NFL Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers Are Really Missing Emmanuel Sanders This Season

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Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to let two of their quality wide receivers walk away this offseason. Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery are both with  new teams in 2014, and for Sanders, his career is taking off. He landed a job with the Denver Broncos and future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Working as the team’s No. 2 receiver, Sanders is racking up the yards. The Steelers could really use someone like Sanders to help out Antonio Brown, but instead, Brown is the only viable option for the Steelers’ passing game.

Shortly before the season began, Sanders decided to spout off about the Steelers. He talked about how he now has a “true” leader at quarterback in Manning. “I feel like Peyton is a far better leader,” Sanders told a radio station in Denver. “This is the first time that I’ve had a quarterback that every single day after practice, no matter what his accolades, keeps guys like me after practice. I just feel like that’s a difference from a mental standpoint.” Sanders went on to say this about Big Ben, “I’ve got so much love for Ben, at the same time, I’m not going to lie. I’m happy to part of this (Broncos) organization and happy that Peyton is my quarterback.”

Sanders blasted the Steelers saying there was no leadership in that locker room. Of course everybody in Pittsburgh, including the Steelers, said Sanders was bitter and his statements simply weren’t true. But here we are, heading into Week 7, and you know what, Sanders might be right. Do you see any leadership in the Steelers’ locker room? There seems to be a definite lack of leadership from coaches, as well as a lack of leadership from the team’s veteran quarterback in Roethlisberger. Big Ben said he was hurt by Sanders’ comments, but he should be more hurt by the Steelers’ decision not to keep a No. 2 receiver for him.

There are words and then there are stats. How much do the Steelers miss Sanders? Well, so far this season Sanders has racked up 473 yards on 35 catches. That is exactly 38 more yards than Markus Wheaton, Justin Brown, Lance Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey combined! Sanders also has three 100-yard receiving games. He caught 11 balls for 149 yards against the stingy Seattle Seahawks‘ secondary. He also racked up 101 yards against the Arizona Cardinals and 108 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs, two teams with decent secondaries.

In contrast to Sanders, how bad is the Steelers’ receiving corps? Well, Antonio Brown is a beast and leads the team with 41 catches for 629 yards and five touchdowns. After that, it really drops off. In fact, the No. 2 and No. 3 receivers on the team aren’t even wide receivers. Heath Miller is second with 262 yards receiving and Le’Veon Bell is right behind him with 251 yards receiving. Markus Wheaton is the only Steelers wideout to even sniff a 100-yard game. He had 97 yards in the Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Keeping Sanders would not have solved all of the Steelers’ ills. He often got injured and has always had a difficult time finding the end zone, scoring 11 touchdowns in five seasons. But if Roethlisberger had a competent No. 2 receiver to throw to, the Steelers would be scoring more points. There is no doubt in my mind the Steelers would be in much better shape if Sanders was still wearing the black and gold.

Nate Vandergrift is a sports writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @natevandergrift, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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