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✦✦✦Official 2014 Pittsburgh Steelers Thread (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter BigSteelThrill
- Start date
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
>>>>"It wasn't just Archer's speed that impressed the Steelers; it was the manner in which he ran. He needed just 18 strides to run the 40 -- the same amount of steps as Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson, who is 6-5."
I noticed that in his highlight films on youtube -- the ground he was covering per stride, especially for such a short due, was ridiculous.
Franknbeans
Footballguy
this is interesting...
The Steelers are not in a hurry to rush Richardson into a role on defense. As it turned out, cornerback was not as big of a need for the Steelers as many analysts had believed.
Lake agreed with defensive coordinator **** LeBeau, who said Friday that he liked many of the free-agent cornerbacks on the roster. Lake singled out Antwon Blake, who joined the team in 2013, and Brice McCain, who was signed as a free agent earlier this spring.
"Antwon Blake is one, very fast, quick aggressive corner that I liked coming out last year," Lake said. "We were fortunate to grab him in free agency, and he's turned out to be very productive for us, especially on special teams. We got Brice McCain in the offseason, who I have been working with on the field the last couple of weeks. I'm really impressed with the way he moves.
"I think these guys are just getting started. They have the ability to cover and stay close to receivers. For guys who have been picked up in free agency that may have been overlooked in the past, I'm pretty excited about them. I think we have the ability to plug in and play some of the players we've picked up."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/05/11/Steelers-coach-Lake-offers-Shaquille-Richardson-a-second-opportunity/stories/201405110156#ixzz31RiPvcRZ
The Steelers are not in a hurry to rush Richardson into a role on defense. As it turned out, cornerback was not as big of a need for the Steelers as many analysts had believed.
Lake agreed with defensive coordinator **** LeBeau, who said Friday that he liked many of the free-agent cornerbacks on the roster. Lake singled out Antwon Blake, who joined the team in 2013, and Brice McCain, who was signed as a free agent earlier this spring.
"Antwon Blake is one, very fast, quick aggressive corner that I liked coming out last year," Lake said. "We were fortunate to grab him in free agency, and he's turned out to be very productive for us, especially on special teams. We got Brice McCain in the offseason, who I have been working with on the field the last couple of weeks. I'm really impressed with the way he moves.
"I think these guys are just getting started. They have the ability to cover and stay close to receivers. For guys who have been picked up in free agency that may have been overlooked in the past, I'm pretty excited about them. I think we have the ability to plug in and play some of the players we've picked up."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/05/11/Steelers-coach-Lake-offers-Shaquille-Richardson-a-second-opportunity/stories/201405110156#ixzz31RiPvcRZ
3C's
Footballguy
Of course they're going to say that but is it true and do they really believe it? I don't think the situation is as grave as some (most) others do because if they can get better (which we think they have) in the front 7 that takes a lot of pressure of the DBs and by having Shazier who is not the liability Williams/Garvin are you can get Troy back into more of a rover role instead of a pseudo linebacker.
That said, the concern is depth, Ike is probably in his last year and Cortez is a FA after this year.
Heard this little tidbit about Brice McCain. He's rated the worst CB last year by Pro Football Focus and some people have heard that and think there's no way he makes the team. Some of those same people think William Gay sucks. William Gay made the list of most underrated CB by PFF. They say he should be making top CB money. So, take PFF for what it's worth.
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
Trey Wingo: "... give me the team you thought did really well."
Mel Kiper: "Im going to go with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rival of my Baltimore Ravens. Look what they did. They got that attitude back on defense with Ryan Shazier, Stephon Tuitt. Added Dri Archer that could be a Darren Sproles type. Martvius Bryant when you think about what he can do as a receiver coming in. I think this team did a good job from start to finish. Love some of their day 3 picks as well."
His overall grade landed Pittsburgh with an A-.
The other panel members picked Rams, Ravens and 49ers.
Mel Kiper: "Im going to go with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rival of my Baltimore Ravens. Look what they did. They got that attitude back on defense with Ryan Shazier, Stephon Tuitt. Added Dri Archer that could be a Darren Sproles type. Martvius Bryant when you think about what he can do as a receiver coming in. I think this team did a good job from start to finish. Love some of their day 3 picks as well."
His overall grade landed Pittsburgh with an A-.
