Von Miller awaits next ‘Munch Millionaire’
PITTSBURGH — They call them “Munch’s Millionaires.”
Or at least Craig Wolfley does.
The sideline reporter/columnist/former Steelers guard came up with the moniker while watching Steelers offensive linemen the last five years, or as long as Hall-of-Fame guard Mike Munchak has coached the position for the Steelers.
Munchak was hired in 2014, and soon thereafter watched Maurkice Pouncey sign a $44 million contract and Marcus Gilbert sign a $30 million contract.
“Munch” had something to do with it, and even more to do with David DeCastro’s $50 million contract and Ramon Foster’s $10 million contract, both signed in 2016.
The Steelers let Kelvin Beachum go that year. He signed a $5 million contract with Jacksonville that was only kept low because Beachum was rehabbing a torn ACL.
He signed a $24 million contract the following year, when his replacement — former street free-agent defensive lineman Alejandro Villanueva — signed a $24 million contract to play left tackle for Munchak and the Steelers.
If you’re not following the point, ask Chris Hubbard, who developed into the Cleveland Browns’ $38 million right tackle last March thanks to Munchak.
Yes, another satisfied Munch Millionaire.
Ben Roethlisberger had a more detailed explanation for the run of success the Steelers are experiencing in putting together an offensive line that’s allowed only 14 sacks in 10 games and has them running the ball with James Conner the way they did with Le’Veon Bell.
“It starts with Coach Munchak and Coach Sweet Feet, Shaun Sarrett,” Roethlisberger said of the OL coach and his assistant. “That’s a special group anyway. They’re all so close. They’ve got their inside jokes, their group text that they’re always on. They’ve been together for a while. That helps, and when you’ve got five guys who’ve played together for a long time, for a few years now, anytime a young guy gets infused into that it’s a lot easier to transition a man in and to help him. I think there are a lot of factors.”
But who’s the next man up?
Who’s the next Munch Millionaire?
Guard B.J. Finney is waiting in the wings, but the Steelers might need a tackle this week. Gilbert has missed four consecutive games with a knee injury. His replacement, Matt Feiler, missed Wednesday’s practice with an injured pectoral muscle. A determination will be made on Feiler later in the week.
Jerald Hawkins, of course, is on injured reserve, so that leaves the rookie, Chuks Okorafor, to step into the right tackle spot, enjoy immediate success, make millions and live happily ever after.
“That’s for real,” Pouncey said with a laugh. “He’s the next in line for the pay day — crazy!”
Of course, there’s this future Hallof Famer named Von Miller in the way. Miller was the second pick of the 2011 draft by the Denver Broncos. Last Sunday, Miller recorded his 100th career sack in his 121st game (counting postseason). His 93.5 regular-season sacks are the most by any player since he’s been in the league. The six-time Pro Bowler has 10 sacks this season, six in the last five games, and he’s hoping for his fourth career sack Sunday against Roethlisberger.
Mike Tomlin was asked where Miller would line up.
“Wherever he wants,” Tomlin said. “I know I let him go where he wanted to in Orlando at the Pro Bowl. I’m sure they do, too.”
Tomlin and the Steelers staff coached Miller at last season’s Pro Bowl, and, Tomlin said, “He went by me at some point in the second half and hit me on the hip and said ‘I got this coach,’ and he did. We watched him take over a game among all-stars. I think that is imprinted on me and I’m sure it was imprinted on the offensive coaching staff.
“He’s a special player. He’s aware. He’s physically talented. He’s intelligent. He’s a scientist in his approach to his craft. It was obvious in terms of watching him interact with other Pro Bowlers, just talking about the nature of the rush and things of that nature, just a really impressive professional.”
The thinking, among those of us “scientists” in the sportswriter craft, is that Miller would camp out on Okorafor’s side if the rookie is forced to play. But is Roethlisberger confident that Okorafor can hold his own against Miller at a frenzied Broncos Stadium?
“Listen,” Roethlisberger said. “Nobody can really block Von Miller, to tell you the truth. We’ll have to put a couple guys over there. We’re not going to be crazy and make just one guy do it. He and Chubb, I mean, they’re pretty special.”
Bradley Chubb is Miller’s bookend. The 6-4, 275-pound rookie was the fifth overall pick of this year’s draft, and already has nine sacks — seven in the last five games.
As for Okorafor, he’s played 66 scrimmage sacks, almost all as a third tight end in jumbo sets. It was the breaking-in position for previous Munch Millionaires-to-be Beachum, Villanueva and Hubbard.
Okorafor was the Steelers’ Round 3-B draft pick this year out of Western Michigan.
“I’ve been pleased with his growth,” said Tomlin. “It’s one of the reasons we take the thoughtful approach we do with young swing tackles and play them at tight end some. He gets to report as eligible and gets in-game experience. … It’s a way for a young developmental tackle to get in-game experience and play some, so if he’s called upon it won’t be the first time. So we’ll expect him to play varsity ball.”
But, Coach: Von Miller.
“Multiple people, multiple people,” Tomlin confirmed of the Steelers’ blocking plans. “He’s a unique animal.”
Is Okorafor ready?
“If I do my job like I’ve been doing, it should be a fun time,” Okorafor said. “My first game against the Browns, being in there against Myles (Garrett), it was like ‘Wow,’ and how much I like playing in games. But now it’s like, ‘OK,” and just keep moving on.”
NOTES — The Steelers placed Ola Adeniyi on the team’s Reserve Injured; Designated to Return List and he practiced yesterday for the first time since injuring his hamstring in preseason. It’s unlikely Adeniyi will be activated this week, since Anthony Chickillo (ankle) practiced Wednesday. The Steelers have three weeks to promote Adeniyi to the active roster or return him to IR. … Roethlisberger, Pouncey and Joe Haden were given a veteran’s Wednesday off; Stephon Tuitt (elbow), Gilbert and Feiler missed with their injuries.