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Archive for March, 2010

The Steelers’ Challenges (Part 4)

March 30, 2010 By: Admin Category: Draft/Free Agency

This is part 4 in a series evaluating the Steelers’ off-season needs.  So far, we’ve looked at the cornerbackssafeties, and linebackers.  The next position that we’re going to look at is the defensive line.

The Steelers’ defensive line is a veteran  unit.  They’ve been together for a long time.  This is both a strength and a weakness.  It’s a strength because the starters play well as a unit, and they are all very familiar with coach Dick LeBeau’s defense.  However, it is a weakness because all three of the starters are on the wrong side of 30.  Aaron Smith will be 34 during the 2010 season, while Casey Hampton will be 33, and Brett Keisel will be 32.

Aaron Smith missed 11 games in 2009 due to a shoulder injury.  The injury is supposed to be completely healed, however Smith has missed 16 regular season games over the past 3 years.  His health is probably a greater concern than his age (although the two are probably related).

When healthy, Smith is one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL.  He consistently collapses the pocket, and is extremely stout against the run.  He may have quietly assembled the most impressive career for a defensive end in Steelers history.  But all good things must come to an end, and Smith’s time with the team is counting down.

Manning the middle of the Steelers defensive line is nose tackle Casey Hampton.  As mentioned earlier, Hampton will be 33 years old during the 2010 season.  His backup, Chris Hoke, will be 34.

I was surprised when the Steelers signed Hampton to a new deal.  I expected them to put the franchise tag on him and get one more season out of him.  Instead, they signed him to a 3-year contract.

Hampton started all 16 regular season games in 2009.  That was the first time he’s been able to do that since 2003.  Not only did Hampton stay healthy, but he also had a career year statistically.  Of course, statistics don’t tell the full story for a nose tackle, but it is still worth noting that Hampton established new career highs in tackles and sacks in 2009.

Steelers NT Casey Hampton

Despite Hampton having a great season in 2009 and signing a new contract, I still have significant concerns about the nose tackle position.  Hampton is on the wrong side of 30, and his backup is too.  Moreover, the Steelers don’t have a viable nose tackle on the roster who is in his 20′s (I said “viable nose tackle”.  Scott Paxson has never shown any signs of eventually becoming a starter).  The team must get younger at the position.

The third member of the Steelers front 3 is Brett Keisel.   Keisel is the baby of the group, but he is no spring chicken.

2009 was Keisel’s best season since 2006, his first year as a starter.  Keisel played great this year, and I have no complaints about his play.  However, Ziggy Hood is the only young defensive lineman who has earned meaningful playing time.  The Steelers have to become more proactive in developing their defensive line of the future.

Nick Eason and Travis Kirschke are both capable veteran backups.  I feel very comfortable whenever either of them is in the lineup.  But Kirschke will be 36 years old next season.  I think that’s the same age as L.C. Greenwood.  Nick Eason will be 30 next season, so his career is winding down as well.

Sunny Harris has shown very little thus far.  His biggest accomplishment is being cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Carolina Panthers in the same year.  I doubt he will make any meaningful contribution this season.

What should the Steelers do?

Signing Casey Hampton answered a huge question for the Steelers.  Prior to re-signing Hampton, I believed that drafting a nose tackle should be the Steelers’ highest priority.  After all, the nose tackle position is really the cornerstone of a 3-4 defense.

With Hampton under contract, I doubt the Steelers will take a nose tackle in the early rounds.  However, if they do decide to go in that direction, there are 3 that are worth noting.

Dan Williams (Tennessee) - Dan Williams is the best nose tackle in this year’s draft.  He has the size and mobility to command a double team, which is the primary responsibility of a nose tackle.  He has a good bull rush, and has a decent swim move.  He is exceptional against the run.  He is short, similar to Casey Hampton, and his low center of gravity makes him almost unmoveable.

Tennessee NT Dan Williams

Terrence Cody (Alabama) - “Mt. Cody” as he is called, is a huge physical specimen.  He is 6’4″, 370 lbs.  That’s big, even by NFL standards.  Unfortunately, Cody seems to have a questionable commitment to conditioning.  His weight fluctuates (usually upward), and he sometimes seems unmotivated.  Alabama substituted frequently at the position to give Cody rest, so scouts are not quite sure how he would fare as a full-time player.  He has almost no burst, and cannot apply pressure to the quarterback.  Most believe that he is more of a specialist, and would be limited to being a 2-down player.

