Ryan Shazier as Defensive Rookie of the Year?

[steelpastor]

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Well... I spent a lot of yesterday on the road listening to the SiriusXM NFL Channel. During the discussion about the upcoming season, the audience was asked to call in with their projections for Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year.

During the debate, Gil Brandt was asked to weigh in on who he believes will be the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014.

Brandt gave his opinion with some certainty... he said it will be Ryan Shazier... AND he will get TEN SACKS! TEN SACKS? Now, don't get me wrong... I would LOVE IT! It would certainly bode well for our yearly sack total if an ILB were to get 10 sacks. It got me thinking... I do not believe that we have EVER had an ILB with 10+ sacks. I remember Kendrell Bell in his Rookie year... got nine. Chad Brown was a stud, but the only year he had 10+ sacks was in 1996 when played OLB... because of injuries.

All that said... IF, and it's a BIG IF... IF Shazier get 10+ sacks this year, we will be scary good on defense. It would likely mean that our DLine combines for 10+ sacks and our two OLB's combine for 17-18 and Timmons get his usual five. That is not even including our secondary... let's say a combined five? Then there are backup players.

Well... IF, and I mean IF Shazier gets 10+, we will have NO PROBLEM reach the 34 sacks we had as a team last year.

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[Xc944]

And last year everyone was saying Jarvis was going to be droy. How about letting him play and see if he any good first

 

[EdReed4Prez]

Not trying to be a downer for you guys.... But when was the last rookie who started and dominated in Dick's system? It seems to take a while, outside looking in of course.

 

[Stryker]

Not trying to be a downer for you guys.... But when was the last rookie who started and dominated in Dick's system? It seems to take a while, outside looking in of course.

Kendrall Bell

 

[SteelerinMD]

I don't recall anyone calling Jones a BUST, and from the exact point from being drafted on. Don't remember anyone really saying DROY.

As for Shazier, i agree with Ed, been a while for someone to dominate like that in DL's defense. Troy did not, BUT with that being said, IF the DL can be what they hope, Worlids and Jones can some pressure then with Timmons know playing one position instead of 1-1/2, Troy having more speed behind him with Mitchell, then sure he could overwhelm. I would be happy with not letting TE's run down the field or little wife beaters flipping out of the backfield uncovered and 5 sacks and some run stops/screens blown up.

Tis the time for optimism, that just does not happen here often.

 

[TDX27]

Nobody is Troy and never will. Troy is unique and a sure hall of famer.

Jarvis is not a bust. Anyone that says that, at this point, is a total ***. He is only entering his 2nd year. You have to give him at least 2 or 3 until you can even consider that.

Shazier looks good so far but he hasn't practiced in pads and he hasn't played in a game. Let's hope he does look good in camp and during the season. That will only bode well for the Steelers future. After the season and maybe not until next year or the year after will we be able to truly say how good he is or will be.

 

[jitter77]

Sorry but i dont see anyway in hell he will get 10+ sacks. I doubt he will be even asked to pass rush all that much due to his speed / athletic ability. I will be surprised if he even gets 5 sacks. I think he will be a good player, just do not see him as a sack machine unless he plays OLB a lot.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Shazier, along with his speed, will be asked to pass defense more, lowering his attempts at a sack. Remember when Joey Porter was put in that position? When he is turned lose, similar to porter, his sacks may increase. But hard to get a sack, when in coverage. Still, Shazier is definitely an upgrade to our defense.


Salute the nation

 

[Black & Gold Bleeder]

Shazier, along with his speed, will be asked to pass defense more, lowering his attempts at a sack. Remember when Joey Porter was put in that position? When he is turned lose, similar to porter, his sacks may increase. But hard to get a sack, when in coverage.

Thing is we will have 2 ILB's that can cover. There will be 1st and 2nd down stunts going on as well.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I don't recall anyone calling Jones a BUST, and from the exact point from being drafted on. Don't remember anyone really saying DROY.

There were writers who pegged him as a DROY candidate because of his experience in college and that the Steelers were the best fit for him.

Shazier has a shot at it. Inside linebackers often have an easier time with their transition to the NFL than other defensive positions and from everything we've heard, he seems to be acclimating to the NFL game just fine.

 

[slashsteel]

Thing is we will have 2 ILB's that can cover. There will be 1st and 2nd down stunts going on as well.

with the rule changes it is refreshing to see the team bring in more coverage type of players.

Seattle won it with a top secondary, many ways to win but............ finding ways to slow a now passing league will definitely help push the Steelers back towards the playoffs.

 

[Drink IRON City]

Thing is we will have 2 ILB's that can cover. There will be 1st and 2nd down stunts going on as well.

Very good point. Also, i'm sure this is a problem Dick L. enjoys having. The more I understand this pick / player, the better it gets. Time will tell, but DROY, is something I'll be rooting for.


