The Final Piece Has Been Activiated

[Fiji Mariner]

I seem to remember Jerry Rice didn't run that fast of a 40, but damn he could move on a field. I'm not suggesting he is Jerry Rice, simply that they both have game speed much faster than their 40 time showed. I think Mr. Rice ran even slower than 4.7, did he have a broken hand from catching bricks?

Point is 40 times are a stats, and stats are like brothers in law...they lie.

Ayers was productive when on the field in college and it's not like he has to be better than Rice for play time, just better than a ps pickup from the Bungles and a UDFA...I'll take the wait and see approach, but we may soon have a fully functional Death Star

 

[FordFairLane]

Someone HAD to be called up when we got rid of our 2nd placekicker. Shabazz and Feeney were poached by other teams so Ayers qualified as "the best guy on our practice squad". None of that means he will even be active for gameday, yet alone get into a game. Tomlin is not sending a rookie with no NFL experience back to catch a punt in Cincinnati or Pittsburgh in a meaningful game in December. It's just not going to happen so stop dreaming.

So if that is the case wouldn't the logical choice be an offensive linemen with Foster likely out and Finney going through concussion protocol? He might not be active but with Wheaton on IR, DHB doubtful, and Coates still a gimp I could see Ayers getting a hat over the likes of David Johnson pr Grimble since Green and James are locks. And it depends on Hargave, Thomas, Williams and their injuries. But I would definitely take Ayers over Grimble.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Part of why Coates is struggling is because they have no #2 WR. Coates still doesn't know how to do anything but run deep. Teams caught onto that and they keep tye safety back. That's a win for the steelers provided you then have a guy who can take advantage in the vacated middle. Right now the steelers don't. Rogers and Green still make mistakes. Jesse James is just a possession type guy.

Let rogers and green or ayers start making plays in that 10 - 15 yard range and now Coates running deep could be scary again.

 

[Steelerfan81]

Tomlin dismissed the theory of him returning any kicks or punts during his press conference. He will do neither.

I agree with him. December and January football we don't need a rookie handling return duties that hasn't played all year. Let AB fair catch every one of them. I don't care.

 

[bermudasteel]

we get it..you are not a fan....and you know his combine time was slow because of a broken hand. If you don't think that slows you then go break your hand and try to get a good start running a 40.....

I have posted several times recently that he was hampered in training camp by both a high and low ankle sprain. Those things sideline most players, but he knew he had to be on the field so he gutted it out. Eli really didn't show a hell of a lot in camp either..if both he and Ayers were first timers in camp, he might not have won the competition.

But, but, Coach can fully assess a player within 4 minutes of YouTube highlights

Sent from my SM-G935P using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[wig]

I could give a **** if he runs a 7.4 40. If he can run a decent route and catch an 8 yard hook over the middle reliably, he's better than Coates right now apparently.

Sign him up.

 

[CoolieMan]

Part of why Coates is struggling is because they have no #2 WR. Coates still doesn't know how to do anything but run deep. Teams caught onto that and they keep tye safety back. That's a win for the steelers provided you then have a guy who can take advantage in the vacated middle. Right now the steelers don't. Rogers and Green still make mistakes. Jesse James is just a possession type guy.

Let rogers and green or ayers start making plays in that 10 - 15 yard range and now Coates running deep could be scary again.

Now that Ayers is on the team, AB will be a solid #2......

 

[CoolieMan]

Ayers might have been predominately a kick returner be he does have 34 punt returns and one for a 73 yard TD. He's been practicing for 14 weeks now so I am assuming he's been working with the special teams fielding punts. Yes, if he sucks he wouldn't be a wise choice to replace Brown but if he sucked at fielding punts I have a feeling he's not getting called up to the 53 man roster.

Ayers returned kick offs as a Freshman, but after that he was switched and just did the punt returns. He was fearless on punt returns.

 

[mdk2]

Ayers also has 2 thrown TD passes in college... could be a nice trick play to use when needed.