Fowler: Sammie Coates To Miss Start Of Camp Due To Knee Scope

[pczach]

Sounds like DHB.

But as everyone knows, he's a very good ST player, can play every WR position, and still has deep speed, ideal last WR on depth chart.

That's what I don't get about the DHB love. He's a very good special teams player, but special teams never seem to make a difference in winning games. I can't think of a game the Steelers won because of the play of DHB on special teams.

On the other hand, when injuries to the WR corps hit and the team needed someone to step up......DHB has been a liability and contributes nothing to help the offense or the team win when he is counted on. He is literally an anchor that has never come up big in a big spot as an offensive player. I can think of a bunch of games that the Steelers lost when backup WR's didn't step up. He's the veteran that is supposed to be the guy that elevates his game.....not the youngsters that he is supposedly mentoring.

It just makes no sense to keep an offensive player that can't contribute offensively.

[Mojouw]

That's what I don't get about the DHB love. He's a very good special teams player, but special teams never seem to make a difference in winning games. I can't think of a game the Steelers won because of the play of DHB on special teams.

On the other hand, when injuries to the WR corps hit and the team needed someone to step up......DHB has been a liability and contributes nothing to help the offense or the team win when he is counted on. He is literally an anchor that has never come up big in a big spot as an offensive player. I can think of a bunch of games that the Steelers lost when backup WR's didn't step up. He's the veteran that is supposed to be the guy that elevates his game.....not the youngsters that he is supposedly mentoring.

It just makes no sense to keep an offensive player that can't contribute offensively.

All true and things I agree with. But look at the WR meeting room without him:

AB - Mr. Facebook Live
Bryant - will he just roll joints in the film sessions?
Eli Rogers - 2nd year guy with a lot to learn/prove
Coates - still learning to harness his physical tools
Juju - 20 year old rookie
Hunter - an almost even more underwhelming former high pick than DHB.
Ayers - likely won't make the final 53
Hamilton - just a guy

I think DHB makes it as the "level headed adult mentor" for this group. I figure he gets in and Hunter gets cut loose? Hunter is the ultimate practice player who looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. Has just jaw dropping physical tools, but if the lightbulb was gonna go on for this kid, it likely would've happened by now.

Of course, there is the idea that the Steelers see Hunter as a 26 year old version of DHB and swap the two?

[tube517]

[polamalubeast]

[pczach]

All true and things I agree with. But look at the WR meeting room without him:

AB - Mr. Facebook Live
Bryant - will he just roll joints in the film sessions?
Eli Rogers - 2nd year guy with a lot to learn/prove
Coates - still learning to harness his physical tools
Juju - 20 year old rookie
Hunter - an almost even more underwhelming former high pick than DHB.
Ayers - likely won't make the final 53
Hamilton - just a guy

I think DHB makes it as the "level headed adult mentor" for this group. I figure he gets in and Hunter gets cut loose? Hunter is the ultimate practice player who looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane. Has just jaw dropping physical tools, but if the lightbulb was gonna go on for this kid, it likely would've happened by now.

Of course, there is the idea that the Steelers see Hunter as a 26 year old version of DHB and swap the two?

I definitely understand that side of it but ,ultimately, this is still football and the best players need to be on the roster.

All that leadership led to exactly nothing in the AFC championship game without experienced talent on the field.

Maybe it's time they see that you can get away with more things if you work your ass off during camp, preseason, and weekdays....and play your ass off in games.

I'm more old school, but it's time to cover the field with weapons.

[Mojouw]

I definitely understand that side of it but ,ultimately, this is still football and the best players need to be on the roster.

All that leadership led to exactly nothing in the AFC championship game without experienced talent on the field.

Maybe it's time they see that you can get away with more things if you work your ass off during camp, preseason, and weekdays....and play your ass off in games.

I'm more old school, but it's time to cover the field with weapons.

I like the cover the field with weapons idea - but I'm not sure who the "extra" weapons can be.

AB, Bryant, Rogers, Juju are all either proven or highly likely to be effective options for attacking a defense at the NFL level.

