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Last year, we carried 5 OLBs for much of the year: Harrison, J Jones, Dupree, Moats, and Chickillo, who was brought up from the practice squad and ended up active for seven games...and now, we added Travis Feeney in the 6th...Feeney probably needs to add a few pounds if he's going to be a full time OLB (which he may be, considering Joey Porter addressed the press after Feeney's selection)....
Feeney was both productive in college AND showed a ton of athleticism in workouts...if there are guys who can model what is necessary to do to become a productive OLB, Harrison and Porter are them...
But, that leaves us with 6 OLBs....a number the Steelers have not carried in years, if at all...I seem to remember some of Cowher's teams carrying 6, but I could be mistaken...it is in the Steelers' best interest to keep both Chickillo and Feeney, IMO, because neither Harrison not Jones are likely to remain with the team after the 2016 season...I think it is better to have guys that you like and have developed, who are familiar with the defense and ready to step in, than to attempt to draft an immediate starter...
Surprisingly, the key to keeping all 6 OLBs is Arthur Moats...
Some people don't care for Moats, but he is surely a handy player to have on the roster...Over the last two seasons, Moats has recorded 8 sacks while rotating at OLB...however, he also has extensive experience playing at ILB and there is no reason he can't do that for us...we lost Spence and Garvin at ILB and added Matakovitch...there is room to keep everyone, maintain sufficient depth, and prepare for the future...
We'll know by training camp, after OTAs and minicamps, I would guess...
Feeney was both productive in college AND showed a ton of athleticism in workouts...if there are guys who can model what is necessary to do to become a productive OLB, Harrison and Porter are them...
But, that leaves us with 6 OLBs....a number the Steelers have not carried in years, if at all...I seem to remember some of Cowher's teams carrying 6, but I could be mistaken...it is in the Steelers' best interest to keep both Chickillo and Feeney, IMO, because neither Harrison not Jones are likely to remain with the team after the 2016 season...I think it is better to have guys that you like and have developed, who are familiar with the defense and ready to step in, than to attempt to draft an immediate starter...
Surprisingly, the key to keeping all 6 OLBs is Arthur Moats...
Some people don't care for Moats, but he is surely a handy player to have on the roster...Over the last two seasons, Moats has recorded 8 sacks while rotating at OLB...however, he also has extensive experience playing at ILB and there is no reason he can't do that for us...we lost Spence and Garvin at ILB and added Matakovitch...there is room to keep everyone, maintain sufficient depth, and prepare for the future...
We'll know by training camp, after OTAs and minicamps, I would guess...
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