Top Ten Draft 'Busts' of Kevin Colbert Era: No. 6 -- WR Limas Sweed, 2nd Round, 2008
by Michael Bean on Apr 18, 2011 12:59 AM EDT
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PrintA new weekday, a new addition to our top ten draft 'successes' and 'busts' of the Kevin Colbert era. I missed a day last week, so let's begin the new week with our No. 6 'bust' before alternating between the two categories as we top down the top five of each.
Like the selection that preceded it, he No. 6 draft 'bust' also hails from the 2008 draft class -- wide receiver Limas Sweed. Taken in the second round out of the University of Texas (53rd overall), Sweed joined the Steelers with high expectations from the organization and its vast fanbase. Finally the team had invested in an early-round pick in a tall, athletic wide receiver who wasn't a project. So we thought.
Sweed's struggles as a rookie in '08 have been well documented. I'd prefer not to bring them up in much detail, as the young man is still a member of our beloved team. But as a cursory overview, let's just say Sweed was a bit overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment once he joined the professional ranks.
I found it interesting when I learned that Sweed's tendency to put too much pressure on himself dates back to his time at UT. Against collegiate competition though, Sweed was able to outclass his competition physically. Much harder to do at the NFL level. Yet, part of what makes many of us in Steeler Nation still believe that he can amount to something in this league is the fact that Sweed's speed was responsible for him being so wide open on those few opportunities he failed to convert, most notably in the '08 playoffs against Baltimore.
There are some amongst us who might find it impossible to excuse Sweed laying on the field after that infamous drop as if he were injured. The Steelers had to burn a timeout just because the guy felt so ashamed and upset with himself to get up off the turf and hustle back to the sideline. Not good. Then again, not long thereafter, Sweed delivered a bone-crunching block on a hated Ravens defender, a play that signaled that Sweed can contribute in a big way for this team if he could only just get his feet underneath him and his mind right, so to speak.
Last year, Sweed was lost for the season with an Achilles injury before the regular season even commenced. That's too bad because he was having himself a nice training camp. Then again, it wasn't the first solid camp that he's had since being drafted. Achilles injuries are somewhat freakish occurrences. It's not really fair in other words to question a player's durability because he misses a season with one (see: Willie Colon).
But now entering the final year of his rookie contract, there's no more margin for error for Sweed. That kind of now-or-never pressure may be a recipe for disaster given how Sweed has handled things between the ears thus far in his NFL career. But you never know when the light may come on for someone his age. I've said it many times the past few years -- Sweed doesn't need to be 'the guy' in order to gain some much needed confidence; he first just needs to be a trustworthy complimentary asset at WR first. 2010 would have been a great year for him to do just that -- with Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, Heath Miller and Antonio Brown/Emmanuel Sanders in the mix, he would have just had to fit in and make a handful of plays throughout the season. Could have been a nice stepping stone to bigger and better things.
If 2011 proves to be another disappointment for Sweed, well, then he might catapult up a few spots on this list into the top five. But for the time being, the guy still wears black and gold. And because of his skill set and differentiating physical attributes, he'll have every opportunity in the world to compete for a roster spot and playing time this coming season.
Go Limas! Go Steelers!
Kevin Colbert's Top 10 Draft 'Busts'
No. 7: Bruce Davis, 3rd Round, 2008
No. 8: Thaddeus Gibson, 4th Round, 2010
No. 9: Plaxico Burress, 1st Round, 2000
No. 10: Kendall Simmons, 1st Round, 2002
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Kevin Colbert's Top 10 Draft 'Successes'
No. 6: Willie Colon, OT, 4th Round, 2006
No. 7: LB Larry Foote, 4th Round, 2002
No. 8: OG Chris Kemoeatu, 6th Round, 2005
No. 9: OT Marvel Smith, 2nd Round, 2000
No. 10: WR Antonio Brown, 6th Round, 2010
**********
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Conspicious by his absence
Nice write up.
Interesting that as you set things up for Sweed to get his last shot, you don’t include Randel El in the mix…
I agree. I hope against hope that he makes good on his last opportunity if for no other reason than the blinding speed he showed in both the San Diego and Baltimore playoff games of ’08.
by Hombre de Acero on Apr 18, 2011 8:23 AM EDT reply actions
Wide Open
My friends and I often discuss the what ifs of Limas Sweed. What if he could be that tall physical receiver that we haven’t had since Plax, what if he could become that solid compliment to Hines (this before Mike Wallace introduced himself), what if he could become an integral part of the three wide set, and of course what if he could just hang on to the damn ball! The drops are definitely frustrating but the one thing that Sweed does on a consistent basis is get open. I’m not a coach or an expert of the nuances of the position but his ability to get open against NFL corners has to be something that’s taken into consideration when deciding the young man’s future. I’m confident in saying that this is a make or break year for Sweed and I really hope that we see him step up and respond in a positive manner to the pressure he’s under. Not only because he could make huge contributions to the team but because on a personal level I really would like to see the young man succeed.