Cam Thomas (North Carolina) - Thomas is a player who will likely drop to the 3rd or possibly even the 4th round.  If he does, I would not be surprised to see the Steelers take him.  He would be an excellent value in those rounds.  He was not a statistically dominant player in college, but he consistently collapsed the offensive line and drove his blocker backwards.  This is exactly what you look for in a nose tackle.  Having Casey hampton on the roster would give Thomas a year or two to learn the position before he was actually needed to play a starting role.

Defensive end is another thing entirely.  There are quite a few impressive defensive ends that would look good in black and gold.

Most of the top defensive ends in the draft will not even be on the Steelers’ radar.  Instead, the Steelers tend to look at defensive tackles who would make an easy adjustment to playing 3-4 defensive end (e.g. Ziggy Hood).

The D-line prizes in this year’s draft are Ndamukong Suh and Gerald McCoy.  They’re the top 2 defensive tackles in this year’s draft.  They would both excel as 3-4 defensive ends.  Strategically, it would be foolish for a team to waste that type of talent in a 3-4.  Moreover, they’ll both be gone long before the Steelers selection comes around.

Rather than focus on guys like that, let’s take a look at a few guys who might be available in the 3rd round or later who might make attractive selections.  The first guy who comes to mind is…

Arthur Jones (Syracuse) - Arthur Jones was my top rated 3-4 defensive end prospect last year.  I had him ranked above Ziggy Hood, who the Steelers selected in the 1st round. Unfortunately, Jones decided to stay in school, and that decision cost him.   Jones would have been my top ranked 3-4 defensive end this year, except he injured  his knee and missed a portion of the season.

Syracuse DT Arthur Jones

Jones’ injury should cause him to drop to the 4th or even 5th round (although some think he may go as early as the 3rd round).  In my opinion, Jones would be a steal in any of those rounds.  Because he played his college ball in the Big East, I’m sure he is probably on the Steelers’ radar.

Jared Odrick (Penn State) - Penn State fans are familiar with Jared Odrick.  Odrick has great height and strength, and could play DT in the NFL.  However, I believe that he would excel as a 3-4 DE.    He is good at taking on a double team, but is a bit quicker than Aaron Smith.  He is more reminiscent of Brett Keisel.

He had a few brushes with the law while at Penn State.  This may frighten the Steelers off due to the recent rash of off-field incidents among their players.  But Odrick would look very good wearing black and gold.

Alex Carrington (Arkansas State) - I watched Carrington destroy lesser competition in college.  He won’t be able to do that at the next level.  However, his mix of size and strength would translate well to the 3-4 DE position.  His boldy could easily carry an additional 10-15 lbs., which would make him even more effective at the 3-4 DE spot.

He has relied heavily on his natural talents to this point.  He must dedicate himself to the weight room, and pay attention to his coaches if he wants to meet his full potential at the next level.

gear

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The Steelers’ Challenges (Part 3)

March 22, 2010 By: Admin Category: Draft/Free Agency

This is part 3 in a series evaluating the Steelers’ off-season needs.  So far, we’ve looked at the cornerbacks and safeties.  The next position that we’re going to look at is the linebackers.

Linebacker has traditionally been a strength for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Their legacy of great linebackers extends all the way back to guys like Jack Ham and Jack Lambert.  The legacy was continued by such notable Steelers linebackers as Greg Lloyd, Mike Merriweather, Levon Kirkland, Jason Gildon, and Joey Porter.  Current Steelers linebackers James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley continue that tradition of linebacker excellence.

Despite playing alongside former NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison, it was LaMarr Woodley who emerged as the Steelers’ most dominant linebacker in 2009.  Woodley recorded career highs in tackles, sacks, and even passes defensed, while starting every game.  Woodley’s dominance makes it very difficult for teams to double team James Harrison.

