The second - or actually first - wave of free agency is heating up as teams rid themselves of veterans players with big contracts in order to get themselves in line with what the projected salary cap will be.
Because of that, in the past week, we've seen guys such as A.J. Hawk, Harry Douglas, Steven Jackson, Jacoby Jones and Mathias Kiwanuka cut loose in the past few days.
And the cuts will continue to come.
The good thing about these cuts is that other teams are able to sign these guys immediately instead of waiting until the start of the March 10 free agency period.
They also do not affect compensatory picks the following year since they aren't true free agents.
The bad thing? Often times the players being released are aging veterans who only have a year or two of football left in their bodies.
Still, the Steelers delved into this market last year and came away with Brice McCain and Lance Moore.
There could be an edge rusher or corner who just might interest the team this time around.
I continue to hear that Kansas City might have to part ways with Tamba Hali if the Chiefs have to come through with a big contract for Justin Houston - which they will.
If so, the Steelers would be very, very interested in Hali, even though, at 31, he doesn't fit their typical MO in free agency.
They could plug Hali, into their lineup opposite Jarvis Jones while also grooming his potential replacement, who will come in the draft.
A recent cut who might interest the Steelers is Jacoby Jones.
Mike Tomlin has always liked Jones as a return man and the Steelers, with their top three receiver set, wouldn't be forced to play Jones at a receiver position. He'd be No. 4.
He might also like a shot at playing the Ravens a couple of times per season after being released by the team.
The Steelers have a need for a return man and Jones remains one of the best in the business, even though he had some fumble issues last season. He hasn't been a fumbler throughout the course of his career, so last year could have been an anomaly.
@ Greg Bedard wrote on SI.com how it's amazing that the Steelers are tight against the cap each season.
He then pointed to the recent restructuring of deals of Marcus Gilbert, Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Mitchell as bad business.
Not really. The Steelers cleared $9.5 million with those moves and it's actually beneficial to both parties to do so.
In all three cases, the Steelers aren't moving a ton of money into the future. And they're just converting some salary into signing bonus. It's not that big of a deal.
For the players, they get a lump sum of money now instead of having to wait for it.
Bedard points to the team allowing Emmanuel Sanders to leave last year and possibly doing the same with Jason Worilds this year.
But the Steelers weren't going to pay Sanders big money last year - he got $15 million over three years - when they already had big money tied up in Antonio Brown.
Sanders went to Denver and had a good season. Good for him. But he wouldn't have had the same kind of year in Pittsburgh, not with Brown firmly established. The Steelers just don't throw the ball as much as the Broncos.
And despite Brown and Sanders being good friends, there's still a bit of a competition there between the two, who were selected in the same draft. Always has been, always will be.
As for Worilds, I think he's a good player. I think he wants to return to Pittsburgh and they want him to return. And I believe even if he does become a free agent in a couple of weeks, there's still a good shot he'll return to Pittsburgh.
That's what that $9.5 million in cap space that was just cleared up is for, re-signing Worilds or his replacement.
Friday, February 27, 2015
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Steelers restructure deals, other tidbits
The Steelers opened up $9.5 million in cap space by restructuring the contracts of Marcus Gilbert, Mike Mitchell and Maurkice Pouncey.
It's interesting timing since they have until Monday to make a decision on whether or not to tag outside linebacker Jason Worilds once again.
It would cost the Steelers around $11 million to tag Worilds for the second consecutive year.
And GM Kevin Colbert sounded as if the Steelers were leaning toward not tagging Worilds again this year.
But Worilds is considered one of the top free agents available this year when the market opens March 10 and the Steelers might want to cover their behinds. They also have only Jarvis Jones under contract of their top four outside linebackers from 2014.
While $11 million is a big chunk of change, it would also again only be a one-year deal. The Steelers seem intent on drafting a young outside linebacker as well, so they could move forward after this year by resigning Worilds to a long-term deal - if Jones doesn't work out - or allow Worilds to leave after 2015 and go with Jones and the other young guy - if Jones is what they think he can be.
@ Another move that would create cap space would be the retirement of Troy Polamalu.
But I heard last week at the NFL combine that Polamalu isn't ready to retire and then this week, Ike Taylor told Joe Starkey Polamalu is training for 2015.
That's bad news for the Steelers, who don't want Polamalu, the player, back. Polamalu, the person, is beyond reproach.
This puts the Steelers in a difficult position.
Polamalu is clearly not what he once was, but if he adjusts his game to play more of a traditional safety, a player with his experience and instincts could be of value.
It just likely won't be in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are ready to turn things over to Shamarko Thomas.
@ The post-combine release of players has started around the league as big-name players such as Mathias Kiwanuka and Tedd Ginn Jr.
Some of these type of players can be valuable but not too costly.
First, they don't count as true free agents, since they were released by their current team. Therefore they don't count against you when the NFL starts figuring out compensatory picks.
Second, you can sign them now instead of waiting for free agency to begin.
Brice McCain and Lance Moore were among the early cuts last year.
The Steelers, however, prefer to sign free agents coming off their first contract - veterans who are still young enough to have some upside - or younger free agents such as McCain.
@ The Steelers expect, by the way, to get a sixth or seventh round compensatory pick this year.
It's interesting timing since they have until Monday to make a decision on whether or not to tag outside linebacker Jason Worilds once again.
It would cost the Steelers around $11 million to tag Worilds for the second consecutive year.
And GM Kevin Colbert sounded as if the Steelers were leaning toward not tagging Worilds again this year.
But Worilds is considered one of the top free agents available this year when the market opens March 10 and the Steelers might want to cover their behinds. They also have only Jarvis Jones under contract of their top four outside linebackers from 2014.
While $11 million is a big chunk of change, it would also again only be a one-year deal. The Steelers seem intent on drafting a young outside linebacker as well, so they could move forward after this year by resigning Worilds to a long-term deal - if Jones doesn't work out - or allow Worilds to leave after 2015 and go with Jones and the other young guy - if Jones is what they think he can be.
@ Another move that would create cap space would be the retirement of Troy Polamalu.
But I heard last week at the NFL combine that Polamalu isn't ready to retire and then this week, Ike Taylor told Joe Starkey Polamalu is training for 2015.
That's bad news for the Steelers, who don't want Polamalu, the player, back. Polamalu, the person, is beyond reproach.
This puts the Steelers in a difficult position.
Polamalu is clearly not what he once was, but if he adjusts his game to play more of a traditional safety, a player with his experience and instincts could be of value.
It just likely won't be in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are ready to turn things over to Shamarko Thomas.
@ The post-combine release of players has started around the league as big-name players such as Mathias Kiwanuka and Tedd Ginn Jr.
Some of these type of players can be valuable but not too costly.
First, they don't count as true free agents, since they were released by their current team. Therefore they don't count against you when the NFL starts figuring out compensatory picks.
Second, you can sign them now instead of waiting for free agency to begin.
Brice McCain and Lance Moore were among the early cuts last year.
The Steelers, however, prefer to sign free agents coming off their first contract - veterans who are still young enough to have some upside - or younger free agents such as McCain.
@ The Steelers expect, by the way, to get a sixth or seventh round compensatory pick this year.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Harrison wants to play
Linebacker James Harrison tweeted Sunday that he's packed and ready to fly to Arizona to begin workouts in preparation for the 2015 season - not that he ever takes any time off.
Harrison would like that to be with the Steelers. But that will be entirely up to the Steelers and if they want him back.
Outside of that, it's likely the only other team Harrison would consider would be Tennessee, where he could again work with Dick LeBeau.
The Steelers likely won't know if they want Harrison to return until they see what happens in free agency.
If they lose Jason Worilds and are unable to acquire a suitable replacement, Harrison could be back. If not, they won't bring Harrison back simply to be a backup.
They need to allow Jarvis Jones to play the spot without Harrison breathing over his shoulder.
@ After the workouts of Vic Beasley and Dante Fowler Sunday, there's no chance the Steelers get a crack at either in the draft.
They'll both be top-10 picks.
Randy Gregory likely also will be gone, but he's too light in the pants for the Steelers, anyway.
The Steelers did meet with Bud Dupree of Kentucky at the combine, and he wasn't able to do a lot of the workout stuff because of an injury. But he did run a 4.56 40 at 269 pounds.
Dupree's production didn't always match that kind of athleticism, but he'll be intriguing.
So too will Eli Harold of Virginia, who worked out Sunday with the defensive linemen, then stayed on for some linebacker drills. He played some linebacker, and it showed Sunday. He was fluid in his drops and change of direction.
He also ran a 4,6 40 at 6-3, 247 pounds.
@ Local product Mike Hull had a solid weekend. He led all linebackers with 31 reps on the bench and looked fluid in the linebacker drills.
Hull's 40 time of 4.68 wasn't as fast as I'm sure he would have liked, but it was better than most and plenty fast enough to play in the NFL.
Harrison would like that to be with the Steelers. But that will be entirely up to the Steelers and if they want him back.
Outside of that, it's likely the only other team Harrison would consider would be Tennessee, where he could again work with Dick LeBeau.
The Steelers likely won't know if they want Harrison to return until they see what happens in free agency.
If they lose Jason Worilds and are unable to acquire a suitable replacement, Harrison could be back. If not, they won't bring Harrison back simply to be a backup.
They need to allow Jarvis Jones to play the spot without Harrison breathing over his shoulder.
