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✦✦✦Official 2014 Pittsburgh Steelers Thread (1 Viewer)

Starks, and players of his ilk, are precisely why you shouldn't get that bent out of shape when the Jon Dwyers of the league get cut from your favorite team's roster. Guys who look just like him are usually available every offseason.
I dont think anyone is bent out of shape on cutting Dwyer (again), but by doing so we need to sign a guy like Starks. In the case of Starks specifically, I like him as a backup and hope they'd sign him.

 
Did I miss something in regards to Carrington? Thought he left without signing a contract. I assume Prisco is confused, but hoping I just missed hearing about this signing.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/24489004/monday-musings-polling-gms-on-other-teams-free-agency-moves

The Steelers needed to revamp their defensive line and adding Cam Thomas from theChargers and Alex Carrington from the Bills, they have added two big bodies. Both are young and Carrington might be one of the sleepers in this free-agent class.
 
Did I miss something in regards to Carrington? Thought he left without signing a contract. I assume Prisco is confused, but hoping I just missed hearing about this signing.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/24489004/monday-musings-polling-gms-on-other-teams-free-agency-moves

The Steelers needed to revamp their defensive line and adding Cam Thomas from theChargers and Alex Carrington from the Bills, they have added two big bodies. Both are young and Carrington might be one of the sleepers in this free-agent class.
Yeah, that's gotta be a mistake. I don't think they can sign anyone else right now (of that caliber) without cutting or re-structuring more.

 
Twitter reposts:

James Starks about to sign a deal with Packers (guessing visit will be canceled). James Harrison wants to come back to Steelers.

Wouldn't mind Harrison back for a year at vet min to show Jarvis how it's done. Would be good insurance.

 
Did I miss something in regards to Carrington? Thought he left without signing a contract. I assume Prisco is confused, but hoping I just missed hearing about this signing.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/pete-prisco/24489004/monday-musings-polling-gms-on-other-teams-free-agency-moves

The Steelers needed to revamp their defensive line and adding Cam Thomas from theChargers and Alex Carrington from the Bills, they have added two big bodies. Both are young and Carrington might be one of the sleepers in this free-agent class.
Yeah, that's gotta be a mistake. I don't think they can sign anyone else right now (of that caliber) without cutting or re-structuring more.
Considering that Carrington has trips to see the Rams and Raiders this week I would say it is a pretty good bet that he hasn't signed with the Steelers.

 
Starks, and players of his ilk, are precisely why you shouldn't get that bent out of shape when the Jon Dwyers of the league get cut from your favorite team's roster. Guys who look just like him are usually available every offseason.
Starks and Jon Dwyer both have new contracts on other teams now (along with Tate, Toby Gerhart, McFadden and Donald Brown)

Who's left other than MJD, Blounte, Knowshon? ( I doubt any of them will be cheap). Does anyone have Amos Zeroue's phone number?


 
Starks, and players of his ilk, are precisely why you shouldn't get that bent out of shape when the Jon Dwyers of the league get cut from your favorite team's roster. Guys who look just like him are usually available every offseason.
Starks and Jon Dwyer both have new contracts on other teams now (along with Tate, Toby Gerhart, McFadden and Donald Brown)

Who's left other than MJD, Blounte, Knowshon? ( I doubt any of them will be cheap). Does anyone have Amos Zeroue's phone number?
These guys are still available according to Rotoworld:

Andre Brown

Knowshon Moreno

Maurice Jones-Drew

LeGarrette Blount

Michael Bush

La'Rod Stephens-Howling

Justin Forsett

Bernard Scott

Felix Jones

Ronnie Brown

Willis McGahee

Phillip Tanner

Kevin Smith

 
Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter 46s
Jaguars free-agent RB Maurice Jones-Drew is visiting the Steelers today, per source. They are not the only interested team.
My gut reaction is that he has way too many miles...but Jax has been so bad lately...I wonder if given the right opportunity if he has something left. He is only 28 (turning 29 in a few days.)
I have the same feelings. That said, someone else is probably going to throw more money at MJD than the Steelers so it is probably a moot point.

No harm bringing him in to kick the tires though...

