here's our new vet wr

[True Fan]

http://news.steelers.com/article/105162/

[aggiebones]

I'm OK with Shaun McDonald.
He's been around enough and done some solid work even for a horrible team. Maybe he could be better with us. He's not going to be our no.1-2 guy, but if an early injury occurs, he's been around enough to step in and avoid a complete collapse, which can't be said of a rookie or even Sweed at this point yet.

[flippy]

I'm OK with Shaun McDonald.
He's been around enough and done some solid work even for a horrible team. Maybe he could be better with us. He's not going to be our no.1-2 guy, but if an early injury occurs, he's been around enough to step in and avoid a complete collapse, which can't be said of a rookie or even Sweed at this point yet.

he likely will beat out sweed for our #3 WR unless sweed has a phenomenal offseason.

[True Fan]

from what i can remember watching him with the lions is that he is a good possession receiver but doens't have the deep threat speed(maybe i'm wrong).

[phillyesq]

I think this is an excellent signing. He is an dependable, experienced vet, and he fits very well as an inside/slot WR. I could easily see him becoming a go-to guy for third down conversions. McDonald, Ward, Sweed and Holmes should form an effective 4 wide set, with Wallace either in a 5 wide set or filling in for the inevitable injury.

[WoodleyofTroy]

If Hines goes down, McDonald will be the guy that takes over in that role. This guy drops nothing. Gets it done.

This signing is bigger than when we got Cedrick Wilson.

I'm caught off guard here. Steelers got a guy in Free Agency that I wanted.

[Oviedo]

I think this is an excellent signing. He is an dependable, experienced vet, and he fits very well as an inside/slot WR. I could easily see him becoming a go-to guy for third down conversions. McDonald, Ward, Sweed and Holmes should form an effective 4 wide set, with Wallace either in a 5 wide set or filling in for the inevitable injury.


I agree. McDonald brings some experience to the mix and insurance. It would be great if Sweed and Wallace are everything we hope they can be and makes McDonald the #5 who will be inactive on gameday.

[Oviedo]

Interesting that at the end of the article it mentions that Jerod Retofsky, Long Snapper, was released. Hopefully this means they have seen enough that there is a chance that Shipley can handle long snapping and will be given a chance to show it. That would save both a roster space on the Final 53 and a game day roster spot.

[pittpete]

IMHO, creates competition at the position.
I wont get very excited about it till the season starts.
Wah,wah,wanhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

[RuthlessBurgher]

Interesting that at the end of the article it mentions that Jerod Retofsky, Long Snapper, was released. Hopefully this means they have seen enough that there is a chance that Shipley can handle long snapping and will be given a chance to show it. That would save both a roster space on the Final 53 and a game day roster spot.

They still have Greg Warren, who was an excellent long snapper for us before being injured in the Giants game last year, and brought in long snapper Mark Estermeyer from Pitt as an UDFA this week. They weren't going to go to camp with 3 long snappers, so I expected one of them to be let go before Latrobe. I don't think Shipley's perceived longsnapping ability had anything at all to do with the decision to let go of Retkovsky.

[Mel Blount's G]

from what i can remember watching him with the lions is that he is a good possession receiver but doens't have the deep threat speed(maybe i'm wrong).
Is this true? 'Cause we still need a field stretcher to replace Nate if Sweed and/or Wallace aren't ready. Btw, Sweed is certainly fast enough isn't he to be our deep threat field stretcher guy ala' Nate?. I can't see why either Sweed or Wallace can't adequately fill Nate's role but I'm certainly no expert on WR development or the intricacies thereof

[Mel Blount's G]

Interesting that at the end of the article it mentions that Jerod Retofsky, Long Snapper, was released. Hopefully this means they have seen enough that there is a chance that Shipley can handle long snapping and will be given a chance to show it. That would save both a roster space on the Final 53 and a game day roster spot.

They still have Greg Warren, who was an excellent long snapper for us before being injured in the Giants game last year, and brought in long snapper Mark Estermeyer from Pitt as an UDFA this week. They weren't going to go to camp with 3 long snappers, so I expected one of them to be let go before Latrobe. I don't think Shipley's perceived longsnapping ability had anything at all to do with the decision to let go of Retkovsky.
Y'all know of course that Shipely did not handle long snapping duties at PSU and is likey to be completely inexperienced with it? Not sure how much experience or skill is required to go from center to long snapper...

