Woodley done in Oakland

[steelerscotty]

Of course it is but is was a dumbass contract. We are still paying for him even though he is not here playing for us. Having $8 million last year and this coming year sure would help a lot. That is one very good free agent we could sign. So, yes, call it semantics but it still is one player we are paying for that is basically sitting on the bench.

When we signed him to the contract I didnt hear much complaining about it. He was coming off a good three-year run and playing at a high level so, at the time, it seemed like a good deal to keep him.

 

[Vindrow]

HE would look good in black and....oh wait.......

 

[Wingman]

This is where I disagree with 90% of Steeler Nation. Everyone is usually partial to guys who have played and done well here in the past regardless of how old and used up they are, but sometimes you have to look at it from a neutral point of view. There is probably about a 50% chance that Jarvis improves and becomes at least a passable NFL starter. He's played in all of 10 games or so for his entire career, so there is still some "unknown" there. He also has youth on his side. I agree that the results have been very lackluster thus far. HOWEVER, let's be real. Woodley was washed up before he ever left Pittsburgh. He has almost nothing left in the tank at this point so there is probably no better than 10% chance that he could add much to the team. Factor in that he wasn't even good enough for the Raiders to think he has any value left. Given the choice between those two, it's not even close to me. You go with Jarvis and play the odds.

I would not bet even money on Jarvis. Don't want Woodley back either even though a has been will be better than a never was. The only way Jarvis gets faster is it you drop him off the top level of the bleachers, and he sure doesn't look like he is getting stronger.

 

[Steelerfan]

He was never used right in Oakland. He would look good in black and... purple.

Let him go screw over Baltimore for a year or two.

I thought you were going for the one hour ban until the last moment.

 

[deljzc]

This season is really going to mean a lot in the evaluation of a LOT of defensive players on our roster.

Can Jarvis Jones start producing and turn those "got close" plays into some game changers?

How does Cortez Allen bounce back and adjust to the revised NFL hand-check rules for DB's?

Is Stephan Tuitt a legit starter and how will he adapt to 700+ snaps this season?

Who will be the "swing DE" to give breathers to Tuitt/Heyward? Remember even Heyward only ended the season playing 85% of the time. We are talking a potential of 400-500 DE snaps that need to be accounted for. It can't be Cam Thomas again, can it?

Who is the starting LOLB?

Is Shamarko Thomas the planned replacement for Polamalu? What is happening at the SS position? Will Allen? Thomas? Polamalu at a discounted rate?

Who is the "swing OLB" just in case of injury? Is that good enough?

Is the "speed" decision at ILB really going to work and be productive?

How do we do all the above AND adjust to a new defensive coordinator?


I don't know if I think Tombert has done a good enough job when there are this many questions to be answered heading into an off-season on one side of the ball. There are a LOT of depth issues right now. Very thin depth wise as every defensive position except ILB, which might be the easiest position on a defense to fill (certainly paid the least). We are understaffed on the D-line by two bodies. We are understaffed at OLB by at least two bodies and probably three. We are understaffed at CB by two bodies. We are understaffed at S by two bodies.

That is not planning very well in my opinion. Not looking ahead and thinking how to develop suitable depth at positions through the draft so the idea next man up isn't always a new guy off the street (that's happened way too much in Pittsburgh the last 5 seasons).

I don't know how a single draft or free agency is going to fix all those depth issues. We'll band-aid some things. I'm sure people will be excited with our draft picks and think everything looks good, but the defense is a house of cards right now. Even a few injuries (to be anticipated) will further stress the depth chart and make implementing anything new in Butler's system that much harder.

It's going to be a tough season on that side of the ball I'm afraid.

 

[Supersteeler]

I would not bet even money on Jarvis. Don't want Woodley back either even though a has been will be better than a never was. The only way Jarvis gets faster is it you drop him off the top level of the bleachers, and he sure doesn't look like he is getting stronger.

I am giving Jarvis year 3 to see what he has, especially considering the time lost to injury last year. As far as 40 times go, I'd be willing to bet that Terrell Suggs hasn't run a sub 5.0 - 40 yard dash for the past 4 or 5 years, but he continues to be able to make a lot of plays. Why? He has developed his instincts to be able to diagnose plays which makes him play faster than his 40 time. Lots of other factors come into play besides that. Granted....speed really helps certainly, but it can be compensated for. Does Jarvis have the overall talent and drive to compensate for his lack of speed? That is the million dollar question and this is his make or break year IMO.

 

[SteelerAl]

I am giving Jarvis year 3 to see what he has, especially considering the time lost to injury last year. As far as 40 times go, I'd be willing to bet that Terrell Suggs hasn't run a sub 5.0 - 40 yard dash for the past 4 or 5 years, but he continues to be able to make a lot of plays. Why? He has developed his instincts and able to diagnose plays which makes him play faster than his 40 time. Lots of other factors come into play besides that. Granted....speed really helps certainly, but it can be compensated for. Does Jarvis have the overall talent and drive to compensate for his lack of speed? That is the million dollar question and this is his make or break year IMO.

The guy did have 2 sacks and a forced fumble in under 3 games to start the season. Does anyone really base anything on how JJ played when he returned from a serious wrist injury? He was rushed back into action because Harrison was hurt. A wrist injury is a huge deal for an OLB...I give him credit for getting back on the field, but no one should have expected anything from him at that point.

 

[Supersteeler]

Does anyone really base anything on how JJ played when he returned from a serious wrist injury?

You have to understand that there are several who started judging him negatively the second Goodell announced his name at the podium because they didn't care for the selection. All that aside, he hasn't done what you expect a first round selection to do thus far. He will either produce something soon or he probably won't at all. If he doesn't, he will likely be out of town when his first contract expires. Personally I am rooting for the kid and I hope he figures it out and stays healthy, but then I always root for the underdog.

 

[F83]

Woodley can play sides as the starter on the week side and play de in the nickel. 1 year 1.2 mill with bonus worth up to 2.5. Or get graham or sheard and deebo and draft orchard in end 2 or z.smith in rnd 3 or 4.