Steelers Training Camp Primer, Vol. 3: Third Wide Receiver

by cgolden on Jul 18, 2008 1:01 PM EDT Comment 23 comments

In a preparation for the start of training camp and subsequently the kickoff of football season we're taking a look at what should be hotly contested position battles. Yesterday we looked at the #2 corner back spot that should be up for grabs between Deshea Townsend and Bryant McFadden, but today we switch gears to the offensive side of the ball. Heading into the draft, the top three spots at the wide receiver position looked nearly set in stone with Ward and Holmes as the 1 and 1a and Nate Washington as the third option. April 26th might have thrown a monkey wrench into the depth chart at wide receiver though when Limas Sweed fell to the Steelers in the second round. While it may be hard for rookie wideouts to make an immediate impact, Sweed should keep Washington looking over his shoulder.

The Incumbent Starter: Nate Washington wasn't supposed to make it in this league. He was undrafted out of tiny Tiffin University, in fact he's the first Tiffin alumni to play in the modern era of the NFL. He's had an up and down career during his three seasons in the league. He's often criticized for having bad hands and at times his maddening inconsistency will lead to him making an acrobatic catch followed by a routine dropped pass. To his credit though, he's got the speed to stretch defenses (10 receptions of 30+ yards in last two seasons) and he's still incredibly young (soon to be 25) for a guy with three years of experience (played in 33 games and added 6 starts). Inconsistency isn't uncommon in young players and Nate showed signs of becoming a better player in 2007, even though he caught fewer than the previous season. His catch percentage actually went up in 2007 from 2006 so hopefully he's growing into a more consistent player. Plus, Nate has the motivation of being in a contract year. He signed a one year tender this offseason and if he gets relegated to the 4th receiver, whatever contract hopes he might have had, could be gone quickly.

The Challlenger: The Steelers got a stroke of luck when Limas Sweed fell into their laps at the 53rd overall pick. Sweed struggled with a wrist injury his senior season and it prevented him from playing in the Senior Bowl, but that could end up being a blessing in disguise for the Steelers. Had Sweed played his senior season he'd likely have continued to improve on his career numbers and would have jumped to the top of the prospective wide receivers in the draft. He's a tall, athletic, complete wide receiver who could end up being the go-to receiver once Ward hangs it up. He doesn't have elite speed but he works the middle of the field, has excellent body control, great leaping ability and has knack for making the big play when his team needs it most. He's also a willing blocker for a receiver just out of college and with work from player/coach Hines Ward, Sweed could grow into a great blocker given his size (6'4 212). Sweed could be an immediate threat in the red zone and his sticky hands could be more valuable on third down situations than Washington's inconsistent nature.

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We know that Coach Tomlin preferred to play veterans over promising rookies last year but Nate doesn't really fit the definition of an accomplished, reliable veteran. Washington does have the advantage of knowing the offense inside and out and he's already developed chemistry with Big Ben, but he'll have to have a career year if he wants to hold off Sweed. No one has been a bigger defender of Nate Washington than myself, but even I can read the writing on the wall at this point.
Teams don't draft second rounders to sit in waiting for three or four years. Sweed may not seriously push Washington until the middle of the season or so, but it'll happen eventually. With Washington only being under contract for one more season, they should have even more motivation to get Sweed into the mix early and often. Thoughts/Predictions/Concerns? Is Washington on a one year audition for other teams or will Pittsburgh try and bring him back? Who will end up with the better season?

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Methinks

That it all depends on Nate’s hands. Nate runs decent routes, has the speed and not bad height. If he can keep his fingers wrapped around the ball then he will be retained. Hienz doesn’t have a lot of years left, and even with a better season than last year Nate will still be relatively cheap.

If Nate can’t keep his fingers on the damn ball, bring on Limas. It takes awhile for rookie WRs to pick up the pro-game and a new offense. We have enough targets that Limas doesn’t have to become a Marquis Colston. Nate will start as the number 3 coming out of camp. Limas will have his shots, and may edge Nate out by the end of the season similar to Tone and C Wilson two years ago, but if Nate can just hold on to the ball he will stay, be given a nice, but not too nice, contract offer, and then it will be up to him.