[RuthlessBurgher]

[quote="True Fan":2kdhvdbb]from what i can remember watching him with the lions is that he is a good possession receiver but doens't have the deep threat speed(maybe i'm wrong).
Is this true? 'Cause we still need a field stretcher to replace Nate if Sweed and/or Wallace aren't ready. Btw, Sweed is certainly fast enough isn't he to be our deep threat field stretcher guy ala' Nate?. I can't see why either Sweed or Wallace can't adequately fill Nate's role but I'm certainly no expert on WR development or the intricacies thereof[/quote:2kdhvdbb]

Yeah, McDonald is a slot possession type guy. Wallace will be the replacement for Washington, but he is not ready yet (except as a kick returner). We will be fine with Holmes and Sweed going deep and Ward and McDonald and Miller underneath this year.

[Mel Blount's G]

[quote="True Fan":3peogvhx]from what i can remember watching him with the lions is that he is a good possession receiver but doens't have the deep threat speed(maybe i'm wrong).
Is this true? 'Cause we still need a field stretcher to replace Nate if Sweed and/or Wallace aren't ready. Btw, Sweed is certainly fast enough isn't he to be our deep threat field stretcher guy ala' Nate?. I can't see why either Sweed or Wallace can't adequately fill Nate's role but I'm certainly no expert on WR development or the intricacies thereof

Yeah, McDonald is a slot possession type guy. Wallace will be the replacement for Washington, but he is not ready yet (except as a kick returner). We will be fine with Holmes and Sweed going deep and Ward and McDonald and Miller underneath this year.[/quote:3peogvhx]
No confidence that Sweed steps up?

[SteelHead]

Nice pick up. A veteran that knows how to run routes and play in this league , he's got some punt return experience as well so we can throw him in the mix there also. IMO he is here purely as competition for the young guys that the FO is looking to step up , if he were to beat out Limas for the #3 spot , I'd be sick.

[RuthlessBurgher]

[quote="Mel Blount's G":q7q61ab5][quote="True Fan":q7q61ab5]from what i can remember watching him with the lions is that he is a good possession receiver but doens't have the deep threat speed(maybe i'm wrong).
Is this true? 'Cause we still need a field stretcher to replace Nate if Sweed and/or Wallace aren't ready. Btw, Sweed is certainly fast enough isn't he to be our deep threat field stretcher guy ala' Nate?. I can't see why either Sweed or Wallace can't adequately fill Nate's role but I'm certainly no expert on WR development or the intricacies thereof

Yeah, McDonald is a slot possession type guy. Wallace will be the replacement for Washington, but he is not ready yet (except as a kick returner). We will be fine with Holmes and Sweed going deep and Ward and McDonald and Miller underneath this year.[/quote:q7q61ab5]
No confidence that Sweed steps up?[/quote:q7q61ab5]

I have plenty of confidence in Sweed. I am on record as saying he should be able to match Nate's 2008 numbers in 2009 (40 catches for 631 yards and 3 TD's). I said that Wallace is the eventual replacement for Nate because they share a lot of the same physical qualities. At 6'4", Sweed should be a different type of WR than Nate was (perhaps the closest thing to Plax that we have had since he went to NYG).

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Interesting that at the end of the article it mentions that Jerod Retofsky, Long Snapper, was released. Hopefully this means they have seen enough that there is a chance that Shipley can handle long snapping and will be given a chance to show it. That would save both a roster space on the Final 53 and a game day roster spot.

They still have Greg Warren, who was an excellent long snapper for us before being injured in the Giants game last year, and brought in long snapper Mark Estermeyer from Pitt as an UDFA this week. They weren't going to go to camp with 3 long snappers, so I expected one of them to be let go before Latrobe. I don't think Shipley's perceived longsnapping ability had anything at all to do with the decision to let go of Retkovsky.

