Easy to forget

[proudpittsburgher]

Re: Easy to forget

imo sweed isnt a bust. he was a late 2nd round pick. i classify him more as an under achiever than a bust and there is a big difference imo. i dont understand why so many people were calling timmons mendy and troy a bust in their first couple of seasons. they hardly played so how can you evaluate them at that point? sweed's problem is he hasnt played a whole lot and when he has he hasnt had success in catching passes. if we saw him more he just might make some plays

I think that's the problem, every time we see him play, we remember it for the wrong reasons (dropped passes). And I agree with you about the bust comment . . .he wasn't a first round pick and shouldn't be held to the same standards. Truly, though, a disappointment thus far. I just hope that he gets it together.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Easy to forget

[quote=proudpittsburgher]

I'm watching the replay of the game on NFLN right now. Mendy's TD run was an outstanding individual effort. The Raiders had that all bottled up and he kept the play alive until he could "roll" to the outside and get into the EZ.

I lmao at all the folks who had him labeled a bust already. We got a keeper in him for sure.

Same with Sweed if everyone will just give him a chance. I refuse to believe that he's forgotten how to catch the football since he graduated from Texas.

Pappy

Sorry to disagree, pappy (we usually agree on things) but Sweed and Mendenhall are apples and oranges. Mendenhall showed us a lot in training came last season, and minus a fumbling problem which he has seemed to remedy, there was very little chance he was going top be labled a bust. Sweed has been dropping passes from the moment he entered the same first preseason game that Mendy did, and he has not remedied the problem. In fact, it has seemed top get worse, because the recent passes he dropped have been more costly. Mendy was benched, just like Sweed, and Mendy found his way off the bench back into the game, and is contributing. TYhsi shows me that if Sweed was the great practice player that many confess, Tomlin would give him the chance as well. He hasn't. I understand that keeping him on the sideline isn;t helpign him, but he is largely inneffective when he has been in the game. At some point, yo have to start why people keep defending him.

If Wallace wasn't playing so well I think Sweed would get off the bench more.

Again, if Ward can't go against the Browns we'll see more of Sweed.

I agree we will see more of sweed, and I truly hope he does catch on . . . no pun intended. But I don;t see why people have a problem with those who lable Sweed a bust thus far . . . he has earned the lable. IMHO[/quote:16nzzgdq]

This may ultimately be an argument over semantics, but I don't subscribe to the "bust thus far" label. I think you are either a bust or you are not (kinda like how you can't be almost pregnant). People gave Troy the "bust thus far" label after his rookie season, but he has proven those early evaluations to be foolish. Jamain Stephens was a bust. Alonzo Jackson was a bust. Scott Shields was a bust. But Limas still has an opportunity to turn things around. Sure, he hasn't lived up to expectations thus far, but I don't think that justifies throwing around the dreaded B-word at this point in time.

[ikestops85]

Re: Easy to forget

This may ultimately be an argument over semantics, but I don't subscribe to the "bust thus far" label. I think you are either a bust or you are not (kinda like how you can't be almost pregnant). People gave Troy the "bust thus far" label after his rookie season, but he has proven those early evaluations to be foolish. Jamain Stephens was a bust. Alonzo Jackson was a bust. Scott Shields was a bust. But Limas still has an opportunity to turn things around. Sure, he hasn't lived up to expectations thus far, but I don't think that justifies throwing around the dreaded B-word at this point in time.

Isn't that the definition of "bust thus far"? That's not to say he will continue on this disappointing path but todate he has been a bust. He can certainly improve and have a successful career. We all hope he does (except for a few who post here). Now his career continues so I don't think anyone can call him a "bust" yet but they can certainly say he has been a "bust so far".

Until Mendy started this year he hadn't shown much that would make you think he would be successful. He has certainly turned that perception around (although I think he has benefited greatly from the vastly improved offensive line). Sweed can still do the same thing.

If Sweed can put a couple of good games together without any drops hope will spring eternal for him and the fans again. I sincerely hope he does it but I'm not counting on it.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Easy to forget

This may ultimately be an argument over semantics, but I don't subscribe to the "bust thus far" label. I think you are either a bust or you are not (kinda like how you can't be almost pregnant). People gave Troy the "bust thus far" label after his rookie season, but he has proven those early evaluations to be foolish. Jamain Stephens was a bust. Alonzo Jackson was a bust. Scott Shields was a bust. But Limas still has an opportunity to turn things around. Sure, he hasn't lived up to expectations thus far, but I don't think that justifies throwing around the dreaded B-word at this point in time.

