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Emerging receiving unit paying off for Kevin Colbert and the Steelers
By Bryan DeArdo on Nov 26 2014
You can only pay one receiver like a star, and the Steelers decided to reward Antonio Brown while letting go several other talented receivers during the past two seasons.
For Steelers fans, there's much to be thankful for this holiday season.
A 7-4 record that includes a 4-1 mark in their last five games, a team in the thick of things in the AFC North race, three skilled position players at the height of their powers, an offensive line anchored be an All-Pro center, and an emerging defense that should be even better moving forward with the return of Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu.
Steelers fans should also be thankful for Steelers' General Manager Kevin Colbert, who is counting his blessings after seeing his gamble with the receiving unit start to turn in his favor.
Three years ago, the Steelers' offense was blessed with the young receiving trio of Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, and Emmanuel Sanders. They were also aided by veteran receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who hauled in 10 touchdowns as the Steelers' third receiver last season. While Cotchery and the Steelers' "Young Money" trio was indeed formidable, there simply wasn't enough money to pay each one as a premier receiver. Colbert decided to sign Brown long term in 2012, essentially choosing him over Wallace, who was the team's leading receiver during the team's run to Super Bowl XLV. After watching Wallace catch on with the Dolphins last season, Colbert decided not to get into a bidding war with Sanders and Cotchery, who left Pittsburgh to sign with Denver and Carolina, respectively. Colbert rolled the dice, opting to find new talent through the draft and free-agency to flank Brown, who has blossomed into one of - if not the best - receiver in the NFL.
Colbert's first moves were the signings of free-agents Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey. He then appeased Ben Roethlisberger's desire for a tall receiver by drafting 6-foot-4 Clemson receiver Martavis Bryant in the fourth round. Colbert also decided to show faith in second-year man Markus Wheaton, who caught six passes as a rookie in 2013.There were question marks about each one heading into 2014. Could Moore overcome the injuries that began to slow him down during his time in New Orleans? Would Heyward-Bey ever show the promise that made him a former first-round draft pick? Was Wheaton ready to emerge as one of the team's leading receivers? After recording just 61 catches in college, would Bryant be ready to contribute to the Steelers' offense this season, or would he be a two- or three-year project?
Colbert's transformation of the Steelers' receiving unit wasn't an overnight success. In fact, through the team's first six games, the question could be asked about whether or not the Steelers let go one too many receivers and put too much faith in the newcomers, while putting too much weight on Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell. With Moore and Bryant sitting out most of that time with injuries, and Heyward-Bey struggling to find his place in the offense, the Steelers were a .500 team following an ugly loss at Cleveland.
It has been a different story ever since, with Moore and Bryant recording touchdowns in the team's 30-23 win the following week against visiting Houston. While Moore is starting to catch on in the offense (11 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns thus far), Bryant has evolved into a big-play receiver that has evoked memories of Plaxico Burress in his prime. Six of Bryant's 16 receptions have gone for touchdowns, as the rookie is averaging over 20 yards per catch. Wheaton has held his own as he is fourth on the team with 36 catches for 442 yards. Armed with these newcomers while also having Brown (88 catches for 1,161 yards), Bell (57 catches for 484 yards) and tight end Heath Miller (43 catches for 502), Roethlisberger is armed with a receiving depth not many other teams in football can rival, as eight different Steelers have caught touchdowns from Big Ben this season.
While it's in our nature as fans to lash out at coaches and GMs when things go wrong, let's give Colbert some kudos on his transformation of the Steelers' offense, particularly the receiving unit. When clicking, it has made this offense extremely fun to watch and a major reason why the team stands where it does today.
[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-features-news-blog-long-form/2014/11/26/7280423/emerging-receiving-unit-paying-off-for-colbert-steelers[/URL]
By Bryan DeArdo on Nov 26 2014
You can only pay one receiver like a star, and the Steelers decided to reward Antonio Brown while letting go several other talented receivers during the past two seasons.
For Steelers fans, there's much to be thankful for this holiday season.
A 7-4 record that includes a 4-1 mark in their last five games, a team in the thick of things in the AFC North race, three skilled position players at the height of their powers, an offensive line anchored be an All-Pro center, and an emerging defense that should be even better moving forward with the return of Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu.
Steelers fans should also be thankful for Steelers' General Manager Kevin Colbert, who is counting his blessings after seeing his gamble with the receiving unit start to turn in his favor.
Three years ago, the Steelers' offense was blessed with the young receiving trio of Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, and Emmanuel Sanders. They were also aided by veteran receiver Jerricho Cotchery, who hauled in 10 touchdowns as the Steelers' third receiver last season. While Cotchery and the Steelers' "Young Money" trio was indeed formidable, there simply wasn't enough money to pay each one as a premier receiver. Colbert decided to sign Brown long term in 2012, essentially choosing him over Wallace, who was the team's leading receiver during the team's run to Super Bowl XLV. After watching Wallace catch on with the Dolphins last season, Colbert decided not to get into a bidding war with Sanders and Cotchery, who left Pittsburgh to sign with Denver and Carolina, respectively. Colbert rolled the dice, opting to find new talent through the draft and free-agency to flank Brown, who has blossomed into one of - if not the best - receiver in the NFL.
Colbert's first moves were the signings of free-agents Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey. He then appeased Ben Roethlisberger's desire for a tall receiver by drafting 6-foot-4 Clemson receiver Martavis Bryant in the fourth round. Colbert also decided to show faith in second-year man Markus Wheaton, who caught six passes as a rookie in 2013.There were question marks about each one heading into 2014. Could Moore overcome the injuries that began to slow him down during his time in New Orleans? Would Heyward-Bey ever show the promise that made him a former first-round draft pick? Was Wheaton ready to emerge as one of the team's leading receivers? After recording just 61 catches in college, would Bryant be ready to contribute to the Steelers' offense this season, or would he be a two- or three-year project?
Colbert's transformation of the Steelers' receiving unit wasn't an overnight success. In fact, through the team's first six games, the question could be asked about whether or not the Steelers let go one too many receivers and put too much faith in the newcomers, while putting too much weight on Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell. With Moore and Bryant sitting out most of that time with injuries, and Heyward-Bey struggling to find his place in the offense, the Steelers were a .500 team following an ugly loss at Cleveland.
It has been a different story ever since, with Moore and Bryant recording touchdowns in the team's 30-23 win the following week against visiting Houston. While Moore is starting to catch on in the offense (11 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns thus far), Bryant has evolved into a big-play receiver that has evoked memories of Plaxico Burress in his prime. Six of Bryant's 16 receptions have gone for touchdowns, as the rookie is averaging over 20 yards per catch. Wheaton has held his own as he is fourth on the team with 36 catches for 442 yards. Armed with these newcomers while also having Brown (88 catches for 1,161 yards), Bell (57 catches for 484 yards) and tight end Heath Miller (43 catches for 502), Roethlisberger is armed with a receiving depth not many other teams in football can rival, as eight different Steelers have caught touchdowns from Big Ben this season.
While it's in our nature as fans to lash out at coaches and GMs when things go wrong, let's give Colbert some kudos on his transformation of the Steelers' offense, particularly the receiving unit. When clicking, it has made this offense extremely fun to watch and a major reason why the team stands where it does today.
[URL]http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-features-news-blog-long-form/2014/11/26/7280423/emerging-receiving-unit-paying-off-for-colbert-steelers[/URL]
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