Labriola: Roman Wilson didn’t know the offense

[WindyCitySteel]

That’s why he didn’t play. Dovetails with the comments made by Eric Rowe.

https://steelersdepot.com/2025/02/steelers-at-no-point-had-legitimate-level-of-confidence-roman-wilson-understood-offense-enough-to-play-labriola-believes/

[hawaiiansteel]

There's a good chance he's not the brightest bulb on the tree.

However, that also speaks volumes about a lack of coaching.

[WindyCitySteel]

Also, gotta wonder how much Michigan players from that era benefitted from cheating. Easier to get open if you know the defensive play before the snap.

[Ghost]

So a guy who caught 12 TDs his last year in college and played 12 or more games 3 years in a row suddenly forgot how to play football? The coaches could not figure out how to use his 4.39 speed?

[SteelerOfDeVille]

There's a good chance he's not the brightest bulb on the tree.

However, that also speaks volumes about a lack of coaching.

DUUUDE. Were you one of the "Bustamalu" folks? LOL

"We listen and we don't judge"

Kid showed up, showed promise got hurt and was unable to actually run routes. Kid came back, got hurt again.

If they moved him from WR4 to WR3 or vice versa (which you know they did - ask Leal), his assignments are different on those plays. It's a lot for a rookie to take in while learning a new playbook and never running a play.

Seriously, we'll know for sure based on this draft. I don't think they take a WR before day 3, if at all.
I'm calling my shot of Darius Slayton (3 years, $48mil) at FA and no WR in the draft. Wilson will compete with Austin for time at the slot.

[hawaiiansteel]

DUUUDE.

I'm calling my shot of Darius Slayton (3 years, $48mil) at FA and no WR in the draft. Wilson will compete with Austin for time at the slot.

DUUUDE.

We're selecting a WR in this upcoming draft.

[WindyCitySteel]

So a guy who caught 12 TDs his last year in college and played 12 or more games 3 years in a row suddenly forgot how to play football? The coaches could not figure out how to use his 4.39 speed?

Almost his entire career at UM was played during the Connor Stalions scandal. Spygate on steroids.

Same with McCarthy.

[Northern_Blitz]

Also, gotta wonder how much Michigan players from that era benefitted from cheating. Easier to get open if you know the defensive play before the snap.

Dave at the Depot did a deep dive on all his targets from his senior year.

The big plays all came on plays where he had a lot of cushion or was uncovered in the slot. He got hurt too early in the process to see if he could get open in tight coverage.

I think things (not knowing the playbook and not being able to get open when being covered) are big reasons why there was no rush to use one of the IR return spots on him.

I think we had similar discussions in-season.

[Northern_Blitz]

So a guy who caught 12 TDs his last year in college and played 12 or more games 3 years in a row suddenly forgot how to play football? The coaches could not figure out how to use his 4.39 speed?

Ghost, did you happen to check this article out about Wilson's last year in college?

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/04/contextualization-of-wr-roman-wilsons-2023-pass-targets-at-michigan/

There are video links to every one of his targets that year.

I think the most interesting part of the message is that he had the majority of his production when he wasn't facing tight coverage / press man. I think at least part of the issue is that he isn't good at getting off the line when pressed. And he missed essentially all of the offseason.

I like when Dave does these kind of posts. He did one about Najee when he was at Alabama too. And it was that post that convinced me off the jump that he would be very unlikely to get big plays in the NFL (still true after almost 1300 touches). It showed that the big runs he got at 'Bama were when the blocking was so good that he was untouched for more than 10 yards. And it was pretty clear that in the NFL you're never going to have the dominance of 5 future NFLers (I think 3 went in the 1st) against guys who are mostly not even going to be on practice squads.

[The Man of Steel]

He’s now Robust Wilson going forward.

[Buzz]

would be nice to get a do-over on this draft pick

[WindyCitySteel]

Dave at the Depot did a deep dive on all his targets from his senior year.

The big plays all came on plays where he had a lot of cushion or was uncovered in the slot. He got hurt too early in the process to see if he could get open in tight coverage.

Checks out….

["BuzzNuter"]

The reason he or anybody can't learn, barring mental deficiency, is laziness. That is something the staff should have picked up on before they drafted him.
I don't buy this. He got hurt , couldn't maintain cardiovascular shape and fell behind. Give him a second try. We gave Austin a chance right? He's still a good prospect and I'm a Buckeye fan.

[Iron City Inc.]

He checks a lot of boxes. Not all of them of course and he likely was getting a red shirt year anyway.
Khan n crew liked what they saw and I watched some Michigan games and he made big plays on a regular basis. Lots of players need a year to get it together.
When will we know what we got? Have to say we won't know till about end of October. He's really in his rookie year so by game 8-9-10 we'll likely know. We need some patience with this.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

DUUUDE.

We're selecting a WR in this upcoming draft.

I think that depends on what happens in free agency.

Not that this is going to happen, but if you had Pickens and Tee Higgins, why would you spend high draft capital on a guy? Austin and Wilson would be sufficient at WR3/4.

Just illustrating the point that the more comfortable they are with guy, the less likely they are to spend a high draft pick on a WR. I've been mocking with the assumption that they're getting a GOOD FA.

Having said all that, Tre Harris - I wouldn't be mad if that dude landed on the squad. Very underrated, IMO. If the ball is near him he has a "that's my ball" attitude.