Last Night / This Morning / Thoughts On Sweed
by Cdsumm on Jan 19, 2009 11:49 AM EST
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PrintWell, I'm hungover, my voice is non-existent, and I don't smell too good! Last night was awesome! Nothing like being around a hundred Ravens fans here in MD and sticking it in their dirty bird faces when we won! They were actually still talking shit when they were losing! LOL. Most of them made a quick exit after the Troy P. pick 6 when I fired up the "HERE WE GO STEELERS CHANT" for the 40 or so faithful Steeler fans there! What an exciting night. The team played excellent. One thing that did make me cringe was Limas Sweed's fricking hands. Ben hit him on his shoulder pads once, and put it directly in his hands again. He flubbed them both. One of them would have been a touchdown, and the other damn close if it wasn't. I think this would have been an EXCELLENT time for him to step up and shine! Ben did all he could from his end, the passes couldn't have been prettier. I hope this kid developes some hands soon.
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I’m still a Sweed defender on this one. He certainly flubbed what was a certain td – which would have more or less put the game away in the first half. On the other hand, he made a grab or two in the second and landed a Hines Ward calibar black on Ivy. The kid isn’t there yet for sure, but I still think he has a bright future here.
by BluegrassSteeler on Jan 19, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions
Yeah, it's a concern
Plexico kinda sucked his first year too, but he developed pretty well the second year. One thing though, Limas got hurt a little against San Diego and it seemed to carry over on that long dropped ball.
Who knew?
Injury
I really thought it was more of an hurt ego than anything else… didn’t see anything on the replay that could have led to an injury, and he didnt play injured in the second half either
by steelersfan86 on Jan 19, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions
he tapped his nards with his hand pouch deal.
Brandona
by PrimantisStillersNAt on Jan 20, 2009 12:59 AM EST up reply actions
Sweed
Limas will have a very difficult time gaining the respect back (if he had any start with) of the team – that stunt he pulled playing hurt in the endzone not only cost a TD but a timeout!
From P King-
Goat of the Week
Limas Sweed, WR, Pittsburgh. The Steelers had a nailbiter in the AFC Championship Game because Sweed, uncovered while sprinting down the left side with one minute left in the first half, dropped a sure touchdown pass, then, for some pathetic reason, dropped to the ground and acted injured. The Steelers had to blow their third timeout because of it, and then missed out on a short field-goal try at the halftime gun because they had run out of clock. "A lot of guys were pretty upset about that,’’ linebacker Farrior said. I should hope so.
Rookie problems
Seems we may have some issues with our high draft picks last year. Limas is faking injuries that costs his team points and turn veterans against him (the dropsies is different: they can fix that). Mendenhall doesn’t come around the team at all during his rehab and his teammates say they barely know him.
Poor play can be expected from a rookie. Character is different. Limas’ injury act is very reminiscent of Vince Young’s earlier this year – another pampered Texas alum. Rashard does not seem to care about or even be a part of the team.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 19, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
About Mendenhall
I really think that he doesn’t want to be part of this organization. I still remeber his reactio from the draft, if he wanted to go to Dallas, let them take him. However, keep Sweed, he’ll be okay. He has the same initials as Lynn Swann.
Jerry Jones likes to pay well; we could get some decent payment for Mendenhall ;) I think both of them will be fine. That might be the optimist in me, but Mendenhall seemed like a smart guy from what I saw at the beginning of the season. And smart players should enjoy playing for teams that win Super Bowls.
Brandona
by PrimantisStillersNAt on Jan 20, 2009 1:02 AM EST up reply actions
Agree it was costly
But bottom line, he got his head back in the game and helped us win. The kid will be fine.
The deer eyes in the drop were classic though. I G-O-T I-T………. oh my goodnesss…….
by SteelerBuddha on Jan 19, 2009 5:31 PM EST up reply actions
B-U-S-T
and I’m not talking about in Canton. I’ve posted this before and many times this year. I understand that it is tough for a rookie WR and he needs time to develop. He seems timid though. He seems to have no hands.
