Jim Miller (quarterback)

Jim Miller

No. 16, 15, 13
Position:	Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1971-02-09) February 9, 1971
Place of birth:	Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Career information
College:	Michigan State
NFL draft:	1994 / Round: 6 / Pick: 178
Career history
Pittsburgh Steelers (1994–1996) Jacksonville Jaguars (1997) Atlanta Falcons (1997) Detroit Lions (1998) Chicago Bears (1998–2002) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2003) New England Patriots (2004) New York Giants (2005)* *Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
TD–INT:	36–31
Yards:	6,387
QB Rating:	75.2
Stats at NFL.com

James Donald Miller (born February 9, 1971) is a former NFL quarterback, last under contract with the New York Giants. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, 178th overall. Miller attended Waterford Kettering High School and graduated in 1989. He started as the Captain's Varsity quarterback his sophomore year and held that position through his senior year. Miller was also a star baseball player. He currently serves as an analyst on Bears Postgame Live on CSN Chicago, replacing former Chicago Bears legend Richard Dent in 2007 and also holds a communication position with the Bears. He is the current co-host of "Moving the Chains" along with Pat Kirwan on Sirius/XM radio on channel 88, NFL Radio. ^[1]

College career

Miller was a starting quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans for three years, beginning as a sophomore. As a senior, he led his team to the Liberty Bowl, where they lost, 18–7. He finished with a final record of 14–24.^[2]

Professional career

Miller never played an entire game as quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1994–1996) and never took a snap with the Atlanta Falcons (1997). It was not until 1999, in his second year with the Chicago Bears, that Miller earned a starting job. That promising season was cut short for Miller when he became the first quarterback to be suspended by the NFL for violation of its substance abuse policy. Miller contended he did not read the label on an over-the-counter dietary supplement containing the steroid nandrolone, a banned substance under the NFL's drug policy. He was suspended for four games at the end of the 1999 season and lost about $100,000 in pay.

Upon his return, Miller became established as the starter for the Bears' brief playoff run in 2001, their first berth since 1994. With the second-best record in the NFC and tied for the second-best record in the NFL along with the Pittsburgh Steelers at 13–3, the Chicago Bears were awarded a first-round bye. This was due in large part to the Bears top ranked defense as well as the ball control offense Miller led. On January 19, 2002, the Chicago Bears met the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoffs with Jim Miller as quarterback. The game was fairly competitive until the final seconds of the first half when Eagles' defensive end Hugh Douglas delivered an illegal hit to Miller that resulted in a separated shoulder. Shane Matthews replaced Miller, who only threw 3 completions on 5 pass attempts with an interception in what was to become his lone playoff appearance. Eventually the Chicago Bears lost to Philadelphia 33–19.

Miller lost his position as starting quarterback in 2002. Although he did not make a pass attempt since, he received a Super Bowl ring as the backup quarterback for the 2004 New England Patriots. Before the 2005 season, he signed with the New York Giants but was released after receiving an injury settlement. He has been a host for Sirius NFL Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio and Chicago Bears Postgame on Comcast Sports Net in Chicago.^[3] In addition, he served as the color commentator for Michigan State University football radio broadcasts and hosts the weekly post-game call in show for MSU football until he took a communications position with the Bears, and was replaced by Jason Strayhorn.

Career stats

Key to Abbreviations
GP= Games Played
Att= Passes attempted
Com= Passes Completed
Pct= Completion percentage
Yds= Yards
TD= Touchdowns
Int= Interceptions
Rate= Passer rating

References