Expect HUGE returns from Stefan Logan- Ligashesky stunk

[tony hipchest]

Steelers return man Stefan Logan on new spec teams coach Al Everest: "it's a different scheme he's bringing in, a lot of guys like what he's doing b/c everybody knows what's going on. We know which way the return is going. Last year we was a little confused which was the return is going, left, right, or up the middle."... Sounds like coach Ligasheksy was confusing in '09

https://twitter.com/Ken_Laird

i think logan is fighting an uphill battle for a roster spot and if he does make the team, will probably be the 53rd guy to nail down the final spot.

HOWEVER, i think through camp and the preseason games, he will prove to be our best and most valuable returner.

i watched the nfl films 2009 yearbook and they highlighted him. he set a steelers record for return yards last year and had pro bowl top of the league stats (i think it was 2000+ total return yds). i couldnt believe some of his amazing returns and his speed, yet there was always someone (usually 2-3) there to tackle him.

he may still have superstar potential as a return ace with proper coaching and ST schemes. definitely something worth watching and rooting for. you never wanna throw the baby out with the bathwater even if he is 1 dimensional.

[LLT]

Alot of that will depend on Brown and Sanders...both were top notch returners in college and are versatile enough to contribute as WR's. If either pan out as return specialists, it will probably mean the end of Logan.

If we can find a way to keep him...I'm all for it. Its just the FO deciding if they want to use a roster slot SOLELY for a RS.

[tony hipchest]

i think they are gonna put sanders in a plastic bubble like they did with wallace and to some degree santonio. they are our future and we saw how afraid they were to get holmes hurt.

i wonder if we can stash brown on the practice squad? (i love the potential of our 2 rookie wr's).

what do we do if logan simply outshines everyone? we will be in quite a pickle.

[Mach1]

i think they are gonna put sanders in a plastic bubble like they did with wallace and to some degree santonio. they are our future and we saw how afraid they were to get holmes hurt.

i wonder if we can stash brown on the practice squad? (i love the potential of our 2 rookie wr's).

what do we do if logan simply outshines everyone? we will be in quite a pickle.

If Logan outshines, he'll earn his place on the team. He may just do that actually knowing which way to run this time. lol

[stillers4me]

I thought I read that Logan was coming into camp with the intention of utilizing him in RB/WR role.

[vader29]

At yesterdays practice Logan looked pretty good in punt returns, Randle El was also returning some and he still looks good.

[stillers4me]

I don't think Logan was the problem. It was more about who was blocking for him.

[tony hipchest]

i think the problem was shithebedsky. bad hire from the get go.

same deal with the o-line. its gonna look like kugler made chicen salad outta chicken shit this year. everyone will praise flozell and the rookie, when in reality, it was getting rid of coach larry pornlein.

[LLT]

I don't think Logan was the problem. It was more about who was blocking for him.

I think your right.

But in regards to what Tony is saying....If Logan makes the team, there is a chance that we put Brown on the PS and risk the chance of losing him. Its a good probelm to have...but the FO is going to be making some VERY hard decisions in regards to some very talented players.

[tony hipchest]

heres the $360,000 question. do you cut next years AFC pro bowl return specialist representative in favor of a developmental wr just because he is 1 dimensional?

lets assume he is a top 3 returner who can do nothing else. if im in the FO i dont know how to weigh the pros and cons, but right now, im thinking if he does have untapped return potential cutting him could be a mistake.

we saw how special teams lost us atleast 3 games last year. what if he could score 3 tds and reverse that.

dude gots mad skills and passes the eyeball test.

it IS a good problem to have.

[SteelMember]

At yesterdays practice Logan looked pretty good in punt returns, Randle El was also returning some and he still looks good.

If you like fair catches, ARE is the man.

I say that with a pinch of sarcasm, mind you. I hope with all the talent, he's not a guy we'd be depending on to fill the role of returner anymore.


Back on topic to Logan. I hope he can expand his role at a position, because I'd hate to give up the strides they finally made last year just because the guy is pigeon-holed as a specialist.

Loved what he did for us last year. Love to have him back.

Sanders/Brown could be "the" obstacle though if they show more depth value being a better wideout... which we know sanders is already.

