Drafting a center...

[StarSpangledSteeler]

I think many of us are underestimating the FO's interest in drafting a center. Last year, there were numerous post draft reports about the Steelers looking to draft either Mack or Wood in the first round, and when they missed out, trying desperately to trade up for Unger. What has changed since then? Not much. We did not bring in any FA centers. And our young players don't appear to be a substantial upgrade from Hartwig. How can anyone expect us to leave the first three rounds this year without a center?

The question I have is which center prospect makes the most sense for our team? Pouncey? Tennant? or Walton?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Drafting a center...

Pouncey is the best of the bunch, but ideally, I would prefer to spend the #18 pick on an impact defensive player instead. However, if we were able to trade our 2nd and 3rd round pick to move up into the late first, early second area if Pouncey were still available, I would be all for that (you mentioned that we tried to trade up for Unger last year, so why not do it again this year for Pouncey when we have 10 picks and filled many of our obvious depth holes in free agency).

If we don't get Pouncey, I would consider Walton or Tennant in the 3rd or 4th rounds (or possibly spend a late round flyer on Bruce Matthews' son, Kevin, from Texas A&M). However, consider that there should be a strong center class coming out next year (similar to last year with 3 top prospects like Mack, Wood, and Unger). USC's Kris O'Dowd, Penn State's Stefen Wisniewski, and even Maurkice Pouncey's twin brother Mike (he should also have the positional flexibility to play both center and guard) could be options in the late first, early second area next year as well. If we don't get Maurkice in this draft, we may be better off living with Hartwig and Legursky at center this year, and waiting until next year to get our center of the future.

[Oviedo]

Re: Drafting a center...

Round 3 or 4 sounds about right. Next year even sounds better.

[Shawn]

Re: Drafting a center...

I think many of us are underestimating the FO's interest in drafting a center. Last year, there were numerous post draft reports about the Steelers looking to draft either Mack or Wood in the first round, and when they missed out, trying desperately to trade up for Unger. What has changed since then? Not much. We did not bring in any FA centers. And our young players don't appear to be a substantial upgrade from Hartwig. How can anyone expect us to leave the first three rounds this year without a center?

The question I have is which center prospect makes the most sense for our team? Pouncey? Tennant? or Walton?

My mock is based on the rumors of last years interest in a first round center. Pouncey is not my first choice. But, I believe the FO disagrees with most of us. If they were looking last year...why not this year? Considering we have a new OL coach and an appeal from the FO to run the ball more consistantly...I have to assume the OL has to be a high priority. Pouncey is better than any of the centers in last years draft (my opinion of course). So, if he is there...and a freak doesn't fall. I think he is the choice.

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: Drafting a center...

I think many of us are underestimating the FO's interest in drafting a center. Last year, there were numerous post draft reports about the Steelers looking to draft either Mack or Wood in the first round, and when they missed out, trying desperately to trade up for Unger. What has changed since then? Not much. We did not bring in any FA centers. And our young players don't appear to be a substantial upgrade from Hartwig. How can anyone expect us to leave the first three rounds this year without a center?

The question I have is which center prospect makes the most sense for our team? Pouncey? Tennant? or Walton?

My mock is based on the rumors of last years interest in a first round center. Pouncey is not my first choice. But, I believe the FO disagrees with most of us. If they were looking last year...why not this year? Considering we have a new OL coach and an appeal from the FO to run the ball more consistantly...I have to assume the OL has to be a high priority. Pouncey is better than any of the centers in last years draft (my opinion of course). So, if he is there...and a freak doesn't fall. I think he is the choice.

Okay, let me ask this... How much better is Pouncey than Tennant?

I give Pouncey credit for his pass protection but is he really that dominate in the run game? I don't hear the scouts saying that he blows people off the ball?

[Chucktownsteeler]

Re: Drafting a center...

This is pretty much how I feel. Although I want the Steelers to draft there next "dominant" center, we may need to wait until next year. Hopefully I am saying this correctly, when you reach for a player that you probably shouldn't take at that particula round you end up with a Troy Edmonds. Although we needed a WR desparately, Boston and Holt were already drafted and we "reached" for troy (although Jevon Kearse was still on the board) and paid dearly.

