Visit NFL from the sidelines on the new Observer-Reporter site: http://www.observer-reporter.com/section/BLOGS08

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Steelers to meet with linemen not named Pouncey

According to a couple of internet reports, the Steelers will meet with guard/center Rodney Hudson and offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, both of Florida colleges for personal visits.

The Steelers had a lot of success in 2010 taking former Gator star Maurkice Pouncey in the first round and may be hoping that lightning strikes twice.

Of the two, I like Hudson, a Florida State product, a lot more. He's undersized, but Hudson can play. If he were a little bigger, he'd be a sure first-round pick. As it is, he's not likely to fall past the middle of the second round.

As for Gilbert, he's a big road grader in the Max Starks mold. Gilbert, a Florida product, is more of a third-round prospect - which is where the Steelers took Starks.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hudson played at Florida State, not Florida.

Anonymous said...

He said he is a Florida State product. Did you read what Dale wrote?

Dale Lolley said...

Thanks. That's what I get for blogging late at night.

Dale Lolley said...

I originally had Florida, 2nd Anonymous.

PSUnGA said...

Do you think its a ploy that they are not meeting Pouncey? If there not meeting with him at all i dont see the steelers taking him in the draft.

If they dont take him...i am not worried that the sky will fall

Dale Lolley said...

They met with Mike Pouncey at the combine. They know all about him that they need to know.

Anonymous said...

^ Thats he's a stud and won"t be there for the steelers to pick unless they move up.... Which I think is a good possibility.. The late teens should get it done.

Dale Lolley said...

I don't think so. To move up that high, they'd probably have to give up their second-round pick. That would mean they'd be trying to fill a hole a CB with a third or fourth-rounder. They've been doing that long enough.
Plus, I don't think Mike Pouncey is as good as his brother.

PSUnGA said...

Steelers may trade up for a player they really want but i know it wont be for Mike pouncey.

When Maurkice was going into the draft the media was saying he was the best center in 10 years(if i recall). Glad to have him too. Because of his name some team will pull the gun early and draft Pouncey 2.0

Anonymous said...

Pouncey isn't going in the top 20 probably not even in the top 25

So they might be able to get him or trade up a few spots to get him if they really want him

Anonymous said...

"Wonder Twin powers, activate!"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Twins

Twin power=the sum of the two together in combination is greater than the sum of the two in isolation

I think Mike would perform best next to his brother as he has done his whole career (championship teams in HS and college) As good as Maurkice is, he would be even better next to his brother.

We know offensive line is a lot about the feel of the person next to you. The fluidity that comes from knowing where the lineman next to you is at all times cannot be taught. It just takes years of acclimation.

These two already have it. Both will be great lineman in the NFL but they have a chance of being the first HOF twins ever if paired together on the Steelers. (and they could take their superbowl rings and pair them together a la the Wonder Twins)

If Mike is available after about 27I say move up and draft him. If not, we can find other good players at our position and we should stay put as long as somebody they like is available.

Mrs. Isaac Redman

Dale Lolley said...

While I agree with the statement that Mike Pouncey may be better for the Steelers than he would for other teams, I don't give up my draft for a guard. And there's no way that Pouncey makes it out of the first 25 picks.
They would have to give up, at least, a third and/or possibly a second to move up into range.

Jim said...

Wasn't faneca a first round draft choice?

Dale Lolley said...

Faneca was a first-round pick. But they didn't trade up to get him.

Anonymous said...

If Mike Pouncey goes in the top 25, and he may, that's a major, major reach.

He's a G. You don't draft a G inside the top 20 unless he's the next John Hannah...and Mike isn't. I'm of the opinion that you don't draft a G in the first round period, but that's me(certainly not top 25). You certainly shouldn't trade UP to draft one. They just aren't a premium position.

I watched just about every collegiate game of Mike's/Maurkice's career. There's a reason Mike didn't come out early and Maurkice did. Mike isn't as good and he is absolutely going to have to be a G in the pros.

Dale Lolley said...

I agree with that. If Mike Pouncey's name was Mike Smith and he wasn't Maurkice's twin brother, he'd be a late first-round guy. But because of the success his brother had, he's going to be selected higher.