 
Adam Schefter@AdamSchefter 46s
Jaguars free-agent RB Maurice Jones-Drew is visiting the Steelers today, per source. They are not the only interested team.
My gut reaction is that he has way too many miles...but Jax has been so bad lately...I wonder if given the right opportunity if he has something left. He is only 28 (turning 29 in a few days.)
MJD ran hard last year but he has lost the burst to tear off the long gains. He showed a lot of heart on a bad team. He did a great job of turning a 2 yard gain to 4 or maybe 6. But his days of finding a crease, splitting the safeties, and tearing off a 20+ yard gain are over.

 
MJD ran hard last year but he has lost the burst to tear off the long gains. He showed a lot of heart on a bad team. He did a great job of turning a 2 yard gain to 4 or maybe 6. But his days of finding a crease, splitting the safeties, and tearing off a 20+ yard gain are over.
+1. His burst has absolutely disappeared, and that was the most troubling part.

At this point he's sort of a smacked-a$$ with a left knee that's closer to 50 years old than 29. He'd be fine as the 2nd guy up, at a greatly reduced rate, since he can still offer a little something as a receiver/blocker too, but if pressed into starting duty I can't say I'd feel that confident about him at this point.

He was great, and has been a warrior, but if he hasn't fallen off the cliff yet he's currently attaching the bungie to his ankles in preparation for his forthcoming leap.

 
Apparently he's coming back for a 2nd visit (or continuation of yesterday if you look at it that way).

 
Shaping up to be rough a season in '14.
How you figure? Losing RC and Woodley hurts but they adequately replaced RC and Woodley missed a lot of time. Losing Woods and Ziggy is sort of big, esp if they don't get Kiesel (or sign someone) back but there's still time. Cotch hurts a little but not if Moye and Wheaton develop.

 
Shaping up to be rough a season in '14.
How you figure? Losing RC and Woodley hurts but they adequately replaced RC and Woodley missed a lot of time. Losing Woods and Ziggy is sort of big, esp if they don't get Kiesel (or sign someone) back but there's still time. Cotch hurts a little but not if Moye and Wheaton develop.
Sanders and Cotchery accounted for 16 TDs last season. Any way you slice it that is a lot of production to make up with two guys that have 1 career TD between them.

Obviously they will sign a vet and most likely spend a high draft pick on a WR but still...

 
QB - No complaints here.

OL - Should be OK but always seems to cause ulcers.

WR - Let's start with losing Cotch and Sanders - last year they combined for 113/1340/16. Moye and Wheaton on the other hand went for 8/84/0. Sure they MAY develop and I liked what I saw from Wheaton but with just Brown I don't get a warm fuzzy from the WR core.

RB - I think Bell will be a stud but Dwyer/Jones did a good job of spelling him. We have NO depth behind Bell. I was really hoping Starks would sign. So as of right now we're praying Bell doesn't get hurt.

DL - Not a strength last year and they lost Ziggy, Woods and still no Kiesel. If he does sign what does he have left at 36. That leaves Heyward, and the mystery that is Arnfelt and Cam. Not much else. No depth here either.

CB - I'm eh on this group.

SS/FS - I'm on OK with this group.

LB - Good to go.

As it stands they're not a better team than they were last season and without the ability to spend in FA the lack of depth has caught up with them.

 
Shaping up to be rough a season in '14.
How you figure? Losing RC and Woodley hurts but they adequately replaced RC and Woodley missed a lot of time. Losing Woods and Ziggy is sort of big, esp if they don't get Kiesel (or sign someone) back but there's still time. Cotch hurts a little but not if Moye and Wheaton develop.
Sanders and Cotchery accounted for 16 TDs last season. Any way you slice it that is a lot of production to make up with two guys that have 1 career TD between them.

Obviously they will sign a vet and most likely spend a high draft pick on a WR but still...
Seems no one here is/was concerned about Sanders. Cotch td's would be hard to replace but I see no reason why those won't go to someone else, be it Wheaton or Moye, Miller or a player yet to be named (drafted/signed). Supposed to be a good draft for WR.

 
QB - No complaints here.

OL - Should be OK but always seems to cause ulcers.

WR - Let's start with losing Cotch and Sanders - last year they combined for 113/1340/16. Moye and Wheaton on the other hand went for 8/84/0. Sure they MAY develop and I liked what I saw from Wheaton but with just Brown I don't get a warm fuzzy from the WR core.

