Pittsburgh Steelers offseason

• I Wear Pants

  Try Denver. They took Quinn.
• killer_ewok

  

  I Wear Pants wrote:

  killer_ewok wrote:

  Non wrote: Randle El is better than Battle.
  
  I know they probably don't want to bring a guy back but he had 50 catches last year and is still somewhat versatile, which is what they probably like about Battle.

  Agreed. But I don't think they bring Randle El back unless it's a Walmart-type bargain. Plus, they have Logan for returning punts and kicks so they really only "need" ARE as a WR.
  
  Still, I think that Battle is better than Sweed. He can't be any worse.

  They did bring him back didn't they?

  My post was before it actually happened.
• thavoice

  Dont look for sweed to be on the team. No way. Anyone would be a fool to trade for him. Why give up anything when you can get him for bare bones salary when he is cut.
  
  STill some rumors about trading for Leftwich. Wonder what TB would like. Also..steelers got 3 comp picks...2 in the 5th and 1 in the 7th for losing FA's last year.
  
  TB holds all the cards here. Could be a draft day trade possibly in the works. Or they could see if BR gets suspended and they value of BL goes up.
• Non

  

  One thing to note. Compensatory picks cannot be traded.
  
  Although since they now have three fifth rounders they could deal their regular sixth or seventh for Leftwich.
  
  I don't think it would take much more than that to get him.
• thavoice

  MT said taht BR called him within hours of being accused.
  
  I think they will make a play for BL...I really do.
• Non

  

  Draft outlook
  
  Steelers "most likely" list.
  
  This is primarily first round...but maybe second if they slip that far,
  
  Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama
  ...With Larry Foote back the Steelers have a strong group of five linebackers for 2010, though they could use a captain/leader for the future. McClain fits the mold.
  
  Joe Haden, CB, Florida
  ...Some concerns about his timed speed but still should be the first cornerback off the board, and likely before No. 18.
  
  Mike Iupati, G, Idaho
  ...Steelers have this dude high on their radar. They like his toughness and ability to pull in the run game. Also, don't discount the comments from Art Rooney II about the Steelers needing to run the ball better.
  
  Earl Thomas, S, Texas
  ...The reason Thomas remains a possibility is he has the potential to move to cornerback.
  
  Sean Weatherspoon, LB, Missouri
  ...Athletic player with top intangibles. He would be a good fit as a 3-4 inside linebacker because of his range and active nature.
  
  Patrick Robinson, CB, Florida State
  ...Has good all-around CB skills and good game speed to catch up to receivers and close on the ball. No. 18 might be a tad too early but he won't be around when the Steelers pick at No. 52.
  
  Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State
  ...Highly competitive player with good cover skills and the ability to support the run defense.
  
  Maurkice Pouncey, C/G, Florida
  ...Brings a lot of experience, size and versatility. I'd be surprised if he doesn't go late first round.
  
  Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee
  ...There is still an outside chance the Steelers draft a NT for the future.
  
  Terrence Cody, DT, Alabama
  ...I don't see them going this direction in the first round but they would consider a player like Cody if he falls to No. 52.
  
  
  Other players to keep an eye on
  
  QB
  
  The Steelers may want to take a QB in the late rounds but there just isn't anyone in this draft worth picking.
  
  RB
  
  The Steelers should add a second running back to form a 1-2 punch with Mendenhall. It doesn't necessarily have to be a Bettis-like running back but preferably someone who can run downhill.
  
  Toby Gerhart, RB, Stanford
  Anthony Dixon, RB, Mississippi State
  Charles Scott, RB, LSU
  Ryan Matthews, RB, Fresno State
  LeGarrette Blount, RB, Oregon
  
  WR
  
  With Holmes, Ward, Wallace, Randle-El and Battle, the Steelers have at least their top four spots established for next year, which means they won't select a WR unless it's very late on day two.
  
  TE
  
  Heath Miller is a great all-around tight end. David Johnson, who they drafted last year, proved to be a strong blocker and someone they can use as a TE or H-back. They still could draft another tight end in rounds 5-7. I think they'll take one of the Pitt guys, probably Byham. In a draft loaded with pure pass-catching tight ends, Byham is one of the few guys that can block and catch.
  
  Dorin Dickerson, TE, Pitt
  Nate Byham, TE, Pitt
  
  OL
  
  I think they'll take Iupati in the first round if he's on the board. If not that opens up a lot of possibilities in the second and third round.
  
