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The Steelers have signed 35-year old OT Flozell Adams to a 2-year deal. Adams played in 16 games (all starts) for the Cowboys last season. He has now played in 182 games (178 starts) in his 12 years in the NFL. At 6’7″, 338 pounds Adams is still a very good run blocker but he has slowed down as a pass blocker. With the Steelers wanting to run more in 2010, Adams should help the O-Line more than he hurts it.
The Steelers pretty much gave Santonio Holmes away ditching him for a fifth round pick (to the Jets). That’s a shame because he was one of the best receivers on the team. 34-year old Hines Ward will be the #1 WR for the Steelers despite his advancing age. Ward played in 16 games (all starts) for the Steelers last season and he caught 95 passes for 1,167 yards (12.3 avg) with 6 TD grabs. He has now played in 186 games (166 starts) in his 12 years with the Steelers and he has caught 895 passes for 10,947 yards (12.2 avg) with 78 TD grabs. He also has carried the ball 56 times for 430 yards (7.7 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career. Ward has made it to 4 Pro Bowls with the Steelers. Ward still has something left in the gas tank and he will be needed more than ever this season without Holmes around. He still is a outstanding blocker downfield.
23-year old Mike Wallace burst onto the scene for the Steelers as a rookie last season because of his speed. He played in 16 games (4 starts) for the Steelers last year and he caught 39 passes for 756 yards (19.4 avg) with 6 TD grabs. Wallace will have to step his game up even more in 2010 as he will be moving into Santonio Holmes’ old starting role. That means he will be guarded by starting corners instead of nickel and dime backs.
30-year old Antwaan Randle El is back for a second tour of duty with the Steelers. He played in 16 games (3 starts) for the Redskins last season and he caught 50 passes for 530 yards (10.6 avg) with no TDs. Randle El has now played in 127 games (71 starts) in his 8 years in the NFL and he has caught 348 passes for 4,214 yards (12.1 avg) with 15 TD grabs. He has also carried the ball 78 times for 436 yards (5.6 ypc) in his career. When the Steelers want to get tricky they could always let Randle El toss a deep pass. He has completed 20 of 25 passes (80%) for 281 yards with 4 TD passes and 0 INTs (153.1 QB Rating). Randle El will likely serve as the Steelers’ #3 WR in 2010.
The Steelers have high hopes for 3rd round pick Emmanuel Sanders out of SMU. He is a tad on the small side at 5’11″, 180 pounds but he’s a speed burner. The Steelers hope he can stretch defenses when he’s on the field.
30-year old Arnaz Battle will be around in 2010. He is a solid #4 or #5 WR who also helps out on special teams. Battle played in 15 games (0 starts) for the 49ers last season and he caught 5 passes for 40 yards (8.0 avg). Battle has now played in 88 games (38 starts) in his 7 years in the NFL and he has caught 178 passes for 2,150 yards (12.1 avg) with 11 TD grabs. He has also carried the ball 22 times for 77 yards (3.5 ypc) with 1 TD run in his career.
6th round pick Antonio Brown out of Central Michigan is a longshot to make the Steelers. Like Sanders, he’s a small guy at 5’10″, 186 pounds. He will have to bring his A-game to training camp if he wants to make the Steelers.
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STEELERS WRs in 2010: B
The Steelers finally realized what they had in 27-year old TE Heath Miller in 2009 and they went to him a lot in the passing game. Look for that to be the same case in 2010. Miller played in 16 games (all starts) for the Steelers last season and he caught 76 passes for 789 yards (10.4 avg) with 6 TD grabs. He has now played in 78 games (76 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 244 passes for 2,721 yards (11.2 avg) with 27 TD grabs. Miller has great hands and the ability to get down the field and for those reasons I expect him to make the Pro Bowl in 2010.
26-year old Matt Spaeth is a run blocker who is also a nice Red Zone target because of his size. He played in 16 games (8 starts) for the Steelers last season and he caught 5 passes for 25 yards (5.0 avg) with 1 TD grab. Spaeth has now played in 46 games (26 starts) in his NFL career and he has caught 27 passes for 195 yards (7.2 avg) with 4 TD grabs. Look for Spaeth to have another solid year in 2010 for the Steelers.
22-year old David Johnson will be #3 in line for the Steelers at TE in 2010. He played in 15 games (3 starts) as a rookie last season for the Steelers and he caught 2 passes for 9 yards (4.5 avg).
PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STEELERS TEs in 2010: A
