2011 Official Visit Thread

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Report: Alabama A&M NT Kearse & Louisville CB Patrick To Have Pre Draft Visits With Steelers

Dale Lolley reported a little while ago that Alabama A&M nose tackle Frank Kearse and Louisville cornerback Johnny Patrick will make pre draft visits with the Steelers if they have not already. The Steelers have been more tight lipped this offseason about the players they bring to the South Side for official visits, but word continues to leak out.

Lolley also confirmed earlier reports that Boise State wide receiver Austin Pettis and Utah State cornerback Curtis Marsh are two of the 30 allowed visitors the Steelers will have prior to the draft.

Steelers scout Mark Gorscak was present for the Alabama A&M Pro Day in early March and the 6 foot 4, 315 pound defensive tackle certainly seems to be on the Steelers draft day radar. At his Pro day, Kearse logged a 5.2 40-yard dash, 30-inch vertical, 8-7 broad jump, and 22 225-pound bench press reps. with several. His other measurables included a 7 1/4 hand size, 34 1/4 arm length, and an 85 3/8 wingspan.

Patrick is regarded as a mid round corner prospect that measured in at 5 foot 10 and a half at the NFL Combine and weighed 191 pounds. He started every game as a senior last year and led the Cardinals with five interceptions. While at the combine he turned in a 40 time in the high 4.5 range, but lowered it below 4.5 at his Pro Day in early March. He had a charge of harassment with physical contact dismissed in mid March after he completed a diversion program that included counseling.

POSTED BY DAVE BRYAN ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011

[url="http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/04/report-alabama-am-nt-kearse-louisville-cb-patrick-to-have-pre-draft-visits-with-steelers/"]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/04/re ... -steelers/[/url]

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

anyone have an official position breakdown

[PSU_dropout43]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

anyone have an official position breakdown

see the very first page of this thread.

[Chadman]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Interesting to note- 2010, the Steelers brought Pouncey & Sanders in near the very tail end of the visit dates. No player that visited early was drafted.

2009 & 2008 Steelers vists only resulted in late round picks with all the early round picks being players the Steelers WENT to, not brought in.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Reading The Tea Leaves Of The Steelers 2011 Visitors Thus Far

We are right about half way home to the 2011 NFL Draft and it is a perfect time to look over the pre draft visitors that the Steelers reportedly have had or will have visit the South Side prior to draft day. The organization has been more tight lipped thus far this offseason about their visitors, so there is a chance that it may include a false report or two, but should be fairly accurate up until this point. In addition, Jim Wexell tweeted not long ago today that they will likely loosen up on the policy soon, so more confirmation should be forthcoming.

An early look at the list confirms what many of us have thought for a while and that the Steelers seem poised to draft a cornerback somewhere in the first 3 rounds, as 6 of the 21 non local players that have visited or are scheduled to visit are cornerbacks. There likely will be a few more that are not yet confirmed by the media as well. The biggest names thus far on that list of corners are Curtis Brown from Texas and Ras-I Dowling from Virginia. Both are expected to come off the board in the first few rounds. I have made my feelings known on Brown in a recent post, but I doubt he will last until the Steelers scheduled pick in the second round. It is not out of the question that they trade out of round one to move down a few slots to land Brown either. I think he has the makings of a solid future NFL corner. The other corner prospects like Johnny Patrick, Curtis Marsh, Buster Skrine and Cortez Allen will likely start coming off the board from round 3 on. It would also not surprise me if more than one was drafted in the first 5 rounds either. Just throwing that out there.

With a handful nose tackles on the list it seems like the Steelers will at some point draft a guy they think and hope might be the heir apparent to Casey Hampton. Phil Taylor likely will come off the board some time in round 1, but he could easily slip to the early portion of round 2 without a surprise. Kenrick Ellis and Frank Kearse have certainly gotten the Steelers attention by several accounts and if the report of Anthony Gray visiting is true, you can certainly summize a mid to later round pick will be used for that position. Although Zach Clayton is listed as a defensive tackle, some think he could convert to a 5 technique defensive end in a 3-4. Clayton will likely be a round 7 or undrafted free agent possibilty.

Next up is wide receiver. As I mentioned in my receiver post a few days back, I think it is a near lock that they draft one around round 4 or later. Even though Jonathan Baldwin visited as a local player, I just can't see the Steelers spending an early pick on the position. Austin Pettis is more of a possesion type guy, while Denarius Moore can stretch the field. I suspect one or two more receivers might also make visits.

With 4 tackles already visiting the South Side, it looks like a strong possibility that one will be chosen in the earlier rounds. Marcus Gilbert played with Maurkice Pouncey at Florida, while James Carpenter Jr. and Jarriel King are also proven SEC tackles. I suspect at least one more tackle will visit prior to the draft, but it is looking good for at least one to be drafted from that position and likely by round 4.

