Is it fair to say Villanueva is already better than Adams?

[stillwright]

I did not think Gilbert was much either last year and if he looks the same to me this year I would have to agree with you. I thought Tunch and Wolf were talking about him and said he seemed to be much improved in both strength and technique over last year. Those guys although they are doing sports as a paid gig were former players and I thought good talent evaluators. However they very rarely have a negative comment about someone but often don't say anything if they can't find something upbeat to say, so your position could still be valid. I just put a bit more in what they say than say most of the other media types.

This...You mentioned how Tunch and Wolf loved Villanueva earlier. It is nice to see the big guy have a good game to build on. Hopefully he turns into a player that can contribute. You have to like what you saw in his first action.

 

[stillwright]

Jon Ledyard @jledgePFS
Harrison walked Villanueva back a few steps in team but big OT held his own.
3:53 PM - 11 Aug 2015


Harrison practices and is running second team behind Uncle Jarvis. Villanueva should get all the test he needs going against James.

Villanueva just needs to learn the "choke hold" everyone uses against Harrison. Maybe that is not something we teach.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Villanueva has not really faced starters yet. He's massive so you are not going to bull rush him. He faces mostly bull rusher in steeler practice and he faced guys trying to bull rush him in the HOF game.

Let's see how he does when he faces a pass rusher who can truly threaten him around the edge. He's athletic but he's really tall and looks a bit mechanical now.

So far he has proven he belongs in the NFL and is worth a roster spot to develop. I won't say he's better than Adams until he faces some good pass rushers. The gap isn't that wide though.

 

[Wingman]

This...You mentioned how Tunch and Wolf loved Villanueva earlier. It is nice to see the big guy have a good game to build on. Hopefully he turns into a player that can contribute. You have to like what you saw in his first action.

I did and I am glad we got him and hope he can become our left tackle and Beachum our left guard. That would do wonders for the left side of the line to have two good players there. Beachum was originally picked to be a guard and was selected because he is very adept at all the positions on the line. AV is playing well and if he turns into a good left tackle we would have a good tackle with great size at the position instead of Kelvin who is not the ideal size for a tackle but is a constant over achiever.

 

[ark steel]

I did and I am glad we got him and hope he can become our left tackle and Beachum our left guard. That would do wonders for the left side of the line to have two good players there. Beachum was originally picked to be a guard and was selected because he is very adept at all the positions on the line. AV is playing well and if he turns into a good left tackle we would have a good tackle with great size at the position instead of Kelvin who is not the ideal size for a tackle but is a constant over achiever.

If Beachum can get LT pay somewhere else, he ain't gonna stay here to be a guard,

 

[Steeltime]

Nice showing by AV. And as to the comments that he performed against "2nd and 3rd teamers," okay, that's true.

So he should NOT perform well against them? And if he shows good technique, as detailed in the Steelers Depot gifs, then he was not "getting away" with missed blocks. He was doing his job, and doing it well, against whoever they sent against him.

Finally, one thing I look for regarding offensive tackles that tells me a lot about how well they are doing is, "Does the guy need to grab or hold?" If so, even if not flagged, then he is not maintaining position and is trying to hold to avoid getting beat. If not, then the guy is in position and doing his job.

Villanueva was not grabbing and holding; he was in very good position.

 

[Steel Ballin]

I did not think Gilbert was much either last year and if he looks the same to me this year I would have to agree with you. I thought Tunch and Wolf were talking about him and said he seemed to be much improved in both strength and technique over last year. Those guys although they are doing sports as a paid gig were former players and I thought good talent evaluators. However they very rarely have a negative comment about someone but often don't say anything if they can't find something upbeat to say, so your position could still be valid. I just put a bit more in what they say than say most of the other media types.

They practice so little in pads that I don't put much stock in camp reports these days. I wonder what they said about him last year? I do like Tunch and Wolf but it's hard to be objective when your that close to the team. We'll see this year.

This...You mentioned how Tunch and Wolf loved Villanueva earlier. It is nice to see the big guy have a good game to build on. Hopefully he turns into a player that can contribute. You have to like what you saw in his first action.

I've listened to T&W for several years now. They are big time homers who still have a seat on the team plane. They rarely criticize players especially the OL.

 

[Wingman]

I've listened to T&W for several years now. They are big time homers who still have a seat on the team plane. They rarely criticize players especially the OL.

They also have a really good understanding of the game and the technique that should be used.

 

[Wingman]

If Beachum can get LT pay somewhere else, he ain't gonna stay here to be a guard,

A top tier guard gets paid pretty well also. I would not be surprised to see Beachum paid well as a guard if he played that position, same with DeCastro. Foster is already preparing to transition into the broadcasting journalism field and he might be gone soon. Beachum was originally signed to be a guard but out played everyone else so he became our left tackle. I do not think he will have lots of money tossed his way as he is a left tackle but not an elite left tackle, but maybe I am wrong I just checked a ranking and he is listed in the top ten at number 8. It is hard to say where he will go and what he will do. It is also something his agent will play a part in but he generally seems to be a very well grounded player and not driven by some inflated self worth that is unrealistic. I would love to have him on the line for a long time as he is a very good guy to have on the team not just a good player.

 

[stillwright]

A top tier guard gets paid pretty well also. I would not be surprised to see Beachum paid well as a guard if he played that position, same with DeCastro. Foster is already preparing to transition into the broadcasting journalism field and he might be gone soon. Beachum was originally signed to be a guard but out played everyone else so he became our left tackle. I do not think he will have lots of money tossed his way as he is a left tackle but not an elite left tackle, but maybe I am wrong I just checked a ranking and he is listed in the top ten at number 8. It is hard to say where he will go and what he will do. It is also something his agent will play a part in but he generally seems to be a very well grounded player and not driven by some inflated self worth that is unrealistic. I would love to have him on the line for a long time as he is a very good guy to have on the team not just a good player.

