Steelers' position outlook: Defensive line

[Slapstick]

McCullers needs to be an effective 2 Down NT...that is what is needed...

If he can be that, then it is a very successful late round pick...

Tuitt and Heyward, the much higher draft picks, can be the three down linemen...

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers Camp Report: Day 5

July, 31, 2014
By Scott Brown | ESPN.com

Assistant equipment manager Pat Noone had one of the hazards of the job run into him. Noone, who stands in as the quarterback when the linemen go mano a mano during a pass rushing drill, got swallowed up by Stephon Tuitt after the rookie defensive end couldn’t stop while chasing Noone. The hit left Noone with a cut on his knee but didn’t stop him from laughing it off. Tuitt, meanwhile, is drawing attention for the strong start he is off to, the misstep in the pass-rushing drill notwithstanding. “He’s doing well,” Tomlin said. “He’s highly conditioned, he’s chasing the ball. He’s developing the skill associated with the position. He’s got a ways to go, they all do. But I like his attitude and approach to it.”

[URL]http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/79914/steelers-camp-report-day-5[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

Mark Kaboly @MarkKaboly_Trib ·

Tuitt first team DE and Cam Thomas first team NT.

[URL]https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib[/URL]

[K Train]

Mark Kaboly @MarkKaboly_Trib ·

Tuitt first team DE and Cam Thomas first team NT.

[URL]https://twitter.com/MarkKaboly_Trib[/URL]

Exactly the lineup I want

[Oviedo]

Exactly the lineup I want

McLendon was just given a rest day. He will play ahead of Thomas and Thomas will be a rotation guy.

[K Train]

McLendon was just given a rest day. He will play ahead of Thomas and Thomas will be a rotation guy.

For now at least

[hawaiiansteel]

James C Wexell @jimwexell ·

Have to believe 6th spot on DL is Mauro's to lose. Could keep 7, or add Keisel, but may have to keep 2 long-snappers early on.

[URL]https://twitter.com/jimwexell[/URL]

[Eddie Spaghetti]

Mauro and McCullers have been great surprises.

I didn't think big Dan had it in him, glad to be wrong. No way I thought he could make the 53 in his 1st year, but he has done it

[hausparty]

Bring back the beard

[Captain Lemming]

Bring back the beard

Or at least have Mauro grow one. He is good already but the beard will give him Keisel strength like Sampson's hair.

[hawaiiansteel]

By Ed Bouchette Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Good morning,

Some stuff from Saturday night’s game:

--- Cam Thomas played well early as the base left defensive end and it would be no surprise if he and not rookie Stephon Tuitt starts there in the regular season. Tuitt comes in for the nickel and dime defenses as a tackle and that may be enough right now.

[URL]http://sportsblogs.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers-steelers-blog/2014/08/17/We-ve-Seen-Enough-of-Ben/stories/201408170003[/URL]

[hawaiiansteel]

McCullers was the lowest rated Steeler defender (-3.1) against the Bills according to Pro Football Focus as he failed to register a tackle or pressure and was credited with a missed tackle...

[URL]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2014/08/steelers-chris-hubbard-shamarko-thomas-receive-top-marks-pro-football-focus/[/URL]

[papillon]

McCullers was the lowest rated Steeler defender (-3.1) against the Bills according to Pro Football Focus as he failed to register a tackle or pressure and was credited with a missed tackle...

[URL]http://www.steelersdepot.com/2014/08/steelers-chris-hubbard-shamarko-thomas-receive-top-marks-pro-football-focus/[/URL]

I would expect games like that from him until as every commentator has mentioned he learns technique and pad level. He has done some good things and, hopefully, makes the team to continue the learning process.

I imagine pad level for him is going to be a real thorn simply because of his height, he's a tall NT and getting his pad level down will be a work in progress for him, IMO.

Pappy

[K Train]

I hate PFF.

Mccullers was taking 2 guys on every play, sometimes 3, and they were running away from him.

I am so pleasantly surprised with him, its hard to hate a 6th round pick but i hated when they picked him

[papillon]

I hate PFF.

Mccullers was taking 2 guys on every play, sometimes 3, and they were running away from him.

I am so pleasantly surprised with him, its hard to hate a 6th round pick but i hated when they picked him

Do you still not like the pick?

Pappy