Welcome to Talking Smit with me, Stephan B. Smifter. For those who don’t know me from my award winning sports coverage or fair and balanced analysis, I’m a long time sports journalist who focuses primarily on covering the NSFL. With this series, I’ll be bringing you the best interviews possible with NSFL stars, DSFL rpospects, team owners, GMs, and whoever else related to the NSFL matters. You can trust that with me you’ll ALWAYS be getting the real, honest takes. Not let’s talk about my very first guest.
Howard Miller was drafted #1 overall in the season 7 draft by the Colorado yeti, a team known as much for its dramatic terrible fortune as by anything else. These guys have been BAD for pretty much the entire league history up until that point. Howard slotted into the team’s mentality of “us against the world “immediately and has stayed true to them (which caused some of the RIDICULOUS AND UNWARRANTED controversy we discussed).
In his four year career, Howard has had 279 catches for 4,496 yards and 23 touchdowns. To put that into perspective, Howard is already in the top 25 all time in both yards and touchdowns. That’s a special player given the Yeti’s pass offense having a long and deserved history of not really existing. Despite a tremendous season, the Awards Committee didn’t seem to think so, handily giving Wide Receiver of the Year to Trey Willie. I sat down with the Australian born player to talk about these topics and more.
Me: Howard, let's jump right into the meat of this thing. How does it feel to have been ROBBED NAKED AND BLIND by the awards committee?
Miller: I won't sugar coat it, Stephen. I said it in a recent media release and I'll say it to you again today: I'm pissed off.
Me: And you should be my man. You absolutely should be. Trey Willie....and I love him. I do...but he was NOT the best wide receiver in the NSFL last year. Not even close. Did you know, Howard, that I did the research and fond out that 10 of his 15 touchdowns were within ten yards? He took advantage of an offense that let him score all these little 1 yard quick outs. How does it make you feel knowing your accomplishments have been overlooked for something like that?
Miller: I don't want to slight Trey whatsoever. I think he had a fantastic season, and I don't think that when being judged as wide receivers we should become victims of our circumstances - he converted in the red zone, and that's hugely important. I'm not so much bothered by how he performed than by the lack of consideration given to my own performance. But it's more fuel for the fire, Stephen.
His words were those of a professional but his eyes gave away the passion and hurt and ANGER that he righteously must feel.
Me: That fire must BURN. To not only be criminally overlooked in favor of..surprise surprise..another Hawk, who we all know the league favors so heavily, has to be creating an inferno in your gut. The question is..and I know the kind of standup man you are so i can see your answer but I have to ask this......what does that put in your sights for this coming season?
Miller: I know that you, and probably everyone reading, would expect that in response I would want to put up numbers that made me the unquestionable best receiver in the league. But to be honest, after the sort of negativity I've seen in the media about my team now that Ryan [Applehort] is gone, I'd really just like to keep performing at the same high level but contribute to keeping this team a playoff team. I think we'll be there again after another 14 weeks".
Me: Let's talk about the departure of Ryan Applehort for a moment. You made some comments about team loyalty that seemed to set of a firestorm of league wide response. Did you expect that?
Miller: Was it my intention? Absolutely not. Did I think that there would be some people who felt the need to voice their opinion? Yes, of course. And they're entitled too as well. I think giving the players a voice is never a bad thing. So much of what we see around the league is just in headlines or statements from front offices. It's very one-sided, so it's good to get the background story from the players themselves on things like contracts, loyalty, and their thoughts on other players and teams. In the end I provided a platform for players to achieve that, and regardless of whether that was my intention, I'm glad it happened.
Me: Why do you think the league goes out of it's way to keep those players quiet
Miller: Every GM would have different reasons. Teams with lots of players who have had long tenures probably don't want a lot of publicity around these players going from club to club. Teams with guys on pennies probably don't want a lot of noise about players with contracts that take up nearly 20% of a team's budget. And some teams probably just want to stay out of the spotlight altogether. I think the core of the discussion got derailed, but some players and GMs, and even some people from HO got in there and made their opinions known quite publicly, and that doesn't happen too often.
Again, Miller was saying all the right things. He probably didn’t want to get into the overall muck and grime of the league. Fortunately for him and you I’m here.
