Continuing with the Steelers' top 25 series, here are players No. 20-16. Keep in mind, no rookies are being ranked:
20. Will Johnson, FB. Johnson is a meat-and-potato guy who could be much more. He's big and fast and could be a bigger weapon in 2014 after getting just 10 touches in 2013.
19. Steve McLendon, NT. McLendon unfairly took the brunt of the blame for the Steelers' shoddy run defense in 2013. Many of the big gains that hurt them and their overall average were when he wasn't on the field or ran to the outside, away from the middle. Is he Casey Hampton. No. But he's solid. Many of the same people ripping him in 2013 were the same ones calling for him to play more in 2012.
18. Marcus Gilbert, RT. Gilbert is heading into a contract year hoping to hold off Mike Adams at right tackle. To this point, he's done just that. Again, he's not spectacular, but he's a decent NFL starter who still has some upside.
17. Ramon Foster, LG. Foster was forced to be the brains of the outfit up front in 2013 when Maurkice Pouncey went down. He worked with Fernando Velasco to get him up to speed, then did the same with Cody Wallace. Foster is solid and, like the rest of his linemates, still getting better.
16. Cortez Allen, CB. Allen, to this point, has barely scratched the surface on his talent. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if he jumped up into the top 10 in terms of value to the Steelers in 2014. He's big, he's got speed and he's smart in coverage. An ankle injury held him back to some extent in 2013. But he could break out in 2014. The Steelers should sign him to a contract extension before the season starts, if he'll go for it.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Ranking the Steelers' top 25
We're in that dead period. You know the one; the time in between the end of mini-camp and the start of training camp.
There's just not a lot happening right now, especially since the NFL instituted a rookie salary cap. Heck, even the rookies are now signed.
So I'm going to start something new to pass the time. I'm going to rank the Steelers' top 25 players. Why 25? Why not? It's a nice round number and I'll do five each week until the start of training camp July 25.
So here's the first installment. As a side note, I'm not going to rank rookies since they haven't played an NFL game as of yet.
No. 25. Markus Wheaton, WR - Wheaton is expected to start this season, but he's not there yet. He has flashed the ability on the practice field but we haven't see it in a game as of yet. If the Steelers are going to be better than 8-8 this season, they need Wheaton to play his way into a much higher spot on this list.
No. 24. Mike Adams, OT - I know this one is going to draw some fire. But Adams is entering just his third NFL season. It's way too early to give up on him. He's running second team behind Marcus Gilbert at RT heading into training camp, but that could certainly change. The upside potential is still there and he's an excellent run blocker. Can he become a credible pass blocker? That remains to be seen.
No. 23. Cam Thomas, DE - Thomas is a big body and maybe the Steelers can coax some solid play out of him, but he lost his starting job at nose tackle in San Diego at the end of last season. Thomas is going to be in the mix at both defensive end and nose tackle, but he's going to be looking over his shoulder all season at second-round pick Stephon Tuitt.
No. 22. Jarvis Jones, OLB - The 2013 first-round draft pick was basically handed a starting job last season but lost it. He was thinking on the field too much in 2013 and it showed. Like Wheaton, if the Steelers are going to make a push for the playoffs in 2014, Jones has to push his ranking higher
No. 21. William Gay, CB - If you believe ProFootballFocus.com, Gay was one of the best corners in the league in 2013. But I trust my eyes. Gay isn't nearly as bad as some fans would lead you to believe, but he's not one of the top corners in the league, either. He's a solid No. 3.
There's just not a lot happening right now, especially since the NFL instituted a rookie salary cap. Heck, even the rookies are now signed.
So I'm going to start something new to pass the time. I'm going to rank the Steelers' top 25 players. Why 25? Why not? It's a nice round number and I'll do five each week until the start of training camp July 25.
So here's the first installment. As a side note, I'm not going to rank rookies since they haven't played an NFL game as of yet.
No. 25. Markus Wheaton, WR - Wheaton is expected to start this season, but he's not there yet. He has flashed the ability on the practice field but we haven't see it in a game as of yet. If the Steelers are going to be better than 8-8 this season, they need Wheaton to play his way into a much higher spot on this list.
No. 24. Mike Adams, OT - I know this one is going to draw some fire. But Adams is entering just his third NFL season. It's way too early to give up on him. He's running second team behind Marcus Gilbert at RT heading into training camp, but that could certainly change. The upside potential is still there and he's an excellent run blocker. Can he become a credible pass blocker? That remains to be seen.
No. 23. Cam Thomas, DE - Thomas is a big body and maybe the Steelers can coax some solid play out of him, but he lost his starting job at nose tackle in San Diego at the end of last season. Thomas is going to be in the mix at both defensive end and nose tackle, but he's going to be looking over his shoulder all season at second-round pick Stephon Tuitt.
No. 22. Jarvis Jones, OLB - The 2013 first-round draft pick was basically handed a starting job last season but lost it. He was thinking on the field too much in 2013 and it showed. Like Wheaton, if the Steelers are going to make a push for the playoffs in 2014, Jones has to push his ranking higher
No. 21. William Gay, CB - If you believe ProFootballFocus.com, Gay was one of the best corners in the league in 2013. But I trust my eyes. Gay isn't nearly as bad as some fans would lead you to believe, but he's not one of the top corners in the league, either. He's a solid No. 3.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Mini-camp, that's a wrap
How intent was Mike Tomlin in getting a full day of practice in on Thursday for the final day of mini-camp?
So much so that when the skies opened up Thursday during the afternoon practice, he quickly moved the team indoors.
Some would say the extra hour of practice the team got indoors was no big deal, but when you're breaking in a new free safety and rookie inside linebacker, all the reps are important. That's especially true considered strong safety Troy Polamalu had missed all of the OTAs and needed the extra time working with Mike Mitchell.
Tomlin had traditionally let the team leave following the morning walk through. That wasn't happening today.
@ That should be a pretty good preview of what's going to happen at training camp this year. There will be no wasted practice dates.
This is a team with a lot of new (and young) components and the more practice time they can get, the better.
The new CBA severely limits how often and how intense teams can practice, which hurts teams that have a lot of turnover.
That typically hasn't been the Steelers, but it is the boat in which they now find themselves.
@ There's a growing buzz around this current Steelers team. I was talking with Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette, who also writes for the Sporting News - for which I had a longtime subscription but didn't know still existed - and he said the publication was picking the Steelers to win the AFC North in its yearly preview magazine.
I'm not surprised by that, though I'd still say Cincinnati is the overall favorite.
I think the Steelers are a definite playoff team this year from what I've seen. Regardless, their two games with Cincinnati in December should be huge.
@ Todd Haley called this the deepest receiver group he's had. That might be true. There are a bevy of seemingly equal talents fighting for a roster spot after the top four - Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Lance Moore and Martavis Bryant (on scholarship).
And they all bring something a little different.
I'd say the battle right now is between Justin Brown and Darius Heyward-Bey, but I'm not counting anyone out. After all, Derek Moye made the roster last season based on a couple of nice plays in the preseason.
@ Jason Worilds was excused from today's practice.
@ The Steelers remain interested in free agent cornerback Brandon Flowers. I'm not sure where he would fit into the mix, but the team is about $6 million under the salary cap and the only corner among their top four signed for next year is William Gay.
So much so that when the skies opened up Thursday during the afternoon practice, he quickly moved the team indoors.
Some would say the extra hour of practice the team got indoors was no big deal, but when you're breaking in a new free safety and rookie inside linebacker, all the reps are important. That's especially true considered strong safety Troy Polamalu had missed all of the OTAs and needed the extra time working with Mike Mitchell.
Tomlin had traditionally let the team leave following the morning walk through. That wasn't happening today.
@ That should be a pretty good preview of what's going to happen at training camp this year. There will be no wasted practice dates.
This is a team with a lot of new (and young) components and the more practice time they can get, the better.
The new CBA severely limits how often and how intense teams can practice, which hurts teams that have a lot of turnover.
That typically hasn't been the Steelers, but it is the boat in which they now find themselves.
@ There's a growing buzz around this current Steelers team. I was talking with Gerry Dulac of the Post-Gazette, who also writes for the Sporting News - for which I had a longtime subscription but didn't know still existed - and he said the publication was picking the Steelers to win the AFC North in its yearly preview magazine.
I'm not surprised by that, though I'd still say Cincinnati is the overall favorite.
I think the Steelers are a definite playoff team this year from what I've seen. Regardless, their two games with Cincinnati in December should be huge.
@ Todd Haley called this the deepest receiver group he's had. That might be true. There are a bevy of seemingly equal talents fighting for a roster spot after the top four - Antonio Brown, Markus Wheaton, Lance Moore and Martavis Bryant (on scholarship).
And they all bring something a little different.
I'd say the battle right now is between Justin Brown and Darius Heyward-Bey, but I'm not counting anyone out. After all, Derek Moye made the roster last season based on a couple of nice plays in the preseason.
@ Jason Worilds was excused from today's practice.
@ The Steelers remain interested in free agent cornerback Brandon Flowers. I'm not sure where he would fit into the mix, but the team is about $6 million under the salary cap and the only corner among their top four signed for next year is William Gay.
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Day two of minicamp
The Steelers just completed their second day of minicamp Wednesday and will wrap things up Thursday.
Usually, Mike Tomlin has cut his troops free early, but I don't think that will happen this year with so many new faces in key spots. Every practice counts.
@ Ben Roethlisberger confirmed today that Dri Archer is working with the running backs one day and the receivers the next.
The Steelers want Archer to learn both roles, which will give them some flexibility when he's on the field.
Opponents won't be able to key on him just coming into the huddle. They'll need to figure out if he's lining up at running back or receiver.
@ Roethlisberger also confirmed what some other guys have been saying about the Steelers wanting to increase the number of packages from which they can run their no-huddle.
The idea is to start a drive at a regular pace and then go no-huddle at a moment's notice to catch the other team in a bad personnel package.
@ Talked to a source today about cornerback Brandon Flowers, who was released recently by Kansas City.
The Steelers have some interest in Flowers, though they're not about to go overboard to acquire him.
@ Martavis Bryant was back working today after sitting out Tuesday with an illness.
@ Here is how misinformation gets passed along.
One of the local newspapers did a story quoting a couple of national analysts - nobody from the Steelers - about how the team could be considering a shift to the 4-3 defense.
One of the analysts is an NFL Network guy.
A day after the story runs in said local paper, again, with nobody from the Steelers saying anything of the sort, the NFL Network starts tweeting that the Steelers are considering changing to a 4-3, with the source being their own guys answering a question.
And people wonder why I get frustrated with this job.
