Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

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  • PSU_dropout43
    Starter
    • May 2009
    • 820

    Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

    Like they do each season, the Steelers are going to try to re-sign most of the free-agents they have. One big question remains though, as to whether or not running back Willie Parker will be one of those.

    If not, here is a possible replacement via the draft, former Stanford back Toby Gerhart and he could be a viable option as sources say the team is very high on him.

    Although Gerhart met with Steeler officials during the Senior Bowl, it is not believed he will last longer than the third round. The question now, would the Steelers be willing to use a pick that high on a running back.

    So who is Gerhart? At 6-1, 235 pounds he is big and has a knack for finding the end zone from the red zone. Last year he compiled 1,736 yards on the ground and scored 26 touchdowns. Both led the country. He was also a reason Stanford finished second in the Pac-10 and got its first bowl bid in eight years.

    Gerhart also won the Doak Walker Award, honoring the nation's best running back and was second in the Heisman race. In 2008, Gerhart rushed for 1,136 yards, breaking Tommy Vardell's school record of 1,084 yards. For his career, he had 44 touchdowns and 3, 522 yards rushing.

    The Steelers also met with another running back during the Senior Bowl, his name LaGarrette Blount. If he name sounds familiar there is a reason. During the 2009 season he punched out Boise State’s Byron Hout and it made national headlines following the Sept. 3 game.

    He was suspended, but reinstated for the final three games and played in the Rose Bowl. That incident also brought character issues into play since he was also suspended from the team in February after setting a school record with 17 touchdowns his junior year. The reason for that suspension was the fact he missed workouts.

    Despite missing most of the 2009 season, he is still considered one of the best backs in the draft and drawing comparisons to Michael Bush. A 6-2, 240 pounds he is a bruiser. Considering the Steelers try to avoid players with character issues this will be a player to watch in the near future.
    [url="http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsburgh-Sports-Examiner~y2010m2d16-Steelers-postseason-digest-Two-backs-who-could-end-up-in-black-and-gold"]http://www.examiner.com/x-2703-Pittsbur ... k-and-gold[/url]
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  • Mister Pittsburgh
    Hall of Famer
    • Jul 2008
    • 3674

    #2
    Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at Senior Bowl

    Only way I could see them taking Blount is if every other team was scared off and he was sitting there in the 6th or 7th round. They did draft Kemo and he had issues where he kicked another player in the head so it wouldn't be totally impossible they show interest in him.

    I would love Gerhart in the black and gold. Definitely worth a 3rd round pick in my mind.
    @_Hellgrammite

    Comment

    • Oviedo
      Legend
      • May 2008
      • 23824

      #3
      Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at Senior Bowl

      I wouldn't hesitate to add either one of them. Our RB situation is worse than many want to recognize because of the current love affair with defensive backs and therefore the fixation on those players. We have nothing past Mendy and he has already missed most of one season because of injuries.

      I would be OK taking Gerhardt in Round 2. Solid citizen. Even though he made a nationally televised snafu, everything you hear about Blount from his coaches and teammates is that he has always been a "good guy and good team mate." Maybe just a young person being dumb.

      Don't underestimate that we have a real need at the RB position and you need two frontline backs not one with a bunch of journeyman back ups.
      "My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"

      Comment

      • Jom112
        Pro Bowler
        • Jun 2008
        • 1496

        #4
        Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at Senior Bowl

        Originally posted by Mister Pittsburgh
        Only way I could see them taking Blount is if every other team was scared off and he was sitting there in the 6th or 7th round. They did draft Kemo and he had issues where he kicked another player in the head so it wouldn't be totally impossible they show interest in him.

        I would love Gerhart in the black and gold. Definitely worth a 3rd round pick in my mind.
        Santonio Holmes had some character concerns as well entering the draft. I wouldn't be surprised if you guys took Blount...

        Comment

        • Mister Pittsburgh
          Hall of Famer
          • Jul 2008
          • 3674

          #5
          Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at Senior Bowl

          Originally posted by Oviedo
          I wouldn't hesitate to add either one of them. Our RB situation is worse than many want to recognize because of the current love affair with defensive backs and therefore the fixation on those players. We have nothing past Mendy and he has already missed most of one season because of injuries.

          I would be OK taking Gerhardt in Round 2. Solid citizen. Even though he made a nationally televised snafu, everything you hear about Blount from his coaches and teammates is that he has always been a "good guy and good team mate." Maybe just a young person being dumb.

          Don't underestimate that we have a real need at the RB position and you need two frontline backs not one with a bunch of journeyman back ups.
          Agreed. Watching the Saints in the Superbowl just exposed how lacking we are with capable RB's. Mendenhall seems to be a pretty complete back where he has speed, runs with some power, and can catch which is key in our offense. Parker doesn't have much power.....some speed but not enough to compensate for the other skills he lacks at this point, and cannot catch. Moore isn't very fast, doesn't have a lot of power, but can catch.