RB - I think Bell will be a stud but Dwyer/Jones did a good job of spelling him. We have NO depth behind Bell. I was really hoping Starks would sign. So as of right now we're praying Bell doesn't get hurt.

DL - Not a strength last year and they lost Ziggy, Woods and still no Kiesel. If he does sign what does he have left at 36. That leaves Heyward, and the mystery that is Arnfelt and Cam. Not much else. No depth here either.

CB - I'm eh on this group.

SS/FS - I'm on OK with this group.

LB - Good to go.

As it stands they're not a better team than they were last season and without the ability to spend in FA the lack of depth has caught up with them.
Adding my thoughts to what you did here.

OL - IMHO the team is a stud LT short of being one of the top lines in the NFL. I'd love to see the Steelers either move Mike Adams to guard or see if we can get anything in a trade for him. How long will it take for the Steelers FO to realize he can't handle an average speed rush?

RB - Bell does appear to be the workhorse Pittsburgh was hoping for, but quality depth is a must. The FO should be doing their homework to find the right pieces to compliment Ben and Bell. My favorite candidate by a mile is Henry Josey as an effective runner in the ZBS. Major knee injury could help to keep his draft stock low.

WR - Losses here stand out on paper, but also over rated. Ben will miss Cotchery's red zone presence but it isn't realistic to think he'd sniff last year's TD production even if he signed with Pittsburgh. I'd expect the Steelers will try to sign or draft a big WR or TE target. Oft injured 6'4" Sidney Rice is scheduled for a visit (don't get your hopes up).

TE - Miller, Spaeth and Paulson are the guys right now. Miller is under rated & under utilized. Spaeth is a solid blocker and Paulson is the wild card who flashed receiving skill, but fumbles are unacceptable.

DL - Shaky at best. Tomlin himself was in ND giving the prospects a hard look. Pittsburgh has really needed a true 3-4 NT ever since Casey Hampton tailed off at the end of his career. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Steelers reach for one in the 1st round.

CB/S - The search will continue to add quality CB to the fold. Keenan Lewis' departure without a fight last year is still a head scratcher. Overall the entire group has shown a marked improvement under Carnell Lake. An eventual replacement for Ike is one of many priorities.

It's a changing of the guard time in Pittsburgh, though the team should still be very competitive in the AFC as long as Ben is healthy.

 
Shaping up to be rough a season in '14.
How you figure? Losing RC and Woodley hurts but they adequately replaced RC and Woodley missed a lot of time. Losing Woods and Ziggy is sort of big, esp if they don't get Kiesel (or sign someone) back but there's still time. Cotch hurts a little but not if Moye and Wheaton develop.
Sanders and Cotchery accounted for 16 TDs last season. Any way you slice it that is a lot of production to make up with two guys that have 1 career TD between them.

Obviously they will sign a vet and most likely spend a high draft pick on a WR but still...
Seems no one here is/was concerned about Sanders. Cotch td's would be hard to replace but I see no reason why those won't go to someone else, be it Wheaton or Moye, Miller or a player yet to be named (drafted/signed). Supposed to be a good draft for WR.
It is more like not crying over spilled milk. I wasn't alone thinking a 3rd round pick from NE would have been better than keeping Sanders last season.

:kicksrock:

 
Shaping up to be rough a season in '14.
How you figure? Losing RC and Woodley hurts but they adequately replaced RC and Woodley missed a lot of time. Losing Woods and Ziggy is sort of big, esp if they don't get Kiesel (or sign someone) back but there's still time. Cotch hurts a little but not if Moye and Wheaton develop.
Sanders and Cotchery accounted for 16 TDs last season. Any way you slice it that is a lot of production to make up with two guys that have 1 career TD between them.

Obviously they will sign a vet and most likely spend a high draft pick on a WR but still...
Seems no one here is/was concerned about Sanders. Cotch td's would be hard to replace but I see no reason why those won't go to someone else, be it Wheaton or Moye, Miller or a player yet to be named (drafted/signed). Supposed to be a good draft for WR.
I wouldn't be too concerned over either of them but losing both is a BIG concern. I haven't seen enough of Wheaton and Moye to be confident that either are up for the #4 spot let alone #2 or #3. Two tears ago our WR corps was AB, Wallace, Sanders and Cotchery -- OUCH!