Me: Typical behavior from the NAZI SQUELCHING FREEDOMS LEAGUE. I have good information that says they keep those budgets artificially low while raking in the money hand over fist just so they can keep the players' options limited. The fact that they managed to get players acting against their own self interests by siding with you is just another sign of the ABSOLUTELY ridiculous behavior this league has been displaying for the last decade. What are you favorite nacho toppings?
Miller: I keep it simple. Beef, cheese, jalapenos, beans, chili and sour cream
Me: Crush is gone. Saint is gone. Tweed is gone. Applehort is gone. Grau hasn't panned out. And just this week, Dwayne Aaron retired. The Yeti locker room is looking at you to be a leader. Maybe THE leader. How do you take this team, with all its warty history, and say to them, we're moving forward?
Miller: To be honest, the people who remain don't need to hear it. Everyone still involved with this organization has the same focus and is on the same page. It's all about bringing in new players now, ones who fit what we're hoping to build
Me: Now, not to discredit anything, because I know you to be a man of honor who speaks his mind truthfully, but we've heard this before from the Colorado locker room. For many years that went nowhere and for the last few, there's been SOME indication that it might be heading in that direction but it hasn't gotten there and it always seems to be a case of two steps sideways and one step back. What makes it different when Howard Miller says it?
He nodded sagely, and I saw the leader in him take over. I felt it in my HEART.
Miller: It went nowhere because some players' careers didn't pan out. The people who are with the organization now are the ones who have been through all the hard times, so we know they're not going anywhere. As I said, it's all about getting new players on board and continuing to try and build the culture we want. Me being a leader and being confident in, and proud of, this team - regardless of what happens - is a big part of that.
Me: So out with those who couldn't hack it and in with those who are willing to go all the way down the line. I can dig that. Is that why the re-signing of Crush and Atwell in Orange County struck such a nerve with you?
Miller: Their re-signings didn't 'strike a nerve with me'. I don't really see Orange County as the powerhouse it once was, so it's not as though they're joining a team that looks to be a sure thing, like Baltimore. I know they do have a sense of loyalty to the Otters and I respect that. Honestly, I think the comments in that media release were blown out of proportion.
Me: And now we get to the chewy nougat inside the candy. Because this whole situation turned onto a you versus them based on the media response from people less scrupulous than than myself it's nice that you can pull the old crocodile Dundee and show them what a knife really is. So Howard Miller, uncrowned best Wide Receiver and team leader. Where do the Yeti go this season?
Miller: To the playoffs. That's our intention, at least. I don't think we miss a beat with our passing attack - I have total faith in Micycle [McCormick], and I'm in the best shape of my career. We've improved our offensive line and we've still got all the same pieces on that side of the ball as last year. I think we take a step back defensively, but nonetheless I absolutely see us vying for our third consecutive playoff appearance.
Me: And no matter what anyone tries to say that's still a much better position than the team was in not that long ago. I've got two final questions for you my man. The first is, who's the toughest corner you go up against?
Miller: There was a game in Season 9 against NOLA where I had literally 0 catches. None. I've not faced a tougher secondary before or since.
Me: Difficult to accomplish on someone as talented as you for sure. Last question. Do you have anything to say to anyone or group of people in the league? Open floor my man.
Miller: To the new players coming into the DSFL, the NSFL rookies and the early career guys: keep at it. When you start, it can feel like the difference between you and the people at the top of the league is insurmountable. It's not. In 4 seasons I've gone from an insignificant receiver to one of the best there is. There's an apt quote by C.S. Lewis: "Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when we look back everything is different'.
Me: The best, in my opinion. Thanks for joining me. I'm pulling for you guys. Yeti Noises!
In the end, Miller didn’t rock the boat so much as people took his words AND TIPPED THE BOAT OVER WITHOUT BOTHERING TO ASK HIM IF IT WAS OKAY. The level of vitriol surrounding this man is indescribably unnecessary. You should be ASHAMED of yourselves. This man is going to be a legend. That’s okay though. If you don’t get onboard now, just like the committee didn’t, he’s not going to hold it against you. He’s more focused on eating, sleeping, and breathing Yeti football. But it’ll be your loss. I’m Stephan B Smitfter and this has been Talking Smit.