James Harrison didn’t seem to be his usual dominant self in 2009.  Moreover, his statistics bore that out.  He had his worst statistical season since he became a starter in 2007.  He had 22 fewer tackles and 6 fewer sacks than he had in 2008, despite playing in one more regular season game  in 2009 than he did in 2008.

Harrison will be 32 years old when the 2010 season begins.  I hope he can continue to play at a high level until he is 40.  However, the Steelers probably need to make sure they have an eventual replacement for Harrison when they come out of this year’s draft.

Even more pressing is the inside linebacker position.

Statistically, James Farrior had a decent season in 2009.  His tackles were down versus 2008, but they were up relative to 2007.  But what bothered me about Farrior was that he looked visibly slower.  He seemed to have a difficult time keeping up with running backs coming out of the backfield.  We all remember that brutal game against Baltimore where Ray Rice made Farrior look like he was playing in quicksand.  Arrrrgggghhhh!!!!!

Steelers LB James Farrior

Farrior is 35 years old.  He’s the oldest of the Steelers’ starting linebackers.  Farrior has been extremely consistent during his tenure with the Steelers.  Unfortunately, Farrior’s time with the Steelers is quickly coming to a close.  I can’t remember many 36 or 37 year old linebackers playing for the Steelers.  Can you?

Playing opposite Farrior is Lawrence Timmons.  Timmons is only 23 years old, but I still have concerns about him as well.  Timmons has yet to complete a full season without a significant injury.  He seems to have chronic high ankle sprains.  Moreover, while Timmons is extremely fast, he doesn’t seem to be as stout against the run as I’d like him to be.  2009 was Timmons’ first season as a starter, so I’m sure that he is going to get better.  I just wish he didn’t get hurt so often.

It is probably this uncertainty at both inside linebacker positions that prompted the Steelers to bring back Larry Foote.

Foote and Keyaron Fox make up a very reliable tandem of back-up linebackers.  Frankly, I sometimes feel more confident when Keyaron Fox is in the lineup than I do when Timmons is in there.  Fox and Foote will be 28 and 30 years old, respectively, when the 2010 season begins.

What should the Steelers do?

Bringing in Larry Foote really makes the Steelers fairly secure at the inside linebacker position.  They could use a young ILB that they can develop for the future, but that is not a  pressing need.  What is a pressing need is the outside linebacker position.

As was mentioned earlier, James Harrison is getting older, and there is no young lion waiting in the wings to take his place.  Lawrence Timmons can play on the outside if needed, but you can never have enough linebackers in a 3-4 defense.  And frankly, the Steelers don’t have enough young linebackers in the developmental stages right now.  The failure of Bruce Davis really set them back a bit.  Does anyone really want to have to rely on Andre Frazier or Patrick Bailey to play significant minutes at linebacker?  I didn’t think so.

The Steelers could use a young linebacker at both the inside and outside linebacker positions.  There are some talented linebackers in this year’s draft that would look very good in black and gold.  Here are a few of them.

Inside Linebackers

Rolando McClain (Alabama) - McClain is the best of the inside linebackers in this year’s draft.  He’s big, strong, and hits like a Mack truck.  Moreover, McClain played in a 3-4 defense at Alabama.  Thus, his learning curve will probably be less than some other players who have only played in a 4-3 defense.

Brandon Spikes (Florida) - Spikes is another solid inside linebacker who will probably be drafted in the first round.  Spikes has great coverage skills for a linebacker.  This is something that will be valued by the Steelers, since linebackers often drop into coverage in Dick LeBeau’s system.

Sean Lee (Penn State) - Penn State fans know that Sean Lee is another great product from Linebacker U.  He is a great leader with a high football IQ.  He is not a great athlete, but he is rarely out of position.

As mentioned earlier, the Steelers’ greatest need may be at outside linebacker where they will probably consider the following players.

Outside Linebackers

Sergio Kindle (Texas) - Kindle is a very fast linebacker who can get to the quarterback.  He was used in a variety of ways, and is used to playing both linebacker and defensive end in college.  He will make an easy adjustment to playing in a 3-4 scheme.

Sean Weatherspoon (Missouri) - Weatherspoon is used to playing behind last year’s 1st round pick Ziggy Hood, since he played with him in college.  Weatherspoon is a very good athlete, but some teams will pass on him due to his less than desirable height (6’0″).  Of course, the Steelers’ own James Harrison excels at that height.

