The Draft -- Thoughts from FSF

[FSF]

As I mentioned earlier; though I wasn't posting much I would peek in from time to time -- and one of the things that kept me from donating (and if the paypal didn't work MODs and Buff let me know -- $6 is not putting me on the street) was the constant griping, whining, crying, bitching, moaning etc about Tombert drafting. I would read it and morons like Idiotech (which I cannot say enough, seeing him banned brought my contribution back). Sorry, I don't get off on stirring the pot just to rile someone up. I remember going back and forth with TMC with very strong debates on drafting best available player vs. position with it being a strong point/counter point but never to the level of insulting.

That being said; I'm going to cut loose on the Steelers drafts since 2007; and maybe just maybe give another view point that someone might see as out of the box.

I'm going to repeat my one and only gripe with the team under this regime; the lack of trading on draft day. Move up or move down.....

• 2003 -- did you really miss that 3rd and 6th round pick to move up and get Troy Polamalu? We only draft a Hall of Famer and arguably the 2nd best overall defensive player (post Steel Curtain & Rod Woodson)
• 2001 -- Hampton was their guy and they knew he'd last 3 more picks -- so they traded down from 16 to 19 and had the flexibility to move up to pick #39 and land Kendrell Bell
• 2006 -- Despite being the Super Bowl Champions, they were aggressive enough to go after a player they really needed at WR in Santonio Holmes -- and dang if we didn't win Super Bowl 43 because of that

I get that it won't always work, but if you REALLY like a guy; don't wait and hope that Ben Roethlisberger falls to you at #11; which he NEVER should have. Thank you Tom Donahoe for being dumb enough to give up your 2nd round pick to draft JP Losman and not to throw in with Jacksonville to move up to pick Ben at #9. On the same token, if Tomlin loved Revis as much as been reported (heard both ways, so not the point to debate here), don't hope he falls to your spot, get aggressive. But only if its a guy you REALLY like. You realize that in 1982 this team drafted Walter Abercrombie only 2 picks after Marcus Allen was taken by Raiders. If a blue chipper is within range, don't squeeze tight your cheeks and hope, go get him.

Now I am NOT TMC, do not ask me to evaluate the talent coming out. If they don't see that guy, than by all means don't move up; on the same token -- don't draft a guy for sake of drafting one with your pick -- Ziggy Hood was always a head scratcher to me. All I am saying is let them not sit there and hope for the best from the guy who lands on their pick if they don't love what they see -- have a plan B and a plan C. Those above 3 moves brought 2 Lombardi Trophies to Pittsburgh and I often wonder if a Revis in the secondary would have made a difference in getting a 3rd.

MAIN POINT: 2 Things
This team has drafted better than most people want to give credit for, though they insist on complaining.

• 2 RBs that have had among the best 10 individual seasons in franchise history.
• 5 WRs that make it seem like they can draft any WR they like and make them a star (Ravens, Chiefs, Redskins, Seahawks & bunch of others must be scratching their heads)
• Completely revamped OL with 2 potential dominant stars and solid rounding out
• The best DEFENSIVE END drafted in the 1st round in Steelers history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pittsburgh_Steelers_first-round_draft_picks

Where really have the Steelers lacked? Its simple: OLB and Secondary.
OLB is easy to see why, we were always able to find a Jason Gildon, Joey Porter or LaMarr Woodley because they were DE in college but couldn't play 4-3 in NFL and we were the only 3-4 Defense in the league. A Joey Porter wouldn't slide down to round 3 today for example. It's obvious now why Jason Worilds didn't emerge; because he never really was fully dedicated to what it took to succeed in the NFL. Bottom line, the competition that we didn't have for OLBs then we certainly do now.
Secondary is inexcusable, outside of 2003 with Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor are the only star quality DBs taken by the Steelers since Carnell Lake in 1989. DeShea Townsend was solid and we got a short run from Chris Hope, but when William Gay tops the list of Bryant McFadden, DJ Johnson, Deon Figures, Chad Scott, Ricardo Colclough, Keenan Lewis, Curtis Brown, Cortez Allen and ugh, Scott Shields.... That's NOT TOMBERT. That's Noll/Donahue, Cowher/Donahue, Cowher/Colbert, Tomlin/Colbert. I guess my point is this: if they like any DBs in this draft -- heck with the 3rd and 6th round pick, trade up to get the SOB!!!!!!!