@ The Steelers released corner Deion Belue and signed running back Jordan Hall.
@ Congrats to the Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette for being named the 2014 McCants Award winner for a career of excellence covering the NFL.
Usually, Mike Tomlin has cut his troops free early, but I don't think that will happen this year with so many new faces in key spots. Every practice counts.
@ Ben Roethlisberger confirmed today that Dri Archer is working with the running backs one day and the receivers the next.
The Steelers want Archer to learn both roles, which will give them some flexibility when he's on the field.
Opponents won't be able to key on him just coming into the huddle. They'll need to figure out if he's lining up at running back or receiver.
@ Roethlisberger also confirmed what some other guys have been saying about the Steelers wanting to increase the number of packages from which they can run their no-huddle.
The idea is to start a drive at a regular pace and then go no-huddle at a moment's notice to catch the other team in a bad personnel package.
@ Talked to a source today about cornerback Brandon Flowers, who was released recently by Kansas City.
The Steelers have some interest in Flowers, though they're not about to go overboard to acquire him.
@ Martavis Bryant was back working today after sitting out Tuesday with an illness.
@ Here is how misinformation gets passed along.
One of the local newspapers did a story quoting a couple of national analysts - nobody from the Steelers - about how the team could be considering a shift to the 4-3 defense.
One of the analysts is an NFL Network guy.
A day after the story runs in said local paper, again, with nobody from the Steelers saying anything of the sort, the NFL Network starts tweeting that the Steelers are considering changing to a 4-3, with the source being their own guys answering a question.
And people wonder why I get frustrated with this job.
@ The Steelers released corner Deion Belue and signed running back Jordan Hall.
@ Congrats to the Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette for being named the 2014 McCants Award winner for a career of excellence covering the NFL.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Mini-camp opens
I spent a lot of time watching Joey Porter work today with the outside linebackers during position drills on the opening day of the Steelers' min-camp.
Porter is coaching it with the same intensity with which he played.
When young linebackers didn't do a drill right, Porter would physically step in and show them the right way to do it, then make then do it again and again, until they got it just right.
"I want you to get the proper technique," he yelled at rookie outside linebacker Howard Jones at one point. "I don't care how fast you do it. I'd rather you do it slow and do it right than do it fast and do it wrong."
Porter was talking specifically with Jones, a Shepherd product, about getting his hips squared while working on his swim move against tackling dummies. Jones slowed down and did the drill correct.
@ How into practices is Porter? He's the only coach I've seen that has to ice his knees during practice.
Part of the reason for that is having spent 10-plus years playing in the NFL. But he's also very active out there.
@ You see the difference between the veterans and the younger guys in their positional drills. The vets do them with confidence and explosion. The younger guys are still feeling their way through the process.
@ Spoke with rookie tight end Eric Waters today about his days at Missouri.
I wondered how it was he had just eight receptions last season and 14 for his career.
"Being targeted less than 10 times in a season, it sucks," said Waters. "Once I get the opportunity at this level, it will be showing everybody else that (Missouri) had a weapon that was never used."
My guess is that Waters won't have any of the Missouri coaches on his Christmas card list.
@ Waters' statement was similar to the one a couple of weeks ago from California (Pa.) wideout C.J. Goodwin, who caught just 11 passes in his only season for the Vulcans.
Goodwin has made a number of acrobatic catches in the short time he's been with the Steelers, including a couple today. It wouldn't surprise me if he makes a strong push to make the practice squad - though the true test will come when the hitting starts for real.
It's easy to make catches when you know you won't be hit. Doing so when you know you're going to get crushed is sometimes another matter.
But Goodwin is certainly very athletic.
@ Troy Polamalu was at the team's facilities today for the mandatory practice sessions. New free safety Mike Mitchell said he looks forward to learning from Polamalu.
The dynamic between those two should be interesting. Polamalu and Ryan Clark are the best of friends. He and Mitchell don't have to be quite that close, but it would certainly help speed the process for them to get on the same page if they spent some time together.
As Mitchell said, "Us playing together for the first time, he needs to know how I play and how I think. I need to see how he responds to certain situations, handles emotions."
@ Jason Worilds was back on the field for position drills on Tuesday after sitting out the OTAs with an unspecified injury. He's able to run and do conditioning work.
@ Members of the Penn State coaching staff, including head coach James Franklin, were in attendance at practice today.
Porter is coaching it with the same intensity with which he played.
When young linebackers didn't do a drill right, Porter would physically step in and show them the right way to do it, then make then do it again and again, until they got it just right.
"I want you to get the proper technique," he yelled at rookie outside linebacker Howard Jones at one point. "I don't care how fast you do it. I'd rather you do it slow and do it right than do it fast and do it wrong."
Porter was talking specifically with Jones, a Shepherd product, about getting his hips squared while working on his swim move against tackling dummies. Jones slowed down and did the drill correct.
@ How into practices is Porter? He's the only coach I've seen that has to ice his knees during practice.
Part of the reason for that is having spent 10-plus years playing in the NFL. But he's also very active out there.
@ You see the difference between the veterans and the younger guys in their positional drills. The vets do them with confidence and explosion. The younger guys are still feeling their way through the process.
@ Spoke with rookie tight end Eric Waters today about his days at Missouri.
I wondered how it was he had just eight receptions last season and 14 for his career.
"Being targeted less than 10 times in a season, it sucks," said Waters. "Once I get the opportunity at this level, it will be showing everybody else that (Missouri) had a weapon that was never used."
My guess is that Waters won't have any of the Missouri coaches on his Christmas card list.
@ Waters' statement was similar to the one a couple of weeks ago from California (Pa.) wideout C.J. Goodwin, who caught just 11 passes in his only season for the Vulcans.
Goodwin has made a number of acrobatic catches in the short time he's been with the Steelers, including a couple today. It wouldn't surprise me if he makes a strong push to make the practice squad - though the true test will come when the hitting starts for real.
It's easy to make catches when you know you won't be hit. Doing so when you know you're going to get crushed is sometimes another matter.
But Goodwin is certainly very athletic.
@ Troy Polamalu was at the team's facilities today for the mandatory practice sessions. New free safety Mike Mitchell said he looks forward to learning from Polamalu.
The dynamic between those two should be interesting. Polamalu and Ryan Clark are the best of friends. He and Mitchell don't have to be quite that close, but it would certainly help speed the process for them to get on the same page if they spent some time together.
As Mitchell said, "Us playing together for the first time, he needs to know how I play and how I think. I need to see how he responds to certain situations, handles emotions."
@ Jason Worilds was back on the field for position drills on Tuesday after sitting out the OTAs with an unspecified injury. He's able to run and do conditioning work.
@ Members of the Penn State coaching staff, including head coach James Franklin, were in attendance at practice today.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Summing up Chuck Noll
I started covering the Steelers in 1993, two years after Chuck Noll retired. But his legacy on the team was obvious every time you walked into Three Rivers Stadium and, later, the Steelers offices on the South Side or Heinz Field.
He created what is now commonly known as the Steelers' way.
Here are my thoughts on Noll and what he meant to the team http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20140614/COLUMN0103/140619681#.U50TevldWGc
He created what is now commonly known as the Steelers' way.
Here are my thoughts on Noll and what he meant to the team http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20140614/COLUMN0103/140619681#.U50TevldWGc
Thursday, June 12, 2014
OTA's wrap up with Pouncey contract
The Steelers wrapped up their OTAs for this offseason with the announcement that they had signed center Maurkice Pouncey to what amounts to a six-year, $48-million deal.
Sounds like a lot, right? It is, until you look at the overall numbers.
While Pouncey's deal makes him the NFL's highest-paid center, in a couple of seasons, he'll probably be the seventh or eighth highest-paid player at his position.
And his 2014 cap hit of $3.6 million isn't anywhere near the top of the charts for centers, and is far less than the $5.26 million he was scheduled to count against the cap this season. Editor's Note: The savings doesn't take into account $1.4 million of remaining bonus money from his rookie deal. So the savings in 2014 is actually about $250,000.
So, in reality, the Steelers just saved themselves some cap space this season while also locking up a player who was the first center in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.
Is there a downside? Sure. Maybe Pouncey comes back and isn't the player he was before tearing his ACL in the first game of last season. Maybe he re-injures the knee. But that's a danger any time you sign a player to a long-term deal in football.
As hard as it is to believe, Pouncey is still just 24 years old. His best football is still ahead of him. And his contract extension Thursday made sure he'll play that best football in Pittsburgh.
@ Some of those trashing the Pouncey signing point to Pro Football Focus' ranking of Pouncey outside the top 12 in NFL centers as proof.
PFF's rankings are ridiculous. Some of the same people who use the PFF rankings to rip Pouncey also rip cornerback William Gay, who was one of PFF's highest-rated cornerbacks in the NFL last season.
There is no way somebody sitting on a couch somewhere can accurately judge how well or how poorly every player on a football field performed on every given play of a game. It's just not possible without knowing assignments and other things that go into it.
That's not to say that PFF doesn't have some good statistics. The site's breakdowns on where plays are run and such are excellent.
But don't quote me their player rankings as the be-all, end-all. It's just not the case.
@ Mike Mitchell jumped a pass in the red zone today with the kind of closing speed that was reminiscent of a young Troy Polamalu, easily picking it off. It was his second interception at the OTAs this week.
His speed could be a game-changer for the Steelers.
Mitchell, of course, will finally get his first opportunity to work with Polamalu next week at mini-camp.
Polamalu, as he often has, skipped all the OTAs to work out on his own.
@ I look for the Steelers to try to get something done on a contract with Cortez Allen next, assuming Allen wants to do a deal.
Right now, Gay is the only veteran cornerback on the roster signed for next season.
Why wouldn't Allen want to sign now?
He could be looking at Keenan Lewis-type money down the road if he has a big 2014.
It's unlikely the Steelers at this point would offer him a deal in the neighborhood of the five-year, $26.3-million deal Lewis signed with New Orleans.
Sounds like a lot, right? It is, until you look at the overall numbers.
While Pouncey's deal makes him the NFL's highest-paid center, in a couple of seasons, he'll probably be the seventh or eighth highest-paid player at his position.
And his 2014 cap hit of $3.6 million isn't anywhere near the top of the charts for centers, and is far less than the $5.26 million he was scheduled to count against the cap this season. Editor's Note: The savings doesn't take into account $1.4 million of remaining bonus money from his rookie deal. So the savings in 2014 is actually about $250,000.
So, in reality, the Steelers just saved themselves some cap space this season while also locking up a player who was the first center in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl in each of his first three seasons.
