Linebackers

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I listened to those pressers and trust me... That "evasive tone" is nothing more than reporters trying to stir up a story. To me, Tomlin just sounded like he was being himself and calling it like it is. As in, no they haven't talked......YET. Same thing with Lebeau's tone when asked prior to the last game. But Lebeau was kind of irked by the question because they were still in the playoffs at the time. So that was a reasonable response, not some sort of controversy. As for Tomlin... Not even a week had passed since their loss to the Ravens, and people are already asking about whether or not he had spoken to Lebeau about returning??? Give the man a chance to soak up the loss and collect himself for crying out loud. I think the only reason why people are pushing this is because of the "coaching carousel" that is going on right now. Media wants to know who is going after the big fishes that are unemployed. Steelers seem content with taking their time, because they have plenty of it.

Another reason why they aren't rushing the decision could allude to the fact that they know Butler is their guy and he's not going anywhere. Maybe if someone requested an interview with him then you might see a bigger reaction?

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

What Jarvis Jones feels he must do this offseason to improve - Behind the Steel Curtain

Good read... I hope everything that was said by Lebeau & JJ will ring true

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I listened to those pressers and trust me... That "evasive tone" is nothing more than reporters trying to stir up a story. To me, Tomlin just sounded like he was being himself and calling it like it is. As in, no they haven't talked......YET. Same thing with Lebeau's tone when asked prior to the last game. But Lebeau was kind of irked by the question because they were still in the playoffs at the time. So that was a reasonable response, not some sort of controversy. As for Tomlin... Not even a week had passed since their loss to the Ravens, and people are already asking about whether or not he had spoken to Lebeau about returning??? Give the man a chance to soak up the loss and collect himself for crying out loud. I think the only reason why people are pushing this is because of the "coaching carousel" that is going on right now. Media wants to know who is going after the big fishes that are unemployed. Steelers seem content with taking their time, because they have plenty of it.

Another reason why they aren't rushing the decision could allude to the fact that they know Butler is their guy and he's not going anywhere. Maybe if someone requested an interview with him then you might see a bigger reaction?

Good to hear a local slant on it.

Just on his age alone anytime I read stuff like that it gives me a pause....fwiw I think Butler would get the job, but I'm not certain they would stay 3-4 unless that's all he knows.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

What Jarvis Jones feels he must do this offseason to improve - Behind the Steel Curtain

Good read... I hope everything that was said by Lebeau & JJ will ring true

It was...I'm still in his camp, but I also understand the frustrations others have voiced given the history of pass rushing LBs that have worn the black & gold...being able to watch one of the best up close even past his prime had to help him on some level.

The more I look at the projected cap and the prospects of keeping Worilds (project about $3mil over as it stand now)...I can see JJ moving to the left side and JH signing on for one more along with Moats...and Zumwalt, Hojo and perhaps a draft pick or another 2nd tier FA getting snaps.

Said that to say...JJ really need to be a 8 to 10 sack guy next yr.

 

[element1286]

Good read, Face.

And this is why I said this above about Jarvis not being young anymore, it worries me that 4 years of major college football and two in the NFL, and he thinks he isn't strong enough. I can understand a junior draftee, who is 22 taking a year to realize how big, strong you need to be to play in the NFL, LeVeon Bell being a prime example. But Jarvis Jones is already supposed to be in his prime at 26 entering next season, and he still needs to add weight, unreal.

 

[Muddler]

Good read, Face.

And this is why I said this above about Jarvis not being young anymore, it worries me that 4 years of major college football and two in the NFL, and he thinks he isn't strong enough. I can understand a junior draftee, who is 22 taking a year to realize how big, strong you need to be to play in the NFL, LeVeon Bell being a prime example. But Jarvis Jones is already supposed to be in his prime at 26 entering next season, and he still needs to add weight, unreal.

This is a good point about JJ. He may seem inexperienced at the NFL level due to his injuries but he is not a young player. He's had a couple years to learn the defense and adjust to the speed of the game. He SHOULD be entering his prime. Next year will be critical for him. More injuries or the same mediocre production and he will be a bust. Lets hope he stays healthy and ably mans the ROLB position. ALthough I was never that high on him as a first rounder (mostly due to his very slow 40 time) I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. With his college pedigree and being picked where he was you would have hoped he would become the next great Steelers OLB. However, I have adjusted my expectations downward.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

This is a good point about JJ. He may seem inexperienced at the NFL level due to his injuries but he is not a young player. He's had a couple years to learn the defense and adjust to the speed of the game. He SHOULD be entering his prime. Next year will be critical for him. More injuries or the same mediocre production and he will be a bust. Lets hope he stays healthy and ably mans the ROLB position. ALthough I was never that high on him as a first rounder (mostly due to his very slow 40 time) I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. With his college pedigree and being picked where he was you would have hoped he would become the next great Steelers OLB. However, I have adjusted my expectations downward.

Age...the year and change or whatever it was in transition from USC to UGA cost him a season at least, maybe 2.

Bust...agreed...this will be his 3rd yr...either you can do it or you can't.

ROLB/expectations...(same side he played @ UGA) for some reason I see him being better on the left side...facing a LT without any overload looks...I'm iffy on him being a big impact guy, but I still believe he can deliver Worilds like production.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

What is yinz take on this Shawn Lemon kid out of the CFL?

