Louis Nix III

[Rod Polamalu]

Obviously, my goal (like everyone else here) is to build a SB caliber team. If that is 1a to me, 1b is restoring "Steeler football". As that goes, as Coaches Noll and Cowher preached: Be physical! (Not to say that isn't Tomlin's battle cry too.)

I recall getting outphysical'd in a game vs. the Texans and 49ers in '11 (when they first starting calling us old). Since then, we've probably been a .500; but worse than that, is the fact that there are games where the opponents beats us up. Getting a brute like Nix (to team with Cam), would help sway the tide back toward getting back to Steeler football.

That sir is the proverbial bottom line for me as well. I feel as though,.. yes... the mantra and creed remains "be Physical" in words now only because it is tradition. And if anything less was said,...the entire fanbase would be in an uproar. However it is no longer reality.

I don't care if we do not win a World Title every year. I do not expect that we would,... though that would be awesome. However i do not think that it is unreasonable at all for any to expect our team to consistently field extremely physical, talented and skilled defensive units that every single team in the league, and the league itself, MUST respect at all times.

The standard is not just "The Standard". The standard is STEELER FOOTBALL.

[SS Laser]

thru the first 4 years of their careers.

worldis hasnt had a tenth of the production woodley has

NFL is what have you done for me lately. Woodley has been asleep the last 2 seasons. Worilds has had 1.5 or 2 years of some production. But the big question for me is what kind of money will it cost to keep him and will he get any better. Would like to see him be up close to Woodley's past level. Will be interesting what happens with Woodley and Worilds. Also can't wait to see how all the "pro" talking draft heads think of Nix's.

[Rod Polamalu]

NFL is what have you done for me lately. Woodley has been asleep the last 2 seasons. Worilds has had 1.5 or 2 years of some production. But the big question for me is what kind of money will it cost to keep him and will he get any better. Would like to see him be up close to Woodley's past level. Will be interesting what happens with Woodley and Worilds. Also can't wait to see how all the "pro" talking draft heads think of Nix's.

I think if said talk and or thoughts are of Nix after we drafted him and he is on the field with professional coaching playing next to Cam,....it will be something along the lines of "We told you this kid was the truth !" and or "Yeah,..okay,...so the kid is the truth." lol

[Slapstick]

Sorry Slappy. I'm not buying the "rush the passer" part of Nix's resume. All I see is 2 sacks in three years.

If we want a pass rusher we need to be looking at someone like Trent Murphy from Stanford who would be a beast in our system.

I think the 3rd or 4th Round is where we should be looking for a Nose Tackle and I would like McCullers there or Daquan Jones from Penn State.

I merely stated that he is quick enough to rush the passer....which, he is...hence the 1st round grade vs 3rd or 4th for McCullers and/or Jones...and I think Jones is better than 3rd or 4th...

The problem with NT is this:

If you put a guy like Nix at a 2 gap position, he comes off the field on passing downs, like Casey did...

If you put a guy like Nix at a 1 gap position, he can stay on the field for passing downs but wears down as the game goes on...350 lb men are not normally known for their stamina...

But, if you think teams are going to pass on first down a lot, turn him loose...

[Oviedo]

I merely stated that he is quick enough to rush the passer....which, he is...hence the 1st round grade vs 3rd or 4th for McCullers and/or Jones...and I think Jones is better than 3rd or 4th...

The problem with NT is this:

If you put a guy like Nix at a 2 gap position, he comes off the field on passing downs, like Casey did...

If you put a guy like Nix at a 1 gap position, he can stay on the field for passing downs but wears down as the game goes on...350 lb men are not normally known for their stamina...

But, if you think teams are going to pass on first down a lot, turn him loose...

All good reason why I wouldn't use the 15th pick on him.

[NJ-STEELER]

NFL is what have you done for me lately. Woodley has been asleep the last 2 seasons. Worilds has had 1.5 or 2 years of some production. But the big question for me is what kind of money will it cost to keep him and will he get any better. Would like to see him be up close to Woodley's past level. Will be interesting what happens with Woodley and Worilds. Also can't wait to see how all the "pro" talking draft heads think of Nix's.

right. i was responding to woodley being a disaster"pick"

both were 2nd round LB picks.

one sat on nthe bench backing up for 2 1/2 years. the other played and contributed mightily to the team and to a championship year

[Oviedo]

right. i was responding to woodley being a disaster"pick"

both were 2nd round LB picks.

one sat on nthe bench backing up for 2 1/2 years. the other played and contributed mightily to the team and to a championship year

My reference was that Woodley has turned into a disaster move since he was signed to his second contract. It was a great pick but has IMO turned into a disaster in terms of performance over time.

