Sweed's Release With Injury A Familiar Tune

by Neal Coolong on Aug 17, 2011 11:35 AM EDT in Steelers Roster

Limas Sweed being placed on waivers with an injury is the most appropriate way to end his often frustrating time in Pittsburgh. He was rarely healthy - whether it was physically or mentally, he missed substantial time due to both - and while his potential was always sky-high, it ended up being only that. Potentially great, usually injured.

Sweed, the Steelers second round pick in 2008, had the size and breakaway ability of a big-time NFL receiver. At 6-foot-4, he ran like a deer, causing levels of separation usually attributed to the league's elite receivers. Speed was never an issue. His hands were. Creating that kind of separation is only helpful if he catches the ball. He dropped a touchdown in what would have been a death blow to Baltimore in the AFC Championship game in January of 2009. He dropped another would-be touchdown at Cincinnati in 2010 - another score that would have all but ended the game. The Steelers hung on to defeat the Ravens, courtesy of a Troy Polamalu interception score in the fourth quarter, but the dropped pass against Cincinnati left the door open. The Bengals came back to win, and went on to win the division. Pittsburgh finished 9-7, missing the playoffs. Sweed never recovered. In December of 2009, he was placed on injured reserve with a non-football related illness. Shortly into spring practice in 2010, Sweed blew out his Achilles, ending his season again. SteelerNation always had high hopes for Sweed despite the injuries and drops. He had a chance to make the team this season, but a shoulder injury early into camp kept him off the field for the majority of the time. He didn't play in the preseason-opening loss at Washington, and his release came a day after BTSC's John Stephens reported newly signed WR Jerricho Cotchery had an excellent practice. Some will speculate Sweed is another second round bust draft pick under GM Kevin Colbert. Others will express concern that he will eventually get it together and have a nice career. When the rubber meets the road, Sweed just couldn't get on the field. And the fact he was waived with an injury (meaning the Steelers have to pay his 2011 salary unless another team picks him up) is a sad but predictable way for him to leave.

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A rare draft flop

Definitely not what you predicted. Obviously he displayed his ability on the field when it came to separating and blocking, and that’s clearly what our FO saw in him early.

Nobody could have predicted the problems that developed.

IMO the Steelers still made the right pick, given the info they had at the time.

It hurts knowing how many valuable players could have been drafted in his place, but ultimately we’ll survive. That’s the great thing about this bust, it really hasn’t HURT us.

Thank science for Brown and Sanders.

by Mechem on Aug 17, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

+1

We won two AFC championships and a Super Bowl with him as a bust second round pick. I just feel really bad for him. By all accounts, he worked hard and had the right attitude.

Wouldn’t be surprised if any one of the other three AFCN teams picked him up. They’re all pretty young at WR, and Cleveland and Cincinnati have a ton of cap room. Not that his likely veteran minimum contract with 0 guaranteed would push anyone over the edge.

Someone’s likely to give him a shot if he can pass a physical.

by Neal Coolong on Aug 17, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Two trips to the SB for what?

It must burn all those great players who never get to the big show, to see Sweed with a ring and another trip. Sometimes you just have to be in the right place.

by Steeler Nation VA on Aug 17, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously.

I think it’s funny how random players end up with super bowl rings. The best random Steeler with a ring in the recent wins is Mitch Berger.

grain of salt

by PaulMorel on Aug 17, 2011 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Sean McHugh

Spent 2007 as a Tight end on the Lowly Lions – record 7-9. Makes the 2008 Steelers squad as a FB, gets a Superbowl Champions ring. 2009 We bring in David Johnson, McHugh is gone.

"The standard is the standard" - Mike Tomlin

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Aug 17, 2011 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm betting Baltimore takes a flyer on him...

Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."

by YankeeCarp on Aug 17, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

with what they can even afford to hire a real RT

by steeler_in_maryland on Aug 17, 2011 7:33 PM EDT up reply actions

he is inexpensive

and the potential is still there.

