When Did Sanders Become So Fast?

[B]When Did Sanders Become So Fast?[/B]

[IMG]http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/120/1202192.jpg[/IMG]

[B]Emmanuel Sanders is showing more speed than expected this camp, and he understands why some are so surprised.[/B]

By Jim Wexell
SteelCityInsider.net
Posted Jul 28, 2013

LATROBE – According to Pittsburgh legend, Ben Roethlisberger called Mike Tomlin last spring to change his coach’s mind about letting Emmanuel Sanders go to New England for third-round compensation.

Not all of it’s true, according to Tomlin.

“Ben did call,” Tomlin said. “But he didn’t change our decision-making process. We wanted to keep Emmanuel all along.”

In two practices this training camp, it’s understandable.

On Saturday, Sanders beat William Gay deep, and then in what appeared to be a clear case of Sanders getting more separation with each step he beat Cortez Allen deep.

Allen said he merely took a bad angle after “I guessed a little bit,” but admitted that “we have speed,” which had been in question after the Steelers lost Mike Wallace in free agency.

“Obviously Wallace is a unique type of speed, but we have speed, and we have great receivers,” said Allen. “We have a group of receivers who can run the whole route tree, and highly effectively. There’s no drop at all in my eyes.”

At Sunday’s practice, the Steelers’ cornerbacks switched assignments. Allen missed practice with what Tomlin called “discomfort” in the right knee, but replacement Gay took Antonio Brown and Ike Taylor shadowed Sanders.

When Taylor gave Sanders enough of a cushion – in apparent respect of Sanders’ speed – Sanders curled in twice and made easy catches for chunk gains.

So the question becomes this: When did Sanders -- who’s averaged 13.7 yards per each of his 94 catches the last three seasons –- get so fast?

“I think I’ve been fast,” said Sanders. “I just think I’ve been playing in the slot, so a lot of people really don’t understand how fast I am. The slot is more of a controlled position. Outside is more of a speed position.”

Sanders said he didn’t seek out some overpriced and overhyped speed coach this off-season, that he was just able to work out on a full-go basis for the first time since his rookie year.

“In the past two years I’ve had two foot surgeries and I had a torn knee,” he said. “That’s all lower body. And for the first time I’m actually healthy. Have I gained some speed? Could that be the reason why? Potentially. When a guy has two foot surgeries, he can’t run. A guy has knee surgery, he can’t run. So this off-season I had a full off-season of working hard. I got to do whatever I want: squat, run as much as I wanted to. And it feels good.”

And it looks good. While no one expects Sanders to run like the world-class Wallace, Sanders’ 4.41 40 (combine time) and his full route tree might, as Allen pointed out, might make him the game-breaker Wallace was.

It should also be remembered that the Steelers won Super Bowl XL with Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El as their starting receivers. It’s unlikely that either player ever broke the 4.5-second barrier in the 40.

Sanders also has the Z position in common with Ward, who often used the term flanker instead. From that position, Sanders is hoping for his first 1,000-yard season, although he points out that “I just want to win. If you win, the rest takes care of itself.”

“The rest” could mean a long-term contract that sets him and his family up for life. But with flashy rookie Markus Wheaton being groomed behind Sanders, that contract might not happen with the Steelers – unless Roethlisberger really makes a high, hard pitch.

“Why did he do that?” Sanders asked of the phone call. “As a quarterback, you love the chemistry that you have with your guy. After losing Mike, I guess he figured that he couldn’t lose two of his guys.

“I’m glad that he came to bat for me because I want to be here. I’m happy to be here. I’ve got one more year – hopefully it turns into something longer – but in this one year I’m dedicated to winning a Super Bowl.”

[B]NOTES –[/B] Allen said of his right knee, “I’m good. I’m fine. It’s a day-to-day thing. I’m perfectly fine.” ... Another cornerback, DeMarcus Van Dyke, left practice late with a troublesome left hamstring. ... The Steelers will finally put on pads for Monday’s practice. Said Tomlin: “It’s like the first day of school. It really is. Checking in here and getting on the grass is one thing, don’t get me wrong, but football’s a game that’s played in pads, and tomorrow’s the first day of school.”

[URL]http://pit.scout.com/2/1310855.html[/URL]

Sanders 40 time was always reasonable, but his agility tests at the Combine were off-the-charts good, way better than Wallace. Not sure if Sanders would beat Wallace in a foot race, but getting seperation in & out of his cuts, Sanders agility could certainly make him look faster on the field.