Troy Edwards looked a lot better. So did Holmes. So did Nate. We need Sweed to get better as Nate will be gone and Dallas Baker is an unknown. Also am tepid on Rashard Mendenhall. As Carl states above he hasn’t been seen around Heinz since his injury. This after putting the ball on the grass (no Holmes references please) several times in preseason and calling out the Ravens D via text. When we needed him, Murderin’ Ray took him out. Hope 34 steps up next year too. Of course the 07 draft didn’t look so good until 08 either so I have hope.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Yeah, looking back the ’07 draft was a work of art. Seriously, Timmons, Woodley, Spaeth, Robopunter, and even a back WR in Baker in ONE draft? Truly incredible.
You’re right that this draft has a long way to go to EVEN get close to the haul on that one.
by BluegrassSteeler on Jan 19, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
Sepulveda did
Robopunter outperformed all of this year’s rookie in his first year. If you don’t believe me, imagine how bad our special teams would have been last year with Berger as the punter.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 19, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions
Well, no. Just that it’s a pretty big deal when you get four starters and a backup out of six draft picks. Honestly, I would be pretty surprised to get that many out of ’08 – although I still think Mendy and Sweed will both look good in hindsight.
I also think the Mundy pick will give us a very reliable back up safety. I’m really rooting for him in the offseason.
by BluegrassSteeler on Jan 19, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions
Spaeth
shouldn’t have been chosen 3rd. He is big but a weak blocker with so so hands and limited YAC ability. Not real high on him but think about it World…had he been taken in 08 he would have won the Joe Green Top Rookie award! Don’t know if that speaks to 89’s prowess or the 08 draft class lack of prowess.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Well he’s no Heath for sure, but I think he’s better than a lot of folks give him credit for. When Heath went down and Spaeth was actually allowed to participate in the passing game he produced. Again, not nearly as much as Heath probably would have, but enough to keep the chaims moving.
He does, however, suck at run blocking.
by BluegrassSteeler on Jan 19, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
Agree
He can’t run after the catch, but he’s 7’9", so what do you expect. I thought he played very well in Heath’s stead and provided a big, reliable target over the middle.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 19, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Also
William Gay! And isn’t that 07 after draft when they found FA Darnell Stapleton? Bottom line, 07 was a great draft as we look back. The thing is I kind of knew it even then. Woodley was an animal from the first snap. 07 playoffs cemented that belief. Even though many woofed on Timmons during this preseason I knew he was a gamer watching him on ST in 07. Sepulveda and Gay both contributed in 07. So did Spaeth.
This year we gave the Joe Greene Rookie award to Patrick Baily…a FA that made some ST tackles. Bailey is another in a long line of great FA stories by the Steelers FO. But a pathetic display by the class of 08 that 55 won the award and not Sweed, Mendy or one of the later round picks some on this board were touting as Pro Bowlers (Humphal & Mundy) but time will tell. I can’t remember who, but one BTSC blogger was debating me about keeping some CB named Lewis instead of A Madison back in September! Madison only led the ST in tackles and will be a solid extra DB for us for years to come.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
I hate Baker
If Sweed is a bust, then Baker is a super-bust. Truthfully, I’d rather have Sweed over Baker. I remember when we played, I think it was Indy, and BB threw the deep pass to Nate, Baker didn’t even make an attempt at the ball, he just stood there.
Stop IT
Nate just starting catching the ball this year. Arians yelled at him during a preseason game to catch the ball. Limas is the typical TX player who is scared to death of being a failure. Vince, D Johnson (chiefs), Benson, except for Big Snack.
Rashard is on the sideline everygame next to the running back coach
Get it straight, how can u miss those python arms the due is walking around with.
sweed
seems like a great route runner, he has been open on 2 bombs in the last two games.
it just seems like he just gets nervous, good thing we have a veteran like hines to teach him and help him elevate his game throughout the offseason
by tha1andonly57@aim.com on Jan 19, 2009 1:20 PM EST reply actions
Hate to say this but...
Mendenhall may never be the same. I really liked what he potentially had coming into this season. He seemed like a good fit for the Steelers and Parker needed the competition. Hopefully, his absence is not indicative of an attitude problem or loss of desire.
Sweed is another boom/bust player – can go either way. I actually think the block will be his springboard – not the late catch. The lockerroom loves that kind of thing and it is not at all what he is known for. Showing that you are willing to do anything to help the team win is paramount. It’s what the Steelers are known for – a great unity of purpose. He is raw and naturally gifted with size and speed. I don’t agree that he is a route runner – not yet. If he’s smart, he will get everything he can from Hines before he retires.
