Will Sweed be back in 2010?

[In Ben We Trust]

Just curious to get people's opinion on this. The guy is as physically gifted a WR as there is, seems to run good routes and get open, but cannot catch the damn ball. Will he get over this and become a productive Pittsburgh Steeler or are his days numbered? I am of the mindset that it is too soon to give up on him, especially given the fact that Hines only has a couple years left at the most. This much I do know....we are damn lucky that we have Mike Wallace.

[hook]

They'll keep him until his contract is up, then re-evaluate.

[In Ben We Trust]

How long is he under contract??

[ski_alta]

They'll keep him until his contract is up, then re-evaluate.

like bruce davis?
sweed? hegone

[Milkman Dan]

I would give him one more chance. However, he would have to earn a spot in training camp.

[In Ben We Trust]

like bruce davis?
sweed? hegone

That's tough Ski...what is he like 23, 24? Hard to throw in the towel that quick.

[hook]

How long is he under contract??

4 years.

I don't know, I say they give him one more try next season and if he continues to under perform, they might cut him loose sooner. I just hope nothing tragic happens to him in the mean time. Sounds like he's pretty fragile mentally.

[steelhurt]

Well he signed a 4 year contract as most 2'nd round picks do so he would be entering the 3'rd year of that rookie deal. Yes I think the Steelers give him a real hard look in 2010. The kid has loads of talent but now this thing has escalated into a lack of confidance and its going to be hard to get that confidance back since he sees very little playing time. You have your three guys set in Holmes,Ward and Wallace and it will also depend on if they draft a receiver as well.
I like Limus and think he should get another chance because its too early to give up on such a talent. We're all obviously disappointed because we set our expectations high for this kid coming out of Texas and thought he'd be a starter by now. He'll get another shot in 2010.

Thank God for Mike Wallace though.

[Royd92040]

I think they give him one more training camp. If he doesn't show any improvement in pre-season he is out of here.

[Mendy34]

Yes, I agree. I think he'll have another chance.

[Supersteeler]

3 years is generally a good amount of time to evaluate a player. If he doesn't show anything by next season, then he probably never will. However, if his contract is 4 years, they will probably keep him around a 4th year unless he is still doing terribly.

[thumbring]

Doesn't he always look good in preseason? He has to prove himself in games when it counts and he has failed to do that. He's failed so epically that he doesn't get any more chances in games. Honestly, I don't know what would be the point of bringing him back. The only thing he has going for him is Holmes uncertain status regarding his future with the team and Ward's age. If they can lock up Holmes, they would have him and Wallace ... and Ward for however long he plays. Plus Miller. Grisham or Galloway or whoever can be a 4th receiver.

[SteelerFan448]

Given Ward, Holmes, and Wallace, I don't see us spending money on a decent veteran. I was surprised that McDonald didn't work out, so what can we expect out of a low-level veteran? Instead, the Steelers will go with the usual suspects of players who have been in their system through camp/practice squad and unless we want a Tyler Grisham player as our #4, I see Sweed getting another chance.

[Superman]

if we cut Sweed, will JenZwain go away?

[Vader]

There is no reason not to bring him back and let him compete in training camp. There really is no money to be saved and there is nothing wrong with competition between WRs. IMHO they will give him this next camp to see if he can get his act together. If not he could be cut after camp if we can find a decent 4th WR.

[GoSteelers]

welcome if you will, tyler grisham!

[Supersteeler]

welcome if you will, tyler grisham!

So far Grisham's average is about as bad as Sweed's. He's 50%.

[Smooth Criminal]

They'll bring him back to camp and give him some time in the preseason.

He has all the tools. If he can get over this drops problem he'll be a great receiver. Its a shame too cause he had great hands at Texas.

[thumbring]

Well, sure bring him back. But what would you learn? Every year he "impresses" in training camp and then sucks in real games.

[Steeltime]

The guy is as physically gifted a WR as there is, seems to run good routes and get open, but cannot catch the damn ball.

"Other than that, how did you like the play, Mrs. Lincoln?"