 

[ianv2012]

Great post FSF, I agree with you completely.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Colbert drafted Ben. Donahoe was gone.

 

[Wingman]

FSF

How many defensive ends have been drafted in the first round? Actually quite a few most of them will bring a response of who?As I recall the steelers normally pick them up later in the draft. The steelers have had some really good defensive ends, L C Greenwood, Aaron Smith, Brett Kiesel, Kimo Von Olhoffen, Ernie Stautner, and a couple of others none of which were taken in the first round. To lay a claim to a draft picks greatness just because he was picked in the first round is a little disingenuous. I suspect who ever you have picked for greatness is not as good as the ones I mentioned.

I am not going to attack your post line by line but throwing qualifiers in to make things seem better than they are seems to take away from the main point of your post. You do raise some good points on your post but seem to cover too much territory that overlaps various eras so to speak.

 

[slashsteel]

with the secondary they haven't spent any high rounders since perhaps Polamalu. I know clubs like Seattle can get away from drafting high, as they are to CBs like the Steelers are to WRs.

problem is you as a GM should know what your weaknesses and should address it....

as was mentioned no moves up or down in the draft, it is like they mailed their aggressive approach in

hell even in free agency it was a Farrior here a Bettis there.

this off-season might have been the biggest fail I have seen in awhile, it isn't over yet so I am holding out hope for after the draft. But with the D getting a new coach, you would think they would bring in some help..... not some top 5 free agent, but mid level competition.

I have not been impressed in these areas with Colbert.


As was mentioned he does draft WRs well, a damn good RB, some good other pieces.


would simply like to see a more aggressive approach on D to get some talent back on the roster.

part of that problem is getting little in return for defensive players as of late in the draft. Especially in round 1.

Let us hope this draft yields better choices in these worry-some areas.

 

[Super Dave]

The problem with trading up is is that they REALLY liked Jarvis Jones and got him by standing pat.

They did trade up and go after......Shamarko Thomas......and got him.

Neither of these picks have made a impact......yet.

Let us not forget that Art Tombert had a first round grade on.........Matt Spaeth.

IMO, the problem is talent evaluation and most importantly Roster Management

One of the first roster moves, if not the very first roster move by the Art Tombert regime, prior to the 2007 draft (Tomlins first) was to jettison Joey Porter with a year left on his contract (One year later Porter would earn NFL DPOY for the Dolphins)

The end result was an immediate dire need at OLB which required attention in the form of 1st and 2nd round draft picks in the 2007 draft and then a 3rd round pick in 2008, and then a 4th round pick in 2009. Then another 2nd and another 4th in 2010, that is 6 picks in 4 years for 2 OLB positions. And it didn't stop there, a 5th rd pick in 2011 and another 1st rd pick in 2013.

Now imagine if half of those picks were spent on DB's or OL depth.

It is all about roster management and player evaluation to me, and IMO in the past it seemed we would address needs through the draft at least one year prior to them becoming needs. Failing at that, any immediate need we would address through FA, Jeff Hartings, Wayne Gandy, and Ryan Clark come to mind.

IMO, the 2007 draft should have been the draft to rebuild the OL, we ignored that position until the late rounds and Bo Lacy did not stick. The thought process may have been to address the OL specifically OT in the 2008 drafts which was laden with quality NFL OT's and to your point, which is a good one, the Steelers waited, and the 7 OT with first round grades were taken before their pick, 3 of them via trades. We ended up with Rashard Mendenhall.

