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Re: UDFA
Merry Christmas!!! I guess we were all good boys and girls in the off season.
Originally posted by flippy
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Re: UDFA
I had Mario Harvey in my mock draft, I'm very happy to see him sign with the Steelers as an UDFA.
Mario Harvey Highlights New Crop Of Steelers Undrafted Free Agents
Jul 26
by Charlie Wilmoth
Here’s a new list of undrafted free agents the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed.
TE/RB Vaughn Charlton, Temple
WR Armand Robinson, Miami of Ohio
OT Trevis Turner, Abilene Christian
S Brett Greenwood, Iowa
CB Niles Brinkley, Wisconsin
OLB Erik Clanton, the Citadel
LB Mario Harvey, Marshall
WR Eric Greenwood, Idaho
DE Ty Boyle, North Dakota
T Joshua Harrison, South Carolina State
LS Derek Chard, UConn
You can add these to the following names that we already knew about:
DT Anthony Gray, Southern Mississippi
TE Weslye Saunders, South Carolina
DL Miguel Chavis, Clemson
WR Terrence McCrae, Ohio
C Colin Miller, Central Michigan (now confirmed)
WR Adam Mims, Furman
RB John Clay, Wisconsin
Of the new guys, Harvey is the most important one. The Steelers were connected to him in the draft, and he probably should have been drafted by someone. He’s a bit small but is extremely fast and hard-hitting, so the Steelers could use him in special teams.
Charlton played quarterback for Temple before moving to tight end, so who knows what the Steelers might do with him.
So the big undrafted free agents so far are probably Saunders and Harvey, and perhaps Gray.
[url="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-steelers/2011/7/26/2295352/mario-harvey-steelers-undrafted-free-agents"]http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsbur ... ree-agents[/url]Comment
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Re: UDFA
Harvey, Saunders, Gray, Clay, Turner and Brinkley should all make the practice squad. And 1 or two could make the team (most likely Harvey and Saunders). The rest are luke warm bodies. Still alot of good players out there. including
RB's: Eddie Wide, Vai Taua, Noel Devine
TE's: Allen Reisner,Charlie Gantt,Kyle Adams
WR's: Terrence Toliver,Darvin Adams,Owen Spencer,Jimmy Young,Tori Gurley,Jock Sanders
OT's: Ray Dominguez,Richard Lapham,Josh Davis
OG's: Jake Vermiglio,Will Lawrence,Justin Boren,Thomas Claiborne,Ricky Henry,Jarriel King,Jamar Bass,Bo Thran
LB's: Ugo Chinasa,Steven Friday,Justin Trattou,Marc Schiechl,Jeremiha Hunter,Justin Gent
Scott lutrus,Josh Bynes,Orie Lemon,Archie Donald,Alex Wujcak,Mike Mele,Ben Jacobs
CB's: Ryan Hill,Kevin Rutland, Andrew McGee
S's: Byron Landor,Joe Lefeged,David Sims,Dom Decicco,Davonte Shannon,Jerrard tarrant
Mana Silva, Deunta Williams,TeJay Johnson
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Re: UDFA
I heard Noel Devine's name being linked to the Falcons, and Dom DiCicco's name linked to the Bears.Steeler teams featuring stat-driven, me-first, fantasy-football-darling diva types such as Antonio Brown & Le'Veon Bell won no championships.
Super Bowl winning Steeler teams were built around a dynamic, in-your-face defense plus blue-collar, hard-hitting, no-nonsense football players on offense such as Hines Ward & Jerome Bettis.
We don't want Juju & Conner to replace what we lost in Brown & Bell.