I'm really glad they retained Sanders. I think he will have a very good year, if he has an injury free season. He will have his 1,000 yards. I think he is one of the more articulate players and has an outstanding attitude. I think he does have a better understanding of route running than Wallace.

I've always felt like Sanders had the most potential out of the young money crew. Hopefully some good health can help him reach that potential.

I'm glad to hear the positive reports on Sanders, and as much as I'd love to be a blind optimist, I'm still cautious. He had the opportunity to start a few games last year, and he underwhelmed. Hopefully this year is different.

[QUOTE=Chadman;566381]Sanders 40 time was always reasonable, but his agility tests at the Combine were off-the-charts good, way better than Wallace. Not sure if Sanders would beat Wallace in a foot race, but getting seperation in & out of his cuts, Sanders agility could certainly make him look faster on the field.[/QUOTE]

I would not be surprised and actually expect the Steelers to have more wide open receivers deep this season than at any time the past several years. There is plenty of speed in this group. It is more moves and know-how.

[QUOTE=Chadman;566381]Sanders 40 time was always reasonable, but his agility tests at the Combine were off-the-charts good, way better than Wallace. Not sure if Sanders would beat Wallace in a foot race, but getting seperation in & out of his cuts, Sanders agility could certainly make him look faster on the field.[/QUOTE]

I agree. I'll take Wallace on streak routes, and Sanders on every other route. Sanders is faster in and out of breaks. What is scarey is he was that quick, at less than 100%.

What I am concerned about is Allen's sore knee. While it could be just some early season ligament strain, it causes me to take a mental note.

I'm hoping that the ease with which they allowed Wallace to leave means that it really is a case of addition by subtraction. Last season Wallace was an obvious malcontent. He held out, he played half-azzed, he complained about his inability to focus when he wasn't the center of the offense etc. I'd always liked what I'd seen and heard out of Brown, but last year he also looked somewhat disinterested. I really love what I have just read about Sanders. Getting the poisonous attitude away from the WR corps might be the biggest reason to expect improvement from them.

I'm surprised the Steelers didn't sign Sanders to a long term deal. If they don't sign him long term then it was a dumb move to match the Patriots offer and lose the 3rd round compensation.

[QUOTE=steelz09;566396]I'm surprised the Steelers didn't sign Sanders to a long term deal. If they don't sign him long term then it was a dumb move to match the Patriots offer and lose the 3rd round compensation.[/QUOTE]

Not if he helps them win a SuperBowl this year.

[B]Steelers WR corps more like 'New Money' now[/B]

By Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

There might have been something to this "Young Money" stuff after all. Even if it was misguided.

Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders bestowed the nickname on themselves when they arrived a year apart as the new receiving corps for the Steelers.

They were young, fast and talented, and the moniker was meant to suggest the trio would be money in the bank for the Steelers offense. And, at various points, it was that and more.

But it also ended up being a precursor to the wealth each has received at a tender stage in their NFL development.

Brown, a sixth-round pick in 2010, was the first to reap the financial reward, signing a six-year, $42.5 million contract last year at the beginning of training camp when Wallace was a holdout.

Wallace, who wanted more than that from the Steelers, left as an unrestricted free agent after last season to sign a five-year, $60 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.

And Sanders, a third-round choice in 2010, received a one-year, $2.5 million contract from the Steelers when they decided to match the offer sheet he received from the New England Patriots.

That's $105 million in wealth for three players who have a combined 10 years experience in the NFL - or one fewer than Plaxico Burress.

But all that money did not reflect the impact - or lack thereof - the young receivers had last season with the Steelers. It was certainly not commensurate with the production each displayed in 2012. Young money provided a bad return, and it created an unsettling atmosphere among the offense.

Even Brown, who has been elevated to No. 1 receiver with the loss of Wallace, conceded the unit underperformed last season.

"Definitely," he said. "We definitely came up short. But we're going to leave last year behind. This year is a new slate. Everyone's got a fresh start. Nobody really remembers last year. It's all out of our minds."

Granted, the trio of Wallace, Brown and Sanders combined for 174 catches, 14 touchdowns and a per-catch average of 12.9 yards last season. But each distinguished themselves more for the mistakes they made and the catches they didn't make.

