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What Bostic and Burnett do for the Steelers.

slashsteel

slashsteel

Thank you for everything Franco, R I P.
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Besides filling two obvious holes in the defense, at inside linebacker and safety. And besides another obvious in giving the Steelers the comfort of picking BPA in the upcoming draft.

They bring a multitasking capability to the table.

How so?

No secret the Steelers have had their share of players with tackling issues. Both of these players are good tacklers.That alone should help the Steelers defense become more sound, more proficient.

Burnett is position flexible you can put him at SS, have him cover a TE. Perhaps Gronk doesn't make Burnett his *****, unlike Davis. Sorry that still haunts my memory. Burnett is also capable of playing Gay's type role in the dime.

Bostic is capable of playing Shazier's spot or the Mack, where he could eventually be Vince Williams' Huckleberry. (or for those unfamiliar with Val Kilmer's role in the movie Tombstone, THE MAN)

All that would take is a rookie inside linebacker coming on strong. Provided they draft one early capable.

Both players bring slight injury concerns, and do not stop the Steelers from drafting a S or a ILBer early if a BPA presents itself.

To hand a starting role to a rookie, although doable. Isn't always an easy transition, Or a advisable approach for a team close to greatness. With a QB inching his way to retirement, but wanting one more ring to put on his finger.

Both signings doesn't mean SB here we come ! But it damn sure gives two much needed puzzle pieces to give the team a fighting chance.

Now for the love of got damn it man will fans stop saying Steelers can't sign anybody in free agency, they are too tight up against the cap yada yada yada.

Because the Steelers can

and did.
 
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Roy92040 said:
I think what they have done here is to make the Steeler draft not as predictable. Before this there were immediate needs that needed filling. Not so much now.


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With Rooney making comments about the run D at times being soft, you have two players, that are sound against the run. Funny how the two line up.
 
I would think Evans or Van Esche should be there when the Steelers pick. If Harrison is too, they can truley pick who they think is best.
 
With these two players playing we would have gone at least to the AFCCG. (I know that's a projection). Now we need to draft BPA and hope for a monster at nose and this "D" would be set. I'm excited not just for the players but one more big thing is the new coaching assistant(s). Combine all this and we have improved even before the draft. OUR beloved STEELERS started out a little faster this year but Remeber last year they brought in high ability FAs also. We can still afford that one HIGH priced FA if absolutely need be. The BELL thing has held some things back but you can tell the STEELERS are NOT letting that hold up their progress as Bell would have hoped. I see a RB in the draft as this is Bell's last year here.



Salute the nation
 
Yeah but the Steelers outside of Shazier were about as healthy as they could have been. They literally started 21 of a possible 22 from opening day. Last year really should have been their year.
 
I just need to see another game to get that Jacksonville playoff aftertaste out of my mouth.
Until I see another game I can't envision this team better than 8-8. Having to outscore everyone and being successful about half the time.

I expect the offense to be world class. I hope the defense can find its way out of the bottom third.


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They still need to draft an ILB. They basically have two Vince Williams right now. They need that athletic guy with range.
Matt Williamson thinks Burnett will play SS and there's a good chance Cam Sutton is moved to FS not Davis.

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I think Bostic stays on the field during 3 LB sets like 3-3-5 or 2-3-6. I think VW comes off. I also think Burnett plays rover and will drop into the ILB position on certain sub packages.


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Brian Allen could be moved to FS
 
One thing the Steelers absolutely hate is to go into a draft with the other 31 teams knowing they are desperate for one position above all others. These signings solidify the two weakest positions on the defense and muddy the waters of what they might do leading up to draft day, which is just how they like it.
 
Coryea said:
They still need to draft an ILB. They basically have two Vince Williams right now. They need that athletic guy with range.
Matt Williamson thinks Burnett will play SS and there's a good chance Cam Sutton is moved to FS not Davis.

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I see Bostic as a better version of Williams, not convinced he won't be better in coverage either. But sure a upgrade at ILber doesn't hurt or isn't un-welcomed.