  Roger Saffold, G, Indiana
  Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois
  Shelley Smith, G, Colorado State
  Vlad Ducasse, T, Massachusetts
  John Jerry, T, Mississippi
  Ciron Black, T, LSU
  Jared Veldheer, T, Hillsdale
  
  DL
  
  This draft is deep with defensive linemen so the Steelers should consider grabbing a nose tackle prospect even though they signed Casey Hampton to a three-year contract.
  
  Cam Thomas, DT, North Carolina
  Jay Ross, DT, East Carolina
  Jeff Owens, DT, Georgia
  
  LB
  
  By re-signing Larry Foote, the Steelers addressed one of their primary needs. They lacked depth at linebacker. Still, the Steelers love linebackers so they could still pick a young guy in the mid rounds.
  
  Eric Norwood, OLB, South Carolina
  Koa Misi, DE/OLB, Utah
  Pat Angerer, ILB, Iowa
  Jamar Chaney, ILB, Mississippi State
  Roddrick Muckelroy, ILB, Texas
  
  CB
  
  The Steelers most glaring need is at cornerback. If Haden is gone before No. 18, they'll have some decisions to make. Do they draft Earl Thomas, a safety, and convert him to cornerback? Do they reach slightly for Kyle Wilson or Patrick Robinson? Do they draft another position and wait until the second or third round to draft a cornerback? Here are some of those options:
  
  Chris Cook, CB, Virginia
  Donovan Warren, CB Michigan
  Dominique Franks, CB, Oklahoma
  Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
  Myron Lewis, CB, Vanderbilt
  Perrish Cox, CB, Oklahoma State
  Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, CB, Indiana (Pa.)
• Al Capone

  No surprise here. Steelers resign Batch to a 2 year deal.
• thavoice

  ^^Pretty much a given. He'll be the #3 guy, or backup if Rapistburger is suspended.
  Look for them to bring a guy in, maybe draft one late, for the 4th arm in camp.
  
  Dont know how interested htey are in getting BL. I dont expect BR to get charged in this case, but a 1-2 game suspension from the league, or even the steelers themselves, is very likely.
• Al Capone

  I agree with the 2 game suspension. Even if no charges are filed he needs to be taught a lesson. 2 games carrying the clipboard may do wonders.
• thavoice

  Thing is...if the league doesnt suspend him then all the steelers can basically do is what they did to Dookie Holmes....make him on of the 8 inactive for the game(s).
  
  Schedule will come out in April. Mr Rooney expects the steelers to open at home on the first Sunday and then on the road for I think two weeks.
• Non

  

  Between Dixon and Batch the Steelers are better off than most teams in QB depth IMO.
  
  I don't think they need to draft anyone. Maybe pick up an UFA just to play in the final minutes of preseason games.
• Al Capone

  I also think if the Rooneys were worried about a long term suspension, they would have already signed a free agent.
• Non

  

  Perhaps surprisingly, perhaps not, the Steelers are bringing in LeGarrette Blount for a visit next week. They'll likely meet with several players on their draft radar but at least for now it doesn't appear they're shying away from him.
• thavoice

  ^^I think if they were truly worried about a LT suspension they would have traded for BL.
  
  That has to be their plan right now. They know BL is there for the picking if they want him and will wait to see what happens.
  
  I dont expect BR to get more than a 2 game rip. Hopefully week one will be an NFC opponant so if they lose it isnt as bad as a conference loss.. I forget...what division does the North play next season?
  
  I agree non..I doubt they draft a QB even late and pick up a UFA. They need 4 arms in camp. Stock up on CB/OL and see what how it shakes out....and possibly a RB. PPG said they may be interested in the Duck who was suspended.
• Non

  

  I think they could draft a running back rather high. Maybe third round.
  
  There are some decent backs, as mentioned above, like Blount, Dixon from Mississippi State or Gerhart.
  
  Durability is a question mark with Mendenhall IMO. I think they need a true two-back system.
• thavoice

  Never know....FWP may get resigned........
  
  Seems like they want a true blocking back if there is one eto be had.
• Non

  

  Tough to find those anymore.
  
  David Johnson, the TE they drafted in the seventh round last year, could serve as a fullback basically.
  
  And I think they're going to give Frank Summers a chance to improve.
  
  I think I'd like to see them get Gerhart. He's not a blocking back but just as a second running back.
  
