Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Watching with Interest

Just because a college wide receiver is tall and runs fast doesn't guarantee success in the NFL. Just ask Fred Gibson.

The Steelers invested a fourth-round draft pick in Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson, just as they did in 2005 with Gibson, another 6'4" wide receiver. We hope Bryant makes the Pro Bowl and helps the Steelers win multiple Super Bowls.

Some skeptics, Joey Porter's Pit Bulls included, would have rather seen the Steelers use that fourth-round pick on a cornerback, Phillip Desir, who went to Cleveland a few picks later. They cast their lot with Bryant, though, so we thought we'd take a closer look.

First, here's an interesting quote (recorded in April 2013) from Dabo Swinney, Clemson's head coach, about Martavis Bryant, and let's keep in mind this quote can pretty much apply to any athlete (or person):
"Accountability, responsibility, dependability, trust-ability - those are the 'abilities' that matter," said Swinney. "He's got plenty of ability, it's all them other ones that have kept him from being a complete player. He's had some great moments, but he's been inconsistent. When you're not fully committed, you're going to be inconsistent."
But then here's another "red-flag" quote (from earlier in the article) that makes us wonder which Martavis Bryant the Steelers are getting (again, keeping in mind this was published in April 2013, before his senior season):
"Martavis isn't a bad guy, not at all. He's just been an immature, uncommitted guy - off the field, academically, in the meeting rooms, on the practice field, in the way he's prepared, not being dependable."
The link to the entire article is here.