Eli Rogers, 3rd WR on depth chart...

[Scunge]

I have read and heard people in the media talk of how Eli Rogers is fighting for that 5th WR spot, that is bull. This guy is the 3rd WR. Yes, it is just a preseason game, but it is very telling that he was on the field for every snap, or nearly every snap when Ben was on the field.

I think Ben has a rapport with him, or will develop a rapport with him like he did with Jericho Cotchery in Cotch's final year with us. We had injuries at TE, Miller had a Pro Bowl year in 2012, targeted 101 times had 71 catches, 8 TDs, but then got hurt and wasn't the same in 2013 as he was recovering, he fell to 58 catches and 1 TD. Spaeth was hurt in 2013 as well.

Cotchery came through as Ben's security blanket, picking up those first downs and extra targets, had 46 catches, 10 TDs, played over 60% of the snaps.

I just see Eli Rogers being the same way, with Heath Miller gone, and with Green probably starting out on the PUP list and missing the first 6 games, and with Jesse James still growing, Ben is going to need somebody to lean on to pick up those easy catches and get first downs.

I see Rogers playing 60-65% of the time in the slot and easily averaging 4 catches a game. Something along the lines of 64 catches for 800 yards and 6 TDs. He is not the 5th WR, but the 3rd WR, the slot WR, the new Cotchery.

[steelclan]

The catch on 3rd down shows why: good route, great snag and good effort to move chains.

[Kodiak]

I'm all for this if Coates is #2.

Seriously, I know everyone is high on Rogers and maybe he will be a gem....But if we trot out Wheaton and an undrafted 2nd year guy opposite AB....well, AB is definitely going to be earning his money.

Bryant really fucked this team. I think they can overcome Bell, but if DWill can't put up 3-4 games like he did last year to start the season we might be in trouble - entire offense would be Ben to AB, and as great as they are that won't be enough.

[FortyThree]

AB
Coates
Rogers
Wheaton
DHB

I'd be down with that.

[Kodiak]

AB
Coates
Rogers
DHB
Wheaton


I'd be down with that.

Fix it for ya. That's how I see it going

[Scunge]

I have been down on Wheaton but he is still the better option as the #2, he has a more complete game than Coates.

I just see Coates being brought along like Bryant, Wallace and even Nate Washington early on. He will have plays that we cater to his strengths.

I think that just like Darius Hayward-Bey, Coates seems to have better hands the further he is down the field. In tonight's game you see Bey drop an easy short pass and last season I saw him drop easy, short passes. And yet throws that were down the field, that were deeper down the field he has no problems with. Coates to me seems the same way, he plucked that one long pass down the field with ease.

But to have either of them be the 2nd or 3rd WR? To be able to catch short passes, to go in the middle of the field and catch a quick dart by Ben and convert that first down? I don't think Haley/Tomlin will trust either of them, Wheaton and Eli, just to me anyway, are clearly the #2 and #3 WRs.

[Legacy User]

AB Wheaton Rogers Coates DHB isnt a horrible group. It would be stunning if Bryant or something close to him gets on board.

The more I think about it, the more id persue a bell cow possible RB in the next 2 drafts after the 1st rd and push Bell into more of a 2 to 1 down role leaning towards the passing game.

I think FCs idea to let Bell play out this year and tag him in 17 is probably the easiest if not the most efficent. Power RBs are cheap these days. Draft one. Lessen Bells touches and prolong his effectiveness while augmenting a cheap but effective pass catching unit. Also allows you at least a little bit more leverage when negoiating Bells longterm deal.

If we could land a stud edge rusher in the next years draft we would be looking pretty good.

[Kodiak]

Wheaton sucks. He's a mediocre #3, at best. If he's getting significant time, your receiving corps doesn't scare anyone (even with AB).

[Legacy User]

Wheaton sucks. He's a mediocre #3, at best. If he's getting significant time, your receiving corps doesn't scare anyone (even with AB).

Im not a Wheaton hater, I cant say im a huge fan. He has put up some of the best games ever by a Steeler WR. If the price is right hes not a bad spare part.

[Kodiak]

I'm not a Wheaton hater... He has put up some of the best games ever by a Steeler WR

Leveon Bell called....He wants to know what kind of shit you're smokin'.

[Legacy User]

I'm not a Wheaton hater... He has put up some of the best games ever by a Steeler WR

Leveon Bell called....He wants to know what kind of shit you're smokin'.

