Some execs considered Edmunds a top 15 player

[Slapstick]

Sometimes, I just don't understand people...

First, people complain about "not getting rookies on the field"...then, when we do draft a rookie that could play as many as 70% of defensive snaps, people "don't expect him to make an impact"...

Then, people are unhappy with a free agent deal...so, signing a comparable free agent for a comparable contract is presented as a solution...

I just don't get it...

[Oviedo]

Sometimes, I just don't understand people...

First, people complain about "not getting rookies on the field"...then, when we do draft a rookie that could play as many as 70% of defensive snaps, people "don't expect him to make an impact"...

Then, people are unhappy with a free agent deal...so, signing a comparable free agent for a comparable contract is presented as a solution...

I just don't get it...

As I've said for years "Some people aren't happy unless they are unhappy." For some on this board it is that way in spades

[Oviedo]

We came into this offseason needing to replace Ryan Shazier.

The only draft prospects available in this draft who might have be able to replicate all that Ryan could do on a football field would have been possibly Roquan Smith or Tremaine Johnson, and we did not have a chance to draft either of them.

Option B would have been using our first round pick on a "poor man's Shazier" at ILB such as Leighton Vander Esch or Rashaan Evans. Once again, we did not have a chance to draft either of them. It happens.

So with no singular players left to fill that gaping hole, what did we do? We are attempting to replace Shazier with multiple players instead.

First, we added an ILB who is about 15 pounds heavier than Shazier to hold up for the run downs (Jon Bostic: 97 tackles in 14 games in 2017).

Then, we added a combination strong safety and nickel/dime backer who is about 15 pounds lighter than Shazier to be able to cover TE's and RB's on the pass downs (an athletic, intelligent prospect with excellent bloodlines in Terrell Edmunds).

There have been college safeties who have successfully been converted into athletic LB's at the next level. Brian Urlacher is the ultimate example, but there are players currently in the NFL playing this role such as Deone Buchanon with the Cards or Mark Barron with the Rams. All three of those guys were first round picks like Edmunds.

Our biggest holes coming this offseason were at safety and ILB, and although we signed Burnett and Bostic in free agency to fill those two needs, our first round pick could ultimately fill in as a rookie at either spot if needed, depending on the situation. Edmunds may not be a day one starter for us, but he will contribute to this overall defense this year...he's got a unique skillset that we can put to good use out there.

Outstanding post. Thank you for your rational explanation. Hopefully some actually read it and more importantly understand it.

[feltdizz]

Sometimes, I just don't understand people...

First, people complain about "not getting rookies on the field"...then, when we do draft a rookie that could play as many as 70% of defensive snaps, people "don't expect him to make an impact"...

Then, people are unhappy with a free agent deal...so, signing a comparable free agent for a comparable contract is presented as a solution...

I just don't get it...

folks are just yapping to yap.

They have all the answers..





even if they don't make any damn sense.

[Buzz]

Sometimes, I just don't understand people...

First, people complain about "not getting rookies on the field"...then, when we do draft a rookie that could play as many as 70% of defensive snaps, people "don't expect him to make an impact"...

Then, people are unhappy with a free agent deal...so, signing a comparable free agent for a comparable contract is presented as a solution...

I just don't get it...

I like getting deserving rookies on the field. I hope Edmunds does play 70% of the snaps, and does really well. I hope he makes an impact. I'm skeptical that he's going to make enough of an impact to cover up for the deficiencies in the middle of our defense. But by all means, if he's the best "dimebacker" we've got (I think we have about 3 of them to choose from), then play him. I don't want to see a deserving rookie rot on the bench.

We still have a big need, IMO, at the Mack position. Bostic is better than what we would've had. But let's face it, he's probably a below-average starter at that position. And who do we have at that position if he goes down? I'm not sold on any of the players currently on the roster. Maybe one of them steps up. Maybe the Thomas kid from Florida suddenly develops play awareness and seizes the opportunity to shine. I'd sure feel more comfortable if we added someone who grades out higher than Spence or Fort. So yes, I wish we could add someone else from FA.