[dasimp01]

I don't think he's that talented, I can name about 300 WR's that are more talented AND more proven, you can find WR's like Limass a dime a dozen. He's frail as a stick, mentally and physically, and he's obviously NOT putting in the "hard work" in practice, all that was just BS. Then you add in the fact that he's a head-case, possible alcoholic, and I see no reason for them to keep him at all as soon as the season ends, just drama that this team doesn't need more of. This is a CLASSIC example of an unstable coddled big-school college player that got everything he wanted there, and now he's in real life and finding it's not easy, boo F-ing hoo. I don't think he realizes what an opportunity he's been given, or what many others would give for that same opportunity, so no, I don't feel sorry for him. We can obviously find WR's that drop passes off the street, i.e. Grisham. But they will most likely give him one more TC, and hope he will change, but I doubt he survives the final roster cuts next Sept. I'm hoping we take Wallace's former teammate at Ole Miss, Shay Hodge in the 6th or so, one word I heard from the broadcasts about him, technician, those guys can fit in the NFL even with average talent.

[JenZwain]

I think there is more going on behind the scenes then most are privy to. Even in pre-season he caught the ball, and had some very difficult catches. Then he blundered in the reg-season and everyone turned on him and his confidence plummeted. Hey, it's his JOB to catch the ball, and he needs to catch the damn thing.

Also I blame part of his lack of playing time on Bruce Arians, as he still calls the plays and thinks we're a running team like we were years ago. Things have changed and with a pass first team, maybe we'll put more points up and use more WR's, in different situations. But playing time is earned, and IMO he has not done anything to earn it.

He'll get pre-season of next year, if he doesn't step up and pretty much WOW people he will be released.

It's pretty simple at this point.

[dasimp01]

You make absolutely no sense whatsoever, Arians calls a F-ing shotgun 5-wide pass on EVERY GD 3rd and 1 anymore, how exactly is that a "running team" mentality??? But for once and only, something isn't Airhead's fault, the flop of Limass is his own fault. He has had plenty of opportunities to make plays and "win people over", yet he has pissed all of them down his leg.

[ski_alta]

That's tough Ski...what is he like 23, 24? Hard to throw in the towel that quick.

we booted davis is all i'm saying and he didn't have a laundry list of in game fails.

[JenZwain]

You make absolutely no sense whatsoever, Arians calls a F-ing shotgun 5-wide pass on EVERY GD 3rd and 1 anymore, how exactly is that a "running team" mentality??? But for once and only, something isn't Airhead's fault, the flop of Limass is his own fault. He has had plenty of opportunities to make plays and "win people over", yet he has pissed all of them down his leg.

Because smooth...Sweed isn't gonna get into a game situation on those plays. Run-Run-Pass is Arians' deal.

I wont argue his flop has been all of his own doing...relax and have a coke and a smile.

[Steeltime]

Also I blame part of his lack of playing time on Bruce Arians, as he still calls the plays and thinks we're a running team like we were years ago.

What games are you watching? The Steelers rank 20th in the NFL in rushing attempts, and have passed the ball 508 times vs. 392 rushing attempts.

Add in 47 sacks, and that is 555 pass attempts, 392 running plays (including Ben scrambles, when the play is actually a pass play), for 59% pass plays and 41% running plays.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/pit/2009.htm

[Booted]

if we cut Sweed, will JenZwain go away?No. Sadly she has now hitched her wagon to Grisham.

[FAB802]

No. Sadly she has now hitched her wagon to Grisham.

Maybe she should buy a mule.

[Turbo Pig]

I think he is brought in and then doesn't make the 53 man roster

[jasen@cardiostack]

No. Sadly she has now hitched her wagon to Grisham.don't forget she was riding frank tanked summers also

[Vader]

don't forget she was riding frank tanked summers also

She wasn't the only one. I remember threads about how Frank was going to be starting by mid-season. One posters said he GUARANTEED Tank was the real deal and wasn't afraid to tell people. I also remember that Urbik was going to beat out Stapleton and Mike Wallace was going to be on the PS... strange what some people believe.

[JenZwain]

don't forget she was riding frank tanked summers also

Hey smart ass....since you get such a hard on for chasing me around and stalking....Maybe you should realize that Summers got hurt and had a back injury serious enough to put him on IR all year. If he wasn't any good, the team would not have kept him.

