JACKSONVILLE – Roy Miller feels good about a few things these days.
One is that he's healthy entering the offseason, something that hasn't always been the case in his time with the Jaguars. But just as importantly is the direction of the defense.
Miller, the Jaguars' veteran starting nose tackle, likes the idea of Todd Wash as defensive coordinator. Having played under Wash the past three seasons when Wash was the Jaguars' defensive line coach – and having played for him two seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – he likes it a lot.
And he's absolutely sure Wash is right for the job.
"He cares about the game so much," Miller told John Oehser and J.P. Shadrick on Jaguars.com LIVE Wednesday afternoon. "Having a coach like that is so important, because players mirror their coaches. You mirror the detail and the emphasis they put in their coaching style.
"He holds us to a very high standard, and in turn, we accept that and take that as a challenge."
Miller played for Wash from 2009-2010 when Wash was the defensive line coach in Tampa Bay, and said the chance to play for Wash again was a huge reason he signed with Jacksonville as an unrestricted free agent in 2013.
"I was like, 'I've got to go over there and play with Wash,''' Miller said. "He's just a great coach. He's one of the best I've been around and I'm lucky to be here and playing under him."
Miller talked extensively Wednesday about Wash's ability to relate to players and coach them at the same time.
"I haven't been around too many coaches who can relate to players and who can hold them accountable in the same way," Miller said. "Most of the time you get a guy who's all the way to the left and he's super nice with everybody, and then you have the coach who's all the way to the right and he's strict. ….
"He [Wash] is always that coach who can find that fine line where he can be that tough coach and relate to the players. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the table."
Miller on Wednesday also discussed playing with Leo end Dante Fowler Jr., the No. 3 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Fowler missed his rookie season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but is expected to be fully healthy by next season.
"I think everybody in Duval can't wait to see him go out and make some plays," Miller said. "I'm no different. I'm looking forward to seeing him and teaching him what I know and showing him, 'This is how I'm going to set the edge,' or, 'I'm going to take this double team so you can play a little faster here or there.' Those kinds of things are invaluable in the offseason."
Also on Wednesday, CBSSports.com senior NFL writer Will Brinson joined Jaguars.com LIVE, calling Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles a "franchise quarterback" and speaking about the Jaguars' outlook for the 2016 season.
"I think there are going to be a lot of people who are making predictions [for the 2016 NFL season] who are going to be on the Jaguars' hype train," Brinson said.