You see a few running backs sprinkled on the list as Dion Lewis, Taiwan Jones and Da'rel Scott should all have made their visits over the next few weeks. The Steelers could use another back to help push Jonathan Dwyer and that back could be a late round selection destined for the practice squad. I can't see one being drafted though until the 4th round or later in reality. It just doesn't make sense to.

The Steelers love drafting linebackers so it is no surprise that Mario Harvey was brought in. Harvey also can play special teams and I would be surprised if at least one linebacker was not drafted later this month. Some scouts say defensive end Greg Romeus, from next door at Pitt, could be transitioned into a 3-4 outside linebacker as well. I suspect you will see another linebacker name surface on the visitor list very soon in addition to these two players.

Although interior lineman Rodney Hudson visited, I think the Steelers will wait until later in the draft to select a guard and they very well might not draft one at all unless by some miracle Mike Pouncey falls. The guard class this year is just not very deep in my opinion and the Steelers will likely just decide to stand pat with what is on the roster already and add another undrafted guard when and if the labor situation is settled. They also could kick the tires on a low profile unrestricted free agent as well by camp time.

By this time next week, we ought to have a near complete list of the 30 non-local players the Steelers are allowed to have visit prior to the draft. Last season the Steelers drafted 3 players that were 2010 pre draft visitors and in 2009 they drafted 4 that made trips to Pittsburgh prior to the draft. So keep a good eye out, because you can bet that a few players on this list are almost certain to be Steelers in a few more weeks.

POSTED BY DAVE BRYAN ON FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2011

[url="http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/04/re"]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/04/re[/url] ... -thus-far/

_________________

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

FRIDAY, APRIL 08, 2011

Who has visited the Steelers thus far

Here's a list of 21 players who have visited the Steelers thus far or who will visit them in the next week or so.

NFL teams are permitted to bring in 30 prospects - not counting regional guys – so I'm not counting the guys from local colleges.

I'll rank them in order of what round it appears the player will be selected in.

Remember as well that Mike Tomlin has had more free time on his hands with the lockout and has personally attended a number of pro days - more than usual. For example, Tomlin has been at Wisconsin, Texas and North Carolina, to name a few, getting meetings with a number of their prospects without them being counted against the 30.

Cameron Jordan, DL, California, 1st round
Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor, 1-2
Rodney Hudson, C-G, Florida State, 1-2
Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia, 1-2
Curtis Brown, CB, Texas, 2
Kendrick Ellis, DT, Hampton, 2-3
James Carpenter, OT, Alabama, 2-3
Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville, 2-3
Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State, 3
Jarriel King, OT, South Carolina, 4
Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State, 4-5
Buster Skrine, CB, Tennessee-Chatanooga, 4-5
Da'rel Scott, RB, Maryland, 5-6
Denarius Moore, WR, Tennessee, 5-6
Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington, 5-6
Cortez Allen, CB, Citadel, 6
Zach Clayton, DT, Auburn, 6
Mario Harvey, ILB, Marshall, 6-7
Anthony Gray, NT, Mississippi State, 7
Frank Kearse, DT, Alabama A&M 7
Tyler Beiler, WR, Bridgewater, 7

[url="http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2011/04/who-has-visited-steelers-thus-far.html"]http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com ... s-far.html[/url]

[steeler_george]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

FRIDAY, APRIL 08, 2011

Cameron Jordan, DL, California, 1st round
Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor, 1-2
Rodney Hudson, C-G, Florida State, 1-2
Ras-I Dowling, CB, Virginia, 1-2
Curtis Brown, CB, Texas, 2
Kendrick Ellis, DT, Hampton, 2-3
James Carpenter, OT, Alabama, 2-3
Johnny Patrick, CB, Louisville, 2-3
Curtis Marsh, CB, Utah State, 3
Jarriel King, OT, South Carolina, 4
Austin Pettis, WR, Boise State, 4-5
Buster Skrine, CB, Tennessee-Chatanooga, 4-5
Da'rel Scott, RB, Maryland, 5-6
Denarius Moore, WR, Tennessee, 5-6
Taiwan Jones, RB, Eastern Washington, 5-6
Cortez Allen, CB, Citadel, 6
Zach Clayton, DT, Auburn, 6
Mario Harvey, ILB, Marshall, 6-7
Anthony Gray, NT, Mississippi State, 7
Frank Kearse, DT, Alabama A&M 7
Tyler Beiler, WR, Bridgewater, 7

[url="http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2011/04/who-has-visited-steelers-thus-far.html"]http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com ... s-far.html[/url]

Hmmm, not a lot of late 3rd to 4th round projected players, does that mean a trade up somewhere in round 1 or 2 in the draft?