Is there a downside? Sure. Maybe Pouncey comes back and isn't the player he was before tearing his ACL in the first game of last season. Maybe he re-injures the knee. But that's a danger any time you sign a player to a long-term deal in football.
As hard as it is to believe, Pouncey is still just 24 years old. His best football is still ahead of him. And his contract extension Thursday made sure he'll play that best football in Pittsburgh.
@ Some of those trashing the Pouncey signing point to Pro Football Focus' ranking of Pouncey outside the top 12 in NFL centers as proof.
PFF's rankings are ridiculous. Some of the same people who use the PFF rankings to rip Pouncey also rip cornerback William Gay, who was one of PFF's highest-rated cornerbacks in the NFL last season.
There is no way somebody sitting on a couch somewhere can accurately judge how well or how poorly every player on a football field performed on every given play of a game. It's just not possible without knowing assignments and other things that go into it.
That's not to say that PFF doesn't have some good statistics. The site's breakdowns on where plays are run and such are excellent.
But don't quote me their player rankings as the be-all, end-all. It's just not the case.
@ Mike Mitchell jumped a pass in the red zone today with the kind of closing speed that was reminiscent of a young Troy Polamalu, easily picking it off. It was his second interception at the OTAs this week.
His speed could be a game-changer for the Steelers.
Mitchell, of course, will finally get his first opportunity to work with Polamalu next week at mini-camp.
Polamalu, as he often has, skipped all the OTAs to work out on his own.
@ I look for the Steelers to try to get something done on a contract with Cortez Allen next, assuming Allen wants to do a deal.
Right now, Gay is the only veteran cornerback on the roster signed for next season.
Why wouldn't Allen want to sign now?
He could be looking at Keenan Lewis-type money down the road if he has a big 2014.
It's unlikely the Steelers at this point would offer him a deal in the neighborhood of the five-year, $26.3-million deal Lewis signed with New Orleans.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Steelers release training camp schedule, practice at Heinz
The Steelers on Tuesday released their training camp schedule. Players will report on Friday, July 25, with the first practice open to the public falling on Saturday, July 26.
All told, 15 practices will be open to the public, including the popular night practice Aug. 1 at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.
One added twist this season will be a pair of dual practices with the Buffalo Bills Aug. 13 and 14 in the leadup to their preseason game at Heinz Field Aug. 16.
The Steelers have not practiced against another NFL team since doing so with the Washington Redskins back in the mid-'90s.
Steelers 2014 Training Camp Schedule
All told, 15 practices will be open to the public, including the popular night practice Aug. 1 at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.
One added twist this season will be a pair of dual practices with the Buffalo Bills Aug. 13 and 14 in the leadup to their preseason game at Heinz Field Aug. 16.
The Steelers have not practiced against another NFL team since doing so with the Washington Redskins back in the mid-'90s.
Steelers 2014 Training Camp Schedule
| DATE | PRACTICE SCHEDULE |
|---|---|
| Friday, July 25 | All players report by 4 p.m. |
| Saturday, July 26 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Sunday, July 27 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Monday, July 28 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Tuesday, July 29 | Players Day Off - no Steelers' practice |
| Wednesday, July 30 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Thursday, July 31 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Friday, August 1 | 7 p.m. Night Practice at Latrobe's Memorial Stadium |
| Saturday, August 2 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Sunday, August 3 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Monday, August 4 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Tuesday, August 5 | Players Day Off - no Steelers' practice |
| Wednesday, August 6 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Thursday, August 7 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Friday, August 8 | No Steelers' practice - team travels |
| Saturday, August 9 | First Preseason Game at N.Y. Giants (7:30 p.m., KDKA-TV) |
| Sunday, August 10 | Players Day Off - no Steelers' practice |
| Monday, August 11 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Tuesday, August 12 | 2:55 p.m. and open to public |
| Wednesday, August 13 | 2:55 p.m. joint practice with Buffalo Bills, open to public |
| Thursday, August 14 | 5:30 p.m. evening practice at Saint Vincent College with Buffalo Bills, open to public |
| Friday, August 15 | No Steelers' practice |
| Saturday, August 16 | Camp Breaks - Second Preseason Game vs. Buffalo Bills (7:30 p.m., KDKA-TV) |
@ The team held an OTA session at Heinz Field on Tuesday and it was a spirited session.
The Steelers have added a second jumbotron in the northwest corner of the stadium and players could get an immediate sense of what was going on by watching the regular jumbotron in the end zone or by looking at the new one. Plans are in place to add a third jumbotron as well.
The team worked on a lot of red zone today and Ben Roethlisberger looked pretty sharp.
Despite his diminutive size, Lance Moore showed he can be a go-to guy in that area. Martavis Bryant also showed some skills on the fade.
@ Mike Tomlin was giving Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount and earful during a special teams session about how the running backs weren't going to be any help on special teams.
Blount said he could return kicks - which he has done in his career. And Tomlin came back at him by saying Blount could return kicks like Najeh Davenport and Gary Russell returned kicks at times for the Steelers.
When Blount used that example as proof that he could do it, too, Tomlin replied, "They did it because we didn't have anybody else."
Tomlin did tell Blount he might get a chance to show his stuff, though.
@ Jason Worilds did some running today, but did not practice.
He was asked after practice if he had a goal for how many sacks he would get this season.
"As many as we can get," he said.
How many is that, he was asked again.
"How many dropbacks we face, 400?" Worilds said.
I haven't looked it up yet, but that would probably be a record.
@ With Worilds sitting out, Chris Carter is getting increased reps, and he's showed a nice burst off the edge.
@ With Worilds sitting out, Chris Carter is getting increased reps, and he's showed a nice burst off the edge.
Thursday, June 05, 2014
A quick interview with Heath Miller
Caught up with Steelers tight end Heath Miller this week during the team's second week of OTAs. Here's what he had to say:
Q: Does it feel good to actually be out here this year?
A: Yeah, certainly. It's always good to do what you're here for, which is to play football. We're all out here laying the groundwork for this season.
Q: There's a lot missing from last year in terms of receptions. How do you pick up the slack for that?
A: There are capable guys on our team and it's going to be fun to see the guys out here working. We've got a good group. It just comes down to how the reps are going to be split up and who's going to be on the field. I have no doubt whoever is going to be out there is going to be more than capable.
Q: Do you feel like you're now 100 percent, completely healthy, with no thoughts whatsoever about your knee?
A: Yeah, I feel good. This process is good for me because I missed it last year. It's good to run around.
Q: What did think of the no huddle?
A: It's good. We're getting a lot of work with it. We're going to continue with it. The last period is good for it. We're tired and we can take the defense and make them tired. It can be a weapon for us.
Q: What did you think of Ben, the way he was reacting out there?
A: He's obviously very comfortable with the no-huddle. He always has been. I think it's going to be good for us, but we all have to be on the same page. Ben likes to do that. He likes to make the calls with the ball in his hands. He's been good at it and I think we can be good at it if we're all on the same page.
Q: He looked less than pleased with the results?
A: I don't know. We'll take a look at it. Like I said, this is the first steps for it. I'm sure this will be the most we've worked on it in the spring, so it will be good for us.
Q: Is that because of all the new faces, you have to put in the extra work with it this year?
A: Certainly. I think it's important to be on the field with him, hearing his calls and knowing what he likes in certain situations. Also, if we can do it within a variety of looks, it will be better, too.
Q: How do you think that will hash out as you move on? Do you think in training camp you'll do a lot more of that kind of stuff than before?
A: I don't know. Time will tell. A lot will depend on how quickly we pick it up as an offense. I think if we can, it can be a good weapon for us. But we have to have 11 guys on the same page, operating in the same manner. That's not an easy thing to do.
@ The Steelers signed first-round draft pick Ryan Shazier to a four-year contract on Thursday, taking advantage of their newfound cap space from their release of LaMarr Woodley.
Q: Does it feel good to actually be out here this year?
A: Yeah, certainly. It's always good to do what you're here for, which is to play football. We're all out here laying the groundwork for this season.
Q: There's a lot missing from last year in terms of receptions. How do you pick up the slack for that?
A: There are capable guys on our team and it's going to be fun to see the guys out here working. We've got a good group. It just comes down to how the reps are going to be split up and who's going to be on the field. I have no doubt whoever is going to be out there is going to be more than capable.
Q: Do you feel like you're now 100 percent, completely healthy, with no thoughts whatsoever about your knee?
A: Yeah, I feel good. This process is good for me because I missed it last year. It's good to run around.
Q: What did think of the no huddle?
A: It's good. We're getting a lot of work with it. We're going to continue with it. The last period is good for it. We're tired and we can take the defense and make them tired. It can be a weapon for us.
Q: What did you think of Ben, the way he was reacting out there?
A: He's obviously very comfortable with the no-huddle. He always has been. I think it's going to be good for us, but we all have to be on the same page. Ben likes to do that. He likes to make the calls with the ball in his hands. He's been good at it and I think we can be good at it if we're all on the same page.
Q: He looked less than pleased with the results?
A: I don't know. We'll take a look at it. Like I said, this is the first steps for it. I'm sure this will be the most we've worked on it in the spring, so it will be good for us.
Q: Is that because of all the new faces, you have to put in the extra work with it this year?
A: Certainly. I think it's important to be on the field with him, hearing his calls and knowing what he likes in certain situations. Also, if we can do it within a variety of looks, it will be better, too.
Q: How do you think that will hash out as you move on? Do you think in training camp you'll do a lot more of that kind of stuff than before?
A: I don't know. Time will tell. A lot will depend on how quickly we pick it up as an offense. I think if we can, it can be a good weapon for us. But we have to have 11 guys on the same page, operating in the same manner. That's not an easy thing to do.
@ The Steelers signed first-round draft pick Ryan Shazier to a four-year contract on Thursday, taking advantage of their newfound cap space from their release of LaMarr Woodley.
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Week 2 of OTAs start
There were a couple of new faces as the Steelers opened their second week of OTAs, as cornerback Ike Taylor was in town for the optional practices and rookie running back Dri Archer returned from a mandatory showing at the rookie symposium.
It didn't bother me that Taylor wasn't at the OTAs last week. There's nothing the team is going over in the first week that he doesn't already know, though it is good for him to be there to show the young guys how to work. Nobody works harder than Taylor.
Some in the media ripped Archer for attending the symposium, but the Steelers had to send somebody there.
The easiest position for a player to play right away in the league is running back. Slot receiver might be second on that list. So why not Archer?
@ As some of you know, I've been saying for months now that Justin Brown, a sixth-round pick last season, was impressive in practice the last month of the 2013 season.
Even though he was running scout team stuff, he made a number of great, acrobatic catches that made me take note.
