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Invariably, the Steelers FO will do some - if not all - of the following:
- draft at least 2-3 players a round or two earlier than any of us have seen in rankings or in mock drafts. Each year I have to remind myself the Steelers have their very own big board (gasp) that may look significantly different that what we've been pouring over for months now at espn, walterfootball, ourlads, and the like. This will cause a lot of bellyaching with immediate cries that we reached for so-and-so, we could have picked that guy in a later round.
- draft players - regardless of position - that are a few inches shorter and 10-15 pounds lighter than what we (think we) prefer. The Steelers seemingly barely glance at height/weight numbers, and focus on talent and production. Most fans meanwhile spend endless hours dreaming of 6-1+ CB's, 6-3, 250ish linebackers, 6-4 WR's, 300+ pound linemen and the like. This will result in instant letdown when a smaller (than ideal) player is drafted, as it bursts our bubble we envisioned of the type of athletes (we think) we're looking for.
- draft players with slower 40 times than what's pegged as desirable. As long as the production is there, or some other distinguishable trait, the Steelers rarely draft players that are on top of the speed/workout rankings.
- draft a couple of guys that we've never (or just barely ever) heard of, guys that have not shown up on Steeler fan sites as possible options, players they seemingly picked out of the blue. And we will protest loudly. Why on earth would they pick this no-name guy when a player at that same position (that we're familiar with) is still sitting on the board? This will hurt our feelings, and we will be letdown by said, barely known player.
- draft a few guys in the later rounds that are currently pegged as UDFA in the pre-draft rankings. Happens every year.
Then, when all the dust settles, we'll do some homework on the draft class, get to know their stories, and like magic, most of us will start feeling warm & fuzzy about the rooks as we welcome them on board. All the anxiety and letdown from the draft will slowly evaporate, and the pieces of the puzzle will begin to come together (in our minds) of what a great fit the rookies will be. This will last through Latrobe and pre-season, with the added excitement of the UDFA guys that have a shot to make the team.
I love seeing how each year's squad gets built and how it all comes together by September. It draws me in each and every year, and helps hit the re-set button on a ******, 8-8, non-playoff season.
Go Steelers!
- draft at least 2-3 players a round or two earlier than any of us have seen in rankings or in mock drafts. Each year I have to remind myself the Steelers have their very own big board (gasp) that may look significantly different that what we've been pouring over for months now at espn, walterfootball, ourlads, and the like. This will cause a lot of bellyaching with immediate cries that we reached for so-and-so, we could have picked that guy in a later round.
- draft players - regardless of position - that are a few inches shorter and 10-15 pounds lighter than what we (think we) prefer. The Steelers seemingly barely glance at height/weight numbers, and focus on talent and production. Most fans meanwhile spend endless hours dreaming of 6-1+ CB's, 6-3, 250ish linebackers, 6-4 WR's, 300+ pound linemen and the like. This will result in instant letdown when a smaller (than ideal) player is drafted, as it bursts our bubble we envisioned of the type of athletes (we think) we're looking for.
- draft players with slower 40 times than what's pegged as desirable. As long as the production is there, or some other distinguishable trait, the Steelers rarely draft players that are on top of the speed/workout rankings.
- draft a couple of guys that we've never (or just barely ever) heard of, guys that have not shown up on Steeler fan sites as possible options, players they seemingly picked out of the blue. And we will protest loudly. Why on earth would they pick this no-name guy when a player at that same position (that we're familiar with) is still sitting on the board? This will hurt our feelings, and we will be letdown by said, barely known player.
- draft a few guys in the later rounds that are currently pegged as UDFA in the pre-draft rankings. Happens every year.
Then, when all the dust settles, we'll do some homework on the draft class, get to know their stories, and like magic, most of us will start feeling warm & fuzzy about the rooks as we welcome them on board. All the anxiety and letdown from the draft will slowly evaporate, and the pieces of the puzzle will begin to come together (in our minds) of what a great fit the rookies will be. This will last through Latrobe and pre-season, with the added excitement of the UDFA guys that have a shot to make the team.
I love seeing how each year's squad gets built and how it all comes together by September. It draws me in each and every year, and helps hit the re-set button on a ******, 8-8, non-playoff season.
Go Steelers!
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