Nov 29 15 9 for 201 1TD

[Orangesteel]

Wheaton is a JAG. He's a speedster but not an exceptional WR. There is a huge difference.

If Rogers shines, you bump him up. Wheaton has had 4 years to turn it on and he's been very milquetoast.

[bradshaw2ben]

I have been down on Wheaton but he is still the better option as the #2, he has a more complete game than Coates.

I just see Coates being brought along like Bryant, Wallace and even Nate Washington early on. He will have plays that we cater to his strengths.

I think that just like Darius Hayward-Bey, Coates seems to have better hands the further he is down the field. In tonight's game you see Bey drop an easy short pass and last season I saw him drop easy, short passes. And yet throws that were down the field, that were deeper down the field he has no problems with. Coates to me seems the same way, he plucked that one long pass down the field with ease.

But to have either of them be the 2nd or 3rd WR? To be able to catch short passes, to go in the middle of the field and catch a quick dart by Ben and convert that first down? I don't think Haley/Tomlin will trust either of them, Wheaton and Eli, just to me anyway, are clearly the #2 and #3 WRs.

Completely disagree. Wheaton is severely miscast as an outside receiver, especially opposite AB. As you can see tonight, even vs. a team with CB issues up and down the roster, Wheaton can't get separation and he lacks wiggle/vision to get YAC on the short throws. Sammie is still working through consistency, but anyone can see that he's the better option long-term.

If the second WR in this offense is relegated to catching short dump offs, we're fucked. If that's the case AND we have Jesse James and not Green at TE, we're doubly fucked. If that's the best we can trot out while there's no Bell, then Williams really has to step up or we're triply fucked.

Thank god we have Ben.

[Orangesteel]

I have been down on Wheaton but he is still the better option as the #2, he has a more complete game than Coates.

I just see Coates being brought along like Bryant, Wallace and even Nate Washington early on. He will have plays that we cater to his strengths.

I think that just like Darius Hayward-Bey, Coates seems to have better hands the further he is down the field. In tonight's game you see Bey drop an easy short pass and last season I saw him drop easy, short passes. And yet throws that were down the field, that were deeper down the field he has no problems with. Coates to me seems the same way, he plucked that one long pass down the field with ease.

But to have either of them be the 2nd or 3rd WR? To be able to catch short passes, to go in the middle of the field and catch a quick dart by Ben and convert that first down? I don't think Haley/Tomlin will trust either of them, Wheaton and Eli, just to me anyway, are clearly the #2 and #3 WRs.

Completely disagree. Wheaton is severely miscast as an outside receiver, especially opposite AB. As you can see tonight, even vs. a team with CB issues up and down the roster, Wheaton can't get separation and he lacks wiggle/vision to get YAC on the short throws. Sammie is still working through consistency, but anyone can see that he's the better option long-term.

If the second WR in this offense is relegated to catching short dump offs, we're fucked. If that's the case AND we have Jesse James and not Green at TE, we're doubly fucked. If that's the best we can trot out while there's no Bell, then Williams really has to step up or we're triply fucked.

Thank god we have Ben.

Agreed. The #2 WR is capable of amazing things considering 1) the coverages that Brown pulls and 2) the fucking stud throwing the rock.

If it's Wheaton, it's a dumb move. He's a track star turned receiver. Look it up. He's not a natural football player.

Coates or Rogers. Do not hamstring yourself because of depth chart mismanagement. The best players see the field, period.

[bradshaw2ben]

even DHB can scare a defense because he has no trouble getting open

I really like Rogers as the slot but let's put the threats out there on the field, especially while we await Green and while Bell is on the shelf. Please do not take two months to figure this shit out because of loyalty to Wheaton, who is a good teammate and gives great effort.

[Orangesteel]

even DHB can scare a defense because he has no trouble getting open

I really like Rogers as the slot but let's put the threats out there on the field, especially while we await Green and while Bell is on the shelf. Please do not take two months to figure this shit out because of loyalty to Wheaton, who is a good teammate and gives great effort.

And an average WR.

[Legacy User]

i don't know if i'm more baffled by the Wheaton hate or Rogers love based on tonight's game

both seem completely disproportionate to the performances they turned in

[bradshaw2ben]

the Wheaton analysis is from years of watching his game

Rogers has had an outstanding camp is looks like a natural fit as the slot guy.