The end result was Max Starks and the failure of the "Hide The Pen" strategy and 2 consecutive tags and a 26 million dollar contract with 10 million in guarantees in 2009, only to be cut in 2011.............then brought back later the very same year when his replacement did not cut it.

Rinse and repeat with James Harrison, and Fernando Velasco who became immediate starters as Street FA's during the season.

That is not roster management that is roster mismanagement.

In regards to player evaluation

Wayne Gandy vs Guy Wimper.
Jeff Hartings vs Sean Mayhem Mahan.
Ryan Clark vs Mike Mitchell

You make a great point about WR's and even point out that other teams like Seattle should be envious. Art Tombert have been very successful at WR. Definitely a bright spot.

Yet on the other hand 32 teams start at least 2 WR's many 3 WR's and carry at least 5-6 WR's on the roster. My point is that it should not matter how many teams are now running the 3-4, we need to do as good of a job evaluating and developing LB's as we do WR's........and historical data has proven that, unfortunately, we do not.

 

[Troglodyte]

I'd be willing to bet that trading down for additional picks proves to be a good move the vast majority of the time. I think Belichek knows it.

 

[Wingman]

I'd be willing to bet that trading down for additional picks proves to be a good move the vast majority of the time. I think Belichek knows it.

I have my doubts about that sometimes. Instead of getting one star and one ok player you can trade back and get 6 guys that don't make the team not a good deal. If your position is high enough you can trade down and instead of getting 2 guys that are good maybe get 3 or 4 guys that are good. Trades cut both ways and lately we have been getting lots of things cut as opposed to finding future stars. Last years draft looks better though than many of late so maybe it will be the beginning of a trend.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

That's where we get frustrated. How can they do so well drafting WR's and RB's and miss so badly on defense?

 

[Super Dave]

That's where we get frustrated. How can they do so well drafting WR's and RB's and miss so badly on defense?

It has to be one of 2 things:

1) Player evaluation
2) Player development

I would be interested to see how much the scouting department has changed over the years and where was the turnover? Also a question that pops into mind.......Do they evaluate by region or by position? Do we have an OL scout or do we have a Northeast scout that evaluates all players? IDK.....

In regards to player development....LeBeau is gone so, it all rests on Butler, Porter and Olvsasky now.......

 

[insaniti]

Colbert drafted Ben. Donahoe was gone.

He didn't say Donahoe drafted Ben, he thanked Donahoe for NOT moving ahead of the Steelers to draft Ben. He was with Buffalo when they took JP Losman.

 

[Tibs]

I would be looking at Bud Dupree or Owa Odighizuwa to fill that critical LOLB spot. If we miss on them, there are two lower ranked guys, Davis Tull (Chatanooga) and Frank Clark (Michigan) that meet the weight, speed, power requirements.

I think there should be 4-5 corners on the board when we pick in the second with the likes of Carter, Jones, Rollins, Darby, Rowe….

So I would be comfortable moving down from #22 to the tail end of round 1, or the top of round 2 and we'd still be able to get our OLB/CB combo with the first two picks.

 

[FSF]

The problem with trading up is is that they REALLY liked Jarvis Jones and got him by standing pat.

then I have no issue; just don't sit and wait everytime

They did trade up and go after......Shamarko Thomas......and got him.

And they did for Colcough, never said it would work every time

Let us not forget that Art Tombert had a first round grade on.........Matt Spaeth.

Never once heard that....source?

One of the first roster moves, if not the very first roster move by the Art Tombert regime, prior to the 2007 draft (Tomlins first) was to jettison Joey Porter with a year left on his contract (One year later Porter would earn NFL DPOY for the Dolphins)

Um, no. The man who one year later won 2008 DPOY was James Harrison and wound up being an upgrade in 2007 to say nothing of 2008

It is all about roster management and player evaluation to me, and IMO in the past it seemed we would address needs through the draft at least one year prior to them becoming needs. Failing at that, any immediate need we would address through FA, Jeff Hartings, Wayne Gandy, and Ryan Clark come to mind.

