Eying the draft

[NJ-STEELER]

Yea, it's probably too early to think too much about the 2013 draft, but, I like doing it.

I am going to assume we won't be picking until 25 or later, just for the purposes of having some kind of starting point (I hope we won't be picking until 32

My first rounder could be a long shot. But if Eric Reid, S, LSU is there, wow.

[URL]http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=204879620[/URL]

They are saying he is every bit as good as Patrick Peterson. I find that hard to believe, but if he is even in the neighborhood, wow, would this guy give us our safety for the next decade. Both Clark and Troy are in their 30s - nearly MID 30s, so it's not too early to address the position. What I like about this guy is his size combined with leadership skills, and natural instincts. If there is one thing I hate is when Pgh over values physical skills on dudes who have no instincts. I don't care how big and fast you are; if you don't know when to be where, and the quickest way to get there (the right angles) then it's all worthless. (See Scott freakin Shields, remember him? He was as useless as tits on a bull.) Reid would be knockin the crap out of offenses and provide stellar leadership. But could easily not be there when we draft, so......
her.

im still amazed at the INT he had vs bama in the regualr season last year. took away a sure TD.

would love to see another DB who can play the ball like that in the secondary

[NJ-STEELER]

When I look at this team, we still have the same 2 needs this year that we have had for the last several years.

1. Pressuring the QB
2. Scoring/RedZone Production

I want my first round pick to address one of those 2 needs or just be BPA when we pick. To pressure the QB, you either need better coverage or a better pass rush. I'd consider the best DB or NT.

To help scoring, we should be looking at another TE to compliment Heath. I've wanted us to think about this since we drafted Heath. Now that Haley's using Heath, maybe someone inside the organization will start to consider going this route.

yeah, with the D still ranked high, i'd look to a bigger receiver if one was there. especially with wally not coming back (most likely)

the kind that can catch the ball at the 20 in stride and take it in the endzone even with defenders coming at him

[feltdizz]

I'll take Reid any day over Thomas.

Even if Thomas was "rated" as good as Reid, I'd still take Reid and it wouldn't be close. The big boy league (SEC) vs. a player at Fresno State. To me, it's not even close.

I disagree... the passing attacks in the SEC are horrible. if we are talking run support I agree... but coverage? NAH... I have to look and the individual over conference reputation.

[Dee Dub]

yeah, with the D still ranked high, i'd look to a bigger receiver if one was there. especially with wally not coming back (most likely)

the kind that can catch the ball at the 20 in stride and take it in the endzone even with defenders coming at him

See my signature. Terrence Williams is projected to be at the back end of round 1. 6 ft 2 and he can go get it in a crowd.

[Dee Dub]

I disagree... the passing attacks in the SEC are horrible. if we are talking run support I agree... but coverage? NAH... I have to look and the individual over conference reputation.

You spend way too much time listing to so-called experts. The two top passers in all of college football (rating wise), are from the SEC...A.J. McCarron and Aaron Murray. In fact look at their numbers and you see they actually throw the rock a lot more than most think. And do it well.

A.J McCarron 2666 Yards and 26 TD's, and Aaron Murray 3466 Yards and 31 TD's. And then Add Tyler Bray of Tennessee and his 3612 Yards and 34 TD's and Johnny Manziel's 3419 Yards and 24 TD's you should get the point. 3 of those 4 have thrown for over a 65% completion percentage as well.

[Oviedo]

When I look at this team, we still have the same 2 needs this year that we have had for the last several years.

1. Pressuring the QB
2. Scoring/RedZone Production

I want my first round pick to address one of those 2 needs or just be BPA when we pick. To pressure the QB, you either need better coverage or a better pass rush. I'd consider the best DB or NT.

To help scoring, we should be looking at another TE to compliment Heath. I've wanted us to think about this since we drafted Heath. Now that Haley's using Heath, maybe someone inside the organization will start to consider going this route.

