Ward: 'We're Thin at WR'

Apparently Steelers fans aren't the only ones who are somewhat concerned about the team's lack of depth at wide receiver. Hines Ward is also noticing.

"We are thin at the wide receiver depth," said Ward. "Mike Wallace, Sweed those guys are going to have to help the team and contribute. If myself or Santonio goes down, one of those guys becomes the starter. You have to make sure you understand and help them so they understand. They are next in line. Over the course of 16 games anything can happen.

It's interesting that Ward did not mention Shaun McDonald when listing potential replacements. McDonald had almost 1,000 yards in receiving just two years ago, which makes him easily the most experienced backup wideout.

Limas Sweed definitely has more potential and Wallace is easily a faster deep threat, but if Sweed has a bad camp, its hard to believe that McDonald wouldn't be the team's No. 3 receiver heading into the season. Rookie wide receivers struggle generally--just ask Sweed--so it's hard to believe that Wallace, who had only 101 catches in college, can be counted on to catch more than 15 or so passes in his rookie year.

It would have been great to have seen the Steelers take a flier on Joey Galloway getting one more season out of his speedy feet--but instead he went to the Patriots for a very reasonable deal. But by signing McDonald, the Steelers aren't in as bad a shape as many people think.