Steelers Depot @Steelersdepot
Ben on Washington: "I think he took great strides because, physically, obviously everyone's seen what he's done in terms of losing weight, but getting stronger. I think he's gotten a bit faster. But mentally you don't see the mistakes. You don't see the confused look." #Steelers
when though? With the ones?4 for 78 last night
A few more really nice catches.Â
The plan atm is Moncrief will be the starter when the season startsÂwhen though? With the ones?
I need more from this thread- please help
I’ve been monitoring closely. He’s been limited in his play with the ones but I feel comfortable saying his potential is higher than Moncriefs. I don’t know what the Steelers are doing trying to jam in Moncrief who has no long term value to the club and will only be there in 2019. Ben saying good things and his play (which has been high in practice as well as games) leads me to believe Washington is going to come out on top sooner rather than later. I imagine Moncrief will get a few games and he’ll do what he does: disappear or get injured then it will be Washington’s chance.Âwhen though? With the ones?
I need more from this thread- please help
James Washington caught 1-of-2 targets for 41 yards and one touchdown in the Steelers' third preseason game.
Washington has dropped weight this offseason, and he looks notably faster this preseason, which has translated into a couple of deep catches. The second-year receiver is still developing and building chemistry with Big Ben, so he won't play ahead of veteran receiver Donte Moncrief to start the season. But Washington is definitely a receiver worthy of occupying a bench spot in fantasy with the Steelers replacing over 200 targets from last season.
Aug 25, 2019, 11:00 PM ET
Context Matters @dwainmcfarland
#Steelers WR James Washington has gained nearly all of his yards this preseason versus off coverage.
If he ever learns to beat tight press coverage he has WR1 upside long term.
When the ball is in the air his confidence is supreme. He expects to make the play. Swag is a thing.
James Washington caught 2-of-5 passes for 51 yards in Week 1 against the Patriots.
Washington outplayed Donte Moncrief, but his only highlight was a 45-yard catch. It's still a good sign for the 2018 second-rounder, who drew raves for his offseason. Washington didn't show much as a rookie, but he has the talent to pass Moncrief for the No. 2 role.
Sep 9, 2019, 12:02 AM ET
Yes, much more intriguing talent than Washington. He's the real target here IMOdiontae in his rear view mirror.
diontae in his rear view mirror.
James Washington lead the league in air yards and aDot... try again. He’s going to blow up in the next few weeks.Yes, much more intriguing talent than Washington. He's the real target here IMO
And I should care about air yards and aDot, why? I'm more interested in who is a better WR.James Washington lead the league in air yards and aDot... try again. He’s going to blow up in the next few weeks.
I drug the horse to water...ÂAnd I should care about air yards and aDot, why? I'm more interested in who is a better WR.
rockaction said:This has really only gotta be a matter of a few weeks, doesn't it?
I mean Moncrief and the others deserved no tread with the ones, and Washington was the only one getting separation at all. I have a hard time believing that Moncrief retains his role given his utterly disastrous showing last night. (Disastrous in the sense that he wasn't catching balls hitting him in the hands.)
With all due respect (and not to just be contrary), but I’m not sure that is sound logic. Switzerland is never going to move past the slot, as that’s where his talents lie. Montcrief did look absolutely HORRIBLE in all phases last night. Not sure if it will be Washington or Diontae, but somebody’s going to be starting opposite JJSS really soon.Â
There are other things besides getting open that Moncrief may do better than Washington. Such as blocking?
To be honest I thought the Steelers looked phased and out of synch the whole game. Credit to the Patriots defense and game plan as a part of that, but it seemed that JJSS not as good as Brown and Ben needs Brown more than Brown needs him.
But maybe Washington earns more snaps moving forward.
Game 1
Moncrief had as many snaps as JJSS 90% of the Steelers plays.
Switzer had the 3rd most 46 (67%)
Washinton the 4th most 36 (52%)
So first lets see if Washington can earn more snaps than Switzer before worrying about Moncrief.
What is wrong with the logic?With all due respect (and not to just be contrary), but I’m not sure that is sound logic. Switzerland is never going to move past the slot, as that’s where his talents lie. Montcrief did look absolutely HORRIBLE in all phases last night. Not sure if it will be Washington or Diontae, but somebody’s going to be starting opposite JJSS really soon.Â
Why do you expect this?With Ben now out and Mason taking over. Does Washington get a bump to almost a top WR for Pittsburgh over JUJu?
I expect Washington targets to raise and JuJu to drop.Â
No real reason just on familiarity. I think JUJu will continue to get blanketed. Maybe more now.ÂWhy do you expect this?
Because CBS just mentioned it on their Podcast - Rudolph and Washington played together in college and likely will lean on each other and have a trust factor. I could see this happening, even more so if Conner is out and less touches go that way.Why do you expect this?
Yep agreed, and that chemistry continued in the preseason this year. Moncrief is battling a finger injury, had four drops last week and a brutal drop turned INT vs. Seahawks. I don't know how Steelers can continue to start Moncrief over Washington.Because CBS just mentioned it on their Podcast - Rudolph and Washington played together in college and likely will lean on each other and have a trust factor. I could see this happening, even more so if Conner is out and less touches go that way.
Benches too short, too many other guys...pick it up now before it is too late
James Washington (shoulder) won't return for Week 5 against the Ravens.
It was Washington's best day as a pro, hauling in 3-of-6 targets for 52 yards from Mason Rudolph (concussion) before exiting after the half. With Donte Moncrief healthy scratched, Johnny Holton will work as PIttsburgh's No. 3 wideout for the rest of regulation.
Oct 6, 2019, 3:30 PM ET
James Washington (shoulder) is questionable for Week 6 against the Chargers.
It's unfortunate timing as Washington (3/52) was well on his way to having his best performance as a pro before exiting in the third quarter and donning a sling postgame. It's possible Donte Moncrief plays over Johnny Holton if Washington misses Sunday night's tilt, but JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Diontae Johnson are still the only receivers worth rostering the rest of the way for Pittsburgh.
SOURCE:Â Dale Lolley on Twitter
Oct 8, 2019, 12:23 PM ET
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports James Washington (shoulder) is expected to miss "a few weeks."
Washington was having a strong Week 5 with a 3-52 line on six targets before exiting at halftime. Johnny Holton and Ryan Switzer figure to chip in as the third and fourth wideouts behind JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson while Washington is out. Donte Moncrief has been a healthy scratch.
SOURCE:Â Ian Rapoport on Twitter
Oct 9, 2019, 9:30 AM ET
James Washington (shoulder) has been ruled out for the Steelers' Sunday night matchup against the Chargers.
It's tough to get behind any WR in this offense with an undrafted rookie free agent under center. Devlin Hodges was fine enough in relief last week and put up solid numbers in four seasons at Samford, but the Steelers Offense is simply in a brutal road spot against one of the league's better groups of CBs. It'd be surprising if the Steelers didn't lean on James Conner and the ground game as much as possible.
SOURCE:Â Brooke Pryor on Twitter.
Oct 11, 2019, 4:18 PM ET
Steelers WR James Washington (shoulder) returned to practice Monday.
There's still no hard timetable on Rudolph's return. Washington only totaled 12 targets in his three starts following Donte Moncrief's riddance to the bench, but the former was having his best day (3/52) as a pro from Mason Rudolph before injuring his shoulder in Week 6. Returning for Week 8 against the Dolphins is now firmly in the cards.
SOURCE:Â Brooke Pryor on Twitter
Oct 21, 2019, 1:32 PM ET