As everyone likes to say, the draft is a crapshoot, so the more picks you have the better the chance at hitting a home run. Steelers were known for building their great teams through the draft. Problem is, not sure that model applies anymore in the modern NFL. Guys play out their rookie deals and they move on. Sucks for the team this season, but guaranteed it will have the fan base buzzing next May.
Last edited by NorthCoast; 09-21-2013 at 09:34 AM.
I think it still applies. Look at San Fran, Seattle, Balt. etc They do a nice job drafting plus they dabble in free agency when it fills a need. They seem to look more at "fit" rather than cap sense. Kind of like Ray Shero at the trade deadline. What piece am I missing? Pitts. does not have that luxury due to their cap stress. But they historically never have had a big impact in free agency.
Balt. shed a lot of older leadership this past year but they drafted potential replacements in Arthur Brown and Matt Elam. The key is having the confidence in your draft to let them play.
I think it could be time for an internal audit by the FO on their standards to see if they need to be more involved in FAs or if they need to change their mindset on what seems to be a rookie bias. We've seen a small shift this year with Jones, Williams and Thomas (and if no injuries Bell). But the hand was forced due to injuries or a previous reluctance to change personnel.
Financially they have no options. There is a reason Omar Khan does not get offers from other teams after he interviews. Maybe he is handcuffed by the FO's stance that they hold on to "star" players too long but he needs to communicate the potential for disaster in subsequent years. Those years are upon us. The Steelers have been successful in the past with this formula, but you have to adapt.
I agree thor... Baltimore got rid of Todd Heap and 2 or 3 more vets a few years ago and people thought they would slip.
We are doing a better job getting young guys on the field but we're still seeing them handcuffed at times. Jones crushes CJ and we take him out because???? Wheaton is on the field but we aren't utilizing him. Still feels like we are reluctant to play our rookies. IMO damn near every other team in the league would have Jones and Wheaton on the field on day 1 and not in limited roles given how bad the players in front of them are playing.
That's what makes the Richardson trade seem so silly. Although he hadn't achieved his full potential, he has at least established himself in the league and that is a giant step. Many draft picks, even the low first rounders, don't make that first necessary leap. So trading an established player with high upside is no comparison to any draft pick and potential bust. I hope we are playing them pretty soon.
Crush your enemies, see them driven before you, hear the lamentations of their women.
How about this thought...Richardson will cost the Colts only the salary dollars against the cap. That means that this year, Trent Richardson will have around the same cap charge as Isaac Redman.
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