Wheaton ready to take the next step

Teresa Varley
Steelers.com

As receiver Markus Wheaton looked back at his rookie year, he said he had fun getting to do what he loves, which is playing football. There was just one problem. He wishes he would have played more, especially on offense.

Wheaton was hampered by a broken pinky finger on his right hand that required surgery and forced him to miss four games in the first half of the season. Once he got back on the field November 10 against Buffalo, his opportunities were limited as the fourth receiver behind Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery. And then another injury, this one to the middle finger on his right hand, slowed him down again.

“The injury set me back. I felt every time I took a couple of steps forward there was a setback with an injury,” said Wheaton. “That was frustrating. You can’t expect to go through the season without any injuries. That is always something that is going to happen I feel. I just kind of accepted it and dealt with it. There was nothing I could so I tried to get better while dealing with it. Hopefully in 2014 there aren’t as many setbacks so I can continue to progress.”

Wheaton, the Steelers third round draft pick in 2013, finished the season making contributions on special teams, but with only six receptions for 64 yards. While the numbers were low, there was plenty he took from his rookie season to build on. He grew as a player, learning how to read NFL coverages and how the defenses disguise things better than in college. He gained a better understanding of what the quarterback is thinking in regards to coverage and picked up the offensive concepts.

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Wheaton-ready-to-take-the-next-step-/a59ca702-2d0f-42f8-90ed-8532f87c22f3

I like Wheaton and I feel that he has a lot to offer this team. What I also like is that kid Hoye.

Both these guys could very easy step up next season and give Ben additional options that would help our draft guys focus on more important needs.

Cotchery is the consummate pro -- taking Wheaton under his wing. I hope we resign Cotchery as he is the type of veteran leader we need on the team

I like Wheaton too. Keep your fingers fully extended and do some finger strengthening exercises kid, jesus...

Gingerchip wrote:

Cotchery is the consummate pro -- taking Wheaton under his wing.  I hope we resign Cotchery as he is the type of veteran leader we need on the team

Yes Cotchery knew his position and role on this team when he was signed. He hasn't complained about not being a #1 WR, but knowing his role and being willing to teach the younger guys how to make it in the league has made him a vital part of the Steelers leadership.

I would definitely like to see more of Wheaton in 2014, so he needs to stop getting da boo-boos.