Wayne Gandy vs Guy Wimper.
Jeff Hartings vs Sean Mayhem Mahan.
Ryan Clark vs Mike Mitchell

Gandy's best years were done and he was replaced at LT with Marvel Smith
Jeff Hartings knees were shot and he retired
Clark lasted one year with the Redskins as he was done, Mitchell is in his prime and give him a chance

 

[Litos]

another good draft (like last year seems to be) and we are back in the game.
Priorities: OLB, CB, S, TE, DT, OL
Deep positions on this draft: RB, WR. So we won't be surprised if we get one of these.

 

[Super Dave]

then I have no issue; just don't sit and wait everytime

I was not implying that we wait everytime, my overall point is that we need to do a better job evaluating players particularity if we are going to trade up and in effect burn two draft picks for one player. Do you disagree?

And they did for Colcough, never said it would work every time

I never said that it would or wouldn't work everytime, I try to stay away from absolutes, in fact, I gave an example where we should have traded up in the 2008 draft. My point is what I posted above "we need to do a better job evaluating players particularity if we are going to trade up and in effect burn two draft picks for one player."

Never once heard that....source?

Bruce Arians, 2007 Draft Recap.

Um, no. The man who one year later won 2008 DPOY was James Harrison and wound up being an upgrade in 2007 to say nothing of 2008

I stand corrected on the DPOY, 2009 Porter had 17.5 Sacks for the Dolphins and made the Probowl.

Again my central thesis was on roster management, IMO, we made the team weaker by cutting a player who was still capable of playing at a very high level, a pro bowl level, and with a year left on his contract, regardless of whatever post season awards that were later achieved.

We spent 6 draft picks in 4 years at OLB trying to compensate for the failure at Roster Management and Player Evaluation at the OLB position and IMO we still have not got it right. We had to bring back the 2008 NFL DPOY to compensate for said failures..

Gandy's best years were done and he was replaced at LT with Marvel Smith
Jeff Hartings knees were shot and he retired
Clark lasted one year with the Redskins as he was done, Mitchell is in his prime and give him a chance

Yeah......I was kind of talking about when these players were acquired via Free Agency not when they retired or left.

Point being that when the roster pipeline was not adequately filled, (and it most certainly did happen prior to Art Tombert) then the immediate need was addressed in FA, IMO.

I posted Gandy v Whimper, Hartings v Mahan, Clark v Mitchell to bolster the point that we need to get better at player evaluation, not only for draft picks but for FA's as well.

And yes, I am very hopeful that Mitchell can turn it around in year 2, much like Wayne Gandy did.

 

[Coach]

As I mentioned earlier; though I wasn't posting much I would peek in from time to time -- and one of the things that kept me from donating (and if the paypal didn't work MODs and Buff let me know -- $6 is not putting me on the street) was the constant griping, whining, crying, bitching, moaning etc about Tombert drafting. I would read it and morons like Idiotech (which I cannot say enough, seeing him banned brought my contribution back). Sorry, I don't get off on stirring the pot just to rile someone up. I remember going back and forth with TMC with very strong debates on drafting best available player vs. position with it being a strong point/counter point but never to the level of insulting.

That being said; I'm going to cut loose on the Steelers drafts since 2007; and maybe just maybe give another view point that someone might see as out of the box.

I'm going to repeat my one and only gripe with the team under this regime; the lack of trading on draft day. Move up or move down.....

• 2003 -- did you really miss that 3rd and 6th round pick to move up and get Troy Polamalu? We only draft a Hall of Famer and arguably the 2nd best overall defensive player (post Steel Curtain & Rod Woodson)
• 2001 -- Hampton was their guy and they knew he'd last 3 more picks -- so they traded down from 16 to 19 and had the flexibility to move up to pick #39 and land Kendrell Bell
• 2006 -- Despite being the Super Bowl Champions, they were aggressive enough to go after a player they really needed at WR in Santonio Holmes -- and dang if we didn't win Super Bowl 43 because of that

