Darrius Heyward-Bey reportedly to visit Steelers

**Chadman** · 04-02-2014, 12:26 AM

Hate him as much as you like, he DOES provide the deep threat that Wallace used to be.

Ben could use a player that stretches the field.

**hawaiiansteel** · 04-02-2014, 02:15 AM

Darrius Heyward-Bey scheduled to visit Steelers

Posted by Josh Alper on April 1, 2014

The list of available free agent wide receivers lost a member on Tuesday when Jacoby Ford signed with the Jets.

It could get even smaller if another former Raiders wideout has a good visit in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Darrius Heyward-Bey is scheduled for a visit with the Steelers on Wednesday.

Heyward-Bey spent last season with the Colts and held onto a starting job for most of the season before moving to the bench for the final weeks of the season. He finished the year with 29 catches, but none in the final three weeks of the regular season or in the playoffs. The seventh overall pick of the 2009 draft by the Raiders had 140 catches in four seasons with Oakland that featured too many drops sprinkled among the catches.

The Steelers have lost Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery in free agency, leaving them with little experience behind Antonio Brown on the depth chart. That makes their interest in more seasoned hands easy to understand, even if those hands can’t always be counted on to hold onto the ball.

[URL]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/01/darrius-heyward-bey-scheduled-to-visit-steelers/[/URL]

**K Train** · 04-02-2014, 07:56 AM

He would step in the role nate washington had and how young mike wallace had. Ben loves a guy to throw deep to but even more loves a guy that can take the top off

**Oviedo** · 04-02-2014, 08:56 AM

Still shopping at Goodwill!

**ikestops85** · 04-02-2014, 09:24 AM

No, No, and No. Just because a guy has speed doesn't mean he can take the top off a defense. He has to know how to use that speed. I know a lot of people joked about Wallace being a one trick pony but he knew how and when to use his speed. Heyward-Bey doesn't ... and that isn't even his main problem. A receivers first responsibility is catching the football. DHB hasn't mastered that. Just look at last season with the Colts and you have a guy who is a starter for most of the season and he finishes the year with 29 whole catches. It's not like he was playing for a team that runs the ball all the time or has a lousy QB. The Colts running game was horrible and Luck has proven to be a good QB.

Stay far away from this guy.

**steelz09** · 04-02-2014, 09:45 AM

I like it.... It's not like there is a lot of downside to a signing like this.... if he sucks, he simply won't make the roster. If the change of scenario and Ben throwing him the ball turns around his career, then good for us.

**JUST-PLAIN-NASTY** · 04-02-2014, 09:52 AM

There shouldn't be anyone against bringing Bey in. He isn't coming here to plug a hole. It's a win-win at vet min. No depth at WR. The Steelers need to replace a #2 & #3 of 113/1,342 16Tds & only have 43/521 2 Tds to show for it. The Steelers are 1 injury away at WR from trouble. Just a piece to the puzzle. Won't change draft strategy. Let the cream rise to the top of the 53. You cut Bey if the rookie(s) or other WRs beat him out.

**phillyesq** · 04-02-2014, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by JUST-PLAIN-NASTY

There shouldn't be anyone against bringing Bey in. He isn't coming here to plug a hole. It's a win-win at vet min. No depth at WR. The Steelers need to replace a #2 & #3 of 113/1,342 16Tds & only have 43/521 2 Tds to show for it. The Steelers are 1 injury away at WR from trouble. Just a piece to the puzzle. Won't change draft strategy. Let the cream rise to the top of the 53. You cut Bey if the rookie(s) or other WRs beat him out.

Absolutely, well said.

This is what the Steelers do. Before the draft, they try to ensure that there are no glaring holes on the roster so that they aren't handcuffed into making pure need selections.

Signing DHB, who wouldn't even be guaranteed of making the team, doesn't mean that the Steelers won't draft a big WR early. It just means that they have an option.

**Oviedo** · 04-02-2014, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by K Train

He would step in the role nate washington had and how young mike wallace had. Ben loves a guy to throw deep to but even more loves a guy that can take the top off

Giving Ben a guy who "stretches the field" plays to his worst temptations. Too many times Ben passes up the sure gain for a hope and a prayer. We don't need another fast guy with questionable WR skills. We just got rid of that guy and he's the Dolphins' problem now.