The other panel members picked Rams, Ravens and 49ers.
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Kenny Powers
Footballguy
Kenny Powers
Footballguy
Im optimistic Archer can be effective in the NFL and maintain the explosiveness he displayed in college, but Im still not sure taking him was a better idea than going CB with that pick and taking someone like Seastrunk in the 5th round instead.
3C's
Footballguy
I think pretty much everyone is "stuck" on the Archer pick. His first NFL TD will change that.
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
LVH sports book in Las Vegas released updated odds for next year’s championship...
Steelers 25/1
Tied for 9th with Baltimore and Philly.
http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/static/total_access/sbo57.jpg
Steelers 25/1
Tied for 9th with Baltimore and Philly.
http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c1910342/media_center/images/static/total_access/sbo57.jpg
Lutherman2112
Footballguy
"Countdown: Behind The Scenes Story of the 2014 Pittsburgh Steelers Draft"Four part series on steelers.com
Bojang0301
Omar4Heisman
I understand the need and want to get younger/faster on defense but I still hope bringing back Kiesel is in their plans and James Harrison is no part of their plan.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
IMO, a big part of the reason they took Archer (and why I predicted he might be the pick after looking at who was still available) is that there wasn't tremendous value at the need positions. I would have defended taking Bryant there, but he's uber raw and a developmental prospect who likely didn't warrant a day 2 selection based on production in the NCAA. He's all upside. There simply wasn't a CB available that projected as an early starter, that ship sailed when they passed on Dennard in the first round. So, they went with a guy that's going to inject speed into the offense. When you look at a lot of their FA pickups and draft picks, there's a common thread there. Heyward-Bey. Mitchell. Shazier. Archer. Bryant. It's clear that the Steelers brass felt like the whole team was a step slow last year and they clearly had a laser focus on upgrading the speed and athleticism across the roster. DHB and Bryant add speed to the WR corps, Shazier to the front 7, Mitchell to the secondary. Archer does this for the return game, the backfield, and the slot all in one fell swoop.
Time will tell if he goes down too easily to be an impact player (entirely possible.) But they clearly saw him as a guy that can affect a game with his wheels in multiple phases. He's not going to see much, if any, time in the backfield because even on 3rd downs, he's a liability (to be kind) in pass pro. However, they can use him in gadget plays, hybrid wildcat formations, in the kicking game, in the slot, split out wide. So what if he only gets 6-7 touches a game (if that)? Is that really too few to make an impact? How many touches per game did Calvin Johnson or AJ Green get last year? Certainly not comparing Archer to those guys, just pointing out that if a guy can get downfield and/or make plays in space, you don't need to give a guy the ball 15 times a game for him to make an impact. Even as a decoy, Archer's speed has to be accounted for.
Kenny Powers
Footballguy
Just playing devil's advocate here, but how many kicks will he be returning when I dunno, 80-90% of kickoffs are going thru the back of the endzone? There very well might be a handful of games where he has 0 kick returns.
On average, about 50% of kickoffs go for touchbacks. Considerably fewer are considered "unreturnable," though that is of course subjective.
It's an advantage no matter how you slice it, if you have a potentially great return guy returning half of all kickoffs, or if you force them to kick away from him, thus giving up field position, or if you get them to try to force it deeper than the natural kicking motion will allow, generating more mistakes, i.e. out-of-bounds kicks.
You can't say the KR is the weapon it was during the prior era, but it's still a weapon in the field position game.
3C's
Footballguy
Exactly. And this is a huge upgrade over Felix Jones going backwards. Very few of the kickoffs are going through the endzone so he'll be able to return quite a few that would be touchbacks for a lesser (Felix) player. And he'll be used on more than just kickoffs.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
He can return punts too. Only reason he didn't last year, according to his coach, is because he was injured and they didn't want to expose him to too many hits. Won't be a problem in Pittsburgh.
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
4.38 at 237 lbs.42" VJ.
He is going to be the fastest player on the field in a lot of games (he doesn't have to play against his own offense or ST, Wheaton was a sprinter, and the draft brought Archer, fastest man at the combine and took a run at Chris Johnson's record). Insane burst, short area explosion and acceleration. Maybe the best I've ever seen at LB. I'm not sure if I've had a similar experience when watching a slo-mo replay and it looked like he was moving regular speed!
