You can be sure Eli Manning and the Giants will have a plan in place to deal with — or at least attempt to deal with — menacing linebacker Von Miller when they take on the Broncos in the second game of the season, Sept. 15 at MetLife Stadium. Unless, of course, Miller isn’t on the field.
Reports yesterday circulated that Miller is facing a four-game suspension for an unspecified violation of league rules. Miller has appealed the ban and wrote on Twitter, “I know I did nothing wrong. I’m sure this’ll be resolved fairly.’’
George Atallah, the spokesman for the NFL Players Association, wrote on Twitter, “We are all very disappointed that confidentiality was breached’’ and added Miller’s case does not involve steroids or related banned substances.
Losing Miller, 24, would be a huge blow to the Broncos and a huge break for the Giants, Manning and his offensive line in a game that will be billed Manning Bowl III as Eli and older brother Peyton go against each other for the third time as NFL quarterbacks. Miller has 30 sacks in his two NFL seasons, including 18.5 in 2012, and he is an unquestioned difference-maker whenever he is on the field.
It has been a rough offseason for the Broncos, who have already suspended two of their top front-office executives, Matt Russell and Tom Heckert, for DUI arrests. No player other than Peyton Manning is more critical to Denver’s plans than Miller. The Broncos’ pass-rush was already thinned out by the loss of Elvis Dumervil, who is now with the Ravens.
The Broncos face the Ravens, Giants, Raiders and Eagles in their first four games.