[Slapstick]

All good reason why I wouldn't use the 15th pick on him.

It just depends on what you want...

You do not want to remain in a 3-4 alignment, which is your prerogative...however, to make the 3-4 work properly, you need a space eating, double team commanding NT...a guy, as has been pointed out, who can stop the run by clogging up the middle and stop the QB from stepping up in the pocket to avoid edge rushers by...wait for it...clogging up the middle...

If the Steelers think Nix is that guy, I have no problem with that...

[Ernie]

In all of the conversation about NT, I'm not sure I've heard Nick Williams's name too much. I know he was a project coming from a small school, but I heard he was very athletic for his size...with nasty streak...very good strength/speed. Is there a chance this kid steps in and fills the void in the years to come?

[hawaiiansteel]

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 1.8.14

John: I saw your blog post yesterday and agree with you about a nose tackle. However are the really going to go after a Casey Hampton type of player in the first round when they like most teams go nickel or dime at least half the plays? Seems to me that would want a more athletic Hampton right?

Gerry Dulac: I don't think they will go after a nose tackle on the first round, nor should they. They have used enough No. 1 picks on linemen, both offense and defense, and in today's NFL the nose tackle comes off the field a lot because of so many nickel and dime packages. Plus, it's time to get a tall wide receiver to help out Ben Roethlisberger. But they know they have to do something about getting the type of play they seek from a nose tackle and improving their run defense. That was the biggest reason for their decline in that area.

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/01/08/Gerry-Dulac-s-Steelers-chat-transcript-1-8-14/stories/2014010801310000000#ixzz2pq3TeDQL[/URL]

[Dee Dub]

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 1.8.14

John: I saw your blog post yesterday and agree with you about a nose tackle. However are the really going to go after a Casey Hampton type of player in the first round when they like most teams go nickel or dime at least half the plays? Seems to me that would want a more athletic Hampton right?

Gerry Dulac: I don't think they will go after a nose tackle on the first round, nor should they. They have used enough No. 1 picks on linemen, both offense and defense, and in today's NFL the nose tackle comes off the field a lot because of so many nickel and dime packages. Plus, it's time to get a tall wide receiver to help out Ben Roethlisberger. But they know they have to do something about getting the type of play they seek from a nose tackle and improving their run defense. That was the biggest reason for their decline in that area.

[URL]http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2014/01/08/Gerry-Dulac-s-Steelers-chat-transcript-1-8-14/stories/2014010801310000000#ixzz2pq3TeDQL[/URL]

Ben needs help is he number 1 priority when he is coming off a season throwing for 28 TD's, over 4200 yards, and a completion percentage of 64.2?

That sounds like it came from a writer and not one who knows much about the game.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

I think he is right. When 113 catches for 1,342 yards & 16 TDs will be free agents and the other 58 catches for 593 yards & 1 TD will be 32....You need talent & youth at WR & TE this draft.

[feltdizz]

I think he is right. When 113 catches for 1,342 yards & 16 TDs will be free agents and the other 58 catches for 593 yards & 1 TD will be 32....You need talent & youth at WR & TE this draft.

I agree... but I think the WR position is so deep that we could get great value in the 2nd round all the way down to the 5th or 6th.

[Sugar]

I think he is right. When 113 catches for 1,342 yards & 16 TDs will be free agents and the other 58 catches for 593 yards & 1 TD will be 32....You need talent & youth at WR & TE this draft.

Are there any top rated TE's for round 1?

[hawaiiansteel]

Are there any top rated TE's for round 1?

Eric Ebron*, TE, North Carolina

Height: 6-4. Weight: 245.
Projected 40 Time: 4.65.
Projected Round (2014): 1.

12/21/13: Ebron has been phenomenal in 2013. He has produced long touchdowns and has killed teams down the middle of the field. Ebron is very fast with mismatch speed to get open. In 2013, Ebron has 55 receptions for 895 yards and three touchdowns. His blocking is much improved.

