Bruce Arians couldn’t ‘be more proud’ of rookie Harlan Miller in NFL debut out of position
Dec 25, 2016, 9:35 AM | Updated: Dec 26, 2016, 3:47 pm
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Harlan Miller (34) during a preseason NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals rookie cornerback Harlan Miller had a lot to prepare for already on Saturday.
The sixth-round selection out of Southeastern Louisiana was making his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks after being on the practice squad.
Arizona wanted a look at their rookie but they got more than they could have ever expected out of Miller in the Cardinals’ 34-31 win over the Seahawks Saturday.
Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson sprained his MCL early in the game, so with Jefferson out, free safety D.J. Swearinger shifted to strong safety and Miller, with no experience at safety according to head coach Bruce Arians, started nearly the entire game at free safety.
Arians was thrilled with how his young defensive back played in a difficult position.
“You can’t be more proud of a guy,” Arians said after the game. “It’s his first ball game, he just got active and to play safety. I’m really proud of him and he studied his playbook well enough in the secondary meetings that he could play a position he hasn’t played.”
Arians credited some of the win to young players such as Miller, Rodney Gunter and Evan Boehm stepping up for the team.
“So many young players,” Arians added. “Second play of the game, (Miller is) out there playing safety. Thank God he studied his playbook because he’s a corner.”