NT in our system doesn't help with pressuring the QB. I would get an outside pass rusher and hope it doesn't take two years for him to get onto the field.

I would also consider the best TE if he is on the board; Ertz (sp?) from Stanford would be a great compliment to Heath.

Anyone else think we still may need another OT? How long can "The Savior" Starks go?

Extremely deep draft at the Saftey position. We could probably go Round 2 and 3 or 2 and 4 and get two very good players.

[SteelCrazy]

Reid has struggled this year, but has shown a lot of skills. I wouldnt take him in the 1st at all with the talent coming out. In fact Texas' Vaccaro is the best S out there. He's good in run support and good in Pass coverage. I'd take him all day long over Reid, who needs top notch talent around him to play top notch.

[lloydroid]

When I look at this team, we still have the same 2 needs this year that we have had for the last several years.

1. Pressuring the QB
2. Scoring/RedZone Production

I want my first round pick to address one of those 2 needs or just be BPA when we pick. To pressure the QB, you either need better coverage or a better pass rush. I'd consider the best DB or NT.

To help scoring, we should be looking at another TE to compliment Heath. I've wanted us to think about this since we drafted Heath. Now that Haley's using Heath, maybe someone inside the organization will start to consider going this route.

They like that 7th round pick TE, Pauslon. I don't think our redzone scoring is weak from the players as much as the plays called. I really think it will eventually improve with Haley. Plus we have a real FB now.

[lloydroid]

I disagree... the passing attacks in the SEC are horrible. if we are talking run support I agree... but coverage? NAH... I have to look and the individual over conference reputation.

You are right, the SEC isn't really a strong passing league. Some, like FL, are downright pathetic at passing the ball. But if you want big, fast, terrors on D, they got that.

[lloydroid]

I say we go backup QB

In the later rounds, for sure. I know you were kidding, but we desperately need a young back up QB. Should have kept one this year, although Charlie was awesome last week.

[flippy]

NT in our system doesn't help with pressuring the QB.

I think it's the most important position for the pass rush. If you have a dominant NT that can drive the C/G deep in the pocket, there's no room for the QB to step up to avoid pressure. This helps the edge guys get to the QB deeper in the pocket and harder for the tackles to run them out of the play.

Plus the more dominant the NT, the more help the C needs which frees up the ends and OLBs.

It's not a coincidence the Steelers pressure decreased in line with Casey's play.

[flippy]

They like that 7th round pick TE, Pauslon. I don't think our redzone scoring is weak from the players as much as the plays called. I really think it will eventually improve with Haley. Plus we have a real FB now.

I think they like him too, so I doubt we'd grab a TE. But Miller is getting older and NE has proven how difficult 2 great TEs can be when they're on the field together.

I'm still not sure why we can't score in the RedZone. I think it's a combination of things - players, play calling, and Ben. And the latter may be the hardest to overcome. As good as Ben is, his flaws are more evident in the RedZone. I think it's a combination of his decision making and risk taking and he doesn't have the room for error on the short field. I'd like to see Haley take more shots at the endzone once we reach the 40 or 35.

[Eddie Spaghetti]

great points flip.

safety has to be one of the first two picks, IMO.

[focosteeler]

I think it's the most important position for the pass rush. If you have a dominant NT that can drive the C/G deep in the pocket, there's no room for the QB to step up to avoid pressure. This helps the edge guys get to the QB deeper in the pocket and harder for the tackles to run them out of the play.

Plus the more dominant the NT, the more help the C needs which frees up the ends and OLBs.

It's not a coincidence the Steelers pressure decreased in line with Casey's play.

I was going to say the same thing. With the uncertainty of Ta'amu and Hamptons age, getting a guy who can step in day 1 is a necessity. Plus this is a great year to get a NT of the future

[hawaiiansteel]

Reid has struggled this year

that worries me, when a college safety struggles against college QBs, TEs and WRs how can he be expected to play well versus NFL caliber players?