Ricky Sapp (Clemson) - Sapp played defensive end in college, but I think he will make an excellent rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.  He’s a classic “tweener”, and is often compared to the Cowboys’ Demarcus Ware.  That’s not a bad player to be compared to.

Regardless of which linebacker(s) the Steelers select this year, they will not see any playing time unless it is on special teams.  But it is important for the Steelers to start accumulating their linebackers of the future right now, while the need is not pressing.

gear

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Bloggers mock draft pick #18

March 17, 2010 By: Admin Category: Draft/Free Agency

Yesterday, I announced that Steelers Today was participating in a mock draft among bloggers.  The San Francisco 49ers were on the clock, and my pick was after theirs.  Well, the San Francisco 49ers surprised me and picked Taylor Mays.

Here is a recap of the picks so far.

No Logo Needed’s 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs:

1. St. Louis Rams: Joe Sports Fan
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2. Detroit Lions: The Wayne Fontes Experience
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs Central
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

4. Washington Redskins: The Curly R
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Report
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

6. Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

7. Cleveland Browns: No Logo Needed
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee

8. Oakland Raiders: Just Blog Baby
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

9. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Sports Now
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Black and Teal

Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Bronco Talk

Mike Iupati, G, Iowa

12. Miami Dolphins: Playoff Bound Sports

Earl Thomas, S, Texas

13. San Francisco 49ers: Niners Nation
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

14. Seattle Sehawks (from Denver Broncos): Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Charles Brown, OT, USC

15. New York Giants: Ultimate NYG
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

16. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracles
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Niners Nation
Taylor Mays, S, USC

I came into this draft hoping to take an offensive tackle.  But with 5 offensive tackles off the board, and the guard that I was also interested in gone as well, I just can’t see spending a 1st round pick on the 6th best offensive tackle.  I really like center Maurkice Pouncey out of Florida, but I can’t justify taking a center with the 18th pick.  So offensive line will have to wait.

To my great surprise, the top cornerback in the draft is still on the board.  Joe Haden is a very enticing pick, regardless of his 40 time at the Combine.  The Steelers’ secondary looked pathetic last season, and the cornerbacks looked more pathetic than the safeties.  Everyone knows that the Steelers’ cornerbacks didn’t record an interception until the final game of the season.  That’s almost unheard of in the NFL.

Most readers who offered suggestions on who I should select were united in their opinion that Joe Haden was the logical pick.  I understand that logic.  I really do.

CB Joe Haden

But the Steelers selected two cornerbacks (Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis) in the draft last year.  Moreover, there are a lot of talented cornerbacks in this draft, and I am certain that one of them will be available when our second pick comes around.  Kyle Wilson, Perrish Cox, Patrick Robinson, Dominique Franks, Syd’quan Thompson, and even Donovan Warren would all be upgrades over William Gay (Actually, my grandmother would be an upgrade over William Gay).

But there is another player who dropped into the Steelers’ lap who I believe will prove to be even more valuable.  The single hardest position to find in the draft is nose tackle.  With more teams converting to the 3-4 defense, nose tackles are going to be even more difficult to draft in the future.  But fate has allowed the best nose tackle in the draft to fall to pick 18.   He can sit and learn behind Casey Hampton without being pressured to have to start right away.  Then he can gradually displace Hampton and become our nose tackle for the next decade.

That was my logic.  Sooooooo………….

With the 18th pick of the 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs, the Pittsburgh Steelers select:

****Dan Williams, NT, Tennessee****

NT Dan Williams

The Atlanta Falcons and its representative, The Falcoholic, are on the clock.

I know that many of you hate this pick and wanted to see me take Haden.  So let me know what you think.  If you think this was an idiotic pick, tell me why.  But for those of you who have never left a comment here on Steelers Today, we don’t allow name-calling.  Only intelligent comments allowed around here.  So pick my logic apart.    But explain WHY you think I should have taken someone else.  Support your argument with sound reasoning.  I’m all ears.

gear

(If you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a comment below. Also, please subscribe to our blog by pressing the orange button below. You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter by clicking the doohickies at the bottom of the right column of this page.  Thanks.)

