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University of Maine wide receiver Andre Miller went undrafted back in April, but it didn’t take long before he signed on with the New York Giants.
But that was only the beginning of the transition for Miller. Once he inked his Giants contract, he was promptly converted to tight end. And that’s where he took his snaps during OTAs and minicamp.
“It’s been a little different,” Miller told FOX 22. “Being a receiver your whole life, and then putting your hand in the dirt and doing different things, but we have a really versatile offense.”
More than the physical game, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Miller said the mental side of things proved to be the larger challenge.
“Having more football knowledge and learning — as a receiver you don’t have to worry about as much,” Miller said. “But now, you have to really know all the x’s and o’s, and where everyone else is going. That sort of thing was new to me, and it still is new, so I’m still trying to improve and get better at it.
“I just keep fine tuning all the details that we went over during OTA’s. Still trying to learn new things and keep improving my stuff so when we come back, it’s full-go during training camp.”
Despite some of the struggles that come along with being a rookie and changing positions, Miller said the entire experience was “surreal.” Stepping onto the field and lining up alongside some of the guys he plays in Madden was a wild dose of reality.
“It was crazy, it was surreal walking out into the facility and being a part of something so special with all the other guys,” Miller said. “Seeing guys that I watched play for years now, like Saquon [Barkley] and Daniel Jones. It didn’t seem real at first.
“I play Madden, and playing with them in Madden and then being around them in person is just crazy to me.”
Miller will enter training camp vying for a spot on the Giants’ 53-man roster. But in order to earn said spot, he’ll have to beat out several other tight ends and prove his worth on special teams.
Luckily for Miller, the Giants are thin at tight end and place a premium on special teams play, so the opportunity is very much there.
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