@ After the workouts of Vic Beasley and Dante Fowler Sunday, there's no chance the Steelers get a crack at either in the draft.
They'll both be top-10 picks.
Randy Gregory likely also will be gone, but he's too light in the pants for the Steelers, anyway.
The Steelers did meet with Bud Dupree of Kentucky at the combine, and he wasn't able to do a lot of the workout stuff because of an injury. But he did run a 4.56 40 at 269 pounds.
Dupree's production didn't always match that kind of athleticism, but he'll be intriguing.
So too will Eli Harold of Virginia, who worked out Sunday with the defensive linemen, then stayed on for some linebacker drills. He played some linebacker, and it showed Sunday. He was fluid in his drops and change of direction.
He also ran a 4,6 40 at 6-3, 247 pounds.
@ Local product Mike Hull had a solid weekend. He led all linebackers with 31 reps on the bench and looked fluid in the linebacker drills.
Hull's 40 time of 4.68 wasn't as fast as I'm sure he would have liked, but it was better than most and plenty fast enough to play in the NFL.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
More thoughts from the combine
We bugged out of Indianapolis late Friday afternoon to head home and beat the snow back to Pittsburgh. I was going to blog my final thoughts from Indianapolis last night, but pretty much crashed as soon as I got home.
Here are some thoughts I had Friday:
@ Nebraska's Randy Gregory didn't help himself by coming in at 235 pounds. That's especially true when you consider that he's 6-5.
Remember, Plalxico Burress was 6-5, 229 - as a wide receiver.
Gregory almost certainly will have to be a weak side backer, which likely takes him off the Steelers' board. They will be looking for a larger linebacker to possibly replace Jason Worilds since Jarvis Jones has to play the weak side.
@ Vic Beasley, on the other hand, showed up at 246, about 10 pounds heavier than his playing weight last year at Clemson.
Beasley was also a weakside guy in college - like Jones - but unlike Jones, who has struggled to put on any weight since joining the Steelers and is still in that 235-240 range, Beasley showed he can easily bulk up.
And he carried that weight well.
@ My good friend Jim Wexell of SteelCityInsider noted that Washington linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha looks a lot like Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, right down to some of the mannerisms while talking.
Kikaha, at 6-2, 253, is a strong-side guy who could be had in the second or third round - depending on his workouts this weekend.
He was a big sack guy for the Huskies, putting up 19 in 14 games last season and is on the Steelers' radar.
@ Another bigger linebacker on the team's radar is Kentucky's Bud Dupree, who weighed in at an almost-too-heavy 269 pounds. He's 6-3, so he can afford to carry a little extra weight, but the Steelers, who met with Dupree, would likely ask him to scale it back - at least a little.
@ I heard some rumblings that there are some who think Trae Waynes of Michigan State, who weighed in at 6-0, 186 on Saturday, will run in the 4.3 to 4.4 range. If that happens, he'll go before the Steelers pick at 22.
That would leave the Steelers looking at a guy such as Marcus Peters, who was thrown off the team at Washington for arguing with his coaches. Peters will very much be under the microscope this weekend.
He can play, but if he's such a pain in the behind that his college coaches didn't want to deal with him, he must really be a MAJOR problem.
@ Beyond those two guys, there might not be a corner worthy of being the 22nd pick.
The real value at cornerback this year is in the second and third rounds.
I like Stanford's Alex Carter, who fits the Steelers' MO as a true junior who happened to play at a major college, but if he tests well this weekend, he might not slip to their spot in the second round.
But there are a number of other guys who will be available in that range.
@ Forget about speed being an issue for West Virginia receiver Kevin White. At 6-3, 215 pounds, he ran a 4.35 40.
That's lighting fast for a guy of that size.
Here are some thoughts I had Friday:
@ Nebraska's Randy Gregory didn't help himself by coming in at 235 pounds. That's especially true when you consider that he's 6-5.
Remember, Plalxico Burress was 6-5, 229 - as a wide receiver.
Gregory almost certainly will have to be a weak side backer, which likely takes him off the Steelers' board. They will be looking for a larger linebacker to possibly replace Jason Worilds since Jarvis Jones has to play the weak side.
@ Vic Beasley, on the other hand, showed up at 246, about 10 pounds heavier than his playing weight last year at Clemson.
Beasley was also a weakside guy in college - like Jones - but unlike Jones, who has struggled to put on any weight since joining the Steelers and is still in that 235-240 range, Beasley showed he can easily bulk up.
And he carried that weight well.
@ My good friend Jim Wexell of SteelCityInsider noted that Washington linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha looks a lot like Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, right down to some of the mannerisms while talking.
Kikaha, at 6-2, 253, is a strong-side guy who could be had in the second or third round - depending on his workouts this weekend.
He was a big sack guy for the Huskies, putting up 19 in 14 games last season and is on the Steelers' radar.
@ Another bigger linebacker on the team's radar is Kentucky's Bud Dupree, who weighed in at an almost-too-heavy 269 pounds. He's 6-3, so he can afford to carry a little extra weight, but the Steelers, who met with Dupree, would likely ask him to scale it back - at least a little.
@ I heard some rumblings that there are some who think Trae Waynes of Michigan State, who weighed in at 6-0, 186 on Saturday, will run in the 4.3 to 4.4 range. If that happens, he'll go before the Steelers pick at 22.
That would leave the Steelers looking at a guy such as Marcus Peters, who was thrown off the team at Washington for arguing with his coaches. Peters will very much be under the microscope this weekend.
He can play, but if he's such a pain in the behind that his college coaches didn't want to deal with him, he must really be a MAJOR problem.
@ Beyond those two guys, there might not be a corner worthy of being the 22nd pick.
The real value at cornerback this year is in the second and third rounds.
I like Stanford's Alex Carter, who fits the Steelers' MO as a true junior who happened to play at a major college, but if he tests well this weekend, he might not slip to their spot in the second round.
But there are a number of other guys who will be available in that range.
@ Forget about speed being an issue for West Virginia receiver Kevin White. At 6-3, 215 pounds, he ran a 4.35 40.
That's lighting fast for a guy of that size.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
As a member of the Pro Football Writers of America, part of my duties this week included signing up to transcribe an interview or two of some of the players who are available to the media at the NFL Draft Combine.
Knowing that the Steelers will be in the market for a running back to serve as a backup to Le'Veon Bell, I chose Northern Iowa's David Johnson, who was one of the stars of Senior Bowl week.
It was a good choice on my part. Johnson just might be the closest thing to Bell in this draft.
He measured in at 6-0, 224 pounds on Friday and said he hopes to run in the 4.4 range in the 40.
We'll see about that, but like Bell, Johnson went under-recruited coming out of high school. Also, like Bell, Johnson also thrives as a receiver out of the backfield.
There's a reason for that. Coming out of high school, most colleges viewed Johnson, who said he was 190 pounds with his clothes on, as a wide receiver. He had split time at wide receiver and running back in high school.
Because of that, like Bell, Johnson understands route trees, runs crisp routes and also has very good hands.
Johnson said he was scheduled to meet with a number of teams, including the Steelers, tonight, so they are interested in him. But so are a lot of teams. Johnson isn't a first-rounder, but if he does go out and run a sub 4.5 40, he'll go as high as the second round. If, as expected, he runs in the 4.6 range, he could be available to the Steelers in the third or fourth round.
And he would be an ideal backup to Bell.
@ Bruce Arians was making the rounds today and said that former Steelers linebacker Larry Foote will join his coaching staff this offseason - though Foote isn't officially retiring.
Arians said Foote will work with the Cardinals, for whom he played last season, throughout the offseason and make a final decision about whether he'll continue as a player once the team gets closer to training camp.
@ Duke star receiver Jamison Crowder, who is 5-8, was asked if there are any smaller NFL receivers he looks up to or patterns his game after.
He immediately mentioned the Steelers' Antonio Brown as being that guy.
Crowder said his coach at Duke, former Steelers assistant Scottie Montgomery, began showing him tape of Brown when he joined the staff there a couple of years ago.
While some of the media guys there were looking to pin Crowder down as strictly being a slot guy, Crowder wasn't having any of that.
"Antonio Brown can play all over the field," Crowder said. "I just don't want to single my game to the slot. I want to be versatile, show that I do play outside and inside."
@ Pitt offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings was originally scheduled to meet with the media Wednesday along with the rest of the offensive line group. But that didn't happen.
Then, he was expected to be out early Thursday. But he didn't come out all day.
He's now expected to speak on Friday.
Taking that much time with the teams usually indicates there is a medical issue with a prospect, but I haven't heard anything concrete as of yet.
@ The Steelers and Bills will not have their joint practices this summer as they did last year in the week before their annual preseason game.
Those practices were done as an agreement between Mike Tomlin and Doug Marrone and Marrone is no longer with the Bills.
And with the Steelers now having five preseason games, they weren't too inclined to want to add to their training camp schedule, anyway.
Knowing that the Steelers will be in the market for a running back to serve as a backup to Le'Veon Bell, I chose Northern Iowa's David Johnson, who was one of the stars of Senior Bowl week.
It was a good choice on my part. Johnson just might be the closest thing to Bell in this draft.
He measured in at 6-0, 224 pounds on Friday and said he hopes to run in the 4.4 range in the 40.
We'll see about that, but like Bell, Johnson went under-recruited coming out of high school. Also, like Bell, Johnson also thrives as a receiver out of the backfield.
