Thus far, we’ve previewed four training camp battles prior to the Steelers taking the field at St. Vincent College on July 29th. The final training camp battle that we will discuss is the one at the wide receiver position:
Coates was selected in the 3rd round of the 2015 NFL draft, partly for insurance. The Steelers were aware that Martavis Bryant may be facing future drug suspensions and they wanted another big-play receiver to groom as a contingency.
Well, Coates’ time is now, as Bryant will be suspended for the entire 2016 season. From all indications, Coates is ready to seize the opportunity. According to offensive coordinator Todd Haley in an ESPN article from June, Coates has had “a tremendous offseason…any day you were in here, he was in here. You don’t see that with everybody, so you know he had turned it up a notch.”
Coates definitely has the physical tools to assume the starting position opposite Antonio Brown. He ran a 4.43 at the combine and, according to NFL.com’s draft profile, has an “outstanding combination of size and speed.”
Before the draft, cbssports.com called Coates, “A physical specimen with…size/speed…Coates has freakish ability and is clearly most comfortable on vertical routes.” They also described him as a “genuine personality who won’t find trouble off the field.”
More on that in a moment.
Coates does have his weaknesses, however. At Auburn, he was known for dropping passes (his drop rate was 19.1 percent) and for not trusting his quarterbacks. Yet, none of his quarterbacks were Ben Roethlisberger, someone who works constantly with his receivers and demands that they put forth their best effort.
In addition to his athletic ability, Coates also has an intangible quality that, at least according evidence thus far, Martavis Bryant may not have: character. In an SI.com article from May 2015, Coates describes his desire to mentor children who have lost one or more parents, just as he did when he was 10-years old and lost his father in a tragic accident.
Here’s the article that details Coates’ ambitions, which I suggest fans take a look at: In good hands: Newest Steeler Sammie Coates has so much to offer.
During his brief tenure in Pittsburgh, Darrius Heyward-Bey has epitomized the term “team player.” The former 2009 first-round pick came to the Steelers in 2014 hoping for a chance to resurrect his NFL career after spending four mostly underwhelming seasons in Oakland and another in Indianapolis.
During his two seasons in Pittsburgh, Heyward-Bey has been the consummate professional, doing whatever the coaches have asked. He’s been a special teams standout and a reliable backup receiver when called into action. Last season, he caught 21 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns.
He’s still got the speed to go deep; now, he also has the experience, which is vital for an offense that ranked 3rd in the NFL in total offense last season and wants to challenge for a Super Bowl this season. What’s more, Heyward-Bey is only 29 years old and far from over the hill.
He was considered a valuable enough commodity by the Steelers that they signed him to a 3-year contract extension this offseason.
The Edge Goes To: Coates
Provided Sammie Coates can prove that he is ready to take on a lead role in the offense, he should win the battle for the number two receiver spot. While Heyward-Bey still has plenty of athletic ability, Coates is a physical specimen with plenty of pedigree. With that in mind, it’s more than conceivable that both receivers will split time at wideout, at least early on in the season.
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Heyward-Bey’s experience should not be underestimated, but that’s why Coates gets the nod here. Heyward-Bey is a more valuable commodity coming off the bench. He’s a proven depth receiver, something that’s essential in this era of multi-receiver, pass-oriented offenses.
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If Coates can step up this season, he just may make Steelers fans forget all about Martavis Bryant. Either way, the Steelers number-two receiver spot should be in good hands with either Coates or Heyward-Bey.