View topic - Mendy & Sweed named second year players that need to step up

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Steelers get 2 of 20. Ouch.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/don_banks/05/05/2008.rookies/1.html

15. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh
You can blame Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis for Mendenhall's mostly lost rookie season. Lewis broke Mendenhall's shoulder on a tackle in a Week 4 game in Pittsburgh, and the first-round rookie from Illinois spent the rest of the season on IR. Before his injury, Mendenhall's impact was very limited, with 58 yards rushing on 19 carries and two receptions for 17 yards. Much more will be expected of him this season in a Steelers backfield still headed by Willie Parker.

16. Limas Sweed, WR, Pittsburgh
With Steelers No. 3 receiver Nate Washington having signed with Tennessee in free agency, Sweed will get every opportunity to climb a notch on the depth chart. The second-round pick out of Texas had a nearly invisible rookie season -- six catches for 64 yards -- and his biggest moments involved passes dropped when his opportunities arrived. Year two should be substantially better for Sweed.

[SteelTank Profile]

The main question I have around Sweed is - IF he steps up big this year, do the steelers part ways with Holmes by not resigning him? I don't really think they would, but Holmes will be expensive and Ward signed an extension. A healthy Ward and a Sweed on the rise might give the FO some leverage and might lead them to put the transition/exclusive rights tag on holmes so they can at least get a high draft pick in return when he signs elsewhere.

I'm interested to see how our WR situation pays out over the next few years. I can't imagine Ward lasting that long, but you never know.

[steelcitymetal Profile]

Steelers get 2 of 20. Ouch.

what other second year players do we have?

maybe the rest of them are playing well enough to not make that list

[LambertoCincoOcho Profile]

Was Timmons a second year player last year? YES but he couldnt get on the field much because of the incredible Larry Foote. ALL NFL players are expected to produce in their second year.

[Witchblade Profile]

Oh yeah, sure your right. Harrison worked in the produce department in his 2nd year. He had to meet expectations.