Jim Miller joined the Chicago Bears as a nondescript
journeyman on December 2, 1998. During 1999's training camp, a beat reporter
described Miller as "just an arm", and predicted the QB would be the first
signalcaller waived. Much to the reporter's surprise, Miller hung on in Chicago
for four full seasons, assisted the Bears in making their first playoff
appearance in eight years, and pulled down a big contract. Often a fan
favorite, sometimes the subject of boos, Miller's tenure ended on February 26,
2003. Miller was an enigma in Chicago-was he that talented or just the product
of a system?
Miller was drafted in the sixth round of the 1994 draft by
the Pittsburgh Steelers after finishing at Michigan State as the school's
third-best QB all-time. He didn't play in a game in 1994, and relieved former
Bear Mike Tomczak in two September games in 1995. After training camp in 1996,
he was annoited the Steeler's starting QB, a title which lasted all of one
half. Miller was benched at halftime in the 1996 season opener for Tomczak
after completing 9 of 16 passes for 83 yards. He would not regain the starting
job and was cut by Pittsburgh prior to the season. Miller said he never found
out why he fell out of favor with coach Bill Cowher.
In 1997, he spent time with Jacksonville and Atlanta, but
never threw a pass. 1998 found him as a backup with Detroit, who eventually cut
him, and he was finally signed by the Bears to finish the season as a backup
after injuries to Erik Kramer and Moses Moreno.
Miller entered camp as a longshot to make the Bears roster.
Battling with him for QB spots that summer were first-round pick Cade McNown,
along with Shane Matthews, former Saint Doug Nussmeier and Moreno. Two of these
players would be cut, and the media figured it would be the erratic Miller.
After several solid preseason performances, Miller made the
'99 roster as the third-stringer behind Matthews and McNown. The money had been
on Moreno, who displayed far better mobility than Miller, but the latter's
performance won the spot.
Number 15's first action in 1999 came at Tampa. Shane
Matthews had performed well in Gary Crowton's "Razzle-Dazzle" offense, but was
injured at Minnesota and was inactive for the Tampa game. The Bears could only
muster 3 points behind Cade McNown in his second start, and Miller was inserted
in the second half. He looked to be driving the team for a score, but threw an
interception to Derrick Brooks with under 2 minutes to go, ending the possible
heroics. Two weeks later at Green Bay McNown injured his knee, and Miller again
came on in relief. This time Miller performed admirably, throwing a TD pass to
Bobby Engram, and Chicago won 14-13. Still, the best was yet to come.
At home against Minnesota the following week, Chicago opened
it up, and Miller threw for 422 yards, most by a Bear since 1962. At San Diego
the next week he threw for 357, then 204 at Detroit. Rookie coach Dick Jauron
announced the starting QB job was Miller's to lose, just before Miller was
handed a four-game suspension for using a banned over-the-counter fitness
product. Miller chose to take the suspension in 1999, and would come back to
try to win the job in 2000. But first, he entertained an offer from the Miami
Dolphins as a free agent to follow legend Dan Marino. Miami quickly rebuffed
and chose Jay Fiedler over him, and Miller resigned a two-year incentive-laden
contract.
2000 started out ominously for Miller, as he was hit and
injured in his first play from scrimmage in the opening preseason game at New
York's Meadowlands. This sidelined the veteran signalcaller, allowing Cade
McNown to win the starting job. Miller healed by the third game of the season,
and McNown's poor performances led the home crowd to chant "Miller!" for the
backup during almost every timeout. He finally got his chance against
Philadelphia when McNown was injured and the 1-6 Bears trailed. He was unable
to bring the team back in this game, but saved his best effort for the
following week against the high-powered Indianapolis Colts.
In his only start of the 2000 season, Jim Miller transformed
a ragged Bears team, who upset the heavily-favored Colts 27-24. Fans raved as
it looked like the season would be turned around, but Miller tore his Achilles
Tendon at Buffalo the following week, and was out for 2000.
Another ding (hamstring) on the first day of camp 2001 again
prevented Miller from competing for the starting job, which Shane Matthews won.
Matthews and John Shoop's offense faltered in the first game-and-a-half, and a
knee injury to Matthews opened the door for Miller's return in the second half
of the season's second game against Minnesota. Miller again worked the magic
fans had come to expect, and Chicago came back to beat the Vikings on two
Miller TD passes. He managed John Shoop's conservative offense well for the
remainder of the season, leading the Bears to a 13-3 record and a home playoff
game. In that playoff game, Miller was again injured, this time seperating his
shoulder, and the 2001 season promptly ended.
"A healthy Jim Miller can lead the Bears to a Super Bowl"
declared Bears GM Jerry Angelo during the 2001/2002 offseason. Angelo then
awarded Miller a five-year $20 million contract, again loaded with incentives
for playing time and statistics. Angelo signed equally-brittle Chris Chandler
to back up Miller, and the stage was set for a comedic revolving door at the
position during the 2002 season. Miller started the first five weeks of the
season, after which it was announced he was suffering from elbow tendinitis and
would need to be rested. Chandler started the next two games, then was knocked
silly November 3rd against Philadelphia. Undaunted, the gritty Miller started
and finished the next four games, until he his season ended at Miami with a
knee injury. During these six games, Miller often missed throws badly due to
his elbow and shoulder problems, but a gimpy Miller was the best QB the team
could field.
As recently as early February 2002, it was stated publicly
that Miller fit into the Bears' QB plans for 2003. That illusion ended with his
surprise release on February 26. The gutsy QB was declared "snakebitten" by
Angelo, who stated that the team didn't want to wait until training camp to
learn of his availability for the season. Thus ended the enigmatic career of
the fan favorite and leader in Chicago.
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