FA ramblings and thoughts

[feltdizz]

Jesse James is the future...

I will be upset if we draft a TE in the first round

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

The Steelers like to have serviceable players in place before the draft so that they are not forced to draft a position. Every year you see them make under-the-radar type signings of guys who would not be your first choice, but can hold down the fort if necessary.

If they do not sign a FA TE then it indicates to me that they are comfortable going into 2016 with a Spaeth/James combo. I am sure that they would not expect Heath like production, but they will not be forced into draft HH in round one because they believe that the TE cupboard is bare. They will draft HH if they believe that he is the best player available.

[feltdizz]

The Steelers like to have serviceable players in place before the draft so that they are not forced to draft a position. Every year you see them make under-the-radar type signings of guys who would not be your first choice, but can hold down the fort if necessary.

If they do not sign a FA TE then it indicates to me that they are comfortable going into 2016 with a Spaeth/James combo. I am sure that they would not expect Heath like production, but they will not be forced into draft HH in round one because they believe that the TE cupboard is bare. They will draft HH if they believe that he is the best player available.

man, I don't see us using the TE position like we used to in this Haley offense

we run a few TE screens for some stupid reason but they NEVER worked because Heath was slow as dirt and had no moves.

I think James is our guy.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Jesse James is the future...

I will be upset if we draft a TE in the first round

I think assuming that James is the future at TE after what we saw from him in limited work as a backup as a rookie (a physical specimen for his position who showed flashes after being a day 3 draft pick) is akin to assuming that McCullers is the future at NT after what we saw from him in limited work as a backup as a rookie (a physical specimen for his position who showed flashes after being a day 3 draft pick).

[RuthlessBurgher]

man, I don't see us using the TE position like we used to in this Haley offense

we run a few TE screens for some stupid reason but they NEVER worked because Heath was slow as dirt and had no moves.

I think James is our guy.

I think if you go 4 wide single back, teams can pin their ears back and come after you, knowing that you will most likely be passing. I think if you bring in Matt Spaeth, Jesse James, and Roosevelt Nix, teams can put extra men in the box, knowing that you will most likely be running.

Truly dynamic offenses are able to both pass and run out of the same formation (11 personnel...1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WR). Our talent at QB, WR, and OL certainly helps our cause tremendously, but what makes this multiple threat possible at any time is a RB who can run, catch, and protect when needed (we have one of those in Le'Veon Bell) and a TE who can catch, run block, and pass block when needed (we had one of those in Heath Miller). I think our offense needs another Miller, and those models don't come around very often anymore.

I was on the Henry train before Heath's announcement (I thought it was worth the #25 pick to let the kid learn from the master for his first year or two), but now that pick has been solidified even further (all the while acknowledging that our overall needs are greater on defense and that this is a particularly GREAT year for DT prospects, and we could certainly use a rock to put in between Heyward and Tuitt on early downs as well as spell them on passing downs).

[pfelix73]

I can see us signing a veteran FA TE.

Furthermore, I'd consider Bryce Williams TE out of my alma mater ECU. He's just as big and athletic as that HH guy you all are talking about. AND he'll be cheaper to get. Not to mention give Jesse more playing time.

[SidSmythe]

If the next Heath Miller is available with our 1st pick you take him, unless the next Troy Polamalu is there.

[phillyesq]

man, I don't see us using the TE position like we used to in this Haley offense

we run a few TE screens for some stupid reason but they NEVER worked because Heath was slow as dirt and had no moves.

I think James is our guy.

Actually, 4 of Heath's top 5 seasons in terms of total receptions came under Haley.

[url]http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MillHe00.htm[/url]

There is plenty of use for a TE in Haley's offense.

[feltdizz]

Actually, 4 of Heath's top 5 seasons in terms of total receptions came under Haley.

[URL]http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MillHe00.htm[/URL]

There is plenty of use for a TE in Haley's offense.

and half of them were god awful TE screens...

[Slapstick]

...that usually went for a first down...

[Chadman]

Will Johnson.... played TE at Virginia. Can block. Can catch. Can run.

Speath knows the system well enough to be consider TE1a or split time with Jesse James. Johnson could be a versatile utility option. A capable blocker, a decent catching option, and versatile enough to move to H-Back or fullback as well.

Not saying it WILL happen, but the FO has always liked Johnson, and he seems very willing to do whatever is asked of him. And now that the Steelers have a pure blocking FB in Nix, Johnson could be a cheap option to play multiple roles.