[Mach1]

heres the $360,000 question. do you cut next years AFC pro bowl return specialist representative in favor of a developmental wr just because he is 1 dimensional?

lets assume he is a top 3 returner who can do nothing else. if im in the FO i dont know how to weigh the pros and cons, but right now, im thinking if he does have untapped return potential cutting him could be a mistake.

we saw how special teams lost us atleast 3 games last year. what if he could score 3 tds and reverse that.

dude gots mad skills and passes the eyeball test.

it IS a good problem to have.

Only have to look as far as Hester or Hall. Neither of them were(are) great at WR. They singlehandedly won games for their teams.

[SteelMember]

i think the problem was shithebedsky.

:lol:

"If you have a problem with my coaching, talk to my assistant."

:wink02:

[LLT]

heres the $360,000 question. do you cut next years AFC pro bowl return specialist representative in favor of a developmental wr just because he is 1 dimensional?

lets assume he is a top 3 returner who can do nothing else. if im in the FO i dont know how to weigh the pros and cons, but right now, im thinking if he does have untapped return potential cutting him could be a mistake.

we saw how special teams lost us atleast 3 games last year. what if he could score 3 tds and reverse that.

dude gots mad skills and passes the eyeball test.

it IS a good problem to have.

That is a problem that I wouldnt want to be responisble in answering. I think the EASY answer is that if you have a Cribbs or a Hester on your team then you dont hesitate in holding a roster spot for a RS.

When you have a Logan and a Sanders/Brown on your team you have to be a bit more deliberate in looking at your options. Logan is almost to the point in which you have to give him SERIOUS consideration as worth the slot, with the deciding factor being a wait-and-see on Sanders/Brown to see if you have someone else who is AS talented or close enough in talent to warrant cutting him.

[tony hipchest]

just checked...

logan was third in total return yardage last year 55/1466 +30/280 in punts. he was behind danny amendola and josh cribbs.

[LLT]

just checked...

logan was third in total return yardage last year 55/1466 +30/280 in punts. he was behind danny amendola and josh cribbs.

Thats impressive..the thing that keeps him from being considered elite is his inability to break the long one...but you HAVE to think that that is more on the shoulders of his blockers than on his own ability.

Also his 26.7 yards per return only places him at #15 overall....Still....it doesnt take a genious to watch him and see something special.

[tony hipchest]

his long was 83 yds with no td scored. if properly blocked there is absolutely no way anyone catches him from behind. i am of the opinion he was almost working miracles in a shitty scheme.

[The Duke]

i am of the opinion he was almost working miracles in a shitty scheme.

He really was. I expect a lot more from their blocking this year. And the special teams overall

I honestly don't think putting antonio brown on the PS would be a risk. Unless he tears it up on preseason (how likely is that?) he should be safe there. Most teams have their own developmental receivers on the squad too anyway

[LLT]

his long was 83 yds with no td scored. if properly blocked there is absolutely no way anyone catches him from behind. i am of the opinion he was almost working miracles in a shitty scheme.

It makes you wonder if he can fill a Darren Sproles type role at RB?...But then again when the Bears started messing with Hester and moving him around at WR, he was never the same RS as he was before. So there is something to be said of leaving well enough alone.

[SteelerEmpire]

I guy being cut that broke the single season return record "with" a sub-par blocking scheme... should be back...

[BuddhaBus]

I thought I read that Logan was coming into camp with the intention of utilizing him in RB/WR role.

I remember that as well. Let's wait and see what he has to offer in the role of RB/WR before calling him one dimensional. He may just surprise us. It definitely wouldn't hurt to have another possible RB on the squad since RBs are fairly injury prone due to the beatings they can take.


I don't think Logan was the problem. It was more about who was blocking for him.

I agree wholeheartedly. He never seemed to get any help at all from his blockers. He usually had 2-3 guys boxing him in by the time he caught the ball.


When you have a Logan and a Sanders/Brown on your team you have to be a bit more deliberate in looking at your options. Logan is almost to the point in which you have to give him SERIOUS consideration as worth the slot, with the deciding factor being a wait-and-see on Sanders/Brown to see if you have someone else who is AS talented or close enough in talent to warrant cutting him.

Absolutely. If Sanders or Brown can show just as much or MORE than Logan... problem solved.

