Leal: DE? OLB? Bust?

[whisper]

What is the guy? After sending some here into a swoon, no one seems to know. None of his measurables really blow anyone away. What is the guy? A bust?

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2023/5/19/23726627/demarvin-leal-is-a-riddle-the-pittsburgh-steelers-must-solve-in-2023-nfl-news

I don't get the excitement. And we sure could use legit DL help around now. Another Colbert bust-oh-ramma?

[Captain Lemming]

What is the guy? After sending some here into a swoon, no one seems to know. None of his measurables really blow anyone away. What is the guy? A bust?

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2023/5/19/23726627/demarvin-leal-is-a-riddle-the-pittsburgh-steelers-must-solve-in-2023-nfl-news

I don't get the excitement. And we sure could use legit DL help around now. Another Colbert bust-oh-ramma?

I must give you props man. Your ability to find creative ways to go glass half empty is IMPRESSIVE.

Rather than taking a moment to REJOICE that our draft began DOING EXACTLY WHAT YOU BEGGED THE TEAM TO DO you even whine about THAT PICK because we cannot guarantee Jones a gold jacket just yet.

To your question? He is a lineman as long as we have depth at edge.

How good a lineman? Nobody knows how good he will be as has been the case for MOST sophomore linemen we draft.

Cam versus Ziggy rookie seasons? What did you see to inform you that one would bust and the other would be an AllPro?

Well we should have known Cam has the Cutesy daddy factor.

Rather than dwell on the negative, the fact that cutesy daddy pick did not fail should make you excited about the Porter pick.

[whisper]

I must give you props man. Your ability to find creative ways to go glass half empty is IMPRESSIVE.

Rather than taking a moment to REJOICE that our draft began DOING EXACTLY WHAT YOU BEGGED THE TEAM TO DO you even whine about THAT PICK because we cannot guarantee Jones a gold jacket just yet.

To your question? Nobody knows how good he will be as has been the case for MOST sophomore linemen we draft.

Cam versus Ziggy rookie seasons? What did you see to inform you that one would bust and the other would be an AllPro?

Well we should have known Cam has the Cutesy daddy factor.

Rather than dwell on the negative, the fact that cutesy daddy pick did not fail should make you excited about the Porter pick.

Your getting things confused. Cam isn't a "daddy" factor at all, he's strictly "cutsie brother" factor. Porter is the "cutsie daddy" factor. Both involve nepotism, a known Cool Shades over-play. But after his elaborate video explaining the value of adding brother picks, he oddly blew off a Watt brother and added an UDFA FB to the team. Odd. What happened to all the value of adding a brother? Weird.

But you, of course, blew off the main point of the OP: What is Leal? Is he a DE? A OLB? What? So many of you ballyhooed about after he was drafted, but now what? What has he shown? Should he gain weight? Lose weight? Can they decide? Is he another 3rd-round failed draft pick we can't afford? Another Kendrick Green?

[Captain Lemming]

Your getting things confused. Cam isn't a "daddy" factor at all, he's strictly "cutsie brother" factor. Porter is the "cutsie daddy" factor. Both involve nepotism, a known Cool Shades over-play. But after his elaborate video explaining the value of adding brother picks, he oddly blew off a Watt brother and added an UDFA FB to the team. Odd. What happened to all the value of adding a brother? Weird.

But you, of course, blew off the main point of the OP: What is Leal? Is he a DE? A OLB? What? So many of you ballyhooed about after he was drafted, but now what? What has he shown? Should he gain weight? Lose weight? Can they decide? Is he another 3rd-round failed draft pick we can't afford? Another Kendrick Green?

I actually edited my original comment before you completed your reply to address your question more directly.

If short I see him as a lineman who we used as outside linebacker when we had no better options. I think it would be a mistake to keep him there in base 3/4.

To elaborate:
Say the rookie is NT.
I could see Leal getting snaps over Larry O against pass happy teams like the Bills or KC.

4/3 in passing downs? I think that is his best fit. Yeah, he could be an edge (4-3 defensive end) if Watt or Highsmith are out.

Situational backup today. Gain size rather than go smaller and see what happens.

I kinda anticipated your reply but was too late. My bad.

[Blitzer]

Well he is a Steeler and Whiskers is talking about him. So Bust?

[whisper]

Well he is a Steeler and Whiskers is talking about him. So Bust?

You're right on one front. Leal was supposedly the cat's meow when we drafted him. Now the yinzers have to bring up Cam's lateness in productivity in an attempt to soften the bust blow. I got news for all: Leal is no Cam. Never will be.

[feltdizz]

I think he is a DE.

