Sammie Coates becoming Martavis-like with big-play ability
PITTSBURGH 鈥� It isn鈥檛 just the dreadlocks that makes Steelers receiver Sammie Coates to resemble Martavis Bryant. It also has something to do with his big-play ability.
Coates has hauled catches of 40 yards or more in each of the Steelers鈥� four games this season, and they鈥檝e frequently come in critical moments or have led to touchdowns. His latest was a 47-yard grab on the Steelers鈥� opening possession against the Chiefs.
An under-thrown deep ball from Ben Roethlisberger caused Coates to change his pace mid-route. If Roethlisberger hit Coates in stride, it likely would have been a touchdown, but it was his adjustment that enabled him to come down with the jump ball in pouring rain. It also came over Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters, regarded as one of the best at his position.
鈥淚t鈥檚 football. You鈥檝e got to be ready for anything,鈥� Coates said of the catch. 鈥淵ou never know where the ball is going to go, and you鈥檝e got to be ready. That鈥檚 what I did.鈥�
There are still hiccups in Coates鈥� consistency and occasional drops, but the second-year receiver is flashing his potential thanks to a combination of size and speed.
鈥淪ammie is an unbelievable talent,鈥� Steelers wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey said. 鈥淗ard work pays off for that kid. He鈥檚 evolved a lot in his game from last year to this year, and he鈥檚 making big plays down the field.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a skill to be able to play at this level. He鈥檚 not quite (Bryant) yet, but he鈥檚 going to get there.鈥�
Now, Coates just needs to translate it into points. Despite leading the team in receiving yards in two of four games this season, he has yet to get a touchdown grab.
鈥淚 need that every game,鈥� Heyward-Bey said of Coates. 鈥淚 need it four times a game to be honest. I need end zones. I need touchdowns.鈥�
NOTEWORTHY
n It took Le鈥橵eon Bell a couple hits for it to feel like football again, but the Steelers running back quickly became reacquainted with the game. He had 178 all-purpose yards in his first game back. He lined up in the backfield, split out wide and moved into the slot in pre-snap motions. That enabled DeAngelo Williams the ability to still have an impact on the game. 鈥淚 guess trying to get me and D-Will on the field at the same time and trying to utilize both of our skill sets,鈥� Bell said of the concept behind it. 鈥淥bviously, D鈥橝ngelo had a great past three weeks before I came, so he鈥檚 not a guy we need to put on the sideline.鈥� As for how Bell鈥檚 body handled his first post-game Monday morning of the season: 鈥淏ody feels great. I was surprised with how good I feel.鈥�
n Ross Cockrell limited bengals receiver A.J. Green to 38 years in Week 2. This week, Jets receiver Brandon Marshall creates a similar challenge with his size and physicality off the ball. 鈥淚 think he uses that to his advantage,鈥� Cockrell said. Cockrell doesn鈥檛 know if he鈥檒l be shadowing Marshall, but it鈥檚 another challenge he鈥檇 welcome. Artie Burns and Justin Gilbert have made strides over the last few weeks in becoming contributors in the secondary, Cockrell said it鈥檚 a mind set the secondary has collectively. 鈥淚 think the good thing about the young guys that have stepped up for us is that they haven鈥檛 backed down from anybody,鈥� Cockrell said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at some of the best athletes every week, and we can鈥檛 back down.鈥�
BY THE NUMBERS
11: Ben Roethlisberger鈥檚 11 touchdowns through the first four games of the season tied Terry Bradshaw and Mark Malone for the most in franchise history.
QUOTEWORTHY
鈥淕ive the reverse to me. Why not? I run a 4.2 (in the 40-yard dash).鈥� Heyward-Bey, on if the Steelers should run reverses with Coates.