I get that it won't always work, but if you REALLY like a guy; don't wait and hope that Ben Roethlisberger falls to you at #11; which he NEVER should have. Thank you Tom Donahoe for being dumb enough to give up your 2nd round pick to draft JP Losman and not to throw in with Jacksonville to move up to pick Ben at #9. On the same token, if Tomlin loved Revis as much as been reported (heard both ways, so not the point to debate here), don't hope he falls to your spot, get aggressive. But only if its a guy you REALLY like. You realize that in 1982 this team drafted Walter Abercrombie only 2 picks after Marcus Allen was taken by Raiders. If a blue chipper is within range, don't squeeze tight your cheeks and hope, go get him.

Now I am NOT TMC, do not ask me to evaluate the talent coming out. If they don't see that guy, than by all means don't move up; on the same token -- don't draft a guy for sake of drafting one with your pick -- Ziggy Hood was always a head scratcher to me. All I am saying is let them not sit there and hope for the best from the guy who lands on their pick if they don't love what they see -- have a plan B and a plan C. Those above 3 moves brought 2 Lombardi Trophies to Pittsburgh and I often wonder if a Revis in the secondary would have made a difference in getting a 3rd.

MAIN POINT: 2 Things
This team has drafted better than most people want to give credit for, though they insist on complaining.

• 2 RBs that have had among the best 10 individual seasons in franchise history.
• 5 WRs that make it seem like they can draft any WR they like and make them a star (Ravens, Chiefs, Redskins, Seahawks & bunch of others must be scratching their heads)
• Completely revamped OL with 2 potential dominant stars and solid rounding out
• The best DEFENSIVE END drafted in the 1st round in Steelers history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pittsburgh_Steelers_first-round_draft_picks

Where really have the Steelers lacked? Its simple: OLB and Secondary.
OLB is easy to see why, we were always able to find a Jason Gildon, Joey Porter or LaMarr Woodley because they were DE in college but couldn't play 4-3 in NFL and we were the only 3-4 Defense in the league. A Joey Porter wouldn't slide down to round 3 today for example. It's obvious now why Jason Worilds didn't emerge; because he never really was fully dedicated to what it took to succeed in the NFL. Bottom line, the competition that we didn't have for OLBs then we certainly do now.
Secondary is inexcusable, outside of 2003 with Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor are the only star quality DBs taken by the Steelers since Carnell Lake in 1989. DeShea Townsend was solid and we got a short run from Chris Hope, but when William Gay tops the list of Bryant McFadden, DJ Johnson, Deon Figures, Chad Scott, Ricardo Colclough, Keenan Lewis, Curtis Brown, Cortez Allen and ugh, Scott Shields.... That's NOT TOMBERT. That's Noll/Donahue, Cowher/Donahue, Cowher/Colbert, Tomlin/Colbert. I guess my point is this: if they like any DBs in this draft -- heck with the 3rd and 6th round pick, trade up to get the SOB!!!!!!!

Good post. Why the Steelers haven't traded up in recent years to me is puzzling. Round three for us has been pretty badly lately. Archer, Wheaton, Spense, and Brown. Outside of Wheaton, who's really more of a good #3 WR and kick return man, the rest are back ups who made little impact.

If a 3rd and 6th round pick means Randy Gregory, I'm for it. Colbert used to have a brass set. Lately his testes are the size of jelly beans.

 

[freak]

The problem with trading up is is that they REALLY liked Jarvis Jones and got him by standing pat.

They did trade up and go after......Shamarko Thomas......and got him.

Neither of these picks have made a impact......yet.

Let us not forget that Art Tombert had a first round grade on.........Matt Spaeth.

IMO, the problem is talent evaluation and most importantly Roster Management

One of the first roster moves, if not the very first roster move by the Art Tombert regime, prior to the 2007 draft (Tomlins first) was to jettison Joey Porter with a year left on his contract (One year later Porter would earn NFL DPOY for the Dolphins)

The end result was an immediate dire need at OLB which required attention in the form of 1st and 2nd round draft picks in the 2007 draft and then a 3rd round pick in 2008, and then a 4th round pick in 2009. Then another 2nd and another 4th in 2010, that is 6 picks in 4 years for 2 OLB positions. And it didn't stop there, a 5th rd pick in 2011 and another 1st rd pick in 2013.

