Can Emmanuel Sanders develop into the best 3rd down receiver?

[SH-Rock]

Emmanuel Sanders had a pretty good season seeing how much time he played. This guy was the go to guy on the 3rd down and consistently made plays when needed. I think he can develop into the best 3rd down receiver in the league. Your thoughts?

[Corey120120]

I agree hes gonna be a very good receiver.

[pete74]

i dont see it. 2 different foot surgeries his rookie year i see his carear being a short one

[steeltheone]

I guess we will see...Having a franchise gunslinger QB makes any wideout look good...

[55BaileyFan]

I really like Sanders but I think that people should really watch out for Brown. I think he has amazing hands (obviously, look at the Divisional game against Baltimore)

The biggest thing is Hines will probably leave after one more year, he said the Super Bowl lose was a main reason for returning. So, next year we may need Sanders or Brown to be a number two guy. I don't think El will be around for more than a few years (and he was put #4 in place of Sanders this year) Battle is no good and Grisham is a 3 or 4 guy.

[DanRooney]

Sanders and Brown seem like #3 receivers to me. Both are a bit undersized to be a #2. I'd like (hold your laughter) Limas Sweed to get his act together and line up opposite of Wallace. The problem is Ward is taking up a valuable roster spot when his production is on a plummet. I don't think he's going to have a very gracious exit out of the 'burgh.

[55BaileyFan]

Sweed is not going to pan out, I wish he would because that would be another successful Colbert pick....but who really cares about size? Hines isn't big, neither is Wallace. Steelers historically don't have big receivers and are still great.

[austinfrench76]

Sanders will be very good. So will Brown. Let's pray for Sweed and we will be set for a long time with Wallace being our #1.

[jjpro11]

Originally Posted by DanRooney

Sanders and Brown seem like #3 receivers to me. Both are a bit undersized to be a #2. I'd like (hold your laughter) Limas Sweed to get his act together and line up opposite of Wallace. The problem is Ward is taking up a valuable roster spot when his production is on a plummet. I don't think he's going to have a very gracious exit out of the 'burgh.

Production on a plummet? taking up a roster spot? sure, he's not the same player he was 6 years ago... but after coming off back-to-back 1000 yard seasons, 755 yards as the clear #2 receiver behind a 1250 yard guy in a run-first offense wasn't too shabby. and of course, stats don't mean everything.. he's still the best blocking WR in the game and is still the clutchest receiver we have inside the red zone... if we were able to prolong the final drive in the Super Bowl and score the winning TD, he may have been named the MVP again with another catch or two.

[DanRooney]

Originally Posted by jjpro11

Production on a plummet? taking up a roster spot? sure, he's not the same player he was 6 years ago... but after coming off back-to-back 1000 yard seasons, 755 yards as the clear #2 receiver behind a 1250 yard guy in a run-first offense wasn't too shabby. and of course, stats don't mean everything.. he's still the best blocking WR in the game and is still the clutchest receiver we have inside the red zone... if we were able to prolong the final drive in the Super Bowl and score the winning TD, he may have been named the MVP again with another catch or two.

Run first offense? This is 2010 not 2006. Ward no longer has any speed left in his tank to even e considered a legit number 2 wideout. That's why he's almost exclusively lined up in the slot. A nickel/dime corner or even a linebacker has the ability to cover him. With any other QB on our team he'd be out of the league already. Ben allows him so much extra time to get open.