juju voodoo

[feltdizz]

.
When we were 6 picks away from our 2nd round pick, I was incredibly excited, because Zach Cunningham, Obi Melifonwu, Chidobe Awuzie, and Josh Jones were all still on the board. I wanted the team to trade up badly...especially for Zach or Obi (who play two positions that we didn't draft at all, so it shows what I know). But I understand the team waiting it out, because it still seemed awfully likely at that point that one of those guys fall right into our laps and we get to keep all of our valuable picks in a deep draft.

When Oakland and Houston grabbed Obi and Zach back to back, I was crushed. But then Seattle took Ethan Pocic, who I had no interest in, so I rejoiced. K.C. nabbed Tanoh Kpassagnon, who certainly intrigued me, but not in round 2, so I was still happy. Dallas and Green Bay taking Awuzie and Jones back to back was a gut punch.

I was worried about both of those teams (GB and DAL) potentially taking Watt ahead of us in round 1, but when the Cowboys opted for Taco Charlton instead, and the Packers traded back for Cleveland's picks atop day two and day three, it all worked out in round one...but unfortunately the cards didn't fall for us the same way in round 2.

Looking back on it now, would obtaining Zach Cunningham or Obi Melifonwu be worth more than getting Juju Smith-Schuster AND James Conner? Would obtaining Chidobe Awuzie or Josh Jones be worth more than getting Juju Smith -Schuster AND Brian Allen? It will be interesting to find out.

My personal preference was to be aggressive and get one of these guys, but the team opted for patience in this instance and let the board fall to them. Ultimately, I trust the judgment of the guys who run our front office to make the best decisions for this team. I may be a Steeler nut job and a bit of a draft junkie, but I acknowledge that they know way more than me, so I'll accept the picks we got, and will be cheering them on 100% now that they are officially Pittsburgh Steelers.

it was a deep draft at the positions we were interested in so I see why we didn't give up picks. I definitely wouldn't give up a pick like Connor to move up a few spots. I think he will be a great addition and a nice battering ram for short yardage.

[Slapstick]

it was a deep draft at the positions we were interested in so I see why we didn't give up picks. I definitely wouldn't give up a pick like Connor to move up a few spots. I think he will be a great addition and a nice battering ram for short yardage.

...and, RB depth was a concern... (just like WR!!)

[Oviedo]

Troy was a top half of the first round pick who will go to the HOF. I am not saying a troy was available
The principle applies, don't sit back there are times you need to move up.

You don't move up unless you believe you are getting a star and someone significantly better than what you have. The FO obviously didn't feel that way about any of the players there.

IMO they had JuJu very high on their board and were happy to take him.

[Steel Maniac]

Ov, I agree. The front office likes the depth they have in the secondary and at linebacker. Or they wouldn't have done the draft they way the did it.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Getting To Know: JuJu Smith-Schuster

Posted 3 hours ago


Teresa Varley

Steelers.com



Learn more about the Steelers' No. 2 draft pick.

JuJu Smith-Schuster
Wide Receiver
USC
Rookie




Who is your football mentor or inspiration?


It was always the coach I played for. I never wanted to let that person down. In college it was Tee Martin, our offensive coordinator. I came here and now it’s Richard Mann and Coach (Mike) Tomlin. That is how it is and has always been. I never
want to let my teammates down or coaches.




What motivates you?


The people around me. My family. What is going to bring the best out of me is coming here, knowing what this city is about, the players in the receiver’s room. Those guys motivate me to get better.




What is your approach to football?


It’s all ball. Ever since I got here, it’s all about ball. In college you had school to focus on too. Now that you are in the NFL it’s all football. I am just focused on how to get better, learn the playbook and try to get on the field.




Why do you play football?


To be honest, the reason why I play football is, I wasn’t the brightest kid in school. Playing football was my way into college. It gave me the opportunity to have an education in college and play a sport I love that I can make an income out of.




When did you start to dream about playing in the NFL?


It started becoming a dream when I was a kid watching Reggie Bush and those guys. I wasn’t big on the NFL until I got older and older. In high school it really started to interest me.



What is your proudest football moment or memory?


I would say that phone call that I got on draft day. That would be the best.