Now imagine if half of those picks were spent on DB's or OL depth.

It is all about roster management and player evaluation to me, and IMO in the past it seemed we would address needs through the draft at least one year prior to them becoming needs. Failing at that, any immediate need we would address through FA, Jeff Hartings, Wayne Gandy, and Ryan Clark come to mind.

IMO, the 2007 draft should have been the draft to rebuild the OL, we ignored that position until the late rounds and Bo Lacy did not stick. The thought process may have been to address the OL specifically OT in the 2008 drafts which was laden with quality NFL OT's and to your point, which is a good one, the Steelers waited, and the 7 OT with first round grades were taken before their pick, 3 of them via trades. We ended up with Rashard Mendenhall.

The end result was Max Starks and the failure of the "Hide The Pen" strategy and 2 consecutive tags and a 26 million dollar contract with 10 million in guarantees in 2009, only to be cut in 2011.............then brought back later the very same year when his replacement did not cut it.

Rinse and repeat with James Harrison, and Fernando Velasco who became immediate starters as Street FA's during the season.

That is not roster management that is roster mismanagement.

In regards to player evaluation

Wayne Gandy vs Guy Wimper.
Jeff Hartings vs Sean Mayhem Mahan.
Ryan Clark vs Mike Mitchell

You make a great point about WR's and even point out that other teams like Seattle should be envious. Art Tombert have been very successful at WR. Definitely a bright spot.

Yet on the other hand 32 teams start at least 2 WR's many 3 WR's and carry at least 5-6 WR's on the roster. My point is that it should not matter how many teams are now running the 3-4, we need to do as good of a job evaluating and developing LB's as we do WR's........and historical data has proven that, unfortunately, we do not.

this..........................

 

[deljzc]

Part of the problem with evaluating Ryan Clark vs. Mike Mitchell is that Clark came into a group that had vastly superior talent around him.

The fact Mitchell is playing with a 35 year old Harrison and 33 year old Polamalu while Clark got to play with a 29 year old Porter (and 28 year old Harrison) and 25 year old Polamalu speaks volumes.

When Clark joined the team the oldest player on the WHOLE DEFENSE was 31. Mitchell came into a team that ended up using (or planned to use) said Harrison, Polamalu and also Keisel and Ike Taylor.

I don't know if I'd call that apples to apples. Something tells me if Mitchell time traveled back to 2006 and joined that team he'd have looked a lot better than the 2014 version did.

 

[Litos]

Part of the problem with evaluating Ryan Clark vs. Mike Mitchell is that Clark came into a group that had vastly superior talent around him.

The fact Mitchell is playing with a 35 year old Harrison and 33 year old Polamalu while Clark got to play with a 29 year old Porter (and 28 year old Harrison) and 25 year old Polamalu speaks volumes.

When Clark joined the team the oldest player on the WHOLE DEFENSE was 31. Mitchell came into a team that ended up using (or planned to use) said Harrison, Polamalu and also Keisel and Ike Taylor.

I don't know if I'd call that apples to apples. Something tells me if Mitchell time traveled back to 2006 and joined that team he'd have looked a lot better than the 2014 version did.

You have a valid point but no matter the age of your teammates, taking bad angles and making stupid penalties will always make you look bad. Though I agree we can't crucify him based on his first year on the team, I'm expecting a rebound

 

[Wingman]

Mock draft from the tribune review by Mark K.
http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2015/04/06/kaboly-steelers-full-mock-draft-1-0/#axzz3WcNxhhzG

Kaboly: Steelers Full Mock Draft 1.0

April 6, 2015 by Mark Kaboly
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The NFL Draft is only three weeks away, and on Monday’s edition of the Kaboly Show on TribLive Radio, I unveiled my mock draft 1.0. (you can listen to the entire podcast here —–> http://sportstalk.triblive.com/download/406KAB15.mp3 …).

