AFC North: Markus Wheaton Draws Hines Ward Comparisons
By Jason Marcum
Oct 22, 2011; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Markus Wheaton (2) runs with the ball after avoiding the diving tackle by Washington State Cougars defensive end Adam Coerper (50) during the 1st half at Centurylink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
In hopes of strengthening their depleted receiving corps, the Pittsburgh Steelers nabbed Oregon State WR Markus Wheaton in the third-round, despite many projecting the former All-PAC-12 performer to go much earlier in the draft., Now, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah believes Wheaton is a perfect fit for the Steelers, and compares him to former franchise great Hines Ward:
"He fits the new mold they’ve got there, guys who can win one-on-ones with quickness, but he’s also got big-play ability with top speed and feisty toughness.He’s got the kind of toughness Hines Ward had when he played against Baltimore; the feistiness he brought to that offense was a huge asset. This kid is not as big as Hines (6-0, 205), but he’s going to bring some of that competitiveness and feistiness."
The Baltimore Sun’s Kevin Cowherd believes outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil should prepare to be a leader on the Ravens’ defense this year after they lost a significant amount of leadership from last year’s Super Bowl team. Bernard Pollard and Ray Lewis’ departures leave a huge void in that department that has to be filled, and Dmuervil should be able to help.
New Cleveland Browns Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner is very impressed by what he’s seen thus far from second-year receiver Josh Gordan,
"He’s an impressive guy. He’s young. He has a lot of work to do, but he’s got a lot of ability. If you put those two things together and you just grind, as a player and a coach, I think he can be a really fine player."
Gordon caught 50 passes and led the team with 805 yards and five touchdowns.
Last year, the Browns were the third-youngest team in the NFL, and had an NFL-high 87 starts by rookies, which ended up being 31 more than the next team, the Indianapolis Colts. They’re poised to sneak up on some teams this year and perhaps even earn only the third winning record since the franchise came back to Cleveland.
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