ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Von Miller was an absolute non-factor last season for the Buffalo Bills.
It was expected he would be lesser than his usual self coming off a torn ACL at age 34, but things got so bad he was inactive for a game late in the year.
In the end, Miller finishing with no sacks in 12 games. That donut was the first in his historically prolific pass-rushing career.
So as we turn to training camp, the question is: what exactly can Miller be?
It takes most players nearly two full years removed from a torn ACL to return to form, so maybe simply time will be what's needed to produce again.
The always optimist said this spring he still believes he can be an impact player at this point in his career. Health wise, Miller is feeling good with the knee, no longer wearing a brace.
St. John Fisher will be the setting where we start to see if actions match Miller's words.
Does he have burst? Can he bend off the edge like he used to? Is he pressuring the quarterback and noticeable at all?
Miller took a pay cut earlier this year, sliding money more into performance-based incentives. He's betting on himself.
Pittsford is the place where we begin to see if we should expect the money to go where Von Miller's mouth believes he still can.