It's quiet time for a couple of weeks around the Steelers as the rookies get some time to digest their new playbooks and the veterans continue their OTA activities.
One thing that did catch my eye this week was that the Steelers put a claim in on Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger.
They didn't get him, of course, since they were way down the list. Swearinger landed in Tampa Bay.
But the fact that the former second-round pick, who wore out his welcome in Houston after just two seasons, was on Pittsburgh's radar speaks volumes about what the team feels about its current safeties.
I liked Swearinger a lot coming out of South Carolina. He was feisty. He liked to hit - hard. He constantly showed up when I watched the Gamecocks.
That doesn't mean he wasn't without his issues. He showed a me-first tendency that I felt would have to be coached out of him. That didn't happen in Houston.
He also is best used as a box safety.
Was it just a case of the Steelers putting in a claim on a good player to perhaps block him from landing in Baltimore, which also put in a claim? Perhaps.
We might never know. But the fact the Steelers put in a claim on him certainly raises an eyebrow.
i see the waiver claim as a "no stone unturned" approach. clearly, the secondary is a focal point for them. I expect the competition their to be quite high in training camp this year and look forward to seeing who emerges. considering cortez allen's previous confidence issues, I'm not so sure he will be able to hold up mentally if someone is giving him a real tough battle.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of quiet, what's up with Bell's appeal?
ReplyDeleteHey, it's all about competition. The better players you can land, the better the competition for roster spots. The ILB and OLB spots have went from weak areas lacking in depth to a real fight for roster spots. Considering the amount of money that other FA CBs received, the deal that Brice McCain signed for in Miami doesn't seem so bad now. I hope that one doesn't come back to bite the Steelers as he did play well when Cortez unraveled. Well, at least the Steelers will get a 6th or 7th round compensatory pick for McCain in next year's draft. That's at least something.
ReplyDeleteDale, what do you think about these 6 CBs to go to war with for an NFL season:
ReplyDelete1) W. Gay 2) C. Allen 3) A. Blake 4) S. Golson 5) B. Webb 6) D. Grant
Any cause for concern?
If they can keep Cortez Allen from biting a poison apple and lapsing into another coma, they might be alright. Hi-ho, hi-ho.
ReplyDeleteI think Golson will wind up pushing Blake to the bench.
ReplyDeleteI like what they've added to their CB group.
Nothing to report on Bell's appeal at this point.
Putting in this claim doens't show much faith in Shamarko...
ReplyDeleteIt MIGHT show a lack of faith. BUT, they drafted NO safeties in the draft. That also MIGHT show faith in him
ReplyDeletewhich leads us to the reality- We dont know crap. Heck, if Dale himself isnt sure then what do we as fans know
Has anyone else watched tape on Lemon AKA Peezy jr? This kid can roll!!
ReplyDeleteLemon is just a guy. Had one good CFL season. He's not being counted on for anything by the team.
ReplyDeleteDale is The Deflator. You just burst Zeke's bubble regarding Peezy Jr. Lemon.
ReplyDelete