There's a reason for that. Coming out of high school, most colleges viewed Johnson, who said he was 190 pounds with his clothes on, as a wide receiver. He had split time at wide receiver and running back in high school.
Because of that, like Bell, Johnson understands route trees, runs crisp routes and also has very good hands.
Johnson said he was scheduled to meet with a number of teams, including the Steelers, tonight, so they are interested in him. But so are a lot of teams. Johnson isn't a first-rounder, but if he does go out and run a sub 4.5 40, he'll go as high as the second round. If, as expected, he runs in the 4.6 range, he could be available to the Steelers in the third or fourth round.
And he would be an ideal backup to Bell.
@ Bruce Arians was making the rounds today and said that former Steelers linebacker Larry Foote will join his coaching staff this offseason - though Foote isn't officially retiring.
Arians said Foote will work with the Cardinals, for whom he played last season, throughout the offseason and make a final decision about whether he'll continue as a player once the team gets closer to training camp.
@ Duke star receiver Jamison Crowder, who is 5-8, was asked if there are any smaller NFL receivers he looks up to or patterns his game after.
He immediately mentioned the Steelers' Antonio Brown as being that guy.
Crowder said his coach at Duke, former Steelers assistant Scottie Montgomery, began showing him tape of Brown when he joined the staff there a couple of years ago.
While some of the media guys there were looking to pin Crowder down as strictly being a slot guy, Crowder wasn't having any of that.
"Antonio Brown can play all over the field," Crowder said. "I just don't want to single my game to the slot. I want to be versatile, show that I do play outside and inside."
@ Pitt offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings was originally scheduled to meet with the media Wednesday along with the rest of the offensive line group. But that didn't happen.
Then, he was expected to be out early Thursday. But he didn't come out all day.
He's now expected to speak on Friday.
Taking that much time with the teams usually indicates there is a medical issue with a prospect, but I haven't heard anything concrete as of yet.
@ The Steelers and Bills will not have their joint practices this summer as they did last year in the week before their annual preseason game.
Those practices were done as an agreement between Mike Tomlin and Doug Marrone and Marrone is no longer with the Bills.
And with the Steelers now having five preseason games, they weren't too inclined to want to add to their training camp schedule, anyway.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Day 1 of the combine
Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert made his rounds today and really didn't have much more to add to what he said last week when he met with the media in Pittsburgh.
@ From the sound of things, it appears the Steelers will allow linebacker Jason Worilds to test the free agent market.
It's a gamble, but Colbert said the Steelers have spoken with Worilds and aren't likely to tag him, though they haven't ruled that out just yet.
But Colbert did say the Steelers felt cornerback Cortez Allen's struggles last season were, at least in part, due to the NFL's focus on defensive holding and pass interference in the secondary.
I felt that was the case as well, and Colbert confirmed it.
Allen was hit with a number of penalties throughout the preseason and early into the regular season that caused him to begin to doubt himself.
Then, when there was a possibility of his return late in the year, he suffered a broken thumb that completely derailed his season.
The Steelers feel Allen can bounce back and will give him every opportunity to do so.
@ That said, Pittsburgh will still likely be in the market for a cornerback early in this draft. Ike Taylor and Brice McCain are impending free agents and Antwon Blake will be a restricted free agent, though the Steelers are expected to tender him an offer.
The Steelers haven't taken a cornerback in the first round since Chad Scott in 1997 and have taken two in the second round - Ricardo Colclough in 2004 and Bryant McFadden in 2005 - since Colbert joined the team in 2000.
They might not take a corner in the first round this year but almost certainly will take at least one and possibly two in the first four rounds.
"It looks like it's going to be good," Colbert said of this year's cornerback group. "There's NFL-caliber players that are going to be available, probably at least through five rounds."
@ From the sound of things, it appears the Steelers will allow linebacker Jason Worilds to test the free agent market.
It's a gamble, but Colbert said the Steelers have spoken with Worilds and aren't likely to tag him, though they haven't ruled that out just yet.
@ One thing Colbert said the Steelers wouldn't do is go into the draft targeting any one position.
"We won't go into a draft thinking we need a specific position, because when you do that, you tend to overevaluate a specific position, and that's where mistakes are made," Colbert said. "We have to evaluate the whole field and draft accordingly. If there's a great offensive player who can help us average 27 points instead of 24 points - whatever our average was last year - maybe we won't need to be as good on defense. We're always going to be open to taking good players."
@ Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt joined Gerry Dulac and me on ESPN 970-AM and said that the decision to add Dick LeBeau to his staff was an easy one.
He did say that LeBeau was concerned with how defensive coordinator Ray Horton would handle not being in charge of calling the defenses for the Titans, but that Horton had no problem with it given his longtime relationship with LeBeau.
Whisenhunt also said that he had seen the stories and quotes from several of the Steelers veterans who are heading into free agency and/or might become free agents if released - Ike Taylor, James Harrison, Brett Keisel and Troy Polamalu - saying they would like to follow LeBeau to Tennessee and that he would be open to adding those players.
@ Colbert was asked if the Steelers regretted releasing LeGarrette Blount.
He simply said no.
@ I just sat in on the interview with top tight end prospect Maxx Williams of Minnesota. I was kind of surprised at how small he is.
At the table not far away was Penn State tight end Jesse James and he was much bigger than Williams, though Williams is more of a complete tight end.
Williams is listed at 6-4, 250, while James is listed at 6-7, 254. But Williams looked like the more skinny guy.
But, Williams noted he's still just 20 years old and he looks forward to improving his strength over the next couple of years.
James said he met with the Steelers today.
The Steelers also met with Florida State tight end Nick O'Leary, the grandson of Jack Nicklaus, Tuesdsay night.
Yes, the team is definitely in the market for a young tight end.
@ Colbert was asked if the Steelers regretted releasing LeGarrette Blount.
He simply said no.
@ I just sat in on the interview with top tight end prospect Maxx Williams of Minnesota. I was kind of surprised at how small he is.
At the table not far away was Penn State tight end Jesse James and he was much bigger than Williams, though Williams is more of a complete tight end.
Williams is listed at 6-4, 250, while James is listed at 6-7, 254. But Williams looked like the more skinny guy.
But, Williams noted he's still just 20 years old and he looks forward to improving his strength over the next couple of years.
James said he met with the Steelers today.
The Steelers also met with Florida State tight end Nick O'Leary, the grandson of Jack Nicklaus, Tuesdsay night.
Yes, the team is definitely in the market for a young tight end.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Heading to the combine
I'll be heading to the NFL Combine on Tuesday through Friday to speak with as many of this year's draft class as possible.
A few guys I want to talk to include Penn State's Mike Hull, who is a Canonsburg guy, Pitt's T.J. Clemmings and West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White.
But I'll also keep a close eye on the edge rushers, regardless of whether I think they can make the transition to linebacker or not.
Kevin Colbert last week didn't dismiss the idea that the Steelers could sign a player in free agency or sign one who is strictly a 4-3 rush end.
Why not? The Steelers play a nickel defense with four "linemen" about 60 percent of the time. Even if a defensive lineman doesn't appear to have the ability to drop into coverage, he can line up at end and get after the passer.
And this team needs to improve its pass rush.
Adding a bigger body at rush end in the nickel might also help the Steelers with their run defense in that package as well.
@ I just saw a story that said Green Bay's Randall Cobb will be looking for a deal on the free agent market that will pay him $9 million per season.
That certainly makes you realize what a bargain the Steelers got when they signed Antonio Brown to a five-year, $42.5 million extension a couple of years ago.
It didn't seem so at the time, as the Steelers were more or less projecting what Brown's worth would be. But his current deal, via which he'll count $9.8 million in 2015, runs through 2017.
Brown also will count $12 million against the cap in 2016 and $10 million in 2017. But imagine what he'd get right now if he were hitting the open market.
@ I continue to hear that Ben Roethlisberger "should give the Steelers a hometown discount" on his new contract.
Why?
Roethlisberger has made a nice chunk of change from the Steelers over the past decade. But he's also earned it.
Last season, he had one fewer touchdown pass than Tom Brady and the same number of passing yards as Drew Brees, which tied for the NFL lead.
Again, why should he offer the Steelers a "hometown discount."
His job is to play football and win as many games as possible. It's up to the front office to surround him with players capable of making that possible.
And before you bring the whole Brady hometown discount into the discussion, realize that Brady is married to a supermodel who makes a lot more money than he does on his football contract. Brady is the secondary wage earner in that family.
@ The date that NFL teams could place the transition or franchise tag on players came on Monday. But there wasn't a rush by teams to do so.
Don't expect the Steelers to do so with Jason Worilds this year, even though they are painfully thin at outside linebacker if he leaves. Tagging Worilds this season would cost the team around $11 million for the transition and $13 million for the franchise.
That's just not in the cards.
If Worilds leaves, I would kick the tires on former Cleveland outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard. The former Pitt star has fallen out of favor in Cleveland. But he had 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2011 and seven in 2012.
A few guys I want to talk to include Penn State's Mike Hull, who is a Canonsburg guy, Pitt's T.J. Clemmings and West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White.
But I'll also keep a close eye on the edge rushers, regardless of whether I think they can make the transition to linebacker or not.
Kevin Colbert last week didn't dismiss the idea that the Steelers could sign a player in free agency or sign one who is strictly a 4-3 rush end.
