How realistic is it...

[SteelerNation1]

...that a 1st round/2nd round DL can come in this year and contribute RIGHT AWAY? Hampton was the last guy to do it, and even he took about 6 weeks before he played regularly in 2001.

[WoodleyofTroy]

Re: How realistic is it...

3-4 DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Tyson Jackson, LSU (6-4, 295) -realistic (went back for his senior year, is ready to contribute, especially in this system.)
2. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5, 287)
3. Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa (6-6, 305)
4. Ra’Shon Harris, Oregon (6-4, 300)
5. Kyle Moore, USC (6-5, 273)
6. Zach Potter, Nebraska (6-7, 277)
7. Pannel Egboh, Stanford (6-6, 272)
8. Khalif Mitchell, East Carolina (6-5, 317)
9. Jeremy Navarre, Maryland (6-3, 285)
10. Bobby Greenwood, Alabama (6-5, 280)

THREE-TECHNIQUE TACKLES
1. Peria Jerry, Mississippi (6-3, 295) -realistic
2. Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn (6-1, 295) -realistic
3. Evander Hood, Missouri (6-3, 295) -realistic
4. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU (6-3, 290)
5. Mitch King, Iowa (6-2, 275)
6. Corvey Irvin, Georgia (6-3, 289)
7. Alex Magee, Purdue (6-3, 295)
8. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech (6-2, 295)
9. Chris Baker, Hampton (6-2, 30
10. Clinton McDonald, Memphis (6-2, 289)

NOSE TACKLES
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College (6-1, 325) -realistic
2. Ron Brace, Boston College (6-3, 326)
3. Fili Moala, USC (6-5, 305)
4. Dorell Scott, Clemson (6-3, 310)
5. Terrance Taylor, Michigan (6-1, 314)
6. Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman (6-4, 331)
7. Terrance Knighton, Temple (6-3, 324)
8. Myron Pryor, Kentucky (6-0 310)
9. Marlon Favorite, LSU (6-1, 20
10. Louis Ellis, Shaw (6-2, 315)


In my opinion..only 1 DE, and 4 DT's, with Gilbert being on the fence.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: How realistic is it...

...that a 1st round/2nd round DL can come in this year and contribute RIGHT AWAY? Hampton was the last guy to do it, and even he took about 6 weeks before he played regularly in 2001.

I don't think that we need to worry about DL that need to come in and contribute right away. We need young guys who can replace the older Hampton and Smith in the future, but no rookie d-lineman would be expected to start right off the bat (unlike a rookie o-lineman who we might need to contribute right away). A rookie d-lineman would likely be inactive on gameday throughout the first half of the season or so (since it takes time to adjust to a LeBeau 3-4 scheme) and then maybe they could get some rotational work in the second half of the season.

[papillon]

Re: How realistic is it...

...that a 1st round/2nd round DL can come in this year and contribute RIGHT AWAY? Hampton was the last guy to do it, and even he took about 6 weeks before he played regularly in 2001.

The good news is that he doesn't have to contribute right away. Even though the D-line is getting older there are enough of them to get us through a season and allow a rookie to get his feet wet and learn.

The Steeler way folks, the Steeler way...thankfully, the Steelers rarely need a rookie to walk into training camp and perform like a HOFer. It's why players get labeled busts by Steeler fans. They are drafted high and brought along slowly by the team and fans want a "splash" (do you like my Mike Tomlinism?) immediately.

You can look to Polamalu, Holmes, Timmons and this year Sweed to see how things work at Art Rooney circle in Pittsburgh. I fully expect Sweed to improve and become a reliable option at WR. I have no reason to believe otherwise. He didn't forget how to catch the ball. What he never encountered before were NFL defenses and their speed.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

Re: How realistic is it...

not realistic at all IMO... especially since all our DL's drop in coverage at times.

[WoodleyofTroy]

Re: How realistic is it...

not realistic at all IMO... especially since all our DL's drop in coverage at times.

If the Miami Dolphins (3-4 defense) can get their rookie DL's to contribute, I don't see how it's unrealistic for the Steelers to do so.

[feltdizz]

Re: How realistic is it...

not realistic at all IMO... especially since all our DL's drop in coverage at times.

If the Miami Dolphins (3-4 defense) can get their rookie DL's to contribute, I don't see how it's unrealistic for the Steelers to do so.

We are not Miami...

[SteelerNation1]

Re: How realistic is it...

3-4 DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Tyson Jackson, LSU (6-4, 295) -realistic (went back for his senior year, is ready to contribute, especially in this system.)
2. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5, 287)
3. Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa (6-6, 305)
4. Ra’Shon Harris, Oregon (6-4, 300)
5. Kyle Moore, USC (6-5, 273)
6. Zach Potter, Nebraska (6-7, 277)
7. Pannel Egboh, Stanford (6-6, 272)
8. Khalif Mitchell, East Carolina (6-5, 317)
9. Jeremy Navarre, Maryland (6-3, 285)
10. Bobby Greenwood, Alabama (6-5, 280)

THREE-TECHNIQUE TACKLES
1. Peria Jerry, Mississippi (6-3, 295) -realistic
2. Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn (6-1, 295) -realistic
3. Evander Hood, Missouri (6-3, 295) -realistic
4. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU (6-3, 290)
5. Mitch King, Iowa (6-2, 275)
6. Corvey Irvin, Georgia (6-3, 289)
7. Alex Magee, Purdue (6-3, 295)
8. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech (6-2, 295)
9. Chris Baker, Hampton (6-2, 30
10. Clinton McDonald, Memphis (6-2, 289)

NOSE TACKLES
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College (6-1, 325) -realistic
2. Ron Brace, Boston College (6-3, 326)
3. Fili Moala, USC (6-5, 305)
4. Dorell Scott, Clemson (6-3, 310)
5. Terrance Taylor, Michigan (6-1, 314)
6. Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman (6-4, 331)
7. Terrance Knighton, Temple (6-3, 324)
8. Myron Pryor, Kentucky (6-0 310)
9. Marlon Favorite, LSU (6-1, 20
10. Louis Ellis, Shaw (6-2, 315)


In my opinion..only 1 DE, and 4 DT's, with Gilbert being on the fence.

Nice post. Thanks.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Re: How realistic is it...

We had a rotation going last year at times. I think you could get a rookie in here and mix them into the rotation to keep everyone fresh.