Originally Posted by
Psycho Ward 86
im still trying to figure out who exactly Coates was supposed to be able to take off the field as a rookie...
Antonio Brown, the best receiver in the league? nope. Martavis Bryant, our consumate deep/redzone threat with pro bowl potential? nope. Markus Wheaton, who started off slow but established himself as a good #3 the season before and finished the season well? nope. Not to mention Heath Miller was still playing and when you have a blocker like him and RB's like Bell/Williams, you dont take him off often. DHB even made legitimate contributions to our deep ball with receptions of 21, 41, 43, 58, and 66.
I think you're having some serious short term memory regarding the make up of the team in 2015 as well as Coates production early in the most recent season.
60 receptions, 1347 yards, 6 TD's. Thats what Coates was on pace for in his 1st 5 games. In those 5 games alone, Coates still finished the season tied as one of the league leaders in 40+ yard receptions.
To put into comparison with Martavis Bryant in 2014, had a much easier path to getting playing time in the spot next to Antonio Brown. Darrius Heyward Bey just joined the team and was a productivity question mark going into the season. Markus Wheaton also had his rookie season derailed by broken fingers and was a productivity question mark going into the season. Lance Moore was washed up and in Tomlin's dog house. Hell, even Justin Brown earned a start because we didnt have a clear #2 on the team yet.
41 receptions, 878 yards, 12 TD's is what Martavis was on pace for had he played the entire season. Coates exceeded some of those numbers and thats good company to be in