Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Von Miller didn't put much 'off' in this offseason

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller is noticeably lighter these days -- he said he checked into the team’s first offseason workouts this week at 242 pounds.

That’s notable because it's four pounds lighter than he was at the 2011 scouting combine, just before the Broncos made him the second pick of the draft.

"I just want to stay on top of it, and hopefully I can carry that over to the season," Miller said. "I don’t even want to say "hopefully.' I know that I’m going to carry it over to the season. I’m going to be a whole lot better with nutrition and conditioning than I was in the past. I was at a great place last year, and I’m going to be in an even better place this year."

In terms of his nutrition, his approach and his health, Miller said this already feels like his "most complete" offseason of his career. Certainly better than a year ago when he was still recovering from January surgery to repair his ACL. The injury ended a tumultuous season that also included a six-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Because of that, he opened the 2013 season with questions about his maturity.

Miller suffered the injury in a Week 16 game in 2013 in Houston, and last offseason he and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. spent most every day with the team’s strength and conditioning staff to get back on the field.

He and Harris were named to the Pro Bowl after the 2014 season, but Miller said he dove into this offseason with a different mindset. Miller, who is in the final year of his original five-year contract with the team, said he didn’t take "any days off" after the Super Bowl was played.

"I think I’ll be in better shape than I was last year," he said. "I was in pretty good shape last year, but I want to go to another level. It’s always about how far you can push yourself and how much you can better yourself. I definitely feel like I’m in better shape coming into OTAs, and I feel like I’ll be in better shape going into training camp."

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