Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up workout

[focosteeler]

Re: Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up worko

DL is probably the most overlooked need for the Steelers on this site.

Cam Heyward or Phil Taylor in Round 1 is very palatable.

Ballard or Paea in Round 2 would be fine too.

Dip into the DL well while the depth & talent is strong. Can anyone guarentee it'll be this strong next season?

I would literally jump for joy if we landed both Taylor and Ballard. Can you imagine that DL? It won't happen, but fun to think about. I agree, we underestimate the amount of need we have on the DL. We are one injury away from being a very average DL.

I agree that DL should be a priority in terms of being one of our top 3 picks in the draft so that we can inject some more youth into an aging position, but how are we one injury away from being a very average d-line? We were supposedly one injury away from being an average d-line last year, and the man who was seemingly our most valuable d-lineman (Aaron Smith) did get hurt, and the DL didn't miss a beat.

If Hampton gets hurt, our starting DL would be Hood-Hoke-Keisel. That's not a very average DL.

If Keisel gets hurt, our starting DL would be Hood-Hampton-Smith. That's not a very average DL.

If Hood gets hurt, our starting DL would be Smith-Hampton-Keisel. That's not a very average DL.

If Smith gets hurt again, our starting DL would be Hood-Hampton-Keisel. That's not a very average DL.

A DL pick would be a pick for the future. If we didn't get one, though, it wouldn't be a disaster in 2011. We could simply re-sign Nick Eason for some additional depth (at 30, he's not young anymore, but he's not old either) and young Steve McLendon was no slouch this past year when we needed him to join the rotation.

If Keisel or Hood is injured we become very average overnight. Hampton has lost more than a step. We have no real legit back ups. Unless Smith signs for pennies on the dollar he won't be back. No way do the Steelers pay him 4.5 million this season.

i know im guessing, but i dont think smith would make a scene if they asked him to play for less, considering he wont be starting

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up worko

casey was throwing around the best center in the league in the AFCC

[Chadman]

Re: Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up worko

Some of the arguments made 'against' drafting DL are missing the point some are making- right NOW the DL is pretty good. Better than that perhaps.

BUT.

Casey Hampton will be 34 this season. His back-up, Chris Hoke, not only isn't signed, but will be 36. Now, if we are slightly worried about Hampton's age resulting in the more likely occurance of injury- surely we are even more worried about Chris Hoke? Not to mention, as someone stated earlier- Hampton is NOT the lpayer he was 4 years ago- age decreases the players skills. If Hampton regresses again- how far has Hoke regressed? Hoke has been a wonderful Steeler- a real good back-up. But the time to upgrade has arrived. What if...both Hoke & Hampton retire after the season? Do we just draft 2 rookies to fill the hole left by them? No- you have to prepare in advance. Like, this year for example- when you have NT options throughout the first 3 rounds. Phil Taylor- even if he doesn't see the field- is a smart investment to ensure the DL doesn't lose ground in the next couple of seasons.

Aaron Smith is 35. And injuries are hitting him hard. And he costs way above what a back-up should earn. Could he take a cut? Yeah- possibly. But that only gives a band-aid solution- the Steelers DE's are all over 30, except for Hood. If Hampton/Hole's skills are diminishing, it's safe to assume Smith & Keisel will be right there alongside them in that department. Eason is nothing more than a ack-up. And he's over 30 too. Harris & McLendon are average at best.

In the Steelers 3-4, the DL is almost the most important position on the field- they must stop the running game & provide enough pressure to release the OLB's to do their thing. If they don't- the whole defense runs the risk of imploding.

at some point- and Chadman thinks that time was quite possibly LAST season, the Steelers need to get new bodies. And talented ones- not future back-ups, future starters. Phil Taylor is the best NT in the draft. Will there be a better option next season? Do you want to run the risk of missing out? For Chadman NT is the more pressing need as the alternative to Hampton is the unsigned & old Hoke. There is NO depth at the position. Taylor is a very attractive target at #31. But that doesn't discount the need for a 3-4 DE at all. Lawrence Guy has the body for it.

[Oviedo]

Re: Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up worko

I'd prefer Cameron Jordan or JJ Watt or Phil Taylor over Cameron Heyward

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up worko

I'd prefer Cameron Jordan or JJ Watt or Phil Taylor over Cameron Heyward

I do too, but I think Jordan and Watt will both come off the board in the teens (if not earlier).

[Chadman]

Re: Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up worko

Chadman would prefer Prince Amukemara over Brandon Harris- but sometimes you just have to play the cards dealt...

[Shawn]

Re: Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up worko

I'd prefer Cameron Jordan or JJ Watt or Phil Taylor over Cameron Heyward

I think everyone would agree with you. But Heyward is actually projected to fall to us.

[steelblood]

Re: Tomlin and LeBeau attend Cameron Heyward's make-up worko

phil taylor runs hot and cold like heyward. Before this past season, I'd say that Taylor was cold more often than hot. Heyward gives great effort and is a leader. He plays hurt and is big in big games. I want players like that. Heyward doesn't get many sacks, but he gets a lot of QB pressures.

The thing about Heyward is that he can (with some coaching) be a force as an interior pass rusher in nickel situations. When we play teams like the colts and pats, heyward could be very helpful.

[NorthCoast]

Reading these posts was a fun look back.... Shawn and NJS got it right. Ovi.. not so much.

Love me some Cam. A true beast and bright spot this season (check out @ 7:16....I mean what DL does that?!?);

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Reading these posts was a fun look back.... Shawn and NJS got it right. Ovi.. not so much.

Love me some Cam. A true beast and bright spot this season (check out @ 7:16....I mean what DL does that?!?);

ya gotta trust Shawn with OSU players... I honestly trust him more than the scouts with OSU players... He's likely watched every game and understands what's around them and how it may impact their play

(similarly, I've nailed some Louisville players more accurately than scouts - Will Gay made me look like a genius in some circles - hahaha)

[flippy]

Reading these posts was a fun look back.... Shawn and NJS got it right. Ovi.. not so much.

Love me some Cam. A true beast and bright spot this season (check out @ 7:16....I mean what DL does that?!?);

Its like Ovi always tells us, it’s good fans don’t get to make decisions for the team.

The only caveat is we all post so much, odds are we’ll get one thing right amongst the thousands we get wrong.

[flippy]

ya gotta trust Shawn with OSU players... I honestly trust him more than the scouts with OSU players... He's likely watched every game and understands what's around them and how it may impact their play

(similarly, I've nailed some Louisville players more accurately than scouts - Will Gay made me look like a genius in some circles - hahaha)

Yup. Someone should go pull up these old threads pre draft on every starter we have. Would be interesting to see how right/wrong we all were.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Its like Ovi always tells us, it’s good fans don’t get to make decisions for the team.

The only caveat is we all post so much, odds are we’ll get one thing right amongst the thousands we get wrong.

during most offseasons, you could also find most of us posting one way, then later changing our minds to go another way. My present sig has Sam Howell, but that's mostly cuz I believed the team would just take a QB i can't say that i want him - hahaha

[NorthCoast]

during most offseasons, you could also find most of us posting one way, then later changing our minds to go another way. My present sig has Sam Howell, but that's mostly cuz I believed the team would just take a QB i can't say that i want him - hahaha

I can honestly say I never changed my opinion on Limas Sweed. Go check it if you don't believe me...

[Northern_Blitz]

I can honestly say I never changed my opinion on Limas Sweed. Go check it if you don't believe me...

I assume this means you still think he's a sure fire hall of famer?