Given what I've seen thus far, Brown has the inside track on the fifth wide receiver spot with this team.
That won't make Derek Moye fans happy. But Brown just looks better.
@ I would expect the Steelers and Brett Keisel to come to terms on a one-year deal at some point, but probably not until right before training camp starts.
Keisel won't need a ton of reps to come in and play 10 to 15 snaps per game, and having him around for OTAs or mini-camp would only take valuable snaps away from the many new faces the Steelers have on their defensive line.
The same could be said of James Harrison - if the Steelers are interested in bringing him back as a backup. I don't see that move happening at this point, though.
While a reserve defensive end wouldn't be counted on to play special teams, a reserve linebacker would. And I just don't see Harrison playing at lot of special teams at this point in his career.
An injury or two could change that, but it's not like Harrison is sitting at home eating cheese curls. Chances are, he's keeping himself in good shape, and if the Steelers had a major injury at linebacker, he could be at their facility in a moment's notice.
@ The Steelers are adding former California University of Pa. star C.J. Goodwin to their roster.
A receiver, the 6-1, 178-pound Goodwin was a transfer from Fairmont State. He ran a 4.46 40 at his on-campus workout.
Goodwin caught 11 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown last season at California.
It didn't bother me that Taylor wasn't at the OTAs last week. There's nothing the team is going over in the first week that he doesn't already know, though it is good for him to be there to show the young guys how to work. Nobody works harder than Taylor.
Some in the media ripped Archer for attending the symposium, but the Steelers had to send somebody there.
The easiest position for a player to play right away in the league is running back. Slot receiver might be second on that list. So why not Archer?
@ As some of you know, I've been saying for months now that Justin Brown, a sixth-round pick last season, was impressive in practice the last month of the 2013 season.
Even though he was running scout team stuff, he made a number of great, acrobatic catches that made me take note.
Given what I've seen thus far, Brown has the inside track on the fifth wide receiver spot with this team.
That won't make Derek Moye fans happy. But Brown just looks better.
@ I would expect the Steelers and Brett Keisel to come to terms on a one-year deal at some point, but probably not until right before training camp starts.
Keisel won't need a ton of reps to come in and play 10 to 15 snaps per game, and having him around for OTAs or mini-camp would only take valuable snaps away from the many new faces the Steelers have on their defensive line.
The same could be said of James Harrison - if the Steelers are interested in bringing him back as a backup. I don't see that move happening at this point, though.
While a reserve defensive end wouldn't be counted on to play special teams, a reserve linebacker would. And I just don't see Harrison playing at lot of special teams at this point in his career.
An injury or two could change that, but it's not like Harrison is sitting at home eating cheese curls. Chances are, he's keeping himself in good shape, and if the Steelers had a major injury at linebacker, he could be at their facility in a moment's notice.
@ The Steelers are adding former California University of Pa. star C.J. Goodwin to their roster.
A receiver, the 6-1, 178-pound Goodwin was a transfer from Fairmont State. He ran a 4.46 40 at his on-campus workout.
Goodwin caught 11 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown last season at California.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
A quick Q&A with Cam Heyward
Caught up with Cam Heyward today as the Steelers finished up their first week of OTAs. Here's what the emerging star at defensive end had to say:
Q: Your room is going to have a whole different look to it this year. What kind of adjustment is that going to be for you?
A: I can't tell yet. I'm still learning the guys, and guys are trying to pick up stuff. We'll see once camp comes.
Q: Do you feel like there's more pressure on you now, given the guys who are gone, to step up and be a leader?
A: Shoot, I put enough pressure on myself. The last thing I want to think about is somebody else putting pressure on me. I've got goals and I'm looking for more team goals than individual goals. If we can hit those, we're all good.
Q: What are some of those team goals?
A: To be the No. 1 defense. Coach (Dick) LeBeau put it up for us. We struggled last year. We were 13th. In the last 10 years, we've had four or five No. 1 defenses. We've got to get back to that.
Q: Does it seem strange to say you struggled and you were 13th? Struggling is like 30th, isn't it?
A: That's the thing. Our bar is set a lot higher than other places. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Q: What do you think the dynamic is going to be like without some of the guys who are now gone? No Ziggy (Hood). No Brett (Keisel)? If you look back two years ago with what you had, it's completely different.
A: Right. We don't know what our roster is going to be once camp is done. Everybody is going to have to contribute. I'm looking for everybody to put their best foot forward and just continue to grow.
Q: It's been very tough for rookies to come in here and help out and play a lot, as you saw. Stephon (Tuitt) is coming in, and the team kind of stepped out of character and even Dick (LeBeau) said Tuitt has a chance to contribute a lot right away.
A: Everybody has a chance. It's about seizing that. We'll see how he develops and how he grows. I know he's going to be a great player one day. You don't know when it's going to happen. It could be this year, next year, whenever. Everybody grows different. You've just got to learn. That's the thing about the NFL, you're constantly learning. Hopefully, he can take in all of that information.
Q: Your room is going to have a whole different look to it this year. What kind of adjustment is that going to be for you?
A: I can't tell yet. I'm still learning the guys, and guys are trying to pick up stuff. We'll see once camp comes.
Q: Do you feel like there's more pressure on you now, given the guys who are gone, to step up and be a leader?
A: Shoot, I put enough pressure on myself. The last thing I want to think about is somebody else putting pressure on me. I've got goals and I'm looking for more team goals than individual goals. If we can hit those, we're all good.
Q: What are some of those team goals?
A: To be the No. 1 defense. Coach (Dick) LeBeau put it up for us. We struggled last year. We were 13th. In the last 10 years, we've had four or five No. 1 defenses. We've got to get back to that.
Q: Does it seem strange to say you struggled and you were 13th? Struggling is like 30th, isn't it?
A: That's the thing. Our bar is set a lot higher than other places. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Q: What do you think the dynamic is going to be like without some of the guys who are now gone? No Ziggy (Hood). No Brett (Keisel)? If you look back two years ago with what you had, it's completely different.
A: Right. We don't know what our roster is going to be once camp is done. Everybody is going to have to contribute. I'm looking for everybody to put their best foot forward and just continue to grow.
Q: It's been very tough for rookies to come in here and help out and play a lot, as you saw. Stephon (Tuitt) is coming in, and the team kind of stepped out of character and even Dick (LeBeau) said Tuitt has a chance to contribute a lot right away.
A: Everybody has a chance. It's about seizing that. We'll see how he develops and how he grows. I know he's going to be a great player one day. You don't know when it's going to happen. It could be this year, next year, whenever. Everybody grows different. You've just got to learn. That's the thing about the NFL, you're constantly learning. Hopefully, he can take in all of that information.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Pouncey back on field
The Steelers got a pleasant surprise today as they opened their OTAs with center Maurkice Pouncey fully cleared to return to the field.
Pouncey looked fit and trim lining up with the first-team line and proclaimed himself fit and ready for anything.
"It was a big step," said Pouncey, who missed all but eight plays of the 2013 season with a torn ACL. "For the coaches to see it, for my teammates to see it, for me, myself, to see it, it was pretty cool."
@ In a somewhat surprising move, rookie Ryan Shazier lined up with the first-team defense at inside linebacker from the start.
It was an out-of-character-move for the Steelers, who never hand a starting job to a rookie.
Then again, maybe it wasn't all that surprising since the Steelers stepped out of character on draft day and said Shazier had a very good chance to start.
Why waste time putting somebody else at the spot if you know Shazier is going to be the guy?
But there have been other rookies over the years who were obviously better than the previous starters, and they had to wait at least a few practices or until training camp to grab the spot.
@ Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor were two notable players missing from today's practices.
@ Daniel McCullers does not look like a 352-pound man. He's tall and lanky.
@ New defensive lineman Cam Thomas, on the other hand, looks every bit of the 330 pounds he's listed at.
@ Javis Jones said he has been working hard in the weight room to get stronger. Jones has been working out in Georgia with some other NFL players.
Jones answered nearly every question today raving about new assistant linebackers coach Joey Porter.
Example: Have you gotten stronger this offseason.
Answer: You know, Joey Porter goes in and lifts like he's still a player. . . etc.
Pouncey looked fit and trim lining up with the first-team line and proclaimed himself fit and ready for anything.
"It was a big step," said Pouncey, who missed all but eight plays of the 2013 season with a torn ACL. "For the coaches to see it, for my teammates to see it, for me, myself, to see it, it was pretty cool."
@ In a somewhat surprising move, rookie Ryan Shazier lined up with the first-team defense at inside linebacker from the start.
It was an out-of-character-move for the Steelers, who never hand a starting job to a rookie.
Then again, maybe it wasn't all that surprising since the Steelers stepped out of character on draft day and said Shazier had a very good chance to start.
Why waste time putting somebody else at the spot if you know Shazier is going to be the guy?
But there have been other rookies over the years who were obviously better than the previous starters, and they had to wait at least a few practices or until training camp to grab the spot.
@ Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor were two notable players missing from today's practices.
@ Daniel McCullers does not look like a 352-pound man. He's tall and lanky.
@ New defensive lineman Cam Thomas, on the other hand, looks every bit of the 330 pounds he's listed at.
@ Javis Jones said he has been working hard in the weight room to get stronger. Jones has been working out in Georgia with some other NFL players.
Jones answered nearly every question today raving about new assistant linebackers coach Joey Porter.
Example: Have you gotten stronger this offseason.
Answer: You know, Joey Porter goes in and lifts like he's still a player. . . etc.
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Getting ready for mini-camp
The Steelers will hold their mini-camp next week and will have a completely different look this season - particularly on defense.
While their will be some changes on offense, the majority of the changes on the team will be on the defensive side of the ball.
Mike Mitchell will be at free safety. Jason Woirlds and Jarvis Jones will get all of the first-team reps at linebacker - not a huge change, but LaMarr Woodley won't be sharing that time. Cam Thomas will line up at defensive end opposite Cameron Heyward.
One spot there won't be a change at, at least not yet, will be at inside linebacker next to Lawrence Timmons. Vince Williams will likely open up as the starter - at least for now. But expect rookie Ryan Shazier to be worked in there plenty as well.
The Steelers are that high on their first round pick.
I would expect second-round pick Stephon Tuitt to get some work with the first unit as well, with the team masking it by moving Thomas, a free agent signing, to nose tackle at times.
With so many new faces on defense, this is an important mini-camp for the Steelers. Given the team's schedule this year - with three of their four games against Baltimore and Cleveland coming early in the first six weeks - it can't afford to stumble out of the blocks like it did in 2013 when it started 0-4.
And 0-4 start this season would include losses to both Cleveland and Baltimore, which would be killers.