"A Canadian is someone who knows how to make love in a canoe" Pierre Burton (historian)

"It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw, not because she is Canada but because she's something sublime that you were born into, some great rugged power that you are a part of." Emily Carr (artist)

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 17, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

This.

Just once I'd like someone to call me "Sir," without adding, "You're making a scene."

by YankeeCarp on Aug 18, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Wish him the best

And you never know, perhaps he’ll rejoin the team in a couple of years.

by vherub on Aug 17, 2011 12:30 PM EDT reply actions

Here is what Gerry Dulac wrote on the pay portion of the post-gazette

I feel bad for Limas Sweed.

He’s a good kid and a hard worker, but he could never get past the personal demons that caused him to be so hard on himself, caused him to try so hard that he couldn’t even execute the simplest task of his trade – catch the ball.

His career will be remembered for easy drops against the Chargers, Bengals and especially the Ravens, and about the only highlight on his career reel was a peel-back block on a Ravens cornerback after that drop.

The Steelers held on to him all these years for the same reason they drafted him – thinking that one day all that physical talent will start to bloom. But, he had no chance to make the team this year. In the end, he had become a loner, something of a lost soul who didn’t seem to fraternize with his teammates.

The Steelers were doing him a favor by bringing him back to camp, hoping he would get back on his feet after his second season was cut short by personal issues and his third season was ended by an Achilles injury. Releasing him now gives him a chance to sign with another team – and, based on his physical skills, he most assuredly will.

With his size, Sweed had a chance to be another Plaxico Burress. Instead, he was just another failed No. 2 draft choice.

by worldtrip on Aug 17, 2011 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

I really need to watch that Chargers game again

I didn’t think that was a drop, but several people say it was. So I’m clear, he’s talking about the playoff game when Turner kept trying to come back from a huge deficit, so Tomlin got pissed and called a deep pass – the pass they put in that week specifically for Sweed, right?

by Neal Coolong on Aug 17, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I really don’t remember

by worldtrip on Aug 17, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

If memory recalls correctly...

It was during mop-up time, and I believe Lefty came in. I remember this because I was listening to the game (didn’t have a TV at the time), and Bill Hillgrove got all excited and then saying how, I THINK it was Sweed, dropped an easy bomb.

by Craig Sager's Wardrobe on Aug 17, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I remember him having to stretch out for it. He was wide open, but I thought Ben (maybe it was Leftwich) overthrew him just a little bit. It would have been a great catch.

Alright, that’s it, I’m gonna go back and watch the damn game.

by Neal Coolong on Aug 17, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

CB

The WRs are strong now with Cotchery on board and the CBs needed shoring up, the reason for the Dockery and Harris signing. Sweed had more than a opportunity, too bad for his injuries. The short camp is making injuries more likely.

by ibygeorge on Aug 17, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think Macho Harris has any chance of being a CB in the league. His best shot is at safety

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Aug 17, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

who names their kid Macho?

Either he had some cruel parents, or this guy had an ego go way out of control somewhere along the lines to change his name.

As for Dockery – can this possibly mean we can finally end the Gay experiment?

by lkwdsteel on Aug 17, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Macho is a nickname. His real name is Victor.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Aug 17, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

sigh....

What makes this hard is his potential talent and seeing how other factors (some physical, some psychological) have really ruined his Steeler career. We will never really know how good or not, he could have been. The team just couldn’t wait any longer.

I feel that he’ll get picked up sometime this yr…..hoping an NFC team.

I think it’s the best career move for him as well. He may not perceive it to be at this current time, but a change of scenery with a fresh start may be what he needs to re-vamp his career.

Cheers Limas,
Bon Voyage

by ToonaSteel on Aug 17, 2011 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

This is too bad...

Man I was really rooting for the guy. We all know that he possesses the physcal tools but as stated above the mental aspect of the game is so crucial. Confidence is vital and we do have some younger players that possess the swagger it takes to play that position.