It all comes downb to if Jesse James is viewed as the future, or if the coaches feel comfortable with Speath in the line-up (they are, Chadman believes).

Don't discount that James' playing time increased as the season went along, yes injuries played their part, but his arrow 'pointed up' the whole time.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Will Johnson.... played TE at Virginia. Can block. Can catch. Can run.

Speath knows the system well enough to be consider TE1a or split time with Jesse James. Johnson could be a versatile utility option. A capable blocker, a decent catching option, and versatile enough to move to H-Back or fullback as well.

Not saying it WILL happen, but the FO has always liked Johnson, and he seems very willing to do whatever is asked of him. And now that the Steelers have a pure blocking FB in Nix, Johnson could be a cheap option to play multiple roles.

It all comes downb to if Jesse James is viewed as the future, or if the coaches feel comfortable with Speath in the line-up (they are, Chadman believes).

Don't discount that James' playing time increased as the season went along, yes injuries played their part, but his arrow 'pointed up' the whole time.

Matt Spaeth has 55 career receptions in his 9 year NFL career. In the Haley era, Heath has topped Spaeth's career total for catches in every single season (71, 58, 66, 60).


Will Johnson has 31 career receptions in his 4 year NFL career. In Heath's least productive season (34 receptions in 2006), he had more catches than Johnson's entire 4 year career.


Jesse James had 8 receptions in his rookie season (9 if you count his 1 playoff catch vs. the Broncos). Heath had more catches in each of the regular season games against the Bengals this season (10 catches on 11/1/15 vs. Cincy and 10 more catches on 12/13/15 vs. Cincy).


None of these guys can come even remotely close to holding Heath's jock. You can't expect to replace an all time Steeler great with an aging limited veteran, a mid round pick, and an undrafted special teamer. We tried to do pretty much exactly the same thing at safety last year, and safety is still a mess that needs to be fixed as well. Trying to replace Heath Miller with Matt Spaeth, Jesse James, and Will Johnson is like trying to replace Troy Polamalu with Will Allen, Shamarko Thomas, and Robert Golden.

[Chadman]

Matt Spaeth has 55 career receptions in his 9 year NFL career. In the Haley era, Heath has topped Spaeth's career total for catches in every single season (71, 58, 66, 60).


Will Johnson has 31 career receptions in his 4 year NFL career. In Heath's least productive season (34 receptions in 2006), he had more catches than Johnson's entire 4 year career.


Jesse James had 8 receptions in his rookie season (9 if you count his 1 playoff catch vs. the Broncos). Heath had more catches in each of the regular season games against the Bengals this season (10 catches on 11/1/15 vs. Cincy and 10 more catches on 12/13/15 vs. Cincy).


None of these guys can come even remotely close to holding Heath's jock. You can't expect to replace an all time Steeler great with an aging limited veteran, a mid round pick, and an undrafted special teamer. We tried to do pretty much exactly the same thing at safety last year, and safety is still a mess that needs to be fixed as well. Trying to replace Heath Miller with Matt Spaeth, Jesse James, and Will Johnson is like trying to replace Troy Polamalu with Will Allen, Shamarko Thomas, and Robert Golden.

Overall, the defense DID play better....

Chadman isn't saying that these guys are going to replace Heath Miller individually. But collectively, perhaps.

Will Johnson's career receptions have come out of the FB position- kind of a hard comparison to make. What he has shown is decent hands & athletisism.

The Steelers will not panic buy, or panic draft. And Chadman finds it impossible to believe that if Ben knew, and a bunch of others knew, that Miller was on the cusp of retirement, that the coaches were clueless. They'd have known. They would have drafted James with that in mind.

You don't replace Heath Miller with a Hunter Henry. It's not that easy. You create new schemes, plays & wrinkles to use the guys at your disposal. They already know what these players offer.

DJ Johnson filled a similar role to what Chadman proposes Will Johnson fills. It's not uncharted territory for this coaching staff.

[Rara]

Tashaun Gipson is now set to becoming a free agent...hmmm.....


Signing Weddle or Gipson will make me happy.

[NJ-STEELER]

Heath was an all time great for most of his career.
But let's be honest here, last year he wasn't close to the same player he once was.

I'm not saying the guys on the roster now will ever be as good as Heath was in his prime, but it's certainly not impossible to fill in for the Heath we saw the last year of 2.

James looked much quicker/faster in his route running and after the catch in his limited time on the field.
We might miss his blocking in the run game and pass pro more then his receiving production