I sure hope Washington is re-signed. The guy has become a very good receiver and has proven to be clutch for about 1 1/2 seasons now.
"Franz" in NoCal
Sweed
I was so pissed he dropped that ball!!!!!
I was equally perturbed to read his comment, (paraphrasing) ‘Im a rookie, and rookies make mistakes and I’ll learn…)"
Bull****…it’s not like he missed a sight adjustment on a blitz…that’s a rookie mistake…he ran straight down the friggin field (double move) and all he had to do was catch the dam ball…that’s not a rookie mistake…it’s called bad hands. We all can see the pattern developing here…even his catch on 3rd down later in the game was bobbled and almost dropped.
What concerns me as well, obviously it’s a case of him not being able to shake off bad plays…he lets it effect his game….NOT A GOOD THING!! He will get more opportunities next year…but I’m saying…we need playmakers at WR and we can’t suffer through a lot of games while he “develops”…a professional WR must CATCH THE BALL…yes, I know drops will occur but when drops happen consistently they can not be tolerated…I don’t care if a guy is a second round pick or not.
RM, concerns me as well. I just don’t have a good vibe about him, I hope I’m wrong.
Sweed was able to shake off his bad play this game. After the major flub and letting his team down, he came out with two catches (one of them KEY), and was playing with heart.
Speaking of goats – davis played very well for himself this game. He was a monster on special teams and also made a key first down.
It was a rookie mistake
he knows the playbook. he ran a great route. the next play, he cracked a Raven on a block for Heath. Then he defensed a poorly thrown Roethlisberger play.
I mention all this not to defend him but to show that over the course of the game, he played pretty well. He made one mistake – taking his eyes off the ball as a rookie in a big game. It was a big mistake. But it was still a rookie mistake.
by syrsteelerfan on Jan 19, 2009 10:24 PM EST up reply actions
Don't be too harsh
I’m not a Sweed fan, but he is able to do something you can’t teach: get open. It’s a combination of speed, route running, and intangibles. For a period earlier in this year, our WRs were struggling to get open. It seems like every time Limas drops the ball he is WIDE open.
Of course, this is good and bad. Good: the boy gets open. Bad: you should not drop balls when you’re wide open. He’ll never have hands like Fitz, but his hands can improve. We just have to wait and see if they will.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 19, 2009 2:00 PM EST reply actions
Sweed, getting open
yes, he got open but it really was just a simple double move that the CB bit on. I know there is a learning curve with all positions…but…I really feel like a WR can catch or he can’t…other things can come from experience and playing…but it’s not a good sign if your a professional WR and your biggest liability is actually catching the ball! There is nothing Hines, or any coach for that matter, can do to help him to “learn” to catch…some have a natual gift for it and make it look effortless and some fight it…the more they press and try to catch it, the worse they get.
Also, I mentioned above that I think Sweed’s biggest issue is he seems to really get down on himself…which leads to him pressing and only makes the situation worse. i know he came back and made a 3rd down catch for us…but….that was bobbled and was very, very close to hitting the ground.
Once a guy gets a reputation like ‘poor hands" and he starts to believe it…it’s very hard to reverse that opinion and psychology. Yes, he still has time in his young career to make us believers but he better start making some plays soon.
Lets not "drop" sweed yet
Yes he’s made some big oops’s. He dropped what would have made our score last week look way better. He dropped a biggie last night.
But lots of players suck and do stupid things early on and they improve.
I recall Plaxico spiked a ball that was live, and I recall him not being great early. Yes he is still an idiot but I think Sweed is of a slightly higher character.
Tonio dropped all kinds of stuff his rookie year and he has developed great.
If anything, we saw Sweed can block the buhjeesus outta somebody given the opportunity.
Who knows maybe he makes a big play in the SB. We gotta hang in there with him. Lots of draft picks take time to develop.
Plus
If Sweed keeps dropping balls, we can just move him to corner. He played pretty good defense on that one deep pass that could have been intercepted. He’ll make Ike look like he has hands of glue.
by CarlWeathersMustache on Jan 19, 2009 3:40 PM EST up reply actions
Sweed doesn't play enough
to discount yet. I can’t remember him ever playing this much in one game. He has not been cultivated in games much. I don’t think he played more than a few snaps the first half of the season.
