Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

i wouldn't want to leave gay or carter exposed by blitzing the house.

they get beat easily enough when they have help

[Shawn]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

[quote=flippy]

how would you improve the secondary then. not just for next year but the following years as well?

Improve the pass rush and the secondary will get better. I think that will happen with Hood (Year 2) and Smitty back. Plus healthy Troy makes it better too.

there's other rounds besides round 1 for drafting other players to contribute in future years.

and we can always hope to find a mike wallace in the rough.

how much "worse" was the pass rush this year compared with last?

I think it was night and day. the front 7 hurt without smith and i think woodley was hurt for the first half and harrison for some of the second half.

plus we seemed to bring less pressure without troy on the field. i can't quantify this, but it seemed like we were more conservative.[/quotexhosn4]

You are absolutely correct. Our D changed significantly without Troy. It's not just his blitzing ability or his coverage...it's plays a huge role in Lebeau's ability to disguise blitzes, call more types of blitzes etc. Troy being out was a huge blow. There is no doubt in my mind that we make the playoffs with ease this season if Troy would have stayed healthy. Which brings up a huge concern...we are an average D without Troy.

[papillon]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

Many of you are assuming that Lebeau's defense is too complex. Chances are the young players simply aren't good enough to replace one of the veterans. The only real head scratcher for me was Burnett and Lewis not being able to displace Gay. Mundy showed absolutely no possibility of being better than Carter or Clark. How do you play him then?

Earl Thomas is potentially an immediate upgrade based on what I've heard and read about him and watched him play one game late in the season when he had a handful of tackles, one for a loss and the others near the LOS. He also had a defensed pass and an INT. It appears that he has the skills to step in and help.

The young guys aren't getting playing time because they aren't good enough, unfortunately, this year, our veterans weren't good enough either.

Pappy

Come on Pap, just like us fans know what plays are being called on offense, we know more than the coaching staff regarding personnel decisions as well.

hehehehehe...

Pappy

[ikestops85]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

I'm still not sold on the thought that we have a more complicated defense to learn than anyone else has. Trust me, if we can draft a corner that shows "shutdown" ability that guy will start on day one. That is the only position we have where the starter is not solid.

Now, if we lose/don't re-sign some starters then additional positions can open up for a rookie to start. If we lose clark and draft Thomas I think there is a better than 50% chance he starts because we don't have depth at that position. The same goes for NT if the big snack leaves although with Hoke we have some depth. He is a solid player that would be hard for a rookie to outperform in year 1 so the chances of the rookie starting would lessen.

Our defense is not that complicated that a new player can't come into the system and contribute. Clark came in here and started 12 games his first year IN A NEW POSITION. He had only played strong safety before coming to the burg. How was he able to do that? Easy, we lost our previous year's starter (Hope) and had Logan, Clark and Anthony Smith as backups. Clark got on the field because he was the best of the bunch ... which any rookie can do if he's the best of the bunch.

[grotonsteel]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

I'm still not sold on the thought that we have a more complicated defense to learn than anyone else has. Trust me, if we can draft a corner that shows "shutdown" ability that guy will start on day one. That is the only position we have where the starter is not solid.

Now, if we lose/don't re-sign some starters then additional positions can open up for a rookie to start. If we lose clark and draft Thomas I think there is a better than 50% chance he starts because we don't have depth at that position. The same goes for NT if the big snack leaves although with Hoke we have some depth. He is a solid player that would be hard for a rookie to outperform in year 1 so the chances of the rookie starting would lessen.

Our defense is not that complicated that a new player can't come into the system and contribute. Clark came in here and started 12 games his first year IN A NEW POSITION. He had only played strong safety before coming to the burg. How was he able to do that? Easy, we lost our previous year's starter (Hope) and had Logan, Clark and Anthony Smith as backups. Clark got on the field because he was the best of the bunch ... which any rookie can do if he's the best of the bunch.

I don't think so. Even Troy Polamalu struggled in his first year. People were calling him Bustamalu. I mean Troy is the best Safety in NFL and he struggled as a rookie.

I am not looking for Pro-Bowler in his rookie season but atleast they should be able to take place of a starter if that starter outright sucks or is injured.

There are two ways to look at it. Either Steelers Defensive personnel outright sucks or the playbook is so complex that players are thinking about it instead of playing with instinct.

I find it hard to believe that K Lewis or Joe Burnett could not replace William Gay. So either they are horrible DB's or they are still trying to grasp the playbook. If they are that bad then who are Steelers starting and backup DB next season?

I don't have the exact quote but Ike Taylor said Steelers D playbook has twice more plays than Steelers Offense playbook.It is difficult for a rookie to learn that play book and contribute.


Steelers don't have luxury this season to train people for 3 years on D and then make them starters. There are too many holes on that Steelers D. They are again one injury away from being average in 2010 unless Hood/Harrison/Woodley and Timmons play at an all-pro level.

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

i wouldn't want to leave gay or carter exposed by blitzing the house.

they get beat easily enough when they have help

Which is exactly why we need to address the defensive secondary in the draft. Tyrone Carter probably won't be re-signed and it doesn't look like the Steelers are that anxious to re-sign Ryan Clark either. Who does that leave at safety, Troy and Ryan Mundy?