Why not? The Steelers play a nickel defense with four "linemen" about 60 percent of the time. Even if a defensive lineman doesn't appear to have the ability to drop into coverage, he can line up at end and get after the passer.
And this team needs to improve its pass rush.
Adding a bigger body at rush end in the nickel might also help the Steelers with their run defense in that package as well.
@ I just saw a story that said Green Bay's Randall Cobb will be looking for a deal on the free agent market that will pay him $9 million per season.
That certainly makes you realize what a bargain the Steelers got when they signed Antonio Brown to a five-year, $42.5 million extension a couple of years ago.
It didn't seem so at the time, as the Steelers were more or less projecting what Brown's worth would be. But his current deal, via which he'll count $9.8 million in 2015, runs through 2017.
Brown also will count $12 million against the cap in 2016 and $10 million in 2017. But imagine what he'd get right now if he were hitting the open market.
@ I continue to hear that Ben Roethlisberger "should give the Steelers a hometown discount" on his new contract.
Why?
Roethlisberger has made a nice chunk of change from the Steelers over the past decade. But he's also earned it.
Last season, he had one fewer touchdown pass than Tom Brady and the same number of passing yards as Drew Brees, which tied for the NFL lead.
Again, why should he offer the Steelers a "hometown discount."
His job is to play football and win as many games as possible. It's up to the front office to surround him with players capable of making that possible.
And before you bring the whole Brady hometown discount into the discussion, realize that Brady is married to a supermodel who makes a lot more money than he does on his football contract. Brady is the secondary wage earner in that family.
@ The date that NFL teams could place the transition or franchise tag on players came on Monday. But there wasn't a rush by teams to do so.
Don't expect the Steelers to do so with Jason Worilds this year, even though they are painfully thin at outside linebacker if he leaves. Tagging Worilds this season would cost the team around $11 million for the transition and $13 million for the franchise.
That's just not in the cards.
If Worilds leaves, I would kick the tires on former Cleveland outside linebacker Jabaal Sheard. The former Pitt star has fallen out of favor in Cleveland. But he had 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2011 and seven in 2012.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Steelers have toughest schedule? Who cares?
It was such big news that it was featured on at least one of the local TV station's 6 p.m. sports broadcast tonight.
This just in, the Steelers have the toughest 2015 schedule based on last year's records.
The key part of that, of course, is "based on last year's records."
As we all know, last year won't mean diddly once the 2015 season begins.
The San Francisco 49ers were chic pick to win the Super Bowl this season in many circles. They struggled to an 8-8 record that saw them fire head coach Jim Harbaugh.
The Houston Texans went from being 2-14 and having the first pick in the draft to being a very competitive 9-7.
The NFC South went from being a division that included a 12-win Carolina team and an 11-win Saints club to a division in which none of the teams finished over .500.
The point being, nobody knows what's going to happen this offseason. Some teams will get better. Some will get worse. And the Browns will continue to be the Browns.
But I digress.
Certainly, the Steelers 2015 schedule does look daunting. But it's not all that different from the one the rest of the division will be saddled with as well.
Here's Pittsburgh's schedule:
Here's Baltimore's schedule:
Here's Cincinnati's schedule:
This just in, the Steelers have the toughest 2015 schedule based on last year's records.
The key part of that, of course, is "based on last year's records."
As we all know, last year won't mean diddly once the 2015 season begins.
The San Francisco 49ers were chic pick to win the Super Bowl this season in many circles. They struggled to an 8-8 record that saw them fire head coach Jim Harbaugh.
The Houston Texans went from being 2-14 and having the first pick in the draft to being a very competitive 9-7.
The NFC South went from being a division that included a 12-win Carolina team and an 11-win Saints club to a division in which none of the teams finished over .500.
The point being, nobody knows what's going to happen this offseason. Some teams will get better. Some will get worse. And the Browns will continue to be the Browns.
But I digress.
Certainly, the Steelers 2015 schedule does look daunting. But it's not all that different from the one the rest of the division will be saddled with as well.
Here's Pittsburgh's schedule:
| Home | Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Oakland, Arizona, San Francisco, Indianapolis |
| Away | Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, San Diego, St. Louis, Seattle, New England |
| Home | Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, San Diego, St. Louis, Seattle, Jacksonville |
| Away | Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Denver, Oakland, Arizona, San Francisco, Miami |
| Home | Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, San Diego, St. Louis, Seattle, Houston |
| Away | Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Denver, Oakland, Arizona, San Francisco, Buffalo |
None of them look particularly easy.
Perhaps 2015 will be a season in which everyone will be talking about the AFC North like they did the NFC South last season.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Colbert speaks
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said today that the team has opened contract negotiations with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and he expects the deal to be relatively easy to finalize.
Colbert said with both sides wanting to get the deal completed, it should be relatively painless.
Colbert also said he feels Roethlisberger is getting better with age and has a number of good years remaining ahead of him, using Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as examples of quarterbacks who have continued to play at a high level into their late 30s.
@ Colbert wouldn't rule out using a tag on linebacker Jason Worilds for the second consecutive season but said the team doesn't like to have to use the franchise or transition designations on players.
Colbert said he felt Worilds had a good year and is still a player who is getting better.
That said, Colbert listed outside linebacker and cornerback as two positions of need. He also pointed out tight end as a position of need - at least right now with Matt Spaeth and Michael Palmer both potentially heading into free agency.
@ Colbert said that the NFL policy regarding a possible suspension of running back Le'Veon Bell is spelled out but there is no timetable the league is under as to when a possible suspension might take place or how his guilty plea to a DUI would be interpreted.
@ Colbert said the team really isn't all that interested in the new veteran combine the NFL will hold this season.
According to Colbert, the Steelers feel like they already have a pretty good idea about the guys who will be invited to the veteran combine, having seen them in training camps and games.
As Colbert said, those guys will not have gotten any faster, etc.
@ Colbert doesn't feel this draft is as deep as last year's but still has quality depth at both edge rushers and cornerbacks.
There are a number of first-round edge rushers available. Colbert did say, however, that while there aren't a lot of high-end corners, the position has quality depth.
@ Colbert said there wasn't one position - real positions, not punter, kicker or long snapper - that the Steelers would currently not consider in the first round of the draft.
That, of course, could change with free agent signings and such.
Colbert said with both sides wanting to get the deal completed, it should be relatively painless.
Colbert also said he feels Roethlisberger is getting better with age and has a number of good years remaining ahead of him, using Tom Brady and Peyton Manning as examples of quarterbacks who have continued to play at a high level into their late 30s.
@ Colbert wouldn't rule out using a tag on linebacker Jason Worilds for the second consecutive season but said the team doesn't like to have to use the franchise or transition designations on players.
Colbert said he felt Worilds had a good year and is still a player who is getting better.
That said, Colbert listed outside linebacker and cornerback as two positions of need. He also pointed out tight end as a position of need - at least right now with Matt Spaeth and Michael Palmer both potentially heading into free agency.
@ Colbert said that the NFL policy regarding a possible suspension of running back Le'Veon Bell is spelled out but there is no timetable the league is under as to when a possible suspension might take place or how his guilty plea to a DUI would be interpreted.
@ Colbert said the team really isn't all that interested in the new veteran combine the NFL will hold this season.
According to Colbert, the Steelers feel like they already have a pretty good idea about the guys who will be invited to the veteran combine, having seen them in training camps and games.
As Colbert said, those guys will not have gotten any faster, etc.
@ Colbert doesn't feel this draft is as deep as last year's but still has quality depth at both edge rushers and cornerbacks.
There are a number of first-round edge rushers available. Colbert did say, however, that while there aren't a lot of high-end corners, the position has quality depth.
@ Colbert said there wasn't one position - real positions, not punter, kicker or long snapper - that the Steelers would currently not consider in the first round of the draft.
That, of course, could change with free agent signings and such.
Friday, February 06, 2015
Steelers news, notes
The Steelers, as expected, promoted Jerry Olsavsky and Joey Porter to the positions of inside linebackers and outside linebackers coach, respectively.
Both men, while serving as defensive assistants, had already worked extensively with those positions already.
The move was made to replace Keith Butler, who was promoted to defensive coordinator last month after serving as the team's linebackers coach since 2003.
I still look for another former Steelers player - with Deshea Townsend being at the top of the list - to be added as a defensive assistant, who in addition to working with specific positions, also do advance scouting and tape work.
@ LeVeon Bell was admitted into the ARD program for first-time offenders on Friday and can have his DUI/marijuana possession charges expunged from his record if he completes the program successfully.
But that will not preclude the NFL from also disciplining the All-Pro running back.
I still expect the NFL to levy a one-game suspension on Bell, which will likely come in Week 1 next season.
Both men, while serving as defensive assistants, had already worked extensively with those positions already.
The move was made to replace Keith Butler, who was promoted to defensive coordinator last month after serving as the team's linebackers coach since 2003.
I still look for another former Steelers player - with Deshea Townsend being at the top of the list - to be added as a defensive assistant, who in addition to working with specific positions, also do advance scouting and tape work.
@ LeVeon Bell was admitted into the ARD program for first-time offenders on Friday and can have his DUI/marijuana possession charges expunged from his record if he completes the program successfully.
But that will not preclude the NFL from also disciplining the All-Pro running back.
I still expect the NFL to levy a one-game suspension on Bell, which will likely come in Week 1 next season.
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
With the Super Bowl now completed, teams will begin to turn their attention to the NFL draft and free agency, which begins in five weeks.
