Steelers Offseason Thread

[BigCurt]

Patrick Robinson is a tough to scout. You watch some of his games, and he's the 2nd best CB in the draft, and you watch some others and he's more like the 6th. I was a big fan of his but as it wears on and other corners step up, his stock takes a hit.

[Master Blaster]

Apparently Colbert read my post, (jk) regarding Casey's weight issue.

NOTE -- The Steelers have addressed Hampton's notorious weight issues in his new contract, and it would cost him $1 million if he does not meet the standards agreed upon. Hampton's $21.3 million contract includes a $6.5 million signing bonus as part of his deal with annual compensation of $4 million, $4.91 million and $4.89 million. He will receive an additional $1 million in total, pro-rated, over three seasons if he meets the weight requirements. Mike Tomlin placed Hampton on the physically unable to perform list at the start of the 2008 training camp when the coach said his Pro Bowl nose tackle reported overweight and out of shape.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10063/10 ... z0hCn0VmxL

[Master Blaster]

That wasn't an idle statement coming from the head cheese. It was an edict.

Nice editorial style bro. Good punch. Wow, in the midst of the off-season no less.

[Master Blaster]

That wasn't an idle statement coming from the head cheese. It was an edict.

Nice editorial style bro. Good punch. Wow, in the midst of the off-season no less.

"I think Mike (Tomlin) and I certainly agreed coming off the season that we need to run the ball more consistently to get to where we want to get to."
-- Steelers team president Art Rooney II

I would love to have been a fly on the wall when Art II had that discussion with Tomlin.

[Dwinsgames]

That wasn't an idle statement coming from the head cheese. It was an edict.

Nice editorial style bro. Good punch. Wow, in the midst of the off-season no less.

"I think Mike (Tomlin) and I certainly agreed coming off the season that we need to run the ball more consistently to get to where we want to get to."
-- Steelers team president Art Rooney II

I would love to have been a fly on the wall when Art II had that discussion with Tomlin.

28
DEFENSIVE RANKING ON THIRD DOWN
The Steelers ranked first in 2008. Dropping 27 places in this all-important category makes drafting secondary help a necessity.

[Master Blaster]

28
DEFENSIVE RANKING ON THIRD DOWN
The Steelers ranked first in 2008. Dropping 27 places in this all-important category makes drafting secondary help a necessity.

I don't nor does any other Steelers fan disagree that it is a necessity to upgrade the secondary. Unless Haden is there at eighteen in the first round I don't see them pulling the trigger on any other CB with that pick.

[Dwinsgames]

28
DEFENSIVE RANKING ON THIRD DOWN
The Steelers ranked first in 2008. Dropping 27 places in this all-important category makes drafting secondary help a necessity.

I don't nor does any other Steelers fan disagree that it is a necessity to upgrade the secondary. Unless Haden is there at eighteen in the first round I don't see them pulling the trigger on any other CB with that pick.

two problems with that IMO ...

1) I doubt Haden is there ( he shouldn't be regardless of his so called poor 40 time what he did on the field of play IMO weighs a ton more than anything done in Indy during march )

2) if they are set on Haden or nobody in the def backfield at 18 ( or first round period including a potential trade down to add value to the selection ) then they very well could be fielding the same unit in 2010 they finished with in 2009 with exception to Troy returning and potentially Clark/Carter being gone ( both UFA's ) ............

so really I have ZERO issue going Safety at 18 IF Eric Berry ( long gone IMO ) , Earl Thomas or ( cant believe I am saying this Mays is there after a small trade down of a few spots ( not sold on the player but can not help but think of how Lebeau could use him in similar manners to Troy further disguising coverages ) ....or trade out of the first all together and nabbing Nate Allen and some other nice selections this year or even next years number 1 from a team that is normally a bottom feeder and a second or third in this years to go with it ....

[Master Blaster]

I don't see Haden getting past the browns with Holmgren on board. I do agree that they could pull the trigger on Eric Berry, especially if Clark does not re-sign with the team. The thought of having Berry back there with Troy would scare the living hell out of any O.C. that found them on their schedule.

[Dwinsgames]

I don't see Haden getting past the browns with Holmgren on board. I do agree that they could pull the trigger on Eric Berry, especially if Clark does not re-sign with the team. The thought of having Berry back there with Troy would scare the living hell out of any O.C. that found them on their schedule.

I agree Berry would be a fabulous selection but I highly doubt he makes it out of the top 10 and I honestly expect him to go before Haden but if either of them would be there at 18 it becomes a instant pick IMO ....... but I would not hesitate to take Earl Thomas at 18 either he is a true ball hawk and IMO the NFL's next Ed Reed and perhaps the best Safety in the draft when its all said and done and that is not a knock on Berry because he is an outstanding talent in his own right

[mojouw]

What can anyone tell me about Brandon Ghee (sp?) the corner out of Wake Forest? Early in this off-season/draft cycle, I had heard some downright glowing scouting reports about him. Now when I hear the top corners discussed he is definitely not in the discussion. IS he any good? And if so what round? I have even seen people compare his athletic talents to some of the best in the NFL right now. But like I said...all I hear about post combine are Robinson, Haden, and Wilson. What about Ghee or Donovan Warren?