If Earl Thomas is there when we pick in the first round we should select him. As for a rookie DB not producing right away because of Mr. LeBeau's complicated defensive schemes, Troy had his ups and downs his rookie season but he turned out worth waiting for, wouldn't you agree?

As for our CB situation, the Steelers are not going to give up on William Gay, Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis just quite yet, but that doesn't mean they won't bring in another CB for some added competition. I'm not sure I feel comfortable with any of those aforementioned guys starting opposite Ike Taylor next season.

There is a lot of value to be had drafting a CB in the 2nd round in this year's draft as many CBs such as Patrick Robinson, Donovan Warren, Kareem Jackson, Brandon Ghee, Perrish Cox, Trevard Lindley, Javier Arenas, Syd'Quan Thompson, Amari Spievey and Dominique Franks will be available. I say we take the CB we like best as we simply cannot go into next season with the same group of DBs that we had last year.

[Shoe]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

I am NOT a fan of taking a Safety #1 just cuz he fits the bill. (For the record, I did want Polamalu in the 1st).

But I think Safety is not that important, if you could somehow rate positional importance. Given that, I also don't like the idea of tying up so much money in the Safety position (a #1 pick and Troy). Also, as a student of the draft, it seems that many 1st-round Safeties have come and gone, and for my eyes: maybe 5 (Troy, Reed, Bob Sanders) have come and lived up to expectation.

The O-lineman that people were referring to seemed intriguing... and I'm always happy to see a #1 pick on an OL. Mount Cody would be a huge mistake in the first IMO (but palatable as a 3rd, or maybe even 2nd).

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

i wouldn't want to leave gay or carter exposed by blitzing the house.

they get beat easily enough when they have help

Which is exactly why we need to address the defensive secondary in the draft. Tyrone Carter probably won't be re-signed and it doesn't look like the Steelers are that anxious to re-sign Ryan Clark either. Who does that leave at safety, Troy and Ryan Mundy?

If Earl Thomas is there when we pick in the first round we should select him. As for a rookie DB not producing right away because of Mr. LeBeau's complicated defensive schemes, Troy had his ups and downs his rookie season but he turned out worth waiting for, wouldn't you agree?

As for our CB situation, the Steelers are not going to give up on William Gay, Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis just quite yet, but that doesn't mean they won't bring in another CB for some added competition. I'm not sure I feel comfortable with any of those aforementioned guys starting opposite Ike Taylor next season.

There is a lot of value to be had drafting a CB in the 2nd round in this year's draft as many CBs such as Patrick Robinson, Donovan Warren, Kareem Jackson, Brandon Ghee, Perrish Cox, Trevard Lindley, Javier Arenas, Syd'Quan Thompson, Amari Spievey and Dominique Franks will be available. I say we take the CB we like best as we simply cannot go into next season with the same group of DBs that we had last year.

you dont have to sell me on it.


i want them to address the secondary first and foremost. be it the draft or free agency

[hawaiiansteel]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

2010 NFL Mock Draft
RotoWorld.com 01/26/10


18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Clemson RB C.J. Spiller

Owner Art Rooney informed Mike Tomlin following the season that he wants the Steelers to be more run-oriented after finishing with a 536:428 pass-to-run ratio. While the NFL is a passing league and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians will continue to air it out, drafting a back like Spiller would satisfy Rooney while immediately upgrading Pittsburgh's stagnant return units. Spiller combined for an NCAA-most five return TDs as a senior. Also finishing with a 5.6 YPC average and 36 catches as Clemson's every-down back, Spiller could provide a Felix Jones-like complement to inside runner Rashard Mendenhall. The Steelers have a big hole at No. 2 tailback.

[Oviedo]

Re: Mel Kiper's first 9 Mock Draft Selections

2010 NFL Mock Draft
RotoWorld.com 01/26/10


18. Pittsburgh Steelers: Clemson RB C.J. Spiller

Owner Art Rooney informed Mike Tomlin following the season that he wants the Steelers to be more run-oriented after finishing with a 536:428 pass-to-run ratio. While the NFL is a passing league and offensive coordinator Bruce Arians will continue to air it out, drafting a back like Spiller would satisfy Rooney while immediately upgrading Pittsburgh's stagnant return units. Spiller combined for an NCAA-most five return TDs as a senior. Also finishing with a 5.6 YPC average and 36 catches as Clemson's every-down back, Spiller could provide a Felix Jones-like complement to inside runner Rashard Mendenhall. The Steelers have a big hole at No. 2 tailback.

Like I've been saying, but you guys are too quick to react to crisis to listen, this is our best possible pick at #18. No other pick in Round 1 will provide the impact Spiller would for the 2010 season. Look at the teams in the play offs that have a change of pace speed runner: Dallas (Jones), Vikings (Harvin), Saints (Bush), Jets (Greene and Washington before he was injured).

As pointed out we have nothing behind Mendenhall and if he gets hurt we won't even be discussing the running game because it won't exist.