This team needs to work its defensive starters together as much as possible in mini-camp and training camp to find its continuity.
While their will be some changes on offense, the majority of the changes on the team will be on the defensive side of the ball.
Mike Mitchell will be at free safety. Jason Woirlds and Jarvis Jones will get all of the first-team reps at linebacker - not a huge change, but LaMarr Woodley won't be sharing that time. Cam Thomas will line up at defensive end opposite Cameron Heyward.
One spot there won't be a change at, at least not yet, will be at inside linebacker next to Lawrence Timmons. Vince Williams will likely open up as the starter - at least for now. But expect rookie Ryan Shazier to be worked in there plenty as well.
The Steelers are that high on their first round pick.
I would expect second-round pick Stephon Tuitt to get some work with the first unit as well, with the team masking it by moving Thomas, a free agent signing, to nose tackle at times.
With so many new faces on defense, this is an important mini-camp for the Steelers. Given the team's schedule this year - with three of their four games against Baltimore and Cleveland coming early in the first six weeks - it can't afford to stumble out of the blocks like it did in 2013 when it started 0-4.
And 0-4 start this season would include losses to both Cleveland and Baltimore, which would be killers.
This team needs to work its defensive starters together as much as possible in mini-camp and training camp to find its continuity.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Steelers news and notes
The Steelers concluded their rookie orientation over the weekend, with the big news being the work of Jordan Zumwalt, a sixth round pick, at both inside and outside linebacker.
The pick of Zumwalt was deemed as curious to some because the Steelers had already selected inside linebacker Ryan Shazier in the first round. But at 6-4, 236, Zumwalt has the length to line up outside as well - if he can develop some kind of pass rush moves.
Remember, he played at UCLA, which ran a defense similar to what the Steelers employ under the tutelage of former Steelers assistant Lou Spanos. And Zumwalt was the play caller for the Bruins, which means he should have a pretty good working knowledge of the defense.
Zumwalt isn't being counted on as a starter. So if he's going to make this team as a special teams ace - which is what the Steelers envision - it will help his cause greatly if he can provide some position flexibility.
* I've seen numerous reports of teams who wanted to get into position to draft Shazier, whom the Steelers selected with the 15th pick in the first round.
Dallas was going to take him at 16 if the Steelers did not, and Green Bay, which picked a few spots later, was also hot for the speedy linebacker.
The latest team that emerged with an interest in Shazier is Atlanta, which reportedly tried to trade up after making its first-round pick to get him. The Falcons found the price to move up out of the early portion of the second round to be too steep.
* The Steelers signed a pair of their draft picks, nose tackle Daniel McCullers and tight end Rob Blanchflower, to four-year contracts on Monday.
Those are the easy ones and come at no real cost against the cap. But the higher-drafted players won't be signing until after June 1.
* The Steelers will add 3,000 seats to Heinz Field for the 2015 season. No tax money will be used to finance the seating. But ticket holders will see a surcharge of $1 to help finance the expansion.
* Saw a photo on Twitter today showing three former Towson players together in the Browns' locker room.
That has to be neat for Towson, but I'm not sure what it says about the Browns.
OK, maybe I am. It would be a lot better for Cleveland if those three players were all from, say, Alabama, instead of Towson, which, last time I checked isn't going to be confused for a football factory.
The pick of Zumwalt was deemed as curious to some because the Steelers had already selected inside linebacker Ryan Shazier in the first round. But at 6-4, 236, Zumwalt has the length to line up outside as well - if he can develop some kind of pass rush moves.
Remember, he played at UCLA, which ran a defense similar to what the Steelers employ under the tutelage of former Steelers assistant Lou Spanos. And Zumwalt was the play caller for the Bruins, which means he should have a pretty good working knowledge of the defense.
Zumwalt isn't being counted on as a starter. So if he's going to make this team as a special teams ace - which is what the Steelers envision - it will help his cause greatly if he can provide some position flexibility.
* I've seen numerous reports of teams who wanted to get into position to draft Shazier, whom the Steelers selected with the 15th pick in the first round.
Dallas was going to take him at 16 if the Steelers did not, and Green Bay, which picked a few spots later, was also hot for the speedy linebacker.
The latest team that emerged with an interest in Shazier is Atlanta, which reportedly tried to trade up after making its first-round pick to get him. The Falcons found the price to move up out of the early portion of the second round to be too steep.
* The Steelers signed a pair of their draft picks, nose tackle Daniel McCullers and tight end Rob Blanchflower, to four-year contracts on Monday.
Those are the easy ones and come at no real cost against the cap. But the higher-drafted players won't be signing until after June 1.
* The Steelers will add 3,000 seats to Heinz Field for the 2015 season. No tax money will be used to finance the seating. But ticket holders will see a surcharge of $1 to help finance the expansion.
* Saw a photo on Twitter today showing three former Towson players together in the Browns' locker room.
That has to be neat for Towson, but I'm not sure what it says about the Browns.
OK, maybe I am. It would be a lot better for Cleveland if those three players were all from, say, Alabama, instead of Towson, which, last time I checked isn't going to be confused for a football factory.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
A look at the Steelers draft picks
1. (15) Ryan Shazier, ILB, Ohio State. I had Shazier on my radar going into the draft. He's like a heat-seeking missile. But I, like everyone else, fell into the trap of thinking the Steelers HAD to take a wide receiver or cornerback, overlooking the need at inside linebacker. I didn't think the Steelers would take the second coming of Lawrence Timmons because, you know, they already had Timmons. But is there something wrong with having two of those guys? Should start right away. Passed on: Darqueze Dennard (CB)
2. (46) Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame. Almost a no-brainer when he fell into their lap in the second round. Had Tuitt not been injured in his final season and then showed up at the combine with a stress fracture in his foot, he would have been a first round pick and possible consideration for the Steelers in the first round. A solid pass rusher from the end position who can also stop the run in the same vein as Cam Heyward. There's a very good chance he'll start right away as well. Passed on: Davante Adams (WR), Stanley Jean-Baptiste (CB)
3. (97) Dri Archer, RB/WR/KR, Kent State. This seems to be the pick most are settling on when they question the Steelers' draft. If Donte Moncrief had still been on the board, he would have been the pick. But while the "official" time at the combine on Archer was 4.26, the Steelers and many other teams had him at sub 4.2. He's also a killer in the open field with his great vision. Yes, he's only 173 pounds. But he fills an immediate need as a kick returner - all of their 2013 kick returners are gone - and he'll we worked in as a slot receiver and change-of-pace runner. This kid is not, I repeat, not Chris Rainey, who was just a quick, little running back. Archer will score at least five TDs this season. Passed on: Martavis Bryant (WR) , Keith McGill (CB)
4. (118) Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson. After passing on Bryant to take Archer, the Steelers wind up with both. How close were they to taking Bryant in the third? The team put out a bio sheet with Bryant as their third-round selection, then had to put out another showing him as the 118th pick instead. Bryant has good size (6-4, 211) and speed (4.42). And he's a deep threat, as his average of 20-plus yards per catch in college would suggest. But he's raw as a route runner. A boom or bust pick. Passed on: Pierre Desir (CB)
5. (157) Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona. After passing on corners all the way through, the Steelers got a guy they really like. Carnell Lake discovered Richardson on film while at UCLA and invited him to a camp. The Bruins' staff liked him so well that after the camp, they offered a scholarship. But Lake was hired by the Steelers soon after that and Richardson and two others were accused of stealing a purse. The charges were dropped, but Richardson ended up at Arizona. He's got good size and speed and is a potential starter down the road. Passed on: Ryan Carrethers, NT.
5. (173) Wesley Johnson, G-C, Vanderbilt. As I've already stated on this board, this was one pick I questioned. If the Steelers had taken a tackle prospect, I would have understood the pick. But Johnson, primarily a left tackle in school who played some guard and center, is projected as an interior swing guy. Then again, the Steelers had the same projection for Kelvin Beachum and he's now their starting LT. Passed on: Jeoffrey Pagan, NT
6. (192) Jordan Zumwalt, ILB, UCLA. After taking Shazier in the first round, it was somewhat surprising the Steelers doubled down at inside linebacker. But their depth at the position was terrible in 2013. He'll compete immediately with Vince Williams, Kion Wilson and others for a backup spot, with the winner being decided by who plays the best special teams. Zumwalt should be very good on teams, so the others might have their work cut out for them. Passed on: Jamea Thomas, CB, Georgia Tech
6. (215) Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee. At 6-7, 352 pounds, he's massive. A project who is going to have to keep his weight down - he said he got as high as 420 in high school - McCullers will be John Mitchell's latest project. Actually, Mitch has a few to work on, counting Tuitt and last year's seventh-round pick, Nick Williams. Tuitt is a more finished product, though, and if Mitch can turn Williams and/or McCullers into contributors, he'll have helped the Steelers turn the corner. Passed on: Beau Allen, NT
7. (230) Rob Blanchflower, TW, UMass. I loved this pick, and not just because it won me a dinner from co-host David Todd on the ESPN 970 draft show - I called not only the position but the player. Blanchflower is a good all-around tight end who can both block and get down the field to challenge defenses. He's not a burner (4.82) but he's solid in every facet of the game, which is what the Steelers look for. He had some injury issues in college, but will push for a spot on the roster as the No. 3 tight end. Passed on: Seantrel Henderson, OT
2. (46) Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame. Almost a no-brainer when he fell into their lap in the second round. Had Tuitt not been injured in his final season and then showed up at the combine with a stress fracture in his foot, he would have been a first round pick and possible consideration for the Steelers in the first round. A solid pass rusher from the end position who can also stop the run in the same vein as Cam Heyward. There's a very good chance he'll start right away as well. Passed on: Davante Adams (WR), Stanley Jean-Baptiste (CB)
3. (97) Dri Archer, RB/WR/KR, Kent State. This seems to be the pick most are settling on when they question the Steelers' draft. If Donte Moncrief had still been on the board, he would have been the pick. But while the "official" time at the combine on Archer was 4.26, the Steelers and many other teams had him at sub 4.2. He's also a killer in the open field with his great vision. Yes, he's only 173 pounds. But he fills an immediate need as a kick returner - all of their 2013 kick returners are gone - and he'll we worked in as a slot receiver and change-of-pace runner. This kid is not, I repeat, not Chris Rainey, who was just a quick, little running back. Archer will score at least five TDs this season. Passed on: Martavis Bryant (WR) , Keith McGill (CB)
4. (118) Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson. After passing on Bryant to take Archer, the Steelers wind up with both. How close were they to taking Bryant in the third? The team put out a bio sheet with Bryant as their third-round selection, then had to put out another showing him as the 118th pick instead. Bryant has good size (6-4, 211) and speed (4.42). And he's a deep threat, as his average of 20-plus yards per catch in college would suggest. But he's raw as a route runner. A boom or bust pick. Passed on: Pierre Desir (CB)
5. (157) Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona. After passing on corners all the way through, the Steelers got a guy they really like. Carnell Lake discovered Richardson on film while at UCLA and invited him to a camp. The Bruins' staff liked him so well that after the camp, they offered a scholarship. But Lake was hired by the Steelers soon after that and Richardson and two others were accused of stealing a purse. The charges were dropped, but Richardson ended up at Arizona. He's got good size and speed and is a potential starter down the road. Passed on: Ryan Carrethers, NT.
