Van Miller is optimistic about the Buffalo Bills

Submitted by Syndicated sources on June 18, 2012 - 7:35am

Former Buffalo Bills announcer Van Miller recently gave his take on his beloved football team.

Miller, who broadcast games for the Buffalo Bills for decades, was recently in his hometown of Dunkirk, N.Y. for the Fourth Annual Van Miller Hometown Hero Scholarship Golf Tournament.

Miller was very enthusiastic about the team’s first round draft pick, Stephon Gilmore.

"I think they have the best cornerback in the draft," Miller told the Dunkirk OBSERVER. "And I think he'll be an instant starter and an effective player."

The former announcer said he thought quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was a capable player, but could be better.

“I think Fitzpatrick, personally, I am not totally convinced yet that he's a franchise quarterback, but he is headed in that direction,” Miller said, “and I think this year you're going to see an improvement. He has better players around him and that's what wins games.”

Miller said he was impressed with how the team improved on both offense and defense.

“First of all, I think they could be as good as any other team in the league defensively,” he said. “I think they're going to be an outstanding defensive team. Offensively, if the left tackle can play and protect the blind-side of the quarterback, and the offense gets going they have two excellent running backs now, they have one outstanding wide receiver (and) they've got to develop another.”

Overall, Miller said he was excited to see the team play this season.