Draft Review

Did anyone hear the announcement over the weekend? The one Tomlin and Colbert made? The one where they announced that they're full of shit when they say they're going to keep the 3-4 defense around? Nobody heard it?

That's okay, it was a little more subtle than a formal announcement. It was really just the guys they took in the first two rounds. A 4-3 linebacker and a 4-3 end.

I think Timmons is more hype than anything. I would have been happier with a lineman in the first round or trading down and getting Anthony Spencer (who really could be a 4-3 end if they needed him to). Then again, we've had a lot of luck with guys from Florida State, so maybe it'll prove to be the best decision we ever made.

And, of course, that decision is to move to the 4-3. Lamar Woodley kinda cemented that. There are people out there that think he can make the transition to linebacker. These people are dumb. And I don't even want to think about it.

In the third round, I have a feeling that they may have announced more than a change on defense. A change on offense looks to be in the works as well.

They took a freakin' tight end. I would have to assume that they're going to try to use him. However, we already have two tight ends and one of them is a first rounder and we barely use either of them between the 20s. Tomlin claims to know him better than anyone because they were both in the state of Minnesota last year. He's excited about having Matt Spaeth on the team. Good for him. That makes one of us. Well, there's at least two in there somewhere. I'm sure Spaeth is happy and I'd assume Colbert is glad about it as well. But that's it.

Basically, they announced on the first day that the team as a whole is going to be completely overhauled. They aren't in a position to have a re-building year with this fan base and the amount of talent they have on the roster, so they're going to overhaul it. Kinda like driving your car when you're still re-building the carbeurator. With similar results (at least this season) I would imagine.

In three years, this will be a completely different team. We'll run two tight ends, two receivers, and one back almost exclusively (that means we'll run that when we don't have three to five receivers on the field) and it'll be all Cover 2 all the time on offense.

On the second day, I'm not exactly sure what the fuck they did.

They traded up to get a punter (the guy's supposed to be awesome and Gardocki was not long for this world, so I guess it's good news - I just think you can pick one of these dudes off the scrap heap).

Then they drafted a guy that would fit better as a 3-4 end, but probably would suck balls as 4-3 tackle.

Then a guard. Yay. Where was this guy on day one? I don't know if anyone bothered to tell Tomlin and Colbert, but Faneca, Simmons, and Max Starks could all be playing their last season as Pittsburgh Steelers. Ya think, maybe, you could've grabbed a couple? Maybe, one on the first day, one on the second? Or... is that something that's going to happen next year when you draft someone that's all hype too early out of need?

Then I heard that they were going to take offensive linemen for the rest of the draft and was okay with it.

Then they took a guy named Gay and a guy named Dallas. I guess Cliff Fagg and Cleveland Davis were off the board at that point.

Although I do hope that William Gay ends up being a star. Seriously. Who would buy his jersey? They have to put the W. on there, right? There's no way someone would wear a jersey that just said, "Gay" on the back, right? But, "W. Gay" is a little more respectable, even if there's no one else on the team named Gay. Unless they sign New England's Randall Gay (also doesn't sell a lot of jerseys).

Draft Grade: C

Now I'm going to explain that grade.

I actually think that they picked up some good guys (at least on the first day, which is really the only way they seem to find decent starters anymore), but the good guys they picked up are for the new team that's going to exist in three years. During the transitional period, we're going to see a lot of these dudes doing their best Duce Staley impression on the sidelines. And that pisses me off.

I'd really like to give the draft a D, but I trust Colbert too much. A reach in the first round (which kinda felt like a reacharound), a guy that won't start for a couple years in the second round, and... a freakin' tight end in the third. Not only did they draft this year for two years from now, but they set themselves up to get fucked (having to reach on a LOT of offensive linemen on the first day next year) in the future.

The Browns may have completely mortgaged their future, but at least they got something out of it today. They got hope.

I got a big, steaming pile of impending doom. Great.

