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Shazier starting to look worthy of draft slot

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For the first time in a while, the talking heads are once again saying things like, "How about these LBs for the Steelers. They are something else."

As we know, Jarvis Jones isn't the one causing such comments, but Shazier definitely is. He is starting to look like as we hoped: a ILB version of Troy.

Towards the 2nd half of the season, he was flying around, hitting anything that moved, creating turnovers, like a Tazmanian Devil.

Hearing he had to have another (minor) surgery makes me a tad concerned, but not overly. If he can stay in one piece, he is gonna be quite producer and theme setter.

 
I had been taking a wait and see attitude on Shazier, there was more I liked than what I didn't like, but I think it's time for Jarvis to move on with his life's work.
 
Shazier is going to be like Timmons early in his career. Lots of people not happy about where he is drafted, next thing you know he's in year 10 and he's a solid contributor. Gotta keep himself healthy however. When he's healthy he's very disruptive and that's what people want to see out there.
 
I think he will be more than just a "solid contributor" I think he has potential to far outpace Timmons on the field if he can stay healthy. Very good in coverage, generates turnovers better than most ILB's we've had, and seems to always be around the ball. He also doesn't whiff as often as Timmons does when he gets a head of steam. I'm def. buying Shazier stock right now
 
Jarvis started to play better late in the year and definitely opened my eyes in the Denver game. He looked pretty darn good. Hopefully, that is all a sign that he is finally getting it and with another offseason of hopefully getting stronger, he will be able to live up to expectations next year. Wishful thinking but it sure would be nice if our No. 1's at LB all play like No. 1's next year.
 
Shazier's health is the only concern, the guy is everywhere on the field and still learning. Jarvis doesn't generate very much pressure, did show some flashes late in the season, but not enough for me to feel 100% confident with him as our full time starter there, I think Harrison is still better than he is.
 
I like what I saw in Shazier in the final games of this season. It really showed what the young man is capable of. As far as Jarvis, well, I think things have started to click here late in the season. If I were to extend him and I probably would, it wouldn't be for large money. I'd offer a short term fair contract to really see. The arrow is also pointing up on Bud.
 
Jarvis is a lot better than he gets credit for here, but he does lack the athleticism to ever be a consistent threat as a pass rusher. But I don't buy the idea that our defense absolutely must depend on the OLBs for a pass rush. That might have been the case a few years ago, but now we have Tuitt and Heyward as realistic 10+ sack per season guys and our scheme encourages them to get after the QB rather than just take up blocks.

I think we'll be fine at OLB if Dupree makes the kind of jump you'd expect out of a 2nd-year player and Jarvis makes another small step towards being adequate. Our coverage in the back end absolutely has to be better next season (taking Blake out of the starting lineup provides addition by subtraction) and I would hope we'll see fewer communication issues with 1) Butler no longer a "rookie" coordinator and 2) Shazier more comfortable calling the D.
 
Shane Falco said:
I like what I saw in Shazier in the final games of this season. It really showed what the young man is capable of. As far as Jarvis, well, I think things have started to click here late in the season. If I were to extend him and I probably would, it wouldn't be for large money. I'd offer a short term fair contract to really see. The arrow is also pointing up on Bud.
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I think they will exercise the option to keep Jarvis for year 5 (he enters year 4 next season), but it's really just a one-way option for the team. Meaning, they will keep Jarvis for year 5 if he has a breakout year 4 season, but they can dump him at no cost after year 4 if he doesn't have a breakout campaign.
 
Hines57 said:
Shazier is going to be like Timmons early in his career. Lots of people not happy about where he is drafted, next thing you know he's in year 10 and he's a solid contributor. Gotta keep himself healthy however. When he's healthy he's very disruptive and that's what people want to see out there.
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I feel the same way. For a while, I thought he was too small, and maybe he is, and that's why he gets injured a lot. But I am starting to see his incredible speed making a difference out there, especially now that he knows what's happening and doesn't have to think so much out there, just react. I am encouraged, just hope he doesn't keep getting hurt.
 
SteelerAl said:
Jarvis is a lot better than he gets credit for here, but he does lack the athleticism to ever be a consistent threat as a pass rusher. But I don't buy the idea that our defense absolutely must depend on the OLBs for a pass rush. That might have been the case a few years ago, but now we have Tuitt and Heyward as realistic 10+ sack per season guys and our scheme encourages them to get after the QB rather than just take up blocks.

I think we'll be fine at OLB if Dupree makes the kind of jump you'd expect out of a 2nd-year player and Jarvis makes another small step towards being adequate. Our coverage in the back end absolutely has to be better next season (taking Blake out of the starting lineup provides addition by subtraction) and I would hope we'll see fewer communication issues with 1) Butler no longer a "rookie" coordinator and 2) Shazier more comfortable calling the D.
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Spent a lot of time discussing Jarvis offline. Thought his play has improved a lot in the run game, coverage and also getting pressure (not sacks). He's not ever going to be a 10 sack guy. With our defense I'm not sure that's what we are accustomed to off the strong side there. We've always had someone drilling QBs. I'd like one more year to evaluate Jarvis and if he doesn't make enough of a positive step you let him go as a free agent, take the comp pick for him the year after and draft another young OLB. We are always going to be drafting OLBs with this defense. Eventually we will get another one who is disruptive like Woodley was before he got fat and lazy.
 