Now, if we can get Pouncey in round 2, I would give it some thought. I think at pick #18 we need an impact player on the defense.

Chucktownsteeler

[birtikidis]

Re: Drafting a center...

I think many of us are underestimating the FO's interest in drafting a center. Last year, there were numerous post draft reports about the Steelers looking to draft either Mack or Wood in the first round, and when they missed out, trying desperately to trade up for Unger. What has changed since then? Not much. We did not bring in any FA centers. And our young players don't appear to be a substantial upgrade from Hartwig. How can anyone expect us to leave the first three rounds this year without a center?

The question I have is which center prospect makes the most sense for our team? Pouncey? Tennant? or Walton?

My mock is based on the rumors of last years interest in a first round center. Pouncey is not my first choice. But, I believe the FO disagrees with most of us. If they were looking last year...why not this year? Considering we have a new OL coach and an appeal from the FO to run the ball more consistantly...I have to assume the OL has to be a high priority. Pouncey is better than any of the centers in last years draft (my opinion of course). So, if he is there...and a freak doesn't fall. I think he is the choice.

Okay, let me ask this... How much better is Pouncey than Tennant?

I give Pouncey credit for his pass protection but is he really that dominate in the run game? I don't hear the scouts saying that he blows people off the ball?

umm then you should listen more closely. all the scouts are touting his strength. and btw, just because the gators didn't have a stud RB they still managed to run the ball quiet well. they just split carries between essentially 4 players.

[birtikidis]

Re: Drafting a center...

This is pretty much how I feel. Although I want the Steelers to draft there next "dominant" center, we may need to wait until next year. Hopefully I am saying this correctly, when you reach for a player that you probably shouldn't take at that particula round you end up with a Troy Edmonds. Although we needed a WR desparately, Boston and Holt were already drafted and we "reached" for troy (although Jevon Kearse was still on the board) and paid dearly.

Now, if we can get Pouncey in round 2, I would give it some thought. I think at pick #18 we need an impact player on the defense.

Chucktownsteeler

NO offense but that is really a dumb line of thinking. Pouncey is clearly the #1 guy at his position, a position he would have been #1 in last year and would be #1 in next year. Troy was NEVER #1 at ANYTHING (maybe in little gridders). Pouncey may go in the top 15 and you think we should wait and see if he's there in the 2nd? give me a break.

[birtikidis]

Re: Drafting a center...

not sure if you guys get this but the gators rushed for 3105 yds last year. 5.5 yards a carry, 221.8 yds a game and had 30 rushing touchdowns...
[url]http://gatorzone.com/football/stats/team.pdf[/url]

[Chucktownsteeler]

Re: Drafting a center...

This is pretty much how I feel. Although I want the Steelers to draft there next "dominant" center, we may need to wait until next year. Hopefully I am saying this correctly, when you reach for a player that you probably shouldn't take at that particula round you end up with a Troy Edmonds. Although we needed a WR desparately, Boston and Holt were already drafted and we "reached" for troy (although Jevon Kearse was still on the board) and paid dearly.

Now, if we can get Pouncey in round 2, I would give it some thought. I think at pick #18 we need an impact player on the defense.

Chucktownsteeler

NO offense but that is really a dumb line of thinking. Pouncey is clearly the #1 guy at his position, a position he would have been #1 in last year and would be #1 in next year. Troy was NEVER #1 at ANYTHING (maybe in little gridders). Pouncey may go in the top 15 and you think we should wait and see if he's there in the 2nd? give me a break.

When you reach for a position and not the BPA you get a Troy or Jamain Stephens.

Yes, I would love to draft the next great center, but now we need defensive help more.

The secondary was carved up like Thanksgiving day turkey last year and we have little or depth at safety. No guarantees the injury bug won't hit again.

Next year the center position looks deep, we'll take a shot then.

[birtikidis]

Re: Drafting a center...