Up first will be the NFL combine in Indianapolis in a couple of weeks.
But teams also will begin attempting to work out deals with players before they hit the free agent market.
Here's a look at where the Steelers stand in free agency and some odds on who will be back and who will not.
Unrestricted
Jason Worilds: For all of the complaints about Worilds' play, he matched Cameron Heyward for the team lead in sacks with 7.5. And Worilds had one taken away from him in Atlanta that shouldn't have been - as the NFL basically agreed when it did not fine him for his hit on Matt Ryan. The big question for the Steelers is do they give Worilds a second contract or attempt to tag him again as they did in 2014? He cost them $9.5 million last season playing under the transition tag, which is too much money. The Steelers likely can't afford that. But they also can't afford to lose one of their proven pass rushers. Perhaps a five-year deal worth $30 million that includes a $12-$15 million signing bonus would get it done. Worilds is still just 26 - he turns 27 in March - and his best football is still in front of him. But he might want to test the free agent waters. Chances of re-signing 50-50
James Harrison: Harrison was one of the better stories for the Steelers this season, recording 5.5 sacks after signing following the team's third game. But he'll turn 37 in May. Harrison is a workout fanatic and after initially saying there was no way he'd return, I think he'd like to come back. But 37-year-old players have a tendency to break down and the Steelers didn't want Harrison to be a full-time player last season - even though he certainly was at times. Harrison would serve as a fallback option if Worilds doesn't re-sign, but it would also force the team to once again draft an edge rusher high - either in the first or second round and hope he can catch on sooner than Jarvis Jones has. I don't think he's back if Worilds re-signs, however, since the pull of Keisel, Polamalu and Taylor, along with Dick LeBeau, won't be there any longer. Chances of re-signing 30-70
Arthur Moats: An all-around nice guy and a good locker room presence, Moats filled in admirably at times last season at outside linebacker. But he's more of a depth guy and special teams player. The Steelers want him back. Chances of re-signing 80-20
Brice McCain: A revelation at cornerback last season. McCain was better than advertised. But he still has his limitations. Ideally, he's a third or fourth corner. But the Steelers were so thin at the position last year he was forced to start. Chances of re-signing 80-20
Ike Taylor: Ike, it's been fun. But it's over. The talk of moving to safety is silly. The Steelers want guys in their secondary moving forward that can force turnovers. Taylor has never been that guy. Chances of re-signing 0-100
Will Allen: All he does is what's asked of him. The Steelers liked Allen's ability to be in the right spot so much that they kept on playing him over Shamarko Thomas when Troy Polamalu was out. But Allen is getting up in age. Chances of re-signing 60-40
Darrius Heyward-Bey: Yes, he didn't offer much in the passing game. But he wasn't asked to do much there. What he was asked to do was be a core special teams player. And Heyward-Bey did that quite well. He fits in well in the locker room as well. Chances of re-signing 75-25
Matt Spaeth: Spaeth has turned into one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, which is what the Steelers drafted him for in the first place. But he's also 31, so age could be a factor. Spaeth doesn't give much in the passing game, but like DHB, he wasn't asked to do much there, either. Chances of resigning 75-25
Ben Tate: Tate basically got a one-game tryout in the playoffs and was OK, though he did fumble. He was cut twice last season, so his price tag shouldn't be too great. But does he envision himself as a starter? Or would he buy getting Le'Veon Bell's scraps? It's possible, but he didn't like not being the guy in Cleveland. A younger player who can also play special teams might be a better choice to back up Bell. Chances of re-signing 30-70
Michael Palmer: Palmer's one of those guys who you look to cut every year in training camp and then you look up seven or eight years later and he's still on the team. He's a decent special teams player and OK as a receiver. But a younger TE might push him off the roster. Should be an easy re-signing, however, to a cheap one or two-year deal. Chances of re-signing 70-30
Greg Warren: The Steelers really, really, like Warren as their long snapper. They feel he's one of the best in the business. I don't study the position to know whether that's true or not, but they seldom have snapping issues. Chances of re-signing 100-0 (Editor's note" Re-signed Feb. 4 to a one-year deal)
Restricted Free Agents
The restricted free agents are Antwon Blake, Will Johnson and Robert Golden. All three are valuable members of the team and will likely be tendered offers.
Up first will be the NFL combine in Indianapolis in a couple of weeks.
But teams also will begin attempting to work out deals with players before they hit the free agent market.
Here's a look at where the Steelers stand in free agency and some odds on who will be back and who will not.
Unrestricted
Jason Worilds: For all of the complaints about Worilds' play, he matched Cameron Heyward for the team lead in sacks with 7.5. And Worilds had one taken away from him in Atlanta that shouldn't have been - as the NFL basically agreed when it did not fine him for his hit on Matt Ryan. The big question for the Steelers is do they give Worilds a second contract or attempt to tag him again as they did in 2014? He cost them $9.5 million last season playing under the transition tag, which is too much money. The Steelers likely can't afford that. But they also can't afford to lose one of their proven pass rushers. Perhaps a five-year deal worth $30 million that includes a $12-$15 million signing bonus would get it done. Worilds is still just 26 - he turns 27 in March - and his best football is still in front of him. But he might want to test the free agent waters. Chances of re-signing 50-50
James Harrison: Harrison was one of the better stories for the Steelers this season, recording 5.5 sacks after signing following the team's third game. But he'll turn 37 in May. Harrison is a workout fanatic and after initially saying there was no way he'd return, I think he'd like to come back. But 37-year-old players have a tendency to break down and the Steelers didn't want Harrison to be a full-time player last season - even though he certainly was at times. Harrison would serve as a fallback option if Worilds doesn't re-sign, but it would also force the team to once again draft an edge rusher high - either in the first or second round and hope he can catch on sooner than Jarvis Jones has. I don't think he's back if Worilds re-signs, however, since the pull of Keisel, Polamalu and Taylor, along with Dick LeBeau, won't be there any longer. Chances of re-signing 30-70
Arthur Moats: An all-around nice guy and a good locker room presence, Moats filled in admirably at times last season at outside linebacker. But he's more of a depth guy and special teams player. The Steelers want him back. Chances of re-signing 80-20
Brice McCain: A revelation at cornerback last season. McCain was better than advertised. But he still has his limitations. Ideally, he's a third or fourth corner. But the Steelers were so thin at the position last year he was forced to start. Chances of re-signing 80-20
Ike Taylor: Ike, it's been fun. But it's over. The talk of moving to safety is silly. The Steelers want guys in their secondary moving forward that can force turnovers. Taylor has never been that guy. Chances of re-signing 0-100
Will Allen: All he does is what's asked of him. The Steelers liked Allen's ability to be in the right spot so much that they kept on playing him over Shamarko Thomas when Troy Polamalu was out. But Allen is getting up in age. Chances of re-signing 60-40
Darrius Heyward-Bey: Yes, he didn't offer much in the passing game. But he wasn't asked to do much there. What he was asked to do was be a core special teams player. And Heyward-Bey did that quite well. He fits in well in the locker room as well. Chances of re-signing 75-25
Matt Spaeth: Spaeth has turned into one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, which is what the Steelers drafted him for in the first place. But he's also 31, so age could be a factor. Spaeth doesn't give much in the passing game, but like DHB, he wasn't asked to do much there, either. Chances of resigning 75-25
Ben Tate: Tate basically got a one-game tryout in the playoffs and was OK, though he did fumble. He was cut twice last season, so his price tag shouldn't be too great. But does he envision himself as a starter? Or would he buy getting Le'Veon Bell's scraps? It's possible, but he didn't like not being the guy in Cleveland. A younger player who can also play special teams might be a better choice to back up Bell. Chances of re-signing 30-70
Michael Palmer: Palmer's one of those guys who you look to cut every year in training camp and then you look up seven or eight years later and he's still on the team. He's a decent special teams player and OK as a receiver. But a younger TE might push him off the roster. Should be an easy re-signing, however, to a cheap one or two-year deal. Chances of re-signing 70-30
Greg Warren: The Steelers really, really, like Warren as their long snapper. They feel he's one of the best in the business. I don't study the position to know whether that's true or not, but they seldom have snapping issues. Chances of re-signing 100-0 (Editor's note" Re-signed Feb. 4 to a one-year deal)
Restricted Free Agents
The restricted free agents are Antwon Blake, Will Johnson and Robert Golden. All three are valuable members of the team and will likely be tendered offers.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Bettis in Hall of Fame and other NFL awards thoughts
Finally, Jerome Bettis can officially count himself among the greatest players in NFL history as he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday.
Bettis is part of an eight-man class that includes Junior Seau, one of the best defensive players I've ever seen in person, and Tim Brown.
But the guess here is that Bettis' induction will draw the biggest crowd to Canton for the induction ceremony Aug. 8.
We all know how well Steelers fans travel and Bettis is among the most popular players in team history. The close proximity to Pittsburgh doesn't hurt, either.
Because of that, as I reported a couple of weeks ago, you can expect the Steelers to play in the Hall of Fame game to open the preseason Aug. 9.
That would mean the Steelers would open training camp July 26 or 27, 14 or so days before that first game.
@ My favorite moment involving Bettis came in 2000 - when the Steelers were trying to replace Bettis with Richard Huntley.
Huntley had averaged 6 yards per carry in 1999 - running mostly on third downs - and was stealing carries from Bettis in 2000. But Bettis wouldn't give way without a fight.