We are counting on Juju & Conner to return us to the glory we once had with Hines & The Bus.Comment
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Re: UDFA
I think it is harder to sign a UDFA than a low round draft pick because they can shop around and get different bids.Originally posted by steelerkeylargo
Any word on whether Kai Forbath, K, UCLA got signed?"My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"Comment
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Re: UDFA
Normally that is true however under the new CBA teams cannot give more than a total of $75 K in signing bonuses for all the UDFA's they sign.Originally posted by Oviedo
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Re: UDFA
didn't see his name on the list i have been using.Originally posted by OviedoComment
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Re: UDFA
[url]http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Profiles-of-18-undrafted-rookies/e870280c-c4df-4a3c-8b3f-9bcfdd0a7dc4[/url]Profiles of 18 undrafted rookies
By Bob Labriola - Steelers Digest
Over the course of Tuesday, July 26, the Steelers agreed to terms with a total of 18 undrafted rookie free agents. The list includes 10 offensive players – one running back, two tight ends, four wide receivers, one center and two tackles – plus seven defensive players – three defensive linemen, two linebackers, one cornerback and one safety – and one long-snapper.
Following are brief profiles of the 18 undrafted rookies:
RUNNING BACK
John Clay, 6-1, 230, Wisconsin: After a redshirt season in 2007, Clay played in 13 games in 2008 and rushed for 884 yards (5.7 average) and scored nine touchdowns. He was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2009 when he finished with 1,517 yards rushing (5.3 average) and 18 touchdowns. In 2010, he missed two games with a sprained MCL but still rushed for 1,012 yards (5.4 average) and 14 touchdowns. It was reported that Clay’s weight ballooned into the 270s during his junior year, and over the course of his career at Wisconsin he lost carries to some younger backs. Clay is a power back who has decent feet and runs behind his pads, which makes him a load to bring down, but he is not a guy who showed the receiving/blocking skills necessary to be a third-down back. He lost nearly 40 pounds in the run-up to the 2011 NFL Draft.
TIGHT ENDS
Vaughn Charlton, 6-5, 253, Temple: Began his college career as a quarterback, and he played the position for three seasons before volunteering to move to tight end during the spring of his redshirt senior season of 2011. As a quarterback at Temple he completed 53.3 percent during his career for 2,615 yards, but he also threw 11 interceptions in his final season at the position. Recognized at Temple for both his academic performance and leadership ability, Charlton added 20 pounds to play tight end in 2010. He finished that year with three catches for 15 yards in seven games.
Weslye Saunders, 6-5, 270, South Carolina: During his first three college seasons, Saunders played in 36 games and accumulated 60 catches for 718 yards and three touchdowns. Was used as the blocking complement to fellow tight end Jared Cook in 2008, and Cook became a third-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2009. Initially, Saunders intended to come out for the 2010 NFL Draft, and the situation ended with him being investigated by the NCAA for improper contact with an agent. He was dismissed from the team in September 2010, and Saunders then sustained a stress fracture in his left foot while working out at the NFL Scouting Combine last February.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Eric Greenwood, 6-6, 212, Idaho: In 2010, Greenwood was a second-team All-WAC selection after leading the team with 46 catches for 741 yards and six touchdowns. He finished his career with 89 catches for 1,246 yards and 11 touchdowns in 39 games. Greenwood ran a 4.62 in the 40-yard dash during his pro day workout on March 11, 2011.
Terrence McCrae, 6-3, 193, Ohio: Was a full-time starter in 2010, and he finished with 35 catches for 505 yards and nine touchdowns. Also had 35 catches for 545 yards and nine touchdowns in 2009. McCrae will have a chance because of his measurables, which include 4.4 speed, and he has good hands and the ability to high-point the ball to be a threat in the red zone. McCrae showed a willingness to go over the middle and the toughness to hold onto the ball in college, but he is
raw in a lot of the nuances of the wide receiver position. Not a kick returner.
Adam Mims, 5-8, 195, Furman: A fifth-year senior, Mims finished his college career with 198 catches for 2,433 yards (12.3 average) and 13 touchdowns. He averaged 10.1 yards on 35 career punt returns and 19.5 yards on 24 career kickoff return yards. Mims also was used to run some reverses at Furman. In 2008, his first year as a starter, Mims led the team in both catches with 58 catches and receiving yards with 711. Those 58 catches represented the fourth-best total in school history. At the Coastal Carolina Pro Day on March 29, 2011, Mims ran a 4.4.