[steelpride12]

It's a shame if we would have to cut Logan he is an excellent returner, but only having that skill other than speed makes him one dimensional. I think if Sanders and Brown out due him in camp he is gone for sure.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Blocking was the biggest problem in our return game last year, but on punt returns, Logan didnt always break away from the initial tackler himself. No one should be expected to be a one-man effort, but if you want to be a good return man, every once in a while you do. And if Logan wants to make the roster, he has to do that on AT LEAST: Kick returns AND punt returns.

Even then, the coaches better see something in him because he still has a slim chance to make this roster. Personally i still want him to stick around and play out his 2-year contract, but if he doesnt, no biggie. We have a surplus of return guys anyways.

[MULLDOG24]

If Logan can earn a spot then i'm all for it!:thumbsup:

[VTsteel]

I understand the concept of position flexibility . . . but to label someone as a problem for being one dimensional or to think the FO doesn't like or will not sign someone for being just really good at that one position is crazy . . . Greg Warren, Jared Retkofsky, Matt Stewart anyone? Specializing at one position is essential to any teams success.

That being said, position flexibility does matter but only matters if there is an honest to god tie between two players. If you are the best return man trying out . . . the job should be yours.

[Psycho Ward 86]

Greg Warren, Jared Retkofsky, Matt Stewart anyone?

Yes...those would be longsnappers...which arent position flexible players on almost every team in this league...

[Chidi29]

The thing I'm most happy about is us getting players with quality special teams experience in college. And hopefully, our kick/punt coverage will be much better.

Tomlin does love versatility and it was a rare thing for a player like Logan to make the roster. But he never really looked good anywhere else he was put at to try and make him a little more versatile (Gunner, pinch guy on kick returns), and when you have players like Emmanuel and Brown (Who can and has played everywhere on special teams) it's just tough to see Logan making it again.

But I agree with Tony; it's a good problem to have. Too much of a good thing is better than not enough of it.

[Psycho Ward 86]

I agree Chidi, but he still showed good potential on kickoff coverage. Inconsistent, but he made some good tackles. He just needs to find a way to not get stood up by bigger folks...pretty much the other 21 guys on the field. Go Figure.

[Galax Steeler]

I just think that Logan is on the bubble it would be hard to keep him to just return kicks.

[vrabinec]

Alot of that will depend on Brown and Sanders...both were top notch returners in college and are versatile enough to contribute as WR's. If either pan out as return specialists, it will probably mean the end of Logan.

If we can find a way to keep him...I'm all for it. Its just the FO deciding if they want to use a roster slot SOLELY for a RS.

Forget Brown, he's too slow, and doesn't seem to have the moves. Sanders ran one back at the practice I saw and really looked good. Didn't go side to side like Logan does sometimes, ran it right up the gut, made some nice quick moves in the hole. I don't think Sanders has the breakaway speed Logan has, but if we need a roster spot and have to cut Logan, I wouldn't be unhappy with Sanders as the return man. And Burnett actually looked pretty good as well, but not as good as the other two.

[SteelerSal]

Forget Brown, he's too slow, and doesn't seem to have the moves. Sanders ran one back at the practice I saw and really looked good. Didn't go side to side like Logan does sometimes, ran it right up the gut, made some nice quick moves in the hole. I don't think Sanders has the breakaway speed Logan has, but if we need a roster spot and have to cut Logan, I wouldn't be unhappy with Sanders as the return man. And Burnett actually looked pretty good as well, but not as good as the other two.

Well heck...start up a thread here http://www.steeluniverse.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?13-Goin-Camping and tell us all the good and bad of what you saw at camp! :tt03:

[SteelMember]

Yes, Yes. More, more.

and welcome, vrabinec.

[vrabinec]

Well heck...start up a thread here http://www.steeluniverse.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?13-Goin-Camping and tell us all the good and bad of what you saw at camp! :tt03:

I went over there, but someone already posted them on there from where I posted them on another site.

[solardave]

I don't think Logan was the problem. It was more about who was blocking for him.



That's what I think too. Didn't Tomlin make a comment last season that we needed to get Logan on the field more? I hope he makes the team I really believe he can be special.

