The State of Steeler WRs after the first 4 games

[Steeler Nation]

By G.Stryker

After a lackluster month of productivity from the Steelers wide receivers, they are starting to show some promise moving into the second quarter of the season. Antonio Brown is all world. Despite being held back last week by the Ravens (4 receptions for 34 yards), Brown is still 2nd in the league for […]

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[Coryea]

I think Bryant needs to get in the game early, he needs to get a catch early to be in the game.
AB doesn't need that he's always in the game.
JuJu has taken alot of penalties as a wr, might be trying to hard, but love what I see in him.

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[Coach]

On JuJu Smith-Schuster, we have a legit #2 or #3WR.

You have to like his competitiveness, size, and hands, but the hidden value in his game is he tends to get a good amount of yards after the catch.

The Steelers now have

A very quick/hard to cover person in Brown, who has amazing hands and body control

A large physical receiver with good hands in Ju-Ju who can move the chains.

And a deadly deep threat and size mismatch type in Bryant.

 

[slashsteel]

I would like to see Juju and Bryant start to take it up one notch.

 

[Stryker]

I would like to see Juju and Bryant start to take it up one notch.

I'm expecting them to.

And Coach, JuJu does have the ability to be a #2 in this offense. Heck, he has better measurables than Hines, and Hines was a borderline HOFer.

 

[Skott]

Jujus penalties are very correctable ones. They are stupid ones too. But he's so anxious he's jumping early,

I think he's worked with Ward and is just so amped up he wants to make a play every down

 

[Drink IRON City]

I am also on the Eli sitting boat for Justine Hunter playing boat. Hunter has a hell of a combat catch effort second to none. JuJu is / has been a great draft pick to this point and I'm sure by season's end many will agree to that staement. AYERS who...... Other than a memory of underdog, I don't see any regrets of letting him go. Some say his punt return abilities but if that was the case I'm sure the coaches would have figured that out in training camp. AB & Bryant both have a following and discussed many a times here, I need not say more.



Salute the nation

 

[slashsteel]

I am also on the Eli sitting boat for Justine Hunter playing boat. Hunter has a hell of a combat catch effort second to none. JuJu is / has been a great draft pick to this point and I'm sure by season's end many will agree to that staement. AYERS who...... Other than a memory of underdog, I don't see any regrets of letting him go. Some say his punt return abilities but if that was the case I'm sure the coaches would have figured that out in training camp. AB & Bryant both have a following and discussed many a times here, I need not say more.



Salute the nation

Now they need to replace AB as a punt returner somehow.

 

[Stryker]

Now they need to replace AB as a punt returner somehow.

Slash, I've never had an issue with a star player being a punt returner. Most of the times they are making fair catches and can't be touched. On returnable balls, they have enough space that they are being taken down by glancing blows, as opposed to a forward facing tackle. I really don't see the risk with AB doing it, especially since he's been doing it for years. He has the experience, and knows what to expect, and manages his risk on returns. He also has the best hands on the team. I want to retain possession on punts, not let some scrub team hang in the game, because our new PR muffs a punt.

Now Kick return, is more of a bone-crunching position for returners. These players are coming down the field on the only play where everyone is moving toward the line of scrimmage before the ball is put into play. There is a lot more momentum for the coverage team, to hit hard down field. You can have 5-6 guys hitting the returner on a KR, whereas a PR you only have 2 gunners getting there first.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Now they need to replace AB as a punt returner somehow.

slashsteel, I fully agree with you on this. Weather injury or talent kept AYERS off that duty is yet to be known. Who do we have that actually can do that. Eli had that duty as he was an active WR who was on the field. He proved not so good. Had AYERS mouth not gotten the attention that it did he would be on the PS and just maybe active. I don't know the history of the other players who could return punt......



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[Drink IRON City]

Slash, I've never had an issue with a star player being a punt returner. Most of the times they are making fair catches and can't be touched. On returnable balls, they have enough space that they are being taken down by glancing blows, as opposed to a forward facing tackle. I really don't see the risk with AB doing it, especially since he's been doing it for years. He has the experience, and knows what to expect, and manages his risk on returns. He also has the best hands on the team. I want to retain possession on punts, not let some scrub team hang in the game, because our new PR muffs a punt.

Now Kick return, is more of a bone-crunching position for returners. These players are coming down the field on the only play where everyone is moving toward the line of scrimmage before the ball is put into play. There is a lot more momentum for the coverage team, to hit hard down field. You can have 5-6 guys hitting the returner on a KR, whereas a PR you only have 2 gunners getting there first.

VERY good points Cope and I suppose some of my concern is "old habit". I always hear of the injury on PR duties and then what????? Well you have a very good point and that PR guy has as near or better chance of injury durring the play of the game. Look how AB got KNOCKED out by BIRTHDEFECT as an example. How many times has AB been knocked out or injured returning punts. Thanks for a different point of view in this regards.

As for the KR you are absolutely right and that force is some of what the NFL was trying to get out of the game by moving the kick up. That was a very exciting play of the game (kick offs) until they ball was moved forward as EVERYONE wanted the big hit. I understand why Tomlin uses who he uses. But with this new rule our guys need their head examined on some of the times they chose to return it. Starting at the 25 is better than the 24 7/8 if you get my drift as most time they don't even get to the twenty, then add the penalties............. DRIFT




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[slashsteel]

Yes but let that rare injury happen returning the ball and the Nation would have a meltdown. For my personal preference I would rather not even take the slightest of risk getting our main WR injured doing something besides playing WR>

 

[Drink IRON City]

Yes but let that rare injury happen returning the ball and the Nation would have a meltdown. For my personal preference I would rather not even take the slightest of risk getting our main WR injured doing something besides playing WR>

I hear what you are saying and as to both sides of the arguement. My self I had hoped there was/is someone who could take over that duty. I wanted AYERS to step up so bad but that ship has sailed. WHO could this player be, who do we have on our roster???



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[slashsteel]

I hear what you are saying and as to both sides of the arguement. My self I had hoped there was/is someone who could take over that duty. I wanted AYERS to step up so bad but that ship has sailed. WHO could this player be, who do we have on our roster???



Salute the nation

wondering why Juju cant do both positions?

 

[Drink IRON City]

wondering why Juju cant do both positions?

Has he returned punts before anywhere??? Do you I think they have tried him in practice???





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[slashsteel]

Has he returned punts before anywhere??? Do you I think they have tried him in practice???





Salute the nation

not sure, they do seem to like players with a history of doing it. But he has good hands and he is close area shifty. Haven't heard of him having a history there...

 

[Drink IRON City]

not sure, they do seem to like players with a history of doing it. But he has good hands and he is close area shifty. Haven't heard of him having a history there...

I'd like to see him try it. I wonder if our CMVT would think of this idea or will he read it here 1st?? I've always felt AB shouldn't be PR duty these last few years but a costly turn over would suck to. Dangled if you and danger if you don't...........




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