[Steel 83]

Summers has done nothing but the Steelers wanted to keep him around and then his "serious" injury occured so the Steelers could keep him without subjecting him to waivers.

[baltimoron]

He will make the Ravens roster after Pitt cuts him

[JenZwain]

Summers has done nothing but the Steelers wanted to keep him around and then his "serious" injury occured so the Steelers could keep him without subjecting him to waivers.

You ever think he was injured, so thats why he wasn't doing anything? The Steelers have a history of drafting players with half a brain, and good character.

We wont know more until we see him healthy.

[cajunsteel]

Maybe his illness is mental (Mental Drop Syndrome ), and is seeing a shrink for it. I hope it works. I'd like to see him back.

[TMC]

There is no reason not to bring him back and let him compete in training camp. There really is no money to be saved and there is nothing wrong with competition between WRs. IMHO they will give him this next camp to see if he can get his act together. If not he could be cut after camp if we can find a decent 4th WR.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.

[General Manager]

Wasn't Roddy White in the same boat a few years ago? If I remember correctly they were calling him a bust and now he one of the better receivers in the league. Just saying.

[far51]

most WR's emerge in thier 3rd year, I think he makes a quantem leap nextt year and kinda chasa Robert Maeachem type of impact, or at worse a decent 4th WR good for 20-30 catches and a few TD's.
Far to early to give on such a talanted WR with the frame and skills he has. (Yes he will learn how to catch)

[Turbo Pig]

How many 4th WRs have 30 catches in the league w/o injuries to a top 3?

[ski_alta]

Wasn't Roddy White in the same boat a few years ago? If I remember correctly they were calling him a bust and now he one of the better receivers in the league. Just saying.

are you kidding or did you just randomly pick a wr out of the blue?
roddy white stats-
year one 29 catches 3 tds
year two 30 catches

sooo....
are you saying roddy struggled? like limas struggled?
is that what you are trying to say?


for the record, there is absolutely zero harm in bringing him in and axing him on final cut down day

[Vader]

I don't understand the player X did this, so this other player, who has nothing in common with player X, can do the same thing. There are tons of failures and successes in the NFL and NONE of them have to do with each other.

[Layin the Wood]

I agree. Many wide recievers hit their stride in their 3rd year. It is way way too early to call him a bust. He has had some injury and other health related problems this year. He will 100% be back next year and will be given another look. I hope he does well and sticks around, but if he does not improve next year then he will be sent home packing.
Wasn't Roddy White in the same boat a few years ago? If I remember correctly they were calling him a bust and now he one of the better receivers in the league. Just saying.

[Layin the Wood]

Nah you cant name 300 wr's that are more talented or proven
I don't think he's that talented, I can name about 300 WR's that are more talented AND more proven, you can find WR's like Limass a dime a dozen. He's frail as a stick, mentally and physically, and he's obviously NOT putting in the "hard work" in practice, all that was just BS. Then you add in the fact that he's a head-case, possible alcoholic, and I see no reason for them to keep him at all as soon as the season ends, just drama that this team doesn't need more of. This is a CLASSIC example of an unstable coddled big-school college player that got everything he wanted there, and now he's in real life and finding it's not easy, boo F-ing hoo. I don't think he realizes what an opportunity he's been given, or what many others would give for that same opportunity, so no, I don't feel sorry for him. We can obviously find WR's that drop passes off the street, i.e. Grisham. But they will most likely give him one more TC, and hope he will change, but I doubt he survives the final roster cuts next Sept. I'm hoping we take Wallace's former teammate at Ole Miss, Shay Hodge in the 6th or so, one word I heard from the broadcasts about him, technician, those guys can fit in the NFL even with average talent.

