Draft discussion thread.

[Crimsonsteel]

For what it's worth, Dulac tweeted that the Cowboys were going to select Shazier at 16 if the Steelers hadn't got him. They were on the phone with his agent when the Steelers pick was announced.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/5/8/5697908/shazier-a-reach-at-15-maybe-maybe-not/in/5461719

Reminiscent of the 74 draft when we took Swann. That's a good omen.

 

[TMC]

I recall reading about similar circle jerks pertaining to Timmons and Hood.

Look, the way the 1st round progressed ******* SUCKED, but it shouldn't automatically make one feel better with whom they were forced to settle.

I do not see how this makes them better in the bigger picture. I really don't.

The bigger picture is, you do not have to bring Troy down in the box to play ILB, you use Shazier, who is an excellent coverage LB. It also means that once he becomes a starter, you can stay in your base defense longer, meaning teams like Denver and New England, who spread and beat your base with the pass, won't be able to do so.

Look, I have begged for an ILB like this for about 3 seasons, wanting a speed coverage ILB. I just wanted a guy with a little more sand in his pants against the run. That is the only thing I see him lacking. He is only 21, progressed in his reads as the season wore on and played well. Smart kid, wonderlic of 20. Should be able to put him in LeBeau's and Butler's hands and they should be able to help him progress greatly.

 

[steel shinin]

Ray Lewis embarrassed himself so bad on the ESPN draft coverage.

 

[Stryker]

Not maybe, has already been said. Timmons moves over, Shazier will take his spot when Shazier is ready. Colbert and Tomlin said they would be moving some guys around, when Shazier was ready....down the road.

But, but, Timmons isn't smart enough to call the defense.

- SN Troll

 

[Stryker]

The only thing I like about Shazier is he looks like Silverback. As long as he plays mean and makes splash plays, I'll back him.

 

[Confluence]

Ray Lewis embarrassed himself so bad on the ESPN draft coverage.

Did he murder someone again?

 

[Confluence]

I'll be the first one to say it:






Championship!

 

[Bigappleyinzer]

Ray Lewis embarrassed himself so bad on the ESPN draft coverage.

Ray Lewis was a breath a fresh air compared to the other guys

You have Gruden slurping on Manziel's dick for 3 hours- and Mel Kiper stammering about where he had people on his 'oh so important' board...

 

[Hallmarky]

With the closing speed down the middle of the field we should do well in the passing game, but our pass rush is still in question.

 

[Mosh Pitt]

His highlight video looks pretty damn good to me against the run, pass, and blitzing.

 

[TMC]

“When you watch (Shazier) he’s an easy evaluation,” said Colbert. “Just that burst, it’s unique. He’s going to grow, he has to get stronger, he’s going to have to get bigger. There are some big guys who will get on him on occasion, but usually he figures it out and he’ll go make another play. You have to put the blinders on to the need word, and in this case as (Tomlin) said, we need defensive playmakers. He’s a defensive playmaker."

 

[ZACKB]

Get eating and lifting kid.

 

[TMC]

He is only 20, should naturally add some mass.

 

[Idioteque]

Get eating and lifting kid.

I read that Shazier takes a picture of everything he eats and texts it to his nutritionist. He's one of those Julian Peterson "I wanna be 250 at 3% body fat" types.

And as TMC pointed out, he's young. And has a slender frame. I'd be stunned if he didn't put on a **** ton of mass over the next two years.

 

[TMC]

I read that Shazier takes a picture of everything he eats and texts it to his nutritionist. He's one of those Julian Peterson "I wanna be 250 at 3% body fat" types.

And as TMC pointed out, he's young. And has a slender frame. I'd be stunned if he didn't put on a **** ton of mass over the next two years.

Yeah, he could stand to eat a cheeseburger.

 

[steelpastor]

.

Oh, also interesting... I heard him being interviewed on Sirius/XM Radio. He is a long-time Steeler fan... his favorite team growing up.

That can't be a bad thing when it comes time for his second contract!


.

 

[FSF]

I just woke up from a nightmare -- I was dreaming the Steelers selected Greg Hawhorne, Keith Gary, Walter Abercrombie, Daryl Sims, John Reinstra, Aaron Jones, Huey Richardson and even the Steelers had TWO First Round picks (which is less likely than a Cleveland Browns Super Bowl team -- and the names Tim Worley and Tom Ricketts came to mind).

The Steelers built their way to dominance by drafting their DEs and LBs later in the draft; and utilizing the top picks to obtain difference makers ranging from Casey Hampton, Plaxico Burress, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes.....