Then you have Coates, Hunter, and DHB. Basically three versions of the same guy. Tall, fast, explosive, and serious questions about their ability to consistently catch the ball. How many of that group do the Steelers want to roster? If it is only 1 - then I go with Coates. He is just as threatening running deep routes as the other two, plays far more physical than Hunter, and likely can equal DHBs special teams skills. If they go with 2, then it is Coates and "?". Hunter has had some really good practices in shorts and t-shirts. Then they put the pads on and it all goes to crap. So maybe DHB?

I don't know, but it is going to go down to the last preseason game in my opinion.

[Born2Steel]

I like the cover the field with weapons idea - but I'm not sure who the "extra" weapons can be.

AB, Bryant, Rogers, Juju are all either proven or highly likely to be effective options for attacking a defense at the NFL level.

Then you have Coates, Hunter, and DHB. Basically three versions of the same guy. Tall, fast, explosive, and serious questions about their ability to consistently catch the ball. How many of that group do the Steelers want to roster? If it is only 1 - then I go with Coates. He is just as threatening running deep routes as the other two, plays far more physical than Hunter, and likely can equal DHBs special teams skills. If they go with 2, then it is Coates and "?". Hunter has had some really good practices in shorts and t-shirts. Then they put the pads on and it all goes to crap. So maybe DHB?

I don't know, but it is going to go down to the last preseason game in my opinion.

Just to throw a different wrinkle in this. Of those last 3, Coates, DHB, and Hunter, I think Coates is the first option as well. But, what if they decide to cut DHB AND Hunter, to keep Ayers? Not what I would do either. But for discussion, Ayers was brought here to play ST mostly. He was introduced as a specialist for ST. Personally, I would keep Coates and DHB, Coates over DHB, if it's 1 or the other. Hunter has to still be on the outside looking in, just like Ayers. But I don't count out Ayers just yet in the last cut WR conversation.

[Mojouw]

Just to throw a different wrinkle in this. Of those last 3, Coates, DHB, and Hunter, I think Coates is the first option as well. But, what if they decide to cut DHB AND Hunter, to keep Ayers? Not what I would do either. But for discussion, Ayers was brought here to play ST mostly. He was introduced as a specialist for ST. Personally, I would keep Coates and DHB, Coates over DHB, if it's 1 or the other. Hunter has to still be on the outside looking in, just like Ayers. But I don't count out Ayers just yet in the last cut WR conversation.

Good point! I honestly keep forgetting about him. But I have a bias for big wideouts that the Steelers may not share.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

DHB needs to go and don't care how fast he is, how good a ST player he is or a team leader. He sux and never been more then average at best with no upside!

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He is the Ryan Leaf of WR's.

[BlackAndGold]

DHB needs to go and don't care how fast he is, how good a ST player he is or a team leader. He sux and never been more then average at best with no upside!

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He is the Ryan Leaf of WR's.

Ouch, I'd go with Justin Blackmon there.

DHB was over drafted because of Al Davis obsession with elite speed.

If they go 6 WR's he makes it Imo, but if the ST keeps impressing like they did today then the Steelers may give his roster spot to another position like OL, or CB. Maybe give it to Trey Williams if he has another good game of returning punts...

[Born2Steel]

Good point! I honestly keep forgetting about him. But I have a bias for big wideouts that the Steelers may not share.

Since Ayers has yet to make an appearance this preseason, and Trey Williams has taken a punt for a TD, I now believe Ayers is done as a Steeler. If Williams can't make the 53, how could you justify keeping Ayers? May be good news for Hunter/DHB. Hunter made a pretty good play to get into the endzone. Against bubble players true, but still a good, athletic play. A shorter receiver is down short of the goal line.

[polamalubeast]

[Born2Steel]

While I do agree with this, Coates did a lot for us last season. Injured hands and groin and all. There is something to be said for a guy that just goes out there when told. I'm thinking Steelers only keep 5 WRs, we'll see, but Coates AND Hunter may be out if they stick with DHB one more year.

[Shoes]

And the results won't change much if he's on the roster the entire year.