V. Williams was fine when he had Shazier playing next to him, but not so much after Ryan went down. I wish we could have upgraded there. I think Matakevich is fine as a backup at that position. Maybe VW will be OK next to Bostic. An unknown. Since we didn't draft anyone, it would be nice, IMO, to add another proven vet at that position.

I like Burnett. But he's often-injured and we have at least 3 other strong safeties on the roster. I don't believe Burnett will be the answer at FS. Hope I'm wrong. Can Davis make the switch to take on deep high responsibilities? I hope so, but again, it's an unknown. Maybe Sutton can take that role. I'd have felt a lot better if we'd brought in more of a proven FS-type.

Then, there's the need for another OLB who can generate some pressure on the opposing QB. Sure would be nice to have added a bona-fide pass rusher. Maybe the undrafted kid will be able to fill that void.

Clearly, defense is our biggest need. And I'm frustrated that there are (IMO) a lot of these questions that really weren't addressed in the draft. So I wish we could do some more things in FA to help. But I realize that we're up against the cap, and unless we can pull off some big-time restructuring of a contract or two, there's little chance of that happening.

I guess I'm having a hard time understanding why you can't understand that some of us might be concerned (even though you aren't).

[Slapstick]

Because it doesn't matter what the team does...if they sign a "proven FS type", it will just be poo-pooed like when they signed a "proven ILB type"...

People will just assume players will play where they think they should ("Burnett is more of a strong safety type") and then complain about it without knowing any better...

And I never said that I wasn't concerned...I'm always concerned about this team...no need to "straw man" me...

I have no problem with people expressing their opinions on the board...I should have an equal right to comment on those publicly displayed opinions...and, I just don't understand all the hand-wringing...

[Steel Maniac]

I like getting deserving rookies on the field. I hope Edmunds does play 70% of the snaps, and does really well. I hope he makes an impact. I'm skeptical that he's going to make enough of an impact to cover up for the deficiencies in the middle of our defense. But by all means, if he's the best "dimebacker" we've got (I think we have about 3 of them to choose from), then play him. I don't want to see a deserving rookie rot on the bench.

We still have a big need, IMO, at the Mack position. Bostic is better than what we would've had. But let's face it, he's probably a below-average starter at that position. And who do we have at that position if he goes down? I'm not sold on any of the players currently on the roster. Maybe one of them steps up. Maybe the Thomas kid from Florida suddenly develops play awareness and seizes the opportunity to shine. I'd sure feel more comfortable if we added someone who grades out higher than Spence or Fort. So yes, I wish we could add someone else from FA.

V. Williams was fine when he had Shazier playing next to him, but not so much after Ryan went down. I wish we could have upgraded there. I think Matakevich is fine as a backup at that position. Maybe VW will be OK next to Bostic. An unknown. Since we didn't draft anyone, it would be nice, IMO, to add another proven vet at that position.

I like Burnett. But he's often-injured and we have at least 3 other strong safeties on the roster. I don't believe Burnett will be the answer at FS. Hope I'm wrong. Can Davis make the switch to take on deep high responsibilities? I hope so, but again, it's an unknown. Maybe Sutton can take that role. I'd have felt a lot better if we'd brought in more of a proven FS-type.

Then, there's the need for another OLB who can generate some pressure on the opposing QB. Sure would be nice to have added a bona-fide pass rusher. Maybe the undrafted kid will be able to fill that void.

Clearly, defense is our biggest need. And I'm frustrated that there are (IMO) a lot of these questions that really weren't addressed in the draft. So I wish we could do some more things in FA to help. But I realize that we're up against the cap, and unless we can pull off some big-time restructuring of a contract or two, there's little chance of that happening.

I guess I'm having a hard time understanding why you can't understand that some of us might be concerned (even though you aren't).

Thank you.............................

[Buzz]

Because it doesn't matter what the team does...if they sign a "proven FS type", it will just be poo-pooed like when they signed a "proven ILB type"...

Not by me.

People will just assume players will play where they think they should ("Burnett is more of a strong safety type") and then complain about it without knowing any better...