  He's the type of guy that might not be good for a lot of teams, but I could see him being a perfect fit for the Steelers. He has good agility for a bigger guy, along with the ability to grind out yards. He's in some ways a white version of Bettis.
• Al Capone

  Steelers schedule- No dates yet
  Home - Away
  Bungals - Bungals
  Browns - Browns
  Ravens - Ravens
  Falcons - Bucs
  Panthers - Dolphins
  Raiders - Bills
  Patriots - Titans
  Jets - Saints
• Non

  

  I might have to go to the Tampa game if I'm still living in Florida then.
• Non

  

  Bruce Gradkowski might be someone the Steelers should consider down the road.
  
  Raiders are looking to trade for McNabb.
  
  Grad struggled quite a bit with Tampa and Cleveland but then made strides last year with the Raiders before getting hurt.
• Non

  

  Six draft prospects have visited the Steelers, so far.
  
  They're allowed a maximum of 30 visits.
  
  Navarro Bowman, LB, Penn State...6'0, 242 lbs...athletic, sideline-to-sideline player...would play inside in the Steelers 3-4...had some off-field issues in college.
  
  Mike Neal, DE, Purdue...6'3, 294 lbs...hardworking player with a good motor and active hands...not a true NT prospect despite being a DT in college, he'd likely be DE with the Steelers...possible late-round pick
  
  Chris DeGeare, G, Wake Forest...6'4, 325 lbs....powerful run blocker....not very intelligent, struggles with understanding different schemes in pass protection
  
  Darrell Stuckey, S, Kansas...5'11 205 lbs....short, well-built player and strong in run support...more of a strong safety.
  
  Jacques McClendon, G, Tennessee...6'3, 324 lbs...didn't participate in the NFL combine but still projects in the late rounds...the Steelers had success landing Ramon Foster, an undrafted free agent from Tennessee, last year
  
  Rodger Saffold, G, Indiana...6'4, 316...versatile having played left tackle in college but projects as a guard...shows good awareness...not a road grader in the run game
• Non

  

  Here are the seven players who visited the Steelers on Wednesday and Thursday:
  
  Nolan Carroll, CB, Maryland...5'11, 204 lbs...just a tad under 6'0...a player on the rise after a good showing at the combine...4.39 in the 40...broke his leg in the second game last season which dropped him off the radar until some good workouts
  
  Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama...5'10 196...part of an outstanding college defense...has the combination of athleticism, speed (4.48 in the 40) and tackling ability...a potential second-round pick
  
  Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State...5'10, 194...brings versatility as a corner and punt returner...very high strung and competitive, often mixes it up to the whistle and sometimes after it...projects late first round or early second
  
  Joe Webb, WR, UAB...6'3, 223...another possible Slash guy...Webb actually had a decent career at QB but decided to switch at the Senior Bowl...he had an awesome pro day, displaying the combination of speed, quickness and route running...good football player and most scouts seem to like how he took the initiative to change positions, rather than be stubborn about playing QB
  
  Albert McClellan, LB, Marshall...6'1 247...nice showing at his recent pro day, particularly 27 reps...also has run consistently in the 4.6 to 4.7 range...late round possibility that offers versatility outside or inside
  
  Brandon Ghee, CB, Wake Forest...6'0, 192...Steelers have shown a lot of interest in Ghee over the past few weeks, he's 6'0 with long arms and runs in the 4.4 range
  
  Eric Norwood, LB, South Carolina...6'1 245...no surprise the Steelers brought in Norwood, a player often compared to James Harrison...short, powerful type of linebacker who plays with great intensity
• thavoice

  FWP signs with The skins for about 3 million.
• killer_ewok

  

  Good luck to Willie Parker. His running style wasn't exactly considered "Steeler football" but he served his purpose while in the 'Burgh. Definitely a good story as he didn't even really play at North Carolina. He has the longest TD run in Super Bowl history. Not bad for a guy who didn't get drafted after not getting a fair shake in college.
• Non

  

  I don't think he's completely washed up but he's not the same running back he was in 2005-2007. He still has a decent burst but doesn't play with the same home run speed he had early on.
  
  Not every player is going to be great for 10 years. Some are and then others are going to make an impact for a short period of time and I think that's just the nature of the game.
  
  Parker did have arguably his best game against San Diego in the playoffs when he rushed 27 times for 146 yards and two TDs. The entire offensive line and Parker were really motivated for that game and they delivered, eating up the clock for all but one play in the third quarter.
  
  Frankly, I'm not sold on Mendenhall. I like his ability but I think he's soft when it comes to absorbing contact. Parker wore down quickly in the seasons where he received 300+ carries and it's uncertain whether Mendenhall can hold up with that type of workload for 5-10 years. I think they need to find a good No. 2.