[1985 words, split 50/50 between myself and dropbear]
[feel free to contact me if you’d like to be a future guest on Talking Smit]
Howard Miller was drafted #1 overall in the season 7 draft by the Colorado yeti, a team known as much for its dramatic terrible fortune as by anything else. These guys have been BAD for pretty much the entire league history up until that point. Howard slotted into the team’s mentality of “us against the world “immediately and has stayed true to them (which caused some of the RIDICULOUS AND UNWARRANTED controversy we discussed).
In his four year career, Howard has had 279 catches for 4,496 yards and 23 touchdowns. To put that into perspective, Howard is already in the top 25 all time in both yards and touchdowns. That’s a special player given the Yeti’s pass offense having a long and deserved history of not really existing. Despite a tremendous season, the Awards Committee didn’t seem to think so, handily giving Wide Receiver of the Year to Trey Willie. I sat down with the Australian born player to talk about these topics and more.
Me: Howard, let's jump right into the meat of this thing. How does it feel to have been ROBBED NAKED AND BLIND by the awards committee?
Miller: I won't sugar coat it, Stephen. I said it in a recent media release and I'll say it to you again today: I'm pissed off.
Me: And you should be my man. You absolutely should be. Trey Willie....and I love him. I do...but he was NOT the best wide receiver in the NSFL last year. Not even close. Did you know, Howard, that I did the research and fond out that 10 of his 15 touchdowns were within ten yards? He took advantage of an offense that let him score all these little 1 yard quick outs. How does it make you feel knowing your accomplishments have been overlooked for something like that?
Miller: I don't want to slight Trey whatsoever. I think he had a fantastic season, and I don't think that when being judged as wide receivers we should become victims of our circumstances - he converted in the red zone, and that's hugely important. I'm not so much bothered by how he performed than by the lack of consideration given to my own performance. But it's more fuel for the fire, Stephen.
His words were those of a professional but his eyes gave away the passion and hurt and ANGER that he righteously must feel.
Me: That fire must BURN. To not only be criminally overlooked in favor of..surprise surprise..another Hawk, who we all know the league favors so heavily, has to be creating an inferno in your gut. The question is..and I know the kind of standup man you are so i can see your answer but I have to ask this......what does that put in your sights for this coming season?
Miller: I know that you, and probably everyone reading, would expect that in response I would want to put up numbers that made me the unquestionable best receiver in the league. But to be honest, after the sort of negativity I've seen in the media about my team now that Ryan [Applehort] is gone, I'd really just like to keep performing at the same high level but contribute to keeping this team a playoff team. I think we'll be there again after another 14 weeks".
Me: Let's talk about the departure of Ryan Applehort for a moment. You made some comments about team loyalty that seemed to set of a firestorm of league wide response. Did you expect that?
Miller: Was it my intention? Absolutely not. Did I think that there would be some people who felt the need to voice their opinion? Yes, of course. And they're entitled too as well. I think giving the players a voice is never a bad thing. So much of what we see around the league is just in headlines or statements from front offices. It's very one-sided, so it's good to get the background story from the players themselves on things like contracts, loyalty, and their thoughts on other players and teams. In the end I provided a platform for players to achieve that, and regardless of whether that was my intention, I'm glad it happened.
Me: Why do you think the league goes out of it's way to keep those players quiet
Miller: Every GM would have different reasons. Teams with lots of players who have had long tenures probably don't want a lot of publicity around these players going from club to club. Teams with guys on pennies probably don't want a lot of noise about players with contracts that take up nearly 20% of a team's budget. And some teams probably just want to stay out of the spotlight altogether. I think the core of the discussion got derailed, but some players and GMs, and even some people from HO got in there and made their opinions known quite publicly, and that doesn't happen too often.
Again, Miller was saying all the right things. He probably didn’t want to get into the overall muck and grime of the league. Fortunately for him and you I’m here.
Me: Typical behavior from the NAZI SQUELCHING FREEDOMS LEAGUE. I have good information that says they keep those budgets artificially low while raking in the money hand over fist just so they can keep the players' options limited. The fact that they managed to get players acting against their own self interests by siding with you is just another sign of the ABSOLUTELY ridiculous behavior this league has been displaying for the last decade. What are you favorite nacho toppings?
