on Julius Jones

Dallas running back Julius Jones (Powell Valley) had 11 carries for 48 yards on Sunday in the Cowboys’ win over the Giants. He now has 401 rushing yards on the season.

Bradshaw the specialist

Sunday’s NFC showdown between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys was also significant for another reason.

Three area players participated in the matchup – Witten and Jones of the Cowboys and New York Giants rookie Ahmad Bradshaw.

Bradshaw, a former Graham High School star, once again saw time on special teams for the Giants. He returned four kickoffs for an average of 12.2 yards and also recorded a tackle.

| (276) 645-2570