Steelers President Art Rooney SNR interview

[Litos]

I think Gay is 31 or will be 31? I don't think he's going to be high demand in Free Agency. We do lack speed, but Golson ran a 4.4 I think, but I think maybe more than speed, we need our Secondary to tackle alot better than this past season.

I don't think the secondary is AS BAD as we thought, cornerback-wise anyway. As long as we bring back Gay, our corners are solid provided Blake doesn't play. Cockrell is very young and could/should take another step forward next season with a lot of PT this past season. I think they can be a solid 1/2. Boykin will be a nice addition to the slot with regular PT provided he returns. It seems like he "got it" towards the end of the season and the coaches rewarded him with more playing time. Plus you have Golson like was mentioned to battle for the nickle/dime role with Boykin.

The weakest spot is the giant void still left by Troy at SS. Shamarko was not and is not the answer so that ship has sailed. Allen is clearly a stop gap and is entering his mid 30s so we definitely need an upgrade there. As long as the Steelers can get one of Jeremy Cash, Vonn Bell, or Jayron Kearse, that could go a long way in upgrading the secondary. And the good part is most likely one of them falls to 2.25 which leaves our 1st open to take BPA or ideally trade down and pick up extra picks since the value seems to be rounds 2-3 in this draft. Cash (6'2") and Kearse (6'5") could also add some much needed height to our midget secondary.

I agree with Coryea, OLB and DE are also big needs. DE mainly for depth so not as big of a need but Jarvis turning into a potential (hah) bust does not help the OLB situation especially if Deebo retires. I have faith in Dupree/Timmons/Shazier.

1st round BPA - ideally a stud CB, OLB or Dline player falls to 25 OR trade back to pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd.

2nd round - best SS available

3rd round - BPA between whichever 2 positions weren't taken in the 1st

I think we shouldn't invest in a stud CB, at that position they will already be gone. i'd rather see the FO bringing a vet CB in FA, what we need most is experience, youth we already have with Golson, Grant and Cockrell, who can push for a starting spot easily now that he has more experience as nitsuj points out. What happens if Gay gets hurt? we are in serious trouble cause there's no other experienced player on the roster. A proven starting CB should be the highest priority on FA

I agree the S position can be addresed on the second round of the draft, and maybe don't need to invest on a priced FA there because Robert Golden showed he could hold the fort while the rookie develops

1st round should be BPA, no doubt about it

 

[Coryea]

I think we shouldn't invest in a stud CB, at that position they will already be gone. i'd rather see the FO bringing a vet CB in FA, what we need most is experience, youth we already have with Golson, Grant and Cockrell, who can push for a starting spot easily now that he has more experience as nitsuj points out. What happens if Gay gets hurt? we are in serious trouble cause there's no other experienced player on the roster. A proven starting CB should be the highest priority on FA

I agree the S position can be addresed on the second round of the draft, and maybe don't need to invest on a priced FA there because Robert Golden showed he could hold the fort while the rookie develops

1st round should be BPA, no doubt about it

I agree, IMO, the window will be wide open for us next season if we can get better play from our secondary, a first round CB probably won't play or have a big impact, unless he's really good. I'd like to see someone brought in right away that can play at CB.

 

[warriors42]

We should have kept Ike one more year, no way in hell he was playing worse than Blake

 

[Zack_of_Steel]

Why in the hell do you guys want to sign a 31 year old Eric Weddle?!?!

The guy has been on the decline for the past several years!

31 is hardly old for a safety and he just had his birthday on the 4th. Troy only retired at 33 because he was always injured through his career. Eric has only had two injuries in his career (one in 2009, a groin this year).

Also, you're definitely talking out of your *** on the "declining for several years now". The past several years have been his prime, lmao. He's been one of the best safeties in football and from 2010-2015 he made 1st Team All-Pro twice, 2nd Team All-Pro three times, and 3 Pro Bowls. So the one year in the past six that he wasn't 1st or 2nd Team All-Pro, was this year when he missed two games due to injury and the final game because the Chargers were mad at him.


On top of that, there's this:

Weddle said he won't get to the bottom of his falling out with the Chargers "because I probably won't ever speak to them again." Weddle said he's looking for the "right fit" in free agency, and a "chance to win a title." Weddle, who was placed on injured reserve two weeks ago, said Monday there is "no doubt" he was healthy enough to play in Sunday's finale against Denver. Jan 4 - 1:32 PM
Source: Michael Gehlken on Twitter

 

[steelreeling]

[QUOTE*They hit on Bell, don't be looking for him to go anywhere..[/QUOTE]

Old Art feel his *** or what?

 

[slashsteel]

31 is hardly old for a safety and he just had his birthday on the 4th. Troy only retired at 33 because he was always injured through his career. Eric has only had two injuries in his career (one in 2009, a groin this year).

Also, you're definitely talking out of your *** on the "declining for several years now". The past several years have been his prime, lmao. He's been one of the best safeties in football and from 2010-2015 he made 1st Team All-Pro twice, 2nd Team All-Pro three times, and 3 Pro Bowls. So the one year in the past six that he wasn't 1st or 2nd Team All-Pro, was this year when he missed two games due to injury and the final game because the Chargers were mad at him.


On top of that, there's this:

There is other S's available younger. And perhaps would last a little longer than Weddle.


For me it isn't about signing this or that player. It is signing upgrades.

Whomever that may be.If it is Weddle fine.


If someone else that's great too.