Offensive Role For Coates

[GBMelBlount]

The 2016 season started out extremely promising for former third-round wide receiver Sammie Coates, but by the end of it, many fans at least seemed to be ready to run him out of town. Even though he outperformed everybody else in his draft class last year in terms of yards per route run, some nuance is to be taken into account there.

Coates had six receptions of 40 or more yards in the first five games, but he had very little production after that. The separating even between the two time periods was a pair of fractured fingers, and one must wonder how that, and a beefier wide receiver room, will affect his prospects for the 2017 season.

I do believe that, at the end of the day, if he looks like he deserves a role, he will be given a role, even if he might struggle to find opportunities behind the starters. It is another matter as to whether or not he will do so.

There is still a lack of clarity as to whether or not he had his hand surgically repaired, but the offseason should do him good regardless, both physically and mentally, as no doubt the mental aspect played a role in his second-half struggles.

The talent that he exhibited in the first five games didn’t just vanish. It’s still there within him. He is still big, and still fast, and still possesses the ability to track the deep ball.

(Continued)

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2017/05/devils-advocate-offensive-role-coates/

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With Roku Njoku Sudoki (TE) taken right before our pick in the first, taking JuJu in the 2nd may end up being a great decision.

With the addition of JuJu, Bryant back and Coates healthy, our WR corps looks deep and talented, and I think the added competition will only help ensure Ben is loaded with the weapons he needs come playoff time...

So that we do not have to go into into the playoffs like a 3 cylinder Yugo again.

[Born2Steel]

Since there is NO NEWS at all about Coates and whether he actually had the surgery on his hand or not, how can we predict or have any opinion at all? I have searched for clarification but there seems to be none. One article says yes, another says no, another says wait and see what happens when the camps start. Let the games begin.

[st33lersguy]

Not sure how he fits into the offense. Right now I see a lot of guys who could easily pass him on the depth chart. I don't even think he is a lock to make the team especially if he doesn't show enough in preseason

[Shoes]

Not sure how he fits into the offense. Right now I see a lot of guys who could easily pass him on the depth chart. I don't even think he is a lock to make the team especially if he doesn't show enough in preseason


That's about how I see it also. He has his work cut out for him.

[GBMelBlount]

How many receivers will we likely keep?

Basically with a clean Bryant it is Brown 1 & Bryant 2.

Then Coates, JuJu and a few others.

Personally with how young Coates is and how well he played the first part of last year, I would be shocked if he was cut.

No matter what happens, I like that the gauntlet was thrown down when JuJu was drafted.

[BlackAndGold]

Coates will still get PT as a deep threat option. Unless his hands are damaged goods, they won't let him rot on the bench.

JuJu will get PT in the slot Imo.

[Mojouw]

Coates or Hunter likely pushed DHB off the roster. At least that's what I keep coming back to.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[86WARD]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if the receivers were:

Brown
Bryant
Rogers
JuJu
Ayers/Hunter
DHB

I could see Ayers go to the PS possibly and Hunter stay on the active roster. I think Ayers/Hunter and Coates could be battling for a roster spot...but Ayers has that PS designation in his back pocket...

[Born2Steel]

WRs: I think with drafting JuJu and bringing in Hunter, Hamilton and Ayers are 1st cuts. Hamilton is PS at best, and Ayers is a specialist that got beat out at his specialty. Rogers played well enough in slot to put him there for now. AB and Bryant start on the outsides, unless.....!
Early backup rotation looks like JuJu, and Coates. Will have to watch DHB/Hunter, who seem to be in head to head competition for the last WR spot. Hunter is a younger version of DHB, but with baggage, and Hunter does not play ST.
I would like to see; Coates and Bryant playing the same position all season to keep pushing those 2 to out produce the other. JuJu get some playing time behind AB to continue learning how to play at this level. And I really want to see Hunter finally find out how to use his potential and become what he CAN be.

[RunNGun]

Hamilton isn't PS eligible.

[polamalubeast]

I could be wrong, but I unfortunately lost hope in Coates...His injuries to his hand is one of the reasons.

I predict that Brown, Bryant and Juju will be our 3 best WR of this team.

Rogers and Coates will be very rarely on the field unless injuries or disappointments.

[StillCurtains]

This is the way I see it:
AB
Bryant
Rogers
Smith-Schuster
Coates
Heyward-Bey

We know AB and Bryant are our starters. Smith-Schuster is a lock due to being a high pick, his physicality, size and reliable hands. He is an option for the slot and if we had an injury to AB or Bryant on the outside, he would probably be the first option to start there due to his size and physicality.

Rogers' route running, knowledge of the playbook and reliable hands also make him a lock. He will either man the slot, or be the backup.

I believe they will hold onto Coates. I think they are willing to give him another year to work out his struggles. He can play the slot if needed and I also feel that an injury to AB or Bryant will be one of the reasons he is kept. Being how he started the season last year, I feel that they would want him as an outside option if an injury occurs due to his size and speed.

Heyward Bey I feel will make it as the special teams ace and depth stop gap, spot duty guy. He can temporarily fill in the slot or outside if needed due to injury.

Ayers I feel has reliable hands and can make plays in the slot given the chance. I feel that the only way he can make it is by being a return man. The problem with that is they would probably have to keep 7 WR's which I don't think they will do. Just to be a receiving option he would have to beat out Rogers and Smith-Shcuster in the slot. It's not going to happen.

Tucker I feel will be cut. The Steelers have a tendency to like familiarity over unknown. Heyward-Bey has the edge on him in special teams. Also as I mentioned, being how Coates played the first 5 games of last season, I feel they will give him a season to see if he can redeem himself. I don't see them giving up on Coates so easily. This will leave Hunter out.

[GBMelBlount]

Just read a new article posted about Bryant stating Coates had groin surgery after this past season too. Did I miss this earlier?

[Dwinsgames]

we could easily become more 10 personnel reliant with the lack of a true starter at TE and the depth we have at WR ( we have wide outs coming out our ears ) and we should always look to put the best 11 players on the field when at all possible

[Steeldude]

I would trade Coates for a draft pick.

[RunNGun]

Coates is in competition with Hunter to make the roster, IMO. They will keep two deep threats including Bryant, because obviously, it wouldn't be wise to trust MB at this point, so a backup plan is necessary. If Hunter can bring more to the table than Coates then I could see Coates let go.

[BlackAndGold]

Coates would have to be really bad to not make the roster. I can easily see them keeping 6 WR's.

Brown, Bryant, Rogers, JuJu, Coates, DHB/Hunter/Ayers


Post 1,000.

[86WARD]

They'll definitely keep 6...

[Mojouw]

Can't find it now due to the computer I'm on hating flash video or something -- BUT

If you watch some of the practice videos floating around of Bryant doing WR drills, you will also notice one Sammie Coates running freely and catching balls with ease.

So maybe this isn't his latest X-ray?

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e1/f9/50/e1f950544f2d8069729982395d96a8b2.jpg

[tube517]

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