Isn't that the definition of "bust thus far"? That's not to say he will continue on this disappointing path but todate he has been a bust. He can certainly improve and have a successful career. We all hope he does (except for a few who post here). Now his career continues so I don't think anyone can call him a "bust" yet but they can certainly say he has been a "bust so far".

Until Mendy started this year he hadn't shown much that would make you think he would be successful. He has certainly turned that perception around (although I think he has benefited greatly from the vastly improved offensive line). Sweed can still do the same thing.

If Sweed can put a couple of good games together without any drops hope will spring eternal for him and the fans again. I sincerely hope he does it but I'm not counting on it.

That's why I qualified my post with "this may ultimately be an argument over semantics." I think you can be disappointing in your first two seasons and ultimately live up to expectations (see: Meachem, Robert...he caught 12 total passes in his first two seasons as a first round pick, but now has 8 TD's in year three as a vital cog on an undefeated team). Meachem was never a bust...he just did not live up to expectations people had for him early in his career. First round WR's like Rashaun Woods or R. Jay Soward were outright busts. I just think that you are either a bust or you are not (my definition does not allow for various degrees of bustdom at different stages of your career). I don't think you can be labeled a bust now, and then come back to be a solid player. Once a bust, always a bust. If there is still hope for a player, then he is not yet a bust. After all, a balloon can only bust once, right?

[Chadman]

Re: Easy to forget

The thing in Sweed's favour is that he is consistantly in position to make the play. It's just that when it comes time to actually make the play- his hands have let him down.

It appears to be more of a confidence thing than an ability thing.

And he doesn't need to have Spiderman's hands to be successful- just so long as they are good enough to snare the passes that are thrown to him- even if it means chest catching. Just get it done. What's the best way to improve confidence? Give Sweed some gimme catches in gametime- easy ones designed to just get the ball in his hands- perhaps a couple of WR screens or something whee there is little pressure from the CB.

And instead of asking him to streak downfield & create the game winning TD- have him cross across the middle for the short to intermediate routes- like what he was doing in pre-season.

All that being said- memo to the Steelers FO- if you draft a WR because he's tall- prepare for the consequences. The Steelers had simply decided they needed a 'big' target for Ben- and since getting him he's been near ineffectual. However, 6' 0" WR Mike Wallace has had a great start to his career.

Go figure.

[cruzer8]

Re: Easy to forget

A player is not a bust until it is proven with all certainty that they just can't play.

[ikestops85]

Re: Easy to forget

That's why I qualified my post with "this may ultimately be an argument over semantics." I think you can be disappointing in your first two seasons and ultimately live up to expectations (see: Meachem, Robert...he caught 12 total passes in his first two seasons as a first round pick, but now has 8 TD's in year three as a vital cog on an undefeated team). Meachem was never a bust...he just did not live up to expectations people had for him early in his career. First round WR's like Rashaun Woods or R. Jay Soward were outright busts. I just think that you are either a bust or you are not (my definition does not allow for various degrees of bustdom at different stages of your career). I don't think you can be labeled a bust now, and then come back to be a solid player. Once a bust, always a bust. If there is still hope for a player, then he is not yet a bust. After all, a balloon can only bust once, right?

This is where we disagree. I love ALL degrees of bustdom. From big bustoms down to little bustoms. From round bustdoms to pointy bustoms. From firm bustoms to ... well, you get the idea.

bouncey ones are great also

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Easy to forget

That's why I qualified my post with "this may ultimately be an argument over semantics." I think you can be disappointing in your first two seasons and ultimately live up to expectations (see: Meachem, Robert...he caught 12 total passes in his first two seasons as a first round pick, but now has 8 TD's in year three as a vital cog on an undefeated team). Meachem was never a bust...he just did not live up to expectations people had for him early in his career. First round WR's like Rashaun Woods or R. Jay Soward were outright busts. I just think that you are either a bust or you are not (my definition does not allow for various degrees of bustdom at different stages of your career). I don't think you can be labeled a bust now, and then come back to be a solid player. Once a bust, always a bust. If there is still hope for a player, then he is not yet a bust. After all, a balloon can only bust once, right?

This is where we disagree. I love ALL degrees of bustdom. From big bustoms down to little bustoms. From round bustdoms to pointy bustoms. From firm bustoms to ... well, you get the idea.

bouncey ones are great also