Who Really Benefits from Sammie’s Setback?
No more than one day ago, news broke that Steelers wide receiver Sammie Coates underwent a knee scope recently. The often injured Coates is expected to miss the beginning of training camp, and no real time table has been set for his return.
Clearly, this is not an ideal way for training camp to start, especially for a player like Coates, who is trying to make a name for himself in a very crowded wide receiver room. In fact, most knowledgeable fans will tell you Pittsburgh has the best group at the position in the entire league. Even if your bias isn’t skewed toward the Steelers, you have to admit their receivers are in at least the top five of any unit in the NFL.
With a roster so deep at one position, not being on the field could present a problem for the third-year receiver. I honestly feel bad for Sammie Coates, because he appears to be unlucky. When Sammie is healthy and able to contribute 100%, he’s a pretty dangerous weapon.
Unfortunately for number 14, he cannot manage to catch a break (no pun intended). The elephant in the room remains: who benefits from his misfortune?
A few names come to mind.
Justin Hunter
Justin Hunter is one of the true “wild cards” of training camp. The former Tennessee Titan and Buffalo Bill signed a one-year “prove it” deal with Pittsburgh in the offseason. Opinions on the acquisition are scattered. I shared my views on Hunter and his potential as a sleeper a few months ago.
I’ve already planted my flag on the positive side of things, so his name on this list shouldn’t come as a surprise. Hunter hasn’t hit his stride yet, but he hasn’t had the best quarterbacks playing with him either. Ben Roethlisberger is far and above the best that the receiver has ever had the opportunity to work with.
As far as the style of player Hunter is, he is somewhat like a Sammie Coates and Martavis Bryant mix. Like Sammie, he is a (slightly taller) long strider with speed but shows more natural hands at times. Hunter can fly, being a former track and field super star, but he doesn’t have that extra freakish gear that Martavis Bryant possesses. (Most don’t!)
With Sammie sidelined, for the time being, expect Justin Hunter to turn some heads catching deep balls at training camp.
Cobi Hamilton
Cobi Hamilton is someone that I can assure most aren’t expecting to make the Steelers final 53-man roster. Hamilton was thrust into a starting role last season due to a slew of injuries at the receiver spot.
Nothing against Hamilton, but the former Arkansas Razorback offers little to no wow-factor. In a room full of high ceilings, the young man has appeared to have hit his.
However, number 83 (still not okay with that by the way) is the best blocking wide receiver on the team besides Darrius Heyward-Bey. But that can only keep you safe for so long. In addition, Juju Smith-Schuster, the Steelers 2017 second round pick, is also known for his blocking in addition to his other potential skill set.
With Sammie sidelined, that’s one less outside receiver in Cobi’s way: Hamilton and Coates share the handicap of strictly being outside threats. The less competition for Cobi, the better for him.
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Speaking of Darrius Heyward-Bey, the “old man” of the group may be safer in Pittsburgh than I initially thought.
Once thought of to be a potential camp causality, this new injury news reopens the closing window for DHB. Once the Steelers added Justin Hunter and Juju to the roster, the mental image of DHB in black and gold started to fade away.
It appears as if I may have jumped the gun on the wily veteran. Not only is DHB loved in the Steelers locker room, he is a top-five special team player on the roster. The Steelers are known for valuing a player who is willing to “stick his face in the fan” on special teams.
DHB fits that bill.
As far as offensive contributions are concerned, DHB too shares the quality of being strictly an outside target, meaning he doesn’t usually run routes from the slot. Like Cobi Hamilton, Sammie Coates is direct competition for DHB, and in more ways than one.
In 2016, Heyward-Bey suffered an injury and it was Coates who tried to fill his role on special teams. The tables have now turned back in DHB’s favor.
Conclusion
We hate to see injuries and setbacks happen to our team’s players, but if one thing has held true in Pittsburgh over the past few years, it has been that the next man up is expected to take advantage of the opportunity.
Personally, I wish Sammie a speedy recovery. We have seen what he can do on the field when he’s 100%. In the meantime, Coates’ absence is an opening for the other receivers to shine… and possibly others!
