Kwon Alexander visiting

[Oviedo]

Potential addition at ILB.

[Iron City Inc.]

He has had 2 serious medical issues ACL n Achillies a while back but played a bunch last year for the Jets. Don't know much about him but since we have some serious question marks at ILB bring him in n let him compete. I believe he's only 28.

[WindyCitySteel]

4 teams in 5 seasons. Usually these guys bounce around for a reason.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

4 teams in 5 seasons. Usually these guys bounce around for a reason.

draft profile reads: "Trenton Simpson". Fast, hustles, not instinctive. And that was a few years ago before the ACL stuff. If signed, I would imagine it would be as a 1-year stopgap until they can find their speed ILB next offseason

[Captain Lemming]

4 teams in 5 seasons. Usually these guys bounce around for a reason.

Yeah I agree. Goes to Devilles point. Stop-gap.
Can't fix it all in one season.

[WindyCitySteel]

Yeah I agree. Goes to Devilles point. Stop-gap.
Can't fix it all in one season.

How many years in a row are they going to paper over the ILB position with stop-gaps?

[SteelerOfDeVille]

How many years in a row are they going to paper over the ILB position with stop-gaps?

Honestly, I just looked at the roster from 5 years ago and that COMPLETELY changed my response.

As I started typing, I was going to agree with your take.

DID YOU KNOW:

Today vs the 2018 team (per profootballreferene.com), all 11 starters are gone from the offense and even some top backups. On defense, only Cam and TJ remain.

20 of 22 starters are gone. I'm not talking a decade ago, but basically ONE contract extension. There have been injuries, unexpected retirements and nevermind the fact that you have natural turnover anyway.

Many of us (myself included) have been critical of the FO with their FA moves and draft choices. But WOW, replacing 20 of 22 with enough quality players to be competitive is really an impossible task.

You actually couldn't afford to get the top FA every year - not for TWENTY replacements. I now understand the bargain bottom shopping with the FA. You can't pay for 5 high-end FA annually.

Even with a solid draft, you're only going to get 2-3 starters per draft. Some of those guys are going to bust or simply underperform. And even when ya do plan to get a guy in the draft, you likely get a FA to cover until the starter is ready - those guys aren't cheap (see: Pickett and Tribusky).

All this to respond to your question... when your draft pick and your gamble both bust at ILB, you're in a world of hurt. Especially when you have 18 other holes to fill.

Different position, but you grab a Levi Wallace or Mason Cole knowing that this guy is a B- player, HOPING that you can coach them up to a B+ player.

That as perspective - I see Pickett, Najee, Pickens, Freirmuth, TJ, Minkah, hopefully Highsmith as guys that should be around a few seasons and perform. We need some of the younger guys (Broderick, JPJ, Benton, CA3) to to all be draft "hits".

I may have to do a real positional assessment post with some of that as perspective.

[whisper]

4 teams in 5 seasons. Usually these guys bounce around for a reason.

Word.

[NorthCoast]

How many years in a row are they going to paper over the ILB position with stop-gaps?

The league in general has devalued the LB position.

[Captain Lemming]

How many years in a row are they going to paper over the ILB position with stop-gaps?

One year after FINALLY using premium picks on tackle and cornerback.

AGAIN you cannot fix EVERYTHING all at once.

[SteelerOfDeVille]

One year after FINALLY using premium picks on tackle and cornerback.

^^^ this was going to be my initial response, but...

AGAIN you cannot fix EVERYTHING all at once.

^^^^ this happened

I think next year's team will have Roberts and Holcomb fighting for one starting job... beside a day 1/2 rookie

[Captain Lemming]

How many years in a row are they going to paper over the ILB position with stop-gaps?

BTW:
Timmons
Shazier
Bush

The only top 15 picks of the Tomlin era prior to his this draft. Anybody notice a theme in the highest draft picks of the last decade and a half?

We are literally just a few months removed from NJ whining about how much draft capital we put into linebacker OVER offensive line.

We prioritize a tackle ONCE in over over 20 years and we are neglecting linebackers?

[WindyCitySteel]

BTW:
Timmons
Shazier
Bush

The only top 15 picks of the Tomlin era prior to his this draft. Anybody notice a theme in the highest draft picks of the last decade and a half?

We are literally just a few months removed from NJ whining about how much draft capital we put into linebacker OVER offensive line.

We prioritize a tackle ONCE in over over 20 years and we are neglecting linebackers?

I'm OK with not drafting an ILB high, but simply replacing retreads and reclamation projects year after year after year is not working. Sign a legit starter.

Bostic, Barron, Williamson, Schobert, Jack all one and done. Wouldn't be surprised if Roberts and Holcomb were, too. They seem to not value the position much or their hubris is clouding their judgement and they think they can rehab them.

[BURGH86STEEL]

Honestly, I just looked at the roster from 5 years ago and that COMPLETELY changed my response.

As I started typing, I was going to agree with your take.

DID YOU KNOW:

Today vs the 2018 team (per profootballreferene.com), all 11 starters are gone from the offense and even some top backups. On defense, only Cam and TJ remain.

20 of 22 starters are gone. I'm not talking a decade ago, but basically ONE contract extension. There have been injuries, unexpected retirements and nevermind the fact that you have natural turnover anyway.

Many of us (myself included) have been critical of the FO with their FA moves and draft choices. But WOW, replacing 20 of 22 with enough quality players to be competitive is really an impossible task.

You actually couldn't afford to get the top FA every year - not for TWENTY replacements. I now understand the bargain bottom shopping with the FA. You can't pay for 5 high-end FA annually.

Even with a solid draft, you're only going to get 2-3 starters per draft. Some of those guys are going to bust or simply underperform. And even when ya do plan to get a guy in the draft, you likely get a FA to cover until the starter is ready - those guys aren't cheap (see: Pickett and Tribusky).

All this to respond to your question... when your draft pick and your gamble both bust at ILB, you're in a world of hurt. Especially when you have 18 other holes to fill.

Different position, but you grab a Levi Wallace or Mason Cole knowing that this guy is a B- player, HOPING that you can coach them up to a B+ player.

That as perspective - I see Pickett, Najee, Pickens, Freirmuth, TJ, Minkah, hopefully Highsmith as guys that should be around a few seasons and perform. We need some of the younger guys (Broderick, JPJ, Benton, CA3) to to all be draft "hits".

I may have to do a real positional assessment post with some of that as perspective.

Most NFL rosters have a large majority of roster turnover every 4 to 5 seasons.

When some people suggest the Steelers refused to........... they don't seem to understand the various factors it takes when it comes to building a team.

[BURGH86STEEL]

I'm OK with not drafting an ILB high, but simply replacing retreads and reclamation projects year after year after year is not working. Sign a legit starter.

Bostic, Barron, Williamson, Schobert, Jack all one and done. Wouldn't be surprised if Roberts and Holcomb were, too. They seem to not value the position much or their hubris is clouding their judgement and they think they can rehab them.

The Steelers signed on those players and drafted several LBs over the years. So they must value the position.

Most of those players went on to play for other teams after they were with the Steelers. Those players were not a good fit for the Steelers long term.

Teams give players a test drive to see if FA players can be a good fit for the teams. For example, Seattle signed Bush to a one year deal. Like it or not, this is how business is done in the NFL.