PFF Says Steelers 1st and 2nd rd picks (Burns n Davis) are top 16 worst picks

[Captain Lemming]

This is because our defense hit rock bottom and held onto vets trying to make one last run. DL had to throw rookies into the mix.

And this is a bad thing? When Farrior, A. Smith, Beard, Casey were still on the team, we had a top defense. Why are you gonna start rookies? ONCE WE HAD TO REPLACE THEM AS THEY RETIRED THE DEFENSE GOT WORSE. What specific ROOKIE was better than our starters EVEN AS THEY GOT OLDER? Cam maybe? Who else before DL actually began starting rookies in 2013?

Remember when DL said something like "V. Williams wouldn't even be on the team a few years ago"

Whats wrong with that? He is saying our team was so deep at the position thats all. HECK VINCE WAS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE DEPTH CHART LAST YEAR. And YES DL only started Williams because of injury, but he DID SO over his veteran backups. If "knowledge of the playbook" was the only criteria he would not start a lowly regarded late round rookie would he?

The issue with DL was playing a poor vet over a more talented rookie due to experience and knowledge of the playbook.

That is how you have more number one defenses than anybody over a decade and a half. That "Knowledge and experience" won us championships. When we began playing a bunch of "talented rookies" the defense declined.

I still think it bled over into Butlers mantra because Blake was on the field when we all knew Boykin and Cockrell were a better option.

I doubt Blake stays on the field under Lebeau.

[BradshawsHairdresser]

I doubt Blake stays on the field under Lebeau.

I doubt Blake gets on the field under Lebeau. Ike would still be the starter.

[Slapstick]

I think Blake and McCain will end up starting games in Tennessee...

[feltdizz]

And this is a bad thing? When Farrior, A. Smith, Beard, Casey were still on the team, we had a top defense. Why are you gonna start rookies? ONCE WE HAD TO REPLACE THEM AS THEY RETIRED THE DEFENSE GOT WORSE. What specific ROOKIE was better than our starters EVEN AS THEY GOT OLDER? Cam maybe? Who else before DL actually began starting rookies in 2013?



Whats wrong with that? He is saying our team was so deep at the position thats all. HECK VINCE WAS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE DEPTH CHART LAST YEAR. And YES DL only started Williams because of injury, but he DID SO over his veteran backups. If "knowledge of the playbook" was the only criteria he would not start a lowly regarded late round rookie would he?



That is how you have more number one defenses than anybody over a decade and a half. That "Knowledge and experience" won us championships. When we began playing a bunch of "talented rookies" the defense declined.



I doubt Blake stays on the field under Lebeau.

Cam was going to be my example. lol...

[Captain Lemming]

Cam was going to be my example. lol...

Yes, he IS the best example. But truth is we have no way of knowing whether or not he was ready because he didnt play much.

What we DO know is that WITHOUT rookie Heyward the Steelers:

-Had the number one scoring defense
-Had the number one yardage defense
-Allowed 7 rush touchdowns
-Allowed 15 pass touchdowns
-Allowed ONE 30 point plus game (key to all that scoring was SEVEN turnovers by the offense)
-Allowed less than 10 SIX TIMES

Can you or anyone who was not on that practice field "know" he makes any positive difference especially as a inexperienced likely mistake prone kid on that number one defense his rookie year?

(And if you tell me about the points given up in the playoff loss to Broncos that season, Heyward actually played most of the snaps in that game, just watch it.)

One can just as easily assume that rookie mistakes would have a negative impact on a defense that dominated without him. It is not kike they were struggling and needed a spark.

Again, its bad enough that this criticism that DL never played rookies is wrong because he has as I have shown repeatedly.
Even the idea that he never "used to" start deserving rookies has only ONE player you can make ATTEMPT to make case around.

Even THAT ONE CASE that he did not start a deserving rookie is weak.

[Captain Lemming]

You are generally right about the Steelers developing raw talent in the first. The flip side is that the position where the Steelers have struggled the most to develop talent is in the secondary. They haven't really developed a raw talent since Ike Taylor. Keenan Lewis was developed but he wasn't as raw. Cortez Allen looked like he'd be another Tayloresque 4th rounder, but that fizzled along with his health.

It will be interesting to see how this one turns out, and to see which trend prevails. Obviously, I think we're all hoping that Burns develops into a 10 year starter at corner.

The last raw "talent" WAS Ike.
Allen has "average" or below average speed and athleticism for a starter at the position.

Never mind Ike or Burns.
Both rookie corners we drafted last season were better athletes than Allen. Allen had size only.