[ski_alta]

I agree. Many wide recievers hit their stride in their 3rd year. It is way way too early to call him a bust. He has had some injury and other health related problems this year. He will 100% be back next year and will be given another look. I hope he does well and sticks around, but if he does not improve next year then he will be sent home packing.
that would cure being homesick though

[Layin the Wood]

There are 3 wr's on our roster that are better than Sweed. Their starting positions are etched in stone. He should be a very solid #4. They would have to bring in 2 top notch recievers to push him out of a spot. I am very very excited with the production of Mike Wallace. I think he could be a Steve Smith type guy. Hines and Santonio are in the top tier of wide recievers in the league so there is no NEED for wr's. The Steelers NEED o linemen, d linemen, and defensive backs!!!

[Turbo Pig]

There are 3 wr's on our roster that are better than Sweed. Their starting positions are etched in stone. He should be a very solid #4. They would have to bring in 2 top notch recievers to push him out of a spot. I am very very excited with the production of Mike Wallace. I think he could be a Steve Smith type guy. Hines and Santonio are in the top tier of wide recievers in the league so there is no NEED for wr's. The Steelers NEED o linemen, d linemen, and defensive backs!!!


ILB and depth at OLB, don't forget

[Vader]

There are 3 wr's on our roster that are better than Sweed. Their starting positions are etched in stone. He should be a very solid #4. They would have to bring in 2 top notch recievers to push him out of a spot. I am very very excited with the production of Mike Wallace. I think he could be a Steve Smith type guy. Hines and Santonio are in the top tier of wide recievers in the league so there is no NEED for wr's. The Steelers NEED o linemen, d linemen, and defensive backs!!!

Not necessarily. If they feel he has no upside after this camp they may release him for another rookie or 2nd year player or they may bring in another UFA who beats him out. Why would they need 2 top notch WRs to push him out? They just have to be better than him... which isn't saying much.

[JenZwain]

He needs to touch the ball more often. But to do that he has to start holding on to it, and making those catches.

If not it's bye bye.

[pghfrank61]

No Sweed wont be able to CATCH his flight to Pittsburgh and Latrobe!!!!

[jasen@cardiostack]

Hey smart ass....since you get such a hard on for chasing me around and stalking....Maybe you should realize that Summers got hurt and had a back injury serious enough to put him on IR all year. If he wasn't any good, the team would not have kept him.

Don't get so high on yourself. Insanely stupid statements stick in my head. your new classic that sweed doesn't get enough playing time because we are a running team won't be forgotten soon. So continue to be the biggest moron around

[ronburgundy]

I don't see why we need him at this point. Potentially better players are available as undrafted FA's or on the waiver wire.

[TMC]

I don't understand the player X did this, so this other player, who has nothing in common with player X, can do the same thing. There are tons of failures and successes in the NFL and NONE of them have to do with each other.

While I agree that one player does not have anything to do with the next guys success or failure, the idea is, IF a player has done it, it is not out of the realm of possibility for another. With that said, that player has to do it. And, whether or not he gets the opportunity will be up to the guys that see him every day.

I think Limas comes to camp. If he does not, he has issues outside of football that creates the scenario for him being released. I do not think they would cut him early based on his on field performance, while not spectacular, he has shown some flashes of potential. You cannot teach his size and speed. His physical nature is also tough to get some guys to learn.

[dasimp01]

Too many of you are grasping at the ONE block he made, WOW. They obviously have ZERO confidence in him or else he would've dressed over Grisham, and no, I don't for one second believe he has any sickness or anything of the sort, that's BS so they can get his useless ass off the active roster.

[insaniti]

Doesn't he always look good in preseason? He has to prove himself in games when it counts and he has failed to do that. He's failed so epically that he doesn't get any more chances in games. Honestly, I don't know what would be the point of bringing him back. The only thing he has going for him is Holmes uncertain status regarding his future with the team and Ward's age. If they can lock up Holmes, they would have him and Wallace ... and Ward for however long he plays. Plus Miller. Grisham or Galloway or whoever can be a 4th receiver.


Well, sure bring him back. But what would you learn? Every year he "impresses" in training camp and then sucks in real games.

the problem with his "epic" failures is that he was never really given much of a chance to redeem himself in the game he screwed up in. Wallace dropped a for sure TD pass in a game this year, and the very next play they threw to him again. Sweed drops a for sure TD pass, and you don't see his ass for three games. if they want him to get over whatever issues he has with catching the ball, they are going to have to bite the bullet and give him more playing time. he looks good in camp and in pre season because there is no pressure, they aren't going to yank him out if he drops a ball. he plays more relaxed and natural and doesn't seem to force things.


