Ryan Clark To Be Cut?

**Chadman** · 01-31-2013, 08:49 AM

Originally posted by supersteeler

I f you want an upgrade at NT, draft Jesse Williams or John Jenkins, otherwise we'll be just....ok.

As for Woodley, I was JK, Lamar was never on the lean side since becoming a Steeler. His weight was 265 or more and he played at a high level before the injuries. When healthy, Lamar is one of the best in the game so hopefully he'll stay injury free next season.

But can the Steelers afford to draft a NT when they need help at RB, WR, CB or even Safety? Not to mention LB..

**Chadman** · 01-31-2013, 08:53 AM

Originally posted by Slapstick

The thing is:

Re-signing Hampton definitely does not upgrade the NT position next season...

Mitchell is a guy who likes to stick with his veterans...period...

Yes, I know that Casey started as a rookie, midway through the season...but that was in 2001, for God's sake...Keisel didn't start until his 5th year...

Also, Mitchell doesn't seem to care about draft position...whether you were drafted in the first round or the fifth round, you pretty much aren't getting out there unless one of his veterans is injured...

Now, this is not a criticism of Coach Mitchell...he has proven himself to be an excellent 3-4 D-Line Coach...it's just an observation...

That's a fair observation. That said, Coach Mitchell also said we should be watching out for McLendon this year & making judgements on him based on his play in 2012. Well, the judgement on his play in 2012 certainly isn't that he's a sure-fire replacement! He was ok... there were flashes, but in Chadman's opinion- he's more confident in the success of say, Mike Adams, than McLendon, based on 2012.

**Oviedo** · 01-31-2013, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Chadman

The play of McLendon, and to a much lesser extent, Ta'amu isn't exactly the sort of body of work that makes Chadman think- "yep, he's the guy going forward". They both just seem ok.

Given that most fans were not happy with the overall play of the Defense, not sure how installing McLendon automatically upgrades NT next season.

It's not a matter of "just Installing" McLendon, it is how he is used. If he is used as just a space consumer, occupying blockers then he won't be successful. If he is allowed to pentrate and attack he could be very good.

**Chadman** · 01-31-2013, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by Oviedo

It's not a matter of "just Installing" McLendon, it is how he is used. If he is used as just a space consumer, occupying blockers then he won't be successful. If he is allowed to pentrate and attack he could be very good.

Chadman suspects the 'impact' McLendon has on the field is getting blown out of proportion. There was very little evidence out of McLendon that he could 'be very good'. He looks like he can serve a role, but 2 sacks & what was it? 4 QB pressures? Over the course of a season isn't making Chadman think we have a Hall of Fame guy on the roster. He's more likely to be 'just a guy' than he is to being 'very good'.

While Chadman understands you want to shake things up on defense- if you want 3 or 4 DLinemen breaking through after the QB, instead of doing what they've done on near 20 years in Pittsburgh in occupying blockers, then you may as well gather up all the LB's on the roster & punt them too, because only really Timmons is suited to dropping into coverage consistantly.

There's nothing actually 'wrong' with the system the Steelers use. Age, injury & potentially talent are the issues. Injury is mostly luck mixed with preparation. Age is fixed by knowing when to move on from older guys. And talent... well, talent is an issue regardless of the defensive front.

The argument that rookies don't get on the field in Pittsburgh is flawed- Hampton, Hood, Woodley, Cortez Allen, Larry Foote, Kendrell Bell, Willie Gay... there are numerous examples of rookies contributing early. The issue is more generally expectation. We see 1st rounders sitting on the bench for a year or two- Polamalu, Timmons, Heyward etc... all 1st round guys that didn't get on the field early, consistantly. But what were they drafted for, these guys? The Steelers do an EXCELLENT job of identifying future need- 1 or 2 years in the future. How many 1st round draft picks are on the bench after 2 years? Tomlin/Colbert have a history of drafting very young, unpolished players & coaching them up.

**feltdizz** · 01-31-2013, 09:42 AM

Casey Hampton had 9 sacks over 12 seasons Chadman.

McClendon having 2 sacks in limited action last season is VERY impressive.

