LaRod Stephens-Howling visits Steelers

[Rara]

Ed Bouchette @EdBouchette 28m
Former Pitt RB LaRod Stephens-Howling visiting #Steelers today. UFA Arizona

[Chadman]

You know- if the Steelers wanted an Eddie Lacy/LeVeon Bell/Monte Ball type RB in this draft, then Stephens-Howling would be a good pick-up. He gives the Steelers that element of difference the others don't offer.

[steelz09]

Wasn't there a VT cornerback a few years back that many wanted to draft with a very similar name? I think the Pats drafted him. Wonder what ever happened to that guy....

I know it's off topic but when I saw the name that was the first person I thought of.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I wouldn't mind Stephens-Howling as a change of pace/third down/receiving threat type of back. He certainly brings a skill set that none of our other backs have.

[Rara]

Would still like to get Bradshaw, if actually healthy...but would be okay with Stephens-Howling.

[calmkiller]

He is smaller than Tavon Austin, which everyone here is against drafting. But you want to pick him up.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

He is smaller than Tavon Austin, which everyone here is against drafting. But you want to pick him up.

True, but the discussion on LSH is whether or not to give him a mil or so a year for one or two years.

Austin would require a first round pick investment.

Apples and oranges on the risk/reward scale.

[calmkiller]

True, but the discussion on LSH is whether or not to give him a mil or so a year for one or two years.

Austin would require a first round pick investment.

Apples and oranges on the risk/reward scale.

Decastro's Rookie contract was 7.5 million over 5 years or 1.5 million a year. Generally the contract is more back loaded but I don't have the exact years layed out in front of me. Dre Kirkpatrick, last year's 17th pick signed a 4 year 8.6 million deal or 2 million a year. With the rookie wage scale in place now you are not paying rookies insane amounts of money. I disagree with the old salary argument. I think it is apples to apples. Only difference is you have seen what Howlings can do in the NFL. Austin is more dynamic than Howlings.

Edit: Here is an article on how Kirkpatrick's number break down.

The Cincinnati Bengals announced last Friday that they [URL="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/5/18/3028679/cincinnati-bengals-announce-cornerback-dre-kirkpatrick-signed-on"]agreed to terms with first-round cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick[/URL]. The four-year deal was reportedly [URL="http://www.cincyjungle.com/2012/5/18/3029113/dre-kirkpatricks-contract-details"]worth $8.6 million with $7.84 million guaranteed[/URL] and a $4.9 million signing bonus. Further broken down the deal is actually worth [URL="https://twitter.com/#%21/RavensInsider/statuses/204957806812598272"]$8.622 million with fully guaranteed base salaries[/URL] during all four seasons, according to Aaron Wilson.
Kirkpatrick is scheduled to earn $390,000 this season, with $781,954, $1.173 million and $782,931 during each successive season respectively. Additionally Kirkpatrick is scheduled to earn [URL="https://twitter.com/#%21/RavensInsider/statuses/204957993849192448"]another $782,931 through a roster bonus in 2015[/URL], which essentially jacks his 2015 salary to $1,565,862.

This is completely reasonable.

[Steelhere10]

Why do you guys get excited about these token visits, nothing more nothing less. If they are not 35+ or been on the team before forget it.
On a side note they just resigned S Sylvester.

[flippy]

This is a kid that's just not that good. He started to get some carries last year and barely got 3 yards per carry. On a team that had to throw because they stunk.

Maybe coming back home would help him out. Maybe a tiny back sneaking around behind DD and Adams would spring some big runs. Not too excited about him. But we'll probably sign him cause he's a local and not that good.

He's like the Matt Spaeth of RB signings.

[supersteeler]

Wasn't there a VT cornerback a few years back that many wanted to draft with a very similar name? I think the Pats drafted him. Wonder what ever happened to that guy....

I know it's off topic but when I saw the name that was the first person I thought of.

Ras-I Dowling was the CB your thinking of. He's still on their roster I believe.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Decastro's Rookie contract was 7.5 million over 5 years or 1.5 million a year. Generally the contract is more back loaded but I don't have the exact years layed out in front of me. Dre Kirkpatrick, last year's 17th pick signed a 4 year 8.6 million deal or 2 million a year. With the rookie wage scale in place now you are not paying rookies insane amounts of money. I disagree with the old salary argument. I think it is apples to apples. Only difference is you have seen what Howlings can do in the NFL. Austin is more dynamic than Howlings.

Edit: Here is an article on how Kirkpatrick's number break down.


This is completely reasonable.

The investment that I'm talking about on Austin is not money, rather it is the value of a first round pick. By bringing up money on Howling, I was referring to how disposable he would be due to little cap concern.

[calmkiller]

The investment that I'm talking about on Austin is not money, rather it is the value of a first round pick. By bringing up money on Howling, I was referring to how disposable he would be due to little cap concern.

Understandable. I think based on history we will go D with the first overall pick. Historically we won't go OLB though. ILB, DL or S would be something we would consider. They do have a different formula for the first rounders usually. I agree with that. They want 20-21 year olds for the first rounders. Tavon does not fit that bill as he is 22 currently. I am not advocating that we take him. I am just irritated at the lack of respect that he receives. He is worth a first round pick. He is not a top 10 pick no. I would say he is a 20-32 pick. If we trade down would your value opinion change?

[squidkid]

This is a kid that's just not that good. He started to get some carries last year and barely got 3 yards per carry. On a team that had to throw because they stunk.

Maybe coming back home would help him out. Maybe a tiny back sneaking around behind DD and Adams would spring some big runs. Not too excited about him. But we'll probably sign him cause he's a local and not that good.

He's like the Matt Spaeth of RB signings.

exactly.
arizona had lousy rbs the last couple years and this guy couldnt seperate himself from them?
PASS

[SteelerOfDeVille]

exactly.
arizona had lousy rbs the last couple years and this guy couldnt seperate himself from them?
PASS

whew... glad i'm not the only one thinking this... that must mean they'll sign him.