I don't think he's that talented, I can name about 300 WR's that are more talented AND more proven, you can find WR's like Limass a dime a dozen. He's frail as a stick, mentally and physically, and he's obviously NOT putting in the "hard work" in practice, all that was just BS. Then you add in the fact that he's a head-case, possible alcoholic, and I see no reason for them to keep him at all as soon as the season ends, just drama that this team doesn't need more of. This is a CLASSIC example of an unstable coddled big-school college player that got everything he wanted there, and now he's in real life and finding it's not easy, boo F-ing hoo. I don't think he realizes what an opportunity he's been given, or what many others would give for that same opportunity, so no, I don't feel sorry for him. We can obviously find WR's that drop passes off the street, i.e. Grisham. But they will most likely give him one more TC, and hope he will change, but I doubt he survives the final roster cuts next Sept. I'm hoping we take Wallace's former teammate at Ole Miss, Shay Hodge in the 6th or so, one word I heard from the broadcasts about him, technician, those guys can fit in the NFL even with average talent.

what the fuck dude... how much hate do you really have for Sweed?


While I agree that one player does not have anything to do with the next guys success or failure, the idea is, IF a player has done it, it is not out of the realm of possibility for another. With that said, that player has to do it. And, whether or not he gets the opportunity will be up to the guys that see him every day.

I think Limas comes to camp. If he does not, he has issues outside of football that creates the scenario for him being released. I do not think they would cut him early based on his on field performance, while not spectacular, he has shown some flashes of potential. You cannot teach his size and speed. His physical nature is also tough to get some guys to learn.

exactly, they just need to actually give him more time. dont sit him down for half a season for dropping a pass, go back to him. they are not helping him get over his issues by showing no confidence. once again, Wallace fucked up, they went right back to him, they need to do the same for Sweed.


Too many of you are grasping at the ONE block he made, WOW. They obviously have ZERO confidence in him or else he would've dressed over Grisham, and no, I don't for one second believe he has any sickness or anything of the sort, that's BS so they can get his useless ass off the active roster.

again dude, what the fuck. did you catch any of the preseason? he made some DAMN good catches, it has nothing to do with the block and the potential that he has. he was a first round talent up until he broke his wrist, and still most thought he'd go in the first.

[Superman]

i agree that if he's going to ever get over his drops, that he'll have to be force-fed the ball. If he drops one, it's not good for his mental stability to let him sit for the next 3-4 games. He'll need to be thrown the ball the very next play. And then the play after. The pressure will go up with each pass, but once he makes the catch, ALL of that pressure will be gone.

[markymarc]

First of all, I really do hope Limas can get his off the field issues worked out. Now if that does happen then I don't see how he wouldn't be on the roster for 2010. Ultimately that will be his last season to show he can play IMO.

[markymarc]

i agree that if he's going to ever get over his drops, that he'll have to be force-fed the ball. If he drops one, it's not good for his mental stability to let him sit for the next 3-4 games. He'll need to be thrown the ball the very next play. And then the play after. The pressure will go up with each pass, but once he makes the catch, ALL of that pressure will be gone.

And that was my biggest issue with the coaches in trying to help Sweed get over the drops. I blame both sides for his failures. Limas Sweed must take accountability and show he wants to fix the problems, but IMO the coaches failed miserably in trying to put Limas Sweed in positions to succeed. Less than 20 pass attempts in 2 seasons is not good enough for me for allowing a WR to show his ability.

[dasimp01]

You people have it ALL wrong, players EARN their opportunities. Wallace dropped one, but he long ago EARNED the coaches respect and EARNED the opportunity to make it up. All Limass did was screw up, and go off and pout and cry about it, he never earned a chance to make it up. Remember, he was given the #3 spot in pre-season and he alone was the one that pissed it away, the coaches said so themselves, it was his to lose, and he lost it, and has done nothing but screw up and piss away every opportunity since. If he is too mentally weak to handle that, then whose fault is that???? Coaches in the NFL don't have time to coddle crybabies. And yes, I hate Sweed, like I hate ALL U Texas players. nothing but a bunch of punk arrogant rich boys who expect everything to be given to them.