In fact, he was playing through a broken rib. This was something that was amazing to Huntley.
When asked if he would play with broken ribs, Huntley said, "Mother$!@#$@# be hitting and stuff out there. $%$# that."
When Bettis didn't play in a game, you knew the injury had to be bad.
@ It would also often take Bettis a good, long while to talk to reporters after a game. But we waited.
And as you stood there watching Bettis sitting on his stool, welts on his back that looked as if he had been beaten with a baseball bat, struggling to put on his shoe and shirt, you couldn't help but respect the man.
He left it all on the field.
@ The NFL announced its season awards on Saturday night and there were no surprises among the winners.
Aaron Rodgers deservedly won the MVP award, while DeMarco Murray and J.J. Watt won the offensive and defensive player of the year awards.
Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell got a combined seven votes in OPOY voting, which was quite respectable.
I was, however, surprised that no Steelers got a vote in the Comeback Player of the Year award voting won by Rob Gronkowski.
Initially, I was surprised James Harrison didn't get any votes. Harrison was barely used in 2013 by Cincinnati and rebounded with a very solid season for the Steelers.
And as a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he certainly had the name recognition.
As somebody pointed out to me on Twitter, Maurkice Pouncey also would have been a good choice after missing nearly the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL.
Neither got a vote. But Justin Forsett got two and Kyle Orton got one. Heck, Rolondo McClain finished second with seven votes.
Larry Foote even got one.
I've got no problem with Gronkowski winning the award. But Harrison and Pouncey would have been better choices than some of those other guys.
@ Somebody asked me on Twitter about Sean Spence possibly being considered. But he had actually never really played in an NFL game. His is a great story, but he also didn't have the name recognition to win a national award.
Then again, if Rolondo McClain was considered, who knows?
Bettis is part of an eight-man class that includes Junior Seau, one of the best defensive players I've ever seen in person, and Tim Brown.
But the guess here is that Bettis' induction will draw the biggest crowd to Canton for the induction ceremony Aug. 8.
We all know how well Steelers fans travel and Bettis is among the most popular players in team history. The close proximity to Pittsburgh doesn't hurt, either.
Because of that, as I reported a couple of weeks ago, you can expect the Steelers to play in the Hall of Fame game to open the preseason Aug. 9.
That would mean the Steelers would open training camp July 26 or 27, 14 or so days before that first game.
@ My favorite moment involving Bettis came in 2000 - when the Steelers were trying to replace Bettis with Richard Huntley.
Huntley had averaged 6 yards per carry in 1999 - running mostly on third downs - and was stealing carries from Bettis in 2000. But Bettis wouldn't give way without a fight.
In fact, he was playing through a broken rib. This was something that was amazing to Huntley.
When asked if he would play with broken ribs, Huntley said, "Mother$!@#$@# be hitting and stuff out there. $%$# that."
When Bettis didn't play in a game, you knew the injury had to be bad.
@ It would also often take Bettis a good, long while to talk to reporters after a game. But we waited.
And as you stood there watching Bettis sitting on his stool, welts on his back that looked as if he had been beaten with a baseball bat, struggling to put on his shoe and shirt, you couldn't help but respect the man.
He left it all on the field.
@ The NFL announced its season awards on Saturday night and there were no surprises among the winners.
Aaron Rodgers deservedly won the MVP award, while DeMarco Murray and J.J. Watt won the offensive and defensive player of the year awards.
Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell got a combined seven votes in OPOY voting, which was quite respectable.
I was, however, surprised that no Steelers got a vote in the Comeback Player of the Year award voting won by Rob Gronkowski.
Initially, I was surprised James Harrison didn't get any votes. Harrison was barely used in 2013 by Cincinnati and rebounded with a very solid season for the Steelers.
And as a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he certainly had the name recognition.
As somebody pointed out to me on Twitter, Maurkice Pouncey also would have been a good choice after missing nearly the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL.
Neither got a vote. But Justin Forsett got two and Kyle Orton got one. Heck, Rolondo McClain finished second with seven votes.
Larry Foote even got one.
I've got no problem with Gronkowski winning the award. But Harrison and Pouncey would have been better choices than some of those other guys.
@ Somebody asked me on Twitter about Sean Spence possibly being considered. But he had actually never really played in an NFL game. His is a great story, but he also didn't have the name recognition to win a national award.
Then again, if Rolondo McClain was considered, who knows?
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Super Bowl news, notes
In a couple of days, I expect that Jerome Bettis will take his spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
There has been a bigger push than ever before to get Bettis, the NFL's sixth-leading rusher, into the hall. That push has been led by the Steelers, who have put a full-court press on the issue this season.
Bettis has been passed over in recent years for other running backs - and I can't argue that he should have gotten in over any of those guys.
But the time has come.
@ I've gone back and forth on my pick for this game. Earlier in the week, I picked the Patriots while on ESPN-970.
But I've changed my mind. I'm going with the Seahawks, 24-20.
@ People talk about watching the game and rooting for one team or the other.
Maybe I'm different, but I can just watch a game with no rooting interest, Perhaps covering the NFL for the past 22 seasons has made that possible. I don't know.
But for those who can't find a rooting interest in this game, there's this: One way or another, one of these teams is going to lose.
And that, in itself, could be something to root for.
@ Once the Super Bowl is finished, things will start heating up with free agency and the scouting combine.
Look for the Steelers to open contract talks with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and linebacker Jason Worilds.
I will be attending the combine in Indianapolis this year for the first time, so I'm hopeful to get some interviews in with some potential Steelers draft picks.
There has been a bigger push than ever before to get Bettis, the NFL's sixth-leading rusher, into the hall. That push has been led by the Steelers, who have put a full-court press on the issue this season.
Bettis has been passed over in recent years for other running backs - and I can't argue that he should have gotten in over any of those guys.
But the time has come.
@ I've gone back and forth on my pick for this game. Earlier in the week, I picked the Patriots while on ESPN-970.
But I've changed my mind. I'm going with the Seahawks, 24-20.
@ People talk about watching the game and rooting for one team or the other.
Maybe I'm different, but I can just watch a game with no rooting interest, Perhaps covering the NFL for the past 22 seasons has made that possible. I don't know.
But for those who can't find a rooting interest in this game, there's this: One way or another, one of these teams is going to lose.
And that, in itself, could be something to root for.
@ Once the Super Bowl is finished, things will start heating up with free agency and the scouting combine.
Look for the Steelers to open contract talks with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and linebacker Jason Worilds.
I will be attending the combine in Indianapolis this year for the first time, so I'm hopeful to get some interviews in with some potential Steelers draft picks.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Just ignore the dude
Once again, my media brethren fell into the trap of making a big deal out of covering a guy who doesn't want to be covered.
In this case, I'm talking about Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch, a good player who has a bad attitude.
Lynch has had a couple of run ins with the law during his career - carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and, worse, a hit-and-run. He's not a particularly smart guy.
But in this case, he outfoxed the media.
Lynch doesn't want to fulfill his contract and talk to the media. He's been fined for his ducking of his duties by the NFL.
But Tuesday at media day, a number of the morons who attend that event - and believe me, it's a circus, not a media event - made a point of peppering Lynch with questions at his podium.
He gave the same stock answer to every question, as he has done all season - "I'm here so I don't get fined."
Great. But he also did so with a bad of candy that he has become associated with and while wearing his own brand of clothing.
Had the media paid no attention to him, nobody would have noticed the candy or his hat. Instead, Lynch got the publicity both of those companies wanted - for doing nothing.
Here's a better idea. Nobody cares what this moron has to say. And if nobody pays attention to him, the endorsements will dry up. Companies want their product out in front. If nobody pays attention to Lynch, that doesn't happen.
Lynch also has lashed out at the NFL for coming down on him with fines for not talking and other incidents. Here's an idea, Marshawn, quit.
Nobody is forcing you to play in the NFL. You are doing so because you are being well compensated to do so. And part of that compensation is to play under the rules set forth by the NFL - one of which is to make yourself available to the media. It's in the contract that YOU signed.
But I could care less if Lynch speaks or doesn't speak. I wouldn't talk to him anyway. There have been Steelers in the past to whom I did not speak. They made it obvious that they didn't want to talk to me - or anyone else. So I didn't talk to them.
It only hurt them because they didn't get any stories written about them. I once turned down a large sum of money from a national magazine in 1995 to write a story after the Super Bowl about a member of the Steelers because I didn't talk to him.
Instead, they asked me to write a story about Bill Cowher.
And guess what? When that player now comes back to Pittsburgh for Steelers events, he can't wait to talk to the media. He's as nice about it as can be. It's almost like he's begging to be relevant again.
But those days have passed. Marshawn Lynch will learn that soon enough.
That's my rant for the day. I don't expect some people to understand it. And this isn't a member of the media "crying" because a player doesn't want to talk to me. As stated, if they don't want to talk to me, fine. But they shouldn't get angry because there are repercussions.
In this case, I'm talking about Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch, a good player who has a bad attitude.
Lynch has had a couple of run ins with the law during his career - carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and, worse, a hit-and-run. He's not a particularly smart guy.
But in this case, he outfoxed the media.
Lynch doesn't want to fulfill his contract and talk to the media. He's been fined for his ducking of his duties by the NFL.
But Tuesday at media day, a number of the morons who attend that event - and believe me, it's a circus, not a media event - made a point of peppering Lynch with questions at his podium.