Did you know that we signed Estermeyer to a 2-year contract? I think the Steelers are comfortable with him as their long snapper.

[sd steel]

Interesting that at the end of the article it mentions that Jerod Retofsky, Long Snapper, was released. Hopefully this means they have seen enough that there is a chance that Shipley can handle long snapping and will be given a chance to show it. That would save both a roster space on the Final 53 and a game day roster spot.


As good as it looks on paper, Shipley will never longsnap for the Steelers. It's a specialist position, and especially after what happened last year when Warren went down, they aren't looking to free up a roster spot at that position.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Interesting that at the end of the article it mentions that Jerod Retofsky, Long Snapper, was released. Hopefully this means they have seen enough that there is a chance that Shipley can handle long snapping and will be given a chance to show it. That would save both a roster space on the Final 53 and a game day roster spot.

They still have Greg Warren, who was an excellent long snapper for us before being injured in the Giants game last year, and brought in long snapper Mark Estermeyer from Pitt as an UDFA this week. They weren't going to go to camp with 3 long snappers, so I expected one of them to be let go before Latrobe. I don't think Shipley's perceived longsnapping ability had anything at all to do with the decision to let go of Retkovsky.

Did you know that we signed Estermeyer to a 2-year contract? I think the Steelers are comfortable with him as their long snapper.

I believe 2-year contracts are standard procedure for UDFA's. If they stick on your team for those two years, then they would be an exclusive rights free agent. But most of the UDFA's end up being cut in training camp. A 2-year contract is by no means any sort of guarantee that this guy is ever on our 53 man roster. We'll see which long snapper they are more confortable with once we get to Latrobe.

[frankthetank1]

great sign imo!! i really wanted mike furrey, but mcdonald and furrey are pretty much the same wr

[RuthlessBurgher]

great sign imo!! i really wanted mike furrey, but mcdonald and furrey are pretty much the same wr

They look a bit different to me. :wink:

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fSBd0gcCN6sn/340x.jpg http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71339709.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193875DCB1DD8387ABB46EA407FB30D04BD A40A659CEC4C8CB6

[calmkiller]

So our Depth chart will look like

Hines
Holmes
Sweed
Mcdonald
Wallace
Baker
Nance
Williams
Grisham

I have a problem with Wallace being inactive on game day because if he is he will be Reid 2.0. Drafted for a returner that never returns. Signing Mcdonald means he will make the team. So that means one of our last 2 WR draft picks will be on the bench this year. I want to see Sweed play, and I want to see Wallace play. I hate how coaches talk up players, get me excited about them and then immediately bring in someone that will be in front of them on the Depth Chart.

[True Fan]

great sign imo!! i really wanted mike furrey, but mcdonald and furrey are pretty much the same wr

They look a bit different to me. :wink:

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0fSBd0gcCN6sn/340x.jpg http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/71339709.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193875DCB1DD8387ABB46EA407FB30D04BD A40A659CEC4C8CB6

i agree. the one guy looks to be a bit taller

[SteelHead]

So our Depth chart will look like

Hines
Holmes
Sweed
Mcdonald
Wallace
Baker
Nance
Williams
Grisham

I have a problem with Wallace being inactive on game day because if he is he will be Reid 2.0. Drafted for a returner that never returns. Signing Mcdonald means he will make the team. So that means one of our last 2 WR draft picks will be on the bench this year. I want to see Sweed play, and I want to see Wallace play. I hate how coaches talk up players, get me excited about them and then immediately bring in someone that will be in front of them on the Depth Chart.

Disagree. Signing Mcdonald does not guarantee him the #3 role or even a roster spot really. Kevin Barlow anyone ? That being said , he does make the roster IMO but Sweed will get his opportunity this year and Wallace will have to impress early if he wants a shot.
I hear ya though brother , I am truly excited about getting back Mendy and Sweed plus looking forward to contributions from Hood and Urbik early on. It's tough sometimes on us Steeler fans , we look across the league and see how many rooks are contributing and playing well and here ours are , seemingly rotting on the bench or ST , but hey you CANNOT argue with our FO. Results baby , RESULTS !