Armand Robinson, 5-11, 197, Miami (Ohio): In 49 career college games, Robinson caught 210 passes for 2,550 yards and 15 touchdowns, with his most productive seasons being his final two. In 2009, Robinson was named third-team All-MAC after catching 67 passes for 788 yards and four touchdowns, and he bettered that in 2010 with 94 catches for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns. In his team’s biggest game in years – the 2010 MAC Championship Game – Robinson caught 14 passes for 176 yards and the game-winning touchdown against Northern Illinois. Robinson’s status for the NFL Draft was hurt when he ran a 4.7 during a pro day on March 29, 2011.
CENTER
Colin Miller, 6-3, 299, Central Michigan: Miller was a two-time second-team All-MAC choice at center. He started 46 career games, including 42 at center. Miller was one of only two offensive linemen to start every 2010 game for a Central Michigan offense that ranked second in its conference in passing and third in total offense. Miller missed four games to injury in 2008. During a pro day workout last March, Miller ran a 5.3 and did 32 repetitions of 225 pounds in the bench press.
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Joshua Harrison, 6-4, 305, South Carolina State: Harrison finished his career at South Carolina State as one of the MEAC’s most decorated offensive linemen. A starter at right tackle for every game during his junior and senior seasons, Harrison was selected as a first-team All-MEAC lineman in 2009, and in 2010 he was voted the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year by the conference’s coaches. During a pro day workout, Harrison ran a 5.28 and did 17 repetitions of 225 pounds. While waiting for the NFL lockout to end, Harrison went back to school where he was an industrial engineer technology major.
Trevis Turner, 6-7, 333, Abilene Christian: After his career at DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas, Turner signed a letter-of-intent with Colorado State, but he never played there. Turner started at left tackle for Trinity Valley Junior College in 2006. He transferred to Northeastern State prior to the 2007 season but did not play there. Turner then went to Abilene Christian in 2008 where he started 37 games at right tackle for a team that posted a 31-6 record and earned three straight NCAA Division II playoff berths. In 2010, Turner was a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award and earned the Jim Langer Offensive Lineman of the Game Award at the Cactus Bowl in Kingsville. At a pro day before the 2011 draft, Turner ran a 5.39 and did 22 repetitions in the 225-pound bench press.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Ty Boyle, 6-3, 285, North Dakota: In 35 career college games, including 21 starts, Boyle accumulated 80 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 19 pressures and two sacks. Boyle also had one interception and blocked three kicks. A Phi Beta Kappa for his academic work in the field of economics, Boyle also served as an intern in the strategic planning department working on business operations at the CONSOL Energy Center, the home of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
Miguel Chavis, 6-5, 280, Clemson: It’s unusual for a nose guard to be so tall, but that’s the position Chavis played primarily during his college career at Clemson. As he gradually worked himself into the lineup during his first two seasons, Chavis had his playing time gradually increase as he finished with 10 tackles during that time. In 2009 he had 14 tackles on the season. As a senior in 2010, Chavis had 16 tackles during the first six games, but then he missed five of the last six games plus the bowl game. It was reported that at the time of the draft he was recovering from foot and ankle injuries.
Anthony Gray, 6-0, 330, Southern Mississippi: After a foot injury all but ruined his redshirt freshman season of 2007. A nose tackle, Anderson became a productive player over the course of his final three college seasons. He finished those three seasons with 112 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and nine sacks. His six sacks in 2008 led the team. During his pro day workout on March 22, 2011, Gray was quite impressive. He moved very well at 330 pounds by running a 5.15 in the 40, and a 4.61 in the short shuttle. Gray also posted a 31.5-inch vertical jump and did 39 repetitions on the bench press.
LINEBACKERS
Erik Clanton, 6-3, 242, The Citadel: A defensive end in college, Clanton will play outside linebacker for the Steelers. In 29 games – seven starts – over his first three seasons, Clanton totaled 52 tackles and 4.5 sacks, but then he really blossomed as a senior. In 2010, Clanton was voted first-team All-Conference after posting 14 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks. At his pro day workout, Clanton ran a 4.83 and did 11 repetitions in the bench press. He had signed with Montreal of the Canadian Football League, but he was released before the Alouettes’ season began.
