Shazier a little too wild and crazy sometimes?

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Watched the KC game on replay last night, and saw at least a few plays where it looked like Shazier gave up discipline to try and make a splash play. I've kind of noticed that before, and I think we've been burned by that once or twice as well (as in TDs because he was way out of his normal lane, overpursuing and the like).

I wonder if we're better off with his game-changing splash plays that come along with baggage like giving up TDs once in a while, or whether it'd better better overall if he were less spectacular but more dependable.

What do you guys think? Is he like a nascent Troy, and it's better if he keeps improvising and going for it all?

[RuthlessBurgher]

The dependable but less spectacular guy you describe is C.J. Mosley, who many on this board wanted over Shazier in that draft. I know that I certainly wouldn't trade Shazier for Mosley right now.

[SidSmythe]

Shazier is still young. Thr question is will his athletic ability make him over confident at the wrong times or will he grow out of it.
He's certainly a guy you game plan against bc you know he's out there but it won't take OC's long to exploit him if he doesn't come under control.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Shazier is still young. Thr question is will his athletic ability make him over confident at the wrong times or will he grow out of it. He's certainly a guy you game plan against bc you know he's out there but it won't take OC's long to exploit him if he doesn't come under control.

I think they might be doing that already, they showed Smith completely looking off the receiver that was Shazier's assignment, Shazier bit and sprinted towards where Smith was looking, leaving his guy open who was wide open for long reception.

[Oviedo]

"a little too wild and crazy" sounds like you are talking about Troy P.

Shazier and Troy are the same players in terms of style. I'll take both the way they are (were) because the positives far outweigh the negatives

[Starlifter]

unpredictable, fast and aggressive are excellent traits for a defensive player and will mostly give opposing OC's fits. There will definitely be times when he's caught out of position and gets burned - but I believe far more often than not he will be the one blowing up the offense. I'm fine with his style of play and understand the price for all his splash plays - is the occasional splash play for the other team as well.

[feltdizz]

Shazier is just fast as hell.. so sometimes he comes in too hot but I love the way he plays the game.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

The dependable but less spectacular guy you describe is C.J. Mosley, who many on this board wanted over Shazier in that draft. I know that I certainly wouldn't trade Shazier for Mosley right now.

I was on board with Moseley... But, i'm big on discipline and the team concept. That if 11 guys all do their job and don't try to do someone else's, the defense is more consistent and gives up fewer big plays. A safety gets burned when you read the QBs eyes but, he "looks you off". A LB, when he reads the flow and doesn't anticipate the counter, thus leaving a gap.

Having said that, when you have a special player who can make splash plays more often than not, you let him do it, but, it works best when you have him in tandem with someone who is consistent. Polamalu was at his best when Ryan Clark was his compliment - it allowed Troy to be Troy because Ryan was a solid last line of defense.

With Shazier at LB, you need a Farrior beside him. Someone who is disciplined, makes the reads and just gets all the dang tackles. VW is not the guy to compliment him. That's not a knock on VW. He's a starter quality in this league - just not for the Steelers, IMO. I'd just prefer he be the long-term #3 for us. This defense could be significantly better with a 2nd-4th round upgrade at ILB, next to Shazier who is a "thumper".

FWIW, I can tell you that when they played the ravens earlier this year, it was about a dead heat. Moseley had ONE more tackle, one more for loss, but, Shazier actually had an Int.

[Northern_Blitz]

The dependable but less spectacular guy you describe is C.J. Mosley, who many on this board wanted over Shazier in that draft. I know that I certainly wouldn't trade Shazier for Mosley right now.

This. You can't give up the bad guesses without giving up the good guesses too. I'd keep Shazier too (although people tend to overvalue what they have)

[feltdizz]

I was on board with Moseley... But, i'm big on discipline and the team concept. That if 11 guys all do their job and don't try to do someone else's, the defense is more consistent and gives up fewer big plays. A safety gets burned when you read the QBs eyes but, he "looks you off". A LB, when he reads the flow and doesn't anticipate the counter, thus leaving a gap.

Having said that, when you have a special player who can make splash plays more often than not, you let him do it, but, it works best when you have him in tandem with someone who is consistent. Polamalu was at his best when Ryan Clark was his compliment - it allowed Troy to be Troy because Ryan was a solid last line of defense.

With Shazier at LB, you need a Farrior beside him. Someone who is disciplined, makes the reads and just gets all the dang tackles. VW is not the guy to compliment him. That's not a knock on VW. He's a starter quality in this league - just not for the Steelers, IMO. I'd just prefer he be the long-term #3 for us. This defense could be significantly better with a 2nd-4th round upgrade at ILB, next to Shazier who is a "thumper".

FWIW, I can tell you that when they played the ravens earlier this year, it was about a dead heat. Moseley had ONE more tackle, one more for loss, but, Shazier actually had an Int.

I'm willing to give VW a little time to settle in with Shazier.

[Mr.wizard]

Why not let him be spectacular and get more dependable with reps. I don't think he is that reckless, it's not like we are giving up a ton of points.