Dri archer

[ATL96Steeler]

IMO...Blake and McCain...great competitors, love that about them, but they're inside guys...PIT is not going to win another SB with CBs that small outside.

Allen deserved to be yanked, but to be buried on the bench I don't quite get...of course borke his hand, so a mute point for this year. He's is going to get another shot to redeem himself in '15...too much guaranteed money on his deal.

That said...in addition to the draft, I would go ahead and move Shark into the SS role and use Troy/Ike money and go after a FA CB.

 

[element1286]

IMO...Blake and McCain...great competitors, love that about them, but they're inside guys...PIT is not going to win another SB with CBs that small outside.

Allen deserved to be yanked, but to be buried on the bench I don't quite get...of course borke his hand, so a mute point for this year. He's is going to get another shot to redeem himself in '15...too much guaranteed money on his deal.

That said...in addition to the draft, I would go ahead and move Shark into the SS role and use Troy/Ike money and go after a FA CB.

Agreed about Blake and McCain, but I still think they are the best options from here on out over Ike.

I know Mitchell is playing FS, but he sure plays like a SS out there. Is Shamarko able to play FS?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Agreed about Blake and McCain, but I still think they are the best options from here on out over Ike.

I know Mitchell is playing FS, but he sure plays like a SS out there. Is Shamarko able to play FS?

Blake & McCain have saved this season...they deserve to play even if Ike was healthy imo...I just don't think they can withstand a playoff run...but I could be wrong.

The Lebeau love affair with vets will keep Troy here next season so Shark plays ST another year which imo sucks, but it is what it is....can he play FS? I don't see why not, his coverage skills are better than Troy's...Mitchell, you're right, he acts like it, but he wants to be that head hunter too...1st yr in the system I can give him a bit of a pass for blown coverage.

 

[Muddler]

Next years draft will be interesting methinks. Steelers have historically blown off drafting CBs early even when most draft "experts" identify the need @ the position and predict us taking one in the first round. The Lebeau theory of course is that pressure on the QB is the most important aspect of playing pass defense and if you get it, you can get by with "street CBs".

I'm hoping that the debacle that has been the Steelers secondary the last couple years has finally caused the team to "see the light": Ike - gone, Cortez Allen - a bad investment, the last two year's 5th round corners - fail and fail. Teams burning us on long passes on a weekly basis. IMO - time to scrap DLB and his defense altogether but if that doesn't happen, with all the great WRs in the NFL and the dominant passing games you face every week, they'd better wake up and join the rest of the NFL in recognizing that you actually need DBs that can cover these guys. Great WRs and QBs will still make plays but our secondary makes everyone they face look like All Pros.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

They can't continue to down play it....I've already starting looking at the '15 CB prospects and I like the kid from FSU PJ Williams the best so far...the Mich St. kid (Trae Waynes) has the measurables to be a starting NFL CB...If they make the playoffs, and pick in the 20s, I think the Steeler will most likely have to reach for a CB but I would do it.

 

[Muddler]

I keep expecting them to draft one early every year but they never do. Maybe next year the pieces will fall together and the right CB will be available at the draft value they want to invest. I certainly hope so. Not gonna hold my breath however. They're gonna also need OLBs and I could easily see them going that way depending on who is available. I'd be okay with that as long as they went CB in the second.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

CB/OLB/NT/TE/SS/RB...is where I would say the draft focus should be and of those positions, aside from CB, the others are really to develop depth.

We have Ben for maybe 3 more yrs in terms of his prime...I would be more aggressive to build a championship team around him.

OLB...I would let Worilds go and pay that money to Justin Houston and go all in on a CB.

If they resign Worilds, OLB would most likely be a depth pick...I'm not saying mortgage the draft, but this team is fairly young on the DL (Keisel is not playing next yr), and OL/ILB/WR/RB is set. I wouldn't be afraid to move up in the 1st round to get the player I wanted if I were Colbert.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I keep expecting them to draft one early every year but they never do. Maybe next year the pieces will fall together and the right CB will be available at the draft value they want to invest. I certainly hope so. Not gonna hold my breath however. They're gonna also need OLBs and I could easily see them going that way depending on who is available. I'd be okay with that as long as they went CB in the second.

Speaking of the draft...I got an email from Blecher Report and their early Steeler Mock...

1st round Shane Ray...OLB Missouri.

I've seen this kid play a few times now since they've been in the SEC...I would like that pick.

2nd round Ifo Ekpre-Olmu...CB Oregon.

You neck of the woods...Never heard of him, but will be paying attention to him in these CFB playoffs.

3rd round Chris Hackett...S TCU

Never heard of him either, but his size and speed I like.

I won't bore you with all of them but if these 1st 3 come to fruition...I would be a happy camper.

 

[Muddler]

Ray seems like a hothead but is athletic and certainly plays with aggression. If he plays under control he could work out well. Express oleum would be great value in the second. I'd go with that pair I think.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Ray seems like a hothead but is athletic and certainly plays with aggression. If he plays under control he could work out well. Express oleum would be great value in the second. I'd go with that pair I think.

Ray...yeah, I saw where he got toosed in the SEC champ gm for targeting, but I like the agression...reminds me of Justin Houston a bit...has power to beat TE & RB, speed and power to beat OTs. Will have 2 or 3 moves coming into the league...whereas J. Jones had a bull rush and that was pretty much it @ GA.

Would love to see Porter get his hands on Ray.

 

[element1286]

Speaking of the draft...I got an email from Blecher Report and their early Steeler Mock...

1st round Shane Ray...OLB Missouri.

I've seen this kid play a few times now since they've been in the SEC...I would like that pick.

2nd round Ifo Ekpre-Olmu...CB Oregon.

You neck of the woods...Never heard of him, but will be paying attention to him in these CFB playoffs.

3rd round Chris Hackett...S TCU

Never heard of him either, but his size and speed I like.

I won't bore you with all of them but if these 1st 3 come to fruition...I would be a happy camper.

Yeah, these would make sense. Even a 2nd rnd CB and 3rd rnd S would be positive developments as far as addressing obvious needs.

 

[SteelersPride]

ive seen tons of mocks with ray going top 10, and that oregon corner in the last half first round, early second.

anyone disagree on archer now?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Ekpre-Olmu just suffered a bad injury didn't he? Pretty sure that will lower his draft stock. Maybe they can grab him in a lower round.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

ive seen tons of mocks with ray going top 10, and that oregon corner in the last half first round, early second.

anyone disagree on archer now?

Yep...I'm thinking ATL will try to get Ray if they don't win the DIV b/c they would be in the top 10...the ORE CB did have a knee injury I read...he probably does drop out of the 1st round...the bigger kid from Mich St. would be my 1st choice anyway.

Archer? Clearly been a flop production wise, but until they figure out how to use him it's hard for me to say what he can do.

 

[SteelersPride]

just thinking here,

if archer could play.........he wouldnt be a healthy scratch

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Good point Steel Pride...waste of a pick...now what?

 

[Adanac]

get rid of a 3rd round pick after 14 games?

what has Shamarko done to warrant his 3rd round selection?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

get rid of a 3rd round pick after 14 games?

what has Shamarko done to warrant his 3rd round selection?

My "now what" comment was driving at the same thing...they have to figure out how to use Archer at some point...Thomas...something is lacking there that we don't know about apparently...Will Allen & Mitchell played all of the DEF snaps with Troy out...I don't get that with him having played a little LY on DEF.

 

[SteelersPride]

shamarko at least been banged up

 

[Adanac]

I just don't wanna be giving up on 3rd round picks in a flash....

patience!