Its his second year… my goodness, bust already? Go outside and play dude.

[Bittspurgh]

What is the guy? After sending some here into a swoon, no one seems to know. None of his measurables really blow anyone away. What is the guy? A bust?

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2023/5/19/23726627/demarvin-leal-is-a-riddle-the-pittsburgh-steelers-must-solve-in-2023-nfl-news

I don't get the excitement. And we sure could use legit DL help around now. Another Colbert bust-oh-ramma?

Debbie Downer, Negative Nancy, Doubting Thomas - Who are Relatives of Whisper; Alex for $100....... Go to a rub and tug bruh, ease your mind, just relax.

[whisper]

I think he is a DE.

Its his second year… my goodness, bust already? Go outside and play dude.

Do you really not know where successful NFL players usually stand in their 2nd years typically? It's popular to bring up Troy Polamalu's late success as a Steeler. Do you know where he stood by his 2nd year? They weren't wondering what position to play him, I can promise you that. 97 tackles, 5 ints. They weren't still wondering what weight to play him at.

[whisper]

Debbie Downer, Negative Nancy, Doubting Thomas - Who are Relatives of Whisper; Alex for $100....... Go to a rub and tug bruh, ease your mind, just relax.

"Look, mommy, the 'backup' has some discouraging words." "It's OK, Johnny. He has nothing else to contribute."

[feltdizz]

Do you really not know where successful NFL players usually stand in their 2nd years typically? It's popular to bring up Troy Polamalu's late success as a Steeler. Do you know where he stood by his 2nd year? They weren't wondering what position to play him, I can promise you that. 97 tackles, 5 ints. They weren't still wondering what weight to play him at.

if Leal was drafting in the first round to play safety I would agree.

He was drafting as a tweener. Do you know what tweener means?

and you just listed Troy’s stats for his second season. Leal just finished his rookie year. After Troy’s rookie year some fools were calling him a bust.

Gotta have patience.. and no, I don’t expect Leal to be special like Troy which is why he wasn’t a first round pick.

[whisper]

if Leal was drafting in the first round to play safety I would agree.

He was drafting as a tweener. Do you know what tweener means?

and you just listed Troy’s stats for his second season. Leal just finished his rookie year. After Troy’s rookie year some fools were calling him a bust.

Gotta have patience.. and no, I don’t expect Leal to be special like Troy which is why he wasn’t a first round pick.

Fair enough response.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Leal was a rookie last year and made 14 tackles and showed a knack for knocking down passes ( 3 ) in 11 games played. This is good production for the amount he played. He did not start. By no means was he a bust. He can make plays. We shall see how much he grown in year number 2

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LealDe00.htm

[Northern_Blitz]

Leal was a rookie last year and made 14 tackles and showed a knack for knocking down passes ( 3 ) in 11 games played. This is good production for the amount he played. He did not start. By no means was he a bust. He can make plays. We shall see how much he grown in year number 2

https://www.pro-football-reference.c...L/LealDe00.htm

Not bad for a guy that only played 175 snaps mostly playing a new position for him.

Hopefully he makes the 2nd year jump.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Your getting things confused. Cam isn't a "daddy" factor at all, he's strictly "cutsie brother" factor. Porter is the "cutsie daddy" factor. Both involve nepotism, a known Cool Shades over-play. But after his elaborate video explaining the value of adding brother picks, he oddly blew off a Watt brother and added an UDFA FB to the team. Odd. What happened to all the value of adding a brother? Weird.

But you, of course, blew off the main point of the OP: What is Leal? Is he a DE? A OLB? What? So many of you ballyhooed about after he was drafted, but now what? What has he shown? Should he gain weight? Lose weight? Can they decide? Is he another 3rd-round failed draft pick we can't afford? Another Kendrick Green?

He not another Kendrick Green! That guy is a BUST. Leal is way better than 5th round pick DL Loudermilk. He is much better than 6th round pick Buggs is/was too . Those guys flat out did not make plays. Let get that straight. As a rookie he had a lot learn, but SHOWED the promise and ability to make plays when given the chance. He is a rotational peice for now, and a good one. Sort of like a nickle DB. IMO, he needs to work on run defense a bit. He is a DT, not your classic 5 technique player. More like a 3 technique player. Do you follow what I'm saying in terms of technique? No way he is an OLB. He is not a BUST . IMO he's is good depth player and may prove to be starting material.... .but at worst he is part of the rotation. I wish he was a little meaner and get of blocks a little quicker. The Steelers really play 2 defensive lineman at times with Watt and Highsmith playing end. Situational football changes on the given down and distance. No-- he shold not lose weight. If anything he needs to add a little muscle.

-JB