[Discipline of Steel]

[quote="True Fan":2vjdggyk]from what i can remember watching him with the lions is that he is a good possession receiver but doens't have the deep threat speed(maybe i'm wrong).
Is this true? 'Cause we still need a field stretcher to replace Nate if Sweed and/or Wallace aren't ready. Btw, Sweed is certainly fast enough isn't he to be our deep threat field stretcher guy ala' Nate?. I can't see why either Sweed or Wallace can't adequately fill Nate's role but I'm certainly no expert on WR development or the intricacies thereof[/quote:2vjdggyk]

I think the threat that Sweeeed may actually come up with one of those balls one day is enough to make him ready for that role. Other than that, he is still like a rookie until he proves otherwise. Thats why I think McDonald is definately the veteran guy we needed this year. Two 'rookies' is more than enough for the defending SB champions squad of wide receivers.

[D Rock]

Hines
Holmes
Sweed
McDonald
Wallace


BUT....

game day actives will be Hines, Holmes, Sweed, and Wallace. If an injury occurs then McDonald will play the following game, but the 4th reciever does not do a whole lot in this offense, especially with Heath and Moore in on 3rd downs.

Wallace will get the nod on the game day active roster as a returner. Sorry McDonald, but I don't see you getting much PT this year.

[Iron Shiek]

Not sure if any one mentioned this but somehiw if we can make him our welker that would be dope.

[Mel Blount's G]

Not sure if any one mentioned this but somehiw if we can make him our welker that would be dope.
You want McDonald to cheat? :o

[steelers43]

I'm hoping he's nothing more than camp fodder and Nance and Sweed can handle it.

Hines
Stonio
Sweed
Nance
Wallace

[papillon]

I'm hoping he's nothing more than camp fodder and Nance and Sweed can handle it.

Hines
Stonio
Sweed
Nance
Wallace

Yea, I'm with you on this one. I'm hoping Mcdonald is there only to push the younguns. The only difference for me is that I'd like Wallace to see action as #4. Nance has had his opportunities and hasn't taken a spot on the team yet.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

Baker has been in the league for 2 years and has 1 catch. McDonald had 47 catches in that time in his first 2 years.

Nance has been in the league for 3 years and has 3 catches. McDonald had 93 catches in that time in his first 3 years.

McDonald is not old (He is 27, while Baker is 26 and Nance is 25). He has something to offer as a 3rd or 4th WR (220 catches for 2,490 yard and 11 TD's in his career in that role), while neither Baker nor Nance has proven that they can stick on a roster as even a 5th WR at this point (both have spend more time on the practice squad than on an active roster at this point in their careers).

Ward and Holmes are your starters (who is #1 and who is #2 will work itself out).

Sweed and McDonald are your primary back-ups (who is #3 and who is #4 will work itself out).

Wallace is your development rookie prospect that is not yet ready for prime time, but his pure speed and potential as a kick returner offer the team much for for the future than Baker or Nance. Dallas and Martin go bye-bye.

[Oviedo]

Baker has been in the league for 2 years and has 1 catch. McDonald had 47 catches in that time in his first 2 years.

Nance has been in the league for 3 years and has 3 catches. McDonald had 93 catches in that time in his first 3 years.

McDonald is not old (He is 27, while Baker is 26 and Nance is 25). He has something to offer as a 3rd or 4th WR (220 catches for 2,490 yard and 11 TD's in his career in that role), while neither Baker nor Nance has proven that they can stick on a roster as even a 5th WR at this point (both have spend more time on the practice squad than on an active roster at this point in their careers).

Ward and Holmes are your starters (who is #1 and who is #2 will work itself out).

Sweed and McDonald are your primary back-ups (who is #3 and who is #4 will work itself out).

Wallace is your development rookie prospect that is not yet ready for prime time, but his pure speed and potential as a kick returner offer the team much for for the future than Baker or Nance. Dallas and Martin go bye-bye.

:Agree

Baker and Nance have no role on this team. Nance is here as a favor to Ben. Baker never was that good even in college.

[ikestops85]

Baker has been in the league for 2 years and has 1 catch. McDonald had 47 catches in that time in his first 2 years.