Regardless of if they draft a FS, and I think they will try. For how decent the S class is. If you glue yourself to it I think most will find a abundance of SS's and few FS's. If they find one it wouldn't surprise me if Bates or Reid wasn't the pick.

Unless they are comfy with Allen or Davis or Sutton playing well there. Makes sense to let them all compete for the start, all three. Four if you draft a FS. If they get one that is their BPA they shouldn't blink. Same goes for ILBer.

Because as we are happy with those holes filled. (that's what she said) A injury would challenge that perspective in an area that was weak from the getgo.

How do you strengthen a weak area? With quality AND quantity. SO sure I am for drafting whatever. BPA BPA. I have no problem with BPA for here and now, I am just worried the BPA for the future will creep into the Steelers plans if one is smiling in their direction come the draft.

QB and RB come to mind. I would much rather have a pass rusher, run stopper at DT, FS and a athletic ILber. But we know the Steelers don't have tunnel vision.

This draft should be a interesting one.....................
 
SteelerSask said:
Yeah but the Steelers outside of Shazier were about as healthy as they could have been. They literally started 21 of a possible 22 from opening day. Last year really should have been their year.
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Should've.
The defense was a major weakness last season though.
I think the Steelers are doing their best to address that this offseason.
 
Bostic brings a nastiness that the Steelers have needed for a while. Dude is soft-spoken in press conferences, but he plays with some serious edge on the field. I watched every game the kid played at Florida...he can play. He's a damn-good linebacker. He doesn't have the speed Shazier did (then again, nobody does at that position) but he can get to the ball.

Like others have said, this frees-up the Steelers to take the best player available in the 1st round, and not reach for a linebacker. I really wouldn't be shocked at all to see the Steelers draft one of the running backs. There are a bunch of good ones to choose from and with the crap they are having to handle with Bell, they could draft his replacement and show him the door after a year.
 
ILB is still the No. 1 need and if S still isn't No. 2, it is No. 3 on our most needed list for the draft. These pickups give us a little room to breath but we still need to draft someone at both positions and probably in the 1st 2 to 3 rounds.
 
TDX27 said:
ILB is still the No. 1 need and if S still isn't No. 2, it is No. 3 on our most needed list for the draft. These pickups give us a little room to breath but we still need to draft someone at both positions and probably in the 1st 2 to 3 rounds.
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ADD in NT and not just an average one, as we have that, then we are set.




Salute the nation
 
What these moves really say is Tomlins guys can't tackle so we have to go find guys that can.
 
Drink IRON City said:
ADD in NT and not just an average one, as we have that, then we are set.
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Very on board with this. This D needs a true nose and if Tim Settle is sitting there in the 3rd, run to the mic.
 
Coryea said:
They still need to draft an ILB. They basically have two Vince Williams right now. They need that athletic guy with range.
Matt Williamson thinks Burnett will play SS and there's a good chance Cam Sutton is moved to FS not Davis.

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Bostic has range, what he lacks is coverage ability, but having a rover safety like Burnett we might not need our Mack to be so worried in the middle of the field

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Supersteeler said:
One thing the Steelers absolutely hate is to go into a draft with the other 31 teams knowing they are desperate for one position above all others. These signings solidify the two weakest positions on the defense and muddy the waters of what they might do leading up to draft day, which is just how they like it.
Click to expand...

Which I think brought on the uncle Jarvis pick. They wanted what they thought was an NFL ready OLB
 
Litos said:
Bostic has range, what he lacks is coverage ability, but having a rover safety like Burnett we might not need our Mack to be so worried in the middle of the field

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Everything I've read and heard, he's a downhill LB that hits hard and tackles well, I'm not necessarily talking about pass coverage when I say range. The Jags game Fornette was getting outside the tackles and our ILBs weren't able to get over there to make tackles.

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Yep thats how i see it Burnett can play that rover position or in the middle on pass plays like shazier did. They arent pigeonholed into taking a safety or ILB in the first now IMO. BPA if need doesnt meet value at safety or ILB
 
in the 3-2-6 front 3 tuitt heyward tyson 2 LB watt Burnett DB's Haden Burns Sutton S Davis, Rook/Wilcox/ [Hilton played S at ole Miss]
 
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