The greatest OLBs in the history of the Bltizburgh Defense:
1-A. Greg Lloyd was a 7th round pick and the only thing that kept him out of the Hall of Fame were injuries to begin and end his career. Ranks with Joe Greene and Jack Lambert as greatest team leaders ever.
1-B. James Harrison was an UFA who had the ability, just needed to develop it. On the field, he was arguably the best OLB of the 3-4 ever and the greatest pass rusher the Steelers have ever had.
2. Joey Porter was a 3rd round pick who was the leader of the Steelers #1 ranked Defenses #1 and #4 greatest regular seasons in franchise history (15-1 in 2004, 13-3 in 2001) and the heart and soul of the 2005 Super Bowl run i
3. Jason Gildon was a 3rd round pick who owns the Steelers All Time sacks record despite never havinm

 

[FSF]

I just woke up from a nightmare -- I was dreaming the Steelers selected Greg Hawhorne, Keith Gary, Walter Abercrombie, Daryl Sims, John Reinstra, Aaron Jones, Huey Richardson and even the Steelers had TWO First Round picks (which is less likely than a Cleveland Browns Super Bowl team -- and the names Tim Worley and Tom Ricketts came to mind).

The Steelers built their way to dominance by drafting their DEs and LBs later in the draft; and utilizing the top picks to obtain difference makers ranging from Casey Hampton, Plaxico Burress, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes.....

The greatest OLBs in the history of the Bltizburgh Defense:
1-A. Greg Lloyd was a 7th round pick and the only thing that kept him out of the Hall of Fame were injuries to begin and end his career. Ranks with Joe Greene and Jack Lambert as greatest team leaders ever.
1-B. James Harrison was an UFA who had the ability, just needed to develop it. On the field, he was arguably the best OLB of the 3-4 ever and the greatest pass rusher the Steelers have ever had.
2. Joey Porter was a 3rd round pick who was the leader of the Steelers #1 ranked Defenses #1 and #4 greatest regular seasons in franchise history (15-1 in 2004, 13-3 in 2001) and the heart and soul of the 2005 Super Bowl run i
3. Jason Gildon was a 3rd round pick who owns the Steelers All Time sacks record despite never havinm

 

[USDA#1]

Didn't see it coming, but the more I read the more I like the pick.

 

[Punxsutawney]

The bigger picture is, you do not have to bring Troy down in the box to play ILB, you use Shazier, who is an excellent coverage LB. It also means that once he becomes a starter, you can stay in your base defense longer, meaning teams like Denver and New England, who spread and beat your base with the pass, won't be able to do so.

Look, I have begged for an ILB like this for about 3 seasons, wanting a speed coverage ILB. I just wanted a guy with a little more sand in his pants against the run. That is the only thing I see him lacking. He is only 21, progressed in his reads as the season wore on and played well. Smart kid, wonderlic of 20. Should be able to put him in LeBeau's and Butler's hands and they should be able to help him progress greatly.

I was under the impression that they started playing Troy as an extra ILB because their ILBs were being destroyed in the running game, not necessarily for shallow coverage. As I said, I like the player, I'm just not sure he's the stack and shed guy that they needed.

It's not like they drafted him over Fuller or Beckham, but I get this weird feeling that they would have.

 

[antdrewjosh]

According to Dulac they would have(drafted him over Fuller and Dennard). If we can get Gaines and then later Ellis I would love that.

 

[Punxsutawney]

According to Dulac they would have. If we can get Gaines and then later Ellis i would love that.

I suspected as such. Not sure what to think about it, given how ILB greatly paled in comparison to their needs at CB and WR.

One thing we can deduce about Tombert: it falls in love with its guy and you can forget about it. Evans could have still been there and they're running to the podium with Shazier's name in hand.

 

[insaniti]

So you want them to reach for a player of need rather than take a BPA approach. Obviously they weren't as high on Fuller and Dennard as the media/draftnicks were, they had Shazier rated higher and that's who they took. For months on end we hear, "they better take BPA and not reach for a need" debates, and when they actually do that, it's "why didn't they pick ________" or "I just don't understand the logic behind the pick"

The logic is pretty simple, he was the highest rated player on their board at their pick. Agree with it or not, the logic is there and the logic is what this board was clamoring for all off season

 

[Punxsutawney]

So you want them to reach for a player of need rather than take a BPA approach. Obviously they weren't as high on Fuller and Dennard as the media/draftnicks were, they had Shazier rated higher and that's who they took. For months on end we hear, "they better take BPA and not reach for a need" debates, and when they actually do that, it's "why didn't they pick ________" or "I just don't understand the logic behind the pick"

The logic is pretty simple, he was the highest rated player on their board at their pick. Agree with it or not, the logic is there and the logic is what this board was clamoring for all off season

Given Tombert's overall impotency in the draft, you'll forgive me for being a bit critical and not automatically yielding to their assessment of players.

 

[steeltruckin]

Tombert, wow how childish can you get.