[Craic]

his long was 83 yds with no td scored. if properly blocked there is absolutely no way anyone catches him from behind. i am of the opinion he was almost working miracles in a shitty scheme.

Ding Ding Ding.... We have a winner folks!

I hope like anything he makes the team this year. I say, go ahead and use him as a change up RB for a couple runs as well. Expand his role just a little bit. Right now, I just don't think this team can afford to trade off known talent for possible talent-- ESPECIALLY on special teams, which has been the largest Achilles heal of this team for the last three or four years.

[SteelerFanInStl]

Forget Brown, he's too slow, and doesn't seem to have the moves. Sanders ran one back at the practice I saw and really looked good. Didn't go side to side like Logan does sometimes, ran it right up the gut, made some nice quick moves in the hole. I don't think Sanders has the breakaway speed Logan has, but if we need a roster spot and have to cut Logan, I wouldn't be unhappy with Sanders as the return man. And Burnett actually looked pretty good as well, but not as good as the other two.

I liked what I saw from Logan last year but I didn't see breakaway speed from him. I'd like for him to make the team this year to see what he can do with a new ST coach and hopefully some better blocking but if he gets cut, I won't be upset.

[tony hipchest]

Small Logan made big impact




Then last summer, he won over legions of Steelers fans — and ultimately a roster spot — by the way he returned kicks in the preseason. He cemented his roster spot with an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown in the final exhibition at Carolina.
Logan then went on to hold his own in games that counted.
In league stats that included returners with a minimum of 20 returns, Logan was fifth with a 26.7 yard average on kickoff returns and 13th with a 9.3 yard average in punt returns.
“Returning kicks is a hard job,” said Al Everest, the Steelers’ new special teams coordinator. “But it’s a critical job. Last year, Stefan proved he can handle it. I think he can be a special returner. He has some special abilities.”

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/sports_details/article/1501/2010/august/10/small-logan-made-big-impact.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Kick returner hopes to go the distance




All things considered, kick returner Stefan Logan had an excellent first season with the Steelers.
A workhorse on special teams who returned kickoffs as well as punts and also recorded 12 tackles, the smallish Logan (5-foot-6, 180 pounds) made his biggest impact on kickoff returns in 2009. He broke the Steelers' single-season record for kickoff return yards (1,466) and ranked second in the AFC with a 26.7-yard average.
...
In 15 games as the Steelers' primary kickoff returner, Logan didn't have a return of less than 24 yards.
"He's shown the ability to make people miss," new special teams coach Al Everest said. "He can break arm tackles. He's a small guy, but he's a sturdy guy."
...
"I looked at his tape and saw a lot of really good things," Everest said. "Job No. 1 is catching the ball. Ball security has been a focus for us."http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_694307.html

still sounds like its his job to lose (whether he is one dimensional or not).

[Steeldude]

https://twitter.com/Ken_Laird

i think logan is fighting an uphill battle for a roster spot and if he does make the team, will probably be the 53rd guy to nail down the final spot.

HOWEVER, i think through camp and the preseason games, he will prove to be our best and most valuable returner.

i watched the nfl films 2009 yearbook and they highlighted him. he set a steelers record for return yards last year and had pro bowl top of the league stats (i think it was 2000+ total return yds). i couldnt believe some of his amazing returns and his speed, yet there was always someone (usually 2-3) there to tackle him.

he may still have superstar potential as a return ace with proper coaching and ST schemes. definitely something worth watching and rooting for. you never wanna throw the baby out with the bathwater even if he is 1 dimensional.

how could ligashesky suck? i thought the steelers never made any mistakes? i thought fans knew absolutely nothing about football? lol

[tony hipchest]

here is the most important thing to ponder before we go into real live (preseason) game action....

anyone remember the rookie tandem of s. holmes and w. reid? they easilly had more fumbles and dropped balls than TD's.

sanders and brown could both put 1-2 on the ground yet still be fine candidates for WR. logan could easilly run 1-2 to the house yet not have a shot in hell of being the #5 wr or back on the roster.

who do you keep?

[ricardisimo]

his long was 83 yds with no td scored. if properly blocked there is absolutely no way anyone catches him from behind. i am of the opinion he was almost working miracles in a shitty scheme.

Here here.