[Dwinsgames]

What can anyone tell me about Brandon Ghee (sp?) the corner out of Wake Forest? Early in this off-season/draft cycle, I had heard some downright glowing scouting reports about him. Now when I hear the top corners discussed he is definitely not in the discussion. IS he any good? And if so what round? I have even seen people compare his athletic talents to some of the best in the NFL right now. But like I said...all I hear about post combine are Robinson, Haden, and Wilson. What about Ghee or Donovan Warren?

pretty good take on Ghee right here IMO ...

http://www.draftcountdown.com/ScoutingReports/CB/Brandon-Ghee.php

and Warren here ....

http://draftboardinsider.com/cgi-bin/prospect.cgi?id=1062

[BigCurt]

What can anyone tell me about Brandon Ghee (sp?) the corner out of Wake Forest? Early in this off-season/draft cycle, I had heard some downright glowing scouting reports about him. Now when I hear the top corners discussed he is definitely not in the discussion. IS he any good? And if so what round? I have even seen people compare his athletic talents to some of the best in the NFL right now. But like I said...all I hear about post combine are Robinson, Haden, and Wilson. What about Ghee or Donovan Warren?

I was working on my scouting report of Ghee today, and the word I kept thinking as I watched him play was inconsistent. He looks like a world beater in some games, and world beat in others. I think he's probably a 2 right now, on triangle numbers and potential and the fact that teams are desperate for cheap DB's. Kyle WIlson is the hot name right now to be the 2nd CB off the board. As I go back and watch more games, the more I like McCourty from Rutgers and Cook from Virginia.

[mojouw]

Thanks guys!

Both players seem like they have a ton of potential. Maybe the Steelers can wait till the second round to get their corner? Should be interesting. Of course, as things stand right now they are going to need a safety.

[DSH_97]

Why in the hell do they have Chad Jones listed as a "Free Safety"? There's nothing about his play that says FS to me. Everything about him says "in the box", ie; Strong Safety. I'm still not sold on Mays. He seems to be the quintessential workout warrior though. I still like Ghee in this draft as a good corner. However, what have they discovered about his ball skills? Can he make the catches or is he "Ike Taylor" all over again? I had a feeling the scouting Dept, would head to FSU again. And I had a funny feeling they'd be looking at Patrick Robinson as well. I don't hate Patrick, I just.... there seems to be something bugging me about him for some reason. Something that says "stay away from this guy", you know? Nate Allen can be coached up and he'll be a very good safety. Earl Thomas....I'm a Horns fan, you guys know this well enough. I'm just trying to keep from being a homer. that is all. And NFL.com have Berry listed as a Strong Safety. Huh?!?! This guy is every bit the classic Free Safety that Chad Jones is not. Great range and ball skills. Too bad the Steelers won't have a shot at him. But if they did

[Master Blaster]

Thanks guys!

Both players seem like they have a ton of potential. Maybe the Steelers can wait till the second round to get their corner? Should be interesting. Of course, as things stand right now they are going to need a safety.

As I've said already, projecting whom the Steelers take in the second round is a total crap shoot because this is usually the round where Colbert moves up or out.

[Master Blaster]

I agree Berry would be a fabulous selection but I highly doubt he makes it out of the top 10 and I honestly expect him to go before Haden but if either of them would be there at 18 it becomes a instant pick IMO ....... but I would not hesitate to take Earl Thomas at 18 either he is a true ball hawk and IMO the NFL's next Ed Reed and perhaps the best Safety in the draft when its all said and done and that is not a knock on Berry because he is an outstanding talent in his own right

Hypothetically speaking, if they do happen to get Berry signing Clark is still essential because it's going to take Berry a whole season to grasp LeBeau's system. It took the cerebral Troy Polamalu a whole season to get a firm grasp on it.

[mojouw]

Another domino in the Steelers offseason has fallen. Will Allen, late of the Bucs, looks like he will be signed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4976203&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

Hopefully this is a "depth" move. This is a seriously lesser player than Ryan Clark.

[Master Blaster]

Another domino in the Steelers offseason has fallen. Will Allen, late of the Bucs, looks like he will be signed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4976203&campaign=rss&source=NFLHeadlines

Hopefully this is a "depth" move. This is a seriously lesser player than Ryan Clark.

The Allen signing is all on Tomlin since he coached him when he was there.

[Master Blaster]

http://twitter.com/jimwexell

"Don't buy that Timmons could play OLB if Foote re-signs. LT could never put his hand down and hold the point vs. run. Draft Jason Worilds R2"

[Dwinsgames]

http://twitter.com/jimwexell

"Don't buy that Timmons could play OLB if Foote re-signs. LT could never put his hand down and hold the point vs. run. Draft Jason Worilds R2"

I wonder if Wexell is reading here ? did I not just post here about my thoughts on Worilds here the other day and project him going mid to late round 2 ( when most have him much much later ? ) I personally would not take him this high but am betting he goes that high based on how many teams are now playing the 3-4 ... IMO he is more of a 3rd or 4th round guy just a few short years ago but pressure to find 3-4 rush linebackers catapults him a round or 2 in this day in age

[BigCurt]

Willie Parker told thanks, but save yourself the airfare by Kansas City as they sign Thomas Jones today to back up J. Charles, and notify Parker don't bother coming for your scheduled visit. Sounds like Washington his most likely suitor now.

[BenMorgan]

FWP should be a good fit in Washington if he stomach playing second fiddle to Portis.

[Master Blaster]

"At the upcoming Owners Meetings, I'm expecting 2 5ths and a 7th as compensatory picks for the Steelers."

http://twitter.com/jimwexell

[Master Blaster]

Athlete Chat: Pittsburgh Steeler Frank Summers

http://www.accessathletes.com/blog/blogdisplay.cfm?blogid=534

[Jball]

Has anybody heard ANYTHING about Urbik this offseason? It's as if the guy doesn't even exist. I haven't heard a freakin WORD about this guy since his rookie training camp, and it was even sparse info then. Is he already working at Piggly Wiggly?!!