Probably mentioned downthread (I started reading a little before here), but it sounds like PIT is planning for the future, with an aging Polamalu, as the heir apparent to their most explosive defensive playmaker (just from LB instead of safety). Polamalu plays bigger than his size, and Shazier runs faster than his size. Polamalu and Bob Sanders (5'10" and 5'8", respectively, each about 205-210 lbs.) both ran a sub-4.4 and had 40"+ VJs. Shazier did that, is 3-5 inches taller and about 30 lbs. heavier. Intimidating striker, will be nasty on blitzes. The kind of athlete capable of transcending position, blowing up plays and being a disruptor that makes the rest of the defense better. Having a Polamalu is like the queen piece in chess, because he can do everything and play anywhere. Carnell was impressed at his workout, and he is one of the greatest athletes in PIT history (UCLA LB played safety and even CB as a pro).
He has flaws, was thought to be a more natural fit at 4-3 WLB, reportedly not an ideal POA (point of attack) defender or at taking on blocks. Sounds like they have a plan to cover him up so he can do what he does best, he may move into Timmons role?
Jene Bramel mentioned that a best case scenario was Daryl Washington (6'2" 230 lbs., didn't test as well, but few do), but not Navorro Bowman. But even that is a little ambiguous, as Washington had a Defensive Player of the Year-type campaign in 2012, before being suspended to start the 2013 season.
I think they will eventually make him the centerpiece of the defense, and he will be one of the best in the league in a few years.
Mentioned elsewhere, but DAL was on the phone with him when PIT took him, so Martin was their consolation prize. I wrote shortly before the draft that players that seemed to be flying up the board were OBJ, Donald, Shazier and Fuller. While not in order, they went 12, 13, 14 and 15. Definitely many knowledgeable posters in this thread I respect a lot, but I'm not sure how many appreciate the magnitude or scale Shazier's incendiary combo of speed, explosiveness and athleticism for the LB position would register on the historical FREAK-O-METER . He might be a mutation. IMO, not hard to see why he was the kind of player teams might trade up for, or that might go in the top half of the first round.
If Lamarcus Joyner is a little stick of dynamite (he is), Shazier is a Tomahawk cruise missile.
* Is it fair to say PIT in recent draft history doesn't move around a lot (down or up), especially in the first round?
Teddy Bruschi noted that Shazier could be the new prototype at the position.
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AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
Moved down 3 positions in rd1 (from 16 to 19) to get Casey Hampton in 2001Bob Magaw said:
Moved up 11 picks in rd 1 (27 to 16) to get Polamalu in 2003
moved up 7 picks in rd 1 (32
to 25) in 2006 to get Santonio Holmes.With the Shazier pick they have stayed put for the last 8 years now.
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Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Nice moves in each case. Maybe they should do it more often?
Guess Shazier's alopecia condition rules out saying he plays like his hair is on fire, have to come up with another hackneyed cliche for his intensity and relentlessness.
* Highlights for Ryan "Bullet Time" Shazier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmT5sX7G3xk
On three straight plays...
Looks like he was shot out of the proverbial cannon on the blitz at the 1:00 mark. Check out how fast he closes on the QB. Taking off from the 20 yard line, from the time the nitrous after burners kick in as he crosses the 15 yard stripe and hits the QB about the 8 yard line, I started to count - one one thousand, two one thousand, and got to - one one th/. With a running start, he was able to cover the final seven yards in a blur. That can't be good for opposing QBs and ball carriers?
At 1:08, drops into coverage for an INT/TD.
Check out the hit at 1:18 where he starts in the far right of the frame, easily eludes the block of OL #73 and torpedoes the opposing ball carrier like he was hit with an electric axe handle. That is a Polamalu-like hit. He was born to be a Steeler.
Also, the 3:04 mark is the slo-mo play where it looks like everybody else is in slo-mo and he is in Neo/agent bullet time, flashing by LT #77 as he flails with a late punch to the side of the helmet (in fairness, how do you stop a program from the Matrix that is everywhere and nowhere at the same time?), finishing by rag dolling the QB.
** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu0rP2VWLWw
An AFC North fan from the future explaining the implications for the rest of the division by the Steelers drafting Shazier.
