2009 Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper Sucks Thread

I am pretty confident that Robert Golden can replace Mundy and I would think Allen won'get much attention so they can bring him back. Keenan is basically a must bring back.

If I remember correct the Steelers were playing Golden over Mundy late in the season when the Steelers had a bunch of injuries in the secondary.  Allen played fantastic while filling in for Polamalu. 

I wonder if the Steelers would be better off cutting Taylor and signing Lewis to a long term contract.  I am a fan of Taylor but he's got a limited number of years left.  Taylor has a cap number of 9.4 million with 6 million of that being base pay. Not sure what the actual cap savings would be but it might make sense long term for the Steelers.

    

Not enough corner depth to do that. I like Cortez Allen but a lot of inexperience behind him. I think Brown and Victorian have had their moments and both could be decent players if they work on some things but I don't want them starting again.

If I remember correct the Steelers were playing Golden over Mundy late in the season when the Steelers had a bunch of injuries in the secondary.  Allen played fantastic while filling in for Polamalu.

That's kinda why I have a pretty radical idea over what will happen this offseason. Due to certain roster moves we may see a draft that focuses very heavily on offense. Like, ignore-defense-totally-until-the-th
ird-day kind of heavy.

Before I get a bunch of people on my case about that, remember that we yet again fielded the best defense in the NFL in terms of yards allowed and somehow led the NFL in passing yards per game allowed. It's our offense that needs work.

Even considering that, it's also our offense that's likely to suffer the largest purging of personnel. One or both of our QBs, multiple RBs, and at least one WR, TE, and OL may all be gone. Contract situations on defense are actually quite stable in comparison.

In the meantime, if we keep just one safety, one corner, and two linebackers, we'll have a set roster for the entire defense except for along the line - I expect Hampton to move on and am holding my breath for a Brett Keisel deletion as well.

Which is why the Steelers may shock people and completely ignore "need" positions such as safety, cornerback, and linebacker this April.

Offensive players that sit within our range right now in the first round include Keenan Allen, Jonathan Cooper, and Cordarelle Patterson, all of whom would seem to fit our offense very well. Unless a can't-miss defensive prospect falls into our lap (seriously, I'll be glad once this nonsensical talk of Jarvis Jones falling goes away), I'd expect us to go offense early and often. 

That said, I agree with sb. We can't cut Taylor. Besides depth, I don't think it would be a good idea financially (someone like beach probably knows better than me).

I think you are on the right track with drafting offense Demo. Unless Jarvis Jones is at 17 they aren't going OLB in round 1. Worilds deserves his shot. RB and WR both will probably be day 1/2 picks.

That said, I agree with sb. We can't cut Taylor. Besides depth, I don't think it would be a good idea financially (someone like beach probably knows better than me).

They restructured him last offseason which means ...

1. They thought he would be around awhile

and

2. Not much cap savings if they cut him one year later - 2.5M.

One thing to keep in mind when disccussing team needs as it relates to the draft is that there will be a ton, and I mean a ton of veterans released this offseason. Contracts are designed to increase and this flat cap for a third consecutive year is forcing teams to cut players who still have something left in the tank. There are going to be some nice veteran players available for cheap after the draft.

p.s. There won't be much money to spend league wide either. The blue chippers will get their big deals but anyone with a question mark beside their name will probably have to settle for a lot less than they think.

No doubt IMO that Lewis is their most important free agent. If he goes corner all of a sudden becomes a top need, if he stays they probably will just draft low to develop a guy on the PS.

I think they are set with Taylor, Lewis, Allen, Brown and Victorian.

Call me crazy, but I think Victorian has a nice skillset to work with. He has a nose for the ball, made a lot of plays in the pre-season. The Dallas game he was exposed but keep in mind his first pro game ever he was thrown in to cover a pretty good receiver in Austin and was picked on an ungodly amount of times. That said he never was really out of position. If he can become a better, actually much better, tackler I think they have a keeper. 

Also, if they don't sign a veteran like Matt Moore I hope Batch comes back to help tutor a potential draft.

Lots of thoughts I've been needing to say for the last 3 months. 

First - welcome  back SB!!   Great to see you on the board again.

now - Maybe I missed it..  Where are we going to post our position listings..  starter to pull together the RB's list...   should we do it here?  (I always loose the link to the group thread now that its not available)..  or use the group thread?

enjoy,

bb

NY,

Where you at?  Still diggin out from that Nemo Snow storm?    Do we need to send in the St. Bernards? 

Thinking about you and yours.

enjoy,

bb

Just reading some tidbits regarding some players we could be interested in mid to late rounds over on Draftinsider.net

- Speaking of the Shrine Game, we spoke glowingly of Missouri Western defender David Bass during our [coverage of practice].  Recent word has the 260-pound Bass running the forty in the mid 4.6’s during workouts.  If he runs that fast at the combine his stock will rise as teams will give him consideration as both a 3-4 outside linebacker as well as a 4-3 defensive end.

 Most have questioned the speed of Washington State junior receiver Marquess Wilson, who opted to enter the draft.  According to sources Wilson timed in the low 4.4’s at Wazzu and hopes for a repeat performance at the combine later this month.  Presently the wide out is in Orlando training with Tom Shaw.

^^^^^^^^^
like these 2 a lot Marquess has good tape but is lean, needs to bulk up a bit, but I think this kid could be the steel of the draft in the 5th-6th rounds.

If bass can run that and we can get him mid rounds I'd be happy, I think he needs to work on his hand skills, swim moves etc....

I wouldn't discount OLB in this draft, Harrison's agent said Harrison won't take a pay cut.

I have been shoveling, digging, snow blowing since Friday,. one heckuva storm that swept my state.  Also working extra OT for the month, I will be back on more often once we get past March 1st.

Knowing their history I just have a hard time seeing OLB in the 1st unless they get Jarvis Jones, maybe Ansah.

Right now my gut is telling me they go WR. 

Walter's latest mock:

1. Jarvis Jones
2. Datone Jones
3. Joseph Randle
4. Kenny Stills

I really wonder why Walter hates Cam Heyward.

I have been shoveling, digging, snow blowing since Friday,. one heckuva storm that swept my state.  Also working extra OT for the month, I will be back on more often once we get past March 1st.

Nevermind this mumbo jumbo, the draft is more omportant the shoveling and OT can wait. 

Nevermind this mumbo jumbo, the draft is more omportant the shoveling and OT can wait. 

Nevermind this mumbo jumbo, the draft is more important than shoveling and OT, that stuff can wait. 

=SB, welcome back! I don't know if he's got anything wrong with Heyward but he might have problems with Ziggy Hood, imagine Heyward and Jones lined up on either side of McLendon or whoever our NT will be.

Thanks Roc and it's actually both. He calls Heyward a massive disappointment. 

How does a DE that doesn't get a fair shot to start yet still graded out as one of the best DEs in football become a massive disappointment? That said, I think they can get another year out of Keisel and start Heyward. Then again he did say Adams also struggled, have to take some of these national guys with a grain of salt.

Unless they get a faller I have a hard time seeing them going DE early. Maybe a mid to late round guy or a cheap free to compete with Woods. I still have hope for Ta'amu if he gets his head screwed on straight and Fangupo is intruiging, they may see a future with him. 

I think this draft focuses heavily on offensive skill positions, QB, RB, WR plus the back 7 on defense.