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Bloggers mock draft

March 16, 2010 By: Admin Category: Draft/Free Agency

Each year I am asked to participate in several blogger mock drafts.  My selection is approaching in one of those drafts, so I thought it would be wise to get my readers’ input on who you think I should be considering in this year’s draft. 

With that in mind, I am posting the picks that have already been made.  My selection is coming up soon.  I will post each selection leading up to mine, so you know exactly who is still on the board when pick #18 comes around. 

Here is the most recent selection, along with a recap of all of the previous picks.  This pick is being made by Jimmy Morris of the Tennessee Titans blog Music City Miracles.

With the 16th pick in the 2010 NFL Mock Draft Among Bloggers, the Tennessee Titans select…..

***Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech***

The Titans would be thrilled to see Derrick Morgan here.  Jeff Fisher has made no secret that this off-season is all about upgrading the defense.  Morgan is a big guy that can get after the passer, and that is where it all starts.  Morgan is arguably the best player on the board here, and he fills the biggest need for the Titans.

The San Francisco 49ers are now on the clock.

No Logo Needed’s 2010 Mock Draft Among Blogs selection recap:

1. St. Louis Rams:Joe Sports Fan
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2. Detroit Lions: The Wayne Fontes Experience
Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucs Central
Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

4. Washington Redskins: The Curly R
Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

5. Kansas City Chiefs: Chiefs Report
Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

6. Seattle Seahawks: Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

7. Cleveland Browns: No Logo Needed
Eric Berry, DB, Tennessee

8. Oakland Raiders: Just Blog Baby
Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

9. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Sports Now
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

10. Jacksonville Jaguars: Black and Teal  

Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

11. Denver Broncos (from Chicago Bears): Bronco Talk

Mike Iupati, G, Iowa

12. Miami Dolphins: Playoff Bound Sports

Earl Thomas, S, Texas

13. San Francisco 49ers: Niners Nation
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson

14. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos): Dave Krieg’s Strike Beard
Charles Brown, OT, USC

15. New York Giants: Ultimate NYG
Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

16. Tennessee Titans: Music City Miracles
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

17. San Francisco 49ers (from Carolina Panthers): Niners Nation
18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Steelers Today
19. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcoholic
20. Houston Texans: Houston Die Hards
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bengal Stripes
22. New England Patriots: Blauhg: A New England Patriots Blog
23. Green Bay Packers: Lombardi Ave
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Iggles Blog
25. Baltimore Ravens: The Ebony Bird
26. Arizona Cardinals: Voice of the Cardinals
27. Dallas Cowboys: Blogging the Boys
28. San Diego Chargers: Bolt Hype
29. New York Jets: Jets Twit
30. Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota Sports Zone
31. Indianapolis Colts: The Indy Football Report
32. New Orleans Saints: MooseDenied

As you can see, there has already been a rush on offensive linemen.  Five offensive tackles have already been selected.  The Steelers need offensive line help, but I don’t know if I should spend a 1st round pick on the 6th best offensive tackle in the draft.

So help me out, Steeler Nation.  Who do you think I should pick?  Don’t just give me a name.  Give me your reasons as well.  Thanks for your help.

Steelers sign Larry Foote

March 15, 2010 By: Admin Category: Draft/Free Agency

It’s like deja vu all over again.  First the Steelers re-signed former Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, and now they’ve re-signed former Steelers linebacker Larry Foote.  I guess next they’ll sign Jerome Bettis…….or Lynn Swann. 

Lynn Swann

Despite my jokes, this is actually a good move for the Steelers.  Foote is a seasoned veteran who is already familiar with the Steelers’ defense.  He will add depth at the inside linebacker position (where James Farrior is slowing noticeably).

Foote spent last season with the Detroit Lions after asking the Steelers to release him following the 2008 season.

There was some question as to whether Foote would sign with the Steelers.  He had stated publicly that he wanted to sign with the Arizona Cardinals.  But sign he did.  Foote agreed to a 3-year, $9.3 million contract.

Welcome back, Larry. 

Hey, is that Rocky Bleier going into Kevin Colbert’s office?