Las Vegas Raiders’ Kolton Miller has discovered his groove as an ‘previous man’ – Las Vegas Raiders Weblog

HENDERSON, Nev. — Kolton Miller was extra animated than typical, talking together with his palms in an exaggerated method whereas describing the Las Vegas Raiders‘ recent begin with a brand new teaching workers and his standing as a four-year NFL veteran.

The children on the offensive line, the Raiders left sort out stated as he rotated his palms towards himself, are attempting to soak up as a lot data as they will within the early phases of organized workforce actions.

“Our job as previous guys,” Miller stated with a Cheshire cat grin and pointing to his barrel chest, “we’re making an attempt to indicate them the ropes.”

Wait, “previous” guys?

Miller is 26 years previous. However he has already been round lengthy sufficient to see three basic managers — Reggie McKenzie, Mike Mayock and Dave Ziegler — three coaches — Jon Gruden, Wealthy Bisaccia and Josh McDaniels — and two cities for the Raiders — Oakland and Las Vegas.

“Man, 4 years has passed by like that,” Miller stated as he snapped the fingers on his proper hand.

“It goes by fast. However I am nonetheless making an attempt to compete and study and decide up one thing every day. There’s at all times one thing to work on. And I believe that is unfold out throughout the room. We’re nonetheless younger, and we’re making an attempt to enhance in as many areas as we are able to. It is all new — new coach, new system. Attempting to get the fundamentals and execute in addition to we are able to.”

The No. 15 total choice of the 2018 NFL draft out of UCLA, Miller was Gruden’s first decide throughout his second go-round as Raiders coach and he typically referred to Miller as a basis piece for the franchise.

However after struggling mightily as a rookie — accidents performed a job — Miller has discovered a groove.

Final season, his 85.0 Professional Soccer Focus total grade was the best by a Raiders sort out since 2016, and his 85.1 pass-blocking grade was the best by a Raiders sort out since 2015.

Oh, and Miller, who performed each offensive snap final season, was additionally named all-AFC by the Professional Soccer Writers of America. As such, his presence has been a welcome salve for McDaniels as he builds a workforce.

“Yeah, he is one in all our greatest staff, there is no doubt about it,” McDaniels stated. “And you’ll see why he has improved annually that he is been within the Nationwide Soccer League. He places loads of effort and time into it within the facility. He works actually onerous within the weight room. He is in nice situation. He research onerous.

“With a purpose to be actually good on this league, there’s loads of issues you have to do properly. And Kolton provides an awesome effort day by day at all the things that he is liable for.”

The 6-foot-8, 325-pound Miller is the one positive factor on an offensive line that was filled with query marks in 2021. Quarterback Derek Carr was sacked 40 occasions final season, the second most of his eight-year profession. Las Vegas responded by drafting a pair of offensive linemen in Dylan Parham, who has been working at guard, within the third spherical, and Thayer Munford, within the seventh spherical.

This after utilizing a first-round decide final yr on Alex Leatherwood, who began the season at proper sort out however was moved to proper guard in Week 5.

Leatherwood was getting reps at proper sort out throughout final week’s open-to-the-media OTA apply.

“He seems like he is leaned out and he seems good within the weight room,” Miller stated of Leatherwood. “Get on the sphere and his toes look actual good. I am excited. I am excited for him.”

In reality, Miller took the glass-half-full method to Leatherwood being moved inside final season.

“It is a robust job to attempt to study sort out after which go to protect,” Miller stated. “It speaks on how dynamic he may be.”

And on this yr’s prime decide Parham? Miller stated he’s “younger, good and absorbing.”

Sounds acquainted. Although Miller is, properly, an previous man, proper? Effectively …

“He is acquired issues we have recognized already that he can enhance on and he is working onerous to attempt to try this, and we’ll proceed to work that manner as we go into coaching camp,” McDaniels stated of Miller. “However he is simply acquired an awesome perspective, an awesome method day by day.

“Kolton’s an awesome chief for us. Brings loads of others together with him, which is nice, and impacts his teammates in a optimistic manner.”

Miller, much less animated now and utilizing O-line communicate, smiled when requested how his job description modified in going from Tom Cable to Carmen Bricillo as place coach.

“You are still blocking the tip,” Miller stated with a smile, “more often than not.

“I nonetheless really feel good. I nonetheless really feel good. Recent.”

Even for an, ahem, previous man.