it wouldn't be a playoff weekend with a Demarcus Ayers thread
http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/20...ure-in-the-steelers-offense-against-patriots/
Demarcus Ayers waited an agonizing 228 selections before he finally heard his name called in the 2016 draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ayers with the first of their two seventh-round draft picks. With all the talent at receiver on the Steelers roster, the former University of Houston star wasn’t expected to make the final cut.
The wide receiver spent the majority of his rookie season as a member of the Steelers’ practice squad. When the receiver corps was ravaged by injury and poor performance, Ayers was promoted to the active roster in December. Contending for snaps among the likes of Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates and Cobi Hamilton, Ayers had as good a chance as anyone to make an impact.
Making his pro debut on Christmas night against the Baltimore Ravens, Ayers caught one pass. He was more active in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, hauling in five receptions on 12 targets for 44 yards and his first touchdown.
The wide receiver has made small contributions in the Steelers’ two playoff wins. He has caught all three passes thrown his way for a total of 27 yards. Depending on how he’s used, Ayers could find himself playing a larger role on Sunday against the Patriots. The Steelers’ offense will need all hands on deck in order to achieve victory in Foxborough.
Ayers isn’t a receiver who can beat his defenders with his height by going up top, but is more like Antonio Brown in using his speed to gain the upper hand. He has a knack for extending himself and fighting for extra yardage, which is always something promising to see from a young athlete. He has a great football IQ and knows exactly when and where to be when catching a pass.
In the wild-card round, his first catch against the Miami Dolphins was on a crucial third down that allowed the Steelers to move the chains on their way to another score. Coming across the middle, he makes sure to secure the catch before taking off. Using his speed, he cuts between two defenders and is able to lunge to convert for a first down.
Ayers’ second catch in the wild-card round was followed up with a perfectly executed double move that baited the cornerback into giving the receiver enough time to make it across the first down marker. His ability to react quickly to his defenders shows he can adjust to situations on the fly to pick up all the yardage he can.
The rookie’s only catch in the divisional-round win against Kansas City came on a second-down screen pass. With blocking set up by Eli Rogers and Jesse James, Ayers trudged through traffic to put the Steelers offense in an easy situation to convert the first down. His efforts put the Steelers in position to kick their final field goal of the night to extend their lead to 18 points.
His size and speed are that of a typical slot receiver, but the Steelers are unafraid to position Ayers on the outside. Proving to be a tough pass catcher will take the young receiver far in his career, and it all starts in the conference championship game on Sunday. His future on the Steelers offense could be cemented with a strong performance for the remainder of the postseason.
Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers and Le’Veon Bell will garner the majority of attention from New England’s defenders, and that could give Ayers the chance to break open a big play. Their entire offense must be accounted for on Sunday against a relentless Patriots defense. Field goals alone will not send them to Houston.
With the receiving talent already on the roster, and the return of Martavis Bryant next season, the Steelers will have to make tough decisions on who they keep heading into the future. For Ayers to remain in Pittsburgh, he will need a stellar performance on Sunday — and beyond.
http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/20...ure-in-the-steelers-offense-against-patriots/
Demarcus Ayers waited an agonizing 228 selections before he finally heard his name called in the 2016 draft. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ayers with the first of their two seventh-round draft picks. With all the talent at receiver on the Steelers roster, the former University of Houston star wasn’t expected to make the final cut.
The wide receiver spent the majority of his rookie season as a member of the Steelers’ practice squad. When the receiver corps was ravaged by injury and poor performance, Ayers was promoted to the active roster in December. Contending for snaps among the likes of Darrius Heyward-Bey, Sammie Coates and Cobi Hamilton, Ayers had as good a chance as anyone to make an impact.
Making his pro debut on Christmas night against the Baltimore Ravens, Ayers caught one pass. He was more active in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, hauling in five receptions on 12 targets for 44 yards and his first touchdown.
The wide receiver has made small contributions in the Steelers’ two playoff wins. He has caught all three passes thrown his way for a total of 27 yards. Depending on how he’s used, Ayers could find himself playing a larger role on Sunday against the Patriots. The Steelers’ offense will need all hands on deck in order to achieve victory in Foxborough.
Ayers isn’t a receiver who can beat his defenders with his height by going up top, but is more like Antonio Brown in using his speed to gain the upper hand. He has a knack for extending himself and fighting for extra yardage, which is always something promising to see from a young athlete. He has a great football IQ and knows exactly when and where to be when catching a pass.
In the wild-card round, his first catch against the Miami Dolphins was on a crucial third down that allowed the Steelers to move the chains on their way to another score. Coming across the middle, he makes sure to secure the catch before taking off. Using his speed, he cuts between two defenders and is able to lunge to convert for a first down.
Ayers’ second catch in the wild-card round was followed up with a perfectly executed double move that baited the cornerback into giving the receiver enough time to make it across the first down marker. His ability to react quickly to his defenders shows he can adjust to situations on the fly to pick up all the yardage he can.
The rookie’s only catch in the divisional-round win against Kansas City came on a second-down screen pass. With blocking set up by Eli Rogers and Jesse James, Ayers trudged through traffic to put the Steelers offense in an easy situation to convert the first down. His efforts put the Steelers in position to kick their final field goal of the night to extend their lead to 18 points.
His size and speed are that of a typical slot receiver, but the Steelers are unafraid to position Ayers on the outside. Proving to be a tough pass catcher will take the young receiver far in his career, and it all starts in the conference championship game on Sunday. His future on the Steelers offense could be cemented with a strong performance for the remainder of the postseason.
Antonio Brown, Eli Rogers and Le’Veon Bell will garner the majority of attention from New England’s defenders, and that could give Ayers the chance to break open a big play. Their entire offense must be accounted for on Sunday against a relentless Patriots defense. Field goals alone will not send them to Houston.
With the receiving talent already on the roster, and the return of Martavis Bryant next season, the Steelers will have to make tough decisions on who they keep heading into the future. For Ayers to remain in Pittsburgh, he will need a stellar performance on Sunday — and beyond.