Wallace looked more like a possession receiver for much of the early part of the season and had big drops, including a potential game-changer in a devastating Week 14 loss to the San Diego Chargers.

Brown finished with five touchdowns after missing three games with an ankle injury, but his season will be remembered for mental gaffes and costly fumbles, including the one in Week 15 in Dallas.

And Sanders will be remembered for the two inexplicable fumbles at midfield on plays that proved to be significant.

"We have to show up and get better," Brown said. "This is where the building process starts. We have to preach to them, not let them forget we were 8-8."

Coach Mike Tomlin is trying to change some of what happened with his receivers with the hiring of Richard Mann as position coach, replacing Scottie Montgomerie.

Tomlin has a history of hiring younger coaches to his staff but made an exception with Mann, 65, because of his demanding, no-nonsense approach. Tomlin was on the same coaching staff with Mann, an Aliquippa native, when he was a secondary coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

"It wasn't an unknown for me," Tomlin said. "His expertise is obvious. He builds great rapport with men. He's a great teacher. He's a team player. All those things were turn-ons to me."

Still, the Steelers have to move on without Wallace, their big-play threat who had 235 catches, 32 touchdowns and averaged 17.2 yards per catch in four seasons with them. His departure will have the most significant impact on Sanders, who now becomes a starter.

The Steelers had hoped to talk to Sanders about a long-term contract extension after matching the Patriots' offer. But they believe he wants to test the free-agent market at the end of the season.

"It felt good to be wanted," Sanders said. "When the offer came, I had to make a decision. As much as I love Pittsburgh, I had to do what's best for my family and for me. And I felt like since they're offering, I might as well take a shot. I felt it was a great opportunity for me.

"I was happy Pittsburgh matched the offer because they're the team that drafted me and gave me an opportunity in this league. So I was thankful for it. I'm happy to be here."

The Steelers are hoping rookie Markus Wheaton, a third-round choice from Oregon State, can help replace Wallace. He has the same type of deep speed as Wallace - Wheaton was clocked at 4.3 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine - and has the same body type (5-11, 182) as Brown and Sanders.

"He's a speedster and he loves to play football," Sanders said. "Anytime you get a guy like that in the room, I always welcome him."

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/...#ixzz2aQJkyjWp[/URL]

Can't say I'm thrilled to read that he plans to test the market after this season. Hopefully they can reach a extension because I believe Sanders could end up becoming our best receiver. If he can stay healthy.

less talk, more production from sanders

not sure why his attitude has been characterized as "outstanding"

some of his quotes certainly don't reflect that

I'm hoping another season of comfortability with Haley's offense will help the production of our offense. The underwhelming numbers was a concern but given the fact our OL was a mishmash last season, discontent in the WR ranks and the new scheme....the outcome seemed plausible.

In the original article there is a sentence that says, "William Gay beat deep". We should be prepared to hear/read that a lot this season.

[QUOTE=Ghost;566421]In the original article there is a sentence that says, "William Gay beat deep". We should be prepared to hear/read that a lot this season.[/QUOTE]

Not to beat a dead horse but letting Keenan Lewis walk was one of the dumbest personnel decisions I've seen in awhile.

[QUOTE=Ghost;566421]In the original article there is a sentence that says, "William Gay beat deep". We should be prepared to hear/read that a lot this season.[/QUOTE]

The same thing was said about Cortez Allen ... should we be prepared to hear/read that a lot this season? Why just pick on Gay?

Gay was statistically ranked as one of the worst CB's in the league last year. Not sure what the criteria was for the ranking... it was on ESPN so take it for what it's worth :)

[QUOTE=ikestops85;566451]Why just pick on Gay?[/QUOTE]

Seems like Ive heard that before on some news report on the topic of bullying in school.

[QUOTE=ikestops85;566451]The same thing was said about Cortez Allen ... should we be prepared to hear/read that a lot this season? Why just pick on Gay?[/QUOTE]

Your name is Ikestops85 right?
He did that when "85" was in his prime.

Sorry but William Gay cannot do that TODAY and 85 cant get a job

[QUOTE=ikestops85;566451]The same thing was said about Cortez Allen ... should we be prepared to hear/read that a lot this season? Why just pick on Gay?[/QUOTE]

I know you are a long time fan. You've seen WG play. There were numerous times when he was the worst player on the field for either team. The stats speak for themselves (as does the eye test). If he was not on this team it would not be one iota worse off. I pray he's never needed as a full time starter this season.

