Wheaton: Steelers have potential for 3 1,000-yard receivers

[polamalubeast]

LATROBE – There have been some pretty good trios of receivers in the NFL over the years, but having three 1,000-yard receivers on the same team was only done five times.

The Steelers feel they might have a group capable of reaching that plateau, which was last done in 2008 by the Arizona Cardinals.
With All-Pro Antonio Brown and emerging star Martavis Bryant, who had 549 yards on 26 receptions in 10 games as a rookie, it’s easy to see Pittsburgh having two 1,000-yard receivers in 2015.

“We’re asking him to do more, to move around a little bit, play frontside, backside, know things better,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said of Bryant at the team’s training camp at Saint Vincent College. “We’re going to count on him in the no-huddle. Last year, when we were calling stuff, he was asking everyone what to do. We feel more comfortable with him knowing what to do so, hopefully, we can translate that into playing faster.”

The wild card might be third-year receiver Markus Wheaton.


After seeing his rookie season derailed by a finger injury that needed a pair of surgeries, Wheaton had a solid second season - his first as a starter - catching 53 passes for 644 yards and two touchdowns.

Reaching that 1,000-yard plateau is a goal for Wheaton, as it is for most receivers. And if he can do that, chances are good Pittsburgh could have three receivers reach that mark.

“The potential is there,” Wheaton said. “It’s possible. But there’s a lot that goes into it.”

It doesn’t hurt that Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator, Todd Haley, also happened to be the coordinator in Arizona when Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston last accomplished the feat.

With the same guy calling the plays, the possibilities are there.

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[teegre]

Wheaton has great hands. He he runs great routes. He just can't ever seem to get on the same page with BB.

Once Wheaton & BB get comfortable with each other, he's going to be really, really good.

[Mojouw]

Wheaton has great hands. He he runs great routes. He just can't ever seem to get on the same page with BB.

Once Wheaton & BB get comfortable with each other, he's going to be really, really good.

I think if the can kick him inside to the slot, he will flourish. Wheaton was bit miscast as "the deep threat". Bryant should fill that role now. Brown will do what Brown does. Leaving Wheaton to (hopefully) completely abuse nickel corners on intermediate stuff.

[polamalubeast]

To be honest, I would be very surprised to see Wheaton with 1,000 yards

He is a good player, but Bell has more chances of having 1,000 receiver yards than Wheaton.Maybe not for this year but for the future.

[steelreserve]

To be honest, I would be very surprised to see Wheaton with 1,000 yards

He is a good player, but Bell has more chances of having 1,000 receiver yards than Wheaton. Maybe not for this year but for the future.

This is exactly what I was thinking, especially the part about Bell.

Unless Ben throws for 5,000 yards and gets very even distribution, I don't see three WRs getting over the 1,000-yard mark, and Wheaton is probably the least likely.

[st33lersguy]

Hmm, not so sure. With Brown, Bryant, Bell, Heath, and the likelihood they will try and work Coates in the best they can, I don't see Wheaton topping 1,000 yards

[tube517]

Sorry, Wheaton. It's going to be AB, MB, and even LB getting most of the passes from BB

[TeeTee]

I don't care if we have five or zero players with 1,000 yards; only thing I care about is winning rings. The Chargers had the most prolific offense in history in the 80's, but they had zero rings so who cares?

[polamalubeast]

I don't care if we have five or zero players with 1,000 yards; only thing I care about is winning rings. The Chargers had the most prolific offense in history in the 80's, but they had zero rings so who cares?

The problem of its chargers were their dreadful defense.....

[tube517]

I don't care if we have five or zero players with 1,000 yards; only thing I care about is winning rings. The Chargers had the most prolific offense in history in the 80's, but they had zero rings so who cares?

No argument here. The 2008 Steelers had one 1000 yd receiver and no 1000 yd rushers and won it all.


But, with this unknown defense, the offense may have to carry a bigger load. There were many teams including the Chargers who had great offenses but couldn't win it all (83 Foreskins, 84 Dolphins, 90 Bills, 98 Vikings, 01 Rams, 07 Cheats** for example)

[TeeTee]

The problem of its chargers were their dreadful defense.....

Precisely. And the problem with the 2014 Steelers? The same. Hopefully, it will be improved this season.

[SteelerFanInStl]

As others have said, I just don't see this happening. There's far too many available targets on this team and Ben spreads it around. Add in the great running game and it's not going to happen.

[Rotorhead]

It is certainly possible. I think Ben can eclipse 5k yards this year, that leaves 2k yds for Bell and TE's. And I am reading that Cortez is improving so maybe our Def will be that much better this season. Getting pumped for this season already. Hopefully they can win one more for Harrison!