*** Separated at birth?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtYcUAIEW5w
The infamous Andre Smith shirtless 40 (don't watch this if you just ate), brilliant choice of Vangelis Chariots of Fire score.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trGbQG7OKNw
Shazier's pro day 40 (starts at 1:05), looking like he was chiselled out of granite.
**** Pre-draft interview on the Jim Rome show, on why he is the most versatile LB in the class of '14.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5dEKme2bpA
Guess Shazier's alopecia condition rules out saying he plays like his hair is on fire, have to come up with another hackneyed cliche for his intensity and relentlessness.
* Highlights for Ryan "Bullet Time" Shazier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmT5sX7G3xk
On three straight plays...
Looks like he was shot out of the proverbial cannon on the blitz at the 1:00 mark. Check out how fast he closes on the QB. Taking off from the 20 yard line, from the time the nitrous after burners kick in as he crosses the 15 yard stripe and hits the QB about the 8 yard line, I started to count - one one thousand, two one thousand, and got to - one one th/. With a running start, he was able to cover the final seven yards in a blur. That can't be good for opposing QBs and ball carriers?
At 1:08, drops into coverage for an INT/TD.
Check out the hit at 1:18 where he starts in the far right of the frame, easily eludes the block of OL #73 and torpedoes the opposing ball carrier like he was hit with an electric axe handle.
That is a Polamalu-like hit. He was born to be a Steeler.Also, the 3:04 mark is the slo-mo play where it looks like everybody else is in slo-mo and he is in Neo/agent bullet time, flashing by LT #77 as he flails with a late punch to the side of the helmet (in fairness, how do you stop a program from the Matrix that is everywhere and nowhere at the same time?), finishing by rag dolling the QB.
** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu0rP2VWLWw
An AFC North fan from the future explaining the implications for the rest of the division by the Steelers drafting Shazier.
*** Separated at birth?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtYcUAIEW5w
The infamous Andre Smith shirtless 40 (don't watch this if you just ate), brilliant choice of Vangelis Chariots of Fire score.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trGbQG7OKNw
Shazier's pro day 40 (starts at 1:05), looking like he was chiselled out of granite.
**** Pre-draft interview on the Jim Rome show, on why he is the most versatile LB in the class of '14.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5dEKme2bpA
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Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Awesome stuff, Bob. Please post here more.
Evilgrin 72
Distributor of Pain
Archer switched to #13, meaning he'll be listed as a WR. That's where I expect he'll see most/all of his time, but I'm a little surprised by this move. Steelers have nothing behind Bell and Blount and if they dress 5 receivers, that means either Bryant or DHB are likely inactive on Sundays if Archer is the return guy.
3C's
Footballguy
I don't think it affects where they line him up or who dresses on game day. They'll still play him split out, lined up in the backfield, returns etc. So if he wears 13 or 34 they still keep the same personnel. IMO. You could be right though that he becomes the 5th WR on game day at the expense of someone else and they add another RB.
One thing someone mentioned that makes sense with a very big if...if he turns out to be special and if as an UFA they franchise him, being designated a WR is bigger $$ than being designated a RB.
You think Mike Wallace scared teams running a 9 route...wait until they see this guy.
3C's
Footballguy
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
I kind of hope Heyward Beys 4.3 combine # does a bit of the same. Its still .03 faster then Mike Wallace.You think Mike Wallace scared teams running a 9 route...wait until they see this guy.
Im not big on Darrius as a standard WR, but when a play breaks down we've seen what happens with that kind of speed running behind DBs.
Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Thanks, EG.
Good thread, you have many knowledgeable posters here.
I don't know the Steelers nearly as well as many of you, but I know a great LB when I see one. He is like the Alien, a perfectly evolved life form for hunting offenses, especially given how the game is trending. If you used bio-CAD software to design a LB in the lab purpose built to attack contemporary offenses, it would spit out specs something like Shazier (he does kind of have the cyborg look going on
).I'd be very surprised if he doesn't start immediately, which is in itself suggestive that he is rare, as that isn't common for PIT rookie defenders. It should be fun to watch him get coached up and develop right in front of our eyes. IMO, Pro Bowl tools.
* I've watched him some more since the above posts, and it wasn't hyperbole. He has AMONG the most shocking suddenness, electric burst and closing speed to finish I can ever recall from the LB position (LT had some serious get off and explosion).