Mario Harvey, 5-11, 250 Marshall: Harvey played middle linebacker in college, but he will be one of the inside linebackers in the Steelers’ 3-4 alignment. He became a full-time starter in 2008, and in his final three seasons at Marshall he had 367 tackles, 33 tackles for loss and 20 sacks. As a senior, Harvey also had seven passes defensed and three forced fumbles. A team captain, Harvey is muscular, has the proper temperament for the position and likes contact. A very productive player who was used both as a middle linebacker and a rush end in college, Harvey also was a standout on special teams. On his pro day, Harvey ran a 4.46 and did 27 repetitions on the bench press.
SECONDARY
Niles Brinkley, 5-10, 193, Wisconsin: A cornerback whose father, Lorenzo Brinkley, was a fourth-round draft pick by the Steelers in 1972, Niles Brinkley led the Badgers with four interceptions in 2008, and he added two more in 2009. Brinkley is seen as a tough, competitive cornerback who is physical enough to re-route receivers off the line of scrimmage, while also being good in run support. Brinkley ran a 4.54 at the Scouting Combine, but then lowered that number to 4.48 at his pro day workout. He left college with a reputation as a hard worker.
Brett Greenwood, 5-11, 198, Iowa: A free safety for the Hawkeyes, Greenwood finished his career there with 12 interceptions to tie for sixth place on the school’s all-time list. Ten of those 12 interceptions came in 2010 when he finished the season as the Big Ten leader in that category. That was quite an accomplishment for a player who started at Iowa as a walk-on in 2006. He ran a 4.67 in the 40 prior to the draft last April.
SPECIALISTS
Derek Chard, 6-3, 245, Connecticut: Chard handled all of the long-snapping duties for the Huskies during the 2009-10 seasons without incident. He also contributed seven tackles on special teams during that time.Steeler teams featuring stat-driven, me-first, fantasy-football-darling diva types such as Antonio Brown & Le'Veon Bell won no championships.
Super Bowl winning Steeler teams were built around a dynamic, in-your-face defense plus blue-collar, hard-hitting, no-nonsense football players on offense such as Hines Ward & Jerome Bettis.
We don't want Juju & Conner to replace what we lost in Brown & Bell.
We are counting on Juju & Conner to return us to the glory we once had with Hines & The Bus.Comment
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Re: UDFA
John Clay will join Pittsburgh Steelers
by GERY WOELFEL
Posted: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Mike McCartney’s telephone seemingly never stopped ringing Monday night.
“It was crazy,‘’ McCartney said. “I can’t even remember all of the people I talked to.’’
The reason McCartney was kept so busy was because he represents John Clay, the former University of Wisconsin standout running back from Racine.
Clay, a Park High School graduate who was the 2005 Associated Press Wisconsin State Player of the Year, was expected to be one of the most coveted undrafted free agents on the market and, as McCartney will attest, he was precisely that.
On the first day in which NFL teams could contact undrafted players or their agents, McCartney said there was a “ton of interest’’ in his client.
When the dust has settled, though. McCartney and Clay agreed Clay’s services would best be served with one NFL team.
“John has agreed in principle to a contact with the Pittsburgh Steelers,’’ McCartney said of the Steelers, who lost to the Green Bay Packers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV in January. “We think it’s a great fit for a number of reasons.
“It was important for John to get into a great organization with great coaching and tradition. And their style of play is critical and, in looking at their depth chart, they do have a need for a big, power back, which John is.
“Rashard (Mendenhall) had the fourth-most carries in the league last year, so they needed a complimentary big back. It’s important to have two big workhorse backs.
“John’s ecstatic. He has a tremendous amount of relief and excitement.’’
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Clay, who was the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year two seasons ago, couldn’t be reached for comment Tuesday morning.
He is expected to fly to Pittsburgh today and sign a three-year contact wit the Steelers.
McCartney said another major reason Clay opted for the Steelers instead of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, among other teams, was because of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.