Draft Preview

It's that time of year again. A time to talk shit on a bunch of kids that have never done anything to me personally and a time to talk about how a bunch of other kids that have never played a down of professional football in their lives are going to help the Steelers get back to the Super Bowl.

Ah, Draft Day. As most of you probably know, I get really into the draft. And, as most of you have probably noticed, the draft starts in about 15 hours and I still haven't posted anything about who the Steelers should pick.

Well, blow me. I've been busy. Besides, I'm sure that all of you already have your boards together and have successfully evaluated what the team needs and who will be available to meet those needs in what rounds. You just need me to confirm your suspicions, right? Right?

Riiiiiiight. At any rate, here's what I got.

Before I get started, repeat after me:

The Steelers are not going to trade Alan Faneca.

Go ahead.

The Steelers are not... okay, you got it.

I'm not saying it's impossible. All things are possible through Christ, but come on. Unless Detroit offers Kevin Colbert their first round pick and Jesus in exchange for Faneca, it ain't gonna happen.

Plus which, all the teams that want to piss away $60 million for a guard already have done so. We'll have to wait until next off-season for some more to surface.

And finally, saying that Alan Faneca is one of the best linemen in the league and is irreplaceable is nonsense and utter bullshit and generally untrue. That's like saying Danika Patrick is one of the best drivers in NASCAR. She isn't. She's just a great driver... for a woman.

Faneca's a great lineman... for a guard. It's one of the most replaceable positions in the league.

That having been said, it's going to be very difficult to replace him this year. So they should make him play out his contract at the very least.

Now, if we lose Marvell Smith, that's a different story. Even if he did kinda suck balls last season.

Overall:

Remember when I said that the Steelers had plenty of young talent along the offensive line? Not so much anymore. Remember when they were 5 or 6 guys deep at linebacker and Mike Vrabel had to leave because they didn't have a spot for him? Remember how Porter (and Gildon before him) had to sit on the bench for two years because the guy in front of him was better? Not so much anymore.

We got nine picks and we gotta make them count. Two offensive linemen, two linebackers, a wide receiver, two defensive backs (preferably a safety and a corner), a defensive lineman (preferably an end), and a fullback or a quarterback. That's what they need come the last bell on Sunday.

But who? And when? And how?

Round 1:

I have to admit that I've done a lot more research on the first round guys than anyone else. There are four dudes that we should target:

Darrelle Revis, CB, Pitt

Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska

Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan

Anthony Spencer, DE/OLB, Purdue

Revis is really a shutdown corner. I know that no such thing exists in the wide, wonderful world of the NFL anymore, but he's pretty damn close. I think he was only targeted 15 times all last season and he intercepted two of those. If you watched the Backyard Brawl this year, you saw we he can do in the return game. He brings a lot of things to the roster and could be pretty damn dangerous if we get him. So no, this isn't a hometwon pick.

Carriker's a good pick because he's a big white kid that hustles. He's basically Aaron Smith, but faster, younger, and stronger. And with better pass rushing skills. He's 6'6", goes about 290, and looks like he could pack on another 30 pounds or so and not have it affect him. He can play end in the 3-4, end in the 4-3, and tackle in the 4-3. Whichever defense Tomlin eventually decides on, Carriker will be able to contribute.

Staley is basically the second best tackle in the draft. I don't want to hear about Levi Brown. Brown's a hell of a tackle, but he's more of a run blocker than he is a pass blocker. Staley's both. Joe Thomas is #1, hands down. Staley's 2a and Brown is 2b. There's just something about Brown that makes me think that he'll be a disappointment and labelled a bust if he gets taken in the top 15. If he makes it to the bottom half of the round, the pressure will be off, and he'll have the time to work on his pass blocking skills. Staley already has the temperment, the footwork, and the technique to be a great tackle. He just needs to be in the right situation (good coach, good supporting cast, not a losing atmosphere). Bad for a crappy team that's used to losing. He's used to losing having played at Central Michigan. In order to progress, he needs to know what it feels like to play for a winner. And that's just what the Steelers will help him do.