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Bob Magaw
Footballguy
Impact rookies from SI.
http://nfl.si.com/2014/05/16/sammy-watkins-darqueze-dennard-nfl-draft-impact-players-afc/3/
Pittsburgh Steelers — Linebacker Ryan Shazier
The Steelers picked Shazier with the 15th overall pick for one clear reason — to help a run defense that struggled at the second level in 2013. Last season, per ESPN, Shazier was the only player in the FBS to total more than 100 tackles and 20 tackles per loss.
“He’s a defensive playmaker,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “Bigger than anything, bigger than position needs, what we needed was a defensive playmaker… He is a guy who will be on his feet making sideline-to-sideline tackles associated with today’s football. Quite frankly, the man doesn’t have any holes.”
Well, despite taking Shazier and Notre Dame Stephon Tuitt in the first two rounds, Pittsburgh still has holes in its front seven, the result of iffy drafts and personnel attrition. The rookies will certainly help, though.
http://nfl.si.com/2014/05/16/sammy-watkins-darqueze-dennard-nfl-draft-impact-players-afc/3/
Pittsburgh Steelers — Linebacker Ryan Shazier
The Steelers picked Shazier with the 15th overall pick for one clear reason — to help a run defense that struggled at the second level in 2013. Last season, per ESPN, Shazier was the only player in the FBS to total more than 100 tackles and 20 tackles per loss.
“He’s a defensive playmaker,” head coach Mike Tomlin said. “Bigger than anything, bigger than position needs, what we needed was a defensive playmaker… He is a guy who will be on his feet making sideline-to-sideline tackles associated with today’s football. Quite frankly, the man doesn’t have any holes.”
Well, despite taking Shazier and Notre Dame Stephon Tuitt in the first two rounds, Pittsburgh still has holes in its front seven, the result of iffy drafts and personnel attrition. The rookies will certainly help, though.
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
2014 NFL travel miles (Road games where team travels over 2,000 miles)
1. Raiders: 36,106 miles (4 -- including London)
2. Seahawks: 26,144 (3)
3. Cowboys: 24,746 (1 -- including London)
4. Dolphins: 24,546 (1 -- including London)
5. Jaguars: 22,230 (2 -- including London)
6. Chargers: 20,186 (3)
7. 49ers: 19,932 (1)
8. Rams: 17,850 (0)
9. Cardinals: 17,728 (1)
10. Chiefs: 17,658 (0)
11. Eagles: 17,572 (2)
12. Falcons: 17,320 (1 -- including London)
13. Redskins: 17,268 (2)
14. Broncos: 17,258 (0)
15. Patriots: 16,722 (1)
16. Lions: 16,242 (1 -- including London)
17. Texans: 15,848 (0)
18. Jets: 15,130 (1)
19. Bills: 14,932 (1)
20. Giants: 14,016 (1)
21. Packers: 12,812 (0)
22. Vikings: 12,460 (0)
23. Buccaneers: 12,082 (0)
24. Saints: 11,268 (0)
25. Ravens: 10,976 (0)
26. Bears: 10,704 (0)
27. Colts: 9,664 (0)
28. Panthers: 8,438 (0)
29. Bengals: 8,222 (0)
30. Titans: 7,958 (0)
31. Browns: 6,084 (0)
32. Steelers: 5,896 (0)
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24571101/nfl-schedule-raiders-travel-most-miles-steelers-least
1. Raiders: 36,106 miles (4 -- including London)
2. Seahawks: 26,144 (3)
3. Cowboys: 24,746 (1 -- including London)
4. Dolphins: 24,546 (1 -- including London)
5. Jaguars: 22,230 (2 -- including London)
6. Chargers: 20,186 (3)
7. 49ers: 19,932 (1)
8. Rams: 17,850 (0)
9. Cardinals: 17,728 (1)
10. Chiefs: 17,658 (0)
11. Eagles: 17,572 (2)
12. Falcons: 17,320 (1 -- including London)
13. Redskins: 17,268 (2)
14. Broncos: 17,258 (0)
15. Patriots: 16,722 (1)
16. Lions: 16,242 (1 -- including London)
17. Texans: 15,848 (0)
18. Jets: 15,130 (1)
19. Bills: 14,932 (1)
20. Giants: 14,016 (1)
21. Packers: 12,812 (0)
22. Vikings: 12,460 (0)
23. Buccaneers: 12,082 (0)
24. Saints: 11,268 (0)
25. Ravens: 10,976 (0)
26. Bears: 10,704 (0)
27. Colts: 9,664 (0)
28. Panthers: 8,438 (0)
29. Bengals: 8,222 (0)
30. Titans: 7,958 (0)
31. Browns: 6,084 (0)
32. Steelers: 5,896 (0)
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24571101/nfl-schedule-raiders-travel-most-miles-steelers-least
JoeSteeler
Footballguy
what is the cap situation come June1? Any low cost FA out there they could go after?