I would personally hope that he stays, I love the Tiffen chip on his shoulder, and I think Nate would sign a less than market value contract if he earns a new contract with the Steelers, just for giving him a chance, and seeing his potential.

"Damnit mom! You almost ran over Greg Lloyd!"

at an autograph signing back in 95. He walked out in front of our minivan, and my mom almost hit him. He apologized.

by PA ARMY OFFICER on Jul 18, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nate's gone after this year

For an UDFA, he’s been great, and I hope he has a solid year and catches on somewhere else (probably Arizona), but he’s done with us after this year. With Ward, Holmes and Sweed in the mix and pretty good depth with people like Reid and Baker still under contract, there’s just no reason to sign him. Even if Sweed doesn’t turn into the dominant receiver some of us think he could, he’ll still be able to be a solid #3 next season, which is all Nate’s probably going to even be. I’d like to see the bottom of our depth chart filled with return specialists or the next Nate Washington’s – guys that cost us nearly nothing and have the upside to be solid NFL WR’s. By next year, Nate will have gotten about as good as he’s going to get, but won’t be able to crack our top 3. He’d be worth more to a team that needs a #3, so he’ll get better offers elsewhere.

As for the battle, I doubt Sweed will push him that hard. He’ll have a lot of catching up to do. Sweed’s a hard worker, though, and the coaches will want to see what he can do before the end of the year, so he’ll get his reps eventually. It could be a similar situation to Wilson vs. Holmes in 2006 or Haggans vs. Woodley in 2007, where Sweed will start to show some flashes by the end of the year, and we’ll all be complaining that Nate’s getting more reps. It’ll be exciting to see how he progresses.

by BadMaafala on Jul 18, 2008 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Arizona

As a Cardinals fan also, I doubt he’d end up in Arizona unless their two young receivers don’t pan out (Breaston and Doucet) or unless Boldin is traded during the next off season. Anything can happen but I wouldn’t bet on it right now.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 18, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like you Gold

I’ve been a big Nate Washington fan. I think there a few factors that have to be considered before you push him out the door.
1. Because he’s from a small, unknown school his development curve may be a bit slower than a Santonio. If he takes a significant leap this year he would certainly be worth signing and keeping. And really, all he has to do to make that leap is become more consistent.
2. Hines has had injuries each of the last three years. His style of play is such that a dramatic breakdown is not a totally unlikely scenario. If he gets nicked again this year do you jettison Nate leaving potentially, only one experienced receiver and a bunch of talented question marks?
3. Sweed has proven nothing yet and may still be a question mark at the end of this season. Same for Baker, Reid and all the others. The bird in the hand.
4. Lets say everyone lives up to their potential. Four great receivers is not one too many. Those four plus Heath could have Steeler Nation drooling and DC tossing and turning at night.

by RickVa on Jul 18, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

great points

1 – Not only was he from tiny, tiny Tiffin, he’s also very young. Just consider this, Wash turns 25 this during the season and Sweed turns 24 during the season.

2 – We all love Hines and think he’s pretty much indestructible but he plays the game ‘balls to wall.’ It’s not crazy to think he’s already starting to break down.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 18, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

upon further research

Did anyone know that Sweed was born on Christmas Day? Double presents for him.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 18, 2008 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea+Sweed's age

I realized that as soon as we got him…I make it a point to check our newest rookies’ ages to see how young they are. I think Sweed’s biggest disadvantage is his age. In five years (when he’s going on 29) it’ll seem like he was added just yesterday;especially if he develops into a great receiver. Still his age gives him maturity over other rookie receiver’s. He is by far the best character to come out of this year’s WR Class, followed by Jordy Nelson.

