Bryant doesn't even dress

[sick beats]

What happened to this guy contributing this year? I told you that wasn't going to happen. Unpolished rookies don't see the field.

[url]http://bleacherreport.com/tb/df7JX?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter& utm_campaign=pittsburgh-steelers[/url]

[Jigawatts]

I told you that wasn't going to happen.

Congratulations?

[hawaiiansteel]

Bryant could be big lift to Steelers offense

By Ray Fittipaldo / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

When the Steelers drafted Clemson receiver Martavis Bryant in the fourth round in May, they were enthused because he brought some much-needed size to a group of receivers that are small in stature.

“We needed a different guy from what we have,” receivers coach Richard Mann said. “He will be a great weapon for us in the red zone.”

Five games into the season, the Steelers own one of the worst red-zone offenses in the NFL, but the coaching staff has not yet turned to their 6-foot-4, 211-pound rookie for help.

Bryant has not been active for any of the first five games. He struggled with inconsistency in training camp, was called out by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and fellow wide receiver Antonio Brown for his practice habits and also has dealt with injuries and illness.

But Bryant has been practicing well lately, and he is flashing the raw talent that had coaches excited when he fell to them on draft day.

“He’s making progress, no doubt about it,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said. “When you start talking about those guys, you’re talking about big picture, special teams, where do they fit in?”

The Steelers dress five receivers every week. The fifth, Darrius Heyward-Bey, dresses because he is a contributor on special teams. Bryant does not play on special teams. He faces the same dilemma that Derek Moye did last season.

Moye, at 6-5, was the tallest receiver on the roster a year ago and a red-zone threat, but he only dressed for seven games because he did not play special teams.

“This is a highly competitive situation when you’re talking about those 4s, 5s and 6s at position groups like receiver,” Haley said. “Our saying is the more you can do. So the more you can have the special-teams coach need you, the offense need you, those will all be factors in helping you get a helmet on Sundays.”

Bryant, who entered the draft a year early after his junior year, only started for one season at Clemson, but he was highly productive. Seven of his 42 receptions last season were for touchdowns.

Mann loved his ability to track the ball in college, and Bryant said he is accomplished at running the fade route in the end zone, even though he didn’t show off those skills on a consistent basis in training camp.

“I definitely feel like I can help, but I’ll just wait and see what happens,” Bryant said. “I have to continue to work. I’m patient with it. I’m staying focused and leaving it in coach’s hands.”

If and when Bryant plays this season, it likely will be at the expense of Heyward-Bey or running back Dri Archer, who also plays limited snaps on offense. As a former head coach, Haley knows the difficult decision a head coach faces when it comes to which 45 players are active on game days.

“I would say there are a lot of open discussions going on among the staff with coach Tomlin,” Haley said in regards to which players are active from week to week. “There are open lines of communication, and all we can [do] is report the news and say whether a guy is making progress. Having been in his seat, it’s a tough job because you only get so many helmets. Special teams, obviously, is a critical part of winning and losing on Sundays.”

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/s...s/201410100113[/URL]

[NorthCoast]

Must be the coaches fault for not playing a rookie. Obviously he is more talented than what is on the field...

[hawaiiansteel]

Must be the coaches fault for not playing a rookie. Obviously he is more talented than what is on the field...

DHB has 1 catch in 5 games, would it hurt our special teams that much to sit him and give Bryant a helmet and see if he can help us in the red zone?

[feltdizz]

Sometimes I wonder if we have too many skill position players for 1 football?

Ben spread the ball around to 11 players last game and only had 1 TD to show for it.

[feltdizz]

Must be the coaches fault for not playing a rookie. Obviously he is more talented than what is on the field...

yeah.... Bey, Moore, Archer or Justin Brown are tearing it up.

[NorthCoast]

The Steelers #3 WR isn't even 3rd or 4th on the list in receiving yards. That tells you how far the drop-off is from AB and MW.

[K Train]

The Steelers #3 WR isn't even 3rd or 4th on the list in receiving yards. That tells you how far the drop-off is from AB and MW.

Yeah but Bell and Heath have both caught 20 passes.

Once again its a case of they cant win....people say ben forces the ball to brown too much, but they are the only team with 4 players with 20+ catches. Damned if he spreads it around, damned if he doesnt lol

[steelfin]

Ben needs to push harder for big receivers in the red zone...

I don't think it would hurt to try it for a week or two. We have seen little production out of the DHB, LM or JB up to this point.

[feltdizz]

Yeah but Bell and Heath have both caught 20 passes.

Once again its a case of they cant win....people say ben forces the ball to brown too much, but they are the only team with 4 players with 20+ catches. Damned if he spreads it around, damned if he doesnt lol

he is talking about receiving yards.

we run a TON of screens and 3 yard passes.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Who to blame for this travesty? Mar'Tavious Brian for sucking, Richurd Man and Tod Hallie for not coaching him up enough, Myke Tomlun for deactivating him, or Kevun Kolbirt for drafting him in the first place.

[feltdizz]

Ben needs to push harder for big receivers in the red zone...

I don't think it would hurt to try it for a week or two. We have seen little production out of the DHB, LM or JB up to this point.

Ben begs for big WR's before every draft. I think part of the problem is all our WR's who are big (besides Sweeed) are drafted in late rounds and need time to develop.

[feltdizz]

Who to blame for this travesty? Mar'Tavious Brian for sucking, Richurd Man and Tod Hallie for not coaching him up enough, Myke Tomlun for deactivating him, or Kevun Kolbirt for drafting him in the first place.

dude... you made me bust out laughing.

[K Train]

he is talking about receiving yards.

we run a TON of screens and 3 yard passes.

Theres a reason for that lol