With the 102nd overall pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers select OLB Alex Highsmith

[topseed]

Wasting draft picks on small players is your argument. Stating we can find all world starters at linebacker from small schools is my argument.

Actually, drafting 'tweeners (who need a whole lot of improvement to perform well at the NFL level) too early is my argument, but you digress.

Of course anomalies exist, Cope. Stating that one of the best quarterbacks of all-time was found in the 6th round would also be an argument of yours, no doubt. What does it really prove, though? Besides that the Patriots got lucky?

 

[topseed]

i mean, i can't say that i followed him extensively at the college level, but based on some of the highlights i saw of him this weekend, i find it pretty laughable to think that he was going to be "undrafted". maybe he goes a round or two later, but SOMEBODY was drafting Highsmith.

If you had followed Highsmith at the college level, you must have been a UNC-Charlotte alumnus, or a degenerate gambler. Or more likely, both.

Most people put stock in NFL.com, the official website of the National Football League. They had him at #265. There's only 255 picks in the draft, so...well, you can do the "laughable" math.

 

[topseed]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/charlotte-49ers/article242260851.html

I found this article interesting because it speaks to the lack of production in his first couple years. The reason his sacks shot up this past year was because they actually released him to rush the QB. They changed their whole scheme up which allowed him to rush the QB more. I think it would also be fair to say that 95% of the people on this board have never seen the guy play a down and close to that percentage never even heard of him before. Before jumping to conclusions and labeling him a bust let’s wait and see how he develops at the next level. Personally I’m excited to see him develop and hope he can do everything the team expects from him and more.

I agree the article was interesting (Colbert sure has a hard-on for the guy), but Highsmith did say: “I had my hand in the dirt the past two years, but I’ve been working a lot on my drops, and I’m ready to step into that role.” So, apparently he was still rushing the passer during his junior season when he recorded 3 sacks. And he basically has no recent game experience in coverage, which the Steelers ask their outside linebackers to do quite often. But, hey, he's been working a lot on his drops. Pittsburgh surely won't be running a 4-2-5 on every down like those badass Charlotte 49ers.

Again, I haven't labeled him a bust. As I've mentioned, I hope Highsmith develops like so many of you so strongly believe he will. And if he does, I'm sure Steelworth and Steel Buckeye will be right here frothing at their little keyboards to remind me how right they were, and, more importantly, how wrong I was.

Time will tell.

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

not topseed

 

[steel dino]

You should watch his Clemson video. lol

I did and other clips.....

 

[Stryker]

Actually, drafting 'tweeners (who need a whole lot of improvement to perform well at the NFL level) too early is my argument, but you digress.

Of course anomalies exist, Cope. Stating that one of the best quarterbacks of all-time was found in the 6th round would also be an argument of yours, no doubt. What does it really prove, though? Besides that the Patriots got lucky?

I can see the Brady argument, but that is a single instance. If you're looking at the Steelers and Small school drafted linebackers you have more than one instance: Lambert, Harrison, Lloyd, Merriweather, Holmes. Steelers have a track record of finding good small school players to play linebacker.

Is there anything you like about Highsmith's tape? I personally like the diversity of his pass rush moves, and how good he is with his hands to get off blocks. I don't know how good he is in coverage, but the Steelers did de emphasize coverage for the OLBs last season. He ran a 4.7, so at least his speed is good for a LB dropping into coverage.

 

[Stryker]

From his college coach:

“Again, if the guy was six-foot-five, twitchy and ran 4.4 in high school, he wouldn’t have been a walk on at Charlotte,” Healy said. “So, there’s something that this guy has had a chip on his shoulder about for a long time and has been able to overcome to get to where he is right now. Now, I think part of his work ethic has provided for the get off and, you know, the size, speed, strength aspect of what he’s been able to accomplish. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a really good athlete. But I think when you include a really good athlete with a guy who’s got a chip on his shoulder and wants to prove people wrong, but yet in the right way. Not a chip on your shoulder, like, I’m a bad locker room guy, but a chip on your shoulder as in, I’m lucky to be where I am and I’m going to take advantage of it. I think it’s a scary combination.”

“I’m telling you, if you asked me to bet on somebody, I’m betting on him,” Healy said of Highsmith. “I’ve never been around one that’s a better locker room culture, work ethic, the total package, that dude’s got it.”

