Steelers' Sanders blossoms at WR
By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer
PITTSBURGH - Coming from a pass-happy offense at SMU, Emmanuel Sanders looked like a polished receiver to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they used a third-round pick in this year's draft to get him.
What they could not have guessed, however, was how quickly the rookie would gel with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Sanders has been targeted by Roethlisberger 38 times the past six games, seven more than Hines Ward - the Steelers' all-time leader in nearly every receiving category.
Included in that total are a team-high 13 attempts in Sanders' direction during Sunday's 22-17 loss to the New York Jets. Sanders finished the game with career highs of seven receptions and 78 yards.
"He's done some great things," said Roethlisberger. "He's really growing up fast. Honestly, the sky is the limit for that guy. He can be as good as he wants to be."
The Steelers (10-4) are more concerned with how Sanders can help them as they push toward the playoffs. The Steelers have already clinched a postseason berth but need victories in their final two games - or one loss by Baltimore - to clinch the AFC North.
Sanders, with 19 receptions in the past six games, could be a big part of that.
"I think ever since they've moved me to the third receiver spot, I've been getting more work at practice," said Sanders. "Ben is believing in me, and in the games, it's starting to show."
Sanders was slowed early in the season by a leg injury that forced him to miss three games. He has slowly worked his way into becoming a big part of offensive coordinator Bruce Arians' game plan each week.
Wallace and Ward usually draw more of the attention from opposing defenders, so Sanders draws single coverage. It's something that allowed Wallace to shine last season behind Ward and Santonio Holmes.
When the Steelers traded Holmes to the Jets in the offseason for a fifth-round draft pick, they needed somebody to fill the No. 3 position.
Veteran Antwaan Randle El did early in the year, but Sanders has passed him.
"You're adding somebody who can do something special with a short pass," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "It's something we missed since we lost Santonio."
Wallace has seen the maturation process.
"He's knows where to be at now. He's always had the talent," Wallace said. "It's just sometimes, when you first get in there, you're kind of nervous and don't know what's going on. You might run a route wrong or be in the wrong spot. But that's not really happening any more. He's where he needs to be. He's going to get matchups.
"They're going to try to take out Hines and myself, so he's always going to get a favorable matchup. And he's a top guy when he gets the ball. I don't feel like anybody can stop him."