Home 2013 NFL Draft One Troubling Issue If Sanders Leaves

One Troubling Issue If Sanders Leaves

by Steeldad

Emmanuel SandersI want to make sure I give proper credit for this topic because A. he deserves it and B. it’s an important topic related to the potential departure of Emmanuel Sanders. During the hot discussion yesterday over whether the Pittsburgh Steelers should or should not match the New England Patriots’ offer to Sanders, a great friend of Steel City Blitz brought up a great point.

Our very good friend Lance of Steel Curtain Radio fame talked about Sanders versus the ‘Unknown.’

The unknown in this case is just that, ‘unknown.’ The question is basically this, “Would you rather have Emmanuel Sanders, who knows the system and has proven capable when not hurt or would you rather not match and go with someone brand new in free agency or the draft?”

I think it’s an extremely valid question although I’m clearly in the camp that says take the third round pick and let Sanders walk.

The ‘unknown’ goes much further than just ‘Player A’ who may be drafted or signed in free agency to replace Sanders. The unknown also means a new, less familiar weapon for Ben Roethlisberger who has already lost Mike Wallace, Rashard Mendenhall and has a rehabbing Heath Miller.

For a team that is coming off a very disappointing 8-8 season and is looking at a significant amount of turnover already already, the unknown becomes tougher to swallow. General Manager Kevin Colbert has a draft record in Pittsburgh that is less than sparkling since Bill Cowher departed following the 2006 season.  This means how much faith do we as the fan base have in Colbert to find the right replacement for Sanders.

For me personally, if Sanders had a history of staying healthy then I would be much less inclined to ‘toss him to the curb’ but that’s what I struggle with in his regard. If the Steelers match and he plays in just ten games or so and then signs as a free agent elsewhere for 2014, the team will have gotten nothing for him in return.

The third-rounder the Pats will have to give up would give us four picks in the top 100 and I’m confident that not even Colbert can screw that up. Obviously I value and respect Lance’s point a lot or I wouldn’t have mentioned it but this is what makes Steelers Nation great whether we agree or disagree on every topic.

The unknown is always scary but I’m trying to hold out hope that maybe in this case the ‘unknown’ might end up better than Sanders. Notice I said, “hope.”

Marc Uhlmann writes for and co-owns www.steelcityblitz.com. Follow him on Twitter @steeldad and follow the website at @SCBlitz. He can be heard Mondays on Trib-Live Radio at 4pm ET talking Steelers.

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2 comments

Chris/SteelByDesign April 11, 2013 - 5:47 pm

I think presenting it as Sanders vs. Unknown is simplifying it a bit, but I get your point.

It could become Sanders for 1 season vs. Unknown for 4+ years. Then what say the people in the “match the offer” camp?

I’ve seen a lot of people talking about 3rd round prospects, but it’s probably unlikely we use that pick on a receiver. What that pick means is we could possibly take a receiver round 1, and have that pick to address another need like safety or linebacker…

So if it’s Sanders vs. Cordarelle Patterson, or Sanders vs. Tavon Austin does that change your answer?

steeldad April 11, 2013 - 6:55 pm

Certainly there are other circumstances as you point out Chris, but I think Lance’s point is that the ‘unknown’ is just that whether it’s a guy taken in the first round or the third or the seventh it still an unknown commodity. I agree that the Steelers will more than likely have chosen a WR prior to the 3rd round, but if they get an OLB for example that has a great career then I’m OK with the Sanders swap. I guess I don’t look at it like its Sanders for a receiver with third pick as much as I look at it as for a guy that we need and can use anywhere.

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