I've been watching his highlights and he looks undersized, but he's 6'2" 250lbs. Exact same size as Moats. I like his burst. He has a knack for getting to the ball carrier behind the LOS. And at 26 years old he's still fairly young. But he'll have to translate his game quickly or the team isn't going to want to invest much in him. If you think about it, he's already the same age as Worilds, of whom is at/reaching his peak.

It's hard not to water at the mouth when thinking about how Cameron Wake translated from the CFL to the NFL. But I'll be tempering my expectations for now.

 

[SteelersPride]

cameron wake has to be the exception to the rule

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steeler announced that they are not going to sign Worilds before FA starts. They'll let him test the waters and he is almost assuredly going to end up in Philly. They should sign Moats & JH now before they set sail as well.

 

[SteelersPride]

guy on the fan radio today said they dont see harrison coming back for what its worth

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

guy on the fan radio today said they dont see harrison coming back for what its worth

It's slim, but I just don't understand why Deebo made that public announcement of "not retiring" if he didn't like his chances of being resigned quickly. I haven't heard of any interest at all from TEN other than the ties with Lebeau, which is all here-say and zero substance at this point. And then again PIT hasn't expressed any interest yet either, but if you think about the way he retired last season it makes more sense for him to wind up in PIT. He was very outspoken about not wanting to be away from his family.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

It's slim, but I just don't understand why Deebo made that public announcement of "not retiring" if he didn't like his chances of being resigned quickly. I haven't heard of any interest at all from TEN other than the ties with Lebeau, which is all here-say and zero substance at this point. And then again PIT hasn't expressed any interest yet either, but if you think about the way he retired last season it makes more sense for him to wind up in PIT. He was very outspoken about not wanting to be away from his family.

If so (JH not wanted back) it seems like Butler/Tomlin are ready turn the page and that probably means no Troy which would not bother me much either.

Worilds was not tagged yesterday so that tells us that, they're ready to move on w/o him. He'll get at least $30 mil with $8 to $10 guaranteed I'm guessing.

I've said in the past...that I can see them going with more 4 man DL fronts and Shazier, Timmons, JJ as the LBs...and rotating Spence, V Williams and maybe Moats in there for depth. If JH, nor Worilds is back and they don't make another move for an edge pass rusher with experience they pretty much have to go with more 4 man DL fronts.

We'll probably know prior to the draft how they intend to go about the DEF front 7.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Now that Worilds is gone, Deebo & Moats are back... We should rehash the discussion towards who we think should be ROLB & LOLB.

I think they will keep JJ on the right. No sense in further hindering his development by switching him to the left side. He had a good start last year so give him another shot at the same position. Harrison is better in run support so his diminished skill set is pretty much only tailored to the right side. They could still use him in subpackages, but I don't want to see his snap count take too much away from JJ. A drafted rook, Moats, Hojo, Lemon & Z-man can battle it out for the LOLB & ST roles. I shouldn't be took quick to say Harrison is guaranteed a spot on the 53, because he shouldn't be. But as we know with this staff, they have that tendency to choose the vets over the younger promising prospects.

 

[SteelersPride]

pass rusher in round 1, eli harold is my guess

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

pass rusher in round 1, eli harold is my guess

Interested to see how player stocks look closer to April. Post combine we ride the roller coaster until the dust settles before the draft. Colbert & Co were all in attendance for Dupree & Ray's pro days. I'd be happy with either of those 3, and obviously if Beasely fell.

 

[SteelersPride]

i dont see beasely or ray falling, Possibly dupree, harold just seems like a steeler

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

i dont see beasely or ray falling, Possibly dupree, harold just seems like a steeler

Yea not likely to see either fall that far. But nobody saw Beasely as top 10 until the combine so things have changed. Shane Ray's pro day performance could scare some teams away, but fat chance of falling out of top 20.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

These boys are all working out in AZ together... V-Will, JJ, Spence, Deebo & Shazier. Pretty awesome if you ask me

If Timmons was in this picture it would be perfect... Aaaaand can someone hand JJ a protein shake?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Now that Worilds is gone, Deebo & Moats are back... We should rehash the discussion towards who we think should be ROLB & LOLB.

I think they will keep JJ on the right. No sense in further hindering his development by switching him to the left side. He had a good start last year so give him another shot at the same position. Harrison is better in run support so his diminished skill set is pretty much only tailored to the right side. They could still use him in subpackages, but I don't want to see his snap count take too much away from JJ. A drafted rook, Moats, Hojo, Lemon & Z-man can battle it out for the LOLB & ST roles. I shouldn't be took quick to say Harrison is guaranteed a spot on the 53, because he shouldn't be. But as we know with this staff, they have that tendency to choose the vets over the younger promising prospects.

I think JH @ JJ will split time @ ROLB and Moats will man the LOLB with reinforcement from JH, and as you said probably Hojo/Lemon/Z/ or rookie getting some snaps there.

I keep going back to the increased DL factor. We'll have to see how many 4 DL fronts Butler employs if any...10%, 20%. etc...I really think on DEF...his 4th DL is better than his 4th LB.