Miller, acquired in a November trade with the Denver Broncos, had five sacks in eight regular-season games and had sacks in playoff wins over the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Buccaneers. In the NFC championship game win over the San Francisco 49ers, he tackled for a loss and had a hit with the quarterback.
Most of the players on the LA Rams roster will be looking for their first NFL championship game title when they play the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl 56.
But two already have Super Bowl championship rings.
Outside linebacker Von Miller was the MVP of Super Bowl 50 after leading the Denver Broncos to victory over the Carolina Panthers at the end of the 2015 season. Three years later, then-rookie running back Sony Michel produced a breakout performance for the Denver Broncos. New England Patriots in victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl 53.
But Miller, 32, experienced long droughts without making the playoffs before being traded to the LA Rams in November.
Now, Miller said he and Michel are letting their teammates know to seize the opportunity on Feb. 13 when they play the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium.
“These opportunities don’t come around often, I’m here to tell you that,” Miller said. “That has been my message to everyone. … ‘We’re here, man.’ And that has been my recommendation to everyone, and that is what Sony and I are talking about: Be here and take advantage of it”.
Both Miller and Michel had prominent roles in helping the LA Rams win the NFC West and finish with a 12-5 record.
Michel, acquired in an August trade with the New England Patriots, backed up Darrell Henderson for most of the season before coach Sean McVay moved to a more physical attack. Michel, who is 6-foot-6 and 185 pounds, averaged nearly 100 rushing yards during a five-game winning streak.
In playoff victories over the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers, McVay opted to give most of the carries to Cam Akers, who had returned from an Achilles tendon injury near the end of the game. of the regular season.
But Michel’s Super Bowl experience — he rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown in the New England Patriots’ 13-3 win over the LA Rams — could come into play against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Aaron Donald (99) and Von Miller celebrate after Miller’s strip sack of Tampa Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. The Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line will be tested against the LA Rams’ pass rush. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
As the LA Rams prepare for the Cincinnati Bengals, Miller’s experience as Super Bowl MVP “is absolutely important,” McVay said.
“We talk about competitive greatness all the time, about being at your best when it takes your best,” McVay said. “He proved that throughout the playoffs. … His record speaks for itself, but his job, his resume, the way he carries himself commands respect.
“You can’t help but love the guy, and he’s been exceptional, and we wouldn’t be here without him.”
Miller said his Super Bowl dreams began in 2005 when he ordered pizza and a 2-liter bottle of soda and watched the New England Patriots defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 39.
“I remember saying to myself, ‘I hope I can play in one of those games,'” he said.
Eastern Washington wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) celebrates with fans after winning an NCAA college football game in 2016.
In 2011, the Denver Broncos selected Miller with the second pick in the NFL draft. In 2014, a knee injury prevented him from playing in his team’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Two years later, Miller was part of a Denver Broncos lineup that included quarterback Peyton Manning, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, and cornerback Aqib Talib, among others.
In the Super Bowl, Miller had 2½ sacks and forced two fumbles leading to touchdowns in a win over quarterback Cam Newton and the Panthers. He said it was the only game in his career where he wasn’t nervous.
To “pay it forward,” Miller mentioned that he was sharing with the LA Rams players the advice he received from his Denver Broncos teammates and coaches not to shy away from the moment.
Winning a Super Bowl is “life changing,” Miller said. But he doesn’t want the 50th edition to be the highlight of his career.
“I hope that Super Bowl 56 is the highlight of my career,” he said, adding, “I hope that the Von that is on Sunday [del Super Bowl] be the best Von I’ve ever presented in my entire career.”
“It’s the biggest game of my life, and I want to go out there and play that way.”
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