On the Steelers: Little-known Eli Rogers gives Steelers different look at the slot-receiver position
August 5, 2016 12:00 AM
By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
One year ago today, the Steelers waived an injured, little-known, undrafted rookie wide receiver, and few paid attention.
One year later, all kinds of people take notice of Eli Rogers, including his offensive coordinator and starting quarterback.
“We’ll see when we get to the games,” Todd Haley said, “but everything we’ve seen to this point, we haven’t had a slot guy like him since I’ve been here. It hasn’t been close.”
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Ben Roethlisberger expressed similar sentiments.
Haley even compared Rogers to Wayne Chrebet, who caught 580 passes and 41 touchdowns over 11 seasons playing in the slot for the New York Jets. Chrebet also went undrafted from Hofstra and was the same size as Rogers, 5 feet 10, 187 pounds.
“Wayne Chrebet was probably more like this guy — quick, he’ll separate, catch the ball, make you miss,” Haley said.
Rogers not only has made a fast impression, but he had the advantage of developing as a slot receiver in college at Louisville. Haley was looking at another Cardinals player in 2015 when he noticed Rogers and how perfect he was for the slot, a “prototype,” he called him.
Most top receivers who enter the NFL played on the outside in college. They must worry about just beating the man covering them, even if it’s a double-team. The slot or inside receivers have to be aware of everything because they get it from the right, the left, down the middle and must adjust to it all.
“He’s unique,” Haley said. “Most of the college guys we get are outside receivers in college, and then you’re trying to convert them. Well, he played inside a bunch, so he’s got a very good feel already. He’s ahead of the game and he’s lightning quick.”
Haley has used Rogers in the slot often in practices with the first team when they use three wide receivers. If he continues to develop as they believe he can, it would allow Markus Wheaton, the Steelers’ slot man last season, to play more on the outside where he is better suited.
“I told Markus in the offseason I didn’t want to pigeon-hole him because he might be our second-best outside guy,” Haley said. “We know what he does inside, it’s very good and we can win with him but we may need him outside.”
Full story
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...e-slot-receiver-position/stories/201608050096
August 5, 2016 12:00 AM
By Ed Bouchette / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
One year ago today, the Steelers waived an injured, little-known, undrafted rookie wide receiver, and few paid attention.
One year later, all kinds of people take notice of Eli Rogers, including his offensive coordinator and starting quarterback.
“We’ll see when we get to the games,” Todd Haley said, “but everything we’ve seen to this point, we haven’t had a slot guy like him since I’ve been here. It hasn’t been close.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Ben Roethlisberger expressed similar sentiments.
Haley even compared Rogers to Wayne Chrebet, who caught 580 passes and 41 touchdowns over 11 seasons playing in the slot for the New York Jets. Chrebet also went undrafted from Hofstra and was the same size as Rogers, 5 feet 10, 187 pounds.
“Wayne Chrebet was probably more like this guy — quick, he’ll separate, catch the ball, make you miss,” Haley said.
Rogers not only has made a fast impression, but he had the advantage of developing as a slot receiver in college at Louisville. Haley was looking at another Cardinals player in 2015 when he noticed Rogers and how perfect he was for the slot, a “prototype,” he called him.
Most top receivers who enter the NFL played on the outside in college. They must worry about just beating the man covering them, even if it’s a double-team. The slot or inside receivers have to be aware of everything because they get it from the right, the left, down the middle and must adjust to it all.
“He’s unique,” Haley said. “Most of the college guys we get are outside receivers in college, and then you’re trying to convert them. Well, he played inside a bunch, so he’s got a very good feel already. He’s ahead of the game and he’s lightning quick.”
Haley has used Rogers in the slot often in practices with the first team when they use three wide receivers. If he continues to develop as they believe he can, it would allow Markus Wheaton, the Steelers’ slot man last season, to play more on the outside where he is better suited.
“I told Markus in the offseason I didn’t want to pigeon-hole him because he might be our second-best outside guy,” Haley said. “We know what he does inside, it’s very good and we can win with him but we may need him outside.”
Full story
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...e-slot-receiver-position/stories/201608050096