I have no idea where/how Steeler fans have come to think this guy (even the 2nd time around), is anything to hang your hat on. He is a scrub... sorry, that's the bottom line. (Scrub being figurative; I know that he is an NFL player.)

Arizona signed him one year ago away from us, and a year later decides to waive him? Think about BMcFadden a year or two below. Same pattern. Teams do not get rid of guys they've only signed one-year earlier, if they could play. TBH, I don't know why they'd bring Gay back at all, even as insurance. That's some terrible insurance.

[B]Steelers Roethlisberger confident in his receiving group without Mike Wallace[/B]

By SteelCityRoller on Jul 30 2013

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[B]In a conversation with Solomon Wilcots, Roethlisberger admits Mike Wallace and his speed are not easily replaceable; but his offense will be perfectly fine without him.[/B]

It has been a long four months since Mike Wallace took his talents to South Beach, but the Pittsburgh Steelers and their quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are still being asked about him.

Most recently, NFL Network's Solomon Wilcots caught up with Roethlisberger after the team had wrapped up its first padded practice of training camp. During the interview, Wilcots brought up Wallace and asked Roethlisberger what his departure would mean to the offense in 2013.

"You're always going to miss a guy like that - as much a teammate as a friend - but I think the big thing is, we've still got guys here that can make plays. No one is trying to fill Mike Wallace's shoes. They just need to be themselves, and we'll be fine."

While many are quick to dismiss such comments as politically correct displacement regurgitated by highly regarded team leaders when facing such poignant questions, but this isn't the first time Roethlisberger has gone on record as having full confidence in not only his receiving corps, but the entire offense in general.

The world already knows what Antonio Brown is capable of. The Steelers have already exhibited their expectations in Emmanuel Sanders by matching a one-year $2.5 million offer sheet from the New England Patriots for his services. The team re-signed veteran Plaxico Burress, retained the services of Jerricho Cotchery and drafted prospects Markus Wheaton and Justin Brown. Toss in other youngsters David Gilreath, Derek Moye, Kashif Moore and rocket man Reggie Dunn, and a case can be made for the 2013 receiving roster to be one of the team's deepest in recent memory.

It has yet to be seen exactly how much Wallace's departure will affect the Steelers offense, or how his arrival will affect the development of a young offense with his new team, the Miami Dolphins. However, as coordinator Todd Haley and new receivers coach Richard Mann continue to work with their current group and Roethlisberger to produce smoother communication and execution of the offensive gameplan, the team may really be fine without Wallace, who had his worst stat production in Haley's offense since becoming a full-time starter in Pittsburgh.

Whether Roethlisberger was simply being congenial or was truly sincere, the Steelers will need to learn to exist without Wallace's services during training camp if they want to contend for another championship in 2013.

[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/7/30/4570186/steelers-roethlisberger-mike-wallace-receivers-training-camp[/URL]

[B]Emmanuel Sanders has stood out during Steelers camp[/B]

AUGUST 18, 2013 BY PAUL JACKIEWICZ

According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has stood out during training camp so far.

The assumption is Antonio Brown would take over Wallace’s role as the No. 1 receiver. But in my two of days at camp, Emmanuel Sanders was the one who stood out the most. Roethlisberger’s best deep throws went to Sanders, and the quarterback was in a better rhythm with Sanders on crossing routes. This is a big year for Sanders, who will be a free agent after the season.

Sanders looked like the Steelers top receiver last week against the Giants, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did tell Steelers.com that Antonio Brown is a number-one guy.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/emmanuel_sanders_has_stood_out_during_steelers_camp/14317562[/URL]

[QUOTE=hawaiiansteel;567874][B]Emmanuel Sanders has stood out during Steelers camp[/B]

AUGUST 18, 2013 BY PAUL JACKIEWICZ

According to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com, Steelers wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders has stood out during training camp so far.

The assumption is Antonio Brown would take over Wallace’s role as the No. 1 receiver. But in my two of days at camp, Emmanuel Sanders was the one who stood out the most. Roethlisberger’s best deep throws went to Sanders, and the quarterback was in a better rhythm with Sanders on crossing routes. This is a big year for Sanders, who will be a free agent after the season.