This is pretty much how I feel. Although I want the Steelers to draft there next "dominant" center, we may need to wait until next year. Hopefully I am saying this correctly, when you reach for a player that you probably shouldn't take at that particula round you end up with a Troy Edmonds. Although we needed a WR desparately, Boston and Holt were already drafted and we "reached" for troy (although Jevon Kearse was still on the board) and paid dearly.

Now, if we can get Pouncey in round 2, I would give it some thought. I think at pick #18 we need an impact player on the defense.

Chucktownsteeler

NO offense but that is really a dumb line of thinking. Pouncey is clearly the #1 guy at his position, a position he would have been #1 in last year and would be #1 in next year. Troy was NEVER #1 at ANYTHING (maybe in little gridders). Pouncey may go in the top 15 and you think we should wait and see if he's there in the 2nd? give me a break.

When you reach for a position and not the BPA you get a Troy or Jamain Stephens.

Yes, I would love to draft the next great center, but now we need defensive help more.

The secondary was carved up like Thanksgiving day turkey last year and we have little or depth at safety. No guarantees the injury bug won't hit again.

Next year the center position looks deep, we'll take a shot then.

reaching does not occur when you get the consensus best player at a position and a guy who many consider to be a top 15 talent. Gil Brandt labeled Pouncey the best center to come out in the draft in the last 10 YEARS. but if you want to continue on with the statistically worst center in football for one more year... that's all you. troy edwards was a bum. and a definite reach. but like i said, he wasn't considered highly by anyone before the draft. same thing wtih stephens. those guys weren't considered anyting special when they came out.

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Drafting a center...

on another board i asked a fellow who really keys in on the OL play about tennant.

he said "he's worse then Mahan"

ouch

[birtikidis]

Re: Drafting a center...

on another board i asked a fellow who really keys in on the OL play about tennant.

he said "he's worse then Mahan"

ouch

I honestly believe that Pouncey will be the next Dirt Dawson...
but if Earl Thomas is there... he'd be my pick...

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Drafting a center...

on another board i asked a fellow who really keys in on the OL play about tennant.

he said "he's worse then Mahan"

ouch

I honestly believe that Pouncey will be the next Dirt Dawson...
but if Earl Thomas is there... he'd be my pick...

thats who i thought of, watching how mobile he was on some of the combine drills

[Shawn]

Re: Drafting a center...

I think many of us are underestimating the FO's interest in drafting a center. Last year, there were numerous post draft reports about the Steelers looking to draft either Mack or Wood in the first round, and when they missed out, trying desperately to trade up for Unger. What has changed since then? Not much. We did not bring in any FA centers. And our young players don't appear to be a substantial upgrade from Hartwig. How can anyone expect us to leave the first three rounds this year without a center?

The question I have is which center prospect makes the most sense for our team? Pouncey? Tennant? or Walton?

My mock is based on the rumors of last years interest in a first round center. Pouncey is not my first choice. But, I believe the FO disagrees with most of us. If they were looking last year...why not this year? Considering we have a new OL coach and an appeal from the FO to run the ball more consistantly...I have to assume the OL has to be a high priority. Pouncey is better than any of the centers in last years draft (my opinion of course). So, if he is there...and a freak doesn't fall. I think he is the choice.

Okay, let me ask this... How much better is Pouncey than Tennant?

I give Pouncey credit for his pass protection but is he really that dominate in the run game? I don't hear the scouts saying that he blows people off the ball?

I don't have a ton of exposure to Tennant to be honest. I know from my reading that they are considered in a different league. Tennant might be great...and might be a bust. I believe most scouts to believe Pouncey to be a no miss pick. He is technically superb...extremely mobile...good football head...big strong and I have read several sites that consider him gifted in the run blocking department. What I seen of him concurs with those sentiments.

My two reservations. Center at 18? I would rather have a defensive playmaker ie Thomas or Haden. And how long will it take Pouncey to transition from a shotgun style offense to the Steelers? I think there will be a small learning curve but it appears Pouncey has the goods to be great.