I'm warming back up to Te'o at 17

[feltdizz]

Yeah, that is what I learned after learning more about him. First of all, he was tremendously decorated as a high school player. He came into a huge fish bowl as a freshman and started 10 games. As you said, from that great start, he improved every. year. Until his senior year, which we know was almost historic (i.e. winning the Heisman).

I don't know why these other guys are dismissing it as a terrible pick. As I said, I have faith that the FO would investigate his personality sufficiently, that character wouldn't be a worry. As a football player--How could you NOT like a 4-year starting ILB from the University of Notre Dame, who displayed a knack for big-plays that he did?

People dismiss this kid because they watched the BCS championship and he looked overwhelmed and couldnt bring down the Bama RB's by himself. Then he skipped the Senior Bowl which made people wonder if he was afraid of being exposed... then the fake GF came up... then he had a slow 40 at the combine...

Now he did have a great senior year but the previous 3 ND's defense was ehhhh... a little sketchy.

[grotonsteel]

Teo at #17 will be a huge reach....Steelers will have 2 top-20 1st Rd picks at ILB who rarely rush the QB...you got to be kidding me....

Colbert should be immediately fired if Teo is 1st Rd pick...

[Shawn]

And then we should sign Mike Adams to a 100 million 10 yr contract, and put the nail in the Steeler coffin.

[Dee Dub]

Eric Reid and Kenny Vaccaro.

You obviously do not know much about either if you consider them ball-hawk safeties. Vacarro had 5 INT's over 4 years and Reid who had a down year this past year had 6 over 3 years.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Teo at #17 will be a huge reach....

Based on what? Just curious... in your opinion, what makes the kid a reach? wait... a HUGE reach?

[Captain Lemming]

just think of the cap savings with teo also

we could probably dupe this dolt into signing a contract where he pays the steelers every year

Hey Manti, take my word for it, the contract is 100 mil over 5 years......you dont need no stinkin agent, you dont even have to read it, it is so long and boring, just sign on the dotted line here......

You seem like a lonely kid.....you can date my girlfriend......Morgan Fairchild......(I know she's old enough to be his mom but work with me here)

Yeah Manti, ....thats the ticket

[grotonsteel]

Based on what? Just curious... in your opinion, what makes the kid a reach? wait... a HUGE reach?

Skills apart why would anyone want to invest 2 Top-20 draft picks at ILB position??? Its not a premium position but Steelers will be investing two mid-first Rd picks on that position...It does not make sense to me...

I am looking for a game-changer at 17.

[feltdizz]

Based on what? Just curious... in your opinion, what makes the kid a reach? wait... a HUGE reach?

what doesn't make him one?

[flippy]

If I'm using pick 17 on an ILB, that kid better be as explosive as a Timmons or Kendrell Bell or have the range and athleticism of a Jack Ham.

Teo might not even be as talented as Larry Foote.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Skills apart why would anyone want to invest 2 Top-20 draft picks at ILB position??? Its not a premium position but Steelers will be investing two mid-first Rd picks on that position...It does not make sense to me...

I am looking for a game-changer at 17.

They play 4 LBs and START 2 ILBs that require different skillsets... just as you might invest multiple first rounders on o-linemen or WRs if there is a need, you invest in the LBs if you need one. "because we invested in one already" is irrelevant, if you need one.

somebody give me a reason other than just "cuz"....

[SteelerOfDeVille]

If I'm using pick 17 on an ILB, that kid better be as explosive as a Timmons or Kendrell Bell or have the range and athleticism of a Jack Ham.

Teo might not even be as talented as Larry Foote.

Foote? Really? C'mon flippy, don't let the Ala game influence your thinking... before that game, he was considered a top 10 pick... IMO, we simply need a run stuffer. No, he's not a Mike Singletary, but, he does have good instincts and plays the run well...

[feltdizz]

If I'm using pick 17 on an ILB, that kid better be as explosive as a Timmons or Kendrell Bell or have the range and athleticism of a Jack Ham.

Teo might not even be as talented as Larry Foote.

That's my issue... I think he will be a solid pick in the 3rd but at 17? I think anyone who takes him in the first will be disappointed...

[feltdizz]

Foote? Really? C'mon flippy, don't let the Ala game influence your thinking... before that game, he was considered a top 10 pick... IMO, we simply need a run stuffer. No, he's not a Mike Singletary, but, he does have good instincts and plays the run well...

Top 10 pick by who? People slurping the ND glory and GF story? Nah.. I think he was a top 10 pick like Tebow and Quinn. Great clips, successful career in college but when you look at him up close and kick the tires vs other ILB he doesn't really stand out like that.

The whole ND D played the run well this year.. but last year and the year before? I think a lot of people were swayed by his performance this year AND the GF story. Once the story was exposed I think scouts went back and looked at him a second time and determined he was good.. but not GREAT.

[grotonsteel]

They play 4 LBs and START 2 ILBs that require different skillsets... just as you might invest multiple first rounders on o-linemen or WRs if there is a need, you invest in the LBs if you need one. "because we invested in one already" is irrelevant, if you need one.

somebody give me a reason other than just "cuz"....

You can't have 1st Rd picks in each and every position. Steelers are already paying an ILB 10 million/yr. One does not need a first Rd pick besides him. Timmons should make another mid-round player look good....

Steelers LB corp already have two 2nd Rd players and one 1st Rd player..Time to strengthen another position.

Someone wants a thumper get it in mid-round...

How is Teo special than someone like Bostic??

[flippy]

Foote? Really? C'mon flippy, don't let the Ala game influence your thinking... before that game, he was considered a top 10 pick... IMO, we simply need a run stuffer. No, he's not a Mike Singletary, but, he does have good instincts and plays the run well...

You're forgetting how good Foote was in college. Foote was one of the best college LBs the year he came out. I had this conversation with DeeDub when Teo was still considered a top 10 pick. Foote had 26 TFL his senior season. Larry's still one of the smartest LBs in the game. He's not big. He's not fast. But he's always in the right spot. He's got some of the best instincts in the game. I've even said give me the LB version of Larry Foote that either has size or speed and we've got the perfect LB. I think Spence is that guy. He's Larry with speed.

Re: Teo, I'm not just focused on his last game. I think he's about the same size/speed as Foote. A great college player. But he won't be special in the NFL. I'd take Teo in the 4th just like Foote if he's still available. I think they're basically the same player.

The only difference, Larry didn't have the media hype because of his personal life. The media made Teo a top 10 pick. His play makes him a mid round pick imho.