He gave the same stock answer to every question, as he has done all season - "I'm here so I don't get fined."
Great. But he also did so with a bad of candy that he has become associated with and while wearing his own brand of clothing.
Had the media paid no attention to him, nobody would have noticed the candy or his hat. Instead, Lynch got the publicity both of those companies wanted - for doing nothing.
Here's a better idea. Nobody cares what this moron has to say. And if nobody pays attention to him, the endorsements will dry up. Companies want their product out in front. If nobody pays attention to Lynch, that doesn't happen.
Lynch also has lashed out at the NFL for coming down on him with fines for not talking and other incidents. Here's an idea, Marshawn, quit.
Nobody is forcing you to play in the NFL. You are doing so because you are being well compensated to do so. And part of that compensation is to play under the rules set forth by the NFL - one of which is to make yourself available to the media. It's in the contract that YOU signed.
But I could care less if Lynch speaks or doesn't speak. I wouldn't talk to him anyway. There have been Steelers in the past to whom I did not speak. They made it obvious that they didn't want to talk to me - or anyone else. So I didn't talk to them.
It only hurt them because they didn't get any stories written about them. I once turned down a large sum of money from a national magazine in 1995 to write a story after the Super Bowl about a member of the Steelers because I didn't talk to him.
Instead, they asked me to write a story about Bill Cowher.
And guess what? When that player now comes back to Pittsburgh for Steelers events, he can't wait to talk to the media. He's as nice about it as can be. It's almost like he's begging to be relevant again.
But those days have passed. Marshawn Lynch will learn that soon enough.
That's my rant for the day. I don't expect some people to understand it. And this isn't a member of the media "crying" because a player doesn't want to talk to me. As stated, if they don't want to talk to me, fine. But they shouldn't get angry because there are repercussions.
Monday, January 26, 2015
I'm afraid to open this can of worms, but . . .
SI.com's Monday Morning Quarterback did an in-depth story on Pro Football Focus.
It should be noted that two summers ago, MMQB's Peter King permitted the head of Pro Football Focus to travel around with him on his bus as he toured NFL training camps, so there's definitely a relationship between King and PFF owner Neil Hornsby.
Here's the story on PFF and what it does: http://mmqb.si.com/2015/01/25/pro-football-focus-nfl-neil-hornsby-cris-collinsworth-analytics/
As many of the followers of this blog know, I don't take what I read on PFF as the be-all, end-all of the NFL. As the story correctly notes, the guy sitting next to his computer has no idea what a certain player's responsibilities were on a given play.
That makes judging offensive linemen, defensive linemen and coverages difficult, in my opinion. It's also not always apparent when a wide receiver runs an incorrect route, etc.
Does this mean I don't look at their stats? No. They can be helpful when looking at player participation, quarterback pressures, pass defenses, etc.
But I don't use their grading to tell me whether a player had a good or bad game. I can see that with my own eyes.
It should be noted that two summers ago, MMQB's Peter King permitted the head of Pro Football Focus to travel around with him on his bus as he toured NFL training camps, so there's definitely a relationship between King and PFF owner Neil Hornsby.
Here's the story on PFF and what it does: http://mmqb.si.com/2015/01/25/pro-football-focus-nfl-neil-hornsby-cris-collinsworth-analytics/
As many of the followers of this blog know, I don't take what I read on PFF as the be-all, end-all of the NFL. As the story correctly notes, the guy sitting next to his computer has no idea what a certain player's responsibilities were on a given play.
That makes judging offensive linemen, defensive linemen and coverages difficult, in my opinion. It's also not always apparent when a wide receiver runs an incorrect route, etc.
Does this mean I don't look at their stats? No. They can be helpful when looking at player participation, quarterback pressures, pass defenses, etc.
But I don't use their grading to tell me whether a player had a good or bad game. I can see that with my own eyes.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Time to do away with the Pro Bowl
The Pro Bowl will be played this weekend.
I know. You're waiting on pins and needles to see whether Team Carter, which includes Antonio Brown, Maurkice Pouncey and Lawrence Timmons, will best Team Irvin, which includes a bunch of other guys.
The fact that the NFL decided to do away with playing the game by conference and using guys, who happen to work for the NFL Network, to pick the teams is only part of the problem.
At least in the old days, the Pro Bowl was an AFC vs. NFC thing. Now, it's who knows what.
It's just made the game more of a farce than it already was.
I'll admit. I've never watched more than five minutes of a Pro Bowl. That's all I needed to see to figure out it was nothing more than a glorified touch football game.
And even at that, injuries happen. Former Steelers All-Pro center Dermontti Dawson suffered a hamstring injury during 1998 Pro Bowl and was never the same after.
New England rookie running back Robert Edwards blew his knee out during a rookie beach football game - when the game was still in Hawaii - and nearly had to have his knee amputated. Seriously.
The latter injury forced the NFL to end its rookie touch football game on the beach. And the time has come to end the farce of a Pro Bowl game as well.
For goodness sakes, so many quarterbacks backed out of this year's game that Andy Dalton, who finished 13th in the Pro Bowl voting at his position, will play in the game.
While we're at it, they can end the all-star games in hockey and the NBA, as well. There's no defense played by anyone at the games and they're nothing more than glorified skills competitions.
Only the Major League Baseball All-Star game bears any resemblance to a regular season game - and that's only in passing.
I know. You're waiting on pins and needles to see whether Team Carter, which includes Antonio Brown, Maurkice Pouncey and Lawrence Timmons, will best Team Irvin, which includes a bunch of other guys.
The fact that the NFL decided to do away with playing the game by conference and using guys, who happen to work for the NFL Network, to pick the teams is only part of the problem.
At least in the old days, the Pro Bowl was an AFC vs. NFC thing. Now, it's who knows what.
It's just made the game more of a farce than it already was.
I'll admit. I've never watched more than five minutes of a Pro Bowl. That's all I needed to see to figure out it was nothing more than a glorified touch football game.
And even at that, injuries happen. Former Steelers All-Pro center Dermontti Dawson suffered a hamstring injury during 1998 Pro Bowl and was never the same after.
New England rookie running back Robert Edwards blew his knee out during a rookie beach football game - when the game was still in Hawaii - and nearly had to have his knee amputated. Seriously.
The latter injury forced the NFL to end its rookie touch football game on the beach. And the time has come to end the farce of a Pro Bowl game as well.
For goodness sakes, so many quarterbacks backed out of this year's game that Andy Dalton, who finished 13th in the Pro Bowl voting at his position, will play in the game.
While we're at it, they can end the all-star games in hockey and the NBA, as well. There's no defense played by anyone at the games and they're nothing more than glorified skills competitions.
Only the Major League Baseball All-Star game bears any resemblance to a regular season game - and that's only in passing.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Rooney speaks about number of subjects
Steelers president Art Rooney II met with a few media members today to talk about the 2014 season and what he expects in 2015 - among other things.
Rooney said he was pleased that the team achieved one of its goals - winning the AFC North - but that the other goals were not reached so there was obvious disappointment.
He said he was especially happy with how the team responded down the stretch in some critical games.
Rooney said the team obviously needs improvement on defense and cited the pass rush as one of the areas where the biggest improvement is needed.
He said the team would like to keep outside linebacker Jason Worilds but wouldn't commit one way or another to tagging Worilds again this season.
@ When asked about former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Rooney said he appreciated everything LeBeau did for the Steelers and will miss having him around.
Rooney did say that if LeBeau had stayed, he would have been in a different role. It sounds as if LeBeau was given the choice of staying and Keith Butler moving into the defensive coordinator role with LeBeau as an adviser, or leaving.
LeBeau chose to leave. You can call that forced out or whatever you'd like, but it sounds as if it was LeBeau's choice.
He's likely to serve in an advisory role wherever he lands. He just chose not to do so in Pittsburgh, likely out of respect for Butler.
Had LeBeau stayed, it would have been assumed that he was still the defacto defensive coordinator, with Butler holding the title.
This way, Butler gets to do things his way with no confusion about roles.
@ Rooney said he'd like to get a deal done with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sooner rather than later for obvious reasons.
It would give the team a better feel where it is at in terms of cap space being first and foremost.
He did say that negotiations have not yet begun but that he expects the deal to get done.
One thing that he did note was that contracts signed by other quarterbacks around the league this offseason would not matter to the Steelers. He admitted that Roethlisberger's agent might try to use them as a starting point, but that the Steelers wouldn't be swayed by them.
@ The team expects the roughly 3,000 additional seats at Heinz Field to be in place for the start of next season. Construction has already begun, though Rooney said it is a tight window.
Those tickets will be offered to people on the waiting list. And there will be a PSL as well. So if you've been on the waiting list, you could be contacted soon if that hasn't happened already.
@ The Steelers had been scheduled to go to New York in training camp to practice against the Bills this summer as Buffalo did at Saint Vincent College last summer.
That is now up in the air with Doug Marrone leaving and being replaced by Rex Ryan.
The joint practices came due to an agreement between Mike Tomlin and Marrone. Ryan might not want to hold the joint practices.
Rooney said he was pleased that the team achieved one of its goals - winning the AFC North - but that the other goals were not reached so there was obvious disappointment.
He said he was especially happy with how the team responded down the stretch in some critical games.
Rooney said the team obviously needs improvement on defense and cited the pass rush as one of the areas where the biggest improvement is needed.
