hawaiiansteel
12-21-2010, 05:42 PM
Steelers Workout Former WVU Wide Receiver Wes Lyons
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/893/932/91259037.jpg.20928_crop_340x234.jpg?1270007826
The Steelers continued their Tuesday workout of free agent players by working out former West Virginia University wide receiver Wes Lyons today.
Original Story: http://www.steelersdepot.com/2010/12/...
Wes Lyons: The Breakout Star That Never Shined
By Danny Flynn (Featured Columnist) on March 31, 2010
6‘8"
That was most likely the first thing that stuck out to fans about Wes Lyons, his height.
The Pennsylvania native came to Morgantown as a freshman with a frame and build that was certainly intriguing to say the least.
After spurning big name programs such as Ohio State, Miami, and Oklahoma, Lyons came in with the attached expectations that he could become another big-play wide receiver in the mold of Chris Henry.
It was accepted that it would take time for the tall and talented youngster to grow into his body and mature but many figured once he did, he could be dominant. If he could add some muscle to his lanky frame, Wes Lyons looked like he could be the type of receiver that few college defensive backs could tango with.
Many expected that given his size, Lyons could be a tremendous asset as a red zone target early on in his career.
However, the snaps and opportunities were scarce throughout the beginning of his tenure and Wes could only manage a total of 11 catches in his first two seasons. Even with limited chances, Rich Rodriguez employed a steady run first spread attack that didn’t exactly allow for breakout games from his wide receivers.
When Rodriguez departed and Bill Stewart came in, promising a new passing element to the offense, there seemed to be a sense that Wes’s fortunes could change. The departure of top receiver Darius Reynaud only seemed to open things up even more.
It looked like his junior year would finally be the one where the “what’s the deal with Wes Lyons” questions would be answered.
New receivers did emerge in Jeff Mullen’s refined version of the spread, but those receivers were Alric Arnett and Jock Sanders. Lyons spent the season once again as an afterthought, finishing with a disappointing 11 total catches.
Lyons had failed to live up to expectations. He had done nothing in his first three years to show that he was anything but an unmitigated bust. The questions still persisted and the receiver had only his senior year left to prove his doubters and critics wrong.
After drawing rave reviews in spring practices, it looked like Wes was finally going to put it all together. It seemed he was waiting for his senior year to finally have the breakout type season many had been waiting for.
It was not to be though. The hopes would go unfulfilled.
During his final season, Lyons at times showed a few flashes of what could have been, but in general it was another season of very little impact. His most important contribution to the team would come primarily as a blocker in the slot receiver position.
The once great potential red zone threat would end his career without a touchdown in a Mountaineer uniform. He would end his career like many before him, as just another highly regarded player who let his potential fall by the wayside.
Perhaps the defining moment of his senior season came in a late October loss at South Florida. Lyons dropped a crucial fourth quarter pass that essentially all but ended West Virginia’s comeback effort. It was a fitting analogy for his career; he had let it all slip through his fingertips.
I speak of the departing Wes Lyons as we approach Mountaineer spring football as a warning to fans to limit their excitement when it comes to reports on players during this time. Treat the “having a great spring, ready to breakout” rumors with caution and tempered optimism.
Yes, spring is a great time for lesser known players to make a name for themselves, starters to solidify their worth, and for younger players to show that they belong, but there are those that can put too much credence into what they hear. Yes, players will emerge but the spring isn’t the be all end all for this team.
The reports of Lyons last spring would have led you to believe he was going to have an All Big East type campaign this past season. Sometimes these reports can raise expectations to unfair levels.
There is a wide difference between potential and results. Lots of players will show their potential this spring, but few have what it takes to get the results during the season.
Regardless, it should be fun watching who emerges in the coming month, but we need to make sure we keep it all in proper perspective.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3712 ... ver-shined (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/371233-wes-lyons-the-breakout-star-that-never-shined)
http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/893/932/91259037.jpg.20928_crop_340x234.jpg?1270007826
The Steelers continued their Tuesday workout of free agent players by working out former West Virginia University wide receiver Wes Lyons today.
Original Story: http://www.steelersdepot.com/2010/12/...
Wes Lyons: The Breakout Star That Never Shined
By Danny Flynn (Featured Columnist) on March 31, 2010
6‘8"
That was most likely the first thing that stuck out to fans about Wes Lyons, his height.
The Pennsylvania native came to Morgantown as a freshman with a frame and build that was certainly intriguing to say the least.
After spurning big name programs such as Ohio State, Miami, and Oklahoma, Lyons came in with the attached expectations that he could become another big-play wide receiver in the mold of Chris Henry.
It was accepted that it would take time for the tall and talented youngster to grow into his body and mature but many figured once he did, he could be dominant. If he could add some muscle to his lanky frame, Wes Lyons looked like he could be the type of receiver that few college defensive backs could tango with.
Many expected that given his size, Lyons could be a tremendous asset as a red zone target early on in his career.
However, the snaps and opportunities were scarce throughout the beginning of his tenure and Wes could only manage a total of 11 catches in his first two seasons. Even with limited chances, Rich Rodriguez employed a steady run first spread attack that didn’t exactly allow for breakout games from his wide receivers.
When Rodriguez departed and Bill Stewart came in, promising a new passing element to the offense, there seemed to be a sense that Wes’s fortunes could change. The departure of top receiver Darius Reynaud only seemed to open things up even more.
It looked like his junior year would finally be the one where the “what’s the deal with Wes Lyons” questions would be answered.
New receivers did emerge in Jeff Mullen’s refined version of the spread, but those receivers were Alric Arnett and Jock Sanders. Lyons spent the season once again as an afterthought, finishing with a disappointing 11 total catches.
Lyons had failed to live up to expectations. He had done nothing in his first three years to show that he was anything but an unmitigated bust. The questions still persisted and the receiver had only his senior year left to prove his doubters and critics wrong.
After drawing rave reviews in spring practices, it looked like Wes was finally going to put it all together. It seemed he was waiting for his senior year to finally have the breakout type season many had been waiting for.
It was not to be though. The hopes would go unfulfilled.
During his final season, Lyons at times showed a few flashes of what could have been, but in general it was another season of very little impact. His most important contribution to the team would come primarily as a blocker in the slot receiver position.
The once great potential red zone threat would end his career without a touchdown in a Mountaineer uniform. He would end his career like many before him, as just another highly regarded player who let his potential fall by the wayside.
Perhaps the defining moment of his senior season came in a late October loss at South Florida. Lyons dropped a crucial fourth quarter pass that essentially all but ended West Virginia’s comeback effort. It was a fitting analogy for his career; he had let it all slip through his fingertips.
I speak of the departing Wes Lyons as we approach Mountaineer spring football as a warning to fans to limit their excitement when it comes to reports on players during this time. Treat the “having a great spring, ready to breakout” rumors with caution and tempered optimism.
Yes, spring is a great time for lesser known players to make a name for themselves, starters to solidify their worth, and for younger players to show that they belong, but there are those that can put too much credence into what they hear. Yes, players will emerge but the spring isn’t the be all end all for this team.
The reports of Lyons last spring would have led you to believe he was going to have an All Big East type campaign this past season. Sometimes these reports can raise expectations to unfair levels.
There is a wide difference between potential and results. Lots of players will show their potential this spring, but few have what it takes to get the results during the season.
Regardless, it should be fun watching who emerges in the coming month, but we need to make sure we keep it all in proper perspective.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/3712 ... ver-shined (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/371233-wes-lyons-the-breakout-star-that-never-shined)