FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller is at the NFL mountaintop, coming off a Super Bowl victory, a well-deserved Super Bowl MVP award, and is now on the cusp of being paid big bucks either as a franchise-tagged player or with a long-term extension.
So let’s put this one in the “when the best recognizes the best” category.
In an appearance on NFL Network, Miller shared his admiration for New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski, reflecting on the AFC Championship Game and the two plays made by the tandem on a dramatic fourth-quarter drive that put New England in position to improbably tie the game.
“The connection he has with Gronkowski, I don’t think there has ever been a connection like that in the National Football League,” Miller said on the “Total Access” program. “Some of the time, he doesn’t even need offensive linemen; it’s just ‘throw it to Gronkowski.’
“Those last couple of plays in our game, the connection with him and Gronkowski, I’ve never seen it before. I was nervous. Gronkowski was on fire. Brady was on fire.”
Miller’s remarks came as part of a players roundtable segment along with host Eric Davis and guests LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Cromartie. Brady was the topic of discussion after news of a two-year contract extension with the Patriots was reported on Monday.
“If he looks at you, it just gives you that nervousness,” Miller said of Brady. “Every time I’m in coverage and Tom Brady is looking over there, I’m like, ‘He’s going to pass the ball to my guy. He knows what coverage we’re in. He knows what’s going on.’ He’s just a smart player.”