HSSTEELER told you

by HighSchoolSteeler on Jul 18, 2008 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts

I think that Nate will go into the season – but will be pushed – and eventually eclipsed by Sweede. You just can’t beat that size and big play ability. I do think moving forward that Nate just might have a future with the Steelers. Depending on how he views his self and his skill set – he might just hang out in PGH and push for that third spot at some point. Ward only has a few more years and holmes, ward, and sweede have dealt with some injuries – who better to fill in than a guy who knows the system? I see Nate getting some burn this year – resigning – and then maybe getting back into the third spot in a few years..

by smashmouthsteel on Jul 18, 2008 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agree

Personally i think thats how it plays out, washington starts at #3, depending on how fast sweed catches on to the offense, he pushes, or replaces nate mid-late season, maybe not until playoffs(knock on wood). But, regardless of what happens, barring a Huge season from Nate, steelers bring him back, and hope he, sweed, and santonio allow them to let hines walk after his deal is up.

by tkired on Jul 18, 2008 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huge season

If Nate has a huge season, it will be because Hines was hurt all year, in which case, Hines may be done, and then you keep Nate as your number 2. I don’t think (certainly don’t hope) that Hines is hurt all year. I’d love for him to have another healthy season and solidify his HOF status. Then Nate will stick in his role, probably resign, unless another team overpays, and he’ll still be the number 2 or 3 depending on Sweed’s development or that of one of the other young guys (Baker, Reid, etc.).

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Jul 22, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One more thought

Something else to keep in mind is the types or WR’s we have:

Ward – route runner, possession guy
Holmes – deep threat
Nate – deep threat
Sweed – deep threat

Just because we may need another receiver doesn’t mean that Nate can replace Ward. Holmes hasn’t been a great route runner so far, that’s Sweed’s knock as well, and Nate isn’t any better. We need a smaller elusive guy like Ward or ARE (which is why I’ve been rooting for Reid for a while), especially with our OL. The last thing I want to see is Sweed, Nate and Holmes running 30 yard fly routes while Ben gets hammered every play.

It’s interesting that we went from having 3 possession-type receivers (with Wilson) and no deep threat in 2005 to having all deep threats and an aging Ward.

by BadMaafala on Jul 18, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not only possession recievers

They had nearly all possession receivers but also think about when they had two ‘fat backs’ in Bettis and Staley. Now they have two guys with game changing speed and you could debate Mendenhall either way. The entire offense has gone from ‘three yards in a cloud of dust’ to home runs threats all over the field.

Revenge of the Birds

by cgolden on Jul 18, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't forget

Miller is a phenomenal possession receiver at the tight end spot. he’s money for 10 yards every time.

by TheMostViolentTeam on Jul 21, 2008 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

don't forget miller

same age as NW, very effective out of the slot, put up better numbers than NW last season, catches whatever ben throws his way, puts a hard smack on whoever is tackling him and has ZERO career fumbles. he’ll be our standout possession guy when ward’s role diminishes.

by 36chambers on Jul 18, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

possession targets

i don’t mind 3 big play threats out wide, as long as we utilize our tight ends and backs in the short game. Plus, I will not put the cap on Santonio’s career at deep threat. I expect him to be a reasonably polished route runner with reliable hands, who can also break it deep within a couple of seasons. Nate may never be more than a deep threat kinda guy, but who says sweed can’t be a possession wr down the line? he’s got the hands, height/jumping, just needs that crisp route-running, which until he develops, his adjustments to the ball in the air will help cover for that.

by tkired on Jul 18, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I’m definitely hoping that Holmes can grow into a Reggie Wayne type of all-around receiver. We’ll see about Sweed, but there’s reason for hope there as well. I guess the main point is that if our top 2 young receivers are deep threats first, possession receivers second, why do we need another deep threat?

By the way, I love Miller as a slot receiver, and I hope we use him even more this year. Remember towards the end of the Jax playoff game when Ben was throwing short crossing routes to Hines and Heath all day? Throw in some deep routes to compliment that (and keep the defense guessing), and I think you’re on to something.

by BadMaafala on Jul 18, 2008 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes indeedy!

