Nepotism. The Steelers are gulity of it.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

But is it good for the team or bad? It all dots back to Art Rooney II.

If you are or were a very good Steeler or X-Steeler your offspring / relatives have a good chance of playing here.

Sometimes it is good if the young man can play. Other times it is a million dollar waste of a roster spot.

[NorthCoast]

They didn't draft Carnell Lake's son a few years back.

["BuzzNuter"]

But is it good for the team or bad? It all dots back to Art Rooney II.

If you are or were a very good Steeler or X-Steeler your offspring / relatives have a good chance of playing here.

Sometimes it is good if the young man can play. Other times it is a million dollar waste of a roster spot.

Picking talent or recognizing future talent is a crap shoot most times. In life there is a saying that the " Apple don't fall too far from the tree". This has been a standard for judging future talent or performance since time immemorial.

I grew up in a steel mill town. My dad worked for the mill. My uncle did. My cousins did, my great uncles did. I worked in plants along the Ohio river. Same philosophy, everybody was related. Conversely, known screw ups messed thing up for themselves and their relatives.

It's just a tool in picking talent, that has proven to be true.

[hackjam]

Well, I think the theory is that if you know the family already, you have an inside edge on evaluating some of the intangible things - work ethic, how they were raised, etc. - that people spend so much effort trying to figure out during the pre-draft process.

Beyond that, I don't think that the bottom 15 or so spots on the roster are going to look substantially different anyway. Those guys are solidly backups and special teams players. There are probably 1500-2000 guys who can legitimately fill those 480 spots without significant impacts. Like is swapping Mark Robinson for Carson Bruener really going to make or break the squad? And I don't really think they're keeping these guys in favor of better options... Just ask Cody White...

[hawaiiansteel]

I miss whisper's "cutesy brothers" rants...lol

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Well, I think the theory is that if you know the family already, you have an inside edge on evaluating some of the intangible things - work ethic, how they were raised, etc. - that people spend so much effort trying to figure out during the pre-draft process.

Beyond that, I don't think that the bottom 15 or so spots on the roster are going to look substantially different anyway. Those guys are solidly backups and special teams players. There are probably 1500-2000 guys who can legitimately fill those 480 spots without significant impacts. Like is swapping Mark Robinson for Carson Bruener really going to make or break the squad? And I don't really think they're keeping these guys in favor of better options... Just ask Cody White...

Yes for the bottom 5 spots. No for the botton 15.

[Northern_Blitz]

Well, I think the theory is that if you know the family already, you have an inside edge on evaluating some of the intangible things - work ethic, how they were raised, etc. - that people spend so much effort trying to figure out during the pre-draft process.

Beyond that, I don't think that the bottom 15 or so spots on the roster are going to look substantially different anyway. Those guys are solidly backups and special teams players. There are probably 1500-2000 guys who can legitimately fill those 480 spots without significant impacts. Like is swapping Mark Robinson for Carson Bruener really going to make or break the squad? And I don't really think they're keeping these guys in favor of better options... Just ask Cody White...

Most of these instances are low draft picks (and TJ Watt).

For the low picks, I think it makes at least some sense. Guys who get picked late (1) rarely make an impact and (2) aren't much different from other late round guys you can pick.

We likely feel like we have an informational advantage over other teams on these late round guys.

[hackjam]

Yes for the bottom 5 spots. No for the botton 15.

I mean sure, the number you picked out of a hat is better than the number I picked out of a hat... The point remains the same...

[hawaiiansteel]

How Rookie LB Carson Bruener Made The Steelers

[Northern_Blitz]

Yes for the bottom 5 spots. No for the botton 15.

I know you like Robinson.

I think he's a good ST player (2/3 ST snaps over the last 2 years, usually gets a helmet).

He's basically a zero on defense. Maybe a worst case scenario sub to get you out of a game (8 defensive snaps last year).

Bruener also looks like he'll be a good ST player. Also probably a guy who we won't want to give defensive snaps to.

And he's younger and cheaper. Cap hit of $875k.

Robinson cost a little more (over $1MM). And is older.

This is the kind of roster churn that happens when you're a back end of the roster guy. Tie goes to the younger / cheaper guy.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I know you like Robinson.

I think he's a good ST player (2/3 ST snaps over the last 2 years, usually gets a helmet).

He's basically a zero on defense. Maybe a worst case scenario sub to get you out of a game (8 defensive snaps last year).

Bruener also looks like he'll be a good ST player. Also probably a guy who we won't want to give defensive snaps to.

And he's younger and cheaper. Cap hit of $875k.

Robinson cost a little more (over $1MM). And is older.

This is the kind of roster churn that happens when you're a back end of the roster guy. Tie goes to the younger / cheaper guy.

This is a move for next year more than this year. The cap savings isn't much this year, but Robinson would have needed a new contract next year. Probably something in the 2 year, $4-5M range while Bruener is still on his rookie deal. They're probably seen as close to interchangeable to the team, so may as well lock in the four year discount now rather than Keep Robinson and either give him a raise next year or look to draft another Bruener.

[Northern_Blitz]

This is a move for next year more than this year. The cap savings isn't much this year, but Robinson would have needed a new contract next year. Probably something in the 2 year, $4-5M range while Bruener is still on his rookie deal. They're probably seen as close to interchangeable to the team, so may as well lock in the four year discount now rather than Keep Robinson and either give him a raise next year or look to draft another Bruener.

I think you're right that this is the right way to think about it and why replacement level guys like Robinson (and future-Bruener) get churned like this.

I like Killebrew. But it's only a matter of time for him too.

[hackjam]

I think you're right that this is the right way to think about it and why replacement level guys like Robinson (and future-Bruener) get churned like this.

I like Killebrew. But it's only a matter of time for him too.

There have been a bunch of these guys over the years. Chidi Iwuoma, Sean Morey, Clint Kriewaldt, DHB, Matakevich, those two linebackers they were cutting like every other week a few years ago, etc.

[Blitzer]

Robinson had his chances, didn't do much. time for someone else to get his chance.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I think you're right that this is the right way to think about it and why replacement level guys like Robinson (and future-Bruener) get churned like this.

I like Killebrew. But it's only a matter of time for him too.

True enough. The biggest difference is that Killebrew is a better ST player. He's a two-time PBer and ST captain. He's considered one of the top teams players in the league. Robinson is a nice ST player. No more, no less, easily replaceable by a hungry young player