**Slapstick** · 01-31-2013, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by Chadman

That's a fair observation. That said, Coach Mitchell also said we should be watching out for McLendon this year & making judgements on him based on his play in 2012. Well, the judgement on his play in 2012 certainly isn't that he's a sure-fire replacement! He was ok... there were flashes, but in Chadman's opinion- he's more confident in the success of say, Mike Adams, than McLendon, based on 2012.

No argument here...I've always liked Mike Adams and thought he was treated unfairly by people blowing things out of proportion...kind of like Woodley this past year...

**Slapstick** · 01-31-2013, 09:48 AM

Originally posted by Chadman

Chadman suspects the 'impact' McLendon has on the field is getting blown out of proportion. There was very little evidence out of McLendon that he could 'be very good'. He looks like he can serve a role, but 2 sacks & what was it? 4 QB pressures?

Originally posted by feltdizz

Casey Hampton had 9 sacks over 12 seasons Chadman.

McClendon having 2 sacks in limited action last season is VERY impressive.

And that's just it...how many snaps did he play?

I think I read on BTSC that it averaged out to less than 8 snaps a game...from a production to playing time ratio, that's pretty damn good...

**Chadman** · 01-31-2013, 09:59 AM

Originally posted by feltdizz

Casey Hampton had 9 sacks over 12 seasons Chadman.

McClendon having 2 sacks in limited action last season is VERY impressive.

Ok- but Hampton was never talked about as a pass rusher. This is supposed to be McLendon's forte. Hope Chadman is wrong, but not confident in how effective McLendon will be.

**steelz09** · 01-31-2013, 12:46 PM

Originally posted by Chadman

Woodley's obese size is grossly overstated.

He does need to get in better shape though. Let me restate that... I don't think Woodley is in bad physical condition. I think he needs to alter his workout. Maybe he needs to do more resistance training and work on his quickness and change of direction more. Cut back on the heavy weights a bit.

His problem has always been his hamstring pulls. I think a different workout routine would do wonders for that. I would think Woodley should shed 10-15 lbs as well. 10 pounds is nothing with his frame.

**supersteeler** · 01-31-2013, 12:50 PM

Originally posted by Chadman

But can the Steelers afford to draft a NT when they need help at RB, WR, CB or even Safety? Not to mention LB..

Nope, they have to consider those positins first,

**supersteeler** · 01-31-2013, 12:51 PM

Originally posted by Chadman

But can the Steelers afford to draft a NT when they need help at RB, WR, CB or even Safety? Not to mention LB..

Nope, they have to consider those positions first. See my mock picks below.

**Chadman** · 01-31-2013, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by steelz09

He does need to get in better shape though. Let me restate that... I don't think Woodley is in bad physical condition. I think he needs to alter his workout. Maybe he needs to do more resistance training and work on his quickness and change of direction more. Cut back on the heavy weights a bit.

His problem has always been his hamstring pulls. I think a different workout routine would do wonders for that. I would think Woodley should shed 10-15 lbs as well. 10 pounds is nothing with his frame.

That makes much more sense than hearing some posters ramble on about him being out of shape.

**Chadman** · 01-31-2013, 08:04 PM

Originally posted by supersteeler

Nope, they have to consider those positions first. See my mock picks below.

The cycle continues though- can they place the importance of those positions over the NT?

Steelers are in a tough spot- there are more 'future needs' coming at them than they have available solutions to deal with them in the short term.

The key to the solution is what the Steelers plan to do schematically to counter roster weaknesses...

**phillyesq** · 02-01-2013, 03:34 PM

Dale Lolley thinks Clark stays:

[URL="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13089003781188560287"]Dale Lolley[/URL] said... Jackie Battle was in San Diego last season, so other than playing against him twice, the new line coach doesn't really know him. Haley would have info on him though.

The Clark report is a S T R E T C H to say the least. He's being cut so, so he's off Twitter? Silly. He's off Twitter because he's tired of defending himself every time he tweets something people don't like. Clark will not be cut.
[URL="http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/2013/01/tomlin-hires-offensive-line-coach.html?showComment=1359589248542#c214494057680 9118502"]6:40 PM [/URL]

**Oviedo** · 02-01-2013, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by Slapstick

No argument here...I've always liked Mike Adams and thought he was treated unfairly by people blowing things out of proportion...kind of like Woodley this past year...

No one has blown anything out of proportion about Woodley. He has had two consecutive seasons of decreased output after he got his big contract. That is just facts.