Pritchard: Von Miller greatest all-time if Broncos staff taps potential
Jan 25, 2019, 12:43 PM | Updated: Jan 27, 2019, 11:25 pm
Denver Broncos pass rusher Von Miller has been selected to seven Pro Bowls in his eight-year career. He’s been a first-team All-Pro three times and a second-team All-Pro four times. He was the 2011 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Super Bowl 50 MVP, and is the organization’s all-time sacks leader (98).
So, if new Broncos head coach Vic Fangio and new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell say they can get more out of Miller, what does that look like?
“Awesomeness. Maybe a Super Bowl championship. I mean, that guy can change the game. He’s a transcendent player,” said “Pritchard and Cecil” co-host Mike Pritchard on Friday.
“He is a guy that will go down in history as one of the best football players to ever play this game. If he gets to his fullest potential, say he does get better from, Von Miller does get better from here, he turns into the greatest of all time. No more Lawrence Taylor. No more all that stuff. It’s Von Miller.”
The comments come after Donatell, in his introductory press conference with the Broncos on Thursday, said Miller “absolutely” can be a more effective player.
“Everyone can improve, and that our motto — no matter what level you’re at,” Donatell said.
Just two weeks earlier, in Fangio’s introductory press conference, the new head coach said, “I think Von Miller can play even better than he’s played in his career.”
“Just think if he gets better from here. We’re talking about the greatest of all time,” Pritchard said. “And the fact that guy has the potential to reach that, I want to see it happen. I want to see how great Von Miller can get.”
Among his many accomplishments in the NFL, Miller became the fifth-fast player to 100 total sacks (including postseason) in league history in 2018. He ranks third behind only Reggie White (.84) and J.J. Watt (.89) in terms of sacks per game (.82), and he has the most sacks since he entered the league in 2011 (98).
Miller, however, still has his work cut out for himself should he want to eclipse Bruce Smith as the all-time sacks leader at 200.0. Currently, Miller is tied for 33rd all-time with Joey Porter and Cameron Wake.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