Sanders looked like the Steelers top receiver last week against the Giants, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did tell Steelers.com that Antonio Brown is a number-one guy.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/emmanuel_sanders_has_stood_out_during_steelers_camp/14317562[/URL][/QUOTE]

I really hope the Steelers resign Sanders before the season starts because I think after the season there will be no way we could afford him. A combination of Brown, Sanders and Wheaton will be as solid as there is going forward for the next several years.

Sanders is not going to garner all that in free agency. He is a under 6ft tall, very thin WR. Yes he can run some what fast, but, you know how many guys came out of college who have run under a 4.2 forty, and who were coming off of college careers where they had multiple 1500 Yd receiving seasons with 20 + TD 's ?, and yet still Busted in the pros ?...well the number is too high to count. You have to have good hands, and be durable. Two things Sanders have had issues with. I wanna see a good season out of him, but I have to say, I have my doubts.

[QUOTE=sedatedsteelerfan;567888]Sanders is not going to garner all that in free agency. He is a under 6ft tall, very thin WR. Yes he can run some what fast, but, you know how many guys came out of college who have run under a 4.2 forty, and who were coming off of college careers where they had multiple 1500 Yd receiving seasons with 20 + TD 's ?, and yet still Busted in the pros ?...well the number is too high to count. You have to have good hands, and be durable. Two things Sanders have had issues with. I wanna see a good season out of him, but I have to say, I have my doubts.[/QUOTE]

I'm far less intersted in the 40 time than I am the fact that Sanders runs excellent routes which get him open, has great hands and gets yards after the catch. That all reads a solid #2.

I never said that Sanders was going to get the stupid money the Dolphins wasted on Wallace but he will get a solid mid range WR contract which may be too rich for us given our cap problems.

[QUOTE=Oviedo;567887]I really hope the Steelers resign Sanders before the season starts because I think after the season there will be no way we could afford him. A combination of Brown, Sanders and Wheaton will be as solid as there is going forward for the next several years.[/QUOTE]

I agree with you Ovi. Since Sanders rookie year he and Ben have had a special chemistry. The guy has all the tools to be a very good receiver in this league. He is smart, runs great routes, has good hands, and can get some YAC. The only problem I see with Sanders is his ability to stay healthy. If he can stay on the field we should have a very good receiving corp.

a couple of nice grabs by Sanders so far...

[QUOTE=sedatedsteelerfan;567888]Sanders is not going to garner all that in free agency. He is a under 6ft tall, very thin WR. Yes he can run some what fast, but, you know how many guys came out of college who have run under a 4.2 forty, and who were coming off of college careers where they had multiple 1500 Yd receiving seasons with 20 + TD 's ?, and yet still Busted in the pros ?...well the number is too high to count. You have to have good hands, and be durable. Two things Sanders have had issues with. I wanna see a good season out of him, but I have to say, I have my doubts.[/QUOTE]

really? Multiple 1500 yard seasons with 20+ TDs??

Name me ONE player who has done this, and then we will talk about 'too many to count'.

sub 4.2 forty? Again, name ONE and we will talk about it.

Interesting contrast so far between Sanders contract year and Wallace's last year. Sanders looks like he's come to play this season.... MW decided he showed enough and didn't need to.

What choice does sanders have??

He's dont squat his first 3 years years. Compare that to Wallace's first 3 years which are comparable to the best that ever played the position

[QUOTE=NJ-STEELER;568217]What choice does sanders have??

He's dont squat his first 3 years years. Compare that to Wallace's first 3 years which are comparable to the best that ever played the position[/QUOTE]

Sanders was great his first year before the injuries..

[QUOTE=sedatedsteelerfan;567888]Sanders is not going to garner all that in free agency. He is a under 6ft tall, very thin WR. Yes he can run some what fast, but, you know how many guys came out of college who have run under a 4.2 forty, and who were coming off of college careers where they had multiple 1500 Yd receiving seasons with 20 + TD 's ?, and yet still Busted in the pros ?...well the number is too high to count. You have to have good hands, and be durable. Two things Sanders have had issues with. I wanna see a good season out of him, but I have to say, I have my doubts.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=D Rock;568128]really? Multiple 1500 yard seasons with 20+ TDs??

Name me ONE player who has done this, and then we will talk about 'too many to count'.

sub 4.2 forty? Again, name ONE and we will talk about it.[/QUOTE]



ahh yes, another insane post and hasty disappearance. As expected.