Ovi Draft

[phillyesq]

Ovi, I like your idea of a second TE, and if the value was there this year, I would absolutely say that the Steelers should consider it. My only objection is that I don't think that Fleener is a first round talent. I think that TEs will be overdrafted this year because of Gronk/Hernandez, Vernon Davis, Jimmy Graham, etc., but I just don't see the value at that position this year.

I also meant to add, I like Brooks. Probably a boom or bust type pick, but it would be great to get a real mauler at OG.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Originally Posted by MeetJoeGreene [URL="http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=497400#post497400"][/URL]
Dude! Epic Mock Draft! That is BEAST!

[Oviedo]

Originally Posted by MeetJoeGreene [URL="http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=497400#post497400"][/URL]
Dude! Epic Mock Draft! That is BEAST!

Thanks Ruthless---I now feel validated

[Dee Dub]

I assumed Glenn and DeCastro are gone or my pick would have been Glenn. Then I looked at Fleenor and Hightower. The deciding factor was that Fleenor would play and contribute and Hightower would watch and learn. If my ILB is going to spend at least a year watching and learning then why not get one in Round 3 or 4.

I also picked Fleenor because we have a real issue if Miller ever gets hurt. There is absolutley no one behind him who could fill in. That would be a very serious loss to the offense.

As far as WVU players I still advocate we sign Owen Schmitt to a FA contract. Does that count? He would be a significant improvement over David Johnson.

So even though Hightower is an above average football player and played in a very similar 3-4 zone blitz defense at Alabama you think automatically he sits year one?

And you base this on the logic that no other rookie has come in on defense for the Steelers and played/started year one yet no other rookie the Steelers have drafted has come from a similar 3-4 zone blitz?

One word....flawed!

[Oviedo]

Originally Posted by MeetJoeGreene [URL="http://www.planetsteelers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=497400#post497400"][/URL]
Dude! Epic Mock Draft! That is BEAST!

BTW--I really hope your Mock is close to what happens. I just don't see that Round 1 trade happening and I would sorely be tempted to take Glenn over DeCastro. I would also like to see Ganaway in the later rounds at RB.

[Oviedo]

So even though Hightower is an above average football player and played in a very similar 3-4 zone blitz defense at Alabama you think automatically he sits year one?

And you base this on the logic that no other rookie has come in on defense and played year one yet no other has come from a similar 3-4 zone blitz?

One word....flawed!

Didn't Cam Heyward come in from a similar system. It's not like he ate up lots of playing time.

[grotonsteel]

Didn't Cam Heyward come in from a similar system. It's not like he ate up lots of playing time.

Any Defensive player picked by Steelers in Rd 1 has a 2-3-yrs learning curve under Dick Lebeau. DL schemes are too complicated for a rookie to contribute.

[calmkiller]

So even though Hightower is an above average football player and played in a very similar 3-4 zone blitz defense at Alabama you think automatically he sits year one?

And you base this on the logic that no other rookie has come in on defense for the Steelers and played/started year one yet no other rookie the Steelers have drafted has come from a similar 3-4 zone blitz?

One word....flawed!

Kendrell Bell came in and produced his rookie season. Now after that season we have a different story, but it is possible. Although that wasn't under Lebeau. I think he could produce. I also feel that we have two UDFA as starters at OG. That needs addressed.

[Dee Dub]

Didn't Cam Heyward come in from a similar system. It's not like he ate up lots of playing time.

No he didnt. Not even close. All though Ohio State did run some variations of a 3-4 defense they were primarily a 4-3 that used some 3-4. And that 3-4 was no where near the 3-4 zone blitz that Saban runs at Alabama.

And we are talking about the captain of the Alabama defense with Hightower. The one who called the defensive signals. Not a rookie DE who had entrenched starters ahead of him. The Steelers have an opening at ILB.

It's ok Ovi, you can be narrow sited on this.

[Dee Dub]

Any Defensive player picked by Steelers in Rd 1 has a 2-3-yrs learning curve under Dick Lebeau. DL schemes are too complicated for a rookie to contribute.

Unbelievable! If you think that LeBeau's 3-4 zone blitz is more complicated than Saban's then you really dont know much about either system.

[Dee Dub]

Yeah this sounds like a guy who couldn't start in LeBeau's 3-4 zone blitz as a rookie.

The domination was surely a team effort, powered by several stars, but it was the versatile Hightower who made the D excel in every situation. In Alabama's base 3--4 defense he lined up at inside linebacker and called the defensive signals. In the nickel package he moved to the outside and rushed the passer from the Jack linebacker-end hybrid position; at other times in the nickel he dropped into coverage and played like an extra safety. Heading into the title game, he led the Tide with 81 tackles, 15 more than any other player.
"Dont'a is the kind of special talent that you never want to take off the field," coach Nick Saban says. "He's our leader out there. Everyone respects him for all that he's overcome."


NICK SABAN FIRST LAID EYES ON DONT'A HIGHTOWER at Marshall County High in Lewisburg, Tenn. Hours after watching the junior linebacker go through various drills on the first day of 2007 spring practice, he called Hightower—who had spotted a man on the sideline following his every move but didn't recognize the Alabama coach—and offered him a scholarship. "What I saw that day in the indoor practice facility at his school was probably the most athletic linebacker in the country," Saban says. "I was blown away. I knew right away he could be a perfect fit for what we wanted to do."

[URL]http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1193997/2/index.htm[/URL]

[focosteeler]

Using that logic, focosteeler should change his name to locosteeler, since his picks are so in sync with mine this year.

I like it! makes me feel like a Lucha libre!

[RuthlessBurgher]

I like it! makes me feel like a Lucha libre!

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Big difference in comparing Heyward with Hightower.....aside from scheme.

Heyward did not have a full summer in which to adapt to the NFL and learn the system. Hightower will.

Heyward came in behind Brett Keisel - a long time starter. Hightower will come in behind Larry Foote. An aging, one-time starter who will now move over into Farrior's spot. I would not have given Hightower much of a chance to earn playing time if this was even three years ago and he was drafted behind Farrior, but he would be moving into an open position.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Big difference in comparing Heyward with Hightower.....aside from scheme.

Heyward did not have a full summer in which to adapt to the NFL and learn the system. Hightower will.

Heyward came in behind Brett Keisel - a long time starter. Hightower will come in behind Larry Foote. An aging, one-time starter who will now move over into Farrior's spot. I would not have given Hightower much of a chance to earn playing time if this was even three years ago and he was drafted behind Farrior, but he would be moving into an open position.

I hope they move Timmons over to Farrior's spot and let Foote play the spot he used to play next to Farrior (only this time, next to Timmons).