 
3C said:
geneyus said:
Shaping up to be rough a season in '14.
How you figure? Losing RC and Woodley hurts but they adequately replaced RC and Woodley missed a lot of time. Losing Woods and Ziggy is sort of big, esp if they don't get Kiesel (or sign someone) back but there's still time. Cotch hurts a little but not if Moye and Wheaton develop.
I think they are better off at both spots this year.

 
Starks, and players of his ilk, are precisely why you shouldn't get that bent out of shape when the Jon Dwyers of the league get cut from your favorite team's roster. Guys who look just like him are usually available every offseason.
Starks and Jon Dwyer both have new contracts on other teams now (along with Tate, Toby Gerhart, McFadden and Donald Brown)

Who's left other than MJD, Blounte, Knowshon? ( I doubt any of them will be cheap). Does anyone have Amos Zeroue's phone number?
Why wouldn't one of them come cheap? Music is going to stop soon, very few chairs left.

 
Godsbrother said:
3C said:
Godsbrother said:
3C said:
geneyus said:
Shaping up to be rough a season in '14.
How you figure? Losing RC and Woodley hurts but they adequately replaced RC and Woodley missed a lot of time. Losing Woods and Ziggy is sort of big, esp if they don't get Kiesel (or sign someone) back but there's still time. Cotch hurts a little but not if Moye and Wheaton develop.
Sanders and Cotchery accounted for 16 TDs last season. Any way you slice it that is a lot of production to make up with two guys that have 1 career TD between them.

Obviously they will sign a vet and most likely spend a high draft pick on a WR but still...
Seems no one here is/was concerned about Sanders. Cotch td's would be hard to replace but I see no reason why those won't go to someone else, be it Wheaton or Moye, Miller or a player yet to be named (drafted/signed). Supposed to be a good draft for WR.
I wouldn't be too concerned over either of them but losing both is a BIG concern. I haven't seen enough of Wheaton and Moye to be confident that either are up for the #4 spot let alone #2 or #3. Two tears ago our WR corps was AB, Wallace, Sanders and Cotchery -- OUCH!
I'd think if the Steelers were overly concerned about WR they'd have made more of a push to keep Cotchery or sign a FA. :shrug:

It's certainly a position of concern to us out here, they'll be young and largely inexperienced, but I think they'll be fine. Honestly if Mike Evans falls to them and if he's everything he's made out to be it goes from a position of concern to a position of "they're set for years." If not, there's still several others that look to be very good pros.

 
They are doing the right thing with WR's and RB's. Whoever is going to come in is going to come in at their price. What is left out there is talent that carries risk with it and is pretty much an interchangable part. I would have liked them to spend a little money on Carrington to make sure he signed, even if it was a 1 year deal. The defensive line is what scares me far more than WR depth. WR can be had in the draft and come in and make an impact. Same can not be said for Lebeaus DLineman.

 
He may not be the player he was a few years ago, not that he was a stud, but Brees likes him.

via nfl.com: Brees will miss Lance MooreDarren Sproles' departure from New Orleans got more attention this offseason, and Brees has spoken about how difficult it was to lose him. But Brees nearly got emotional about how much he'll miss Lance Moore as a player and a friend.

"It's tough. It's really tough. You know it's not going to last forever but it doesn't make it any easier when the day comes. (Moore) was always an unsung hero. ... Lance was just the quiet guy who just made plays and did what we asked him to do. I can think of so many big plays he had for us in his career," Brees said.

Brees took a few seconds, looking for the right words.

"It's all rushing through my mind right now. You enjoy coming to work every day to be around guys like Lance."

 
Report: LeGarrette Blount to pay Steelers a visit
by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com
Free agent running back LeGarrette Blount has scheduled a visit with the Steelers for Sunday, league sources has told The National Football Post.

The Patriots have continued to show an interest in Blount, who ran wild down the stretch in 2013 to establish himself as a viable featured back. The Ravens have also have reportedly also eyed Blount.

The Steelers had fellow free agent back Maurice Jones-Drew in for a visit this week as well, but no deal with him has been reached.
 