I'm not going to complain about Burnett's play, or anyone else's, unless and until it actually falls short. With Burnett, it's just that FS play is not really what he's been known for in his career to this point, especially in the past few years. That concerns me, if indeed he's going to be taking on FS responsibilities.

And I never said that I wasn't concerned...I'm always concerned about this team...no need to "straw man" me...

I have no problem with people expressing their opinions on the board...I should have an equal right to comment on those publicly displayed opinions...

In your own words, "no need to 'straw man'." Where have I said you have no "equal right" to comment on opinions? Where has anybody said that?

and, I just don't understand all the hand-wringing...

Don't know about anyone else, but I haven't been wringing my hands. I may be concerned, but I'm not that concerned. I certainly don't lose any sleep over any of this stuff.

[Buzz]

Good article about what the Steelers might choose to do at ILB:

https://247sports.com/nfl/steelers/Article/So-What-Will-The-Steelers-Do-At-Inside-Linebacker-117899516

[Steel Maniac]

Not by me.

I'm not going to complain about Burnett's play, or anyone else's, unless and until it actually falls short. With Burnett, it's just that FS play is not really what he's been known for in his career to this point, especially in the past few years. That concerns me, if indeed he's going to be taking on FS responsibilities.

In your own words, "no need to 'straw man'." Where have I said you have no "equal right" to comment on opinions? Where has anybody said that?

Don't know about anyone else, but I haven't been wringing my hands. I may be concerned, but I'm not that concerned. I certainly don't lose any sleep over any of this stuff.

Well, here we go.

Buzz..what your seeing is why i put that guy on ignore. When people don't see things his way, he goes on the attack mode of those people. He and another poster who I also have on ignore.

Because your points are valid, and he has no solid ground to dispute those points, thus your hand-wringing now.

But......when the administrator came in here a few weeks ago and voiced your same concerns, he and another poster went mute with the attacks; because they were afraid of getting the boot. Which tells you all you need to know.

[Steel Maniac]

Good article about what the Steelers might choose to do at ILB:

https://247sports.com/nfl/steelers/Article/So-What-Will-The-Steelers-Do-At-Inside-Linebacker-117899516

Thanks...........

[pittpete]

"Unfortunately, Allen’s instincts and aggressiveness just don’t show up at all in coverage. He’s recent Mike Mitchell-esque in single-high coverage, playing so deep that he doesn’t have a prayer of impacting the catch point at free safety. Allen just doesn’t make plays on the ball or show great range on the back end."

Kind of what i was saying about Mitchell all of last year and then being told i didn't know what i was talking about....LOL

[feltdizz]

What’s odd is Bostic has folks cautious because he has been on a few teams yet folks won’t to get another FA who more than likely has been on a few teams or let go because he was replaceable.

There really is is no way to please everyone given how the draft played out and who is left in FA.

I still think we may acquire more depth at the LB position in FA but it was never going to be a first day signing of a big name guy.

Once teams start making moves and cutting people I bet we go shopping if we see something we like.

If not, we are still better than we were once Shazier went down.

and for the record. Folks don’t engage strz09 because he comes around once every Haley’s comet. No one is scared of him. This isn’t the matrix. He just bashed Tomlin every few months and then disappears. Folks have “attacked” his criticism of Tomlin in the past too.

Lmao at anyone feeling attacked on here.

[Buzz]

"Unfortunately, Allen’s instincts and aggressiveness just don’t show up at all in coverage. He’s recent Mike Mitchell-esque in single-high coverage, playing so deep that he doesn’t have a prayer of impacting the catch point at free safety. Allen just doesn’t make plays on the ball or show great range on the back end."

Kind of what i was saying about Mitchell all of last year and then being told i didn't know what i was talking about....LOL

Yep. Funny how many of the Mitchell fan-boys have gone silent/disappeared from this board since the end of last season.

[feltdizz]

Yep. Funny how many of the Mitchell fan-boys have gone silent/disappeared from this board since the end of last season.

I don’t think anyone was a fan of paying Mitchell 8 mill.

I was wrong about the FO keeping him until the young guys proved themselves in camp/OTA’s.