[Kodiak]

I'm not a Wheaton hater... He has put up some of the best games ever by a Steeler WR

Leveon Bell called....He wants to know what kind of shit you're smokin'.

Nov 29 15 9 for 201 1TD

One game. GAME. He had one good game when the defense was focused on everyone else, and a lot of shitty games in similar situations.

On his best day, he's barely a JAG. At his best, he's an average #3. God help us if he's a starting WR.

[Kodiak]

i don't know if i'm more baffled by the Wheaton hate or Rogers love based on tonight's game

Wheaton is the worst #3 Ben has had in his career. Fact.

[Legacy User]

the Wheaton analysis is from years of watching his game

Rogers has had an outstanding camp is looks like a natural fit as the slot guy.

im not necessarily arguing with either of these things*, it just seemed like odd timing for this thread

nitpickin', y'know?

* ok, i'm still holding out hope for Wheaton, i'll admit it

[Scunge]

Chidi, this isn't odd timing at all, it is just more of an observation and unfortunately a fact.

This 3rd preseason game, and the game where all the starters get on the field and do their 'dress rehearsal' before the season starts is a very important indicator of who they 'trust', who they think are 'answers', who they think can get it done on offense.

Bell, Brown, Ben, etc, all the cast of characters were out there and then who was out there for every play as the #2 and #3 WR? Wheaton and Rogers.

That is who the Steelers believe give them the best chances on offense to open the season against Washington.

Now I wish Coates was the unquestioned #2, but he isn't, at least not yet, maybe that changes as the season unfolds. But right now, it is AB, Wheaton as the #2 and Rogers as the #3, slot WR. Coates has a lot of work to do.

And for all of this talk of how the offense will be doomed, well, still, Ben with this horrible #2 and #3 WRs was still able to methodically move down the field and score 2 TDs.

[K_C_]

Wheaton is as average as they come.

[jeemie]

It's Wheaton.

This is a team that started Justin Brown for a few games even after Martavis Bryant was healed up.

[Gonzo]

Unfortunately Jeemie is right
It will be Wheaton number two
thats how this staff rolls
Rogers and Coates will battle for playing time
Whoever blocks best and kisses ass best will get more time

[Scunge]

Look I am not arguing who is #2 who is #3. I am just observing what the Steeler ARE telling us who is #2 and #3.

They use the 3rd game as the dress rehearsal, and the 4th game is just scrubs, Ben, Brown, Bell won't play. So, in this tune up for the first team offense, with the starters, the Steelers told us bright as day who they think are their #2 and #3 WRs, and that is Wheaton and Rogers.

You don't have to like it but it is what it is. About what I was expecting with Bryant's suspension.

[Legacy User]

I dont have much info on Rogers. He has flashed in limited time.
If the Steelers put Wheaton on the field while Coates sits as a matter of course I will be damn disapointed

[Steelafan77]

I like Wheaton. He has decent ability. Wheaton's problem is he's inconsistent. I can see IF Rogers stays the course he will take over the slot making Wheaton a FA casualty next season.

[Jobu]

Look I am not arguing who is #2 who is #3. I am just observing what the Steeler ARE telling us who is #2 and #3.

They use the 3rd game as the dress rehearsal, and the 4th game is just scrubs, Ben, Brown, Bell won't play. So, in this tune up for the first team offense, with the starters, the Steelers told us bright as day who they think are their #2 and #3 WRs, and that is Wheaton and Rogers.

You don't have to like it but it is what it is. About what I was expecting with Bryant's suspension.

Exactly...and then the fact that Coates was on the field late in quarter 4, with third string O-line and Bryn Renner.
The Steelers don't view Coates the same as we view Coates...

[SteelyourFace]

Look I am not arguing who is #2 who is #3. I am just observing what the Steeler ARE telling us who is #2 and #3.

They use the 3rd game as the dress rehearsal, and the 4th game is just scrubs, Ben, Brown, Bell won't play. So, in this tune up for the first team offense, with the starters, the Steelers told us bright as day who they think are their #2 and #3 WRs, and that is Wheaton and Rogers.

You don't have to like it but it is what it is. About what I was expecting with Bryant's suspension.

Exactly...and then the fact that Coates was on the field late in quarter 4, with third string O-line and Bryn Renner.
The Steelers don't view Coates the same as we view Coates...

I view Coates fourth quarter snaps a little different. I think they wanted to get Coates some run blocking reps.