Right now Beachum is playing under his rookie deal as a 7th round pick. His next contract will be his pay day. I expect him to go where the money is. Will it be here? Maybe. If he can stay healthy this season someone will pay him nicely after this year.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Nice showing by AV. And as to the comments that he performed against "2nd and 3rd teamers," okay, that's true.

So he should NOT perform well against them? And if he shows good technique, as detailed in the Steelers Depot gifs, then he was not "getting away" with missed blocks. He was doing his job, and doing it well, against whoever they sent against him.

Finally, one thing I look for regarding offensive tackles that tells me a lot about how well they are doing is, "Does the guy need to grab or hold?" If so, even if not flagged, then he is not maintaining position and is trying to hold to avoid getting beat. If not, then the guy is in position and doing his job.

Villanueva was not grabbing and holding; he was in very good position.

I think the point is that some are anointing him as the starting left tackle next year and moving Beachum to guard. He's played tackle for about five minutes and looked good against grocery baggers for one game. Let him show some consistency and even dominance for one entire preseason before we blow up the left side of the offensive line.

 

[Stryker]

I'm glad he's taking to Munchak's tutelage, but his ceiling this year, barring injury, is top backup at both tackle spots. I'm fine if he takes that mantle from Adams. Adams has showed me nothing, against any level of competition, to be excited about. His injury has created a situation where V can take advantage of his extra reps to become a rostered player. I know V's head is on strait, being a veteran of war. Adams is a veteran of a stabbing and pot smoking, so mentally, he will lose this battle.

 

[FordFairLane]

I am assuming Beachum is the next on the priority list to sign this year. If he doesn't sign with us he will play this year with no guarantee of a contract for next at 1.5 million dollars. So it totally depends on what the Steelers are offering. I think they offer more than Gilbert but the hard cap is probably Veldheer money as in a 42 million 6 year deal with 10-11 bonus. I think they are probably trying to get him for 6 years at 36 million with an 8-10 million bonus which again has to be hard to say no to before the start of the season because all he needs is for DeCastro to roll on his knee and he gets the league min next year.

 

[Steeltime]

I think the point is that some are anointing him as the starting left tackle next year and moving Beachum to guard. He's played tackle for about five minutes and looked good against grocery baggers for one game. Let him show some consistency and even dominance for one entire preseason before we blow up the left side of the offensive line.

First, you repeat the same mantra that I referenced in my post - "The guys he is dominating are horrible, so who cares that he is doing well?" Once again, my response - he is doing well because he showed very good technique. Excellent foot movement, good punch, good balance, not reaching, not grabbing. That technique plays against any defender, so don't just blow it off.

Second, the comments about how well Villanueva is doing are not then followed by recommendations that he start over Beachum. Where have you read that? I haven't, and certainly did not suggest so in my comment.

Third, Villanueva's job right now is to show good technique and good skills against anybody he faces. It is not his decision to play against "UPS drivers, grocery clerks," etc. If he plays those guys, he is responsible for sealing the edge, moving his feet, avoiding pre-snap penalties, getting good positioning, using his long arms to punch the defender, mirror the pass rusher, pick up the blitz, etc. He did ALL of that. Blowing off his performance by criticizing the guys he played against is not valid, for the myriad of reasons I noted ... twice.

 

[antdrewjosh]

First, you repeat the same mantra that I referenced in my post - "The guys he is dominating are horrible, so who cares that he is doing well?" Once again, my response - he is doing well because he showed very good technique. Excellent foot movement, good punch, good balance, not reaching, not grabbing. That technique plays against any defender, so don't just blow it off.

Second, the comments about how well Villanueva is doing are not then followed by recommendations that he start over Beachum. Where have you read that? I haven't, and certainly did not suggest so in my comment.

Third, Villanueva's job right now is to show good technique and good skills against anybody he faces. It is not his decision to play against "UPS drivers, grocery clerks," etc. If he plays those guys, he is responsible for sealing the edge, moving his feet, avoiding pre-snap penalties, getting good positioning, using his long arms to punch the defender, mirror the pass rusher, pick up the blitz, etc. He did ALL of that. Blowing off his performance by criticizing the guys he played against is not valid, for the myriad of reasons I noted ... twice.

Yes the ease of which he handled his opponent is what was impressive. All with good technique and balance. He never looked under any duress. Going Against Harrison now in practice will only help and quiet any talk of level of competition.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

I expect Beachum to be signed to a long deal and be the LT for years. They need Villanueva playing LT because they need to know he can back up that position. Thats why they played Adams there too. They found out he can't.

Villanueva seems a great fit as a mauler RT. Gilbert has been better and is a solid player but if V keeps developing then you can let Gilbert leave and save some money.

 

[Shane Falco]

I liked Villanueva and Finney the other night. Finney was really good at keeping his guy in front of him and using good leverage off the snap. You can tell the guy was a very good wrestler and his skills translated well. Would there be a spot for both Finney and Villanueva? What's the cap hit if Adams was moved on with his life's work?

 

[Litos]

I liked Villanueva and Finney the other night. Finney was really good at keeping his guy in front of him and using good leverage off the snap. You can tell the guy was a very good wrestler and his skills translated well. Would there be a spot for both Finney and Villanueva? What's the cap hit if Adams was moved on with his life's work?

This will be Adams final year on his rookie contract (1,1 million cap hit), you definitly won't cut him for this season as there's no else with experience to backup, But if Villanueva improves it means that you can lose Adams to FA next year if he asks for more than vet min, which I think would be a fair pay for his services.

Anyway we need to lock up Beachum