MVN - Most Valuable Network

On the Bubble: Nate Washington

Free Agency has come to a close.  The draft is behind us, and team practices have started up once again.  In this series — because Mike loves to write in series — we’ll take a look at players who, in spite of playing important roles in 2007, will be looking over their shoulders as competition for their spots in the lineup heats up.

In two of the last three drafts, the Steelers have selected arguably the best wide receiver prospect: Santonio Holmes in 2006, and Limas Sweed just last month.  Coupled with Hines Ward, Holmes has become one of the top downfield threats in the league, leading all receivers in yards per catch in 2007.  Sweed promises to play a critical role as well, going up for jump balls and playing the physical, scrappy receiver inside the red zone.  And, with two very capable — and enormous — tight ends, the Steelers have all the pieces in place for an outstanding passing game in 2008.

The only thing missing from that equation is Nate Washington.  Of the wide receivers, he was third on the team in 2007 in both catches and yards.  Teammates glow when they talk of his incredible jumping ability, and he has a tendency to make the ridiculously hard catches.  So, why should he be looking over his shoulder?

Well, for one thing, Sweed was considered a first-round talent who fell, luckily, all the way to the 53rd pick in the draft.  As a late second-round pick, his price tag is going to be pretty small, especially when measured against what he likely will bring to the table.  Meanwhile, Washington counts $1.417 million against the cap this year.  For the sake of comparison, that’s more than 2007 team MVP James Harrison ($1.2 million) and 10-year veteran DeShea Townsend ($1.4 million).  And, most telling, it’s only $200,000 less than what Troy Polamalu is due for 2008 — and he was the team’s highest-paid player until Ben Roethlisberger’s new contract this off-season that would make some Arabian oil moguls drool.

Add to that the fact that this is a contract year for Washington, who signed his one-year restricted-free-agent tender in April.  Despite some shortcomings, he put up fantastic numbers as a number-three receiver, including 15.5 yards per catch, second-best on the team.  His five touchdowns were three more than star runner Willie Parker scored on the ground.

Oh, and those shortcomings?  While Washington has outstanding hands, he has…well…we’ll just call it “random and momentary brain fade” — and it always seems to happen on a crucial third-down play when the pass hits him right between the numbers.  While he can twist, stretch, contort and almost fly to catch balls that are in ridiculous positions, it’s those lapses in concentration at important, and potentially game changing, junctures that make you want to hang him from the goal post by his jock strap.

Washington will likely maintain his role as the primary third receiver for most, if not all, of the 2008 season.  Sweed will likely supplant him at some point, be it October or July 2009.  The real wildcard defining his future in Pittsburgh will be the play of Willie Reid, who is also at a make-or-break point in his career.  Due solely to his lack of any importance to the team so far, he will not be featured in this series.  But if he can step up and show that he has good hands to go with his blistering speed, he may very well bump Washington even further down the totem pole that is becoming a very deep, talented receiving corp.

Ultimately, Washington’s continued tenure in Pittsburgh will be defined by a combination of factors.  The play of both Sweed and Reid will go a long way toward forcing management’s hand.  Butif Washington’s play goes either way — if he gets worse, hes cut; if he gets much better, he’ll become too expensive to keep as a fourth option — his future may be waiting for him somewhere other than the Steel City.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 11:59 am and is filed under Limas Sweed, wide receiver, Willie Reid, Nate Washington, Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.