[ricardisimo]

It's a shame if we would have to cut Logan he is an excellent returner, but only having that skill other than speed makes him one dimensional. I think if Sanders and Brown out due him in camp he is gone for sure.

Cutting a special teamer who's great at what he does, but who's mostly just a special teamer... where have I seen that before? :scratchchin:

I can't be the only person who's tired of hearing the Steelers say that they are serious about fixing STs... until the final cut-down. It's getting old, and the Anthony Madison debacle should have taught us something.

[ricardisimo]

how could ligashesky suck? i thought the steelers never made any mistakes? i thought fans knew absolutely nothing about football? lol

Would someone go over to the Broncos forums and start a "FIRE LIGASHESKY NOW!" thread for them? Let's save them the trouble.

[tony hipchest]

If we can find a way to keep him...I'm all for it. Its just the FO deciding if they want to use a roster slot SOLELY for a RS.looks like this question has been answered. coach has been quite vocal about the situation. its definitely logans job to keep.


But, really, there’s only one aspect of the game at which Logan must excel this preseason: “He’s going to make this team or not make this team based on what he does as a kick returner,” said Tomlin.
No, the numbers game does not favor Logan. But he’s succeeded in similar circumstance, and then went on to put up some other numbers, the kind not seen since Rod Woodson (http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=8&c=1&nid=1153776) was a daring, young kickoff return man in 1989.
“I leave all of that up to the coaches and let them evaluate all the players,” Logan said. “I know I’m No. 1 on the depth chart, and I intend to stay No. 1 by putting it all on the line every day.”
tomlin takes blame for stunting his growth as rb/wr-

Little man Logan laying it all on line
http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/83/837664.jpg
Stefan Logan (AP photo/Srakocic)

By Jim Wexell (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:location.href=%27http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22%27%20+%20author%20+%20%27%22&sssiteid=68&type=2%27;)
SteelCityInsider.net
Posted Aug 12, 2010



(http://www.blogger.com/blog_this.pyra?t=Stefan%20Logan%27s%20only%20chanc e%20of%20making%20the%20team%20is%20to%20continue% 20making%20eye-popping%20plays%20like%20the%20one%20he%20made%20W ednesday%20afternoon%20...%20and%20of%20course%20c ontinue%20to%20return%20kicks%20a%20long%20way.&u=http%3A//pit.scout.com/2/991889.html&n=Little%20man%20Logan%20laying%20it%20all%20on%20 line) (http://pit.scout.com/2/991889.html#email-a-friend-window) (http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=10&c=991889&refid=4781) | More (http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&pub=scout)

Stefan Logan's only chance of making the team is to continue making eye-popping plays like the one he made Wednesday afternoon ... and of course continue to return kicks a long way.

LATROBE – When asked about Stefan Logan (http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=8&c=1&nid=4835650)’s performance as a wide receiver, Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin blamed himself, saying “I kind of stifled that development.” OK, so who takes credit for the incredible catch Logan made deep down the sideline during Wednesday afternoon’s practice?
Of course, Logan deserves the credit, but he deflected it back to Tomlin.
“Coach said it’s time to step up,” Logan said after making the top catch of the 2010 training camp on a throw from Charlie Batch (http://pit.scout.com/a.z?s=68&p=8&c=1&nid=4868685).
Batch hung the ball up deep, and Logan, who said his legs were too tired to run under it, dove with full extension and caught it with the end of his fingertips.
“I knew I’d have to lay out for it,” Logan said. “As coach likes to say, put it on tape.”



http://pit.scout.com/2/991889.html

[stillers4me]

I watched returns Friday at the high school and Logan was blazing fast.

[ricardisimo]

From the Trib (http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_695465.html):

Madison was re-signed in early December after all four kickoff return scores had occurred.

"I would say 99 percent of this game is about knowing what to do and knowing where to be," Madison said. "That was part of the problem last year that people were in the wrong position."

There were 18 kickoff returns for touchdowns in the NFL last year. The Steelers were responsible for more than 20 percent of those.

Let's cross our fingers, folks.

I'm still giggling about "Shitthebedsky"... very funny, Tone. :lol:

[CanadianSteel]

I trust teh coaches to make the right decision, but also have a feeling that if we cut Logan that we will see him returning TD's fro soem other team this year....