If these three guys are taken, trade down and take Spencer. Spencer's more of 3-4 linebacker, but he could put on enough weight to be a 4-3 end. Two players at the Combine (Brown and some dude from Notre Dame) said that Spencer was the best pass rusher they had ever faced. He hustles, he's a hell of an intense player, and he just seems to know how to get to the ball carrier. Reminds me a lot of Joey Porter actually.

Round 2:

If they don't take Spencer in Round 1, they need to get a linebacker in Round 2. They need to grab one in the first day, one in the second day. 3-4 linebackers and especially linebackers that can switch back and forth between the 3-4 and 4-3 don't grow on trees anymore. You can't get a guy like Joey Porter in the third round anymore. You can't get a guy like Aaron Smith in the sixth round. If the Steelers want to get a starter, they need to take him in this round.

Stewart Bradley, another Nebraska guy is a very active middle linebacker and could either replace James Farrior in a couple of years or be the guy that runs 15 or 20 yards down the field in Tomlin's defense. You remember all the ground that Brian Urlacher covered in the playoffs last year? Well, Bradley can't do that. But, he's about as fast, about as smart, and about as sure a tackler as Urlacher. Or, at least close enough that he'll seem like a bargain in the second round.

In Round 2, given that they've already taken Spencer, they should go with an offensive lineman like possibly Ryan Kalil of Southern Cal or Arron Sears of Tennessee. It's possible that those two guys might not be there, given that there's a new emphasis on drafting quality centers and guards (another reason why Faneca may not get a huge contract). If they're there, I prefer Sears. That guy just seems awesome. He looks like a guard. I have no trouble at all imagining him in a Steelers uniform. I think he'll be great.

Round 3:

Presuming that the draft goes Carriker, Bradley, then they should go offensive lineman. Either tackle or guard. Day One they need a linebacker and an offensive lineman. Day Two, they need a linebacker and an offensive lineman.

Spencer and an offensive lineman, preferably Sears, then probably a defensive back like UNLV's Eric Wright. Or, there's the possibility of a running back (I know it's not on the list), like Brian Leonard (a lot of guys with two first names in this draft) of Rutgers.

Round 4:

I'm feeling some Brian St. Pierre shit here. Doug Free, T, Northern Illinois.

This dude is huge. He's the guy I talked about at the Combine that the Steelers should keep in a cage before games and feed him a baby lamb as a sacrifice every hour. He looks like he could crush people with his shadow.

He's perfect to play right tackle, presuming Max Starks tanks this year and needs to be replaced.

For the compensatory selection, I think it's entirely possible that either linebacker Zak DeOssie of Brown (Sean Morey's alma mater) or wide receiver David Clowney of Virginia Tech. Both excelled on special teams, run like the wind, and are prepared to do whatever they can to make a team and contribute.

Round 5:

We've got our Day Two offensive lineman, it's time for the Day Two linebacker. Two guys I really like are Timothy Shaw, Penn State, and Brandon Siler of Florida. Shaw's fast as hell and might be the better of the two Penn State linebackers in this draft. Siler is another guy like Stewart that has excellent instincts, covers a lot of ground, and is one of those guys that always seems to "be around the football."

Both could be excellent replacements for Farrior, because he ain't gettin' any younger.

For the compensatory selection, Derek Landri of Notre Dame will be a good fit. He could work as an end in either the 4-3 or the 3-4. He's got some speed, got some bulk, and has a proven track record getting to the quarterback.

Rounds 6 and 7:

I thought about splitting this up, but I'm not sure what the point is, really. Guys taken in rounds 6 and 7 usually don't stay on the roster. The last three years, it's been a black hole. So, they should grab a fullback and maybe take a chance on a defensive lineman. If neither guy makes the roster, we should be okay.

However, they can't take their second linebacker or their second offensive linemen in these rounds. They need warm bodies if nothing else. The lower they draft that warm body, the more it hurts the team.