Nance has been in the league for 3 years and has 3 catches. McDonald had 93 catches in that time in his first 3 years.

McDonald is not old (He is 27, while Baker is 26 and Nance is 25). He has something to offer as a 3rd or 4th WR (220 catches for 2,490 yard and 11 TD's in his career in that role), while neither Baker nor Nance has proven that they can stick on a roster as even a 5th WR at this point (both have spend more time on the practice squad than on an active roster at this point in their careers).

Ward and Holmes are your starters (who is #1 and who is #2 will work itself out).

Sweed and McDonald are your primary back-ups (who is #3 and who is #4 will work itself out).

Wallace is your development rookie prospect that is not yet ready for prime time, but his pure speed and potential as a kick returner offer the team much for for the future than Baker or Nance. Dallas and Martin go bye-bye.

+1

[steelers43]

If Martin can get his speed back, he is an intriguing prospect given his size, speed combination.

MacDonald is a stop gap. If we need him, it means our young guys are not up to speed yet. Personally, I'd rather have the young guys with a higher ceiling make it. It's up to them to force MacDonald back to the street.

[papillon]

Baker has been in the league for 2 years and has 1 catch. McDonald had 47 catches in that time in his first 2 years.

Nance has been in the league for 3 years and has 3 catches. McDonald had 93 catches in that time in his first 3 years.

McDonald is not old (He is 27, while Baker is 26 and Nance is 25). He has something to offer as a 3rd or 4th WR (220 catches for 2,490 yard and 11 TD's in his career in that role), while neither Baker nor Nance has proven that they can stick on a roster as even a 5th WR at this point (both have spend more time on the practice squad than on an active roster at this point in their careers).

Ward and Holmes are your starters (who is #1 and who is #2 will work itself out).

Sweed and McDonald are your primary back-ups (who is #3 and who is #4 will work itself out).

Wallace is your development rookie prospect that is not yet ready for prime time, but his pure speed and potential as a kick returner offer the team much for for the future than Baker or Nance. Dallas and Martin go bye-bye.

I didn't realize that Mcdonald is only 27; for some reason I thought he was older (over 30) and didn't want him taking a roster spot for a year or two. Baker and Nance for sure will be battling for their NFL careers. I just don't want Mcdonald taking time from Sweed, unless, Sweed really f's things up. Wallace and Mcdonald should battle for the 4th spot, leaving Baker and Nance battling for the remaining.

Thanks for the info

Pappy

[aggiebones]

McDonald leads off as the no.3/4 depending on the situation. He is accomplished. Sweed is not, not is Wallace.
Are we going to trust Wallace as our kick return man? He'll get a shot, but is no guarantee. If he is returning, I think we activate 5 on gameday. McDonald is good. The young players will have to push past him to get some balls. I like it. Sweed got paid for doing little last year. do we really want to do that against with Wallace. Earn your PT rookies.

[papillon]

McDonald leads off as the no.3/4 depending on the situation. He is accomplished. Sweed is not, not is Wallace.
Are we going to trust Wallace as our kick return man? He'll get a shot, but is no guarantee. If he is returning, I think we activate 5 on gameday. McDonald is good. The young players will have to push past him to get some balls. I like it. Sweed got paid for doing little last year. do we really want to do that against with Wallace. Earn your PT rookies.

At some point you have to trust rookies and 2nd year players, IMHO. Sweed is taking a lot of heat for dropping a couple passes, it happens. His larger transgression was feigning injury and costing the team a timeout. The ease at which he gets open and finishing a play should land him in the #3 spot this year.

Pappy

[RuthlessBurgher]

McDonald leads off as the no.3/4 depending on the situation. He is accomplished. Sweed is not, not is Wallace.
Are we going to trust Wallace as our kick return man? He'll get a shot, but is no guarantee. If he is returning, I think we activate 5 on gameday. McDonald is good. The young players will have to push past him to get some balls. I like it. Sweed got paid for doing little last year. do we really want to do that against with Wallace. Earn your PT rookies.

At some point you have to trust rookies and 2nd year players, IMHO. Sweed is taking a lot of heat for dropping a couple passes, it happens. His larger transgression was feigning injury and costing the team a timeout. The ease at which he gets open and finishing a play should land him in the #3 spot this year.

