Emmanuel Sanders’ time with Steelers might end soon as free agency looms

[buccoray61]

[QUOTE=Shoe;586274]Agreed.

Calling it a mistake now is Monday Morning QB'g. Obviously, a 3rd round pick would have been nice, but going into the season (with Heath coming off ACL), and Cotch (a proven #3, but honestly someone who probably wouldn't be that good as a #2), and a rookie (which turned out to be Wheaton), wouldn't inspire confidence. What if this season had turned out different (i.e. in the thick of it), but were hamstrung by our lack of receiving? People would be all over management for letting a young guy like Sanders walk.[/QUOTE

Yup!

[hawaiiansteel]

by Jim Wexell

SANDERS' BEST SEASON?

It's not difficult to gauge the status of wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders. If he plays poorly, he'll be replaced next season by current rookie Markus Wheaton. If he plays well, he'll receive a commensurate contract offer from someone else in free agency and be replaced by current rookie Markus Wheaton.

Sanders isn't in the good graces of many anyway due to his drop of the two-point conversion that would've sent the Baltimore Ravens into overtime on Thanksgiving, and because his third-down drop last week led to the infamous gamble on fourth-and-10.

Still, Sanders has a career-high 58 receptions for a career-high 661 receiving yards, so offensive coordinator Todd Haley was asked if Sanders is having his best season.

"I think he is getting to play more," Haley said. "He is a number-two (receiver) as opposed to being a three or four. Whenever you’re in there getting more snaps, and more pass plays are called while you are in there, I think generally you should be more productive. But he’s done a good job. He is working hard. Obviously there are some that he’d like to have back, as most of these guys would, but I think there’s been good progress made there. He’s shown he can play in this league at a high level."

But most likely, for somebody else.

[URL]http://pit.scout.com/2/1356973.html[/URL]

[Captain Lemming]

I liked Manny early on.. Thought he actually came out of the gate faster than Brown his rookie year. Has had some tough breaks with injuries and some bad drops. I still think he has the ability to be an above average receiver in this league. Maybe he will prove his "Nay sayers" wrong with a different team next year. I am ready to see if Wheaton can step up and be that #2 guy. Hopefully some of the younger guys will get some reps these last few games. Get them a jump start on next year.

Manny just got way more opportunities as the higher draft pick. I recall seeing Brown in limited play and thinking he might be better but Manny played way more on offense.

[Rod Polamalu]

Let Sanders walk.