[USDA#1]

James Hardy, the other tall WR some of us wanted.....2 yrs, 10 catches for 96 yds, long of 17, 2TD's...

jus' sayin'.

Sweed gets one more chance, his contract practically locks that up.....but he gotta show some heart.


and hands.

[Vader]

While I agree that one player does not have anything to do with the next guys success or failure, the idea is, IF a player has done it, it is not out of the realm of possibility for another. With that said, that player has to do it. And, whether or not he gets the opportunity will be up to the guys that see him every day.

I think Limas comes to camp. If he does not, he has issues outside of football that creates the scenario for him being released. I do not think they would cut him early based on his on field performance, while not spectacular, he has shown some flashes of potential. You cannot teach his size and speed. His physical nature is also tough to get some guys to learn.

It brings nothing to the discussion and is meaningless unless somebody is using it as an excuse for him not to succeed. For example if I say player X is from a small school so ergo he can't make the team... then someone can point out a small school player that has to make a point.

NOBODY is saying "Sweed sucks because he should be a great player by his 2nd year". So why make the argument if that isn't the issue??? People are questioning his ability to catch the ball. So if you want to defend that please tell me a great WR who made it even though he couldn't catch.

[insaniti]

You people have it ALL wrong, players EARN their opportunities. Wallace dropped one, but he long ago EARNED the coaches respect and EARNED the opportunity to make it up. All Limass did was screw up, and go off and pout and cry about it, he never earned a chance to make it up. Remember, he was given the #3 spot in pre-season and he alone was the one that pissed it away, the coaches said so themselves, it was his to lose, and he lost it, and has done nothing but screw up and piss away every opportunity since. If he is too mentally weak to handle that, then whose fault is that???? Coaches in the NFL don't have time to coddle crybabies. And yes, I hate Sweed, like I hate ALL U Texas players. nothing but a bunch of punk arrogant rich boys who expect everything to be given to them.

so you hate Casey Hampton then? but thank you for clearing all of this up for us, we no longer have to respond to threads you post in about Sweed. its not so much Sweed that you hate, its the fact he's from Texas...it all makes perfect sense now.


It brings nothing to the discussion and is meaningless unless somebody is using it as an excuse for him not to succeed. For example if I say player X is from a small school so ergo he can't make the team... then someone can point out a small school player that has to make a point.

NOBODY is saying "Sweed sucks because he should be a great player by his 2nd year". So why make the argument if that isn't the issue??? People are questioning his ability to catch the ball. So if you want to defend that please tell me a great WR who made it even though he couldn't catch.

people consider Terrell Owens a great WR and he drops A LOT of easy balls... A LOT!!

[Vader]

people consider Terrell Owens a great WR and he drops A LOT of easy balls... A LOT!!

I don't have time to look up the stats but I'm sure that when you look at the stats his pass/ drop ratio is a lot better than Sweed's. WRs have to catch the ball or they won't be around.

[TMC]

It brings nothing to the discussion and is meaningless unless somebody is using it as an excuse for him not to succeed. For example if I say player X is from a small school so ergo he can't make the team... then someone can point out a small school player that has to make a point.

NOBODY is saying "Sweed sucks because he should be a great player by his 2nd year". So why make the argument if that isn't the issue??? People are questioning his ability to catch the ball. So if you want to defend that please tell me a great WR who made it even though he couldn't catch.

There are plenty of people here that argue since Player X did not impact as a rookie or in his 2nd year, he will not make it at all. Just because you may not do it, does not mean it does not happen.

Hell, I have heard people state that Player Y will not make in the NFL because his bench, vertical, and broad jump were not high enough. It had nothing to do with his ability to make tackles, read defenses, etc. Shit, we hear all the time about DBs not making it because they run a 4.55 forty or worse.

[fogdoctor]

Sweed is basically fucked. What ever personal problems (mental or physical) he has been struggling with have essentially destroyed the formative years of his career. I hope he comes back and contributes but I think he is done.

