Don't draft ILB in Round 1

[BigRob]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

I just think you are over valuing Donte Hightower. He is not head and shoulders above Bobby Wagner, Cole, or Michael Johnson to me. I could definitely be wrong.

But you are missing the point. Hightower will be i(head and shoulders above them), in the Steelers 3-4 defense. And he will get on the field years before those guys do.

I think the Steelers have shown that you cannot think about year 1 with defenders in this system. Its just the mindset they have. You have to think year 2 and beyond.

My point is that Hightower will not be head and shoulders better than the others by year 2 and beyond in this system.

I could very well be wrong.

[Dee Dub]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

I just think you are over valuing Donte Hightower. He is not head and shoulders above Bobby Wagner, Cole, or Michael Johnson to me. I could definitely be wrong.

But you are missing the point. Hightower will be i(head and shoulders above them), in the Steelers 3-4 defense. And he will get on the field years before those guys do.

I think the Steelers have shown that you cannot think about year 1 with defenders in this system. Its just the mindset they have. You have to think year 2 and beyond.

My point is that Hightower will not be head and shoulders better than the others by year 2 and beyond in this system.

I could very well be wrong.

Well it is a matter of opinion. Yours versus mine. And I will say, you very well may be right. I will point again though, the Steelers have never drafted a first round player who came from an almost identical 3-4 defense before. They have that chance here with Hightower. And they would be foolish to think he couldn't pick it up when in fact he already has.

[BigRob]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

[quote=Dee Dub]

I just think you are over valuing Donte Hightower. He is not head and shoulders above Bobby Wagner, Cole, or Michael Johnson to me. I could definitely be wrong.

But you are missing the point. Hightower will be i(head and shoulders above them), in the Steelers 3-4 defense. And he will get on the field years before those guys do.

I think the Steelers have shown that you cannot think about year 1 with defenders in this system. Its just the mindset they have. You have to think year 2 and beyond.

My point is that Hightower will not be head and shoulders better than the others by year 2 and beyond in this system.

I could very well be wrong.

Well it is a matter of opinion. Yours versus mine. And I will say, you very well may be right. I will point again though, the Steelers have never drafted a first round player who came from an almost identical 3-4 defense before. They have that chance here with Hightower. And they would be foolish to think he couldn't pick it up when in fact he already has.[/quote:2icluo5r]

I will say one point in your favor. Heyward played in a 3-4 some in college and played quite a bit as a rookie. So maybe they decide to go with Foote/Hightower combination for year 1. I would probably be ok with that.

My question is this. Is Hightower the kind of athlete that Colber/Tomlin like to draft?

[Dee Dub]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

[quote=BigRob]

I just think you are over valuing Donte Hightower. He is not head and shoulders above Bobby Wagner, Cole, or Michael Johnson to me. I could definitely be wrong.

But you are missing the point. Hightower will be i(head and shoulders above them), in the Steelers 3-4 defense. And he will get on the field years before those guys do.

I think the Steelers have shown that you cannot think about year 1 with defenders in this system. Its just the mindset they have. You have to think year 2 and beyond.

My point is that Hightower will not be head and shoulders better than the others by year 2 and beyond in this system.

I could very well be wrong.

Well it is a matter of opinion. Yours versus mine. And I will say, you very well may be right. I will point again though, the Steelers have never drafted a first round player who came from an almost identical 3-4 defense before. They have that chance here with Hightower. And they would be foolish to think he couldn't pick it up when in fact he already has.

I will say one point in your favor. Heyward played in a 3-4 some in college and played quite a bit as a rookie. So maybe they decide to go with Foote/Hightower combination for year 1. I would probably be ok with that.

My question is this. Is Hightower the kind of athlete that Colber/Tomlin like to draft?[/quote:2ajhsxgb]


I think Hightower is more consistent in his play than athletic. He can also be deceptive in his athleticism like Levon Kirkland was. Keep in mind Hightower goes about 265.

[BigRob]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

Dang, your starting to sway me to your way of thinking.

What do you think of Melvin Ingram. He is a guy that splits a lot of opinions on scouts.

[Dee Dub]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

Dang, your starting to sway me to your way of thinking.

What do you think of Melvin Ingram. He is a guy that splits a lot of opinions on scouts.

He looked awesome today in the one on ones. Mayock was saying he's the type of guy you want to move around and take advantage of his speed/burst. I think he's a bigger version of Robert Mathis of the Colts.

[Dee Dub]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

Hey Big Rob in a perfect world I would love to move back in the first round and get Hightower. I think he may be there around 28, 29, 30, but the Ravens may want him too.

[BigRob]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

Dang, your starting to sway me to your way of thinking.

What do you think of Melvin Ingram. He is a guy that splits a lot of opinions on scouts.

He looked awesome today in the one on ones. Mayock was saying he's the type of guy you want to move around and take advantage of his speed/burst. I think he's a bigger version of Robert Mathis of the Colts.

Considering Harrison's age and our lack of replacement, do you take him at 24 possibly?

[Dee Dub]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

Dang, your starting to sway me to your way of thinking.

What do you think of Melvin Ingram. He is a guy that splits a lot of opinions on scouts.

