Steelers to debut three-headed Martavis Bryant replacement at OTAs

Steelers to debut three-headed Martavis Bryant replacement at OTAs

May 23, 2016
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer

Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown are healthy, happy and ready to connect a gazillion times over the next eight months. This much we know. This lethal combination is one reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers' high-powered offense won't flinch over a few questions about its roster. Completion after completion, they are always there.

But while Brown and Roethlisberger reconvene this week and running back Le’Veon Bell progresses on his knee rehab, the plans for replacing suspended receiver Martavis Bryant will take shape over the next few months, starting Tuesday at organized team activities.

The Steelers will fill this need by committee. They won't replace Bryant's dynamic playmaking with one person. They will need Markus Wheaton, Ladarius Green and Sammie Coates to do it, plus more help.

Wheaton's next step: Wheaton has played the complementary role. He has played the slot receiver role. Now, in a contract year, he's got a legitimate chance to be a No. 2 receiver. Wheaton has good speed, and the Steelers will want him to utilize it more often when shaking defenders and making aggressive plays on the ball. Wheaton's sluggish start to 2015 while Bryant was suspended for four games can't happen again. Don't be surprised if Wheaton plays frequently on the outside this year. That's natural to him, but Bryant's presence forced Wheaton inside.

The new vertical threat: The Steelers' reconfigured tight end position could feature less singular all-around play, which was Heath Miller’s signature, and more specialized play. Fifth-round pick Jesse James can man the traditional inline tight end role, used for primary blocking and over-the-middle catches. Meanwhile, new tight end Green offers explosion. That's why he got a $4.75 million signing bonus to come to Pittsburgh. He's 6-foot-5 and fast. If you don't have Bryant's skill set any longer, try to find something close to it. In this case, the Steelers found that at tight end. Think vertical with Green. He can stretch the field. He says he has improved as a blocker -- and blocking is necessary in this offense -- but that's not why the Steelers signed him. Green injects more athleticism into the position. Let's see how the Steelers utilize Green and James in red zone packages. They might roll both out together because of their length.

A renewed Coates: After making minimal impact his rookie year, Coates intensified his training, lost some weight and earned the coaches' trust during the offseason. The next four months will be big for his development. Where Coates can separate himself is with big plays, which the offense needs without Bryant. He was a deep-ball specialist at Auburn, and though he wants to be a complete player, his biggest strength is winning downfield with his rugged running style and his size/strength combo. The Steelers will give him every opportunity to earn a solidified role. Year 2 should show a more polished receiver than last offseason, when at times Coates looked hesitant, maybe a little lost.

The deep ball to DHB: The team quickly signed Darrius Heyward-Bey to a three-year deal after learning of the Bryant suspension, which shows the trust Roethlisberger and Todd Haley have in him. He's not a game-breaker, but he's a solid option and there's still speed inside those legs. Heyward-Bey is a productive downfield blocker too. Early in the year, he'll likely get adequate reps as the team searches for a rotational rhythm. Haley isn't afraid to mix and match personnel groupings to strike the right balance. Heyward-Bey will be involved, but if he outplays Wheaton and Coates, that's not a good look.

Don't sleep on Eli Rogers: The Steelers were high on him before a preseason knee injury forced him to injured reserve. He's not a lock to make the team but might earn snaps from the slot with shifty play. He understands the nuances of the position and felt underutilized coming out of Louisville.

http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/18874/steelers-to-debut-three-headed-martavis-bryant-replacement-at-otas

Again, Eli Rogers is my sleeper to make the team, become the primary kick returner and earn some work in the slot. His college film shows he just has a knack of finding space between zones and was having a good preseason last year until the injury.

I misunderstood the title. I thought we found a three-headed, further off the radar than Moritz Boehringer, wide reciever prodigy from the bowels of West Virginia or something in that ball park.

Coates shaping up for second season

Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

WR Sammie Coates came into OTAs in great shape, ready for his second year.

Last year was a learning experience for Sammie Coates, a chance for the rookie receiver to understand what the NFL was all about, from being in tiptop condition to dealing with limited playing time because of the talent ahead of him.

But the best thing he learned, was to grow from everything he experienced. To take the good and the bad, and use it to take his game to the next level.

“The biggest thing I learned is to be in great shape,” said Coates. “You always think you are in great shape. When I got here and saw the speed changed, I got in better shape when the season went on. You have to be in shape before the season starts.”

Coates spent the offseason in Pittsburgh, and was a regular at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to ensure that he is in the best shape of his life heading into his second season.

“I feel great now,” said Coates during the team's OTAs. “I took care of my body this offseason so I could come back in the best physical shape I could possibly come here in. I think it’s an issue for most guys coming in. It’s a different atmosphere. You are out there running all day. That is one of those things I had to teach myself to do. That’s why I worked hard all offseason.

“Last year I was a rookie coming in. I didn’t know what was going on. I wasn’t in the best shape that I wanted to be in. You learn from your mistakes and that is what I did this past offseason. Seeing how everybody else works here, how they have their body in shape. I am way ahead of last season. I am used to it, I feel great. I am getting back at it this year.”

Coates finished the regular season with only one reception for 11 yards. But when called upon in the postseason, with Antonio Brown sidelined with a concussion, he stepped up. Coates had two receptions for 61 yards in the AFC Divisional playoff loss to the Broncos. He said he followed the advice of Coach Mike Tomlin, who told him to keep working every day because your time could come.

“That is part of this business,” said Coates. “You have to be ready at all times. I built confidence the whole season, going through practices and working hard every day. When the playoff game came, I had to step up and show that I was capable, show that I was ready.”

He will need to be ready again this year. With Martavis Bryant serving a season-long suspension, it will be all hands on deck at the receiver position.

“We all have to come out here every day and work,” said Coates. “We all have to pick up the slack. Everybody has to work together and get it done.

“In this business, you always have to be comfortable with everything. You have to compete every day, regardless of the situation. You have to know everything that’s going on. You have to be ready.”

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Coates-shaping-up-for-second-season/6ccea921-aa4a-404c-a4b2-939d5f598247