The Steelers hosted Louisville safety Calvin Pryor today and some were quick to dismiss the visit because the team had signed Mike Mitchell to play free safety this season.
As Lee Corso likes to say, "Not so fast my friend."
The Steelers did the right thing by bringing Pryor in.
After all, what if, for example, the top 10 players - I'm excluding quarterbacks - on their board are gone, including all of the receivers, corners, linebackers and defensive linemen?
What if the top player remaining on their board when it comes time to pick at 15 is Pryor by a lot and they then find themselves unable to trade back?
Even though strong safety Troy Polamalu just signed a three-year extension, I don't think anyone expects him to play out the end of it. I would expect Polamalu to play this season, see how he feels, and then play again in 2015 if he feels healthy enough.
Beyond that is anyone's guess.
And what happens if Mitchell falls flat on his face or they were to get Pryor into camp and he's simply better? The Steelers aren't into him for a lot of money, so releasing him would not be a huge cap hit.
I'm not saying it's a likely thing that the Steelers would take Pryor, but they do have to do their homework.
18 comments:
One of the guys I was excited about last year was Hawthorne. Perfectly understandable why he didn't make the club last year but as far as I know he hasn't hooked up with another team. Any reason not to have a guy like that in for a tryout at least? I don't recall his injury being anything overly serious and the coaches seemed to like him a lot.
If we take Prior that is it for Shamarko.
That's simply not true, anonymous. Last time I checked, you can play three safeties at a time.
Hawthorne spent so much time injured last year that I think it soured the coaching staff on him.
BTW what up with Hawthorne any chance they re look him again by bringing him into camp
Ok I guess it's an overstatement to say draft Pyror would be game over for Shamarko but it would severely lessen the chance he ever starts at SS.
It would also show the coaches didn't like what they saw last year.
Pryor is a free safety. IF he's the value pick, the so be it.
Wouldn't mean they don't like Thomas.
Regardless, it's unlikely to happen. Plus, if there's somebody out there who covets Pryor, the Steelers bringing him in for a visit tells the other team the Steelers might be interested.
They might be more willing to move up to get him if push comes to shove.
What if they trade down into the 20's when some team covets somebody at the #15 spot and Pryor is still available? That may be the thinking as well.
I really doubt Pryor is the pick at 15 and I think they have a plan at safety. That said, if he was the pick and Shamarko Thomas becomes the top S back up at either spot, plays in certain pass situations and plays well on special teams, is spending a 3rd round pick on him that bad of a deal? (Especially when they knew they were getting a comp 3rd anyway)
Is Nick Williams still part of the team or did they let him go? Just wondering haven't heard about him for a while and i remember lot of people where hyped about him. Same goes for Embernate is he out?
Especially the way teams use tight ends and also the quick screen game. You need a guy who can cover and hit. I wouldnt love the pick either but having quality depth is never a bad thing.
This will be a telling year for Shamarko.
Homegrown...
Both Williams and Embernate are still on the roster and should figure into the teams plans. Each had season ending injuries last year, so hopefully they're healthy and ready to compete.
Thanks, hopefully they can develop Williams he seemed to have potential.
Off topic but I read in another "unnamed" paper in town that Timmons was ranked as the 50th ranked ILB in the league. The source is Matt Miller from the Bleacher Report. Whoever the hell he is. 50th!! Are you kidding me! Sorry I have to vent.
Jimbo
crap they even have Arthur Moats ranked higher. Worthless crap. Why do I bother reading!!
Those things are subjective, much like gauging offensive line play.
I stop reading pretty much anytime someone is writing about offensive or defensive line play and uses the phrase "according to profootballfocus"
It's a good web site and I use some of their stuff for snap counts and such, but it's certainly not the gospel.
But people use it to back their argument or beliefs like it is.
As for Embernate and Williams, both will get a good long look this year. Both were around teh facility a lot last year.
thoughts out for anyone at my old high school, franklin regional.
Dale,
Any chance on the Steelers looking ILB C.J. Mosley in the 1st round? I know they have a few bodies at the position but he looks like a plug and play 4-down LB to me. He and Timmons being on the field at all times I think would greatly improve our run D as well as pass D.
curious what people think Alex Mack's deal does for Pouncey's chance of staying with Steelers, assuming he puts together a solid season.
I say he is gone after this season. Can't pay the guy $10 mil/year
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