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
Woodley frees up 8.5 million.
We had 310,000.
So 8.8 million.
Our rookies will eat up about 3.6 of that. (The rookies that count, that is. Rounds 5,6,7 will just be offset from our roster)
So 5.2 million free.
But Worilds, Pouncey, Gilbert are all needing possible extensions as 2015 free agents. Maybe even Ben, DeCastro and Heyward as 2016 free agents.
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5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
If Worilds gets extended that should increase the cap for '14, not reduce it.
3C's
Footballguy
If you hit on this bet, even one side of it, you'd rake in the cash.
Herm Edwards Super Bowl XLIX prediction (May 2014 version) @TBBuccaneers vs @Steelers
Herm Edwards Super Bowl XLIX prediction (May 2014 version) @TBBuccaneers vs @Steelers
Metallurgist
Footballguy
AP/Yahoo article talking Blounts
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Since Jerome Bettis retired after the 2005 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have searched for a big, bruising running back in his mold.
The list of hopefuls has been long, if not particularly distinguished.
Verron Haynes, Najee Davenport, Carey Davis, Gary Russell, Frank Summers, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman all failed to consistently provide production in short-yardage and goal line situations.
Enter LeGarrette Blount. The 6-foot, 250-pound veteran certainly looks the part. And while he has a long way to go to be mentioned with the likes of Bettis, there have been plenty of flashes during his four seasons in the league. Blount averaged 5.0 yards per carry while splitting time with Stevan Ridley in New England last season, and gashed the Indianapolis Colts for 166 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs.
Though second-year back Le'Veon Bell remains the starter, Blount is confident he can make an impact no matter what situation.
''I know they brought me in here to run the football, so I hope there are plenty of carries to go around,'' Blount said Wednesday. ''I know that Le'Veon is going to get his fair share, so I hope there's enough for all of us.''
''That's my running style,'' Blount said. ''That's how I run the football, and I feel like (Bell) is also a big, tough running back, too. So, that's just how this team is built, with a physical running game, and I think that's what they're trying to get back to. So, hopefully, we can do that.''Bell, last year's second-round pick, missed the opening three games while recovering from a preseason foot injury. But he still played nearly 700 snaps, a heavy workload the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Bell managed with ease. Still, the Steelers will find opportunities to go from the patient and pragmatic Bell to the bruising Blount, with the emphasis on bruising.
Blount noted a balanced offense is needed to make a run to the Super Bowl such as the ones by Seattle and Denver last year. The champion Seahawks had Marshawn Lynch running the ball and Russell Wilson throwing it, while the Broncos ran the ball with Knowshon Moreno when Peyton Manning wasn't breaking NFL passing records.
''I think it's huge for us to (sign Blount), because I've always said that we need to be a balanced offense,'' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. ''So, we need to run the ball. We need to be great at running the ball, and we've got guys that want to be great at running the ball. So, hopefully, we can do it and do it successfully.''
Blount added that while his body type and size make him an ideal power back, he has a variety of skill sets, such as catching the football and running away from defenders in the open field. But he certainly has proven he can run over them as well. Those attributes, combined with Bell's slashing style, should give the Steelers a solid one-two punch.
''I think we have a really good mix of running backs,'' Blount said. ''(But) I've seen the NFL Network, and they have these top 10 or top five running back duos in the NFL. I noticed that we're not one of them, and I don't like it. In all honesty, I believe they're downgrading the skill level that we have in our backfield. . I think that's kind of disrespectful.''
Does that mean Blount and Bell have something to prove?