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one wondering why we hadn’t been throwing those 6-yard pot shots all season. That was a beautiful thing to see in the Jax game, but was upsetting since we hadn’t done it before.

by betelgeuse on Jul 18, 2008 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont think

we can just label Holmes and Sweed as just deep threats either. Holmes has been working on his routes and is going into his third year with Ben. The chemistry should be there this year. He has the build to be that quick precision route runner i think he can. He doesnt just run deep. Ive seen him take some short passes and make a big play. (Ending the Bengals season 2 years ago on a slant)

One thing i noticed about Sweed in college was the fact that he is a pretty good improvisational WR. Especially when Vince Young was there. He would break off his route and find open spots when Young was getting his scramble on. Just so happens we have one of the best improvisational QB`s in the league. Sweed will make his mark when the pocket breaks down on Ben. Exactly why a 6’4 reciever was on Bens wish list.

I doubt Sweed will play a whole lot early but i could see a couple big plays later in the season. As ive stated before, i think Holmes will blow up this year and be much more than a speedster running deep.

by SteelerDomination on Jul 18, 2008 5:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Waiting on Nate

I’m sorry guys, but I’ve been rooting and waiting…rooting and waiting on Nate “stone hands” too long now. He really has to make a step up this year to remain on this team even this upcoming season IMO. I hope I’m wrong but, I really think potential wise he has gone as far as he’s going to go. With Sweed, and reports of Baker, Rucker, and even little Kevin Marion catching everything thrown their way, the pressure is on. Now wouldn’t it be nice if Baker or Rucker turn out to be the next Colston? I guess what I’m saying is I’m excited more about Baker’s and our rookies’ potential than I am of Nate getting any better. Baker was called “Mr. Touchdown” during his college career. That has a very nice ring to it. Nate’s only upside to me at this point might be insurance.

by steelersrock08 on Jul 18, 2008 10:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have to agree, at this point Nate is just insurance – he’s really there in case Sweed doesn’t work out or if one of the younger guys doesn’t develope before Hines hangs it up. I more or less agree with anyone else that he’s a decent 3rd reciever, but probably not capable of being much more. That being said, he’ll probably hold out most of the year over Sweed.

If Nate does have a good season though he shouldn’t have much problem finding a home for himself next season. I just hope it’s not with the Browns shudder

by BluegrassSteeler on Jul 19, 2008 1:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nate vs Limas

Nate Washington has “potential” to be a number 2 receiver in this league, but Limas Sweed is a legit number two out of college with the makings of a star in a year or two. The question is who will be the 3rd receiver this year. The answer is relative to the situation. If you’re talking 3rd down guy from the jump it has to be Nate, but if you’re in the redzone Limas gets the nod. Next year there is no debate. Limas Sweed is the heir apparent to Hines Ward when the time comes. It’s the kind of dilemma that good teams have the luxury of.

by UNCsteeler on Jul 19, 2008 3:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

By next year

My prediction is that Sweed will be backing up Hines, learning that position and breaking in the lineup as the 4th wr. by next year he’ll be playing in the 3 wr package but with Hines primarilly in the slot beating whatever third cb they put on him, with the kids on the outside, but Hines and Santonio still the starters till year 3 when Hines is the full time slot guy. So barring injury to Ward, Nate is probably done unless he stays for cheap as a 4thwr.. Run on sentence???

by Micculus on Jul 19, 2008 6:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Washington will step up

The reason Nate made the team when he was an undrafted free agent is because he showed the willingness to do the little things like block, play special teams and finish routes. He is a young player and receivers take time to develop. I still think his prime years are ahead of him and with Sweed pushing him he’s going to work harder than ever to maintain his 3rd WR spot. I don’t see him having a ton of TD’s this year because Sweed may take some away in the Red Zone, but I do see him being a very productive receiver on 3rd downs. Steelers will be very dangerous on 3rd and 4 with Hines, Tone, H. Miller, Washington, and the reliable hands of M. Moore for a dumpoff.

Tony - Stillers Fan in Raleigh

by Tshaff on Jul 20, 2008 11:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs