A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

[BigRob]

Nose Tackle is quickly becoming a big time need for us. I like Mclendon, but don't think you can count on him as a full time starter unless he makes a big time jump again this year.

By all accounts he is an animal in the weight room. He apparently is a very hard worker in the film room as well. Mclendon recently told Wexell that he weighs 320lbs.

With Hampton's knee requiring surgery, he is a goner. The Steelers can't wait to see if he will be healthy enough by camp. This will have been his third ACL injury.

Nose Tackle will be addressed by the draft or outside the draft. I think there are two really intriguing options to pursue if we can clear some cap space.

Paul Soliai (MIA) - NT

A very good NT with the Dolphins. I think him and Mclendon could form a very formidable duo at the position. I also don't think he will break the bank. Like Hampton he is a pure run stopper. He had 27 combined tackles this year with no sacks.

Aubrayo Franklin (NO) - NT

After generating very little interest in FA last year, he signed a one year deal with the Saints. He is a very capable 3-4 NT, and was franchised at least once with the 49'ers because he was that good of a run stuffer. I do not think he will generate a ton of interest in Free Agency again this year.

I only see two early round options in the draft for a potential NT with Chapman blowing an ACL:

Dontari Poe- He is a sure fire first rounder and should be in range. He could be our own version of Ngata in 2 years.

Alamad Ta'amu His is less of a sure thing, and is looking more and more like a 2nd rounder.

This is becoming a bigger and bigger need.

[focosteeler]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

i think the draft is the only reasonable way to upgrade. with the cap issues we already have i cant see us spending much of anything in free agency apart from bringing back our own guys

[Eddie Spaghetti]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

I am interested in hearing other opinions on this as well.

I wonder if NT, even though a huge need right now, is worth a 1st round draft pick.

it seems like the way the league is going(thanks fidel) a huge run stuffing NT may be becoming a 2 down player at best. I just have to wonder if that kind of player warrants a 1st round investment. I am still of the opinion that cody was the pick instead of worilds 2 drafts ago, but that is water under the bridge.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

i think the draft is the only reasonable way to upgrade. the cap issues we already have i cant see us spending much of anything in free agency apart from bring back our own guys

unfortunately, expensive free agent options are not an option...

[BigRob]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

i think the draft is the only reasonable way to upgrade. the cap issues we already have i cant see us spending much of anything in free agency apart from bring back our own guys

unfortunately, expensive free agent options are not an option...

I don't think either of these guys would cost as much as Hampton would have if healthy. Hampton was likely to be cut and then brought back.

I think you can get Soliai or Franklin for a more than reasonable contract. Especially with Dolphins converting to 4-3 now.

[pfelix73]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

I think they have no choice but to address it in FA....

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

not sure how we can sign any expensive free agents...

we are nearly $20 plus million over the 2012 projected salary cap number of $125 million and that is with just 44 players under contract for 2012. we still need to tender contracts to our restricted and exclusive rights free agents and fill the offseason roster to get to the 80 player limit as well.

my personal opinion is that Big Snack will be back next year, but with a much reduced contract and cap hit.

[TallyStiller]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

Nose Tackle is quickly becoming a big time need for us. I like Mclendon, but don't think you can count on him as a full time starter unless he makes a big time jump again this year.

By all accounts he is an animal in the weight room. He apparently is a very hard worker in the film room as well. Mclendon recently told Wexell that he weighs 320lbs.

With Hampton's knee requiring surgery, he is a goner. The Steelers can't wait to see if he will be healthy enough by camp. This will have been his third ACL injury.

Nose Tackle will be addressed by the draft or outside the draft. I think there are two really intriguing options to pursue if we can clear some cap space.

Paul Soliai (MIA) - NT

A very good NT with the Dolphins. I think him and Mclendon could form a very formidable duo at the position. I also don't think he will break the bank. Like Hampton he is a pure run stopper. He had 27 combined tackles this year with no sacks.

