Opinions wanted...

[Chadman]

Using "Walterfootball" as a guide, IF...

at the time the Steelers pick in this years draft the following OL players are off the board-
Andre Smith OT, Michael Oher OT, Eugene Monroe OT, Jason Smith OT, Eben Britton OT, Ciron Black OT & Duke Robinson OG

Do the Steelers take-
#1 Rated Center Alex Mack
#2 Rated Center BUT Also Possible OT Max Unger
#7 Rated OT William Beatty or
#8 Rated OT (specifically RT- possibly #1 RT) Phil Loadholt

with their 1st round pick?

Before you answer- keep in mind that by the Steelers 2nd round pick-

All the above players will be gone
#9 OT Russell Okung is gone
#3 Center Jonathon Luigs is gone
#10 OT Fenuki Tupou is gone (#2 specific RT)
#11 OT Sam Young is gone


And at the Steelers 2nd round pick you get a choice of OL-
#2 Rated OG Herman Johnson
#4 Rated Center Antione Caldwell
#12 Rated OT Alex Boone (RT)
#3 Rated OG Andy Levitre
#4 Rated Center Eric Wood
#13 Rated OT Troy Kropog
#14 Rated OT Augustus Parrish

Ok- so the question really is- how should the Steelers look at VALUE in the first 2 rounds of the Draft if they want OL both rounds?

For example- if the Steelers take Alex Mack in Round 1, they get a choice of OT's from the #12 rating & lower with their second pick. Is that 'Best Value'?

Or should they Take #1 Rated Center Alex Mack & #2 Rated OG Herman Johnson & suffer through the OT situation?

Or do you take the #7 or #8 Rated OT in Round 1 & either the #2 OG or #4 rated Center in Round 2?

Or should they not select OL in both Rounds & select a DB or DL somewhere early?

For Chadman, looking at the way Walterfootball sees the draft going (yes- very early), if the Steelers don't take OT in Round 1, then Chadman says don't select OT at all & solidify the interior with Mack in Round 1 & Johnson in 2.

But should they 'reach' for an OT in 1?

[flippy]

Re: Opinions wanted...

I bet we go DL or WR in the first round.

[Discipline of Steel]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Based on your OT projection, I predict we will sign a FA OT, draft DL in the first round, and solidify the OL interior in round 2.

[pfelix73]

Re: Opinions wanted...

That's exactly what I'm thinking. IF a OT or OG with value isn't there, I'm looking a DL then or even a CB.

[pfelix73]

Re: Opinions wanted...

And you all can forget about what's his face from OK. Robinson. He can go to Denver with Stoops and that offense OK plays.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Imagine if we could sign top ranked free agent tackle Jordan Gross, then draft the best center in the draft in the first (Mack) and the #2 ranked guard in the second (Johnson)...talk about an extreme makeover to our team's biggest weakness...

[Oviedo]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Based on your OT projection, I predict we will sign a FA OT, draft DL in the first round, and solidify the OL interior in round 2.

I would like DL in Round 1 but if we can't resign Bmac I would not be surprised to see CB in Round 1.

I think we have to sign OT via free agency (and that may mean Starks) and the draft OT in Round 2. I think we can get a solid Guard in Round 3.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Based on your OT projection, I predict we will sign a FA OT, draft DL in the first round, and solidify the OL interior in round 2.

I would like DL in Round 1 but if we can't resign Bmac I would not be surprised to see CB in Round 1.

I think we have to sign OT via free agency (and that may mean Starks) and the draft OT in Round 2. I think we can get a solid Guard in Round 3.

With guards, there seems to be one elite 1st round prospect (Robinson), one very good 2nd round prospect (Johnson), and then drop off. If we don't get one of the top 2 on day one, I would wait beyond round 3.

[Iron Shiek]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Please don't get Boone...that's all I ask. Sean Mahan 2.0 (regardless of whether they play same position or not).

