By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
Ben Roethlisberger asked and on Saturday he received.
Roethlisberger said at the end of last season that he would like to add a tall receiver to the current arsenal that the Steelers have at that position.
With the team's second pick in the NFL Draft he got just that with the selection of Limas Sweed, the 6-4 wide receiver from the University of Texas.
"Without a doubt, there were a lot of people saying that he was looking for a big receiver and now he has one," said Sweed. "Ben is a great quarterback and I look forward to working with him."
Sweed was projected by some to go in the first round, but when he dropped to the Steelers in the second round there was no way they were going to pass on him.
"I was very surprised, and very ecstatic back in the back of the (draft) room," said wide receivers coach Randy Fichtner. "I am really excited. I never thought that he would still be at that slot, and obviously we're very excited to have had Limas on board."
His stock likely dropped because of a wrist injury that occurred last season. He had surgery in October and had just 19 catches last season after pulling in 46 receptions for 801 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2006.
The Steelers liked what they saw when he was healthy and were pleased with the way the wrist injury has healed after evaluating him before the draft and are excited about what he can bring to the offense.
"He can break tackles, he's still got size and probably a lot more room to get bigger,'' said Fichtner."But he definitely finishes on tape. When he catches a ball across the middle, there's a chance that he can take that and finish it, and the year prior to (last), he did it a lot.
"I love his range. The circle of catches is extremely large. He's got the longer arms. You're talking about a larger frame and target."
The Steelers will welcome their rookie class this weekend when they hold mini-camp. There will be a total of five practices and the mini-camp is for rookies and veterans.
Defensive end Brett Keisel will take part in the Mutt Strutt on Sunday, May 18 at Riverfront Park on Pittsburgh's North Side. The walk benefits Animal Friends.
Click on the link for more information and to take part with your dog.