 

[Steelworth]

And if he does, I'm sure Steelworth and Steel Buckeye will be right here frothing at their little keyboards to remind me how right they were, and, more importantly, how wrong I was.

Time will tell.

Well you're either not here nearly enough, or need to do your homework because neither Buckeye or myself do that ****, at all. Every one of these guys is a crap shoot, you just decided to **** on this particular guy because he initially reminded you of Sutton Smith (incorrectly) and comes from a small school.

We never said he's going to be the second coming of Jack Lambert, but when you **** on a guy that much simply because you've never heard of him or refused to see the all the links to draft sites that had him going in the third or fourth round, that's on you.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Well you're either not here nearly enough, or need to do your homework because neither Buckeye or myself do that ****, at all. Every one of these guys is a crap shoot, you just decided to **** on this particular guy because he initially reminded you of Sutton Smith (incorrectly) and comes from a small school.

We never said he's going to be the second coming of Jack Lambert, but when you **** on a guy that much simply because you've never heard of him or refused to see the all the links to draft sites that had him going in the third or fourth round, that's on you.

Preach

 

[Ike Kelly]

I can see the Brady argument, but that is a single instance. If you're looking at the Steelers and Small school drafted linebackers you have more than one instance: Lambert, Harrison, Lloyd, Merriweather, Holmes. Steelers have a track record of finding good small school players to play linebacker.

Is there anything you like about Highsmith's tape? I personally like the diversity of his pass rush moves, and how good he is with his hands to get off blocks. I don't know how good he is in coverage, but the Steelers did de emphasize coverage for the OLBs last season. He ran a 4.7, so at least his speed is good for a LB dropping into coverage.

Cope, IIRC Porter, Haggans and Gildon were all considered tweeners when they were drafted. All three put on weight after their rook season.


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[Drink IRON City]

His college coach said he had 5 different coordinators in his 5 yr college career. He wasn't invited and was a walk on and made the team, pretty impressive. Also said he was the first one to practice and the last one to leave, I'll take that. There are a lot of positives to help make one like the guy and root for his success.

EDIT: Just to be clear, I'm talking about our 3rd round draftee


Salute the nation

 

[topseed]

I can see the Brady argument, but that is a single instance. If you're looking at the Steelers and Small school drafted linebackers you have more than one instance: Lambert, Harrison, Lloyd, Merriweather, Holmes. Steelers have a track record of finding good small school players to play linebacker.

Is there anything you like about Highsmith's tape? I personally like the diversity of his pass rush moves, and how good he is with his hands to get off blocks. I don't know how good he is in coverage, but the Steelers did de emphasize coverage for the OLBs last season. He ran a 4.7, so at least his speed is good for a LB dropping into coverage.

So the Steelers' track record is 5 guys in almost 50 years. OK. But two of those guys were prototypical inside linebackers, not 'tweeners. One was undrafted. Another was a 6th round pick. I guess Merriweather is the closest comparison, although he had one anomalous season with 15 sacks, and never had another with more than 6. I remember him as more of a solid-tackling linebacker, not a pass-rushing specialist that they evidently drafted Highsmith to eventually be. So, again, your list doesn't really apply to what I'm saying.

No, I'm really not impressed with his tape. Just didn't see the array of moves everyone is talking about against Clemson. Seemed like he went around the outside and took himself out of the play more often than he was displaying diverse pass rushes. His speed is good enough to cover most tight ends, if he can learn coverage.

The chip on his shoulder produced one monster season at Charlotte and resulted in him becoming a third-round pick. Maybe that will translate to the NFL, maybe it won't.

 

[topseed]

Well you're either not here nearly enough, or need to do your homework because neither Buckeye or myself do that ****, at all. Every one of these guys is a crap shoot, you just decided to **** on this particular guy because he initially reminded you of Sutton Smith (incorrectly) and comes from a small school.

We never said he's going to be the second coming of Jack Lambert, but when you **** on a guy that much simply because you've never heard of him or refused to see the all the links to draft sites that had him going in the third or fourth round, that's on you.

Yes, you're the perfect gentleman. Except when you told me to get the **** outta here.

I'm not ******** on anybody. I've explained enough times why I brought up Sutton Smith and why I don't like the pick in the third round. You clearly disagree. Great.

No, you never said he's the second coming of Jack Lambert, but you did attempt to put up anonymous combine numbers (incorrectly) that were supposed to presumably prove that somebody couldn't tell the difference between him and TJ Watt.