Once the game becomes more routine to him, we’ll have a better judge of his abilities. He’s sure sucking now, though.
Here’s hoping he pulls up in 2009!
Way to early to judge the class of 08
I remember some of the posts at the beginning of this year talking about what a bust the class of 07 was. The thought at the time was that Timmons was a total bust and the Woodley was over-rated. No one had any love for William Gay.
I think the 08 class still has a chance to go down as an excellent one. We haven’t heard the last of Mendenhall. He hurt a shoulder not a knee. Sweed has the chance to become a big player. Bruce Davis can still develop in our system. Dennis Dixon may be our QB one day. I have no idea what Tony Hills is capable off, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him starting on our O-line given an injury or two next year.
Now this is level-headed thinking.
The data just isn’t in yet to be labelling anyone a bust.
Someone say amen!
Give them a year. Timmons, Woodley and Gay are exhibits A, B, and C.
Sweed was a complete asshat on the touchdown pass and the diva performance that cost the timeout. He cost them seven with the drop….then three with the drama.
But he came back with a block that would make Hines Ward proud, an excellent catch for a first down, and he played defender on a poor pass in the end zone, which led to three points instead of a turnover.
He didn’t pout, He didn’t sulk. He didn’t pull an Anquan Bolden. He eventually picked himself up and became a football player again. That’s what Steelers do.
Everyone I’ve heard from says he’s extremely hard-working and of solid character. That’s reason to be more patient with him.
+10
He eventually picked himself up and became a football player again. That’s what Steelers do.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Character – not characters. That’s why its good to have Hines Ward as your number one receiver and not Boldin. It sends a message to the young guys.
by SteelerBuddha on Jan 19, 2009 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
Great point
I thought he was going to hide under the bench. Dude came back and put a hit on, caught the rock, and broke up a pick to keep 3 points alive.
Bruce Davis
Read over at scout.com that he missed OTA’s because of school, which I didn’t know. It’s one reason he didn’t see the field much this year.
The other is that while he has a lightning-quick first step, he wasn’t big enough to power through tackles or hold the point against the run. And after lifting all season, he’s now up over 250 pounds… I have hope for this kid.
by syrsteelerfan on Jan 19, 2009 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
To early
to call Sweed a bust. Though that drop last night drove me insane, it is still way to early call. Right now he reminds me a lot of Dwight Stone. If we can’t resign Nate, we are going to have to pick up a FA to be the third WR. Right now Sweed is just not ready. I hope he busts his butt in practice and has a great SB when called on.
Not sure about that
I think he is ready to walk in as the third receiver.
The guy got absolutely no reps the whole year and all of the sudden he finds himself striding down the sideline wide open in the biggest game of the year. He brainfarts. Yes its awful. Yes the little roll around after is worse. But you know what I love about this team? Ben goes and gives the guy a talking too on the sideline. He doesn’t yell at him. He doesn’t pout. He tells the guy to get his head in the game because he’s coming back to him. Limas comes back out and lays a wicked block, an angry block – a “I’m not willing to be a goat block.” Then he has two huge plays – a big catch and the break-up of the interception.
His recovery is testament to his character and testament to Ben’s character. I think as long as he doesn’t make any other real bonehead mistakes in the super-bowl, he will come back ready to make a good run at number 3.
by SteelerBuddha on Jan 19, 2009 7:40 PM EST up reply actions
+1
Seriously. That’s a huge play for a rookie. The pressure is tremendous when you haven’t been doing it all year.
by Chicago Steeler on Jan 20, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
I think lack of play time hurts
What I’ve seen is the guy freaks a little because you gotta consider how little he has played. Its like what 6 catches we said in the regular season?
So heres a guy who benchwarms most of the year. Then we toss him in there and say go big! And hes had several throws at him where he could have had a big gain. But when you consider that basically 1/2 the balls thrown at him have been HUGE I think it psychs him out a little.
Sweed
I’m not calling him a bust…and I really do hope he develops. But here’s what I know…
Raven game…huge drop
SD game…big drop
Dallas…drop
Preseason camp…drop, drop, drop
I see an ugly pattern. I don’t buy the nonsense or the excuse he is just a rookie or he hasn’t played much. In the raven game, he was running a double move, run straight and catch the ball…it doesn’t get any easier.
