Steelers rookie receiver
Randle El making a big impact LATROBE, Pa. – When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Indiana quarterback-turned-wide receiver Antwaan Randle El in April, it didn’t seem to be a logical fit.
First, they looked to be set at receiver with Hines Ward coming off a Pro Bowl season and Plaxico Burress fast developing into one of the NFL’s best young receivers. They also had 1999 first-rounder Troy Edwards as a backup.
And, if they were going to draft a receiver, why not former Pitt All-American Antonio Bryant, whose talents were displayed each day only one practice field over from their own?
The Steelers have successfully turned several former multidimensional college players into excellent pros – namely, Ward and Kordell Stewart – yet Randle El still seemed to be a bit of a reach.
His credentials at Indiana could not be debated: the first Division I-A player to throw for 6,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards in a career, the first to run for at least 40 touchdowns and throw for at least 40.
Steelers rookie linebacker Larry Foote, a former star at Michigan, calls Randle El the fastest, most elusive player he’s ever played against. His speed wasn’t in question, either; Randle El ran one drill – a sprint through cones – so quickly last spring that NFL scouts made him run it again, thinking they had timed him incorrectly.
However, his size – he is generously listed as 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds – concerned some teams. So did his lack of experience as a wide receiver, which was limited to one college game and all-star game.
“But I wasn’t going to go to Canada just so I could play quarterback,” Randle El said. “My dream has always been to play in the NFL, even if (he couldn’t be a quarterback).”
Now, a month into training camp, the question isn’t how good Randle El will be – the Steelers are convinced he will be a game-breaking threat as a third receiver and a kick returner – but how often they can get him on the field.
Through two exhibition games, Randle El is the Steelers’ second leading receiver with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, and their leading rusher with 43 yards on two carries, including a 32-yard touchdown run on a reverse Sunday against Washington.
Randle El’s impact has been so immediate that, rather than shifting Ward into the slot on third downs or playing Terance Mathis there, Randle El apparently will play in all extra-receiver sets.
“I see myself as a guy who can make plays, whether it’s at wideout, returning punts, whatever it takes,” Randle El said.
Just don’t look for him to line up at quarterback, though offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey probably has designed a play or two for him. As coach Bill Cowher said, “We’ve got too many of those (Slash-type) guys already.”
Still, Randle El has proven so dangerous with the ball in his hands, he probably will cut into the anticipated playing time for Mathis, who has made 666 career receptions. He also may lead the Steelers to cut Edwards, whose playing time has dropped off in each of his three NFL seasons.
“I’d be surprised if he doesn’t do well,” Cowher said. “He’s a natural player.”
Of course, Randle El isn’t a natural receiver, but he has made a relatively quick adjustment to the position that, as Stewart said, “It doesn’t look like he’s never played receiver before.”
Randle El’s versatility isn’t limited just to his ability to switch positions in football. He also was a Chicago Cubs’ draft choice and played basketball for former Indiana coach Bobby Knight – an experience that may help him prepare for playing for Cowher, whose intense, demanding personality sometimes rivals Knight’s.
Randle El’s next chance to make an impression is Saturday, when the Steelers play at Detroit.
“What can you say?” Cowher said. “He’s a very exciting player with the football in his hands. He’s got excellent hands. He’s going to help us this year. He’s come a long way.”