So is he TJ Watt Jr., or is it a crapshoot? Make up your mind and don't try to cover your *** on both sides.

 

[Steelworth]

Yes, you're the perfect gentleman.

Why thank you.

No, you never said he's the second coming of Jack Lambert, but you did attempt to put up anonymous combine numbers (incorrectly)

What was incorrect? Was I 2 lbs off this total weight?

 

[topseed]

Cope, IIRC Porter, Haggans and Gildon were all considered tweeners when they were drafted. All three put on weight after their rook season.


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Colorado State(9) and Oklahoma State(12) had 21 combined players on NFL rosters in 2019. Charlotte had 1.

 

[Steelworth]

So is he TJ Watt Jr., or is it a crapshoot? Make up your mind and don't try to cover your *** on both sides.

I compared their measurables/size, which are very similar. I prefaced it saying that was all I was comparing. And yeah, the draft is a crapshoot, 99% of players are a crapshoot, doesn't really matter what round if we really look back. Not sure the profound point you were trying to make there.

 

[Steelworth]

Colorado State(9) and Oklahoma State(12) had 21 combined players on NFL rosters in 2019. Charlotte had 1.

So without ever playing a down, you've already decided. We were simply saying wait and see.

 

[topseed]

What was incorrect? Was I 2 lbs off this total weight?

No, I already bitchslapped you with 4 inches in the vertical and an enormous difference in the 3-cone. About 5 pages or so ago. Feel free to scroll on back.

Still won't commit to the guy, I see. Not surprising.

 

[topseed]

I compared their measurables/size, which are very similar. I prefaced it saying that was all I was comparing. And yeah, the draft is a crapshoot, 99% of players are a crapshoot, doesn't really matter what round if we really look back. Not sure the profound point you were trying to make there.

"Very similar." Except for those pesky two areas you continue to ignore. Right.

The profound point is you're a *****. You want to compare the guy to TJ Watt (incorrectly), yet you want to say it's a crapshoot if he makes it or not. So your *** is covered no matter what he does as a Steeler.

 

[topseed]

So without ever playing a down, you've already decided. We were simply saying wait and see.

Man, you really have difficulty with reading comprehension, don't you?

CSU and OSU are not small schools, and have a track record of producing NFL players. Charlotte doesn't.

Understand, or do I need to type slower?

 

[Steelworth]

No, I already bitchslapped you with 4 inches in the vertical and an enormous difference in the 3-cone. About 5 pages or so ago. Feel free to scroll on back.

I just did scroll back.

I was comparing their size/measurables, which minus the 3-cone drill time, aren't all that different. If you're going to freak out that the one jumped 4 inches higher than the other, go right ahead. But my point still stands that their size/measurables aren't all that different. I know he's not TJ Watt. I was simply refuting an argument you were making about him being the next Sutton Smith.

That's where you bitchslapped me, with 4 inches? A whole 4 inches?

 

[Steelworth]

"Very similar." Except for those pesky two areas you continue to ignore. Right.

The profound point is you're a *****. You want to compare the guy to TJ Watt (incorrectly), yet you want to say it's a crapshoot if he makes it or not. So your *** is covered no matter what he does as a Steeler.

Grow the **** up, internet Rambo. Stop acting like a ******* clown.

And since your trolling *** exclaims I'm just covering mine, I'll say he has a Clark Haggans-like career in the NFL. If I'm wrong, so be it, I'll admit it.

Now is that time to get the **** over yourself, and focus on other football subjects maybe.

 

[slashsteel]

Man, you really have difficulty with reading comprehension, don't you?

CSU and OSU are not small schools, and have a track record of producing NFL players. Charlotte doesn't.

Understand, or do I need to type slower?

Seed you are going little hard at him. He isn't a troll. No need to flame a good poster. I get it you disagree. Perhaps step back and come back with a cooler head.

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[Steelworth]

Seed you are going little hard at him. He isn't a troll. No need to flame a good poster. I get it you disagree. Perhaps step back and come back with a cooler head.

No worries / man, I think topseed is just coming with the trash talk and it's really nothing more than that.

 

[topseed]

I just did scroll back.

That's where you bitchslapped me, with 4 inches? A whole 4 inches?

So, wait, you get to tell me how similar they are by just simply omitting the 3-cone time, and discounting over a 10% difference in vertical?

You didn't do very well in statistics class, did you?