With over 20 years of experience covering the Steelers for the Observer-Reporter, Dale Lolley will let you know the insider scoop. Dale can also be heard on the Steelers radio network pre-game show on WDVE-FM game days and Tuesday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. on ESPN 970-AM and WDVE during the season as a host of the Antonio Brown Show. Follow him on Twitter at @dlolleyor
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Thursday, April 26, 2012
Christmas comes for Steelers
Christmas came early for the Steelers Thursday as the top-rated guard in this year's draft, David DeCastro, dropped right into their laps with the 24th pick.
All night long, I was advocating the Steelers trading up for the former Stanford star if he fell past Cincinnati with the 17th selection.
The Steelers explored that option, but were patient. That's why Kevin Colbert gets paid the big bucks.
Many, including the Steelers didn't see DeCastro dropping that far. In fact, when Colbert said there were seven to 10 players in this draft that were easy evaluations and future stars, DeCastro was one of the players he was talking about.
But a run on pass rushers - Bruce Irvin in the first round? - and the Browns being the Browns - a 28-year-old QB in the first round - allowed DeCastro to fall.
I was yelling at the TV starting at pck 18 for them to trade up for him. Dale, was the explanation for staying at 24 patience or no willing partners? How much of that do they share with you?
ReplyDeleteDale, I am still in shock! Give me the LB from Cal in the 2nd & NT Josh Chapman in the 3rd & let's move 2 Saturday.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great day and Kudos to the Steelers draft room! I wouldn't have been able to restrain myself and would have moved up.
ReplyDeleteThis move is going to have a significant ripple effect across the offense.
Only the Steelers could add so much D on the O line!
datruth - I'm with you on the second and third round guys but think we'll have to trade up in the second for sure and probably in the third as well since ILB and DT is going a little faster then expected.
ReplyDeleteWhat a LUCKY,GREAT, pick!
ReplyDeleteGo Steelers!
The Cowboys may be America's team but the events that led to DeCastro's selection proved the Steelers are God's team! That was divine intervention.
ReplyDeleteI honestly could not be happier with this pick. I am sure we will see a LB and DT in the draft, but I would not be surprised to see another BPA in rd 2, it could even be another OL if they keep falling. The patience of the front office is what leads to the consistency we have in Pittsburgh
ReplyDeleteWe stay put and let Decastro fall to us, the Browns trade away 3 picks to move up one spot...the tale of two cities...
Totally agree with your value prediction in the second. This draft is coming our way.
DeleteWhat a great, great day for the Steel Nation. I never could have expected these events to unfold. Now we are looking at Gilbert - DeCastro - Pouncey - winner of camp battle - Colon. From a weakness to a strength in one pick.
ReplyDeleteThey would have been happy with Hightower as well. They had some players they still liked on the board. They liked DeCastro better than all of them and talked to some teams about moving up.
ReplyDeleteBut once he got to within pick 21, they knew they were going to get one of their guys, with their fingers crossed it would be DeCastro.
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ReplyDeleteOther than Ben, "Redzone" is the biggest beneficiary of DeCastro. He will be DeStroying the DeLine and allowing Redman to DeCapitate the other team . We will all have to become DeCommunist's now that DeCastro is in DeHouse.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Isaac Redman
wow....unfolded great and they made the perfect pick !
ReplyDeleteWow .... jus Wow. I am still in shock and like most was yelling at the TV for them to move up lol
ReplyDeleteTrust in Colbert in the first round as always. Now i cant bitch the rest of the draft tho lol
Dale,
ReplyDeleteI am starting to wish that the Steelers will now trade up and draft Cordy Glenn to be our LG of the future 10 years. We would have 3 interior lineman on the team all 22 years of age. WOW!
Trading our 3rd we could get to spot 9 according to the value chart, up from 24. Thoughts?
Tarheel
ReplyDeleteyou want to invest 2-1's, 2-2's a 3 and big free agent dollars on the 5 o line spots?
I don't think this is a year we can afford to drop the first 3 picks on the O line. I don't think we have to either.
I could see taking another guard if a really good one drops to the 3rd or 4th but we need an ILB and Nose and I don't think another guard is a greater need.
If the o-linemen, continue to drop, that is where the value is and a no brainer imo. If Adams is there at 2-24, you got to take him. There is not the same ILB value in rd 2, that would ba a reach, d-line maybe. I say stick with BPA 1 and need 2. Larry Foote is not a huge drop from Farrior of 2012 and the best thing we can do for the #1 d in the league is score more points and control the clock on O, this O-line is shaping up to do just that.
ReplyDeleteI would not be upset with a DT or ILB in 2 and 3, but if the value is there for a tackle (there a few solid ones on the board) you gotta pull the trigger. I would not mind Ta'amu either, I amm ready for this 2nd round to get started!
EMAC2...yes that is exactly what I am willing to do. This team has had an oline issue since we hired Tomlin. I want it fixed, and this...fixes it for a LONG time.
ReplyDeleteI want Kendricks in the 2nd round
ReplyDeleteI am with you TarheelFlyer. This draft is shaping up for us to get two Ol that could change our O for years to come. There are plenty of LB and DL prospects still out there and our D has not been an issue, we could actually be back to the days of controlling the clock and BOTH lines of scrimage, you think Big Ben is good, wait until he gets a good Oline
ReplyDeletedo you know whats great about beeing a steelers fan? you dont have to think about whom they pick no matter what because you just know the front office will make a great job.
ReplyDeleteI hope the Steelers have taken Adams off their board entirely. He's an idiot. He was an idiot before he tested for weed at the combine and he's a bigger idiot after.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it would be nice to grab another o-linemen I don't think we can afford to neglect the d-line. Pick #2 should be a d-line UNLESS maybe the tackle from Iowa is there or the tackle from Standord. Very exciting draft and even better with the awesome pick we got :). GO STEELERS!
ReplyDeleteI think using our next two picks on another high Oline pick is more like getting really nice wheels then fixing anything. You end up hurting the team overall in the long run.
ReplyDeleteThe line has been a huge problem under Tomlin but given that this is the third year in a row with a first or second round pick being used the personnel is already there for the line to be much better so we can't pretend the current line is a problem in any way.
I am looking for ILB and NT in either order with the next two picks tonight. Could be a running back in there as well if Pead is available in round 3.
ReplyDeleteAt this stage, I'm guessing the top flight O-line prospects will be gone, but there will still be some solid D-line prospects that can contribute right away. For me Brandon Thompson NT, Clemson is a good fit. if he's gone then I would say Alameda Ta'amu, DT/NT, Washington. He's a notch below Thompson but still a solid pick.
ReplyDeleteTa'amu was a guy I was looking at as well. Should be there. Interesting thing is that he and DeCastro have gone head-to-head. Would spend the next 10 years doing so in practice every day.
ReplyDelete"At this stage, I'm guessing the top flight O-line prospects will be gone, but there will still be some solid D-line prospects that can contribute right away."
ReplyDeleteWhy would you "guess" that? just a dumb statement to make
I'm curious what everyone thinks about drafting Cal ILB Kendricks in the second? Be like having two Timmons running around the middle of the field wreaking havoc. Kendricks is pretty explosive..
ReplyDeleteBut realistically he'll be gone before our 2nd pick. I like Ta'amu and Chapman. Don't know enough about the NT from Clemson. Still a ton of talent left on the board, really excited to see two newest Steelers!
Like I said...If Adams is there at 2.24, you gotta take him!
ReplyDelete