Aubrayo Franklin (NO) - NT

After generating very little interest in FA last year, he signed a one year deal with the Saints. He is a very capable 3-4 NT, and was franchised at least once with the 49'ers because he was that good of a run stuffer. I do not think he will generate a ton of interest in Free Agency again this year.

I only see two early round options in the draft for a potential NT with Chapman blowing an ACL:

Dontari Poe- He is a sure fire first rounder and should be in range. He could be our own version of Ngata in 2 years.
Alamad Ta'amu His is less of a sure thing, and is looking more and more like a 2nd rounder.

This is becoming a bigger and bigger need.

Does Ngata come out on passing downs? If you've got a big guy who can collapse the pocket and generate some rush, even if it's just straight ahead bull rush, to occupy interior linemen, you've got a cornerstone for a very physical defense. I know Baltimore spent a very high pick (It was a 12, IIRC) on Ngata. If we can get a player who has a good chance of being comparable in impact late in the 1st, I'm listening.

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

You missed the best option...

NT - Ziggy Hood (He's 6'3" 300 pounds of NFL ready size and strength. And he already knows the playbook. Plus he's a better bull rusher on the inside anyway.)

Day one we start:

DE - Heyward

NT - Hood

DE - Keisel

Of course we still need back ups but those can come much cheaper both in terms of cash and valuable draft choices.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

You missed the best option...

NT - Ziggy Hood (He's 6'3" 300 pounds of NFL ready size and strength. And he already knows the playbook. Plus he's a better bull rusher on the inside anyway.)

Day one we start:

DE - Heyward

NT - Hood

DE - Keisel

Of course we still need back ups but those can come much cheaper both in terms of cash and valuable draft choices.

I would love to see your scenario work out with Heyward, Ziggy and Keisel starting and Steve McLendon, Corbin Bryant, Al Woods, possibly Aaron Smith and a DL draft choice or two competing for back-up spots.

[pfelix73]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

Yea, I didn't miss that option as I think Hood is probably a logical choice at NG. However, then we'll still need to find a DE in FA. Either way, after we get down under the cap were gonna have to look at some. I would suspect once they start cutting some of these salaries, we'll get down under the cap pretty fast.

[Dresden]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

If Hood can rarely even handle single blockers as an end in a 3-4 with poor leverage, insufficient lower body strength, intelligence, technique and motor,....how exactly is he going to suddenly become a stud as the spearhead and or heart of a 3-4 defense at NT ?

[SS Laser]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

Watch the game closer. Hood has all ready played some NT in passing situations. But I am sure he did a terrible job.

[StarSpangledSteeler]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

If Hood can rarely even handle single blockers as an end in a 3-4 with poor leverage, insufficient lower body strength, intelligence, technique and motor,....how exactly is he going to suddenly become a stud as the spearhead and or heart of a 3-4 defense at NT ?

Here is my thinking...

Hood is/was/always-will-be a 4-3 DT. He is out of position as a 3-4 DE. And he is out of position as a 3-4 NT. But the lesser of two evils is at NT. He is 6'3" 300 pounds. IMO he does not have enough length or speed to beat these 6'6" 320 pound OT's with pass rush moves, so he is stuck bull rushing the OT's a vast majority of the time, which has proven to be ineffective both at generating pressure or drawing double teams.

When Hood plays on the inside he typically finds himself facing 6'1"-6'4" OG's and OC's, which is a much more favorable match up. And while he doesn't anchor against the run as well as Hampton, he does generate a better bull rush than Hampton, and is certainly a better pass rusher one on one with his initial quickness, and rip/swim moves than Hampton.

This is now a passing league. The days of needing a big NT to stuff the run on first and second down are quickly fading. I believe we are a more effective defense with a lighter quicker NT. Again, I'm not saying Hood is some pro-bowl caliber NT. I'm saying he is more effective on the inside than on the outside, and he's ready to play there RIGHT NOW, whereas anyone we draft will probably be a year away.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Re: A couple of options at NT outside of the draft

I like these options.

C-town