[Oviedo]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

- Julius Thomas continues to build a buzz around himself as well as momentum up draft boards. He’s been working with former USC and NFL pass catcher Billy Miller on improving his game. Scouts not only love his athleticism but his smarts as well. Thomas has already graduated from Portland State. He has a workout scheduled with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[url="http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=5189"]http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=5189[/url]

Thomas is a raw prospect who was a basketball player until his senior season of college. Could develop into a reserve pass-catching tight end or H-Back. Is not a refined route-runner but has the physical tools to improve. Does a good job in his stem, can separate from man coverage, and get vertical up the seam, but rounds off routes and lacks the experience to get open against zone. Flashes the natural hands needed to extend but will drop the easy reception. Must improve as a blocker. Lacks power in the running game and polish in pass protection. Late-round prospect.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Speedy Marshall LB Mario Harvey on Steelers' radar

Linebacker ran in high 4.3, low 4.4 range

Aaron Wilson
APRIL 12, 2011


Speedy Marshall linebacker Mario Harvey was ultra-productive for the Thundering Herd, posting 420 career tackles.

However, the All-Conference USA selection really boosted his NFL draft prospects with an outstanding 40-yard dash time during his campus Pro Day workout. He ran between 4.42 and 4.46 seconds.

And the 5-foot-11, 250-pounder bench pressed 225 pounds 27 times with a 32 inch vertical leap, a 9-5 broad jump, a 4.19 short shuttle and a 7.13 three-cone drill.

The NFL definitely took notice.

Harvey has visits with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals and the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

The Baltimore Ravens are another team that has displayed interest in Harvey, who arrived at Marshall as an undersized freshman with academic issues.

Last season, he recorded 143 tackles, 17 1/2 for losses, 8 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

As a junior, he posted 117 tackles, 8 1/2 for losses, seven sacks and was named first-team all-conference.

[url="http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Speedy-Marshall-LB-Mario-Harvey-on-Steelers-radar.html"]http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Spe ... radar.html[/url]

[steeler_george]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Last season, he recorded 143 tackles, 17 1/2 for losses, 8 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

As a junior, he posted 117 tackles, 8 1/2 for losses, seven sacks and was named first-team all-conference.

Those combine stats and his playing stats are impressive, especially 17.5 for losses and 8.5 sacks . He is freaking unstoppable in that division. I wonder how he fared against division I teams. Regardless, with those stats, he proves he is better than D II and a play maker at it too. Would love to have him? Now where is he being projected?

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Last season, he recorded 143 tackles, 17 1/2 for losses, 8 1/2 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

As a junior, he posted 117 tackles, 8 1/2 for losses, seven sacks and was named first-team all-conference.

Those combine stats and his playing stats are impressive, especially 17.5 for losses and 8.5 sacks . He is freaking unstoppable in that division. I wonder how he fared against division I teams. Regardless, with those stats, he proves he is better than D II and a play maker at it too. Would love to have him? Now where is he being projected?

Marshall plays in Conference USA. That is Division I.

[steeler_george]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Thanks for pointing that out, that they are D I. For some reason I thought they were D II in same Division with YSU.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Thanks for pointing that out, that they are D I. For some reason I thought they were D II in same Division with YSU.

They used to be in the MAC, but that's Division I as well.

[PSU_dropout43]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Wexell twitter -

Steelers to host Abilene Christian WR Edmund Gates early next week. Raw, skinny, 25-year-old 'vertical terror' is 5-11.6, 192, late 3rd rder

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: 2011 Official Visit Thread

Wexell twitter -

Steelers to host Abilene Christian WR Edmund Gates early next week. Raw, skinny, 25-year-old 'vertical terror' is 5-11.6, 192, late 3rd rder

Abilene Christian WR Edmond Gates To Visit Steelers Next Week

[url="http://youtu.be/Bs4BeSDwk0w"]http://youtu.be/Bs4BeSDwk0w[/url]

Abilene Christian wide receiver Edmond Gates will make a pre draft visit to Pittsburgh early next week according to his draft journal. Gates ran in the low 4.3 range at the NFL Combine back in late February and measured in at 5 foot 11 and 3/4 inches while tipping the scales at 192 pounds. He is considered a raw talent, but can stretch the field. Like most young receivers, Gates needs to polish his route running, on-field awareness and blocking skills. In 2010 Gates had 66 catches for 1182 yards and 13 touchdowns. Gates is currently projected to be drafted in the 3rd or 4th round and will be a a 25-year-old rookie.

POSTED BY DAVE BRYAN ON SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2011

[url="http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/04/abilene-christian-wr-edmond-gates-to-visit-steelers-next-week/"]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/04/ab ... next-week/[/url]