We all know the Steelers coveted a cornerback and in need of a outside rush linebacker, but, as I’ve said a number of times, the way the draft breaks this year more than ever will determine what position and the Steelers use with their 22nd overall pick.

They want a cornerback, but only if a higher-slotted cornerback is still on the board. If he isn’t, they will take a rush outside linebackers.

Knowing that, it’s kind of hard to determine who the Steelers will take, but this is my best shot at it.



Kaboly’s NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Round 1 (22) Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

Skinny: Big and powerful defensive end who would be converted to outside linebacker. Dropped some in college making the transition to OLB much easier.



Round 2 (56) Alex Carter, CB, Stanford

Skinny: He’s everything the Steelers want in a pick – young, underclassman (junior) and is from a big school (Stanford). Carter has nice size (6-0, 195), is physical and can tackle.



Round 3 (87) D’Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic

Skinny: What better way to address a need than using both picks on Day 2 to do it?



Round 4 (121) Derron Smith, S, Fresno State

Skinny: Troy Polamalu won’t be back and who knows if Shamarko Thomas will be the answer?



Round 5 (160) Jesse James, TE, Penn State

Skinny: Just picture a clone of Matt Spaeth, who can’t block as well but can provide more in the way of the passing game.



Round 6 (199) Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (Fla.)

Skinny: The Steelers don’t really need a receiver, but they won’t be able to overlook the speed of Dorsett.



Round 6 (212) (Comp) Sean Hickey, OL, Syracuse

Skinny: You never have too many offensive linemen. Hickey, a Franklin Regional grad, can play both left and right tackle.



Round 7 (239) Karlos Williams, RB, Florida State

Skinny: Brother of inside linebacker Vince Williams, the Steelers can take a flyer on Williams after signing DeAngelo Williams.

Read more: http://blog.triblive.com/steel-mill/2015/04/06/kaboly-steelers-full-mock-draft-1-0/#ixzz3WcOo2hlt
Follow us: @triblive on Twitter | triblive on Facebook

Now the commenters are giving him some crap about the sixth round wide out but he has us getting an OLB, 2 corners, a safety, a TE, an Olineman and a wide out.

I found it most interesting that he was able to select all our needs and grab a late round running back as well, who happens to have a brother on the team.

 

[bermudasteel]

As I mentioned earlier; though I wasn't posting much I would peek in from time to time -- and one of the things that kept me from donating (and if the paypal didn't work MODs and Buff let me know -- $6 is not putting me on the street) was the constant griping, whining, crying, bitching, moaning etc about Tombert drafting. I would read it and morons like Idiotech (which I cannot say enough, seeing him banned brought my contribution back). Sorry, I don't get off on stirring the pot just to rile someone up. I remember going back and forth with TMC with very strong debates on drafting best available player vs. position with it being a strong point/counter point but never to the level of insulting.

That being said; I'm going to cut loose on the Steelers drafts since 2007; and maybe just maybe give another view point that someone might see as out of the box.

I'm going to repeat my one and only gripe with the team under this regime; the lack of trading on draft day. Move up or move down.....

• 2003 -- did you really miss that 3rd and 6th round pick to move up and get Troy Polamalu? We only draft a Hall of Famer and arguably the 2nd best overall defensive player (post Steel Curtain & Rod Woodson)
• 2001 -- Hampton was their guy and they knew he'd last 3 more picks -- so they traded down from 16 to 19 and had the flexibility to move up to pick #39 and land Kendrell Bell
• 2006 -- Despite being the Super Bowl Champions, they were aggressive enough to go after a player they really needed at WR in Santonio Holmes -- and dang if we didn't win Super Bowl 43 because of that

I get that it won't always work, but if you REALLY like a guy; don't wait and hope that Ben Roethlisberger falls to you at #11; which he NEVER should have. Thank you Tom Donahoe for being dumb enough to give up your 2nd round pick to draft JP Losman and not to throw in with Jacksonville to move up to pick Ben at #9. On the same token, if Tomlin loved Revis as much as been reported (heard both ways, so not the point to debate here), don't hope he falls to your spot, get aggressive. But only if its a guy you REALLY like. You realize that in 1982 this team drafted Walter Abercrombie only 2 picks after Marcus Allen was taken by Raiders. If a blue chipper is within range, don't squeeze tight your cheeks and hope, go get him.

