How do you think the Steelers Scouting Department's shift to a more analytics based approach will affect who they draft this year?

[Papa Lazarou]

An article that is floating around on Steeler Depot suggests that the Steelers scouting Department are going to increase their reliance on analytics. Do you see that drastically changing the type of player that they usually gravitate to - which has tended to be having great character, SEC Player, captain with several years starting experience at their position? Also, with Colbert having stepped down, with Kahn and Weidl heading up the drafting process will the type of position change such as drafting OL or CB in the first (something they have rarely done in the last 20 years - Burns, DeCastro and Pouncey being the exceptions).

 

[slashsteel]

Lot of conjecture floating around. I do think their approach will be different, which Rooney alluded to. I would like for them to expand their BPA short of QB and TE and RB. As far as the impact of analytics. Who knows. Is that the difference between player A and B? A mystery...

 

[Steelr4evr]

An article that is floating around on Steeler Depot suggests that the Steelers scouting Department are going to increase their reliance on analytics. Do you see that drastically changing the type of player that they usually gravitate to - which has tended to be having great character, SEC Player, captain with several years starting experience at their position? Also, with Colbert having stepped down, with Kahn and Weidl heading up the drafting process will the type of position change such as drafting OL or CB in the first (something they have rarely done in the last 20 years - Burns, DeCastro and Pouncey being the exceptions).

Build the lines. Everyone get an upgrade when the lines are badass. QB has more time, running backs have holes, wideouts open,

On defense the run and pocket gets stuffed and pocket collapsed. Giving their qb and the corners more opportunities to make plays.

It's win/win.

 

[Litos]

Weidl comes from a team that built from the trenches, his input is most welcomed. Also they better get to recognize how to invest capital based on value of the position, example 1. Devin Bush, even if he hadn't injured they guy always was a small ILB, in a position that isn't the most expensive in FA.

Top picks have to equal top value and that's QB, OLB, DE, CB, OT but they also have to put in the equation how the target is ranked among his peers, example 2: Artie Burns, with other players being #1 to #3 available in premium positions they go with the 5th CB? A kid that was a low floor project? No freaking way

And that takes me to taking top talent when it falls, example 3: DeCastro, not a premium position but an all pro talent guy

 

[madinsomniac]

I think since Tomlin got here we have looked more at production in college than physical attributes… that’s how we got stiffs like jarvis jones.. pedigree over attributes

 

[Drink IRON City]

I think since Tomlin got here we have looked more at production in college than physical attributes… that’s how we got stiffs like jarvis jones.. pedigree over attributes

How did we get the “GREEN” kid and then start him at center ???


Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

Weidl comes from a team that built from the trenches, his input is most welcomed. Also they better get to recognize how to invest capital based on value of the position, example 1. Devin Bush, even if he hadn't injured they guy always was a small ILB, in a position that isn't the most expensive in FA.

Top picks have to equal top value and that's QB, OLB, DE, CB, OT but they also have to put in the equation how the target is ranked among his peers, example 2: Artie Burns, with other players being #1 to #3 available in premium positions they go with the 5th CB? A kid that was a low floor project? No freaking way

And that takes me to taking top talent when it falls, example 3: DeCastro, not a premium position but an all pro talent guy

GREAT post Litos, thank you and for all your great ones combined with your humor along the way.

Weill will make an immediate impact. Art 2 implicated they need a better OL presence. I think part of bringing Weill in was due to this, and an ART DUECE decision.


Salute the n ation

 

[slashsteel]

How did we get the “GREEN” kid and then start him at center ???


Salute the nation

They liked his athleticism and limited tape of him playing C. They had visions of Pouncey running scatter shot in their head.

 

[Drink IRON City]

They liked his athleticism and limited tape of him playing C. They had visions of Pouncey running scatter shot in their head.

Is that “scatter shot” anything like what Rudolf left in various locations during the helmet rub - N - tug…….?


