TE-Steelers-Jeffrey Beal-Flickr
It’s easy to look at the Pittsburgh Steelers and celebrate one of the most talented WRs in the league, but what of their TE corps? “Big” Ben Roethlisberger is honoring Heath Miller at training camp, but the big guy can’t play both positions. Who will be the top TE coming out of training camp now that Ladarius Green is on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list? I have heard grumblings from Steelers’ Nation of Paul Lang, Jesse James or Xavier Grimble. Let us examine the three potential starters.
Anyone showing up to camp at 6-7, 261lbs is going to turn some heads. It does not matter if Jesse James is a second-year player or not. Not only is this player’s size a factor, sharing the name of one of America’s most notorious outlaws may put some people on notice as well. Can you imagine Jim Nantz from CBS saying “Big Ben hooks up with ‘the Outlaw’ for another 20-yd gain?” I couldn’t or at least I would not want to, being a Baltimore Ravens’ fan and all. However, I could vision the sea of yellow in Hines Stadium falling in love and erupting from the repeated connection of the two.
ESPN had this to say about the outlaw,
“…James to work with the starters. At 6’7/261, he’s a behemoth of a man and could be a dark horse for a handful of touchdowns.”
His 8-recs for 56-yds and a touch in 2015 are nothing to write home to mom about, but that was when Heath Miller ran the show. Look for his numbers to increase in 2016 as the team has no clear designation for the number one TE. With that said, let’s speak to another candidate competing for the position.
I’d mention David Johnson, but he’s a blocking TE at best. Apparently picking up blocking TEs is a trend, since the team collected another in Paul Lang. This former Spartan has super hands and feet. A tactician in blocking. While you may be impressed with him doing Oklahoma drills since he was in the second grade, he is also a non-factor in the passing-attack, with only 136 receiving yds total in college. Let’s get back to the receiving TEs.
Xavier Grimble is another intriguing name for this roster. This former USC player had pedestrian numbers from college, with 69 total catches for 731-yards and 11-TDs over his 3-year span at USC. There is tons of upside with this guy, as he does most of his damage after the catch. He also has decent route running ability and soft hands.
TE Coach James Daniel and Mike Tomlin obviously see some potential in all of the players mentioned above. Upon reviewing all of this information, one thing is evident. Ladarius Green’s job is not at all safe with these hungry grinders getting extra reps with the ones. My money is on the Outlaw. Who you got? Leave a comment!
Jermaine Lockett is a Writer and CEO for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or twitter.