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Topic: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread (Read 1151 times) |
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Red Zone Master
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CBFL Champ - '03
# 18
He ain't on the all-time list because he's pretty.
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Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
« Reply #8 on: Apr 19th, 2004, 1:37am » |
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Heading into this weekend's draft, the Steelers have a bevy of needs and really only have a couple solid areas as a team. Their QBs are old, and Maddox suffered in his second season as a starter. The running game also suffered, but they applied a temporary stop gap with Staley. If both the running game and passing game was disappointing, you know the line play was sub par, and even if the majority of the poor play along the front is blamed on injuries, there is a need for depth here as well. Their receivers appear to be one of the strong points, but Burress apparently will be gone after this season and this draft is just loaded at that position. Bruener is also gone, and Riemersma did not supply much of a spark last year.
On the other side of the ball, they desperately need help with their pass Defense, especially in the form of a shut down cornerback. Speaking of their pathetc pass D, they have not spent much attention on outside linebackers and have a definite need for depth on there. As far as starters go, the D line appears to be as strong as their receivers, however they could use some depth there as well (depth is getting to be a continuing theme).
Pittsburgh has nine picks in the seven rounds, one in each round and 3 in the sixth round. Look for multiple players to be taken for the CB, OLB, and OT positions. I wouldn't be surprised if these were the first three positions filled in the draft although that could change depending on who is available.
Curious about who the Steelers are looking at with their first round selection (11th overall) in the upcoming draft? Well, most of the talk is about Phillip Rivers, but that is coming from the analysts and mockers more than internal indications. Listening to Cowher, the organization is not displeased with their current QB situation: Quote:"With Tommy and Charlie, I think those guys are like they were two years ago," Cowher said. "I think there were a lot of factors that led into some of the inconsistencies we had last year; not just Tommy, but the offensive line.
"There's no question if you surround (Maddox) with the right people, he's a very, very efficient quarterback." |
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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/archi ve/s_189950.html
Then, you can also take a look at their actions. 6 of the 19 draft prospects they visited with recently have been cornerbacks. Oh yeah, the QB they talked to? Ben Roethlisberger.
Anyhow, here is my take on the most talked about prospects (you can probably get a better look at these guys through the draft profiles available here "Between the 20s" - but this is real brief from the Steelers perspective).
Extremely productive with an erratic throwing motion. Generally considered 3rd best QB available. Is he a product of his system ala Drew Brees?
Big, fast, talented QB. Probably won't be available at the 11th spot. The question about Big Ben is the competition he faced while playing at Miami (OH).
Fast cover corner who is also a good return man. Not quite as physical as the Steelers usually look for, but seems to have potential to be the shutdown CB they covet right now.
Those are the 3 prospects who seem to be mentioned most in conjunction with the Steelers - Roethlisberger as an obvious if he falls that far, Rivers and Hall if they are available and Roethlisberger isn't. So what happens if none of those 3 are available? Dunta Robinson, Chris Gamble, and trading down seem to be viable options. Robinson is rated closely behind Hall as the second best CB in the draft and is a bit more physical with just a touch less speed (still in the 4.3s). Gamble would not be a surprise from my perspective because of his versatility (see Kordell Stewart, Hines Ward, and Antwaan Randel El). If the Steelers trade down, look for them to go for an offensive tackle.
I believe the Steelers will not go QB with the first pick for the simple reason that it will be seen as an admission that they need to, and are, rebuilding. Roethlisberger could change that if he happens to drop. I see the pecking order as Rothlisberger, Hall, Robinson, Rivers, trade down, and finally Gamble.
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11/20/04 - Buckeyes salvage season by stomping that team from up north. (Posted 11/14/04)
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Red Zone Master
GBRFL2er
CBFL Champ - '03
# 18
He ain't on the all-time list because he's pretty.
Posts: 1296
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Re: Pittsburgh Steelers Off-season Thread
« Reply #9 on: Apr 25th, 2004, 3:51am » |
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on Apr 19th, 2004, 1:37am, bgsgfan wrote:| I believe the Steelers will not go QB with the first pick for the simple reason that it will be seen as an admission that they need to, and are, rebuilding. Roethlisberger could change that if he happens to drop. |
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My opinions on who the Steelers would and should draft changed several times after I wrote that up until they finally drafted Big Ben. However, my concerns regarding the selection of a QB being an admission that this is a rebuilding year still haunts me. Our second round selection of Colclough and third round selection of Starks have done nothing but confirm that we are rebuilding. The following article does a nice job showing the negative viewpoint, for this year, of these draft picks:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/steelerslive/s_191 063.html
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11/20/04 - Buckeyes salvage season by stomping that team from up north. (Posted 11/14/04)
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