Steelers camp: ‘Rise and shine, everyone!’

I'm proud to say I'm the president of the Sammie Coates in the Third is a Steal bandwagon, and as an advance, all of you are welcome back as soon as you see what he can do.

We tend to get caught up too much in the immediacy of the NFL, and become a bit too linear in our thinking in terms of the draft. Anyone who's drafted is the elite of the elite. Thousands of guys play football at the Division I level alone.

That funnel gets narrowed down even more when it comes to the first three rounds. Guys taken in the first (Dupree is an excellent example) are the superfreaks. Players at Dupree's size should not be able to move like he can, so you'll ignore some of his shortcomings, because you don't find many people on earth like him. It's about rarity.

Coates has flaws, I'm not saying he doesn't, and those flaws may limit him in terms of future projections. That doesn't mean he cannot succeed in the NFL. Far from it. It just means he's not the same kind of freak the guys taken in the first and second rounds are.

Coates is big, he's a fiery competitor, and while his hands weren't the most reliable on earth, it doesn't mean he can't get better. I think some of his problem is in his anxiety to turn up field and make a play (I wish Dri Archer had that problem). That causes him to move a little bit more before the ball arrives. If a receiver is start-and-stopping more on his heels, that causes his eyes to bounce up and down, which obviously hurts hand-eye coordination.

His traits aren't first-round worthy (watch Mike Evans, Sammie Watkins and Amari Cooper, that's what a first-round receiver looks like. Brandin Cooks too), but that absolutely does not mean he can't have a successful career.

Really looking forward to seeing him work today.

Picture link not working for anyone else?

Sorry, it isn't uploading here, says it's too big (heh). I posted it to the story, and while it doesn't quite capture the size aspect I wanted it too (not sure why I took it vertically), up close, he's a big guy.

I've been saying since he was drafted, he'd be a great asset in the slot. I'm fine with Wheaton there, but if they wanted size in the slot like they did last season, as evidenced by Justin Brown starting the year there, it seems logical they would at least give Coates snaps there.

Plus, dude's a monster after the catch. I would love having him as a short-field option, letting him get his shoulders square up the field, and do things like this:

http://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2015/05/02/sammie-coates-highlights-auburn-nfl-draft-steelers/

The dude hates tacklers. HATES them. Love it!

agree, especially with Pirates winning last two nights and the trade.
Pitt soon, as well. Then Pens camp.

Does it not seem odd, he is in best shape ever, but knee 80 percent. What will make it 100 in next few weeks that nearly 6 months could not for a hyperextended knee. Bothersome.

To be honest, I think he may have been playing possum a little. Curious about DK's take, he was there but he said 80 percent in minicamp and he said he definitely would have played in the divisional if they got there. He seems very deliberate in speaking, so maybe he is able to feel five percent difference in his limbs.

p.s. Love the name, TheGreatOne21

Mancuso, he could be a real sleeper with teams having to worry about everyone else.