Pappy

I think Sweed will claim the #3 spot this season, but McDonald is good insurance to have if he doesn't. And if Ward or Holmes got hurt and Sweed had to move into the starting lineup, you wouldn't want just Wallace/Nance/Baker as your primary backups.

[Mel Blount's G]

McDonald leads off as the no.3/4 depending on the situation. He is accomplished. Sweed is not, not is Wallace.
Are we going to trust Wallace as our kick return man? He'll get a shot, but is no guarantee. If he is returning, I think we activate 5 on gameday. McDonald is good. The young players will have to push past him to get some balls. I like it. Sweed got paid for doing little last year. do we really want to do that against with Wallace. Earn your PT rookies.

At some point you have to trust rookies and 2nd year players, IMHO. Sweed is taking a lot of heat for dropping a couple passes, it happens. His larger transgression was feigning injury and costing the team a timeout. The ease at which he gets open and finishing a play should land him in the #3 spot this year.

Pappy

I think Sweed will claim the #3 spot this season, but McDonald is good insurance to have if he doesn't. And if Ward or Holmes got hurt and Sweed had to move into the starting lineup, you wouldn't want just Wallace/Nance/Baker as your primary backups.
:Agree Well said both Ruth and Pappy

[Discipline of Steel]

Im sure Tomlin took one look at receiver after the SB and said to himself, "Baker? Nance? Boy, i really need to put some distance between those two and the field."

We had an accomplished veteran, a #1 receiver, and a young talent here before the draft. So Tomlin went out and got himself a veteran chain mover and a rookie field stretcher. Now our WR squad is well rounded indeed in terms of skills and experience...and we dont have to worry about scrubs seeing the field.

[SidSmythe]

Steelers signed Shaun McDonald - WR, formerly of the Detroit Lions.

I think he was injured last year but 2 yrs. ago had over 80 catches I believe in Martz's system and Kitna throwing the ball.

He's solid, has great hands . . good competition for Sweed, but I could see him being our #3 this year since he's best out of the slot and Sweed being #4 until he blossoms.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Steelers signed Shaun McDonald - WR, formerly of the Detroit Lions.

I think he was injured last year but 2 yrs. ago had over 80 catches I believe in Martz's system and Kitna throwing the ball.

He's solid, has great hands . . good competition for Sweed, but I could see him being our #3 this year since he's best out of the slot and Sweed being #4 until he blossoms.

Geez, man, it seems like it's raining WRs lately!

[NorthCoast]

I think some of you are writing off Wallace playing this year too soon. The fact is if he is Nate's replacement he could very well see the field a bit because the majority of routes Nate ran were fairly simple fly and deep post routes. In other words, Wallace won't be asked to do much other than pull the safeties deep down field. The ball may not come his way but I actually think we could see him on the field by the 4 or 5th game.

[Captain Lemming]

I think some of you are writing off Wallace playing this year too soon. The fact is if he is Nate's replacement he could very well see the field a bit because the majority of routes Nate ran were fairly simple fly and deep post routes. In other words, Wallace won't be asked to do much other than pull the safeties deep down field. The ball may not come his way but I actually think we could see him on the field by the 4 or 5th game.

If your sole threat is deep routes, corners will simply give you a cushion. As a better route runner, who has also shown an ability to get open deep at will, unless Sweed really struggles with drops, he gets this role.

[NorthCoast]

I think some of you are writing off Wallace playing this year too soon. The fact is if he is Nate's replacement he could very well see the field a bit because the majority of routes Nate ran were fairly simple fly and deep post routes. In other words, Wallace won't be asked to do much other than pull the safeties deep down field. The ball may not come his way but I actually think we could see him on the field by the 4 or 5th game.

If your sole threat is deep routes, corners will simply give you a cushion. As a better route runner, who has also shown an ability to get open deep at will, unless Sweed really struggles with drops, he gets this role.

That's the point...DBs playing off and deep open the underneath stuff.....

[stlrz d]

http://www.airlineempires.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/merge2.gif