The Extra Point: The NFL Preseason is Really About Players like Miller Forristall
It wasn't just a touchdown anywhere.
It was a touchdown near his hometown of Cartersville, Georgia, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, where he had so much success with the Alabama football program.
Last Friday, former Crimson Tide tight end Miller Forristall caught a touchdown pass during his first NFL preseason game, a 12-yard reception in the fourth quarter to cap a 23-3 victory against the Falcons.
Most of the headlines coming into the game were about Julio Jones, who was traded from Atlanta to Tennessee during the offseason, or Falcons head coach Arthur Smith facing his former team, the Titans, with whom he had been the offensive coordinator.
That's all great and all, but Jones didn't play and Smith was probably too busy evaluating the players on his team and setting the tone of what he expects during his first game as a head coach.
In reality, the NFL preseason is really about guys like Forristall, who is doing everything he can to try and latch on and continue his football career.
Although Alabama had 10 players selected off the national championship team in the 2021 NFL Draft, Forristall wasn't among them.
That alone makes him a longshot to make an NFL roster.
He's someone you almost can't help root for. Forristall is coachable, can quickly learn a playbook, and play on a variety of special teams. He's also personable and a bit on the chatty side (which made him a breath of fresh air for Crimson Tide reporters).
However, the Titans already have established veterans on the roster with Geoff Swaim, Anthony Firkser and Luke Stocker, plus Deon Yelder just signed with the team.
If anything, Forristall knows that the coaching staff took a long look at him against the Falcons. He had the second most minutes played among the tight ends, and was second in team receptions with three.
One was the touchdown, which at minimum gave him a memorable moment, one that he'll certainly enjoy regardless if what happens.
“It felt like the ball was in the air for like 10 minutes,” Forristall told AllTitians.com. “But that was awesome. It was really cool, where I grew up to catch a touchdown, and celebrate with my teammates. It was a really cool experience. I will cherish that one for a while.”
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The Extra Point is a regular feature on BamaCentral, and often includes video and other elements from our FanNation partners. Other recent segments include:
Patrick Surtain II is off to a Sizzling Start with Broncos
Keeping Up With Alabama's Players in the NFL, Like Carson Tinker
Derrick Henry's Workload a Hot Topic with the Titans
How Close is Marlon Humphrey to Being the NFL's Best Cornerback?
You Know the Season is Near When Injured Players Starting Ramping it Up
Titans Not Concerned Julio Jones Won't Play in Preseason Opener
Why Tua Tagovailoa's Preseason Opener Was Better Than Most Realize
