He obviously wasn’t ready in the preseason, but it’s hard to guess now if it’s the Steelers YouthRot™ (see also McFadden, Bryant. Seriously guys, our defense is too complicated for a third year CB) that’s making Sweed sit on the bench, or if he’s still not ready. I have seen him on the field on multiple occasions, but he didn’t catch anything other than holding penalties. It’s possible that either Ben or Arians doesn’t have confidence in him – look how invisible Parker has been in the passing game, or how Cedric Wilson was treated for other examples. Also, if there’s one thing our WR’s have struggled with this year (don’t worry, there’s more than one), it’s getting off the line and open against man-press coverage. A tall, lanky, non-burner who’s too green to know how to use his hands like Sweed isn’t exactly the cure for that.

I think he has some talent and it seems like he has a really good attitude, although I’ve heard in places that he’s trying too hard to make plays. If that’s the case, he could have a pretty big year next year if he settles down. A lot will also depend on whether Washington comes back, Holmes stops sucking, and our offense becomes mildly productive. WR is one of the hardest positions to become polished at, and pre-draft scouts said he was unpolished even for a prospect, so a quiet first year isn’t really a surprise. Next year is huge for him, though. It’s also big for Bruce Davis who needed to bulk up and learn a new position as a rookie.

There are only so many footballs to go around. Nate, Hines, Santonio, Heath, 9th in the league in rushing attempts. There’s no spot for Sweed yet. I imagine Nate will be gone at the end of the year which will open up a spot for Limas.

Remember, we saw nothing out of Timmons last year. Yes he was banged up a bit but he still wasn’t going to be counted on. Even Woodley got his numbers in very little playing time. Ben wasn’t supposed to play in his first year, but was forced into action after an injury. Polamalu hardly played at all in his first year; even Hines and Faneca weren’t factors.

It’s a little frustrating since we want our high-drafted guys to come in and contribute like we see with other teams, but look at it this way, next year Sweed and Mendenhall may blossom and make us all happy, like Woodley and Timmons this year. we also get Sepulveda back. That could bode very well for us. If you just look at the two hurt guys, Sepulveda and mendenhall, it’s almost as if the Steelers get two extra draft picks next year since they weren’t a factor this year…Then there’s Sweed…

With other teams, rookie players can come in and contribute immediately mostly because those teams aren’t like the Steelers. It may be, possibly, that a certain rookie player was a total man-among-boys in college and ready for the pros right away. But most of the time, starting rookies on teams have glaring weaknesses that can be and are exploited. A lot of other NFL teams will start said rookie because they have no better choice.

The Steelers, however, are such a perennially deep team (organization to boot), that a rookie will rarely (if ever) earn a starting spot. Look at Lawrence Timmons as an example. The Steelers are so deep that a second-year, super athletic, super fast, former 1st-rounder cannot take over the starting spot from a steady-Eddie former 4th-rounder in his 7th season in Larry Foote.

Don’t judge Limas Sweed yet (or any of the 2008 draft class) until the career is finished. Remember, Chuck Noll got a lot of flak for his selection of future HOFamer Joe Greene and also HOFamer Terry Bradshaw was despised by the Pittsburgh fan base for the first few years of his careeer. Look how that turned out. Patience is a virtue.

I mean he is a rookie, there are few rookie receivers that come into the league and shine their first year (moss, calvin johnson). Fact is as they say most receivers takes 3 years to develop. I understand our eagerness to see him on the field producing but lets give him some time to learn the offense so he can be more affective. He has all the attributes to be very effective in the NFL. Nate Washington up’d his value this season, I hope we don’t lose him he is so close to becoming a good #2 guy, hopefully holmes can be a #1. Sadly to say but Hines can’t play forever and there will come a day where he won’t be wearing #86 on sunday. So sweed can step up and challenge Nate for #2 but hopefully holmes for #1. Will we be able to keep all these guys, I dunno. But for a good example look at Timmons and Woodley our top two picks from last year, they didn’t start contributing heavily until this year. Hopefully next year Sweed and Mendenhall will have the impact on offense that Timmons and Woodley had on defense this year. Add that with a improved O-line and we should be giddy come this time next year.

It’s a legitimate concern. I think in Timmons case, I’m more adamant that everythings going to work out just dandy. With Sweed, I’m still hopeful, but not quite as confident that he’ll be a stud. I think he will be just fine though and worthy of a 2nd round pick, particularly when he gets stronger, which will undoubtedly lead to him feeling more confident and comfortable in his own skin out there. He just seems a bit passive and unsure as of now.

What is very confortingi s the Steelers have always done well in the draft. The scouting is always good. I cant remember the last bust we had coming out of the first or second round. So I am confedant in the teams drafting ability.

as far as potential goes I thik Sweed will be agood one.