Official Pittsburgh Steelers Thread

86WARD · Apr 7, 2008

I read that last week. Kirwan knows his crap and is great on the Radio.

Something that he failed to mention is that if they sign Max Starks to a longer deal, that 7 million cap hit could come down a little to a lot pending how his deal is structured...right? Maybe I'm wrong...

Crowned · Apr 7, 2008

PERSONNEL ANALYSIS: Free safety Ryan Clark, who had his spleen and gallbladder removed at midseason, is regaining his weight and is expected to be at training camp, ready to reclaim his starting position.

Clark's absence proved to be costlier than expected because his replacement, Anthony Smith, made too many mental mistakes and was beaten for several long passes. He was replaced by veteran Tyrone Carter, who missed two big tackles in the playoff loss to the Jaguars that could cost him a spot on the roster. . . .

Defensive end Aaron Smith, who sustained a torn bicep in the Dec. 9 loss to the Patriots and missed the final four games, appears to be close to normal and should also be ready for training camp. His loss really hurt the team's run defense, which sagged badly late in the season. Smith is the team's most consistent lineman and excels at the two-gap technique.

HARD TRUTH: The team has done little to upgrade the depth on the defensive line, a problem area last season, especially down the stretch. Sure, they re-signed a pair of veterans, Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason, but Kirschke is 34 with a chronic back injury and Eason was benched after one game when he replaced Aaron Smith.

Even if the team drafts a defensive lineman on the first day, which the Steelers will, he might not be ready to play right away. For a team that stressed the importance of having more, young D-linemen, it's no better off than it was at the end of the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Cornerback William Gay will have a chance to play more this season, particularly in third-down situations when the team uses four corners. Gay, a fifth-round pick last season, has good coverage skills and ball awareness, allowing him to make plays in the secondary. But, if he wants to play on a regular basis, he needs to become a better tackler. The Steelers rely heavily on their cornerbacks in run support.

OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: The addition of free-agent running back Mewelde Moore will allow the team to spell Pro Bowler Willie Parker, especially in third-down situations, and should improve the team's chances of finding a pass-catching back.

Najeh Davenport will continue to be the top backup to Parker and also play in short-yardage situations, but he is an awkward receiver who takes too long to head downfield after a catch. Moore is quicker and shiftier and should give Ben Roethlisberger a better target for checkdown passes or screens.

The Steelers have never had a good system for running screens and part of the reason is not having the type of back who was fluid enough to catch and get quickly downfield.
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Link

Two more college prospects paid visits to the Steelers today: quarterback Dennis Dixon of Oregon and linebacker Quentin Groves of Auburn.
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Link

86WARD · Apr 7, 2008

OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: The addition of free-agent running back Mewelde Moore will allow the team to spell Pro Bowler Willie Parker, especially in third-down situations, and should improve the team's chances of finding a pass-catching back.
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This alone gets me excited!

K Train · Apr 7, 2008

im thinking Dline and LB are a more likely first round pick now that everyone wants alberts rod. Look for groves or balmer/merling even though i would rather take moore, laws and langford in the later rounds.

I honestly think groves or one of the big Wrs are gonna be our pick this year. cherilus or talib are options too though

86WARD · Apr 7, 2008

Yeah K-Train...with Albert looking to be gone by the 23 pick, I think it just opens the door really wide for another position. Which I'd rather them take the better player than reaching for a "2nd Round" O-Lineman in the first...

K Train · Apr 7, 2008

they wont reach, its not our style...best player available. the love pass rushers so groves would be nice, ben gets hard for black dudes over 6-3 so thats an option, cherilus....meh i like him and all but i dont know about him at 23. Balmer and merling could be good options, but can they play in a 34? alot of questions...i better not be pissed off come draft day lol

86WARD · Apr 7, 2008

I hear you. I think Merling could possibly be gone by the time it gets to the Steelers. I think he is a risky pick. He didn't work out at the combine right?!? He also had hernia surgery last month. The more I read about Merling, the more I don't know if I would like that pick if he was available.

K Train · Apr 7, 2008

hes a force though. i dunno, balmer is a tank, hes huge and weighs over 300 pounds of muscle, hes a good option its just alot of dudes cant handle being a 34 DE

86WARD · Apr 7, 2008

Should be interesting...I'm still pulling for Albert...

K Train · Apr 7, 2008

whoevers been pimping him so much can die in a fire, now everyone wants him lol

86WARD · Apr 7, 2008

:laughy32:

86WARD · Apr 8, 2008

Feelings on Safety, Kenny Phillips out of the U. First Round?

He could be a nice fit for the Eagles. If he's there at 23 and the O-Linemen are gone...

Crowned · Apr 8, 2008

If we went anywhere but o-line in the first round I wouldn't be able to tell you my feelings until I see our o-line perform next season.

K Train · Apr 8, 2008

no thanks, the secondary isnt in that bad of shape. dline, oline and WR are much more immediate needs. phillips is kinda slow anyway

86WARD · Apr 8, 2008

They could "reach" for an O-Lineman and heck everything up. All I hope is that if the O-Linemen are gone, to take the best athlete. Which they are usually really good at...

K Train · Apr 8, 2008

they havent really hecked up bad since troy edwards in 99 so i have faith

Crowned · Apr 8, 2008

Four more college prospects paid visits to the Steelers today: linebacker Bryan Smith of McNees State, cornerback Tracy Porter of Indiana, kick returner Matthew Slater of UCLA who is the son of former NFL tackle and Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, and defensive back Ryan Mundy of West Virgina.
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Source: Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

86WARD · Apr 9, 2008

meh...

Crowned · Apr 10, 2008

Steelers check out first-round draft candidate

Thursday, April 10, 2008
By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart, a candidate to be the Steelers' first-round draft choice, paid them a visit today at their facility in Pittsburgh.

Also visiting were cornerback Orlando Scandrick of Boise State and another running back, Chris Johnson of East Carolina.
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Link

K Train · Apr 10, 2008

oooo show me some chris johnson

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Official Pittsburgh Steelers Thread

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86WARD -

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Crowned Doesn't give a shit.

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Official Pittsburgh Steelers Thread

86WARD -

Crowned Doesn't give a shit.

86WARD -

K Train Do You Honeycutt?

86WARD -

K Train Do You Honeycutt?

86WARD -

K Train Do You Honeycutt?

86WARD -

K Train Do You Honeycutt?

86WARD -

86WARD -

Crowned Doesn't give a shit.

K Train Do You Honeycutt?

86WARD -

K Train Do You Honeycutt?

Crowned Doesn't give a shit.

86WARD -

Crowned Doesn't give a shit.

K Train Do You Honeycutt?

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