2019 Offseason...Staff, FA, Draft Outlook

[ATL96Steeler]

watch burns have an "OK" season, and re sign for cheaper............ill be PO

I would be okay with it...if he makes the team it will be on merit and likely would push B Allen off. He's a better talent than Allen for sure.

 

[SteelersPride]

I would be okay with it...if he makes the team it will be on merit and likely would push B Allen off. He's a better talent than Allen for sure.

Right but u know tomlin, he’s a tomlin guy, then we end up resigning him

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Right but u know tomlin, he’s a tomlin guy, then we end up resigning him

Jarvis Jones was a Tomlin guy too...at some point it became evident he couldn't play up to his CFB standards.

I still think Burns has starter level talent, but he went off the rails and this is a tough league to struggle at CB because every week, you get tested over and over and he just lost his confidence. If he's the 5th or 6th CB on the roster...I can live with him, but again, he's going to have to show a LOT more than he did LY.

Right now, the top 6 CBs in my mind...Haden, Nelson, Hilton, Layne, Sutton, Burns...Layne could work his way onto the field this season, but right now I think they're looking at him outside.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Film Room: Sutton Smith's Pass Rush Plan - Steelers Depot

@FaCe-LeE-uS ...This kid has the moves...he's just so damn small! Will it translate to this level?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

@SteelersPride ...SP I've heard about some of the issues you've been dealing with...how are you man?

 

[SteelersPride]

@SteelersPride ...SP I've heard about some of the issues you've been dealing with...how are you man?

I’m alive. Lol. Nah still having issues, sucks but is what it is. Thanks for asking buddy

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I’m alive. Lol. Nah still having issues, sucks but is what it is. Thanks for asking buddy

Okay...that's a good start...lol.

Sucks being injured or sick...I had some bad back issues a few years ago that was something awful, couldn't sit very long, couldn't stand very long, couldn't swing a club, nothing...lasted for like 2 weeks almost...was on pain meds, then one day I woke up and it was like a new me...the pain was gone...the scary part is the doctors never got a handle on the cause.

Hope they can get you fixed up.

 

[SteelersPride]

Okay...that's a good start...lol.

Sucks being injured or sick...I had some bad back issues a few years ago that was something awful, couldn't sit very long, couldn't stand very long, couldn't swing a club, nothing...lasted for like 2 weeks almost...was on pain meds, then one day I woke up and it was like a new me...the pain was gone...the scary part is the doctors never got a handle on the cause.

Hope they can get you fixed up.

Thanks man, yeah I got back issues and concussion issues. Not a good combo

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Thanks man, yeah I got back issues and concussion issues. Not a good combo

How did you get a concussion? We had a guy fall off a wall at work here, about a 8' fall, hit is hit and was out on workers comp for a 2 months...concussion.

 

[SteelersPride]

How did you get a concussion? We had a guy fall off a wall at work here, about a 8' fall, hit is hit and was out on workers comp for a 2 months...concussion.

Car accident, I’ve had many concussion, none that won’t clear like this one

 

[Maximus Rex]

Car accident, I’ve had many concussion, none that won’t clear like this one

Good luck, man, hope you get squared away soon.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Film Room: Sutton Smith's Pass Rush Plan - Steelers Depot

@FaCe-LeE-uS ...This kid has the moves...he's just so damn small! Will it translate to this level?

Not expecting much this year, of course, other than being a ST demon. But year 2 I'm hoping the kid stacks on 15 lbs of muscle mass. He's an inch taller than James Harrison, so there's hope lol. And he's not that much lighter than TJ Watt (roughly 10 lbs give or take a few). Nothing a NFL weight training regimen couldn't cure.

Despite playing in the MAC, he has plenty of experience playing against bigger conferences (ACC & Big Ten) in which he performed well. And those moves... That's a defining trait that should give him an edge. He has a great arsenal of moves & an excellent feel for how & when to deploy different skills. This is something that Bud Dupree never figured out.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Not expecting much this year, of course, other than being a ST demon. But year 2 I'm hoping the kid stacks on 15 lbs of muscle mass. He's an inch taller than James Harrison, so there's hope lol. And he's not that much lighter than TJ Watt (roughly 10 lbs give or take a few). Nothing a NFL weight training regimen couldn't cure.

Despite playing in the MAC, he has plenty of experience playing against bigger conferences (ACC & Big Ten) in which he performed well. And those moves... That's a defining trait that should give him an edge. He has a great arsenal of moves & an excellent feel for how & when to deploy different skills. This is something that Bud Dupree never figured out.

The Steelers website lists Smith at 6' 232 lbs...TJ at 6'4" 252...I'm not so much concerned about his height, but at only 232 lbs if an OT gets their hands on him they should be able to control him I would think. Harrison was only 10 lbs heavier but we know that guy was strong as an Ox.

I do like that he's played against some big competition, but we've seen MAC players come in the league and ball, Kahlil Mack came out of this conference iirc. Maybe this is that diamond in the rough that will shine...I sure thought they were going to go after TJ's ex-teamate...Van Girkel (sp).

You mentioned the key thing about Dupree, he spent an offseason working with one of the better edge rushing trainers so you have to know that he knows about the various techniques, but under fire, he doesn't have the confidence or instinct to execute during the game...goes for what he knows best.