NOTE: I thought he was so good that I would have considered him in the first round so I am not a Sweed hater. I just dont know of any player that has failed this badly early on and for 2 full years and then become a good NFL player.

[Vader]

There are plenty of people here that argue since Player X did not impact as a rookie or in his 2nd year, he will not make it at all. Just because you may not do it, does not mean it does not happen.

Hell, I have heard people state that Player Y will not make in the NFL because his bench, vertical, and broad jump were not high enough. It had nothing to do with his ability to make tackles, read defenses, etc. Shit, we hear all the time about DBs not making it because they run a 4.55 forty or worse.

Show me one post concerning Sweed where someone states that issue... just one. Everybody is jumping on Sweed because he can't catch the ball NOT because he is in his 2nd year. They would jump on any WR who can't catch regardless of what year they are in. The rest of what you wrote deals with a players stats which are discussed all the time. That is different than arguing about the actual time someone has played.

[TMC]

Show me one post concerning Sweed where someone states that issue... just one. Everybody is jumping on Sweed because he can't catch the ball NOT because he is in his 2nd year. They would jump on any WR who can't catch regardless of what year they are in. The rest of what you wrote deals with a players stats which are discussed all the time. That is different than arguing about the actual time someone has played.

Dude, seriously? The board was dumped a month or so ago....are you basing this on things said in the last month? I cannot find a post older than a month or so.

Hell, that is almost like me stating the board loved Kordell Stewart and then asking you for a post of someone stating they disliked him.....

[TMC]

One other point....you stated:


I don't understand the player X did this, so this other player, who has nothing in common with player X, can do the same thing. There are tons of failures and successes in the NFL and NONE of them have to do with each other.

I took that as a generalization towards all players. I mean, you stated player X, not Sweed, so I assumed you meant the argument in general. If you meant it specifically towards Sweed, my mistake. You were somewhat general in that comment though.

[insaniti]

I don't have time to look up the stats but I'm sure that when you look at the stats his pass/ drop ratio is a lot better than Sweed's. WRs have to catch the ball or they won't be around.

he also didnt get yanked for 3-4 games for dropping a ball. he gets the same treatment every other WR gets, "oh you dropped that one, but I'll come right back to you". Im sure Ben would throw him the ball again too, if he was given the opportunity to do so that is. Nate Washington dropped a ton of balls for us, he was never benched for games at a time. for awhile Nate would catch the hard ones, drop the easy ones, but we kept going to him because he kept getting open.

Sweed continues to get open when he has the opportunity, but he needs more opportunities. people say that he has to earn them, from all accounts, he practices well, works hard (everything I've read as opposed to the hearsay some people are assuming), doesn't that qualify as earning the opportunity?

I had an issue with my High School basketball coach, I practiced hard, I was the first one in, last one out. I worked hard at everything I did, but because I was the "new" kid in school, he played favorites with the line-up and I only got in for mop up duty. same thing the following year, except there was a game where he got tossed, the assistant coach put me in the game and I played well, well enough to get a sixth man spot for awhile and even a few starts. sometimes the coaches need to nut up or shut up with the earning the opportunities, if he is practicing well, he needs to get into the game (unfortunately it won't be till next year)

[ski_alta]

that high school flashback is very touching
sweed still sucks

[SteelerBob]

He will be back.

[Vader]

One other point....you stated:



I took that as a generalization towards all players. I mean, you stated player X, not Sweed, so I assumed you meant the argument in general. If you meant it specifically towards Sweed, my mistake. You were somewhat general in that comment though.

I was talking about Sweed specifically. I should have been more clear. I have no problem with someone using real stats to back an argument.

[Vader]

he also didnt get yanked for 3-4 games for dropping a ball. he gets the same treatment every other WR gets, "oh you dropped that one, but I'll come right back to you". Im sure Ben would throw him the ball again too, if he was given the opportunity to do so that is. Nate Washington dropped a ton of balls for us, he was never benched for games at a time. for awhile Nate would catch the hard ones, drop the easy ones, but we kept going to him because he kept getting open.

