Pats sign Sanders

[anger 82&95]

Because the Patriots suck at developing their own WRs?

Per ESPN: The Patriots’ track record of drafting and developing receivers out of college is shaky. Having seen three years of Sanders in the NFL probably gives the club more comfort in making this move, which reminds us of something Belichick said at the NFL’s annual meeting in March: “As I’ve said many times before, I think the college passing game is a lot different than the [pro] passing game -- pass protection, pass rush, pass execution and pass defense. We all look at the same film. We’re all trying to evaluate the same players. But it’s a lot easier to watch a guy in the NFL perform and translate his skills for your team than watch a guy in college perform because of the discrepancy in the passing game. It’s nobody’s fault. That’s just the way it is.’’ [URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4741960/analysis-emmanuel-sanders-offer[/URL]

[SidSmythe]

I'm torn here. I was very excited about SANDERS coming out of college. This will be a business decision at the end of the day. Is he worth adding more cap stress to the team only to end up gone next year w/ no compensation??? Or do the Steelers have big plans for SANDERS this season in the offense??

[papillon]

Based on the past 20 years the Steelers may as well let him walk. Except for Hines Ward the Steelers don't seem to be willing to pay a receiver a second contract. They must believe that they can find suitable WRs in the draft and get enough production from a rookie to continually allow WRs to seek fame and fortune elsewhere. Over the past 20 years here is a list of Wrs and their tenure with the Steelers (to the best of my knowledge and quick research).

Hines Ward - 14
Yancey Thigpen - 6
Ernie MIlls - 6
Charles Johnson - 5
Plaxico Burress - 5 (initial stint)
Blackwell - 5
Holmes - 4
Wallace - 4
Washington - 4
Hastings - 4
Hawkins - 4
Edwards - 3
Wolson - 3
Sanders - 3 ??

Why would they start now with Sanders? Clearly, the Steelers do not value the WR position as a high priority and I believe their philosophy is to have a stable a capable WRs without a superstar WR eating up cap space. I'm not saying that Sanders is a superstar WR, but they probably believe that they can find his production in the draft. IMO, he's a Patriot and the Steelers will not match the offer sheet, he would be a UFA next year and they certainly aren't paying big dollars to keep him. I'm wondering why they jumped the gun on Brown?

Pappy

[Slapstick]

Sanders three year stats: 40 games - 94 catches - 1,290 yards - 5 TDs

Steve Breaston's last three years: 39 games - 115 catches - 1,577 yards - 3 TDs

Who would you sign one year? Can you get Breaston for less than $2.5 million?

[papillon]

Sanders three year stats: 40 games - 94 catches - 1,290 yards - 5 TDs

Steve Breaston's last three years: 39 games - 115 catches - 1,577 yards - 3 TDs

Who would you sign one year? Can you get Breaston for less than $2.5 million?

There it is and Breaston can handle KR/PR, correct? You would think Breaston's numbers will go up because of Ben. He had no one throwing the ball to him in Arizona.

Pappy

[phillyesq]

Sanders three year stats: 40 games - 94 catches - 1,290 yards - 5 TDs

Steve Breaston's last three years: 39 games - 115 catches - 1,577 yards - 3 TDs

Who would you sign one year? Can you get Breaston for less than $2.5 million?

Great comparison, although I will say the one difference is that Sanders is younger with potential upside while Breaston's performance has probably peaked. When you add Breaston + a 3rd round pick or Sanders, I would take Breaston (if he is healthy) and it is not close.

Put differently, a starting duo of Sanders/Brown is not going to scare a defense any more than a duo of Breaston/Plax or whoever and Brown. The Steelers were likely to draft another WR anyway. And they have a good track record there, aside from Limas Sweed. The third gives them another opportunity to add youth elsewhere.

Also, if Sanders leaves, the Steelers will have back-to-back seasons with 4 picks in the top 3 rounds. That should help to add youth to both sides of the ball.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Sanders three year stats: 40 games - 94 catches - 1,290 yards - 5 TDs

Steve Breaston's last three years: 39 games - 115 catches - 1,577 yards - 3 TDs

Who would you sign one year? Can you get Breaston for less than $2.5 million?

I think they could get Breaston in here for 1-1.5 mil. Possibly even vet min. The good thing is a Bradshaw, Breaston, Lloyd, does not impact the comp picks next year. Also, any one of those you get to sign for min has a cap deduction.

[Slapstick]

Great comparison, although I will say the one difference is that Sanders is younger with potential upside while Breaston's performance has probably peaked. When you add Breaston + a 3rd round pick or Sanders, I would take Breaston (if he is healthy) and it is not close.

Sanders is younger with more potential upside...but, if it's a one year contract, who cares about potential upside? If the Steelers are that interested in Sanders' potential upside, match the offer and extend him...

Otherwise, buh-bye...

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Great comparison, although I will say the one difference is that Sanders is younger with potential upside while Breaston's performance has probably peaked. When you add Breaston + a 3rd round pick or Sanders, I would take Breaston (if he is healthy) and it is not close.

