Minkah is a Beast

[FSF]

Considering how Tombert's DB draft picks have been for the last ten years, he is far better than anyone they would have drafted.

If you go back the last 10 years, there are precious few quality DBs that have slid down to the Steelers pick. It's why they had (reportedly) CB Justin Gilbert rated above Ryan Shazier. Of course Gilbert busted, but sometimes one wonders if he didn't go to the Browns first...

The other big regrets were passing on Kevin Byard in 2016 - taking Sean Davis in 2nd round and Artie Burns as the 5th CB taken in 1st round. I do consider this era of Colbert to be too risk averse, our secondary was horrible and we weren't aggressive enough in trading up to get players or sign the right FAs. We let Keenan Lewis go and signed Cortez Allen to the same deal. They really wanted William Jackson III, who went one pick in front of Artie (victim of being successful) and the one that really grinds my gears is not going after Revis in 2007. The Jets traded up to get him at 14 when we were set to get at 15.

The 2000s were built largely on going after DBs despite not having the high draft picks. Trading up to acquire Troy Polamalu was the first and best draft trade the team ever made. They went after the big, athletic yet very raw talent in Ike Taylor (6'2" 190 and 4.3 speed would have made him a 1st round pick if he played at a big school) but they allowed him to develop. Despite it not working out, they went after the extremely gifted athlete Ricardo Colclough in a 2nd round trade up in 2004. Although they could have gotten Bob Sanders instead with 20/20 hindsight, they were at least aggressive. They went after McFadden in round 2 in 2005, Chris Hope in round 3 in 2002.

Mid 2000s Colbert made his worst FA signing of his tenure in Mike Mitchell. Colbert's missteps at building a secondary in mid 2000s was one of the biggest reasons we didn't get a Super Bowl during that era.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Totally disagree. Not remotely close. He’s made so many plays all year long, but if you only care for highlights you’re missing 90% of the game

BINGO !!!

I haven't seen anything other than a VERY solid player making plays all game long. He has to make up for some deficiencies up front but he compensates for that and still holds his position BIG TIME.

I personally think he was snubbed frothe pro-bowl.




Salute the nation

 

[FSF]

i remember the whining and crying over giving up that draft pick for Minkah. A select few of us were applauding this because the dude is a baller.

I was on the fence with it at first and the only argument I can make against it, would we have finished bad enough to take Justin Herbert that year?

Other than that, amazing trade and they better sign his *** long term.

 

[FSF]

BINGO !!!

I haven't seen anything other than a VERY solid player making plays all game long. He has to make up for some deficiencies up front but he compensates for that and still holds his position BIG TIME.

I personally think he was snubbed frothe pro-bowl.




Salute the nation

He's better than Kevin Byard at FS for certain.

But the trash play/injuries by the rest of our defense took down his value (plus not getting that blocked FG for TD when Haden was called for the BS offsides).

He made two critical 3rd down stops in the Minnesota comeback and the blown CB blitz vs. Chargers that resulted in TD wouldn't have happened if he were in that game either.

 

[Steelr4evr]

Fair enough. But I still don't think you're giving some of our guys due credit.

I cannot emphasize enough how losing Tuitt and Alualu hurt the defense. For the better part of the last 10 years, the DL has been a strength of the defense and arguably peaked to being the strength of the team in recent years. The loss of Hargrave to FA has been overlooked, but he was the real deal. He may not have racked up the stats like Heyward and Tuitt, but it's also no coincidence that both of them became elite DL upon his being drafted. I know there is much speculation on Tuitt and Alualu is going to be 35, but for arguments sake their return is an automatic upgrade at the line of scrimmage. Still need to add a 2nd/3rd round draft pick and/or a solid FA here.

It all starts at the line of scrimmage, so much of the criticism on the LBs is borne from having to take on pulling Guards and Tackles who are just too massive. There is an absolute truth that Devin Bush needed to play the angles and closer to the LOS to stop the run (and thus prevent those big lineman from putting the big blocks on him, he could avoid them) and that falls on experience (reading the play right - which he did not do well this year) and coaching too. He was taken with the idea of not playing as much run support but things change, so he needs to adapt. Give him another year to learn and adapt physically too.

Haden is the best CB this team has seen in since Ike and was probably better. However, at 32 he can no longer play the CB position (the speed necessary) and would make a great safety. Most converted CBs seem to go to FS, but wonder if they should consider him at SS as he is a great leader and great tackler. A player of that caliber should not be moved on from without consideration. Edmunds is a solid SS, not a great play maker but a good tackler. I want them to keep one. Most likely it will be Tre Norwood, which I would consider a risk and validation of your point - but if it means money to another big time player in the secondary I am all for it.

Cam Sutton has had his moments, good and bad, but I would say more good than bad and exceeded what I expected of him. I also liked Witherspoon's development. He's had a rocky career but maybe he realizes this is arguably the best place for him and thinks big picture over a relatively incremental contract increase.

Highsmith didn't show up as much as I would have liked this year, but it is only year 2 for him and he had flashes. Just like Bush, I think he was hurt by the lack of the outstanding DL play.

Watt, Heyward, Minkah are next level stars. Tuitt was at that level (especially in 2020). If this team fixes the problems up front, I don't think the weaknesses will be as gashed next year.

Yeah, I agree with you on everyone minus Bush. I've been kinda focused at the overall ugly picture.That certainly was a death blow to the DL in losing Tuitt&Alualu. At least for stuffing the run and qb pressure. I'm hoping this gets addressed in the draft or free agency as both guys are now question marks.

 

[steelreeling]

I think Minkah's main problem is being Tomlinized. When he came over and just played he was amazing. Once he spent time in the system he wasn't as impactful. I think he is a great player not being schemed properly.

This.