He looked awesome today in the one on ones. Mayock was saying he's the type of guy you want to move around and take advantage of his speed/burst. I think he's a bigger version of Robert Mathis of the Colts.

Considering Harrison's age and our lack of replacement, do you take him at 24 possibly?

No, if I were do that I would rather go Courtney Upshaw who aslo played in Saban's 3-4 at Alabama. But since OLB isnt an immediate need I wouldnt do either for the first round pick.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

[quote=Dee Dub]

Dang, your starting to sway me to your way of thinking.

What do you think of Melvin Ingram. He is a guy that splits a lot of opinions on scouts.

He looked awesome today in the one on ones. Mayock was saying he's the type of guy you want to move around and take advantage of his speed/burst. I think he's a bigger version of Robert Mathis of the Colts.

Considering Harrison's age and our lack of replacement, do you take him at 24 possibly?

No, if I were do that I would rather go Courtney Upshaw who aslo played in Saban's 3-4 at Alabama. But since OLB isnt an immediate need I wouldnt do either for the first round pick.[/quote:1fgo5tyk]

Upshaw will likely be long gone (like top half of the first round)...even though OLB isn't an immediate need, what would you do if Vinny Curry were still on the board at 2.56 (after spending 2nd round picks recently on Woodley and Worilds)?

[Dee Dub]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

[quote=RuthlessBurgher]

Dang, your starting to sway me to your way of thinking.

What do you think of Melvin Ingram. He is a guy that splits a lot of opinions on scouts.

He looked awesome today in the one on ones. Mayock was saying he's the type of guy you want to move around and take advantage of his speed/burst. I think he's a bigger version of Robert Mathis of the Colts.

Considering Harrison's age and our lack of replacement, do you take him at 24 possibly?

No, if I were do that I would rather go Courtney Upshaw who aslo played in Saban's 3-4 at Alabama. But since OLB isnt an immediate need I wouldnt do either for the first round pick.

Upshaw will likely be long gone (like top half of the first round)...even though OLB isn't an immediate need, what would you do if Vinny Curry were still on the board at 2.56 (after spending 2nd round picks recently on Woodley and Worilds)?[/quote:3p7xnyaz]

That would be a tough one Ruthless. Curry could be the next Demarcus Ware. Back during the middle of the college season when I did one of my first Steeler drafts I actually had Curry in the second round for the Steelers. I think I would have to know who else is there at or around 56. I'll tell you another guy shooting up the draft board and is considered a mid-second round pick is Notre Dame's FS Harrison Smith. Curry would be my preference over Smith because of his big play ability. But I am keeping an eye on NT Brandon Thompson. For some reason he is falling (early second now), and I cant figure that out.

If Curry was the choice you maybe able to trade Jason Worilds. Now Curry with another pick sounds pretty good to me.

[Shoe]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

Considering Harrison's age and our lack of replacement, do you take him at 24 possibly?

We already have Worilds. And we have Chris Carter from Fresno St in the wings. You guys don't think that's enough??

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

I don't think Tomlin would ever draft Audie Cole.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

I'm having a hard time seeing anyone being picked on the offensive side of the ball besides DeCastro or Glenn. Adams & Sanders don't seem to be #24 grades. So if those two are gone...What positions on D do you see them drafting? In our range...There is one 1st round S prospect, 2 possible 1st round NT prospects, & 3 possible 1st round ILBs. I wouldn't count out OLB either. The scales are tipped right now in favor of the defense and being that the ILB position has some players graded out there...I would say there is a realistic possibility it could be an ILB.

I think the early picks are going to come down more to needs relating to slotting. The "needs" will be more visible come March. I suspect the Steelers will need a starter at G, a rotational NT who will need to start by 2013 or sooner, a young S to be ready to start beyond 2013, and an ILB who has to be brought into the system to start in the near future. By "slotting" I mean where the positions grade out. This draft looks to have capable Gs to start as deep as the 3rd. So if DeCastro & Glenn are gone in the 1st, it can be addressed later. ILB is a need but I am getting the feeling that one of Farrior or Foote will be here for one more year. Still is a big need and a rookie may unseat him, but it may be a position they feel is the least of a concern of the 4 for 2012. They will need to get a young S on board here this year to groom to start. The top is weak but there seems to be some good prospects in rounds 2-4. Which brings me to NT. Based on Hampton's performance, age, and cap hit after March 1....I believe he may be a cap casualty. I do believe the Steelers think they have enough in place to hold that position down for the early part of the season on the roster. However, a big body will be needed and will see significant time in the rotation early. Since a NT is a different type of animal their value seems to sky rocket and the run seems to always be in the first two rounds to get a player to solidify that position for the future. This draft looks pretty good for the Steelers in rounds 1 & 2 to fill that void. I wouldn't rule out any of those four positions in the 1st if a player is graded there. I feel they will address NT by the 2nd, and the positions that are left will be in the 3rd & 4th. It looks like players will grade out well for the Steelers needs throught the 1st three rounds.

[pfelix73]

Re: Don't draft ILB in Round 1

IF Hightower is still there where we pick- it's a no brainer. He's a playmaker, and that's what we need right now. If need be, trade up...