Pittsburgh Steelers running back/wide receiver Dri Archer might be small in stature, but he carries around a big chip on his shoulders.
Archer said recently after practice that Kent State was the only school to offer him a scholarship because other programs were deterred by his 5-8, 173 pound size. He now uses that as motivation.
“I used nobody else offering me a scholarship as a chip on my shoulder,” said Archer. “I always play with a chip on my shoulder and try to show the world what they missed out on. Kent was lucky enough to have me on their team. There are always going to be people that doubt you. They tell me I am too small. I am too short. I am not going to be able to play college football and I did that.”
Archer’s selection by the Steelers in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft really caught a lot of people by surprise. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, however, has said that he sees Archer as a starter because of what he believes the speedster can offer as a kick and punt returner. Colbert even went as far as to compare him to Mel Gray, who had a long career in the NFL as a return specialist.
The Steelers will more than likely try to get Archer some snaps on offense in 2014 in order to take advantage of his speed and versatility. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley did that very same thing in Kansas City with Dexter McCluster.
Archer took part in the Steelers rookie minicamp this weekend that wraps up on Sunday.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Archer. “I worked for this for a long time.”