Those drops
The deep passes he missed were horrible by Limas. He only dropped them because he wasn’t looking at the ball. If he would concentrate on catching the ball, he could be great. I was at the AFC Championship game against Baltimore. All of us fans were pissed out of our mind, and when he faked the injury, oh we never wanted to see him in black and gold again. But after he put a Hines Ward pancake on Fabian Washington people looked at him with a different perspective. He ALMOST made up for that dropped ball. So I think he could have a good year were he could get 500 yards. He’s the only WR over 6-1 except for that Wes Lyons guy from West Virginia and who was cut by the Jets last year. Limas is a 6-4 and very athletic. He’s a great route runner and who I think could become a solid 2nd receiver.
Limas Sweed Flu
Limas had just about got himself out of the doghouse (y’know, the structure that doesn’t exist in the Mike Tomlin compound) during that AFCCG. Not only did he lay out Corey Ivy, but he also made a nice 3rd down catch for a first down in the 4th quarter. Of course, his coach never trusted him enough to put four legit wides on the field in the Super Bowl two weeks hence.
But what really did in Limas Sweed Flu, in my opinion, was his debacle in Cincinnati, where he failed to come down with a ball, right in his hands, that would have surely secured victory. Mistakes made in wins, like the one in the AFCCG can much more easily be forgiven. And, Sweed Flu seems to have this knack for compounding his errors with further dramas. Similar to feigning injury in the AFCCG, his sinature moment at Paul Brown Stadium was to sit on his ass in the endzone, separated from the ball, and signal “Touchdown.”
I do think that he was unfairly singled out & castigated by his head coach for failing to come down with a Hail Mary against Oakland in December. Sweed Flu woulda been a hero had he made that grab!! Shortly thereafter, the rumored depression set in.
I still think they should look at making him a corner. He could be our solution without
going to the draft. Could you imagine, if he developed the skills needed to be a shut down corner, how devestating our secondary would be? Of course, neither Ike or Limas can catch, but still. We really dont need him at wide receiver and he will be cut this year if he can’t make it. He has incredible talent and god-given athleticism.
Who's laughing now, O Line??? Ben Roethlisberger (from the Podium) to his O-Line and the world in Superbowl XLIII
+1
Start him practicing on the other side of the ball ASAP! Opens up the options for the draft a bit more…just sayin’. He could do it and be monstrously intimidating. The ’lers WR core is strong (god forbid an injury to one of our newbies, though, in this situation…).
It wouldn't
work, just because you are fast doesn’t mean you can cover. You have to have good instincts and good quick hips to cover in the NFL. It would be a position he’s never played.
He had the drops at first at UT, he was able to pull through. Lets hope he can do the same in the NFL.
I love the Steelers.
by tannofsteel84 on Apr 19, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I really can't believe that this is still an option to people.
This is the NFL, where the best of the best play. Limas has never played corner… ever. Not even high school (he was a safety).
What about him makes anyone believe he can cover WR’s at an NFL level?
I have not yet begun to procrastinate.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Apr 19, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
You need to look at this realistically- Its not high school where you can play multiple positions, or switch if theres a weakness on your team and youre a good enough athlete to play that position. I know many of you want him to succeed for the Steelers, but if he can’t do it at WR, his natural position,I cant see how it would be possible for him to make a transition to corner in the NFL, not here nor in ‘ImaginationLand.’
by Bringin' the Wood(ley) on Apr 19, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I am rooting for Sweed
I want him to succeed because it is painful to watch that much talent go to waste, and because he would make our offense that much more dangerous. He could be the type of red-zone threat we missed so much last year (especially when Heath went down).
The Poster Formerly Known As Gimpsta7
by Michael Uhlhorn on Apr 18, 2011 12:49 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe I see it differently
I, just like all of you am also rooting for Limas to succeed. However for me,It goes well beyond that he can run fast or jump high. its because he seems to have a problem that any one of us can relate to. I have never had a problem mentally that I am aware of at least, but we all do know somebody with head issues. I think with his “down to earth” issue and the fact that he isn’t very arrogant(I know he has nothing to arrogant about but you know what I mean) helps us all root for him a little while longer.
When he came out he was regarded as probably the best blocking WR in the last 10 years. I think he was on track last year when he suffered the injury. For someone like him this lockout is the worst possible scenario. Hopefully he is staying in shape and mentally prepared to challenge for a hat, our WR corps would be the deepest, most explosive group in the NFL.
Sweed
I thought Sweed was going to be stud and was really happy when the Steelers drafted him. I thought he would be an excellent addition to go along with Ward and Holmes. Faking an injury when he dropped that pass against the Ravens in the playoffs was about as unprofessional as you can get. As much as I hope he could somehow contribute to the Steelers I don’t think he will make the team next season. The odds are stacked against him big time.
Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.
by Black&GoldTrain on Apr 19, 2011 12:01 AM EDT reply actions
Still holding out hope
Although I definitely concurr that his grace period has expired and as-is he’s a bust.
Even if he’s the #4 wideout he can contribute. Wallace and Sweed deep with safeties, Sanders and Ward, curls underneath…
by Steely McSmash on Apr 19, 2011 12:38 PM EDT reply actions
5 wr
If Sweed develops we would have the nastiest receiving corps in the NFL. It doesn’t hurt to be able to rotate people and keep them fresh. Competing for playing time seems to bring out the best in some players.
Having said that, Brown is deadly enough as a returner that I would have him concentrate there, with him getting in on some passing situations. If someone goes down then the coaching staff could move him into the receiving corps full time if it was warranted.
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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Apr 20, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
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