Could Justin Gilbert be coming to the Burg?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

I haven't heard his name much ... How much is he getting on the field?

[NorthCoast]

I haven't heard his name much ... How much is he getting on the field?

pretty much special teams only, and even then not many times. .... shades of Boykin all over again... Tomlin's doghouse is a deep, dark place very hard to get out of...

[feltdizz]

pretty much special teams only, and even then not many times. .... shades of Boykin all over again... Tomlin's doghouse is a deep, dark place very hard to get out of...

and we got him from the Browns..

so maybe he's a bust?

[RuthlessBurgher]

and we got him from the Browns..

so maybe he's a bust?

As a former 8th overall pick in 2014 who is already on his second team and just playing special teams, yeah, that's pretty much the definition of a bust.

But we also signed former 7th overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey primarily to play special teams, and he managed to develop from a bust to a productive member of our team, so there is still hope out there.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

We went out and signed him just a little while ago, and he can't get on the field? Why'd we sign him then? It's not like the FO didn't have the ability to assess him before that ...

[feltdizz]

As a former 8th overall pick in 2014 who is already on his second team and just playing special teams, yeah, that's pretty much the definition of a bust.

But we also signed former 7th overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey primarily to play special teams, and he managed to develop from a bust to a productive member of our team, so there is still hope out there.

there is hope..

but we all know DHB was over drafted by Al Davis. No one thought he deserved to be drafted that high.

[Shawn]

there is hope..

but we all know DHB was over drafted by Al Davis. No one thought he deserved to be drafted that high.

The thing though with Justin Gilbert is he is a natural, fluid and very fast DB. The guy has all the tools to be a great DB in this league. People close to the team talk about him being the most athletic guy in the secondary. DHB was just fast, had questionable hands, and his route running was suspect at best.

So, the question remains why isn't Gilbert a terrific DB? Lazy? Mental? Who knows but I surely believe he was worth the risk.

[RuthlessBurgher]

The thing though with Justin Gilbert is he is a natural, fluid and very fast DB. The guy has all the tools to be a great DB in this league. People close to the team talk about him being the most athletic guy in the secondary. DHB was just fast, had questionable hands, and his route running was suspect at best.

So, the question remains why isn't Gilbert a terrific DB? Lazy? Mental? Who knows but I surely believe he was worth the risk.

Well, he was certainly undisciplined early on in his NFL career, sleeping through meetings and such, but at least he has seemed to take some responsibility for that now by setting something like a dozen or so alarm clocks to prevent such oversleeping issues in the present and future. So, yeah, still hope for the kid.

[Shawn]

Well, he was certainly undisciplined early on in his NFL career, sleeping through meetings and such, but at least he has seemed to take some responsibility for that now by setting something like a dozen or so alarm clocks to prevent such oversleeping issues in the present and future. So, yeah, still hope for the kid.

I believe so. I would assume he has been undisciplined with his learning, technique and what not. I also believe the Steelers are trying to avoid the mistake the Browns made with him. He needs time to learn before he plays. DB confidence is a shaky thing and it may take awhile to rebuild what the Browns broke.

[NorthCoast]

Well, he was certainly undisciplined early on in his NFL career, sleeping through meetings and such, but at least he has seemed to take some responsibility for that now by setting something like a dozen or so alarm clocks to prevent such oversleeping issues in the present and future. So, yeah, still hope for the kid.

I agree. It could be the case that the Steelers are taking their time in correcting some very bad habits picked up from the Contagion on the shores of Lake Erie.

Or the mental part is just taking a lot longer to turn on? Seems to me that it took Townsend and Taylor several years before becoming what they were. Gilbert could be the next Ike in hiding...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Gilbert could be the next Ike in hiding...

Gilbert's hands take umbrage with that comment.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

So is the general consensus that he is worse now still than the guys we suit up every Sunday?

That seems almost crazy unbelievable!

Or ... someone mentioned he was in Tomlin's dog-house. I did a quick google about that, and couldn't find anything. Anyone know anything about that?

[RuthlessBurgher]

So is the general consensus that he is worse now still than the guys we suit up every Sunday?

That seems almost crazy unbelievable!

Or ... someone mentioned he was in Tomlin's dog-house. I did a quick google about that, and couldn't find anything. Anyone know anything about that?

I just think that when you are with a team throughout training camp, you can learn the offense or defense, because more of it is installed each day. It's much tougher for a guy added after camp, because the focus of each practice is preparing for that week's opponent, not installing any more offensive or defensive plays. Gilbert was added after camp was over, when installation was complete, and he never got the benefit of those Latrobe practices that help you to integrate yourself into the defense.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Going on 2-1/2 to three months since he was signed if I got that right. Man, that is one case of deferred gratification!!

Steelers did their due diligence from what I've read, so at least there's not likely to be surprise "character" issues.

Thx -

[Shoe]

As a former 8th overall pick in 2014 who is already on his second team and just playing special teams, yeah, that's pretty much the definition of a bust.

But we also signed former 7th overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey primarily to play special teams, and he managed to develop from a bust to a productive member of our team, so there is still hope out there.

That's a great point.
I think Heyward-Bey has done a great job of reinventing himself, to carve out a nice career in the league. With Gilbert, I wish he adopts a similar humble attitude... turn himself into a similar gunner. (How great would it be to have two Heyward-Beys running down special teams!) Gilbert needs to humble himself, carve a little niche, and build off that with the team. How hard can it be, for a guy that fast, to make his mark covering kicks?