Steelers Sign Darrius Heyward-Bey

Not my favorite signing but as long as it's minimum contract it's no harm, no foul. If he doesn't work out in camp you just cut him and move on to someone else.

 

Exactly! It's not like we signed a pure speed guy who's lacking in every other category to a $60 million contract like the Dolphins did last year.

 

Not a bad pick up. Some guys are brought in to play, while others are brought in to compete for a spot. DHB is of the latter. Worth the flier for the price IMO.

 

No what you read was that the team PLANNED on signing him once healthy.

 

It never ceases to amaze me. If we can fix some of his issues he can be a productive receiver for us. So you are just ignoring the fact that his best year was basically on par with Sanders? We just overlook that small fact? No, we are free to draft who we want because we at least have someone, although flawed, to play in every role currently on the team. THAT was the point in providing the current roster. Any draft pick should be an upgrade, not a hole filler. THAT is the way this team works.

 

Here's a comical clip I stumbled onto on Youtube. It's titled "Raiders WR Darrius Heyward-Bey Shows His Speed" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU8TeIxafXM

He shows something else too. He runs right past the guy with the ball.

 

I guess he'll take Sanders place. Still have a ways to go to replace both Cotch & Sanders, but I suppose it's a step in a direction.

Still like to see a big WR in the draft, but everyone should know by now those rookie WR's don't tend to make much of an impact in year 1.

 

I personally don't think this is totally true. I think we take the BPA from a list of needs and who fit what it is we are trying to accomplish as a team from the scheme perspective.

 

The positive of this is that he is (at least tries) an outside the numbers receiver. Even if it's just fly routes down the field, when/if we go into 3-WR sets he can go outside the hashes and we can play either Moore and/or Wheaton in the slot where they are better suited (at this point).

It's been something I've been harping on for a while. My guess and opinion is Wheaton is not ready to be an outside the numbers receiver. He's not strong enough or physical enough to get off potential press coverage. Wheaton will either be in the slot, in motion or in bunch sets this season.

And we know Lance Moore is better when in that role.

It could be very similar to when we had Washington as the #3 receiver after Holmes and Ward in 2007 (and how we envisioned Wallace when we drafted him). Washington came in, played outside and Ward moved inside to the slot (or in motion, or in bunch formations).

In 12 personnel (1 RB, 2 TE's) which we will play a LOT, I can live with maybe Moore on the outside.

In 11 personnel or 4 WR sets, Moore should not be on the outside. And we need some options moving forward to mix and match the WR's in the best spots on the field for them to succeed.

 

Also, it was probably necessary to have another vet WR on the roster. It's not like you could really go into draft day with AB and a handful of guys that have caught less then 10 balls combined.... that just screams "HEY WE DESPERATELY NEED A WR". At least now they can think the draft will just provide an opportunity for an upgrade.... not a necessity.

 

We were free to draft whoever we wanted regardless. Any hole on the roster could be filled just as easily after the draft as before.

As far as DHB's best season being on par with Sanders, I'm not sure what that is supposed to mean. DHB was the Raiders #1 WR.

 

I don't see ho DHB even makes the team though I have to believe we draft a guy, and people are also forgetting about Justin Brown.

 

They are a 7th round pick and an UFA. No one should think highly of them until they do something.

 

The Steelers MO has ALWAYS been to fill as many holes as they can prior to the draft. That is just what they do.

He may have been their #1 guy, but it proves he CAN catch the ball and is potentially skilled. Does he have flaws? Yes. Does it cost us to sign him? No. Does he push Moye and J. Brown for spots on the roster? Yes.

 

Exactly what I said earlier. If anything those two probably see it as " last chance to make this team" by the end of camp. I'm telling you, Moye, I ttruly thought would see the field more last year, and he didn't. There is a reason for that. I still believe this team goes after a WR in rd2, but ya never know. Benjamin would be a great prospect with that size, but not at 15.

 

close.. it was fernando valenzuela to replace landry jones... stronger arm.. for you young guys .. google it ...

HINES

 

I dont have to google it, and thanks for making me feel old by adding that line at the end.

 

I'll give you scheme fit BPA.

 

Yes, but they are also the Raiders. Who the heck was throwing the ball?

 

Pittsburgh's back up.

 

Well we now have the Raiders first and second picks from the 09 draft.


From ESPN

[h=1]WR still a draft priority for Steelers[/h]April, 2, 2014

APR 2
3:20
PM ET​

By Scott Brown | ESPN.com

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PITTSBURGH -- The signing of Darrius Heyward-Bey, once the fastest wide receiver in a draft class that included Mike Wallace, does not make the position any less of a priority for the Steelers in this year’s draft.


Heyward-Bey
The Steelers will still take a wide receiver with one of their first three picks as the addition of Heyward-Bey should be taken as what it is at face value: a flier on a player who should provide depth at wide receiver in 2014 but is probably not part of the team’s long-term plans.

Maybe Heyward-Bey will prove to be otherwise.

Maybe his blend of size and speed will prove to be more than the fool’s gold the Raiders concluded it was when they cut the seventh overall pick of the 2009 draft after just four seasons.

But five years into a career in which he has only once come close to a 1,000-yard season, it is not realistic to think that Heyward-Bey will suddenly put everything together for the Steelers, who are now his third team by the age of 27.

And that’s fine considering the Steelers likely signed the 6-foot-2, 219-pounder to a veteran’s minimum contract or at least a one-year deal laden with incentives.

With almost no room under the salary cap the Steelers were looking for depth at wide receiver, not a starter.

If Heyward-Bey somehow emerges as the latter it means that second-year man Markus Wheaton faltered or the former first-round pick started catching the ball with the consistency that eluded him in Oakland and Indianapolis.

Heyward-Bey, along with Lance Moore, gives the Steelers another veteran wide receiver to offset the losses of Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery. His signing does not mean the Steelers will wait until later in the draft to add another wide receiver to their roster.

A deep draft is brimming with talent at wide receiver, and the Steelers still have a long-term need at the position even though they have fortified their depth there.

They were likely to use their first-round pick on a cornerback before Heyward-Bey joined the Steelers. His addition simply makes it easier for the Steelers to address their biggest need and wait until the second or third round to draft a wide receiver.

http://espn.go.com/blog/pittsburgh-steelers/post/_/id/5745/wr-still-a-draft-priority-for-steelers

 

2013.....................2014
A. Brown.............A. Brown
M. Wheaton........M. Wheaton
OUT E.Sanders..........IN DHB
OUT J. Cotchery.........IN L. Moore
OUT D Moye..............IN M Evans or K Benjamin

Ill take that swap all day long.

HACK