''We're not going to go out here and go on about how we're not in that group,'' Blount said. ''But we're going to go out there and show that we belong there with our performance.''
NOTES: RB Dri Archer has missed the opening two OTAs, just like linebacker Jordan Zumwalt from UCLA, because his school is on the quarters system and their class has not yet graduated. . OTAs continue Thursday and also run Tuesday through Thursday next week.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Since Jerome Bettis retired after the 2005 NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have searched for a big, bruising running back in his mold.
The list of hopefuls has been long, if not particularly distinguished.
Verron Haynes, Najee Davenport, Carey Davis, Gary Russell, Frank Summers, Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman all failed to consistently provide production in short-yardage and goal line situations.
Enter LeGarrette Blount. The 6-foot, 250-pound veteran certainly looks the part. And while he has a long way to go to be mentioned with the likes of Bettis, there have been plenty of flashes during his four seasons in the league. Blount averaged 5.0 yards per carry while splitting time with Stevan Ridley in New England last season, and gashed the Indianapolis Colts for 166 yards and four touchdowns in the playoffs.
Though second-year back Le'Veon Bell remains the starter, Blount is confident he can make an impact no matter what situation.
''I know they brought me in here to run the football, so I hope there are plenty of carries to go around,'' Blount said Wednesday. ''I know that Le'Veon is going to get his fair share, so I hope there's enough for all of us.''
''That's my running style,'' Blount said. ''That's how I run the football, and I feel like (Bell) is also a big, tough running back, too. So, that's just how this team is built, with a physical running game, and I think that's what they're trying to get back to. So, hopefully, we can do that.''Bell, last year's second-round pick, missed the opening three games while recovering from a preseason foot injury. But he still played nearly 700 snaps, a heavy workload the 6-foot-1, 230-pound Bell managed with ease. Still, the Steelers will find opportunities to go from the patient and pragmatic Bell to the bruising Blount, with the emphasis on bruising.
Blount noted a balanced offense is needed to make a run to the Super Bowl such as the ones by Seattle and Denver last year. The champion Seahawks had Marshawn Lynch running the ball and Russell Wilson throwing it, while the Broncos ran the ball with Knowshon Moreno when Peyton Manning wasn't breaking NFL passing records.
''I think it's huge for us to (sign Blount), because I've always said that we need to be a balanced offense,'' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. ''So, we need to run the ball. We need to be great at running the ball, and we've got guys that want to be great at running the ball. So, hopefully, we can do it and do it successfully.''
Blount added that while his body type and size make him an ideal power back, he has a variety of skill sets, such as catching the football and running away from defenders in the open field. But he certainly has proven he can run over them as well. Those attributes, combined with Bell's slashing style, should give the Steelers a solid one-two punch.
''I think we have a really good mix of running backs,'' Blount said. ''(But) I've seen the NFL Network, and they have these top 10 or top five running back duos in the NFL. I noticed that we're not one of them, and I don't like it. In all honesty, I believe they're downgrading the skill level that we have in our backfield. . I think that's kind of disrespectful.''
Does that mean Blount and Bell have something to prove?
''We're not going to go out here and go on about how we're not in that group,'' Blount said. ''But we're going to go out there and show that we belong there with our performance.''
NOTES: RB Dri Archer has missed the opening two OTAs, just like linebacker Jordan Zumwalt from UCLA, because his school is on the quarters system and their class has not yet graduated. . OTAs continue Thursday and also run Tuesday through Thursday next week.
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AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
They really need to revisit that quarter/semester rule. So stupid.
Bojang0301
Omar4Heisman
Bouchette reporting Archer is "blowing off OTA's"
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
Bojang0301
Omar4Heisman
BigSteelThrill
Footballguy
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Franknbeans
Footballguy
Douchette is more like itBojang0301 said:
AhrnCityPahnder
Yinz-o-riffic
couple nice updates from Wexell's twitter:
Lutherman2112
Footballguy
Archer was selected to be the Steelers representative at the premier event.
Apparently attendance is mandatory for Rookies (from CBA, Article 21):
So yes, Douchette botched this one.
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Bob Magaw
Footballguy
A nice scouting report on Shazier, including film breakdown.
http://www.thesidelineview.com/scouting-report/ryan-shazier
http://www.thesidelineview.com/scouting-report/ryan-shazier
