Tyler Palko cut for a WR

Wow champ

First off, Tyler Thigpen is a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins. We signed Tyler Grisham. Second, Sweed hasn’t been given an ample opportunity to show his skills as a receiver so before you close the door on him, see what he can do.

by lilbomberx on Dec 9, 2009 3:48 PM EST reply actions

Sweed is going to have a monster game

and this will be the turning point of his career.

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Dec 9, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions

Predict this every week

and sooner or later it might come true. I’m tired of hearing about Sweed’s potential. The only half-decent play I ever remember him making was the block he made in the Ravens game last year after dropping the sure TD pass and faking an injury.

by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Dec 9, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

I hear ya

A guy can hope though! It really makes me sick to think about a 6’ 5" 2nd round pick with all that potential go bust!

The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games

by chewiesteeler on Dec 9, 2009 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

He will get his shot against the Brahnies

by daburgh73 on Dec 9, 2009 3:55 PM EST reply actions

Jim Wexell says

5’11 190 from Clemson. Unbelievable hands

Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"

by John Stephens on Dec 9, 2009 3:56 PM EST reply actions

So he is like the white Hines Ward

"From time to time gunfighters get shot."-Mike Tomlin the third greatest Steelers coach

by WVPiratesfan on Dec 9, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

Probably a poor mans Wes Welker

Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"

by John Stephens on Dec 9, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

I hope he took a picture in his uniform

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Dec 9, 2009 4:05 PM EST reply actions

Fixed that

My bad on Grisham.

Okay. Sweed actually had more drops and penalties combined than catches as a rookie. Think about that for a minute. That’s the receivers’ version of Aaron Jones having more pesronal fouls than sacks as a rookie. But more damaging.

Has Sweed improved this year? If the guy could hang onto the ball Pittsburgh almost certainly wins the first one against Cincy and gets the win over the Raiders on the Hail Mary.

Sweed was all but handed the #3 spot for this season and has been completely outplayed by an unheralded rookie. Tomlin has given him chances but Sweed has blown them. The guy has hurt, not hleped, the team over 31 games.

At least Troy Edwards put up some numbers when they put him in. And he was a bust.

by upabob on Dec 9, 2009 4:06 PM EST reply actions

Does he remind you of anyone?

Remember Dwight “hands of” Stone? That dude was fast! but he couldn’t catch salmonella by licking a baby turtle.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Dec 9, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

or pet frogs even

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jbqhSvCpibxb6-cKFjjZNym5kTbg

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Dec 9, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

On Sweed...

If he has improved at all this year, we would never know, because he doesn’t play. Similar to Mendenhall at the begining of the season, it’s easy to be down on him. He gave a poor first impression, and we haven’t seen him enough to change that yet. If it was up to popular opinion, Mendenhall would have been cut after the first Bengals game. How’d that work out?

I’m not saying the results will be the same, I’m just saying give him a chance to prove they can be. And I don’t buy the “he’s had chances” arguement. He’s had about ten passes thrown his way his wole career.

'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin

by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 9, 2009 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

I will only say Word, NySteelersFan is right on

by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 9, 2009 5:56 PM EST up reply actions

For Sweed, how do you say "Bust" in espanol?

Sweed = Bust (in English, that is). I’ll give a player a rookie pass, but if they are doing the same iiissshhhttt during their second season, too, it’s time to get them a bus pass. See ya.

by datruth4life on Dec 9, 2009 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

If we let Sweed go it will be a mistake we will regret forever, like not drafting Marino was.

Vincent Jackson has been in the league since 05. Last year he explode with 1,098 yards, on 59 receptions in 16 games. Before that his high total was 623 yards in all 16 games! It took him 4 years to fiqure it out. Now he’s a Pro bowler. Give sweed time He already run great NFL routes.

by Steel in FL on Dec 9, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions

Ponder this

Holmes had how many drops and fumbles as a rookie? Look at him now. And how about saying if the defense holds up, we beat Cincy? We were still in the lead after he dropped that pass. Look to blame someone else. We woulda beat the Bears if Santonio Holmes didn’t drop the touchdown in the endzone. And he had little to no chance at that Hail Mary because he had to stretch for it. And Troy Edwards was actually put in game situations. Sweed is not.

by lilbomberx on Dec 9, 2009 4:13 PM EST reply actions

Seriously

I am not sure why people are so eager to kick Sweed out the door. If he does learn to catch he would be an absolute beast for Ben. I’d love for us to have a tall WR again. If we lose out on the playoff hunt he should get lots of reps to build some confidence.

Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"

by John Stephens on Dec 9, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

"If he does learn to catch?!"

You make it sound as if he was drafted at another position. From what I’ve seen, one does not learn to catch in the NFL. You either got it or you ain’t.

by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Dec 9, 2009 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

He caught in college. It is all mental with him. He just needs the confidence. Believe it or not cocky d-bags make good WRs because it takes that brash attitude to be a star. A couple catches and he will be back on his feet. If you watched the kid at all in college he can straight up ball.

Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"

by John Stephens on Dec 9, 2009 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

If he gets past the mental block

he’ll cause massive headaches for defensive coordinators. Watching all those drops, has anyone noticed this guy seemingly gains separation from opposing DBs at will?

by klompus on Dec 10, 2009 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

I have!