When you hear Steelers, what do you think?


I think hard-working. That is how I am. I come into the game as a physical, hard-working player who is just trying to get better each and every day. When you think of the Steelers, of Pittsburgh, what they are known. Everybody is here for a reason, to get better in life.


http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Getting-To-Know-JuJu-Smith-Schuster/fd591201-d0ca-437b-a414-a8b115fc0707

[feltdizz]

I like this kid...

[Oviedo]

I like this kid...

Hines Ward 2.0...he may not equal Hines' production over his career but I see him as the same type of do it all WR who will be a consistent "chain mover"

[phillyesq]

Ov, I agree. The front office likes the depth they have in the secondary and at linebacker. Or they wouldn't have done the draft they way the did it.

If the FO liked what they had in the secondary, they wouldn't have offered gone after Kirkpatrick and Logan Ryan. They wouldn't have had Peppers as their first round target, as was widely reported.

Giving up the 4th or maybe even the 5th round likely could have gotten you, at a minimum, Josh Jones of Chidobe Awuzie. I can't imagine that Seattle would have lost Pocic if they traded down, and the Steelers knew that both Dallas and GB needed secondary help. If you add either one of those guys in addition to Cam Sutton, the secondary would look a whole lot better.

[Slapstick]

But, then again, if we don't have Smith-Schuster and Bryant messes up again, our WRs don't look nearly as promising...at draft time, Bryant was only conditionally reinstated...Coates and DHB were coming off of injuries...Demarcus Ayers was promoted at the end of the season and has only a few games under his belt...

You pick the player, not the position...

[feltdizz]

If the FO liked what they had in the secondary, they wouldn't have offered gone after Kirkpatrick and Logan Ryan. They wouldn't have had Peppers as their first round target, as was widely reported.

Giving up the 4th or maybe even the 5th round likely could have gotten you, at a minimum, Josh Jones of Chidobe Awuzie. I can't imagine that Seattle would have lost Pocic if they traded down, and the Steelers knew that both Dallas and GB needed secondary help. If you add either one of those guys in addition to Cam Sutton, the secondary would look a whole lot better.

apparently they liked what they had versus moving up to get one of those guys.

[phillyesq]

But, then again, if we don't have Smith-Schuster and Bryant messes up again, our WRs don't look nearly as promising...at draft time, Bryant was only conditionally reinstated...Coates and DHB were coming off of injuries...Demarcus Ayers was promoted at the end of the season and has only a few games under his belt...

You pick the player, not the position...

I was responding to the suggestion that the FO liked the secondary as is. That's clearly not the case - if they were happy with it, they would not have targeted high money outside free agents or contemplated using a pick in the secondary as high as the first round.

[Shawn]

If the FO liked what they had in the secondary, they wouldn't have offered gone after Kirkpatrick and Logan Ryan. They wouldn't have had Peppers as their first round target, as was widely reported.

Giving up the 4th or maybe even the 5th round likely could have gotten you, at a minimum, Josh Jones of Chidobe Awuzie. I can't imagine that Seattle would have lost Pocic if they traded down, and the Steelers knew that both Dallas and GB needed secondary help. If you add either one of those guys in addition to Cam Sutton, the secondary would look a whole lot better.

Agreed, 100%. Thank you for some sanity.

[Shawn]

But, then again, if we don't have Smith-Schuster and Bryant messes up again, our WRs don't look nearly as promising...at draft time, Bryant was only conditionally reinstated...Coates and DHB were coming off of injuries...Demarcus Ayers was promoted at the end of the season and has only a few games under his belt...

You pick the player, not the position...

What happens if Burns...burns one? What if Davis blows a knee? The Steelers knew Bryant would be reinstated. And with that you have three of the best receivers in the game in AB, MB and Bell. Rodgers was also extremely effective last season. I just wish fans could admit it was a luxury pick.

[Shawn]

apparently they liked what they had versus moving up to get one of those guys.

Or they err'd in judgment thinking one would fall to them.

[feltdizz]

Or they err'd in judgment thinking one would fall to them.

I doubt it. If it was as easy as some suggest to move up a few spots why wouldn't you do it if secondary was a huge concern? I really think fans on here we're more concerned about the secondary than the FO.