Ingram to Chiefs

[NorthCoast]

I think that this shows how perception can outweigh reality.

The evaluation of the play of these two players shows that Highsmith is better.

I also think that if you asked a random sample of NFL fans who should be the pro-bowl C in the AFC last year, many would say Pouncey. Like Ingram, he was a household name and previous accomplishments give him higher name recognition.

Ingram isn't bad. He is a valuable player. But he wasn't playing as well as Highsmith this year and he got the role that he earned on this team.

He understandably wanted to go to a place where we could improve his market value as a UFA next season. And we decided to take the peanuts we got for him instead of holding on to him (and then probably cutting him for nothing after eroding the locker room).

I am not a fan of the result.

But it looks like the only way to avoid the result was to put a worse defense on the field most of the time. And that probably wrecks Highsmith's morale.

I know not everyone loves Butler, but he knows linebacker play. And maybe he's just following the company line here, but his assessment is in line with the data NC posted.

The Steelers ask their LBs to do more than rush the passer or stop the run. They occasionally are in coverage.

[Northern_Blitz]

The Steelers ask their LBs to do more than rush the passer or stop the run. They occasionally are in coverage.

I wonder which of Ingram / Highsmith was better in that area?

[flippy]

The Steelers ask their LBs to do more than rush the passer or stop the run. They occasionally are in coverage.

This and just watch how quick AH is off the snap. AH has a really high ceiling and is only going to keep getting better. I think it’s important to remember where he went to school and the level of competition.

[LPMAN]

Ingram was so awesome he had a total of one NFL team bid for his services... and even then all they were willing to trade was a throwaway pick..... Shocking how they couldn't see the obvious.

And James Harrison sucked so bad he was cut like 5 times early in his career.

And i guess the Steelers are total morons for signing him in the first place.

That's how much sense your reply makes in this regard.

How many teams in the middle of the season have an open starter spot available at OLB and cap room? In pre-season Ingram had plenty of suitors and the Dolphins supposedly offered more money than us but he chose Pittsburgh because he thought he would get the most playing time since we were weak at OLB after Watt with Dupree gone.

[LPMAN]

This and just watch how quick AH is off the snap. AH has a really high ceiling and is only going to keep getting better. I think it’s important to remember where he went to school and the level of competition.

I think that's the real answer on why Highsmith played more than Ingram : future ceiling. It was the same for Chickillo over Harrison but Butler was amiss on that one. But Highsmith i think will always be average. He doesn't have the "it" factor of a Watt, Lloyd, Woodley etc.

[hawaiiansteel]

If you asked most Steelers fans or better yet NFL fans who was better Ingram or Highsmith how bad does Highsmith lose both votes? Not saying he might not develop but right now he looks like Tarzan plays like Jane. Very raw player with the skills but is average vs run & only has shown 2 moves as a pass rusher. He collapses the pocket but rarely gets by the left tackle.

[Northern_Blitz]

So you're saying that the guy who is our starter is better in the present, younger, and presumably better in the medium term.

Sounds like we made the right choice.

It would obviously have been better if Ingram was happier with the role that he'd earned.

Maybe the distribution of snaps should have been different between the starters and backups. I think we have consistently had this issue at RB.

It would be interesting to see how he fairs vs. Ingram in pass pro.

And I think this (which I think is the same data NC posted in a table vs. a chart) also shows how asking fans about a known name vs an up and coming name might give you the wrong answer.

[NorthCoast]

And James Harrison sucked so bad he was cut like 5 times early in his career.

And i guess the Steelers are total morons for signing him in the first place.

That's how much sense your reply makes in this regard.

How many teams in the middle of the season have an open starter spot available at OLB and cap room? In pre-season Ingram had plenty of suitors and the Dolphins supposedly offered more money than us but he chose Pittsburgh because he thought he would get the most playing time since we were weak at OLB after Watt with Dupree gone.

Ingram was good for the role the Steelers had him in. The occasional spelling of Watt or Highsmith. His last 3 teams didn't see him as a full time starter. He's averaged about 50% of snaps the last few years of his career.

Different circumstances with Harrison. He was cut when he couldn't grasp defensive playcalls. Farrior said as much. And Harrison wasn't 32 yrs old looking for a job.

[NorthCoast]

I bet a Hamilton that Highsmith would have made this tackle. After this game Ingram's snaps dropped in half;

[LPMAN]

I bet a Hamilton that Highsmith would have made this tackle. After this game Ingram's snaps dropped in half;

good point, that was ugly.

[Northern_Blitz]

The Steelers ask their LBs to do more than rush the passer or stop the run. They occasionally are in coverage.

This came up in YouTube for me.

Made me think of this comment.

Also... Something about turnovers for TDs and win percentage.

[SteelBucks]

I didn’t feel like making another thread but the Steelers were working on a trade with the Eagles at the deadline for Fletcher Cox. Unfortunately the deal fell through when the Eagles wouldn’t budge off of their 3rd round draft pick request.

Bummer. IMO, Heyward and Cox would have been a nightmare for opposing offenses. He is injury prone though.