AFCN Hate Guide

[thedddd]

Dang? Getting cut in year 2?

Yeah - that would seal the deal for me....I'll go Stephens.

He did play a few years after in Cincy but was just a backup. And they drafted him as a “project” but if that was the case it should never been wasted on a 1st round pick. Nor did he care to get better.

Sadly though his son died in 2020 from COVID, he was playing football in College.

 

[Cincyfan78]

He did play a few years after in Cincy but was just a backup. And they drafted him as a “project” but if that was the case it should never been wasted on a 1st round pick. Nor did he care to get better.

The 1st round is not for projects. Organizations that treat it this way deserve what they get. (Looking at YOU, Bengals).

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Stephens... He would get my vote. 2 years with the Steelers, and only started 11 games. Went on to play for the Bengals, ironically. Everyone knew that Stephens was a bit of a project at the time, but there were lofty expectations given his size & athleticism. And in an era where Pittsburgh wanted to play smashmouth run football. He was terrible. And when he showed up to camp overweight & out of shape it was a nail in his coffin here. It was a huge disappointment.

Wills... I agree that its difficult to assess much from him, but we got a good glimpse in 2023 before his injury. He was a 2-pack of ass that routinely got beat in both rush & pass blocking. I don't think there were any predraft issues that were red flags so I tend to think we may never get to see him develop.

 

[Maximus Rex]

Steelers without a doubt for me is Jamain Stephens. Cut second year after coming to camp out of shape.

I don't remember this (I remember the name, but not being cut in year 2), but you sold me here. I vote Stephens.

 

[thedddd]

I don't remember this (I remember the name, but not being cut in year 2), but you sold me here. I vote Stephens.

Here is part of his story:

Exclusive with Former Steelers Offensive Lineman Jamain Stephens, 1996-1998 – Welcome to Steelers Takeaways!

Well I struggled with the conditioning test as people know, and I was called into Cowher’s room and he notified me of my release. If I recall I told him I hope it’s not the last they hear from me in the NFL and he wished me well. I packed my stuff and took it back to my apartment.

And I understand once being gassed but he was cut after the second year he wasn't prepared for the same drill.

Here are some of the best stories before Steelers training camps grew so boring

From Bill Cowher's spy camera to the days first-rounders went bust, training camp stories before the Zoom invasion.

www.nytimes.com

Gassed after the gassers

Two memorable days at Saint Vincent in the 1990s occurred before practices ever started and involved a first-round draft choice. Tackle Jamain Stephens, the team’s 1996 first-round pick, underperformed in his first three seasons with the team, which envisioned him as its starting right tackle after Leon Searcy departed in free agency for Jacksonville.

During the run test that always has been held on the first day and is considered part of the team’s training camp physical, Stephens collapsed in just his second training camp, 1997. Comically, Greg Lloyd grabbed a white towel and stood over him waiving it as if he were a trainer trying to revive his boxer who was just knocked out.

But the coup de gras came two years later. Same drill, nearly identical result. Stephens was so out of shape that he nearly collapsed on the 11th of 14 scheduled 40-yard runs and sat down, the only player unable to complete them. His teammates surrounded him and encouraged him to finish, but he basically walked the rest of the way.

“That,” Bill Cowher said afterward, “was very disappointing.”

That night, the Steelers cut Stephens, who would go on to sign with the Bengals, where he started four games over the next three seasons.

 

[Wamu]

 

[Wamu]

 

[Wamu]