Salute the nation

 

[madinsomniac]

How did we get the “GREEN” kid and then start him at center ???


Salute the nation

they literally took his limited snaps at center and projected him as that in the nfl despite every scouting report calling out his size, average length, and strength... we saw in camp last year he was too small at guard, and the year before he showed he couldnt handle big DTs at center...

 

[Drink IRON City]

They liked his athleticism and limited tape of him playing C. They had visions of Pouncey running scatter shot in their head.

they literally took his limited snaps at center and projected him as that in the nfl despite every scouting report calling out his size, average length, and strength... we saw in camp last year he was too small at guard, and the year before he showed he couldnt handle big DTs at center...

Thanks both of you but it was a sarcastic rhetorical


Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

In response to the original poster…….

I think the more analytical being used the less player, as a person, is evaluated.

Some players cheDK off all the marks / tale measures / reps / etc., but there is still the value of HEART & DRIVE.

There are lesser analytical players that have more heart & drive that I would take than the fully analyzed.

Jack Lambert woulid be a great example, skinny kid with HUGE desire.


Salute the nation

 

[Coach]

An article that is floating around on Steeler Depot suggests that the Steelers scouting Department are going to increase their reliance on analytics. Do you see that drastically changing the type of player that they usually gravitate to - which has tended to be having great character, SEC Player, captain with several years starting experience at their position? Also, with Colbert having stepped down, with Kahn and Weidl heading up the drafting process will the type of position change such as drafting OL or CB in the first (something they have rarely done in the last 20 years - Burns, DeCastro and Pouncey being the exceptions).

About darn time the Steelers used analytics. If they used them earlier perhaps we do not take Bush . A sub 6 foot shrimpy and not strong ILB who is easily blocked? Yeah that sound like a first round pick at ILB to me. NOT. Some of us saw that years ago.

I think Khan is more of the money guy and Weidl is more involved in the scouting. Khan first move as Steeler GM was to give a receiver who doesn't make big plays and scored zero touchdowns big money. I am not impressed with his first move.

 

[slashsteel]

About darn time the Steelers used analytics. If they used them earlier perhaps we do not take Bush . A sub 6 foot shrimpy and not strong ILB who is easily blocked? Yeah that sound like a first round pick at ILB to me. NOT. Some of us saw that years ago.

I think Khan is more of the money guy and Weidl is more involved in the scouting. Khan first move as Steeler GM was to give a receiver who doesn't make big plays and scored zero touchdowns big money. I am not impressed with his first move.

Was that Khan or Colbert? I think Colbert was in charge of last seasons GM moves.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Was that Khan or Colbert? I think Colbert was in charge of last seasons GM moves.

Yes, they hand-cuffed Kahn with keeping Colbert on as a long as they did, even though Kahn was named GM. That tells me they have low confidence in his (Kahn) personell decision making. That has some to do with bringing Wiedl in to help in that department.

I hope the pair can work harmoniously together in that regards.


Salute the nation

 

[Ron Burgundy]

About darn time the Steelers used analytics. If they used them earlier perhaps we do not take Bush . A sub 6 foot shrimpy and not strong ILB who is easily blocked? Yeah that sound like a first round pick at ILB to me. NOT. Some of us saw that years ago.

I think Khan is more of the money guy and Weidl is more involved in the scouting. Khan first move as Steeler GM was to give a receiver who doesn't make big plays and scored zero touchdowns big money. I am not impressed with his first move.

I was gonna say, Weidl will probably want OL and DL who grade out well and Shades will want another speedy undersized LB who gets hurt a lot.
My take, we desperately need better linemen on both sides of the ball so in the first round they will draft Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. if he's still there.

 

[Steelr4evr]

Draft some men like this guy.

 

[Coach]

Was that Khan or Colbert? I think Colbert was in charge of last seasons GM moves.

He signed when Khan was the GM, didn't he? I'm talking about Johnson.