Put differently, a starting duo of Sanders/Brown is not going to scare a defense any more than a duo of Breaston/Plax or whoever and Brown. The Steelers were likely to draft another WR anyway. And they have a good track record there, aside from Limas Sweed. The third gives them another opportunity to add youth elsewhere.

Also, if Sanders leaves, the Steelers will have back-to-back seasons with 4 picks in the top 3 rounds. That should help to add youth to both sides of the ball.

And I think that line of thinking is being shared within the front office. I don't think "Long Term" is penciled in next to Sanders name no matter what type of season he has in 2013 So getting the comp in this years draft gets you the most return on your lost investment.

I believe Bradshaw & Sanders are tied together now. The monies they will tie up in Sanders for 2013 to match could realistically net them 2 potential starters. Bradshaw being one. Breaston/LLoyd may be the other. If they let Sanders leave and they sign 2...They would be in a better sitaution going into the draft where there would be no panic to pull the trigger early at a position. If they miss at WR in the 1st...There is great depth in the 2nd & 3rd that could net you a starter. Same with RB in the 2nd. No need to pull the trigger unless someone they didn't expect falls. Rds 3 & 4 are filled with quality and even later. I expected them to take a WR with Sanders and I expect them to take a RB even if they sign Bradshaw. Hate to see Sanders go but if I we are going to say goodbye to him anyway after 2013...Give me a 3rd and hopefully Breaston/Lloyd can fill the void. Pile on a rookie or two & I think we may just take a lateral step.

[phillyesq]

And I think that line of thinking is being shared within the front office. I don't think "Long Term" is penciled in next to Sanders name no matter what type of season he has in 2013 So getting the comp in this years draft gets you the most return on your lost investment.

I believe Bradshaw & Sanders are tied together now. The monies they will tie up in Sanders for 2013 to match could realistically net them 2 potential starters. Bradshaw being one. Breaston/LLoyd may be the other. If they let Sanders leave and they sign 2...They would be in a better sitaution going into the draft where there would be no panic to pull the trigger early at a position. If they miss at WR in the 1st...There is great depth in the 2nd & 3rd that could net you a starter. Same with RB in the 2nd. No need to pull the trigger unless someone they didn't expect falls. Rds 3 & 4 are filled with quality and even later. I expected them to take a WR with Sanders and I expect them to take a RB even if they sign Bradshaw. Hate to see Sanders go but if I we are going to say goodbye to him anyway after 2013...Give me a 3rd and hopefully Breaston/Lloyd can fill the void. Pile on a rookie or two & I think we may just take a lateral step.

Really good point about potentially adding two starters. If the options are:

Sanders

or

Bradshaw
Lloyd/Breaston
3rd Round Pick

It's really not even close.

I would be very surprised if Sanders signed long term with the Steelers. It would not surprise me if he has a side deal worked out with the Pats* already for a longer deal, and I can see him wanting more than what the Steelers will offer. And, if he is not signable or in the long term plans, even though there might be a slight downgrade this year, I'd let him walk and recoup value while that is still an option.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

5 years from now I won't be surprised if we look back and the Steelers look wise in signing Brown long term and letting Wallace, and potentially Sanders, walk.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

wishbone offense 2014!!

[steelz09]

I have a hunch the Steelers will not match the Pats offer.

[thor75]

If Sanders is allowed to leave, the pressure will really be on KC to hit on this draft. The drafting and player development has gotten a lot of attention this offseason. The mass exodus of players will not provide a lot of confidence in the locker room I would imagine. Will Allen has already stated the offensive side of the room was somewhat divided. If Sanders is another departure, the onus will really be on Ben more to provide that leadership and the new players need to see a united front between him and Haley.

They need a clear cut decision on whether this is going to be the run first team of old or start embracing the passing game as your breadwinner. As Pappy mentioned, a lot of WRs are not around long, this may have been a product of them emphasizing the run in the past idk. The rules are leaning heavily toward the passing offense as we all know. I'm sure Haley, Tomlin, and KC have a plan. Haley's second year should give us more of a glimpse of that imo.

The fate of Sanders is not hinged on the first two points imo. I think its strictly financial at this point. They prob. let him go and at least get something in return. And I love Sanders, loved the pick and would rather see him remain a Steeler. But to keep him as a UFA next year will probably be prohibitive with the cap stress. A long term deal may not be attained. For as much kudos Omar Khan gets as the cap guru, I wonder if his recent job offers have fallen thru because teams see the current situation. This is speculation as I don't keep up on the financials like some people.

[phillyesq]

Interesting take from Dale Lolley, in the comments section of his blog:

[URL="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13089003781188560287"]Dale Lolley[/URL] said... The bottom line is this: If Sanders were available via a trade, would they give another team a third-round pick for him?

I think not. So the third-round pick has great value. And as I stated, he'll be a FA at the end of the season again and they could lose him with little compensation - a comp pick a year later.

I think you let him leave and thank the Patriots for taking him off your hands. You went through 2012 with one lame duck receiver, why do it again with another. And believe me, Sanders could play the disgruntled player way better than Wallace.

Reading that I'm even more on board with Sanders leaving.