I hope he can improve and contribute b/c we may very well need him to if Nate leaves.
“Here We Go Steelers” could hardly be heard over all the Ravens fans.
Seriously, Sweed needs to remember that TO dropped mega Steve Young passes before he became the man. I hope Sweed becomes the next TO ; )
LOL
If he did, he would be the next Plaxico Burress and find his way to some big market team that likes entertainers more than it likes football players.
by SteelerBuddha on Jan 19, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
Lay off
Some of you are just as bad as the ravens fans wanting to cut Flacco after the game. How could anyone question mendenhall, when he went out with a injury for the season? That disturbs me. I don’t know where this mendenhall bashing came from but it needs to stop. Same thing with sweed, give the guys a year, if you don’t see them start to shine then, then start to scratch your heads. We simply don’t have a history of getting rookies that come in and do well off the bat. As already mention look at woodley and timmons last year. Thats reason enough to wait, we don’t get the high draft picks that come in and help this year and thats because we actually win games. I like it this way, it makes us a deep team. Just think if Sweed and Mendenhall develop like woodley and timmons, next year should be great! As long as we get some linemen to come help asap, that will require trading up.
Interesting. Watching SB special on NFL network.
They just mentioned Lynn Swann caught only 11 passes in his rookie season and none in the Steelers first SB against the Vikings. The next year, he caught 11 TD passes and in the SB caught 4 passes for a then record 161 yards.
Way too early to judge Sweed but I'm optimistic
I guess I’m in the minority but I see enough reasons to like Sweed’s potential for developing into a reliable No. 3 receiver next year, if the team needs him to replace Nate, and a good complement to Santonio for a long time after Hines retires. There’s a chance he will be a bust but I seriously doubt it. Every receiver in the history of the NFL has dropped easy TD passes and often the longer the ball is in the air, and the more wide open you are, the easier they are to drop. I don’t believe you can judge a WR’s hands based on a handful of throws in a rookie NFL season. He probably won’t be the next Larry Fitzgerald or Andre Johnson but he doesn’t need to be. He needs to play his role and learn what it takes to succeed in the NFL. Sunday’s game was a great learning experience and it’s up to him to adapt those lessons to further improvement.
I tried to explain this last year while defending Timmons against those who called him a bust. Very, very few players come into the league as rookies with enough physical tools and maturity to be successful right away. Sweed has the physical tools to be successful SOMEDAY. He’s big enough, fast enough, strong enough and has caught enough balls at a good program to know that, recent evidence to the contrary, he can actually catch the ball.. I agree with what CarlWeathersMustache said about Sweed getting open — that in itself is a good starting point. The third-down catch he made was clutch and he trusted his hands to go after a low ball rather than letting it come into his body. It was a professional catch.
His further development into a solid NFL receiver will depend on two things: how much heart he has and how smart he is. This is the case for just about every player in the NFL. Talent is not enough. The way he came back in the second half showed he has heart. Scouting reports on him for the draft were unanimous in vouching for the quality of his character and work habits. This one http://www.newerascouting.com/profiler/viewprofile.php?id=29 acknowledges his intelligence and, interestingly, also noted his willingness to look for blocks downfield. By all accounts he has been a hard-working player this season at practices and diligent in workouts and meeting. I have no idea if he is smart enough to learn the myriad details that go into making a good NFL receiver, but again there is reason to be positive because of his willingness to work hard and the quality of teammates he has around him. You have to be smart enough to know how important hard work is, a trait that obviously eludes physically talented prospects like Dwayne Jarrett.
Tomlin said this about Sweed in an article Blitz posted last summer: “He is not afraid to ask questions. His passion for the game shows through the minute he walks into the building, which allows you to indicate that he has a chance to be what we think he is capable of being.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve tasted the Kool-Aid being served up by Mike Tomlin, and it’s good.
Obviously, it has to start showing up on the field sometime. A WR has to make plays. As with Timmons a year ago, this season is an opportunity for Sweed to find out what it takes to succeed from the guys ahead of him on the depth chart, and from his own limited experience. He might get a chance to make a play in two weeks but even that, good or bad, won’t be enough to make a judgment on him. We have to wait. I think he’ll be fine and maybe a lot better than that.
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