Salute the nation

 

[Vader]

Kendrall Bell

Bell's rookie year was 2001 when Lewis was the DC. DL comes back in 2004 where Bell plays all of 3 games and doesn't even start them.

 

[slashsteel]

If Kendrell would have just stayed healthy, loved his burst.

If he somehow does when DROY, it would have a positive effect on the D I am sure.

I do not think he will have a lot of sacks, but some pressure up the middle and some pass breakups as well as solidifying the run D would be welcomed.

I think DE. CB , and WR bring the bigger question marks.

Still think the team could use a experienced DE.

But overall team speed should be better, so that shouldn't hurt the cause.

Neither will Ryan solidifying the middle coming off a year that it wasn't too stable due to injury and inexperience.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Bell's rookie year was 2001 when Lewis was the DC. DL comes back in 2004 where Bell plays all of 3 games and doesn't even start them.

IIRC, Bell was broken down by the time DL came back onboard. His lack of playing time probably had more to do with that than anything else.

 

[Vader]

IIRC, Bell was broken down by the time DL came back onboard. His lack of playing time probably had more to do with that than anything else.

Yes, he was hurt a lot after his rookie season. I was just pointing out that he didn't dominant as a rookie in DL's system since DL didn't come back to Pittsburgh until 2004.

 

[SteelBuckeye]

Yes, he was hurt a lot after his rookie season. I was just pointing out that he didn't dominant as a rookie in DL's system since DL didn't come back to Pittsburgh until 2004.

ahhh, I see. But man, what a rookie year that kid had! Brought hope (at least to me) that we were looking at the next great Steelers LB. Then? Fragile as the china in the shop with the bull.

 

[Vader]

ahhh, I see. But man, what a rookie year that kid had! Brought hope (at least to me) that we were looking at the next great Steelers LB. Then? Fragile as the china in the shop with the bull.

I thought he was going to be the next great ILB. His health just didn't hold up. But he had a great rookie year. I was stoked when they drafted him. I had watched him a lot at Georgia.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Bell was a beast and one of my favorite players to go back and watch the next day after the game. I cant count the times he would blow up an OL. Literally put them on their back. Lift them totally off their feet then sack the QB or make a play in the backfield. It was amazing. Also that Cleveland playoff game he unreal. Loved Bell.

 

[Wingman]

I doubt it highly. With that being said he will have a chance to start because of what is in front of him. Again that is a chance. He will also have a chance to get sacks on the cross blitz and a few other things LeBeau will dream up because of a short route to the qb and his great speed. For him to get ten he would need less than 1 per game. Should he be used only occasionally in that role, under five times a game there is a good chance he will get through on occasion as it is a surprise.

So, I would say it is possible but not likely. Kinda like winning the lottery it could happen, it has just never happened to me or anyone I have known.

 

[diver]

I thought he was going to be the next great ILB. His health just didn't hold up. But he had a great rookie year. I was stoked when they drafted him. I had watched him a lot at Georgia.

I wonder if he was a bit of a manufactured guy. PEDs. Didn't he tear a quad tendon at one point, or am I confusing him with someone else?

 

[SteelerFan448]

The dreaded high ankle sprain got him in his second year and then he had some knee injuries. Don't remember any specifics.

 

[BLITZ]

if I recall he had a high ankle sprain going into the Cleveland playoff game. he got shot up and played like a demon. I don't think he was ever the same player after that game. I might be remembering it wrong

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Clowney and Mack have the best shot at DROY. Pass rushers always have the advantage because sacks get more hype than playing a disciplined zone coverage. Clowney and Mack also have another pro bowl pass rusher alongside them so they won't be able to be doubled that often. One of those two really should win it.

I can see Shazier having good sack totals. That's more a function of the OLBs not getting it done and Lebeau having to scheme up some pressure.

Timmons was given quite a few blitz opportunities when he played with Farrior. Now with Timmons moving over to that position, Shazier should get his chances as well. Hopefully Shazier will convert more of his blitzes to sacks than Timmons has.

 

[Vader]

Clowney and Mack have the best shot at DROY. Pass rushers always have the advantage because sacks get more hype than playing a disciplined zone coverage. Clowney and Mack also have another pro bowl pass rusher alongside them so they won't be able to be doubled that often. One of those two really should win it.

I can see Shazier having good sack totals. That's more a function of the OLBs not getting it done and Lebeau having to scheme up some pressure.

Timmons was given quite a few blitz opportunities when he played with Farrior. Now with Timmons moving over to that position, Shazier should get his chances as well. Hopefully Shazier will convert more of his blitzes to sacks than Timmons has.

I think Shazier will have better body control and lateral movement than Timmons. Timmons has straight ahead speed but I can remember a lot of times where he whiffed on a QB because he couldn't control his body or speed.