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Steelers' rookie wide receivers catching on quickly
By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, August 14, 2010
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_694872.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 94872.html[/url]
The Steelers have selected multiple receivers in the NFL Draft many times since the team hit the mother lode of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth in 1974. Nineteen times, in fact.
Drafting more than one receiver hasn't proved fruitful. Other than Jeff Graham and Ernie Mills, selected in 1991, Swann and Stallworth — members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame — are far and away the team's most successful draft pairing at the position.
Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown are the Steelers' latest tandem. Sanders, a third-round selection in April, and Brown, a sixth-round pick, have impressed in training camp and are expected to receive plenty of action in tonight's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field.
"Pittsburgh had receivers like Lynn Swann and John Stallworth who were really great. That's who we strive to be like," said Brown, a Central Michigan product who ranks second in receptions in Mid-American Conference history. "This was the ultimate dream when I was a kid. I'm going to embrace the moment."
Said Sanders, who set multiple receiving records at SMU: "I'm super excited. I'm looking forward to running out of that tunnel."
Suitemates in the dormitory at Rooney Hall, Brown and Sanders are nearly identical in size and ability. Sanders, who wears No. 88, is 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. Brown, who wears No. 84, is 5-10, 186.
They are quicker than they are fast, with sure hands and elusive moves after the catch. Both are expected to display their versatility as returners.
"We see how good the other one is, and we just feed off each other," said Brown, who will return punts. "It's a competition, and we're pushing each other."
"That's like my best friend. I'm not competing with anyone," said Sanders, who will return kickoffs. "I'm competing with myself on a daily basis."
With the starters expected to appear in no more than 12 plays, coach Mike Tomlin predicted Brown and Sanders could receive at least three dozen plays apiece — maybe more. Sanders said he was told he will play in the second half.
"Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are going to play a bunch of snaps," Tomlin said. "They're going to get more than they bargained for. Their pedigree stands out. They've shown maturity in terms of catching the football and creating separation. But, they're still new to the nuances of what we're doing. No question, they have miles to go — they're rookies. But I like (what) they're doing."
Brown said the offense fits his skill set.
"We've got an offensive coordinator (Bruce Arians) who calls deep routes to get guys downfield," he said. "There's a lot of great plays to get us open. I'm one of those guys that can get it deep or get it short and make something happen."
Sanders had his worst day of practice Thursday. He, Brown, Brandon London and Isaiah Williams heard about it from first-year wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery.
"You've got to battle through it," said Sanders, who is fighting a neck injury. "I've been having a pretty good camp. I've got to continue to make plays and limit my mistakes."
Brown seemed to accept the criticism better than Sanders, who sat on his helmet, deep in thought, before being approached by reporters.
"It's just not a game — it's our job. We're continuously being evaluated," Brown said. "I want to go out and have fun and do my job — do all the things I've been coached to do."
The evaluation process intensifies tonight.
By John Harris, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, August 14, 2010
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_694872.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 94872.html[/url]
The Steelers have selected multiple receivers in the NFL Draft many times since the team hit the mother lode of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth in 1974. Nineteen times, in fact.
Drafting more than one receiver hasn't proved fruitful. Other than Jeff Graham and Ernie Mills, selected in 1991, Swann and Stallworth — members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame — are far and away the team's most successful draft pairing at the position.
Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown are the Steelers' latest tandem. Sanders, a third-round selection in April, and Brown, a sixth-round pick, have impressed in training camp and are expected to receive plenty of action in tonight's preseason opener against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field.
"Pittsburgh had receivers like Lynn Swann and John Stallworth who were really great. That's who we strive to be like," said Brown, a Central Michigan product who ranks second in receptions in Mid-American Conference history. "This was the ultimate dream when I was a kid. I'm going to embrace the moment."
Said Sanders, who set multiple receiving records at SMU: "I'm super excited. I'm looking forward to running out of that tunnel."
Suitemates in the dormitory at Rooney Hall, Brown and Sanders are nearly identical in size and ability. Sanders, who wears No. 88, is 5-foot-11, 180 pounds. Brown, who wears No. 84, is 5-10, 186.
They are quicker than they are fast, with sure hands and elusive moves after the catch. Both are expected to display their versatility as returners.
"We see how good the other one is, and we just feed off each other," said Brown, who will return punts. "It's a competition, and we're pushing each other."
"That's like my best friend. I'm not competing with anyone," said Sanders, who will return kickoffs. "I'm competing with myself on a daily basis."
With the starters expected to appear in no more than 12 plays, coach Mike Tomlin predicted Brown and Sanders could receive at least three dozen plays apiece — maybe more. Sanders said he was told he will play in the second half.
"Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders are going to play a bunch of snaps," Tomlin said. "They're going to get more than they bargained for. Their pedigree stands out. They've shown maturity in terms of catching the football and creating separation. But, they're still new to the nuances of what we're doing. No question, they have miles to go — they're rookies. But I like (what) they're doing."
Brown said the offense fits his skill set.
"We've got an offensive coordinator (Bruce Arians) who calls deep routes to get guys downfield," he said. "There's a lot of great plays to get us open. I'm one of those guys that can get it deep or get it short and make something happen."
Sanders had his worst day of practice Thursday. He, Brown, Brandon London and Isaiah Williams heard about it from first-year wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery.
"You've got to battle through it," said Sanders, who is fighting a neck injury. "I've been having a pretty good camp. I've got to continue to make plays and limit my mistakes."
Brown seemed to accept the criticism better than Sanders, who sat on his helmet, deep in thought, before being approached by reporters.
"It's just not a game — it's our job. We're continuously being evaluated," Brown said. "I want to go out and have fun and do my job — do all the things I've been coached to do."
The evaluation process intensifies tonight.