5. (173) Wesley Johnson, G-C, Vanderbilt. As I've already stated on this board, this was one pick I questioned. If the Steelers had taken a tackle prospect, I would have understood the pick. But Johnson, primarily a left tackle in school who played some guard and center, is projected as an interior swing guy. Then again, the Steelers had the same projection for Kelvin Beachum and he's now their starting LT. Passed on: Jeoffrey Pagan, NT
6. (192) Jordan Zumwalt, ILB, UCLA. After taking Shazier in the first round, it was somewhat surprising the Steelers doubled down at inside linebacker. But their depth at the position was terrible in 2013. He'll compete immediately with Vince Williams, Kion Wilson and others for a backup spot, with the winner being decided by who plays the best special teams. Zumwalt should be very good on teams, so the others might have their work cut out for them. Passed on: Jamea Thomas, CB, Georgia Tech
6. (215) Daniel McCullers, NT, Tennessee. At 6-7, 352 pounds, he's massive. A project who is going to have to keep his weight down - he said he got as high as 420 in high school - McCullers will be John Mitchell's latest project. Actually, Mitch has a few to work on, counting Tuitt and last year's seventh-round pick, Nick Williams. Tuitt is a more finished product, though, and if Mitch can turn Williams and/or McCullers into contributors, he'll have helped the Steelers turn the corner. Passed on: Beau Allen, NT
7. (230) Rob Blanchflower, TW, UMass. I loved this pick, and not just because it won me a dinner from co-host David Todd on the ESPN 970 draft show - I called not only the position but the player. Blanchflower is a good all-around tight end who can both block and get down the field to challenge defenses. He's not a burner (4.82) but he's solid in every facet of the game, which is what the Steelers look for. He had some injury issues in college, but will push for a spot on the roster as the No. 3 tight end. Passed on: Seantrel Henderson, OT
Sunday, May 11, 2014
The draft, that's a wrap
I thought the Steelers came away from this draft with a pretty good haul in this draft, filling a number of needs with some great value players.
Tops among those were defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt in the second round and wide receiver Martavis Bryant in the fourth.
Tuitt was a guy I felt was a first-round talent who dropped in this draft due to his injury issues in 2013. He played heavy due to an offseason hernia issue, then wasn't able to work out for teams during the draft process because of a stress fracture.
Despite his issues, Tuitt still had a productive 2013 season - though not up to his 2012 standards. Had he been healthy, he doesn't get out of the first round. It's like the Steelers got two first round picks.
As for Bryant, the Steelers had a late second-round grade on him and their pick at the end of the third round came down to Bryant and Dri Archer after Donte Moncrief was taken by Indianapolis a handful of sections before they picked. They took the speedy Archer, much to the chagrin of many, and were fortunate to also score Bryant in the fourth round.
I was one of the few in the Steelers media room who liked the Archer pick. Speed is speed and Archer can line up at both running back and wide receiver while also giving the Steelers a kick returner. If they hadn't taken Archer, they were looking at the prospect of having running back LeGarrette Blount return kicks.
But also getting Bryant in the fourth round seemed to alleviate some of the issues many had with taking Archer.
* The selection of Jordan Zumwalt seemed curious since the Steelers had already taken inside linebacker Ryan Shazier in the first round. But Zumwalt will be a beast on special teams while also pushing the likes of Kion Wilson, Chris Carter and Terence Garvin for a roster spot.
Zumwalt hits like a beast and could be a future special teams captain.
* Between Zumwalt and cornerback Shaquille Richardson, the Steelers got a couple of players who were recruited to UCLA when defensive backs coach Carnell Lake was on staff there.
Richardson wound up not staying at UCLA, in part because the Steelers hired Lake, in part because he and two other recruits were accused of stealing a purse. The charges were later dropped, but UCLA wanted to grayshirt Richardson and have him sit out a semester while the investigation took place.
Richardson, in fact, called Lake to ask him what he should do and Lake told him he might want to pursue an offer from Arizona instead of waiting for the smoke to clear at UCLA.
The Bruins also ran a defense very similar to Pittsburgh's - under the direction of former Steelers defensive assistant Lou Spanos. It's another reason they were actually very interested in Anthony Barr in the first round if he dropped.
* The Steelers have agreed to terms with 10 rookie free agents after the draft, including a pair of former Stanford standouts, defensive end Josh Mauro and defensive back Devon Carrington.
Mauro (6-6, 271) was certainly a draftable player and is a nice prospect as a 3-4 defensive end. He likely fell out of the draft after running a pedestrian 5.15 40.
Tops among those were defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt in the second round and wide receiver Martavis Bryant in the fourth.
Tuitt was a guy I felt was a first-round talent who dropped in this draft due to his injury issues in 2013. He played heavy due to an offseason hernia issue, then wasn't able to work out for teams during the draft process because of a stress fracture.
Despite his issues, Tuitt still had a productive 2013 season - though not up to his 2012 standards. Had he been healthy, he doesn't get out of the first round. It's like the Steelers got two first round picks.
As for Bryant, the Steelers had a late second-round grade on him and their pick at the end of the third round came down to Bryant and Dri Archer after Donte Moncrief was taken by Indianapolis a handful of sections before they picked. They took the speedy Archer, much to the chagrin of many, and were fortunate to also score Bryant in the fourth round.
I was one of the few in the Steelers media room who liked the Archer pick. Speed is speed and Archer can line up at both running back and wide receiver while also giving the Steelers a kick returner. If they hadn't taken Archer, they were looking at the prospect of having running back LeGarrette Blount return kicks.
But also getting Bryant in the fourth round seemed to alleviate some of the issues many had with taking Archer.
* The selection of Jordan Zumwalt seemed curious since the Steelers had already taken inside linebacker Ryan Shazier in the first round. But Zumwalt will be a beast on special teams while also pushing the likes of Kion Wilson, Chris Carter and Terence Garvin for a roster spot.
Zumwalt hits like a beast and could be a future special teams captain.
* Between Zumwalt and cornerback Shaquille Richardson, the Steelers got a couple of players who were recruited to UCLA when defensive backs coach Carnell Lake was on staff there.
Richardson wound up not staying at UCLA, in part because the Steelers hired Lake, in part because he and two other recruits were accused of stealing a purse. The charges were later dropped, but UCLA wanted to grayshirt Richardson and have him sit out a semester while the investigation took place.
Richardson, in fact, called Lake to ask him what he should do and Lake told him he might want to pursue an offer from Arizona instead of waiting for the smoke to clear at UCLA.
The Bruins also ran a defense very similar to Pittsburgh's - under the direction of former Steelers defensive assistant Lou Spanos. It's another reason they were actually very interested in Anthony Barr in the first round if he dropped.
* The Steelers have agreed to terms with 10 rookie free agents after the draft, including a pair of former Stanford standouts, defensive end Josh Mauro and defensive back Devon Carrington.
Mauro (6-6, 271) was certainly a draftable player and is a nice prospect as a 3-4 defensive end. He likely fell out of the draft after running a pedestrian 5.15 40.
The other eight are offensive lineman Chris Elkins (Youngstown State), defensive end Ethan Hemer (Wisconsin), offensive tackle Kaycee Ike (UAB), linebacker Howard Jones (Shepherd), quarterback Brendon Kay (Cincinnati), defensive tackle Roy Philon (Louisville), offensive guard Will Simmons (East Carolina) and tight end Eric Waters (Missouri).
All rookies will participate in the team’s rookie minicamp next weekend, which runs May 16-18.
All rookies will participate in the team’s rookie minicamp next weekend, which runs May 16-18.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Three rounds, no corner
The Steelers went into the draft with four obvious needs: Cornerback, wide receiver, defensive line and inside linebacker.
OK, the inside linebacker need wasn't a great one, but they did want to upgrade the position after shuffling Vince Williams, Terrence Garvin, Kion Wilson and even safety Troy Polamalu through the position after Larry Foote was injured in the regular season opener last season.
Through the first three rounds of the draft, the Steelers have addressed two of those spots and kind of added a player to one of the others.
And with six picks remaining in the draft's final four rounds - one each in the fourth and seventh rounds, and two each in the fifth and sixth - don't be surprised if Pittsburgh moves around to grab some players it covets to fill the remaining needs.
It wouldn't shock me at all if the Steelers traded their fourth and a sixth round selection to move up to the early part of the fourth round today and acquire a cornerback.
I like Pierre Desir of Lindenwood, who is raw but still on the board, but there are still a number of developmental guys still available. At this point, however, you're going to be getting a guy who's too something: small, slow, raw, etc.
Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau did go on record Friday as saying he liked the team's DB depth.
@ LeBeau also went on record as saying that he expected both Ryan Shazier, the linebacker the Steelers selected in the first round, and defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, whom they selected in the second round, to not only contribute this season, but to push hard for starting jobs.
That statement was completely out of character for the Steelers, but it does tell you a lot about the team's current depth.
Shazier and Tuitt are both talented, to be sure, but the days of taking guys and sitting them for a year are while they learn are out the window.
@ The one thing the Steelers have definitely done at this point is improve their team defense.
After the New England game last season, it was very apparent that they just didn't have the team speed on defense to compete with those kind of spread passing attacks.
But with the addition of safety Mike Mitchell in free agency and Shazier at linebacker, the Steelers have gotten a lot faster on that side of the ball.
@ Speaking of faster, it was all about the speed with third-round pick Dri Archer.
Archer was a guy I liked enough to preview on the draft series I did for ESPN 970-AM strictly because of his speed and versatility.
He was officially clocked at 4.26 seconds in the 40 at the combine, which is plenty fast enough, but a number of teams, including the Steelers, had him at sub-4.2.
Yes, he's only 5-8 and 173 pounds, but he's lightning in a bottle.
Archer also lined up in the slot on passing downs and caught 99 passes at Kent State, where he averaged 12 yards per reception and 7.2 yards per carry over the course of his career. He also scored four touchdowns on kickoff returns in just 18 career attempts since most teams tried to keep the ball away from him in that role.