Sweed continues to get open when he has the opportunity, but he needs more opportunities. people say that he has to earn them, from all accounts, he practices well, works hard (everything I've read as opposed to the hearsay some people are assuming), doesn't that qualify as earning the opportunity?

I had an issue with my High School basketball coach, I practiced hard, I was the first one in, last one out. I worked hard at everything I did, but because I was the "new" kid in school, he played favorites with the line-up and I only got in for mop up duty. same thing the following year, except there was a game where he got tossed, the assistant coach put me in the game and I played well, well enough to get a sixth man spot for awhile and even a few starts. sometimes the coaches need to nut up or shut up with the earning the opportunities, if he is practicing well, he needs to get into the game (unfortunately it won't be till next year)

Whatever the coach sees in Sweed is why he isn't getting on the field... It isn't that they want him to fail. Right now he is hurt so I don't know if he would be playing or not. Still, next year he can come back and compete with all the other WRs for the #4 spot. Players have to take advantage when they get a chance... Sweed hasn't.

[dobre shunka]

There are plenty of people here that argue since Player X did not impact as a rookie or in his 2nd year, he will not make it at all. Just because you may not do it, does not mean it does not happen.

Hell, I have heard people state that Player Y will not make in the NFL because his bench, vertical, and broad jump were not high enough. It had nothing to do with his ability to make tackles, read defenses, etc. Shit, we hear all the time about DBs not making it because they run a 4.55 forty or worse.

Maybe it's paranoia, doubt it's vanity, but I can't help but think you're talking about me, going back to our dialog over Bruce Davis. I don't have the time or desire anymore for protracted debates, so I'm not going to rehash all this again. Just a brief summary to set it right. I never called Bruce Davis a bust then, nor did I say he would certainly bust. I said he had a number of redflags against him that made his future success not very likely imo. Very low KEI LBs/DEs tend not to make it. That is true. Healthy R3 picks who don't dress on gamedays tend not to make it. That is also true. LBs who don't dress on gamedays tend not to make it. True again. Obviously some do, but most don't. Add that all up, and the prospects didn't look good. Which came to pass, did it not?

As for Sweed, while he hasn't contributed much on gameday, he was still considered by coaches to be worth dressing and participating on STs and occasional 4WR sets, and early in the season was sharing the 3WR role with Wallace. There are a good number of (old) Day One picks who were gameday active/contributors who went on to make it. Particularly at WR, tho most were 3WR and putting up 20-30 catches for 300-400 yards by Y2. Santana Moss, Fred-X, Jerry Porter, Robert Ferguson, Devery Henderson, ARE, Bernard Berrian, Kevin Curtis, Jericho Cotchery.

As for Sweed just needing more opportunity, sure, if the games didn't count I'd be all for it. Tho if they didn't count I doubt I or anyone else would have much interest in watching, much less seek out a messageboard to comment on it. It is the Not For Long, not the Benevolent Sisters of the Poor Hands Society. Jocelyn Elders is not the commish. You have to seize your opportunities because you will be left behind, opportunities are few. Getting drafted is an opportunity. Being picked in R2 is a greater opportunity, because your rope is longer than most. Y2 you should be taking a step forward. He didn't really distinguish himself above rookie Wallace. And the plan was to spilt the 3WR role between them this year. Wallace seized his opportunities. Sweed spit the bit. End of shared time. That's how it works. As it should.

But, yeah, he's running out of opportunities. I'm guessing this offseason is his last opportunity to make a case for himself with this club. That should come as a surprise to none.

[insaniti]

that high school flashback is very touching
sweed still sucks

and your insight is astounding, shouldn't you be out trying to cure cancer or something?

[Steeltime]

Sweed does not play because he is not better than the guys given playing time ahead of him ... Ward, Holmes, Wallace, and [fill in the blank].

[ski_alta]

and your insight is astounding, shouldn't you be out trying to cure cancer or something?

i'll work on that al bundy
pride of polk high

[JenZwain]

Can Sweed plat CB? Because surely he's got to be better the William Gay.

On another thought, he can't be any more of a bust the Jamarcus Russell is....the guy is awful!