A Call To Arms: Emmanuel Sanders
Emmanuel Sanders
Unrestricted Free Agent
Wide Receiver
Pittsburgh Steelers
5' 11" Tall, 180 Pounds
Selected in the 3rd Round / 2010 NFL Draft
Claim to fame: Was fined $15,000 for faking a leg injury in 2012
Pro Bowls: (0)
All Pro: (0)
Overview:
Unless you were living under a rock last offseason, you already know that Patriots' coach Bill Belichick signed Sanders to a Restricted Free Agent $2.5 Million offer sheet in April, which the Steelers were easily able to match - curious because Belichick would have had to surrender a second round draft pick to Pittsburgh had the Steelers decided not to match the offer.
Some would speculate that Belichick was either sticking a fork in the Steelers' organization by forcing their hand with Sanders, or he was merely setting the table and fixing the price on the speedy wide receiver for the 2014 free agency period.
Sanders set career-high numbers for the Steelers last season, posting a true #2 stat line of 67 receptions for 740 yards and six touchdowns, splitting time between the slot and being split wide, his straight line 4.40 speed stretching the field on the outside and his suddenness working well in the slot and on screen plays where the Steelers asked him to make defenders miss.
Fit with the Patriots:
With Sanders' versatility, he could be a multi-dimensional threat with the Patriots, and perhaps a less expensive option as a number two or slot presence. He returned 10 kickoffs last season for a 26 yard average and also has limited professional experience as a punt returner.
His 11 yards per catch average last season was a marked decline from his previous years as he worked mostly from the slot and caught plenty of jailbreak and bubble screens, a staple of the Patriots' offense that they just couldn't get going last season - with Sanders or a Dexter McCluster on the roster, the screen game could come back full force.
Despite the three yards per catch drop off in production, his six touchdowns were triple what he's produced in past seasons, and despite his diminutive stature has a knack for working himself open in the end zone and for coming back to the ball and showing the passer his numbers.
When Belichick signed Sanders to the offer sheet last spring, he did so knowing that both Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola would be with the team, and also did so knowing that he would have to surrender a precious second round draft pick had the Steelers chosen not to match his offer. So no matter what happens with those two this offseason - and knowing that neither of them showed much in the screen game - it is reasonable to assume that Sanders is still on their radar.
For a complete list of the Call to Arms series, click here
Let us know in the comment section what you think of Emmanuel Sanders joining the Pats!
Unrestricted Free Agent
Pittsburgh Steelers
5' 11" Tall, 180 Pounds
Selected in the 3rd Round / 2010 NFL Draft
Claim to fame: Was fined $15,000 for faking a leg injury in 2012
Pro Bowls: (0)
All Pro: (0)
Overview:
Unless you were living under a rock last offseason, you already know that Patriots' coach Bill Belichick signed Sanders to a Restricted Free Agent $2.5 Million offer sheet in April, which the Steelers were easily able to match - curious because Belichick would have had to surrender a second round draft pick to Pittsburgh had the Steelers decided not to match the offer.
Some would speculate that Belichick was either sticking a fork in the Steelers' organization by forcing their hand with Sanders, or he was merely setting the table and fixing the price on the speedy wide receiver for the 2014 free agency period.
Sanders set career-high numbers for the Steelers last season, posting a true #2 stat line of 67 receptions for 740 yards and six touchdowns, splitting time between the slot and being split wide, his straight line 4.40 speed stretching the field on the outside and his suddenness working well in the slot and on screen plays where the Steelers asked him to make defenders miss.
Fit with the Patriots:
With Sanders' versatility, he could be a multi-dimensional threat with the Patriots, and perhaps a less expensive option as a number two or slot presence. He returned 10 kickoffs last season for a 26 yard average and also has limited professional experience as a punt returner.
His 11 yards per catch average last season was a marked decline from his previous years as he worked mostly from the slot and caught plenty of jailbreak and bubble screens, a staple of the Patriots' offense that they just couldn't get going last season - with Sanders or a Dexter McCluster on the roster, the screen game could come back full force.
Despite the three yards per catch drop off in production, his six touchdowns were triple what he's produced in past seasons, and despite his diminutive stature has a knack for working himself open in the end zone and for coming back to the ball and showing the passer his numbers.
When Belichick signed Sanders to the offer sheet last spring, he did so knowing that both Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola would be with the team, and also did so knowing that he would have to surrender a precious second round draft pick had the Steelers chosen not to match his offer. So no matter what happens with those two this offseason - and knowing that neither of them showed much in the screen game - it is reasonable to assume that Sanders is still on their radar.
For a complete list of the Call to Arms series, click here
Let us know in the comment section what you think of Emmanuel Sanders joining the Pats!