Archer did have some fumbling issues in college - he had 13 in about 450 career touches - but he also scored 40 touchdowns in those 450 or so career touches. In fact, his 40 touchdowns were one off the team record of 41 set by one Josh Cribbs. And we all know what a pain in the behind Cribbs was to the Steelers over the years.
Could the Steelers have used a big receiver instead? Certainly. And there were still a number of them available, including Clemson's Martavius Bryant.
But Archer will have a bigger impact this season than Bryant ever would have. The Steelers will find ways to get the ball into his hands five or six times per game, and they will be five or six plays that will make everyone in the stadium hold their collective breath.
The Steelers took a chance a few years ago with Chris Rainey. Archer is Chris Rainey all over again, only a lot faster.
He could create all kinds of matchup problems. If you have him run routes out of the backfield, there's not a linebacker in the league who will be able to run with him.
And if you have to use a corner on him, that is one less corner to cover somebody else.
@ As for the big receiver, I still like what I saw from last year's sixth round pick, Justin Brown in practice over the final month or so of last season.
Brown is a big kid who showed some soft hands and the ability to high-point the ball. Ryan Moye was more polished and made more plays in the preseason last season, which is why he got the spot on the regular season roster last year, but I'm not counting Brown out of the competition this year.
There's also Darius Heyward-Bey hanging around.
@ The thing some people are forgetting about when they talk about the Steelers' passing game is the fact that LeVeon Bell is going to be a big part of it.
Despite missing three games at the start of last season, Bell nearly broke the team record for receptions by a running back. He'll do so this season and likely catch close to 70 passes.
OK, the inside linebacker need wasn't a great one, but they did want to upgrade the position after shuffling Vince Williams, Terrence Garvin, Kion Wilson and even safety Troy Polamalu through the position after Larry Foote was injured in the regular season opener last season.
Through the first three rounds of the draft, the Steelers have addressed two of those spots and kind of added a player to one of the others.
And with six picks remaining in the draft's final four rounds - one each in the fourth and seventh rounds, and two each in the fifth and sixth - don't be surprised if Pittsburgh moves around to grab some players it covets to fill the remaining needs.
It wouldn't shock me at all if the Steelers traded their fourth and a sixth round selection to move up to the early part of the fourth round today and acquire a cornerback.
I like Pierre Desir of Lindenwood, who is raw but still on the board, but there are still a number of developmental guys still available. At this point, however, you're going to be getting a guy who's too something: small, slow, raw, etc.
Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau did go on record Friday as saying he liked the team's DB depth.
@ LeBeau also went on record as saying that he expected both Ryan Shazier, the linebacker the Steelers selected in the first round, and defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt, whom they selected in the second round, to not only contribute this season, but to push hard for starting jobs.
That statement was completely out of character for the Steelers, but it does tell you a lot about the team's current depth.
Shazier and Tuitt are both talented, to be sure, but the days of taking guys and sitting them for a year are while they learn are out the window.
@ The one thing the Steelers have definitely done at this point is improve their team defense.
After the New England game last season, it was very apparent that they just didn't have the team speed on defense to compete with those kind of spread passing attacks.
But with the addition of safety Mike Mitchell in free agency and Shazier at linebacker, the Steelers have gotten a lot faster on that side of the ball.
@ Speaking of faster, it was all about the speed with third-round pick Dri Archer.
Archer was a guy I liked enough to preview on the draft series I did for ESPN 970-AM strictly because of his speed and versatility.
He was officially clocked at 4.26 seconds in the 40 at the combine, which is plenty fast enough, but a number of teams, including the Steelers, had him at sub-4.2.
Yes, he's only 5-8 and 173 pounds, but he's lightning in a bottle.
Archer also lined up in the slot on passing downs and caught 99 passes at Kent State, where he averaged 12 yards per reception and 7.2 yards per carry over the course of his career. He also scored four touchdowns on kickoff returns in just 18 career attempts since most teams tried to keep the ball away from him in that role.
Archer did have some fumbling issues in college - he had 13 in about 450 career touches - but he also scored 40 touchdowns in those 450 or so career touches. In fact, his 40 touchdowns were one off the team record of 41 set by one Josh Cribbs. And we all know what a pain in the behind Cribbs was to the Steelers over the years.
Could the Steelers have used a big receiver instead? Certainly. And there were still a number of them available, including Clemson's Martavius Bryant.
But Archer will have a bigger impact this season than Bryant ever would have. The Steelers will find ways to get the ball into his hands five or six times per game, and they will be five or six plays that will make everyone in the stadium hold their collective breath.
The Steelers took a chance a few years ago with Chris Rainey. Archer is Chris Rainey all over again, only a lot faster.
He could create all kinds of matchup problems. If you have him run routes out of the backfield, there's not a linebacker in the league who will be able to run with him.
And if you have to use a corner on him, that is one less corner to cover somebody else.
@ As for the big receiver, I still like what I saw from last year's sixth round pick, Justin Brown in practice over the final month or so of last season.
Brown is a big kid who showed some soft hands and the ability to high-point the ball. Ryan Moye was more polished and made more plays in the preseason last season, which is why he got the spot on the regular season roster last year, but I'm not counting Brown out of the competition this year.
There's also Darius Heyward-Bey hanging around.
@ The thing some people are forgetting about when they talk about the Steelers' passing game is the fact that LeVeon Bell is going to be a big part of it.
Despite missing three games at the start of last season, Bell nearly broke the team record for receptions by a running back. He'll do so this season and likely catch close to 70 passes.
Friday, May 09, 2014
Steelers take Shazier and other thoughts
Looking at Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier during the run-up to the NFL Draft, I thought he was a clone of Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons - only faster.
The Steelers apparently saw the same thing.
They made Shazier their somewhat surprising first-round pick Thursday in the draft, passing on cornerback Darqueze Dennard.
That move was sure to make Steelers fans angry, since most had settled on a corner or wide receiver being the pick. After all, those were viewed as the team's two biggest needs along with defensive line.
But really, the Shazier pick makes some sense.
The biggest need the Steelers had coming into this offseason was improving their team speed on defense. They did so at free safety, replacing Ryan Clark with Mike Mitchell.
Thursday, they got a lot faster at inside linebacker as Shazier teamed with Timmons gives them a pair of hit-and-run linebackers.
Shazier's addition also will get Troy Polamalu back out of the box, where he spent a lot of time in 2013 because the Steelers didn't have a linebacker other than Timmons who could cover, and allow him to play off the line of scrimmage, where his playmaking ball skills will be more evident.
And with cornerback and wide receiver being two of the deepest positions in this draft, the team will have the option of addressing their needs there in later rounds.
But linebackers who were productive in college and can run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash, they don't come around too often.
@ Shazier's hamstring issues in the offseason were a concern for me when I looked at him in the draft process. But they weren't as big an issue to me as the numerous injury issues Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley had.
Mosley might have been more of a sure thing at inside linebacker - and Baltimore picked him a couple selections after the Steelers took Shazier - but his injury history is downright scary.
Here's what I wrote in my pre-draft column for Thursday's Observer-Reporter, where I had the Steelers taking cornerback Kyle Fuller: "If Dennard is gone, the Steelers will look at corners Justin Gilbert and Fuller or inside linebackers C.J. Mosley of Alabama and Ryan Shazier of Ohio State.
@ There are still some very good corners and wide receivers on the board heading into Friday's second and third rounds.
At cornerback, I like Rice's Philip Gaines or Nebraska's Stanley Jean-Baptiste in the second round as a possible Steelers' pick, or Lindenwood's Pierre Desir, Jaylen Watkins of Florida or Bashaud Breeland of Clemson in the third round.
At receiver, there are a bevy of guys still available, some who can probably come in and help right away.
I expect Marqise Lee and Jordan Matthews to go early in the second round, but Donte Moncrief of Ole Miss, Penn State's Allen Robinson Cody Latimer or Davante Adams of Fresno State would be solid picks in the second round. In the third, I'd look for Clemson's Martavius Bryant, Jarvis Landry of LSU, or Kevin Norwood of Alabama.
The Steelers apparently saw the same thing.
They made Shazier their somewhat surprising first-round pick Thursday in the draft, passing on cornerback Darqueze Dennard.
That move was sure to make Steelers fans angry, since most had settled on a corner or wide receiver being the pick. After all, those were viewed as the team's two biggest needs along with defensive line.
But really, the Shazier pick makes some sense.
The biggest need the Steelers had coming into this offseason was improving their team speed on defense. They did so at free safety, replacing Ryan Clark with Mike Mitchell.
Thursday, they got a lot faster at inside linebacker as Shazier teamed with Timmons gives them a pair of hit-and-run linebackers.
Shazier's addition also will get Troy Polamalu back out of the box, where he spent a lot of time in 2013 because the Steelers didn't have a linebacker other than Timmons who could cover, and allow him to play off the line of scrimmage, where his playmaking ball skills will be more evident.
And with cornerback and wide receiver being two of the deepest positions in this draft, the team will have the option of addressing their needs there in later rounds.
But linebackers who were productive in college and can run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash, they don't come around too often.
@ Shazier's hamstring issues in the offseason were a concern for me when I looked at him in the draft process. But they weren't as big an issue to me as the numerous injury issues Alabama inside linebacker C.J. Mosley had.
Mosley might have been more of a sure thing at inside linebacker - and Baltimore picked him a couple selections after the Steelers took Shazier - but his injury history is downright scary.
Here's what I wrote in my pre-draft column for Thursday's Observer-Reporter, where I had the Steelers taking cornerback Kyle Fuller: "If Dennard is gone, the Steelers will look at corners Justin Gilbert and Fuller or inside linebackers C.J. Mosley of Alabama and Ryan Shazier of Ohio State.
@ There are still some very good corners and wide receivers on the board heading into Friday's second and third rounds.
At cornerback, I like Rice's Philip Gaines or Nebraska's Stanley Jean-Baptiste in the second round as a possible Steelers' pick, or Lindenwood's Pierre Desir, Jaylen Watkins of Florida or Bashaud Breeland of Clemson in the third round.
At receiver, there are a bevy of guys still available, some who can probably come in and help right away.
I expect Marqise Lee and Jordan Matthews to go early in the second round, but Donte Moncrief of Ole Miss, Penn State's Allen Robinson Cody Latimer or Davante Adams of Fresno State would be solid picks in the second round. In the third, I'd look for Clemson's Martavius Bryant, Jarvis Landry of LSU, or Kevin Norwood of Alabama.
Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Nunn's loss leaves a void
The Steelers’ draft room will be a somber place today. For
the better part of the past 50 years, there was a spot in the room held by a
former sports writer, the only sports writer permitted into the inner sanctum.
Bill Nunn Jr., who died Tuesday night at 89, was that
respected within the organization.
Of course, Nunn wasn’t just a sports writer. He had given up
that profession when the Steelers hired him to scout the predominantly black
colleges that had often been overlooked by NFL teams to that point.
Nunn, as a sports writer, sports editor and later managing editor of the influential Pittsburgh
Courier, arguably the nation’s preeminent newspaper for African Americans, had
been selecting the Black College All-American Team for a number of years. And
as a former standout college basketball player at West Virginia State College –
he was good enough to garner attention from both the NBA and Harlem
Globetrotters – he knew an athlete when he saw one.
And Nunn saw many playing at the black colleges in a time
when the nation was split in half by race.
Nunn started working for the Steelers as a part-time scout
for the Steelers in 1967. By 1969, the same year Chuck Noll was hired to coach
the team, he was brought on in a full-time basis, playing a huge part in the
team’s acquisition of the greatest dynasty in NFL history.
It was through Nunn’s work that the Steelers found players
such as Mel Blount, John Stallworth, L.C. Greenwood, Donnie Shell, Ernie
Holmes, Joe Gilliam, Glen Edwards and Frank Lewis, all players from
predominantly black colleges that Nunn had identified as having NFL futures.
Forty years ago, he had a huge part in helping the Steelers
obtain the greatest draft class in NFL history.
In 1974, the Steelers selected Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert,
John Stallworth and Mike Webster in the first five rounds of the draft. There
were five future Pro Football Hall of Fame players selected in that draft. The
Steelers selected four of them.
“It is, by far, the greatest draft in NFL history,” said
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. “Our hats are off to Art Rooney, Jr.,
Dick Haley and Bill Nunn as well. Obviously, Coach Noll and his staff have to
be applauded, and we will certainly be thinking about that group as we go into
this draft.”
Nunn “retired” from scouting in 1987. But he continued to
help the Steelers with their scouting efforts. Listed as the Senior Assistant
of Player Personnel in the team’s media guide, Nunn would help the Steelers
evaluate talent prior to the draft. Every year at training camp, he would sit
at a picnic table high above the practice fields, watching and evaluating.
That seat, along with the one he held in the Steelers’ draft
room every year, will sit empty now. But Nunn’s legacy with the team is quite
the opposite. He was a juggernaut in all walks of life.
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Final mock draft
Editor's Note: Feel free to tear this up. I added some trades I see happening on draft day in what should be one of the more interesting in recent years.
1. Houston, Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Houston. It's looking pretty settled that the Texans are taking Clowney or trading the pick to somebody else who will take him.
2. Cleveland (from St. Louis), Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson. The Browns could probably stick at 4 and get Watkins. But they fear somebody else jumping ahead of them.
3. Jacksonville, Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo. Despite the fact the Jags don't expect Justin Blackmon to play this season, they go for a pass rushing linebacker who might be the best player in the draft.
4. St. Louis (from Cleveland), Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn. The Rams pick up some extra selections and still get the player they really want.
5. Oakland, Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M. What's this? A safe Raiders pick? Sure, why not?
6. Atlanta, Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan. In this scenario, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Falcons try to slide down a few picks in a trade with a team looking for a QB.
7. Tampa Bay, Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M. Go figure, two Aggies picked and not one of them is Johnny Manziel.
8. Dallas (from Minnesota), Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt. The Cowboys are said to be hot and bothered about moving up to get Donald.
9. Buffalo, Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina. A big tight end is a young quarterback's best friend.
10. Detroit, Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State. The Lions don't often get things right, but they do here, keeping Dennard in the state.
11. Tennessee, Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M. Surprise QB pick here. The new Titans' brass isn't in love with Jake Locker, who can't stay healthy.
12. N.Y. Giants, Zack Martin, G, Notre Dame. Tom Coughlin likes to build in the trenches.
13. St. Louis, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama. The Rams will reap a bounty of picks in this draft and are off to a good start with Robinson and now Clinton-Dix.
14. Chicago, Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville. The Bears would have preferred Donald here and could go for a corner. But safety is also a need and the corner class is deeper.
15. N.Y. Jets (from Pittsburgh), Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State. The Jets are a mess in the secondary. They get a dynamic return man to boot and the Steelers pick up an extra third-round pick.
16. Minnesota (from Dallas), Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida. Low and behold, the Vikings get their quarterback.
17. Baltimore, Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU. Yes, the Ravens signed Steve Smith in the offseason. But that's a Band-Aid.
18. Pittsburgh (from N.Y. Jets) Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech. Fuller will be a special teams stud right away and be the likely starter at nickel corner.
19. Miami, C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama. The Dolphins would have loved an offensive lineman here, but it's too high to get into the second tier of linemen.
20. Arizona, Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State. Carson Palmer is not the long-term answer at QB for the Cardinals.
21. Green Bay, Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA. The Packers have long looked for a complimentary pass rusher to pair with Clay Matthews. Barr is raw, but he can get after it. A good value pick at this point, and Mike Neal is not the answer.
22. Philadelphia, Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State. Chip Kelly got to see plenty of Cooks in college and he's a perfect fit in the slot in Kelly's spread offense.
23. Kansas City, Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA. The Chiefs lost three lineman to free agency and have to others set to be unrestricted after the 2014 season.
24. Cincinnati, Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State. Another run-and-tackle linebacker for the Bengals. Could Teddy Bridgewater be a possibility here as well?
25. San Diego, Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame. This pick hasn't changed in any of my mocks. It just makes too much sense.
26. Cleveland, Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville. The Browns get their quarterback.
27. New Orleans, Marqise Lee, WR, USC. The Saints dumped Lance Moore and Darren Sproles in free agency and Marques Colston isn't getting any younger. Hey, Marqise and Marques, a merchandiser could probably do something with that.
28. Carolina, Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia. The Panthers have some holes, but replacing Jordan Gross at LT might be the biggest one.
29. New England, RaShede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota. A classic Belichick pick, a defensive lineman who can play inside or outside.
30. San Francisco, Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri. The 49ers get Aldon Smith insurance in Smith's former college teammate.
31. Denver, Joel Bitonio, G, Nevada. The Broncos have an immediate need at guard and are in a win-now mode.
32. Seattle, Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State. Jernigan reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the combine. That won't bother Pete Carroll, who gets a top-20 talent at 32.
1. Houston, Jadeveon Clowney, DE, Houston. It's looking pretty settled that the Texans are taking Clowney or trading the pick to somebody else who will take him.
2. Cleveland (from St. Louis), Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson. The Browns could probably stick at 4 and get Watkins. But they fear somebody else jumping ahead of them.
3. Jacksonville, Khalil Mack, LB, Buffalo. Despite the fact the Jags don't expect Justin Blackmon to play this season, they go for a pass rushing linebacker who might be the best player in the draft.
4. St. Louis (from Cleveland), Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn. The Rams pick up some extra selections and still get the player they really want.
5. Oakland, Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M. What's this? A safe Raiders pick? Sure, why not?
6. Atlanta, Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan. In this scenario, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Falcons try to slide down a few picks in a trade with a team looking for a QB.
7. Tampa Bay, Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M. Go figure, two Aggies picked and not one of them is Johnny Manziel.
8. Dallas (from Minnesota), Aaron Donald, DT, Pitt. The Cowboys are said to be hot and bothered about moving up to get Donald.
9. Buffalo, Eric Ebron, TE, North Carolina. A big tight end is a young quarterback's best friend.
10. Detroit, Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State. The Lions don't often get things right, but they do here, keeping Dennard in the state.
11. Tennessee, Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M. Surprise QB pick here. The new Titans' brass isn't in love with Jake Locker, who can't stay healthy.
12. N.Y. Giants, Zack Martin, G, Notre Dame. Tom Coughlin likes to build in the trenches.
13. St. Louis, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama. The Rams will reap a bounty of picks in this draft and are off to a good start with Robinson and now Clinton-Dix.
14. Chicago, Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville. The Bears would have preferred Donald here and could go for a corner. But safety is also a need and the corner class is deeper.
15. N.Y. Jets (from Pittsburgh), Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State. The Jets are a mess in the secondary. They get a dynamic return man to boot and the Steelers pick up an extra third-round pick.
16. Minnesota (from Dallas), Blake Bortles, QB, Central Florida. Low and behold, the Vikings get their quarterback.
17. Baltimore, Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU. Yes, the Ravens signed Steve Smith in the offseason. But that's a Band-Aid.
18. Pittsburgh (from N.Y. Jets) Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech. Fuller will be a special teams stud right away and be the likely starter at nickel corner.
19. Miami, C.J. Mosley, LB, Alabama. The Dolphins would have loved an offensive lineman here, but it's too high to get into the second tier of linemen.
20. Arizona, Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State. Carson Palmer is not the long-term answer at QB for the Cardinals.
21. Green Bay, Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA. The Packers have long looked for a complimentary pass rusher to pair with Clay Matthews. Barr is raw, but he can get after it. A good value pick at this point, and Mike Neal is not the answer.
22. Philadelphia, Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State. Chip Kelly got to see plenty of Cooks in college and he's a perfect fit in the slot in Kelly's spread offense.
23. Kansas City, Xavier Su'a-Filo, G, UCLA. The Chiefs lost three lineman to free agency and have to others set to be unrestricted after the 2014 season.
24. Cincinnati, Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State. Another run-and-tackle linebacker for the Bengals. Could Teddy Bridgewater be a possibility here as well?
25. San Diego, Louis Nix, NT, Notre Dame. This pick hasn't changed in any of my mocks. It just makes too much sense.
26. Cleveland, Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville. The Browns get their quarterback.
27. New Orleans, Marqise Lee, WR, USC. The Saints dumped Lance Moore and Darren Sproles in free agency and Marques Colston isn't getting any younger. Hey, Marqise and Marques, a merchandiser could probably do something with that.
28. Carolina, Morgan Moses, OT, Virginia. The Panthers have some holes, but replacing Jordan Gross at LT might be the biggest one.
29. New England, RaShede Hageman, DE/DT, Minnesota. A classic Belichick pick, a defensive lineman who can play inside or outside.
30. San Francisco, Kony Ealy, DE, Missouri. The 49ers get Aldon Smith insurance in Smith's former college teammate.
31. Denver, Joel Bitonio, G, Nevada. The Broncos have an immediate need at guard and are in a win-now mode.
32. Seattle, Timmy Jernigan, DT, Florida State. Jernigan reportedly tested positive for marijuana at the combine. That won't bother Pete Carroll, who gets a top-20 talent at 32.
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