Is Robert Spillane the next Larry Foote?

[WindyCitySteel]

Spillane is reportedly challenging Bush at ILB and having a good camp. I've not been a big fan to date, but I remember Larry Foote, who was not fleet of foot (pun intended) and got pushed around early his career, but through sheer hard work and determination became a very solid ILB for the Steelers.

Is Spillane on the same path?

[Captain Lemming]

Spillane is reportedly challenging Bush at ILB and having a good camp. I've not been a big fan to date, but I remember Larry Foote, who was not fleet of foot (pun intended) and got pushed around early his career, but through sheer hard work and determination became a very solid ILB for the Steelers.

Is Spillane on the same path?

Maybe. If Jack can be prime James Farrior caliber, Spillane will work just fine if Bush cannot regain his confidence. Not everyone need to be a highlight machine, just lunchpail solid like Foote. Of course Spillane has already had a couple of nice highlights too.

You know who was really solid but never got enough love who was really solid?

Earl Holmes.

[Prowler]

I like Spillane better than the average Steeler fan. I think he's a good as Foote. I don't think he'll ever be great in coverage but so what? 95% of ILBs, I wouldn't consider good at all in pass coverage. Having said that, I think it's insanely stupid to have a 240 pound player in pass coverage anyway. Never understood why teams do this.

[Captain Lemming]

I like Spillane better than the average Steeler fan. I think he's a good as Foote. I don't think he'll ever be great in coverage but so what? 95% of ILBs, I wouldn't consider good at all in pass coverage.

Agreed. I do think we need one "athlete" (Farrior/Timmons/ Shazier) type. But solid alongside Foote type is nice.
I think whether our inside linebackers is a strength or weakness is going determined by whether Miles Jack performs at a high level. If he does I'm good with Spillane.

[NorthCoast]

Maybe. If Jack can be prime James Farrior caliber, Spillane will work just fine if Bush cannot regain his confidence. Not everyone need to be a highlight machine, just lunchpail solid like Foote. Of course Spillane has already had a couple of nice highlights too.

You know who was really solid but never got enough love who was really solid?

Earl Holmes.

Kendrell Bell had a stunning rookie season. Sadly he never duplicated it. I'm fearing Bush may be headed down that path. The only tragic part for the Steelers is the draft capital they spent to get the guy.

[NorthCoast]

I like Spillane better than the average Steeler fan. I think he's a good as Foote. I don't think he'll ever be great in coverage but so what? 95% of ILBs, I wouldn't consider good at all in pass coverage. Having said that, I think it's insanely stupid to have a 240 pound player in pass coverage anyway. Never understood why teams do this.

Good OCs and QBs aren't dumb. They attack the weak link. Down and distance, offensive formation could all say 'run the ball'. But as soon as they see Spillane out there he's a target for a pass.

And besides, if we look at the divisional opponents, the Steelers need a way to stop the run games. Chubb, Dobbins, Mixon are no slouches carrying the ball.

(I was hoping for J Davis in the draft. Would have solved a lot of problems for the ILBs)

[WindyCitySteel]

Kendrell Bell had a stunning rookie season. Sadly he never duplicated it. I'm fearing Bush may be headed down that path. The only tragic part for the Steelers is the draft capital they spent to get the guy.

Rookie Bell >>>> Rookie Bush, IMO.

[WindyCitySteel]

Good OCs and QBs aren't dumb. They attack the weak link. Down and distance, offensive formation could all say 'run the ball'. But as soon as they see Spillane out there he's a target for a pass.

And when teams go heavy and motion their #1 into the slot, the Steelers dutifully ask their 240-lb slow-footed LB to cover the other team's #1 WR and then blame execution when they get carved up.

"Coaches coach, players play, muh"

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Spillane is reportedly challenging Bush at ILB and having a good camp. I've not been a big fan to date, but I remember Larry Foote, who was not fleet of foot (pun intended) and got pushed around early his career, but through sheer hard work and determination became a very solid ILB for the Steelers.

Is Spillane on the same path?

Nice title of the thread. Spillane is many ways is what Bush isn't. He my have worked on his body and is in physical and mental prime.

["BuzzNuter"]

Spillane's rise is a statement on Bush's decline. Bush was never as good as predicted.
I don't remember Foote's first year but I do know that he was better then Spillane. Spillane made his name on that hit against Derrick Henry. I hope he is as good as you people predict but once again all we got is wishing and hoping.

[The Man of Steel]

It’s interesting to me that a first round draft pick from Michigan whose father also played in the NFL might get beat out by an UDFA from Western Michigan. Devin Bush should really be embarrassed if Spillane is starting over him on opening day.

[Captain Lemming]

Spillane's rise is a statement on Bush's decline. Bush was never as good as predicted.

People have completely forgotten pre-injury Bush had EXCEEDED all possible expectations.

Bush was the teams leading tackler as a rookie.

Bush had more tackles than Shazier, or Williams has EVER HAD in a single season as a rookie.

Bush has the Steeler rookie record for tackles since the stat has been kept (I assume Lambert might have had more but then again it was a 14 game season maybe not).

Unlike most of our 1st round picks, Bush was on the all rookie 1st team.

Year 2 pre-injury our Steelers defense featuring Bush was looking like the best run defense in the league.

Bush was BETTER than predicted before his injury. Shazier gets all this love after taking several years to get there.

But truth be told there was universal love for Bush in season 2, HALF THIS FORUM thought we drafted THE WRONG LINEBACKER during Shaziers 2nd season.

[feltdizz]

It’s interesting to me that a first round draft pick from Michigan whose father also played in the NFL might get beat out by an UDFA from Western Michigan. Devin Bush should really be embarrassed if Spillane is starting over him on opening day.

If there was no injury then I would agree but clearly Bush has lost his confidence after the injury. Bush was playing lights out football when he arrived.

[Captain Lemming]

It’s interesting to me that a first round draft pick from Michigan whose father also played in the NFL might get beat out by an UDFA from Western Michigan. Devin Bush should really be embarrassed if Spillane is starting over him on opening day.

If that happens, I will look at it as a result of the injury. Not a continuing physical thing but what it did to his head.

The trajectory pre-injury Bush was on is beyond Spillane's reach.

[whisper]

Maybe. If Jack can be prime James Farrior caliber, Spillane will work just fine if Bush cannot regain his confidence. Not everyone need to be a highlight machine, just lunchpail solid like Foote. Of course Spillane has already had a couple of nice highlights too.

You know who was really solid but never got enough love who was really solid?

Earl Holmes.

Yes, Earl's kind went out with the trend of fanny packs: thumpers without much range but could put ball carriers on their wallets in no time. And one other ILB who didn't get enough just due in my opinion: Timmons. Not a fan favorite for some reason but got the job done.