Casey Hampton thinks Heath Miller should get bigger role in Steelers offense

Pittsburgh Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton added to the debate about Todd Haley's playcalling Thursday, echoing Ben Roethlisberger's criticism that tight end Heath Miller wasn't receiving the ball enough.

Hampton obviously isn't in the offensive room, but from the defensive lineman's perspective, the veteran tight end could use a few more touches.

"They don‘t go to Heath enough, for me," Hampton said Thursday. "Heath is a mismatch for everybody. I feel every time you throw it to Heath, he is going to make a play. He is not in New England, and they don‘t throw him the ball a hundred times a year. It is just not built into this offense for him to do that."

After Sunday's overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Roethlisberger had responded to a question about why he hadn't passed to Miller late by criticizing Haley's gameplan, saying that he felt the right plays weren't being called to utilize the skill set of one of his favorite targets.

It's not like the team hasn't been looking Miller's way: he leads the team in receptions with 68, is tied for the lead in touchdowns, and is second in receiving yardage. Among tight ends in the league, the 6'5 Miller is second in touchdowns with eight, fourth in yardage and fifth in receptions.