McCartney said Tomlin attended Clay’s Pro Day workout in Madison before the draft and they quickly developed a nice rapport.
“He and Mike Tomlin had a real good conversation,’’ McCartney said. “When the head coach is excited about a player, that’s very important.
“When you consider that, and all those other things, it’s a home run for John.’’
Read more: [url="http://www.journaltimes.com/sports/article_fe57cd08-b78f-11e0-a1ed-001cc4c03286.html#ixzz1TFRbnQ4p"]http://www.journaltimes.com/sports/arti ... z1TFRbnQ4p[/url]Comment
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Re: UDFA
Some interesting names. Aside from those already discussed, Boyle and Chavis have interesting size as 3-4 DEs. Not sure if they can play any, but I know the Steelers always like to try to find a project for Mitchell.Comment
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Re: UDFA
I do.Originally posted by flippy
I almost look forward to the UDFA signings more than the draft.. I have always found it very exciting. (even though only a few really, really pan out)...Cleveland spelled backwards is DNA Level C
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/d...itty29/mjg.jpg
another AA/AS original.Comment
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Re: UDFA
Originally posted by SteelCity
Welcome to the Planet
Molon labe
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. George Orwell
?We're not going to apologize for winning.?
Mike Tomlin
American metal pimped by asiansteel
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you 1. Jesus Christ, 2.The American G.I., One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.Comment
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Re: UDFA
Originally posted by fordfixerOriginally posted by SteelCity
Welcome to the Planet
hey SteelCity,
I would not be surprised to see Mario Harvey make the 53 man roster as he excels on special teams but I would definitely be very surprised to see Terrence McCrae make it...the practice squad seems much more likely.
and yes, welcome to the Planet. your first post was a very good one!
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Re: UDFA
Harvey and Stevenson Sylvester could give us two very good young LBs.
The free agent I expect to make the biggest contribution is Wesley Saunders at TE. The kid has great skills. We know since he is on the offensive side of the ball Arians will actually let him play and show what he can do on the field versus any rookie on the defensive side of the ball who are forbidden to play."My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"Comment
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Re: UDFA
A look at the Steelers 2011 Undrafted Free Agents
WRITTEN BY BLITZBURGH STAFF | 25 JULY 2011
With the lockout over, teams are now free to begin signing undrafted free agents beginning on the evening of July 25th. The Steelers have consistently been one of the best teams in the league at finding talent among the players who don't have their name called during the draft. Below is a player-by-player look at the 2011 UDFA class.
DT Anthony Gray, Southern Mississippi
Gray is a Philadelphia native who will likely play nose tackle in the NFL. He is massive, perhaps too big even, at 5'11", 330 pounds. He has ran the 40-yard dash in 5.1 seconds so he does seem to move around well enough, but it remains to be seen if he will be quick enough to play at the NFL level.
TE Weslye Saunders, South Carolina
Saunders is a very gifted football player who has had some issues off the field that caused him to drop from a mid-round pick at worst to a UDFA. He received improper benefits and was suspended for the entire 2010 season at USC. Saunders was actually initially declared ineligible from the draft for a while before being reinstated. He has good size at 6'5", 287 pounds and put up impressive receiving numbers for the Gamecocks. Saunders is a boom or bust type of sign.
DT Miguel Chavis, Clemson
At 6'4", 281, Chavis would likely profile as a 3-4 end in the Steelers system.
WR Terrence McCrae, Ohio University
McCrae is a big, record-breaking receiver from Ohio University who played his high school football at Connelsville. He is 6'3", but was still clocked at 4.45 for the 40-yard dash. He played in a very run-heavy offense in college and has a shot to surprise a lot of people if given a chance in the NFL. His size/speed combo alone make him interesting.
C Colin Miller, Central Michigan
Miller is a lanky center who struggled with injuries during his college career. He was healthy during his senior season, though, and was twice named to the Rimington Trophy watch list. It will be interesting to see how he matches up against NFL lineman, which is obviously a big upgrade over the competition he saw at CMU.
