Holmes continues to grow.

[Shawn]

[url]http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=walker_james&id=3458639[/url]

Starters Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes remain the stalwarts in the passing game. Ward sat out this offseason after knee surgery, but Holmes looked very impressive as Roethlisberger's favorite target in minicamp. Holmes was very sharp and in great shape, and he was the hardest receiver for the Steelers' defense to contain in team drills.


Sweed also caught the ball well and is coming along fine after a wrist injury dropped his stock a little in the draft. Sweed and third-year veteran Nate Washington should have a good competition for the No. 3 receiver spot in training camp.

Discuss.

[SteelerNation1]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

I was just hoping this wasn't ANOTHER thread of naked Santonio! WHEW!

Seriously though, our passing attack could be the most explosive since 78-79. I have a funny feeling Limas Sweed is going to have a rookie year that is on par with Mendenhall. I think he is the #3 by the bye week.

[birtikidis]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

Hell the only thing i don't like about holmes is his #!

i don't think Sweed will have any trouble knocking nate out of the #3 spot. IMO i think Nate is going to have a really hard time finding a spot on this team...

[SteelerNation1]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

Hell the only thing i don't like about holmes is his #!

i don't think Sweed will have any trouble knocking nate out of the #3 spot. IMO i think Nate is going to have a really hard time finding a spot on this team...

If Reid and/or Baker have an OUTSTANDING camp, Nate will not be a Steeler in 08.

[birtikidis]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

I'm pulling for baker... i've always had high hopes for Reid but i'm about to give up on him..

[SteelerNation1]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

I'm pulling for baker... i've always had high hopes for Reid but i'm about to give up on him..

That is going to be the most interesting battle in camp.

[NC Steeler Fan]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

I'll be very happy to eat my earlier words about Holmes' character issues
if he is showing the off season discipline to be considered in "great
shape" and "sharp" far ahead of training camp.

I am also very excited about the Washington/Sweed competition. Time for Nate to
get it together consistently or step aside.

In a way, it must be a very proud position for Hines to be in...with all his
accolades, he is now solidly in the respected veteran role of teacher and mentor.
I think he'll handle the next phase of his career with grace and dignity.

Coupled with the over supply of RBs in our lineup, let's just hope the injury bug
stays well away from the B&G this year....

[birtikidis]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

you think? i think the most interesting battles are going to be at linebacker and center..
foote vs timmons
mahan vs whatshisname (too tired can't think...)

[SteelerNation1]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

you think? i think the most interesting battles are going to be at linebacker and center..
foote vs timmons
mahan vs whatshisname (too tired can't think...)

Hartwig shouldn't be in a competition with Mahan. That should be O-V-E-R on the 27th when the players report. As far as Timmons v. Foote, I think Foote wins the job out of camp, but slowly gives way to Timmons. More of a situational job based on LT's skillset.

[birtikidis]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

i agree that hartwig should already have the job, i just think its going to be a battle for some reason. another battle i'm interested in is colon and starks...
i think Timmons wins the job in camp.. too much money invested in him and he's too good of an athlete to keep on the sideline. farrior is gone after next year and then foote reclaims his spot... but i see them rotating those middle linebackers depending on the situation.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

Hell the only thing i don't like about holmes is his #!

i don't think Sweed will have any trouble knocking nate out of the #3 spot. IMO i think Nate is going to have a really hard time finding a spot on this team...

If Reid and/or Baker have an OUTSTANDING camp, Nate will not be a Steeler in 08.

I can't envision any possible scenario during the preseason, no matter how OUTSTANDING the training camps for Reid and/or Baker might be, that either one of them (who have done diddly squat for this team when the games actually count) could beat out a guy who has 64 catches for 1,074 yards (16.8 yards per catch average) and 9 touchdowns over the past 2 seasons.

[blacknblue80s]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

you think? i think the most interesting battles are going to be at linebacker and center..
foote vs timmons
mahan vs whatshisname (too tired can't think...)

Hartwig shouldn't be in a competition with Mahan. That should be O-V-E-R on the 27th when the players report. As far as Timmons v. Foote, I think Foote wins the job out of camp, but slowly gives way to Timmons. More of a situational job based on LT's skillset.

I'm thinking the center competition will be between Hartwig and Stapleton.

[Shawn]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

Holmes will be the clear #1 WR this season.
Sweed will take over the #3 WR by mid season.
Washington makes this squad again.
Reid get his azz cut.
Baker is our #5 WR
Timmons is our starter day 1 of regular season

[Jigawatts]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

Timmons is our starter day 1 of regular season

Foote gets the boot.

[SteelerNation1]

Re: Holmes continues to grow.

Holmes will be the clear #1 WR this season.
Sweed will take over the #3 WR by mid season.
Washington makes this squad again.
Reid get his azz cut.
Baker is our #5 WR
Timmons is our starter day 1 of regular season

All are probably true except for Timmons. I think he'll be more of a situational (2nd and 3rd down and long) role player for the early part of the yr. Foote won't back down and relinquish his job.