Do We Have Too Many DLinemen?

[Oviedo]

Good to see Hokie hanging around. I think he'd potentially make a good DLine coach in the future.

I agree. John Mitchell isn't getting any younger. Hoke and A. Smith both have the knowledge to be an asset.

[jj28west]

Good to see Hokie hanging around. I think he'd potentially make a good DLine coach in the future.

I remember a 4:00 game against the Giants a couple years ago at home where there was a goal line stand. I think the Giants had 3-4 attempts and ran Jacobs (who runs high) right off center and he got stuffed each time. There was a great camera shot showing both Casey & Hokie down on one knee while the Giants were in the huddle. They were dug in and ready to blow up the interior Oline so the LBs could hit Jacobs head on. There is just nothing like american football.

[Captain Lemming]

good point, but Chris Hoke has certainly gotten thin (this pic taken at recent OTAs)

Then again he is next to Casey. Perhaps it is just our minds playing games with us since there is no other frame of reference.

Someone like Heath might look like Twiggy in that photo.

[hawaiiansteel]

Pittsburgh Steelers Rookie Undrafted Free Agent Ikponmwosa Igbinosun Could Land a Roster Spot at Defensive End

Submitted by Syndicated sources on July 12, 2012

Every year, it seems as though the Pittsburgh Steelers sign an unknown gem as an undrafted rookie free agent, with a player coming from nowhere to make the squad. This year, the team signed a handful of prospects, who hope to be that player.At a quick glance it punter Drew Butler would seem to be the odds on favorite to be that player at this early stage of the offseason. The former All-American from the University of Georgia has NFL bloodlines, and performed well (albeit erratic) in the toughest conference in college football.

Another player, who is more unknown than Butler, also may have a viable shot at a roster spot, defensive end Ikponmwosa Igbinosun from Southern Connecticut. The Steelers will have at least one roster spot open at defensive end behind starters Brett Keisel and Ziggy Hood, and top back up, last years number one pick Cameron Heyward. As the team enters camp, competition for this spot should be one of the best battles in Latrobe.

At this point, Steelers 101 believes that one of last year’s undrafted rookie free agents Corbin Bryant, who should have made the team in 2011, has the inside track at the position(defensive line breakdown May 2012). The 6-4, 300 pound defensive end was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent out f Northwestern in July 2011 and spent time between their active roster and practice squad during the 2011 season, at one-point taking the spot of Aaron Smith when he was placed on injured reserve. However, like last year when he was challenging for a roster spot, he will face stiff competition.

Igbinosun may be from a small school, but he has solid athleticism and is said to be a leader on and off the field. The senior defensive end has good size (6-3, 288 pounds) and was a bull against the small school competition he faced over his career. As a senior, he was named All-Northeast-10 Conference, All-ECAC and Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-Region honors for his play. In all, he recorded 58 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hurries and seven sacks. He followed that outstanding season with an amazing pro-day workout, where he posted some impressive numbers including a 4.94 40-yard dash at 288 pounds.

If he shows up and flashes that same tenacity and athleticism, he could make it difficult for the Steelers to ignore him and keep him from the opening day roster. Although, they could try to limit his exposure in exchange for a year of development on the practice squad.

[URL]http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/pittsburgh_steelers_rookie_undrafted_free_agent_ik ponmwosa_igbinosun_could_land_a_roster_spot_at_def ensive_end/11205682[/URL]

[Oviedo]

We have stockpiled quite a few DL. Just curious as to what may be afoot. I just read another article about the kid they signed as an UDFA from Yale--Jake Stoller. He is another player about 6'3" 285lbs.

I count about 11 or 12 DL on the roster going into camp. Dare I say what could be on the horizon.........

[NorthCoast]

Hampton (entering his 12th season and turning 35 in September) and Keisel (entering his 11th season and turning 34 in September) won't be around much longer. This is the last year of Hampton's contract, and Keisel is signed for this season and next. When Big Snack and Da Beard join Aaron Smith and Chris Hoke in retirement, we'll have McLendon and Ta'Amu splitting time on the nose plus Hood and Heyward starting at the ends, with Corbin Bryant and Al Woods behind them for rotational depth purposes (they have shown some promise in training camps past, but have been primarily practice squadders up to this point...it remains to be seen if they can take the McLendon route from the P.S. that stands for Practice Squad to the P.S. that stands for Pittsburgh Steelers). If not, perhaps someone else like Kade Weston or Ikponmwosa Igbinosun (everyone's favorite name since Chris Fuamatu-Ma'Afala) can step and make the team take notice instead.

Exactly what I was thinking Ruthless. It only seems crowded at DL right now because the Steelers are in a transition. I really like the way this is shaping up with the mix of experience and youth. The Steelers once again showing the rest of the league how to manage a team. Awesome!

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I count about 11 or 12 DL on the roster going into camp. Dare I say what could be on the horizon.........

For some reason, Troy's jersey number just popped into my head.

[Shawn]

We're thin at DL.

I actually agree with you Crash. DL is thin. McClendon has not proven he can be a starter...not yet. Hampton is out. Keisel is long in the tooth. We have a rookie and a couple young guys who can play but haven't proven they can dominate.

[RuthlessBurgher]

I actually agree with you Crash. DL is thin. McClendon has not proven he can be a starter...not yet. Hampton is out. Keisel is long in the tooth. We have a rookie and a couple young guys who can play but haven't proven they can dominate.

Not me. We have an extremely solid 3 man rotation at DE with Keisel, Hood, and Heyward...and several guys with upside fighting for a roster spot and/or a spot on the practice squad (Bryant, Woods, Igbinosun, Stoller, Weston, Blanc). While Hampton's recovering, we'll have McLendon and Ta'Amu to split time inside (and then when Casey is ready to go, we'll be more than stocked at NT). If injuries strike at one position or the other, we have guys that are flexible enough to switch position in a pinch (McLendon can also play DE if needed while Hood can also play NT if needed).

[hawaiiansteel]

We're thin at DL.

you call this thin?

[grotonsteel]

you call this thin?

Thats funny...

[Slapstick]

McClendon has not proven he can be a starter...not yet.

You could have said the same thing about any starter in the NFL at one time...