He said the team would like to keep outside linebacker Jason Worilds but wouldn't commit one way or another to tagging Worilds again this season.
@ When asked about former defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, Rooney said he appreciated everything LeBeau did for the Steelers and will miss having him around.
Rooney did say that if LeBeau had stayed, he would have been in a different role. It sounds as if LeBeau was given the choice of staying and Keith Butler moving into the defensive coordinator role with LeBeau as an adviser, or leaving.
LeBeau chose to leave. You can call that forced out or whatever you'd like, but it sounds as if it was LeBeau's choice.
He's likely to serve in an advisory role wherever he lands. He just chose not to do so in Pittsburgh, likely out of respect for Butler.
Had LeBeau stayed, it would have been assumed that he was still the defacto defensive coordinator, with Butler holding the title.
This way, Butler gets to do things his way with no confusion about roles.
@ Rooney said he'd like to get a deal done with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sooner rather than later for obvious reasons.
It would give the team a better feel where it is at in terms of cap space being first and foremost.
He did say that negotiations have not yet begun but that he expects the deal to get done.
One thing that he did note was that contracts signed by other quarterbacks around the league this offseason would not matter to the Steelers. He admitted that Roethlisberger's agent might try to use them as a starting point, but that the Steelers wouldn't be swayed by them.
@ The team expects the roughly 3,000 additional seats at Heinz Field to be in place for the start of next season. Construction has already begun, though Rooney said it is a tight window.
Those tickets will be offered to people on the waiting list. And there will be a PSL as well. So if you've been on the waiting list, you could be contacted soon if that hasn't happened already.
@ The Steelers had been scheduled to go to New York in training camp to practice against the Bills this summer as Buffalo did at Saint Vincent College last summer.
That is now up in the air with Doug Marrone leaving and being replaced by Rex Ryan.
The joint practices came due to an agreement between Mike Tomlin and Marrone. Ryan might not want to hold the joint practices.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Steelers news, notes
Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le'Veon Bell will be honored as the AFC co-offensive players of the year at the NFL 101 Awards in Kansas City next month.
It marks the first time in the 45 years of the award that it will be given to two players - let alone two players from the same team.
Brown and Bell will be the first Steelers to win the award since Kordell Stewart in 2001. Barry Foster also won the award in 1992.
@ The Steelers will likely name Jerry Olsavsky their inside linebackers coach and Joey Porter their outside linebackers coach in the next two days.
@ The Steelers have officially signed former CFL linebacker Shawn Lemon.
The 6-2, 250-pound Lemon, a former star at Akron, had 13 sacks and a CFL-record eight forced fumbles in 2014.
Lemon ran a 4.77 40-yard dash at his college pro day and did 26 reps of 225 but went undrafted.
With James Harrison, Jason Worilds and Arthur Moats all scheduled to become free agents, the Steelers needed some depth at outside linebacker. Lemon could provide some depth with possible upside and was worth a roll of the dice.
@ I'm scheduled to sit down with Art Rooney II tomorrow - unless he has to reschedule. Have quite a few topics to touch on, including Ben Roethlisberger's contract, the state of the team and the LeBeau replacement.
It marks the first time in the 45 years of the award that it will be given to two players - let alone two players from the same team.
Brown and Bell will be the first Steelers to win the award since Kordell Stewart in 2001. Barry Foster also won the award in 1992.
@ The Steelers will likely name Jerry Olsavsky their inside linebackers coach and Joey Porter their outside linebackers coach in the next two days.
@ The Steelers have officially signed former CFL linebacker Shawn Lemon.
The 6-2, 250-pound Lemon, a former star at Akron, had 13 sacks and a CFL-record eight forced fumbles in 2014.
Lemon ran a 4.77 40-yard dash at his college pro day and did 26 reps of 225 but went undrafted.
With James Harrison, Jason Worilds and Arthur Moats all scheduled to become free agents, the Steelers needed some depth at outside linebacker. Lemon could provide some depth with possible upside and was worth a roll of the dice.
@ I'm scheduled to sit down with Art Rooney II tomorrow - unless he has to reschedule. Have quite a few topics to touch on, including Ben Roethlisberger's contract, the state of the team and the LeBeau replacement.
Sunday, January 18, 2015
Second-guessing the Blount decision
There were a lot of people on Twitter Sunday night second-guessing Mike Tomlin's decision to release running back LeGarrette Blount after he walked off the field early following the Steelers' win at Tennessee midway through the season.
But it was more than just that.
Blount exited the field just a few seconds early, as the Steelers were taking a knee to end the game. That, in itself, could have been excused.
But Blount then quickly dressed and went to the team bus, not waiting for Tomlin to speak to the team. And when coach Joey Porter and teammate Mike Mitchell tried to coax him off the bus, he did so grudgingly.
Yes, Blount is a good player. Yes, he might have helped the Steelers in the postseason against Baltimore when Le'Veon Bell was out with a knee injury.
But at what cost?
Nobody in the Steelers' locker room stood up for Blount following his release - even the players he considered and still considers close friends, Bell and Antonio Brown.
And many were glad to see him go, feeling he exhibited selfish behavior.
Think that would have gotten any better had the Steelers kept him around and he continued to see just a play here or there?
Blount considered he and Bell options 1 and 1A. He told me just that while sitting in on the Antonio Brown show five days before the game against the Titans.
Tomlin did not feel the same.
Perhaps Blount could have helped the Steelers in the playoffs. Or perhaps his behavior would have gotten even worse and he would have become a bigger distraction.
But it was more than just that.
Blount exited the field just a few seconds early, as the Steelers were taking a knee to end the game. That, in itself, could have been excused.
But Blount then quickly dressed and went to the team bus, not waiting for Tomlin to speak to the team. And when coach Joey Porter and teammate Mike Mitchell tried to coax him off the bus, he did so grudgingly.
Yes, Blount is a good player. Yes, he might have helped the Steelers in the postseason against Baltimore when Le'Veon Bell was out with a knee injury.
But at what cost?
Nobody in the Steelers' locker room stood up for Blount following his release - even the players he considered and still considers close friends, Bell and Antonio Brown.
And many were glad to see him go, feeling he exhibited selfish behavior.
Think that would have gotten any better had the Steelers kept him around and he continued to see just a play here or there?
Blount considered he and Bell options 1 and 1A. He told me just that while sitting in on the Antonio Brown show five days before the game against the Titans.
Tomlin did not feel the same.
Perhaps Blount could have helped the Steelers in the playoffs. Or perhaps his behavior would have gotten even worse and he would have become a bigger distraction.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
What to look for in mock drafts
Now that the college football season is over, the mock drafts will start taking over the internet with basically anyone who has a laptop coming out with their version of how they think things will go in a few months.
So what should you look for in a mock draft?
I always take a look at the Steelers' pick first. If it's something completely off the wall, I immediately discount the rest of the mock.
What would a crazy pick for the Steelers be this year? How about a nose tackle in the first round, for instance.
CBSSportsline has two regular mock drafters who do them throughout the year. One of their mockers, Dane Brugler, has had the Steelers taking Washington's Danny Shelton for about the past two months - no matter where they have been picking.
Shelton is a good player. He might be the best pure nose tackle available in this draft. But the Steelers aren't going to take him.
With Steve McLendon and Daniel McCullers already in place, the Steelers don't have a need for a nose tackle.
And with more pressing needs at outside linebacker and corner, taking a nose tackle - who would be on the field for 15 or so plays in some games - would be folly.
If the Steelers' pick makes some sense to me, I'll take a look at the rest of the draft. But even then, it can sometimes be discounted.
Last year, for me that included any draft that had Johnny Manziel going in the top 3. I wasn't a Manziel fan - though I could see how some teams might go for the hype.
The bottom line with mocks is to take them for what they are, somebody's guess about what is going to happen. There's a reason I don't start doing my mocks until after the combine, however.
Teams don't begin to set their boards until after they've had the chance to poke and prod these guys. There's no sense in getting to worked up about the draft until that point.
Besides, for me at least, free agency is just as much fun to look at.
So what should you look for in a mock draft?
I always take a look at the Steelers' pick first. If it's something completely off the wall, I immediately discount the rest of the mock.
What would a crazy pick for the Steelers be this year? How about a nose tackle in the first round, for instance.
CBSSportsline has two regular mock drafters who do them throughout the year. One of their mockers, Dane Brugler, has had the Steelers taking Washington's Danny Shelton for about the past two months - no matter where they have been picking.
Shelton is a good player. He might be the best pure nose tackle available in this draft. But the Steelers aren't going to take him.
With Steve McLendon and Daniel McCullers already in place, the Steelers don't have a need for a nose tackle.
And with more pressing needs at outside linebacker and corner, taking a nose tackle - who would be on the field for 15 or so plays in some games - would be folly.
If the Steelers' pick makes some sense to me, I'll take a look at the rest of the draft. But even then, it can sometimes be discounted.
Last year, for me that included any draft that had Johnny Manziel going in the top 3. I wasn't a Manziel fan - though I could see how some teams might go for the hype.
The bottom line with mocks is to take them for what they are, somebody's guess about what is going to happen. There's a reason I don't start doing my mocks until after the combine, however.
Teams don't begin to set their boards until after they've had the chance to poke and prod these guys. There's no sense in getting to worked up about the draft until that point.
Besides, for me at least, free agency is just as much fun to look at.
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