[Chavezz]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Imagine if we could sign top ranked free agent tackle Jordan Gross, then draft the best center in the draft in the first (Mack) and the #2 ranked guard in the second (Johnson)...talk about an extreme makeover to our team's biggest weakness...

This is where I'm hanging my hat. All of my Steeler dreams lie here. Just imagine if we do the following...

Let Marvel and his back go away. Saves 5-6 million.
Let Starks and his franchised tag go away. Saves 7 million.
Let Simmons and his constant injuries go away. Saves 4 million. (I think thats the #)

Resign Kemo I know hes a little slow in the head but he'd benefit from having a solid OT beside him. I think he's a natural RG anyway.

Stapleton is fine I think, he needs more reps and to build some strength but he'd be ok IMO.

Hartwig is fine as well, he may have another 2 years in him.

Sign Jordan Gross and overpay if needed. We already are paying our LT 13 million between Starks and Smith! Pay Gross 8 a year and we still save money!

This opens up the 1st Rd of the draft to take the BPA. DT, DE, CB are all needs as well that can't be ignored and if value presents itself you need to be in a position to be able to select that position.

[Jom112]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Using "Walterfootball" as a guide, IF...

at the time the Steelers pick in this years draft the following OL players are off the board-
Andre Smith OT, Michael Oher OT, Eugene Monroe OT, Jason Smith OT, Eben Britton OT, Ciron Black OT & Duke Robinson OG

Do the Steelers take-
#1 Rated Center Alex Mack
#2 Rated Center BUT Also Possible OT Max Unger
#7 Rated OT William Beatty or
#8 Rated OT (specifically RT- possibly #1 RT) Phil Loadholt

with their 1st round pick?

Before you answer- keep in mind that by the Steelers 2nd round pick-

All the above players will be gone
#9 OT Russell Okung is gone
#3 Center Jonathon Luigs is gone
#10 OT Fenuki Tupou is gone (#2 specific RT)
#11 OT Sam Young is gone


And at the Steelers 2nd round pick you get a choice of OL-
#2 Rated OG Herman Johnson
#4 Rated Center Antione Caldwell
#12 Rated OT Alex Boone (RT)
#3 Rated OG Andy Levitre
#4 Rated Center Eric Wood
#13 Rated OT Troy Kropog
#14 Rated OT Augustus Parrish

Ok- so the question really is- how should the Steelers look at VALUE in the first 2 rounds of the Draft if they want OL both rounds?

For example- if the Steelers take Alex Mack in Round 1, they get a choice of OT's from the #12 rating & lower with their second pick. Is that 'Best Value'?

Or should they Take #1 Rated Center Alex Mack & #2 Rated OG Herman Johnson & suffer through the OT situation?

Or do you take the #7 or #8 Rated OT in Round 1 & either the #2 OG or #4 rated Center in Round 2?

Or should they not select OL in both Rounds & select a DB or DL somewhere early?

For Chadman, looking at the way Walterfootball sees the draft going (yes- very early), if the Steelers don't take OT in Round 1, then Chadman says don't select OT at all & solidify the interior with Mack in Round 1 & Johnson in 2.

But should they 'reach' for an OT in 1?

1st Round - Center, Alex Mack. If Alex Mack is around, I think you take him. He could be your Center for the next decade.

2nd Round - G, Herman Johnson. Johnson's stock I think will rise as the draft gets closer. I think you guys should go OT instead here but with the guys left Johnson is probably the best pick. Johnson probably won't last until the late 2nd though. If you want him, you will probably have to use a 1st round pick.

Also the worst pick for you guys in the 1st is Max Unger. I think he is horrible at blocking in the second level for the running game. I actually like Lugis more than him...

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Imagine if we could sign top ranked free agent tackle Jordan Gross, then draft the best center in the draft in the first (Mack) and the #2 ranked guard in the second (Johnson)...talk about an extreme makeover to our team's biggest weakness...

This is where I'm hanging my hat. All of my Steeler dreams lie here. Just imagine if we do the following...

