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So would you activate Coates or Ayers/Hamilton?

CoolieMan

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http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/...e-Coates-in-the-playoffs/stories/201701020131

Should the Steelers bench Sammie Coates in the playoffs?
January 2, 2017 3:02 PM

By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers are as healthy as they have been at receiver in some time. Darrius Heyward-Bey played his second consecutive game after missing six with a foot injury and Sammie Coates appears to be healthy enough to play after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury.

The question now is whether the coaches will sit one of the younger receivers such as Demarcus Ayers or Cobi Hamilton to play Coates, who has just two catches in the past 11 games after injuring his fingers in the fourth game of the season against the Jets.

Coates dressed Sunday but did not play. He said his hamstring is “getting better day by day.” One of his injured fingers remains splinted and he suggested they won’t heal completely until the offseason.

“Healing will take a while because I’m still playing,” Coates said. “It’s about going out there and playing the best way I can.”

But the Steelers will consider dressing Coates because he is unlike any other receiver on the roster. He has the ability to stretch defenses and keep them honest with his size and speed.

If Coates does not dress it’s because the Steelers have developed confidence in other receivers. Ayers had six receptions and a touchdown against the Browns and Hamilton had four receptions, including the winning 26-yard touchdown reception in overtime.

“We have a great team,” Coates said. “We have great players in our wide receivers room. That’s one thing I love about being here is we have playmakers everywhere. If one guy can’t go, another guy steps up and does the job.”
 
No. Absolutely not. There has to be SOMEBODY who can fill Coates special teams spot. Ayers is a gamer and Hamilton fights for tough catches/yards, both too valuable to sit down at this point
 
Coates had turned into the best kick return option...is it worth having him active for that if he still can not catch the deep ball with his busted finger?
 
An unknown commodity against a known undependable one. Think I'd have to go with the unknown.
 
Hamstring injures can be funny. You can feel fine and then tweak it just stretching. If Coats isn't going full speed, all week, in practice then I would go with Ayers for sure. DHB and Ayers are capable of stretching the D and all Hamilton does is make plays. Maybe give Ayers a shot at returning kicks? Brown, DHB, Rogers, Hamilton, Ayers are the guys I think should dress from the WR position.
 
To answer the question more information would be needed regarding Coates's injured fingers. Have they healed up enough so that he can at least function with them as is? Not much info was given. Ayers has been solid but is more of a slot receiver and we have Rogers. Coates is a bigger deep threat who can stretch the field. You put Coates in if he's recovered enough and is now healthy enough to play.
 
sit Coates until he can actually play
 
No. Absolutely not. There has to be SOMEBODY who can fill Coates special teams spot. Ayers is a gamer and Hamilton fights for tough catches/yards, both too valuable to sit down at this point

Agreed

Eli can return kicks and Coates has a crippled hand, not even close
 
With Bey back Im leaning towards Ayers getting a hat. Bey can replace Coates deep speed.

That's what i'm thinking. DHB pretty much is Coates. Until Coates learns to run more routes and have better hands, DHB is the same thing.
 
To answer the question more information would be needed regarding Coates's injured fingers. Have they healed up enough so that he can at least function with them as is? Not much info was given. Ayers has been solid but is more of a slot receiver and we have Rogers. Coates is a bigger deep threat who can stretch the field. You put Coates in if he's recovered enough and is now healthy enough to play.

Ayers played 90% of the offensive snaps Sunday and I don't remember any where he was in the slot. He spent most of his time in AB's X spot. His time in the Baltimore game was mostly in Coates' spot with Rogers in his slot position. He is capable of playing in any of the receiver positions.

Another article I posted here says Coates doesn't think his fingers will be completely healed until the offseason when he can rest them and he might need to have them surgically repaired.
 
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For Coates finger. Cortisone that **** to kingdom come. Steelers need all on board for the playoffs
 
Would a shot of an antiinflamatory medicine help broken fingers?
 
I really, really wish Coates was right. If he was I think he could be Bryant pretty well. He is hurt and has done nothing for 10 weeks. Sorry. Ayers/ Hamilton.
 
Coates has looked hurt and played afraid to hurt his fingers more. We've won 7 in a row with zero production from him. Next man up....
 
I would even go as far as to being annoyed if Coates got the hat over one of the other.

Why?

because with three WRs and none of them have took command at that no.2, I would like all three who have contributed at some point and are healthy to be in there. As the game goes you stick with the one who shows more. Or simply rotate them, that seems to have worked with the rats.........
 
Coates sits. No question.

He's injured and lacks production. Ayres is my pick for 3rd best receiver currently. He's position flexible, no one other than AB is, and can play special teams.

With DHB back, Coates is now a special teams afterthought.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Steeler Nation mobile app
 
Coates sit, inspire Ayers plays, pretty simple.





Salute the nation
 
Agreed

Eli can return kicks and Coates has a crippled hand, not even close

I really wonder if there's not something else going on with Coates. There's been a couple pictures of him over this last week that I seen on the Steelers website that showed him having nothing on his hand. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean ****, but it's interesting to see that there was no sort of cast, bandage, etc. that was over his "broken" hand. They looked like they were capable to me.
 
With DHB back we can sit Coates if we choose. DHB still has elite speed and is just as good if not better special teams player than Coates. The question comes between Ayers or Hamilton. Ayers is very good at taking those crossing routes and getting positive yards but Hamilton is a bigger receiver which is nice also.
 
I just don't know what's going on with Coates. He seems unwilling to fight for the ball, he doesn't attack at the highest point, he's got 1 route it seems and if the ball doesn't fall precisely where he needs it to be it's pretty much a wasted throw. I'm sad cause I wanted him to be special, but he's just not doing it.
 
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