I'm sure some won't like it, some will see a big downgrade, but Lance Moore is now a Steeler. Great fit IMO.

 
My takeaways for the Steelers in the Shark Pool mock if anyone is remotely interested...

Round 1)

1.15 - ✦ Pittsburgh selects Michigan St CB Darqueze Dennard

The selection is the best "mirror" cornerback in the draft. Especially love the ability to handle the slot/nickel.

While Justin Gilbert might lend himself better to an outside corner who can play zone and help the run (very typical for the Steelers historically under Lebeau) and excel on special teams... the value of a true coverage type corner with slot ability has gone up considerably in recent years. Even Pittsburgh and their zone scheme was ready to take Revis a couple seasons ago.

Also very high on the coverage and range of HaSean Clinton-Dix. But the news is that FS Louis Delmas and the Steelers have made each other a priority.
Round 2)

2.14 (#46) - ✦ Pittsburgh selects Jordan Matthews WR Vanderbilt

Hands, hands, hands.

The

Josh Mauro holding that weight with strength is a terrific sign. He was 282 at the bowl. Still needs about-10 solid pounds.

Hopefully he stays a sneaky pick with people passing on a workman type of 5-tech DE.

Ben Gardener though, wow. A non combine invite, killing it.

Compare him to Lamaar Woodleys pro-day 6'1' 266, 4.74, 38.5", 9'9". (6'4", 262, 4.83, 39.5", 10'2")

Gardner is only 0.09 off Woodleys 40-time. And better at every other measurable.

And his 6.78 3-cone would have been tied for 2nd best in the entire combine for DEs and LBs. (With Trent Murphy no less).

Now he did miss the bench press because he had a pectoral injury late in the year. And Woodley had a terrific 29 reps.

 
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We don't have enough picks......

We desperately need an ILB-Buck, we gave up far too many big plays last year due to players being out of position. Timmons gets lost when he doesn't have an able Buck to set the D, we need to get him help so he is free to make impact plays. We have 2 first year starters at OLB and so far, very little depth. LB is a huge issue for me, with Buck at the forefront.

Unfortunately in most of the mocks I have seen all the good Bucks are getting snapped up in RD 3, and currently we do not have a RD 3 pick. (The first time the Steelers traded away a future pick in 40 years)

I would love to get a Borland or Smallwood in Rd 3, provided we had a pick..

CJ Mosley addresses this need in RD #1, until he gets hurt which he has a propensity to do. And I'm not certain how you can pick CJ if Mike Evans or one of the LT's fall.

If we get a 3rd comp, and we do not address Buck in the first, then we are hoping one falls to us in the 3rd, in that scenario it's highly likely we go through yet another draft without addressing our primary need @ Buck.

This position should have been addressed one year prior to Farriors retirement. It has not adequately been addressed since and when Foote went down last year we had to change our whole D because we really didn't have a plan. We gave the green dot to practice squad player (Kion), then to a Rookie (Williams), then to Timmons, and then we brought Troy up to play a LB role to help out. Unacceptable.

We get a Buck that can quickly learn to set the D, and we will have gone a long way towards what is ailing this defense.

 
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The way the thinking is going now, the top teams in need of a QB's are entertaining the idea of going BPA in Rd #1 and grabbing a QB in RD 2.

This could play into the Steelers hands particularly if Cleveland went BPA with their first pick and their QB is on the board @15, teams that have QB need and a high 2nd rd draft pick know that Cleveland is likely to take QB@26 and they can trade up in front of them.

Cleveland can negate that by trading with the Steelers 15 for 26 and we get our original 3rd back.`At that point we have legitimate options in RD#1 Koujo, Moses, Fuller, or Verett. WR or falling DT in Rd#2, and ILB-Buck in Rd 3

Cleveland has to love a QB in order for that to happen.

One more trade thought is that Colbert, in the past, has traded a 2nd to get multiple 3rds and 4ths, and traded those as well to maneuver throughout the draft. I hope he gets that creative again.

The last thing we need is our guy sprinting up to the podium with 9 minutes left on the clock to turn in our pick like we're the smartest kid in class. The last 7 years of drafting have proven that we are not.

And once you turn that card in you have killed all potential trade opportunities.

There is value in the time ticking on the clock, utilize it.

 

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