Wish you the best of luck Limas

by Light Dweller on Aug 17, 2011 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

It sucks that he busted and it sucks that he could not stay healthy

but here are some players we could have drafted back then (this is just for a reference, I am not saying we should have or could have known Sweed would get hurt and forget how to catch)

Ray Rice, Jamaal Charles, Harry Douglas, Brandon Carr, Carl Nicks. The 2008 draft was very weak from our point on and those are the only players that might have made sense picking at the time, although Nicks and Carr would have been considered reaches. I would have loved to see Charles or Rice in a Steelers jersey. Oh well

My Seton Hall blog: http://thesetonhallblog.blogspot.com/
My Steelers blog: thenewsteelcurtain.blogspot.com
My Draft Blog: draftdatabase.wordpress.com

by seton hall and steelers on Aug 17, 2011 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

hindsite is always 20-20

I remember when we got Mendenhall and Sweed in the first 2 rounds how the experts went nuts. In retrospect maybe we should have gotten someone else in the first round and taken Rice to fill the RB need. Oh well – I guess we can’t complain much. At least we draft well enough to compete every year, unlike the Bungles.

by lkwdsteel on Aug 17, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I wish Limas well. I seem to remember

reading somewhere that Limas would rather be playing for a team in or close to Texas, so I doubt he’ll end up anywhere our division. If a team like the Steelers isn’t sufficiently supportive for you, where else are you going to go?

My heros have always been Steelers...

by wozzle on Aug 17, 2011 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

"...IN our division."

Preview is your friend, preview is your friend, preview is…

My heros have always been Steelers...

by wozzle on Aug 17, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I could see him go to Houston

by Freddyd on Aug 19, 2011 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

See ya.

Never did anything worth noting.

Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...

by StoneColdSteel on Aug 17, 2011 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

Really disappointing for him

But sometimes people just need a fresh start. Could be beneficial for both sides, hopefully it is

"We're going to do all we can to get this team right, to go after that national championship" - Devon Still

by ICEICETHATGUY13 on Aug 17, 2011 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

Let's hope he makes a roster

So we can clear that 500 000 off our books!

Dick, what would Woody (Hayes) say to you now: "He'd say, 'LeBeau, get your hair cut.'"

by Steelfrog on Aug 17, 2011 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

It's a shame, but every NFL team has a Limas Sweed or two.

by Anthony Defeo on Aug 17, 2011 4:15 PM EDT reply actions

Not the right thread for this, but wow:

MarkKaboly_Trib Mark Kaboly
Fast fact:4 STARTING #Steelers OL over past 2 years have been cut and never got picked up by another team – Hartwig Essex Flozell Starks

by syrsteelerfan on Aug 17, 2011 4:38 PM EDT reply actions

Starks took exception to it

on Twitter and responded to him, something to the effect of “never is too strong. It’s been a crazy free agency period, two of them were released three weeks ago, and the other wasn’t signed yet.”

I agree with Starks, way too early to suggest neither Flozell nor Essex nor Starks won’t get signed SOMEwhere. Teams just haven’t had any time to work on deeper depth chart moves yet.

by Neal Coolong on Aug 17, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

You echoed my thoughts on Sweed

I certainly hope his career in the NFL isn’t over but it’s very disappointing to have a high potential 2nd rounder bomb like he has.

by qwikdoc on Aug 17, 2011 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

Which pick was worse?

Limas Sweed or Alonzo Jackson.

by imike29 on Aug 17, 2011 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

both

My Seton Hall blog: http://thesetonhallblog.blogspot.com/
My Steelers blog: thenewsteelcurtain.blogspot.com
My Draft Blog: draftdatabase.wordpress.com

by seton hall and steelers on Aug 18, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Sweed

Zo never cost games…and rarely took anyone else’s hat.

by steelerwheeler on Aug 18, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe he ends up with the Texans

Home state and they could use WR help.

