You know about Hines Ward and Kurt Warner, but this week we'll also try to spotlight some non-household names who could play crucial parts in Sunday's Super Bowl.Who: Nate Washington.
What Does He Do: Steelers No. 3 wide receiver
2008 Stats: 40 catches, 651 yards, 15.8 yards per catch, 3 TDs.
How he got here: Washington was an undrafted free agent out of tiny Tiffin College, becoming only the second player in the school's history to play in the NFL when he made the Steelers roster in 2004. He made only one catch as a rookie, but that one catch was a big one, as it came in the AFC Championship game. Since then, he's been the Steelers' No. 3 receiver for the past four seasons, beating out challenges from multiple draft picks.
What to look for: Washington is the Steelers' main deep threat. While Ward gets the first downs and Santonio Holmes tries to find holes 15-20 yards downfield, Washington is the man the Steelers send deep when he gets man-on-man coverage. He has mediocre hands, and cannot be expected to make the tough catch in traffic, but he does have a knack for getting open. If Ward is healthy, Washington should have chances to get deep, but if Ward is limited by his knee injury, the Steelers will likely ask Washington to fill his slot receiver role on third down. Ward is much more comfortable in that role, but Washington is the next best option for Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Washington won't pull down 10 catches or anything like that (his season high is six), but he could provide a game-changing play. He had a stretch early this season where he had a 40-plus-yard catch in four straight games.