Miller: I keep it simple. Beef, cheese, jalapenos, beans, chili and sour cream
Me: Crush is gone. Saint is gone. Tweed is gone. Applehort is gone. Grau hasn't panned out. And just this week, Dwayne Aaron retired. The Yeti locker room is looking at you to be a leader. Maybe THE leader. How do you take this team, with all its warty history, and say to them, we're moving forward?
Miller: To be honest, the people who remain don't need to hear it. Everyone still involved with this organization has the same focus and is on the same page. It's all about bringing in new players now, ones who fit what we're hoping to build
Me: Now, not to discredit anything, because I know you to be a man of honor who speaks his mind truthfully, but we've heard this before from the Colorado locker room. For many years that went nowhere and for the last few, there's been SOME indication that it might be heading in that direction but it hasn't gotten there and it always seems to be a case of two steps sideways and one step back. What makes it different when Howard Miller says it?
He nodded sagely, and I saw the leader in him take over. I felt it in my HEART.
Miller: It went nowhere because some players' careers didn't pan out. The people who are with the organization now are the ones who have been through all the hard times, so we know they're not going anywhere. As I said, it's all about getting new players on board and continuing to try and build the culture we want. Me being a leader and being confident in, and proud of, this team - regardless of what happens - is a big part of that.
Me: So out with those who couldn't hack it and in with those who are willing to go all the way down the line. I can dig that. Is that why the re-signing of Crush and Atwell in Orange County struck such a nerve with you?
Miller: Their re-signings didn't 'strike a nerve with me'. I don't really see Orange County as the powerhouse it once was, so it's not as though they're joining a team that looks to be a sure thing, like Baltimore. I know they do have a sense of loyalty to the Otters and I respect that. Honestly, I think the comments in that media release were blown out of proportion.
Me: And now we get to the chewy nougat inside the candy. Because this whole situation turned onto a you versus them based on the media response from people less scrupulous than than myself it's nice that you can pull the old crocodile Dundee and show them what a knife really is. So Howard Miller, uncrowned best Wide Receiver and team leader. Where do the Yeti go this season?
Miller: To the playoffs. That's our intention, at least. I don't think we miss a beat with our passing attack - I have total faith in Micycle [McCormick], and I'm in the best shape of my career. We've improved our offensive line and we've still got all the same pieces on that side of the ball as last year. I think we take a step back defensively, but nonetheless I absolutely see us vying for our third consecutive playoff appearance.
Me: And no matter what anyone tries to say that's still a much better position than the team was in not that long ago. I've got two final questions for you my man. The first is, who's the toughest corner you go up against?
Miller: There was a game in Season 9 against NOLA where I had literally 0 catches. None. I've not faced a tougher secondary before or since.
Me: Difficult to accomplish on someone as talented as you for sure. Last question. Do you have anything to say to anyone or group of people in the league? Open floor my man.
Miller: To the new players coming into the DSFL, the NSFL rookies and the early career guys: keep at it. When you start, it can feel like the difference between you and the people at the top of the league is insurmountable. It's not. In 4 seasons I've gone from an insignificant receiver to one of the best there is. There's an apt quote by C.S. Lewis: "Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when we look back everything is different'.
Me: The best, in my opinion. Thanks for joining me. I'm pulling for you guys. Yeti Noises!
In the end, Miller didn’t rock the boat so much as people took his words AND TIPPED THE BOAT OVER WITHOUT BOTHERING TO ASK HIM IF IT WAS OKAY. The level of vitriol surrounding this man is indescribably unnecessary. You should be ASHAMED of yourselves. This man is going to be a legend. That’s okay though. If you don’t get onboard now, just like the committee didn’t, he’s not going to hold it against you. He’s more focused on eating, sleeping, and breathing Yeti football. But it’ll be your loss. I’m Stephan B Smitfter and this has been Talking Smit.
[1985 words, split 50/50 between myself and dropbear]
[feel free to contact me if you’d like to be a future guest on Talking Smit]
![[Image: 68.png]](https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/722696337912496132/759304283312881684/68.png)