Best to draft them early.

Well, We Lost

And... I'm back! I just realized that it has, in fact, been about six weeks since I've posted anything to the ol' blog, so I thought I'd check in because there's some stuff happening in Pittsburgh sports.

Sure, the Penguins lost and the Pirates have already started sucking after opening the season by winning three straight (I predicted that would happen, btw, but since I didn't post anything, I really can't claim any credit).

But the real news is this draft thing that's happening in a week (almost to the hour). It's Tomlin's first draft and I'm sure he's nervous. The good news is that Kevin Colbert is probably going to run the show and throw in a quick, "Uh, yeah. That sounds like a good guy to get here. Yeah. I... uh... I like him. I'm going to go rehearse my lines for the next episode of 'House.'"

Colbert has presided over several consecutive successful drafts (we'll pretend 2002 didn't happen and that he pulled the trigger on Alonzo Jackson) and I trust him pretty much implicitly. He could take quarterbacks with all eight picks (we have a compensatory pick) and I'd be okay with it. I'd be a little confused about the strategy, but I'd still be okay.

Since we're not going to do that, let's look at what we should do. Not predicting anything. I'm going to sit on my Brian St. Pierre pick for the rest of my life and have, "Brian St. Pierre, QB, Boston College, Round 5, 2003, Pittsburgh Steelers" engraved on my tombstone.

Plus which, if I give the Steelers lots of options at each pick, I can then later say, "Well, they didn't go with option 3 or option 6, but they did go with option 12, so I was right."

I don't have time to do that right now, though, but check back again before draft day, because I will be posting something. I promise.

What I do have time for is a few quick comments about the state of Pittsburgh sports.

1. Alan Faneca's holdout is not a big deal. He'll be in training camp. The work-outs, technically, are voluntary. Plus which, he's a guard. I don't care if the premiere guys in the league are now making more than Tom Brady. They're guards. Seriously. I know he's a hell of a guy and he played left tackle when we needed him to but he's a guard. Really. He is. We can get another one. The new guy won't be as good, but guards aren't as important to the offensive line in this scheme as the center. We'll miss Hartings this year more than we'll miss Faneca next year when he signs a $60 million contract next off-season.
2. I don't care if Joey Porter's dogs ate Levi Jones. I really don't. He's not on the team anymore and it's not something I can concern myself with. I miss him, I'll continue to miss him, but I can't get all caught up in controversies that don't involve players on the roster.
3. Except for Chris Henry and Pacman Jones. With the new rules sent in place by Kaiser Goodell, it's a good thing that Santonio Holmes didn't have his little run-ins with the law this off-season, because he'd probably be looking at a four game suspension. The good news is that the Steelers usually draft high character guys that don't get in trouble, so it's not something we probably have to worry about in this new fascist regime. I mean, really, this much money, all these kids are between 21 and 31, most of them didn't come from money, and they have no idea how to react. So they throw 81 grand into a pile of strippers to see what will happen. Big deal. What Goodell should be doing is not messing with a good thing. Don't find dumb rules to add, find dumb rules to subtract. Add revenue, subtract dumb rules, keep the money flowing, punish a player when it's absolutely necessary. That's going to be his legacy. He shouldn't fuck with it too much.
4. The Penguins lost and that's a tragedy. Ottawa's a damn good team. They have good players and those players complement each other well. The Penguins have better players, but they're not as disciplined (I saw too many instances of chasing after someone just because they could, not because it was necessary and too many turnovers that ended up in scoring chances). I think they may have too many stars. There's not that one guy (and it should be Crosby) that everyone gears up for and needs to have the puck when it matters most. With the cup teams, it was Lemieux. Then Jagr took over. Then Kovalev and Lemieux started getting back in the mix and we didn't win a cup with those teams because there were too many chiefs. Ottawa played good team hockey and they beat our all stars. There's a lesson in there somewhere.
5. The Pirates are going to suck. It's over.