Stay thirsty my friends.

by SteelerMessican on Aug 17, 2011 8:10 PM EDT reply actions

not the Browns

I don’t want him going to the Browns and becoming a target for McCoy.

"A Canadian is someone who knows how to make love in a canoe" Pierre Burton (historian)

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 17, 2011 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh the humanity

Hope as he matures he figures things out. Woulda-shoulda-coulda.

"My baby...my mechanical masterpiece. So nearly complete. So nearly perfect. If I only had a living brain."--Evil Scientist, Looney Toones, circa 1952

by SaratogaSteelerFan on Aug 17, 2011 8:26 PM EDT reply actions

sad face

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Aug 17, 2011 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully he can find his potential and not end up like Maurice Clarett

I don’t’ wish ill on anyone, but I am glad the Steelers are finally moving on.

"The standard is the standard" - Mike Tomlin

by MDSTEELERSFAN on Aug 17, 2011 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

:(

That’s too bad… I was still holding out hope for him. Fare thee well Sweed, and I hope you do something on a new team (OUTSIDE of our division or New England).

by Simonsen on Aug 17, 2011 9:58 PM EDT reply actions

Sad story but....

he really should’ve been let go a year ago. I’m just afraid he’s gonna go to Baltimore and become a superstar.

"In this country, you gotta make the money first. Then when you get the money, you get the power. Then when you get the power, then you get the women."
Tony Montana- Scarface

by MDGeekyGrl on Aug 17, 2011 10:08 PM EDT reply actions

I'd like the Ravens

to waste a roster spot on him. Tired of hearing about his potential, give me a receiver who can catch the dang ball.

"They timed it perfectly, they just went too soon." - Darrell Waltrip commenting on an illegal restart.

by alfresco on Aug 18, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Ravens

I don’t think he is a good choice from the Ravens atm but I could be wrong. I think the Browns are the most likely in division location. Other than that a solid team that can afford the roster spot to let him develop. It could be that Houston and Dallas are the only teams that he could play for because of their closeness to his home.

"A Canadian is someone who knows how to make love in a canoe" Pierre Burton (historian)

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Aug 18, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Get'em good or get'em gone ...

Bye-Bye, Sweed. Guys, I’ve seen on a couple of Steelers sites that the Steelers might just keep 5 WR’s this year and instead keep 4 TE’s because of the potential of Wes Saunders. Would you guys keep T. Grisham over W. Saunders this year?

by datruth4life2.0 on Aug 17, 2011 11:25 PM EDT reply actions

I wouldn't bet on that

Ward, Brown, Wallace,Sanders,Cotchery, and Grisham are my picks, but it most likely will be Battle at #6.

Saunders will either make the #3 TE slot or be on the PS. If another team snags him first, then they need to put him on their 53.

by lkwdsteel on Aug 18, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Ehhh - win some lose some

we squeezed what we could from that lemon

my thoughts are if we have the same or similar contributions from this years draft class as we got from last years we have the balance tipped in our favor – we hate to see such early round picks turn up busty but it happens (by busty I do not mean the awesome like bust as in say the delicious Alyssa Milano but like an artery in your brain that kills you)

Sweed was a gamble pick and we lost – but we are pretty good at WR

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"He was popping off down there the first time they were about to score. So you run your mouth, expect to get something. Everything's between the lines, so he got what he had coming. He was running his mouth and getting in the way of the train, and the train wasn't coming off the track."
-James Harrison on Kyle Orton

by TVsCHACHI on Aug 18, 2011 3:38 AM EDT reply actions

Ran out of chances

He’ll get another chance on some teams camp roster next season, but unless he figures himself out, his career is over

What a waste.

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Aug 18, 2011 6:09 AM EDT reply actions

Sweed

What a bust. I mean, always hurt, and dropped almost every pass he was ever thrown. We will never really know, but there was something more going on here than meets the eye. A lot more.

by dklml2 on Aug 19, 2011 3:27 PM EDT reply actions