Hines57 said:
Spent a lot of time discussing Jarvis offline. Thought his play has improved a lot in the run game, coverage and also getting pressure (not sacks). He's not ever going to be a 10 sack guy. With our defense I'm not sure that's what we are accustomed to off the strong side there. We've always had someone drilling QBs. I'd like one more year to evaluate Jarvis and if he doesn't make enough of a positive step you let him go as a free agent, take the comp pick for him the year after and draft another young OLB. We are always going to be drafting OLBs with this defense. Eventually we will get another one who is disruptive like Woodley was before he got fat and lazy.
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We're on the same page. Of course this board is going to flip out when we exercise Jarvis' option for 2017, but it's really just a non-binding option in favor of the team. We still had 48 sacks which was 3rd in the NFL. Just imagine next season if our offense is healthy and we can keep Gay and upgrade CB#2...we'll be facing a lot of teams who are in pass-only mode and should be able to pile up the sacks and turnovers. I'd love to see an offense that's so good that teams feel the need to try and "steal" possessions from us by trying surprise on-side kicks and other gimmicks...
 
SteelerAl said:
We're on the same page. Of course this board is going to flip out when we exercise Jarvis' option for 2017, but it's really just a non-binding option in favor of the team. We still had 48 sacks which was 3rd in the NFL. Just imagine next season if our offense is healthy and we can keep Gay and upgrade CB#2...we'll be facing a lot of teams who are in pass-only mode and should be able to pile up the sacks and turnovers. I'd love to see an offense that's so good that teams feel the need to try and "steal" possessions from us by trying surprise on-side kicks and other gimmicks...
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Keep in mind he split a LOT of time with Debo out there. Debo was a situational pass rusher when we needed him to be. There were also a lot of times we asked our OLBs to drop in coverage. The defense has evolved. It would be nice to have two bookend 10 sack a year OLBs. Maybe one day we will see that again but I'm not going to sit on a keyboard and tear down Jarvis. If he doesn't work out you move on like with any other player.

Guys want to beat up the FO for missing on the pick, I totally get that. The draft is like playing roulette. Sometimes you get rich quick, sometimes you stay in the game for a good while before your money is gone and sometimes you put it all on a stack and bust out. We've had some high picks bust out and that is where a lot of the bitching comes from.
 
There were a handful of games where Harrison played way more snaps than Jones, because Harrison was the better player, not just as a pass rusher. I'm all for giving Jones time, but I'm just not seeing him as anything more than ordinary.
 
SteelerAl said:
I think they will exercise the option to keep Jarvis for year 5 (he enters year 4 next season), but it's really just a one-way option for the team. Meaning, they will keep Jarvis for year 5 if he has a breakout year 4 season, but they can dump him at no cost after year 4 if he doesn't have a breakout campaign.
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I'm remembering Jason Worilds who had a great second half of the season in his contract year, then went right back to sucking after he got the transition tag money.
 
I would decline Jarvis's 1 year option and sign Bruce Irvin for 8-10 mil/year, a Woodley type deal.. Jarvis can come back in a Moats like rotational role. Harrison will prob retire. I would then spend the draft slots looking for corners, possibly a safety (depending on what we do with Grant), and a OG.
 
steelerscotty said:
I wonder if having Dupree and Jones switch sides would help our pass rush . . .thoughts?
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I'd rather have Dupree against the right tackle. You need size on that side and those guys typically aren't as strong in pass protection.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
I'd rather have Dupree against the right tackle. You need size on that side and those guys typically aren't as strong in pass protection.
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Yeap, jarvis would get swalowed up on the strong side
 
Shazier is a monster ...the only concern is his ability to stay on the field if he can do that he will go down in the books as one of our best ever.

Our 3-4 works at its best when we get a minimum 20 sacks from those 2 outside LB spots...before we were capable of getting that from 2 maybe 3 guys..with this group it may need to be from 4 guys..I'm OK with that as long as we get the total production..I did like what I saw from Bud I think he takes another jump next year and may take it to the point where we only need 3 to get over that 20..JJ arrgh I really don't know what to think...he showed some things down the stretch..but not enough ..I will say he seems to have a knack for finding a lose ball..but his pass rush ability is just that a pass rush ability...he does not have the sack ability you would like to see...and his actually ability to pass rush is just far to inconsistent ..
 
Shazier healthy is a true game changer.
Jarvis first half against Denver (sorry couldnt watch most of the second half Live and didn't have the stomach to watch it after seeing the end of the game) was really good, the guy was a run stuffer all over the line with good awareness and patience, he also had a couple of great plays in coverage.
So let's see what he does next year but he can be a haggans kind of guy for us, he might become good depth at a cap friendly contract
 
What I thought was funny was putting up a "highlight" reel playing against the Browns. :no::triumphant:

Papillon
 
ZACKB said:
I would decline Jarvis's 1 year option and sign Bruce Irvin for 8-10 mil/year, a Woodley type deal.. Jarvis can come back in a Moats like rotational role. Harrison will prob retire. I would then spend the draft slots looking for corners, possibly a safety (depending on what we do with Grant), and a OG.
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Irvin-38t--5.5 sacks--1fumble--0 int. Jones-38t--3 sacks--2 fumbles--1 int. 8-10m difference??
 
obxsteeler said:
Irvin-38t--5.5 sacks--1fumble--0 int. Jones-38t--3 sacks--2 fumbles--1 int. 8-10m difference??
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I wonder what the snap counts for each player was also.
 
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