Now I am NOT TMC, do not ask me to evaluate the talent coming out. If they don't see that guy, than by all means don't move up; on the same token -- don't draft a guy for sake of drafting one with your pick -- Ziggy Hood was always a head scratcher to me. All I am saying is let them not sit there and hope for the best from the guy who lands on their pick if they don't love what they see -- have a plan B and a plan C. Those above 3 moves brought 2 Lombardi Trophies to Pittsburgh and I often wonder if a Revis in the secondary would have made a difference in getting a 3rd.

MAIN POINT: 2 Things
This team has drafted better than most people want to give credit for, though they insist on complaining.

• 2 RBs that have had among the best 10 individual seasons in franchise history.
• 5 WRs that make it seem like they can draft any WR they like and make them a star (Ravens, Chiefs, Redskins, Seahawks & bunch of others must be scratching their heads)
• Completely revamped OL with 2 potential dominant stars and solid rounding out
• The best DEFENSIVE END drafted in the 1st round in Steelers history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Pittsburgh_Steelers_first-round_draft_picks

Where really have the Steelers lacked? Its simple: OLB and Secondary.
OLB is easy to see why, we were always able to find a Jason Gildon, Joey Porter or LaMarr Woodley because they were DE in college but couldn't play 4-3 in NFL and we were the only 3-4 Defense in the league. A Joey Porter wouldn't slide down to round 3 today for example. It's obvious now why Jason Worilds didn't emerge; because he never really was fully dedicated to what it took to succeed in the NFL. Bottom line, the competition that we didn't have for OLBs then we certainly do now.
Secondary is inexcusable, outside of 2003 with Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor are the only star quality DBs taken by the Steelers since Carnell Lake in 1989. DeShea Townsend was solid and we got a short run from Chris Hope, but when William Gay tops the list of Bryant McFadden, DJ Johnson, Deon Figures, Chad Scott, Ricardo Colclough, Keenan Lewis, Curtis Brown, Cortez Allen and ugh, Scott Shields.... That's NOT TOMBERT. That's Noll/Donahue, Cowher/Donahue, Cowher/Colbert, Tomlin/Colbert. I guess my point is this: if they like any DBs in this draft -- heck with the 3rd and 6th round pick, trade up to get the SOB!!!!!!!

Absolutely. STANDING OVATION!!!





Wait a minute...

Idioteque is BANNED???

No parade?

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Absolutely. STANDING OVATION!!!





Wait a minute...

Idioteque is BANNED???

No parade?

No, but things have definitely been a lot more civil around here. Haven't heard much from his shadow/parrot since he was banned either.

 

[Hallmarky]

How much say did Keith Butler have in the evaluation and development of OLB's as sc the position coach? If he had a lot to do with it, not much will change with the departure of LeBeau.

 

[stillwright]

How much say did Keith Butler have in the evaluation and development of OLB's as sc the position coach? If he had a lot to do with it, not much will change with the departure of LeBeau.

Just another DC Tomlin had to keep. While I don't think Kelly in Philadelphia has done a great job this off season. A lot of questionable moves. The team is his. Whether he fails or not it is all on him. While here in Pittsburgh our coach who is the "6th best" in the game can't even hire his own coaches yet. If Rooney doesn't have the trust or respect to let Tomlin make these decisions than let Tomlin go and bring in someone he does trust to do it, but let the coach OWN his team.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I don't think he had to keep butler. Butler and Tomlin have a history. Coached together at Memphis.