Let Marvel and his back go away. Saves 5-6 million.
Let Starks and his franchised tag go away. Saves 7 million.
Let Simmons and his constant injuries go away. Saves 4 million. (I think thats the #)

Resign Kemo I know hes a little slow in the head but he'd benefit from having a solid OT beside him. I think he's a natural RG anyway.

Stapleton is fine I think, he needs more reps and to build some strength but he'd be ok IMO.

Hartwig is fine as well, he may have another 2 years in him.

Sign Jordan Gross and overpay if needed. We already are paying our LT 13 million between Starks and Smith! Pay Gross 8 a year and we still save money!

This opens up the 1st Rd of the draft to take the BPA. DT, DE, CB are all needs as well that can't be ignored and if value presents itself you need to be in a position to be able to select that position.

I'd overpay for Gross...getting a Pro Bowl LT in his prime is worth it because they so rarely become available on the market. With the Max and Marvel off the books, it can be done. I'd consider going up to the neighborhood of 5 years for $50 million with $20 signing bonus. He may be able to get even more from a scrub team, but hopefully his former Carolina Panther teammate Justin Hartwig can convince him about what an awesome football town Pittsburgh is.

[Oviedo]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Imagine if we could sign top ranked free agent tackle Jordan Gross, then draft the best center in the draft in the first (Mack) and the #2 ranked guard in the second (Johnson)...talk about an extreme makeover to our team's biggest weakness...

This is where I'm hanging my hat. All of my Steeler dreams lie here. Just imagine if we do the following...

Let Marvel and his back go away. Saves 5-6 million.
Let Starks and his franchised tag go away. Saves 7 million.
Let Simmons and his constant injuries go away. Saves 4 million. (I think thats the #)

Resign Kemo I know hes a little slow in the head but he'd benefit from having a solid OT beside him. I think he's a natural RG anyway.

Stapleton is fine I think, he needs more reps and to build some strength but he'd be ok IMO.

Hartwig is fine as well, he may have another 2 years in him.

Sign Jordan Gross and overpay if needed. We already are paying our LT 13 million between Starks and Smith! Pay Gross 8 a year and we still save money!

This opens up the 1st Rd of the draft to take the BPA. DT, DE, CB are all needs as well that can't be ignored and if value presents itself you need to be in a position to be able to select that position.

I'd overpay for Gross...getting a Pro Bowl LT in his prime is worth it because they so rarely become available on the market. With the Max and Marvel off the books, it can be done. I'd consider going up to the neighborhood of 5 years for $50 million with $20 signing bonus. He may be able to get even more from a scrub team, but hopefully his former Carolina Panther teammate Justin Hartwig can convince him about what an awesome football town Pittsburgh is.

Your solution would be my first chice also but Gross may not want to leave a winning team. I really believe that resigning Starks is the most probable solution.

[Iron Shiek]

Re: Opinions wanted...

We will have to overpay for Gross...he earned 1st team All Pro...

[papillon]

Re: Opinions wanted...

Whatever it takes to get Jordan Gross signed would be well worth it my opinion. Can you really overpay for an All-pro left tackle? Especially, after what Ben's had to endure over the past two years.

Then, try to stockpile picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds if someone will take our first round selection off of our hands.

Use those picks plus the ones we have coming to rebuild the DL, OL and maybe a CB.

If there are no trading partners for our 1st round pick, then use what we have to rebuild DL, OL and draft a late round CB. I really don't want Smith, Starks or simmons around next year, unless, it's for backup money. These guys and the current bunch playing have gotten Ben sacked 93 times in two years and our running game is almost non-existent right now.

The Steelers have a Superbowl caliber defense and special teams good enough to not lose the Superbowl, but, the offense is problematic. The current offensive line will close the Steelers window of opportunity by getting Ben killed. There needs to be an overhaul and I didn't support that earlier in the year, but, after the last few games and the ineptitude shown by the offense something has to change.

Pappy