I had that same problem...Rising Jr in HS...I worked on a cross over move and finishing at the basket with both hands all summer. Season started and I rarely if ever used the move until one game near the end of the year, a guy tried to steal the ball and I instinctively did the crossover move, left the guy in the dust and made an easy layup...the coach was so astounded...where has that been all season? Just never had the confidence I guess.

Freakin coach moved me to the post my Sr yr because our bigs sucked...

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

The Steelers website lists Smith at 6' 232 lbs...TJ at 6'4" 252...I'm not so much concerned about his height, but at only 232 lbs if an OT gets their hands on him they should be able to control him I would think. Harrison was only 10 lbs heavier but we know that guy was strong as an Ox.

I do like that he's played against some big competition, but we've seen MAC players come in the league and ball, Kahlil Mack came out of this conference iirc. Maybe this is that diamond in the rough that will shine...I sure thought they were going to go after TJ's ex-teamate...Van Girkel (sp).

You mentioned the key thing about Dupree, he spent an offseason working with one of the better edge rushing trainers so you have to know that he knows about the various techniques, but under fire, he doesn't have the confidence or instinct to execute during the game...goes for what he knows best.

I had that same problem...Rising Jr in HS...I worked on a cross over move and finishing at the basket with both hands all summer. Season started and I rarely if ever used the move until one game near the end of the year, a guy tried to steal the ball and I instinctively did the crossover move, left the guy in the dust and made an easy layup...the coach was so astounded...where has that been all season? Just never had the confidence I guess.

Freakin coach moved me to the post my Sr yr because our bigs sucked...

Smith... Thought I read he was 6’1” on the scouting report or somewhere. Yea the weight is going to have to wait a year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was already floating in the mid 240’s heading into training camp. Harrison played in the 260-270 range IIRC. Built like a truck.

Instincts & confidence are tricky. I don’t think Dupree is lacking in either. His main downfall is his overconfidence in his speed. Something he was able to dominate with at the collegiate level. It does help him in the pros when he runs a stunt with the DE. But as we all know in outside pass rush he doesn’t use his hands enough and takes himself right out of each play.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Smith... Thought I read he was 6’1” on the scouting report or somewhere. Yea the weight is going to have to wait a year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was already floating in the mid 240’s heading into training camp. Harrison played in the 260-270 range IIRC. Built like a truck.

Instincts & confidence are tricky. I don’t think Dupree is lacking in either. His main downfall is his overconfidence in his speed. Something he was able to dominate with at the collegiate level. It does help him in the pros when he runs a stunt with the DE. But as we all know in outside pass rush he doesn’t use his hands enough and takes himself right out of each play.

That could be the issue then, but he his lacking instincts imo and his lack of confidence to use more moves shows up on tape...He is supposed to have a spin move, a rip, and chop and swim according to the interviews I've heard with the sack guru he trained with down here...forgetting his name at the moment, Chuck Smith.

Yet, he never uses the spin, and as you mentioned, doesn't use his hands well. You can scheme him to the QB on stunts and use his speed, but if he had half the moves Smith has shown on tape, he'd be a 8-10 sack guy every yr.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

That could be the issue then, but he his lacking instincts imo and his lack of confidence to use more moves shows up on tape...He is supposed to have a spin move, a rip, and chop and swim according to the interviews I've heard with the sack guru he trained with down here...forgetting his name at the moment, Chuck Smith.

Yet, he never uses the spin, and as you mentioned, doesn't use his hands well. You can scheme him to the QB on stunts and use his speed, but if he had half the moves Smith has shown on tape, he'd be a 8-10 sack guy every yr.

Exactly. And yes it was Chuck Smith. Smith went on record (last offseason maybe?) saying he thought Bud was a shoe-in for DPOY candidacy. Not even close.

Most edge guys love to entice OT's into making contact in a particular way so that they can get their hands on them to perform a move, whereas Bud typically fears that contact for it usually ends up with him being swallowed up.

 

[SteelersPride]

Diontae Johnson should carve out a significant role in the Steelers' offense sooner rather than later | NFL Analysis | Pro Football Focus

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Exactly. And yes it was Chuck Smith. Smith went on record (last offseason maybe?) saying he thought Bud was a shoe-in for DPOY candidacy. Not even close.

Most edge guys love to entice OT's into making contact in a particular way so that they can get their hands on them to perform a move, whereas Bud typically fears that contact for it usually ends up with him being swallowed up.

Bud does the same thing on almost every pass rush...you need some variety, one time you go hard outside, next time you fake that and maybe spin inside, next time it's something else...keep them guessing. He just bull rushes upfield and gets pushed beyond the pocket and out of the play.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Diontae Johnson should carve out a significant role in the Steelers' offense sooner rather than later | NFL Analysis | Pro Football Focus

Ben is going to lean on his vets early. If this kid makes plays when he gets his chances, those chance will grow, but Ben is going to want to establish Moncrief, and build something with Washington...both Rogers and Switzer are going to be in the mix, probably 35-40 targets each.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Diontae Johnson should carve out a significant role in the Steelers' offense sooner rather than later | NFL Analysis | Pro Football Focus