RB John Clay, Wisconsin
Clay is the biggest name of the Steelers 2011 UDFA signings so far. Clay left Wisconsin a year early and was likely shocked to not hear his name called at all during April's draft. The biggest question mark with Clay will be his speed and quickness. He ran a horrendous 4.83 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and NFL teams passed on him in the draft because they felt he is too slow to be a difference maker in the NFL. I'm looking forward to see how he performs in camp, though he has an uphill battle to make the roster.
WR Armand Robinson, Miami (Ohio)
Hailing from Big Ben's alma mater can't hurt. Robinson put up solid numbers and had several clutch TDs during his Redhawk career. He has good hands and is said to be a bright receiver, but hasn't shown NFL-caliber speed and will have to show a lot of improvement to make a roster.
TE/FB Vaughn Charlton, Temple
Charlton is an interesting player. He was Temple's starting QB during his junior season and moved to tight end during his senior year. The position switch shows what kind of team player Charlton is and he is a PA native too, which always gets points in my book. He's a definite project, though, as he doesn't have any great skills that stand out and is inexperienced.
WR Adam Mims, Furman
A quick, undersized receiver that played for a small football program at a school I have never heard of. He was a kick returner in college, and his small stature (5'8", 195lb) projects him as a Stefan Logan or Darren Sproles type of player.
OT Trevis Turner, Abilene Christian
Turner is a monstrous human at 6'7", 330 lbs. He was a stud OL at a D-II school, but D-II can only take you so far. No one saw first to spend a draft pick on him, but he could still develop into a serviceable lineman with his enormous frame. This is a preseason depth move for the Steelers, and Turner is likely going to spend the year on the practice squad before getting a shot to be a backup.
S Brett Greenwood, Iowa
Greenwood is coming off a rough shoulder injury, but prior to that setback he was one of Iowa's on-field leaders on defense. He was the established veteran in the seconday, taking young guys in and watching game film with them, constantly challenging and competing with them, and the best part about him is that he has always been modest in the media. He's a team-first guy whose work ethic and aptitude for film study could land him a spot on the Steelers' roster
CB Niles Brinkley, Wisconsin
A raw prospect that can be beaten by mediocre receivers. He's very durable though, only missing one game in 4 seasons. His technique is lacking in almost every facet of pass defense, but his willingness to try and support the run could help him land a spot as a special teams gunner for a few years. Don't expect him to crack the defensive lineup any time soon though.
OLB Erik Clanton, Citadel
At 6'3", 242lb, Clanton projects as a hybrid DE/LB. Unfortunately for him, the Steelers are stacked in that area right now and he's going to have to be a heck of a playmaker on special teams to find a place on the roster this year.
LB Mario Harvey, Marshall
He's smaller than Clanton (only 5'11", 250lb) and that will be an obstacle for him, unless, again, he turns into a force on special teams. It'll be a more difficult road for him to find a starting job at any point, because his size will likely limit him to ILB where the Steelers are well-set for the next few years.
WR Eric Greenwood, Idaho
Not L.C.'s kid, sadly. He is, however, a huge guy at 6'7", 223lbs and if he can hone his technique just a little bit, he could be a situational (red zone) go-to guy for the Steelers, especially given how [literally] short they are at WR.
DE Ty Boyle, North Dakota
Boyle is an athletic defensive end who had a bit of a knack for blocking kicks (three in his collegiate career). He'll need to add a few pounds to be an effective NFL player, but for a depth signing at DE he might do all right in a year or two.
OT Josh Harrison, South Carolina State
Harrison was a big, run-blocking guard at SC State and will join the Steelers as a tackle. But knowing how the Steelers play their O-line, he could be a backup at every position, much like Trai Essex, if he pans out as a serviceable player.
LS Derek Chard, Connecticut
He's a long snapper. That's about it. If something happens to Greg Warren (very possible), Chard will likely be the new guy.
[url="http://blitzburghblog.com/2011-articles/july/a-look-at-the-steelers-2011-undrafted-free-agents.html"]http://blitzburghblog.com/2011-articles ... gents.html[/url]
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