Early offseason break down

[Shawn]

I really can't understand you fixating on Wheaton who had over 50 catches in 2014. I think you need to reserve your skepticism and add some for someone like Jarvis Jones who has shown very little. Wheaton, as a 3rd round pick, had an excellent second season at WR. Wheaton is the least of our young players we should be worried about.

I know you wouldn't know anything about "fixation" on a particular person or system. Honestly, wasn't that concerned about him until I seen all the love for a guy who is the #2 WR and was 4th on our team in receiving yards and 71st in the league. Next season he will be uprooted from #2 by Bryant and forced into the slot. Do I think he is a terrible WR? No...but Sanders got no love here and is much better than Wheaton. Bringing in competition for him isn't a bad thing. And rest assured the Steelers will agree.

[Slapstick]

I know you wouldn't know anything about "fixation" on a particular person or system. Honestly, wasn't that concerned about him until I seen all the love for a guy who is the #2 WR and was 4th on our team in receiving yards and 71st in the league. Next season he will be uprooted from #2 by Bryant and forced into the slot. Do I think he is a terrible WR? No...but Sanders got no love here and is much better than Wheaton. Bringing in competition for him isn't a bad thing. And rest assured the Steelers will agree.

Sanders second year here, he had 22 catches...

[Shawn]

Sanders second year here, he had 22 catches...

Was Sanders getting #2 playing time? He played in 13 games and was only targeted 43 times and still got as many TDs as Wheaton. Wheaton was targeted double the amount of times 86...2 TDs. A second year Sanders wasn't going to start over Ward or Wallace. His third year looks like Wheaton's second and his 4th was better. There was no one coming to the defense of Sanders, even though him and Wheaton are very similar players with similar production.

So, it's your stance that in his third year he will continue to grow? Yeah, don't see that happening. He will get less PT, less looks because he hasn't proven to be a great #2. He will be an average slot. I suppose some friendly competition for that slot is too much to ask.

[Slapstick]

22 catches vs 53 isn't similar production. Lance Moore couldn't beat out Wheaton. Why would a rookie 3rd day pick do so? I think it would be great if Bryant became the legit #2 and Wheaton played the slot....With AB as #1, I'd take that every game.

[Oviedo]

22 catches vs 53 isn't similar production. Lance Moore couldn't beat out Wheaton. Why would a rookie 3rd day pick do so? I think it would be great if Bryant became the legit #2 and Wheaton played the slot....With AB as #1, I'd take that every game.

$$$$$$$$$ I agree. Also, let's wait and see if Bryant is really the #2. I don't doubt he has the talent, but will he keep his head on straight and do the off season work he needs to?

[Shawn]

22 catches vs 53 isn't similar production. Lance Moore couldn't beat out Wheaton. Why would a rookie 3rd day pick do so? I think it would be great if Bryant became the legit #2 and Wheaton played the slot....With AB as #1, I'd take that every game.

That is the frustrating part of talking with you here...so thick headed. Did you read my post? Less targets, he was a number 3...apples and oranges. Even you can understand these kinds of things. Listen I'm done here...I've made my points. I have lost too much time going round and round with you in the past. Think what you wish.

[Shawn]

$$$$$$$$$ I agree. Also, let's wait and see if Bryant is really the #2. I don't doubt he has the talent, but will he keep his head on straight and do the off season work he needs to?

He will be the #2, the guy grew every week. He is going to be a star in this league.

[Slapstick]

That is the frustrating part of talking with you here...so thick headed. Did you read my post? Less targets, he was a number 3...apples and oranges. Even you can understand these kinds of things. Listen I'm done here...I've made my points. I have lost too much time going round and round with you in the past. Think what you wish.

It isn't difficult to understand. Compare the list I wrote for the 2014 Pittsburgh Steelers leading WRs to the one for 2011:

Wallace - 72 catches, 1193 yards, 8 TDs
Brown - 69 catches, 1108 yards, 2 TDs
Miller - 51 catches, 631 yards, 2 TDs
Ward - 46 catches, 381 yards, 2 TDs
Sanders - 22 catches, 288 yards, 2 TDs

The point is this: Of course Wheaton was targeted more than Sanders was in his second year. Wheaton is farther ahead in his learning curve than Sanders was at this point. He's earned more targets and therefore produced more sooner. I'm trying to figure out how that is bad. And you call me thick headed? LOL

[Shawn]

lol you are kidding right? Who did Wheaton have to compete with? Sanders was going against Wallace. Now that Bryant is picking up the playbook, Wheaton will lose his #2 job.

[Slapstick]

That's not accurate at all. Sanders lack of production in year two was mostly because of injuries.

Remember, the players were locked out, he didn't get the constant off season work with the re-hab staff after his injury in the Super Bowl.

You have to do more than read stat sheets, Sport.

Crash, did you miss the fact that Wheaton was also injured last year?

Try harder, sport. See you when you create your next alias...

[Slapstick]

lol you are kidding right? Who did Wheaton have to compete with? Sanders was going against Wallace. Now that Bryant is picking up the playbook, Wheaton will lose his #2 job.

Sanders was competing with Brown, not Wallace. 2011 was Ward's last season. His effectiveness decreased as the season progressed, for several reasons, and Brown was able to step up.

Who was Wheaton competing with? Lance Moore, perhaps?

[Shawn]

That's not accurate at all. Sanders lack of production in year two was mostly because of injuries.

Remember, the players were locked out, he didn't get the constant off season work with the re-hab staff after his injury in the Super Bowl.

You have to do more than read stat sheets, Sport.

Not to mention he was #3 behind a very good Wallace. Who did Wheaton have to compete with? A rookie who didn't know the playbook? Honestly, it hurts me to read some of the nonsense that a few come up with here.

[Shawn]

Sanders was competing with Brown, not Wallace. 2011 was Ward's last season. His effectiveness decreased as the season progressed, for several reasons, and Brown was able to step up.

Who was Wheaton competing with? Lance Moore, perhaps?

An over the hill Lance Moore who rarely sniffed the field? LOL. Oh sorry, he was competing with another 1000 yard receiver with elite skills. You are not helping yourself here.

[Slapstick]

Brown became a 1000 yard receiver with elite skills in 2011. Before that, he was a second year player just like Sanders was, only with fewer catches. In 2010, Brown played in 9 games. It took Sanders until year six to reach 1000+ yards in a season. I think Wheaton will be fine in year 3.

[Slapstick]

2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

How many years is that?

So you are blaming Sanders for Todd Haley's infatuation with two TE sets?

I just told you stop reading stat sheets, didn't I?

Right after you do, Captain "Games Under 20 Points."