[Count Steeler]

He has to get a B into his name.

[86WARD]

Markus B. Wheaton

[steelreserve]

Markus Bwheaton ... kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

[ALLD]

I don't care if we have five or zero players with 1,000 yards; only thing I care about is winning rings. The Chargers had the most prolific offense in history in the 80's, but they had zero rings so who cares?

You mean the Bills too.

[teegre]

Remember:
Sometimes the slot/3rd receiver on a team can end up with an uncanny number of catches.

AB will be double covered, and Bryant will likely draw safety help. Wheaton will likely have single coverage by the NB.

[Mojouw]

Remember:
Sometimes the slot/3rd receiver on a team can end up with an uncanny number of catches.

AB will be double covered, and Bryant will likely draw safety help. Wheaton will likely have single coverage by the NB.

Basically like how Welker used to rack up 100+ every season.

[tube517]

Remember:
Sometimes the slot/3rd receiver on a team can end up with an uncanny number of catches.

AB will be double covered, and Bryant will likely draw safety help. Wheaton will likely have single coverage by the NB.

True, but not every team has a RB as capable as He Shall Be Le'Veon who is a dual threat.

I'm not rooting against Wheaton to get a 1000 yds. I'd rather see Wheaton make TDs and be a threat in the red zone (even as a decoy), unless Sandra Bullock's Ex or Branchrickeyflower shows us something.

[teegre]

Basically like how Welker used to rack up 100+ every season.

That is the EXACT name/person that I was thinking of.

[teegre]

True, but not every team has a RB as capable as He Shall Be Le'Veon who is a dual threat.

I'm not rooting against Wheaton to get a 1000 yds. I'd rather see Wheaton make TDs and be a threat in the red zone (even as a decoy), unless Sandra Bullock's Ex or Branchrickeyflower shows us something.

I hear you. Really, I do.

It's just that I see BB having around 5500 passing yards.

AB: 1300
Bell: 1200
Wheaton: 1000
Bryant: 500 (but, also 12 TDs)
Miller: 500
Coates: 300
Mrs. Bullock, Williams, Johnson, Spaeth, Archer: 600

[tube517]

I hear you. Really, I do.

It's just that I see BB having around 5500 passing yards.

AB: 1300
Bell: 1200
Wheaton: 999 3/4
Bryant: 500 (but, also 12 TDs)
Miller: 500
Coates: 300
Mrs. Bullock, Williams, Johnson, Spaeth, Archer: 600

Fixed

[teegre]

Fixed

LOL

That reminds me of the year that Shaun Alexander was ONE yard short of the rushing title, and Mike Holgrem sat him on the bench.

[tube517]

LOL

That reminds me of the year that Shaun Alexander was ONE yard short of the rushing title, and Mike Holgrem sat him on the bench.

Did you ever see Shaun Alexander and Tiki Barber in the same room?

[BigNastyDefense]

I can see it happening. I think Wheaton's quickness is going to give slot corners fits.

However, AB is going to likely have 1400+ yards. I think Bryant will eclipse the 1000 yard mark because he's a deep threat. Bell is likely going to have around 1200 yards rushing and at least another 600 yards receiving. Heath Miller is going to get a healthy dose of targets. Wheaton can break the 1000 yard mark, but he's going to be at best option #4 behind AB, Bryant, and Bell...and could be option #4 behind Miller in many cases too.

[86WARD]

I hear you. Really, I do.

It's just that I see BB having around 5500 passing yards.

AB: 1300
Bell: 1200
Wheaton: 1000
Bryant: 500 (but, also 12 TDs)
Miller: 500
Coates: 300
Mrs. Bullock, Williams, Johnson, Spaeth, Archer: 600

Bell - 1200 yards receiving?

[teegre]

Bell - 1200 yards receiving?

Yep.

When he was drafted, I said that he'd be Larry Centers who can also actually run. I see Bell vying for the "total yards from scrimmage" record. I see him as a "1000-1000" type of player: equally as effective catching as running.

[polamalubeast]

Yep.

When he was drafted, I said that he'd be Larry Centers who can also actually run. I see Bell vying for the "total yards from scrimmage" record. I see him as a "1000-1000" type of player: equally as effective catching as running.

Watch Le'Veon Bell torch Lawrence Timmons for a long catch

http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/201...-a-long-catch/

[teegre]

Watch Le'Veon Bell torch Lawrence Timmons for a long catch

http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/201...-a-long-catch/

That person is smart.