For the NFL, Ebron looks like a real mismatch weapon. He is too fast for linebackers and many safeties while also being too big for defensive backs. He can make acrobatic catches in the deep middle of the field and has the speed to kill defenses down the middle seam. Ebron is a versatile athlete that can line up in a variety of places. As a pro he can be used as a typical tight end, H-back and line up as a slot receiver. He looks like a potential impact tight end in the NFL.

8/3/13: Ebron has a great skill set with size, speed and strength. He has the potential to be a starting tight end in the NFL with three-down ability.

Ebron was the Tar Heels' second leading receiver in 2012, making 40 catches for 625 yards and four touchdowns. He was a dangerous receiver for Bryn Renner.

North Carolina was thin at defensive end last year, so Ebron played some defensive end along with being a tight end. All he pretty much did was try speed rushes to get disruption upfield, but it was impressive that he was able to apply some pass pressures.

Ebron is very fast running through the secondary and is excellent attacking the middle of the field on slants and seam routes. He operates well as a slot receiver, too. Ebron needs to work on his hands and route-running, but he has great potential.

Additionally, Ebron flashes some impressive blocking potential. There are times when he rocks defenders and gets them on roller skates. There are other times where Ebron misses or doesn't finish blocks. He needs to improve his ability to sustain his blocks. Ebron just needs to get more consistent.

Personal: Majoring in communications. Son of Eric Ebron, Sr. and Gina Jackson.

Jace Amaro*, TE, Texas Tech

Height: 6-5. Weight: 260.
Projected 40 Time: 4.68.
Projected Round (2014): 1.

12/21/13: Amaro has been awesome for the Red Raiders in 2013. The junior has 98 receptions for 1,240 yards with seven touchdowns this year. He had huge days against a number of Big XII teams, including Iowa State (9-143), West Virginia (9-136), Oklahoma (8-119) and Oklahoma State (15-174).

Amaro is very fast and is a good route-runner. He is deadly at burning defenses down the middle of the field. Amaro is way too fast for linebackers and too big for safeties to cover effectively. He also has excellent body control with generally reliable hands.

About midway through the season, Amaro tweeted that he was going to return to Texas Tech for his senior year, but WalterFootball.com has heard recently that Amaro is likely declaring for the 2014 NFL Draft. That isn't surprising because Amaro has been dominant this year and probably can't improve his draft stock by returning to Texas Tech.

8/3/13: Amaro is a sleeper tight end who could rise in what should be a high-powered offense going against a conference comprised of weak defenses. The sophomore was one his way to a huge season last year, racking up almost 400 yards receiving through the first six games. In a blow out of West Virginia, Amaro was having a massive game with five receptions for 156 yards and a touchdowns. Unfortunately, he injured his spleen in that contest and missed six games.

Amaro ended up catching a total of 25 passes last season for 409 yards with four touchdowns. He caught seven passes for 57 yards and two scores in 2011. Amaro has an off-the-field red flag stemming from an arrest in the spring of 2012.

Personal: Son of Rosemary and Robert Amaro.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins*, TE, Washington

Height: 6-6. Weight: 266.
Projected 40 Time: 4.60.
Projected Round (2014): 1-2.

12/21/13: Seferian-Jenkins has 41 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns in 2013. He played well against Stanford and UCLA, but did have a fumble against the Bruins. The Washington offense seems to have put him on the back burner as it is led by Bishop Sankey, while Keith Price has favored throwing to other receivers. Seferian-Jenkins showed some improvement as a blocker and was a contributor to Sankey's big season on the ground.

8/3/13: Seferian-Jenkins turned in a stellar freshman season and continued that trend with a superb 2012 campaign. The sophomore caught 69 passes for 852 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012. Once again, defenses really struggled to matchup against him. He hurt his draft stock in spring 2013 with a DUI arrest.

Seferian-Jenkins was in the running as the best tight end in college football as a freshman in 2011. He was an absolute force as a receiver and a blocker. Seferian-Jenkins already has an NFL body with the speed to be a top tight end at the next level. As a prospect, he looks like he could develop into a tight end on a par with Rob Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham.

Seferian-Jenkins totaled 41 receptions for 538 yards and six touchdowns in 2011. He should produce more in 2013 with quarterback Keith Price maturing. Seferian-Jenkins is a special athlete who also played basketball for Washington. He has a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. Assuming Seferian-Jenkins maintains his level of play, he will be the top tight end prospect to enter the NFL since the super 2010 crop of Gronkowski, Graham and Aaron Hernandez.

[URL]http://walterfootball.com/draft2014TE.php[/URL]