Is James Washington a deep threat or not?

[Coach]

After trading Bryant, we needed a speed receiver. Washington's numbers coming into the draft where ( 4.54 in the 40 ) at 5'11" tall. Deep threats are often fast and tall. Washington was neither.

On film Washington was able to beat those awful Big 12 defensive backs, with some excellent throws by Rudolph, and shine in camp vs. some of our DB's, but early in his NFL career, I don't see him separating well enough to be a deep threat.** While rookies have a to learn, running a fast go route trying to get separation from a DB is either something you can or can't do. We have that answer. He's not Wallace or Bryant.

Washington was thought of as a great jump ball type on 50/50 passes. I'd take that as a one trick pony, but we haven't seen that in NFL games either.

 

[steelhurt]

So let’s just cut his *** after what, 5 games. Come on Coach give the kid the opportunity to acclimate himself more to the NFL than just 5 games. I didn’t expect too much this early with targets like AB, JuJu and the TE’s and Connor. Give him some time.


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[slashsteel]

Really too early to tell. I don't want to label him yet. Preseason showed glimpses of yes. But so far him and Ben aren't on the same page. So he isn't getting as much looks. I think he was targeted a few times Sunday.

I know he is a hard worker so really for me a still wait and see.

If I had to bet I think he can develop into a quality WR. Just not sure that will entail him being a deep threat.

But we'll see. Still very very early.

 

[Coach]

So let’s just cut his *** after what, 5 games. Come on Coach give the kid the opportunity to acclimate himself more to the NFL than just 5 games. I didn’t expect too much this early with targets like AB, JuJu and the TE’s and Connor. Give him some time.


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Hold on I never suggested we cut him. I'm just asking is he a deep threat or not. While I agree he has a lot to learn, I just don't see the speed needed to be a deep threat.

 

[nitsuj1225]

I think yesterday proved AB is our deep threat when him and Ben are in sync. Would be nice to have a speed guy opposite AB to draw a safety but it is what it is.

 

[steelhurt]

Coach I suppose you were just insinuating that we really never replaced the speed and deep threat of Bryant with Washington. There’s more to a deep threat that sheer speed. Washington was always able to separate himself from defenders for the deep ball at Okie State and that’s one of the things the Steelers liked about him. Also liked his ability to catch in traffic. I still think he can be be that deep threat but needs time and trust with Ben.


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[bkwheat28]

I thought title said is he deep throat......

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

I thought title said is he deep throat......

He IS deep throat.

 

[F83]

right now ben is forcing to get AB going , I would like to some plays the close corner route John Brown burned us Washington run, over the middle vs. Tampa and KC he made several nice catches. Ben inside the 5 has to think I have a 6"5 and 6"7 TE I should find a way to throw fade or get one to get the back of the end zone on a curl. Can try the bubble screen to Washington or reverses.

 

[Coach]

Coach I suppose you were just insinuating that we really never replaced the speed and deep threat of Bryant with Washington. There’s more to a deep threat that sheer speed. Washington was always able to separate himself from defenders for the deep ball at Okie State and that’s one of the things the Steelers liked about him. Also liked his ability to catch in traffic. I still think he can be be that deep threat but needs time and trust with Ben.


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Right, we never replaced Bryant with a new deep threat.

Washington beat weak Big 12 DB's in college and often had a great pass from Rudolph. I have not see good separation from NFL DB's, have you? I do think he flashed enough talent to be a good jump ball 50/50 specialists. However he's going to need Ben's trust for these type of passes.

 

[SteelerSask2]

It is tough. He doesn't really get much opportunity. Like one a game and Ben hasn't been dialed in on the deep ball. My guess is he got a shitload of chances in college and you can kind of set up a guy throughout a game. With few chances pretty tough to do that here. Keep developing the route tree and get better. I'd like to see them get the ball to the kid in space with short stuff and see if he can break tackles. He has a good frame for it.
Oh and Coach, which Bryant are we replacing. Three years ago, suspended or useless from last year.

 

[Hines57]

Not enough tape to say what he is or isn't. He's shown very brief flashes.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

It is tough. He doesn't really get much opportunity. Like one a game and Ben hasn't been dialed in on the deep ball. My guess is he got a shitload of chances in college and you can kind of set up a guy throughout a game. With few chances pretty tough to do that here. Keep developing the route tree and get better. I'd like to see them get the ball to the kid in space with short stuff and see if he can break tackles. He has a good frame for it.
Oh and Coach, which Bryant are we replacing. Three years ago, suspended or useless from last year.

This. It's hard to say if he's a credible deep threat because he doesn't seem to get many chances.

Not enough tape to say what he is or isn't. He's shown very brief flashes.

And hence why this is a Coach thread.

 

[SteelerSask2]

This. It's hard to say if he's a credible deep threat because he doesn't seem to get many chances.



And hence why this is a Coach thread.

A lot of this is right place and right time, but also making good on the slim opportunities. JuJu made some big plays in an initial parts and it feeds off it and all of a sudden there are more opportunities. Boom he is a big time player. Now Washington has to do his part, but some of it is timing. He could have been open big time on some of these and Ben just doesn't see him. Keep working and evolving and hopefully the role and the success expands. I'd say of the Steelers problems this is like 47 in terms of importance.

 

[slashsteel]

A lot of this is right place and right time, but also making good on the slim opportunities. JuJu made some big plays in an initial parts and it feeds off it and all of a sudden there are more opportunities. Boom he is a big time player. Now Washington has to do his part, but some of it is timing. He could have been open big time on some of these and Ben just doesn't see him. Keep working and evolving and hopefully the role and the success expands. I'd say of the Steelers problems this is like 47 in terms of importance.

And some of it is simply Big Ben zeroing on AB. If you see how many times AB was targeted in comparison to everyone else. I could see a raw rookie easily getting lost in the shuffle.

 

[TDX27]

When he's in the game and Ben actually throws him the ball, most of the time, the ball is nowhere near him to even attempt to make a catch and it doesn't look like he is running the wrong routes.

 

[SteelerSask2]

And some of it is simply Big Ben zeroing on AB. If you see how many times AB was targeted in comparison to everyone else. I could see a raw rookie easily getting lost in the shuffle.

Agreed 100%. But they have to get AB going to get the offense moving. I don't believe in curses per se, but it is getting a little hard to deny the Madden Curse. Most of the **** they are missing, I would have thought they could do with their eyes closed at this point.