'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin

by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 10, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

So did Willie Gault...

by upabob on Dec 10, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

lilbomberx, the difference is that Holmes made some plays his rookie year, too

Sweed has shown NOTHING! As a WR, if your only highlight going into your second year is a block that you made on a CB that didn’t you see coming, then you should be lining up other options in case this NFL thing doesn’t work out.

by datruth4life on Dec 9, 2009 6:14 PM EST up reply actions

By the same token, Holmes came in playing behind Hines and Cedric the not so entertaining…Sweed came in behind Holmes, Ward, and Washington. There were really few chances for him in his first year, at least compared to Holmes.

by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 9, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

Well Sweed has shown great route running. He was wide open on two of the big drops I can think of.

Wall of Shame
-"I’m glad we play Pitt twice, and not Tenn this year." - Brownie's Year
-"BB is ok (slightly overated)…but he is NO Kyle Orton! I’ll take Kyle over Ben any day" - Bronco_Fan_Tom
-PIT 24 KC 27
-Mike Tomlin's idea of "Unleashing Hell"

by John Stephens on Dec 10, 2009 8:00 AM EST up reply actions

That's okay...

WHEN he becomes a monster, they’ll all eat those very words

by lilbomberx on Dec 9, 2009 5:31 PM EST reply actions

way too early

Way, way too early to give up on Sweed. He’s huge, fast, and seems to create separation easily. Guys like that just don’t come along every day, and you have to give them a chance — a lot of chances. He’s barely played at all this year. Yes, he’s had too many bad moments, but he’s made some good catches in traffic too, showing that he does have the hands if he can get out of his own way.

It’s funny how when everyone gets down on someone they start to see absolutely everything about them through some kind of negative filter. For example, the quote:

“Sweed was all but handed the #3 spot for this season and has been completely outplayed by an UNHERALDED ROOKIE…”

Sweed is obviously a disappointment so far, but I really have to laugh at the thought of dismissing Wallace as an “unheralded rookie.”

by BuzzNutter on Dec 9, 2009 6:57 PM EST reply actions

Wallace was high on your draft board?

He was the eleventh receiver taken. And was there one person at the start of camp that thought he’d be starting over Sweed this season? That’s what I call unheralded.

I’ve been down on Sweed since he dropped the game-winning TD against Oklahoma his senior year at Texas and didn’t want Pittsburgh to draft him.

by upabob on Dec 10, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

Where'd he say he didn't want the Steelers to draft him?

I never heard that before.

'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin

by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 10, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

Not Sweed, me.

Not Sweed didn’t want to be a Steeler. I didn’t want him to be a Steeler.

by upabob on Dec 10, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Okay...

I gotcha. Thought we had another Plaxico situation, but this time it somehow flew under the radar.

'I’ve learned to become a flat-liner. There’s a lot out there that’ll make your heart jump if you allow it."
-Coach Tomlin

by NYSteelersFan4 on Dec 10, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

Unheralded, maybe. Good, definitely.

Wallace was not high on the draft board. So? It doesn’t really matter where he was drafted and how “unheralded” he was at the start of camp. The salient fact is that he showed up and he was, y’know, really really good.

by BuzzNutter on Dec 10, 2009 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

datruth4life

I could make plays too. The difference is that I have not been given a chance. Just like Sweed. You can point out the two drops but what have you seen other than that? Nothing. What are you gonna do when he turns it on? And if the Steelers don’t give him the opportunity to do that, then it’s time for Tomlin to go cuz that means he’s wasting our draft picks. I mean look at Bruce Davis. What can you expect from a guy in one year? They switched his position and expected him to pick everything up that quickly? If we actually put him out there and give him a chance to makes some catches, he’ll do what he’s supposed to. But since he hasn’t really been given a chance, all that’s gonna stick in your mind is that drops. And I guarantee you, he’s a way better athlete and receiver than he has shown in an extremely limited role.

And btw if he was handed the 3rd receiver job, they never would’ve drafted Wallace so high…

by lilbomberx on Dec 9, 2009 7:37 PM EST reply actions

maybe....

the reason he isnt playing is that he is performing in practice either. If thats the case then maybe MT is waiting for him to show that he is actually ready to get more reps in the game.

by indianasteelers on Dec 9, 2009 11:50 PM EST reply actions

make that

isn’t

by indianasteelers on Dec 9, 2009 11:51 PM EST up reply actions

Bouchette always seems to indicate that Sweed dominates in practice, which is why he’s been the 4th receiver over McDonald and now Grisham. The problem has always been translating to full speed games.

by BluegrassSteeler on Dec 10, 2009 12:53 AM EST up reply actions

Give Sweed a chance

Sweed reminds of one other WR who in his first two years did nothing but drops and fumbles and struggled to find the field. In his third year he is making all kinds of plays either catching long touchdowns and not to mention everything that is thrown to him. Oh and this player makes plays when his team throws interceptions. Who am I talking about? Robert Meachem. He was inactive most of his rookie campaign and his second year did nothing. This year he has 6 or 7 touchdowns in his last 5 games and numerous catches and yards to go along with it. It has always been the case that the rookie learning curve for a WR is much longer that of any other position. This seems to be proven all the time. I believe we will Sweed get on track tomorrow night if he gets some chances to make plays. It would be a big mistake to give up on the kid this soon.

by redmik on Dec 10, 2009 1:07 AM EST reply actions