What do we do...what do we do???

[stlrz d]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

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[Shawn]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson were both 3rd overall picks in their respective drafts. There is no one close to their talent level in this draft. I love both of those guys immensely (and would take either one in a second...they are legit elite, no question), but our two Super Bowl MVP's are not slouches.

Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates are rare athletes that were able to translate their unique athleticism on the college basketball court onto the NFL gridiron. Teams have tried to do convert other power forwards into tight ends, but apparently it only works with a select few. Heath's numbers are increasing as he is finally used more in this offense (going from a guy who caught 30- or 40-something passes to someone who is able to catch 70-something passes.

I think if you want to improve the offense, add some elite talent up front. Our o-line has been serviceable, but we don't have a Wesbter, a Kolb, a Dawson, a Faneca, a Hartings, etc. I think adding studs up front will allow our skill players on offense to showcase their talents even more.

Agreed...besides a 1b running back our skill positions are set for a couple years until Ward falls off. The only way to substantially improve our O is to improve in the trenches. Taking a top notch center is about the only "luxury" we can afford early. Tackle is a remote possibility and until we get a better view of how the Steelers see Colon its all speculation.

[flippy]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson were both 3rd overall picks in their respective drafts. There is no one close to their talent level in this draft. I love both of those guys immensely (and would take either one in a second...they are legit elite, no question), but our two Super Bowl MVP's are not slouches.

Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates are rare athletes that were able to translate their unique athleticism on the college basketball court onto the NFL gridiron. Teams have tried to do convert other power forwards into tight ends, but apparently it only works with a select few. Heath's numbers are increasing as he is finally used more in this offense (going from a guy who caught 30- or 40-something passes to someone who is able to catch 70-something passes.

I think if you want to improve the offense, add some elite talent up front. Our o-line has been serviceable, but we don't have a Wesbter, a Kolb, a Dawson, a Faneca, a Hartings, etc. I think adding studs up front will allow our skill players on offense to showcase their talents even more.

Again, I like our guys. They're good. But they don't dictate a game plan like others. And the 4 I listed are just a couple of guys, there are several other game changers out there.

And one of those elite talents could be available in Marshall. We'd never grab him, but I bet he ends up somewhere like NE.

Then again Limas Sweed could be the freak that changes the complexion of our offense if he gets his head straight. I think he has real potential.

I'd be okay with upgrading the line. Give Ben more time with what he's working with. And make Rashard better who I do think can be an elite talent that makes everyone else better.

[Steel Life]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

Of the the possible scenarios, I'd prefer they trade down to either the 23rd, 26th or 27th spots (GB, AZ, Dallas) & snag Weatherspoon or Dan Williams. I believe the real value in this draft is in the 3rd & 4th rounds & an extra pick or two is the key.

In the 2nd, I'd be looking to pick up either Maurkice Pouncy (C) or Koa Misi (LB), both of whom can play multiple positions. In the 3rd, with an eye towards some potential depth issues I like Tony Moeaki (TE) & Riley Cooper (WR) who I think will surprise at the combine.

The 4th would really be interesting because some real talent will still be available like Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (DB) & Arthur Jones (DE), Kyle Calloway (OT), maybe even Toby Gerhart (RB) - all players who could come in & contribute right away.

My surprise player to go after (although I'm sure Misi & Cooper are a surprise too)?...I really like two QB conversion projects (no, not Tebow), Armanti Edwards (App. St.) & Joe Webb (UAB) - both have an intriguing skill set while being completely different physically. Edwards could be dangerous in the slot & Webb looks like Marques Colston & could be a goal-line threat at QB.

[Shawn]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

I would be very surprised if Pouncey makes it to us in the second. I see him as a late first/early second round pick.

[Steel Life]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

I would be very surprised if Pouncey makes it to us in the second. I see him as a late first/early second round pick.

I know what you mean, but I wouldn't be surprised too much because other players will catch fire after the combine & there's always the surprise picks (like the Pats taking Vollmer last year)...then again, Pouncey may be one of the surprise picks. Other than Dan Williams, I see Pouncey being the player we NEED most. Here's hoping we get both of them...

[papillon]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

Yeah, our offense is perfect:

#12 in scoring
#17 in 3rd down conversions
#21 in redzone efficiency
#1 in getting our QB sacked

If we score a couple of TDs instead of FGs, we'd have made the playoffs and won #7.

The defense played without our best 2 players. There's a good reason that they struggled. If we get a healthy Smith and Polamalu back, the defense is in business next year.

But where is the offense if we don't improve it.

I blame the offense for missing the postseason.

And if you want to be able to run the ball better, you need a TE that can control the middle of the field and take an extra LB/Safety out of the box or a #1 WR that demands teams take a Safety out of the box.

Look at what the Browns and Bengals did to us defensively. They covered us with single coverage and no one could get open. Ward/Holmes are not elite WRs. Jury is still out on Wallace who could be something special. And Heath is a well rounded TE, but not elite at getting off the LOS quickly.

I like our offensive players, don't get me wrong. But they are not elite game changing players that defenses must game plan around.

You've gotta game plan around guys like Gates, Gonzales, Fitzgerald, Johnson, etc. And we could use one of those guys. One of those guys would make everyone else better.

Think about the 2nd Cincy game where Ben was looking for Wallace downfield knowing he was the only one with a chance at getting open.

Or the 2nd Cleveland game when no one could get open.

And remember there are WRs and TEs that no team can cover even with 2-3 guys.

Teams game plan for Holmes and if they don't game plan for Ben they're idiots. How many guys do you think a team should have to game plan for?

The reason for wanting defenisive players is to get younger. The offense is plenty young with Ward being the only exception. The defense is a who's who of 30 plus players. The Steelers would be mortgaging the future to draft a playmaker on offense in rounds 1 or 2.

Pappy

[Shawn]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

There is no doubt we have problems in the redzone...but I don't believe Spiller to be the answer to our redzone woes. The only way we will get better in the redzone is to be better in the trenches. Which will improve all the stats Flippy listed.

[NJ-STEELER]

Re: What do we do...what do we do???

how does another TE take a safety out of the box?