          I think we definitely need another RB that can contribute this year and they better not do something stupid and re-sign Willie Parker cause he doesn't fit what we need anymore. That move would be comparable to bringing back Tyrone Carter to play S for us.
          @_Hellgrammite

          Comment

          • NW Steeler
            Pro Bowler
            • Dec 2008
            • 1391

            #6
            Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

            Being here in Pac 10 country, I have seen Blount play quite a bit. He would be a nice back-up to Mendy. He is one of those backs that will get 2-3 yards even when he gets stuffed. He is a strong runner. Yes, he is a punk and what he did at Boise State was inexcusable, but he was definitely provoked by the Boise State player. If he had stopped at punching him and had not tried to go after the fans it would have been a much smaller deal IMO. If he falls to the 5th you would be getting a very good value, I would think.

            Comment

            • hawaiiansteel
              Legend
              • May 2008
              • 35648

              #7
              Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

              The Oregonian
              02/09/10


              Blount will be an interesting player to watch during the next three months. He certainly has NFL talent but his past won’t easily be ignored.

              Entering the season, NFLDraftScout.com had Blount rated as a potential second-round pick. Following the “incident” in Boise, Blount slipped to a late-round prospect, Rang said.

              But after a strong showing last week, Rang believes Blount might have played his way into the fifth round.

              “Teams still have to figure if they can trust the kid or not,” Rang said. “But on the field he was very impressive. He was the back that you and I both know he is."

              Nevertheless, Rang said Blount’s past would certainly cost him.

              "The reality is that there are still going to be a lot of teams that take him completely off their boards," Rang said.

              Should Blount keep his nose clean as a pro, Rang believes he could be productive as a power back. There are questions about his agility but he has enough speed and power to succeed.

              “He also displayed soft hands and helped himself in that way,” Rang said.

              Comment

              • Shoe
                Hall of Famer
                • May 2008
                • 4044

                #8
                Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

                I like Blount; the guy is certifiably an NFL player. I hope the Boise incident holds him down, and makes him available. I don't think that will be the case though, cuz like I said: the guy is very impressive physically.

                Gerhart, I don't understand why he's slipping. Is it just speed? Or wear & tear? Cuz the novelty (white RB) + character/production I would imagine would make him a higher rated prospect.

                Of the two, man... I guess Gerhart. Both are strong short-yardage guys, but I always side seem to side with (flawless) character. But I'd be happy with Blount.
                I wasn't hired for my disposition.

                Comment

                • Dee Dub
                  Hall of Famer
                  • Jan 2010
                  • 4652

                  #9
                  Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at Senior Bowl

                  Originally posted by Mister Pittsburgh
                  Only way I could see them taking Blount is if every other team was scared off and he was sitting there in the 6th or 7th round. They did draft Kemo and he had issues where he kicked another player in the head so it wouldn't be totally impossible they show interest in him.

                  I would love Gerhart in the black and gold. Definitely worth a 3rd round pick in my mind.
                  I dont really get the bad character thing here with Blount. I'm sorry but if an oppossing player comes and grabs me while talking out the side of his neck after my team just lost a game...I'm straight clockin him too.

                  I guess I'd have to be just a bad character guy too then.
                  Steelers 2015 Draft???....Go Freak! As in....

                  1-Bernardrick McKinney MLB Mississippi State 6 ft 5 250 4.5 40 yard dash

                  Comment

                  • papillon
                    Legend
                    • Mar 2008
                    • 11340

                    #10
                    Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

                    Take CJ Spiller at 1.18, why wait until the 3rd or later for a good running back? :P You can never have enough good running backs.

                    Pappy
                    sigpic

                    The 2025 Pittsburgh Steeler draft

                    1.21 - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon - Nick Emmanwori, S, S. Carolina
                    3.83 - Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa - DJ Giddens, RB, Kans St
                    3.123 - Will Howard, QB, OSU
                    4.156 - JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
                    5.185 - Clay Webb, OG, Jack St
                    7.229 - Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Georgia

                    "Football is a physical game, well, it used to be anyways" - Mel Blount

                    Comment

                    • phillyesq
                      Legend
                      • May 2008
                      • 7568

                      #11
                      Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

                      I like the idea of taking a power back type to pair with Mendy, and I think the 3 to 5 range is about the right area of the draft. As I've said before, I think anything before the third round is too early for a RB.

                      Comment

                      • JUST-PLAIN-NASTY
                        Hall of Famer
                        • May 2008
                        • 3937

                        #12
                        Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

                        I have had my eye on Blount before the '09 season started. Completely lost interest after the Boise State game. Said the right things and was given a 2nd chance. It was a really stupid mistake on his part because I believe he would have put up great numbers and might have slipped into the late 2nd early 3rd without the incident. The Senior Bowl was a good start to rebuild his character. The interviews at the combine & proday will be critical.

                        As you see I have Blount in my mock and he has been there since my 1st mock along with Cox & Johnson (that wasn't on purpose). I don't think the Steelers will take Blount off the board but will push him back like many teams. He is the big back the Steelers have been looking for. A solid combine might push him early 4 on some teams boards.

                        As far as Gerhart...I have a negative opinion on him. Great kid, great character guy, really sounds like a Steelers kind of guy. He was a productive college RB but I feel he will be overdrafted and be a disappointment. Not trying to offend any of you Gerhart fans...Just my opinion. If last until the 5th...I would like to see him as a Steeler. I think he goes in the 3rd.

                        Comment

                        • frankthetank1
                          Hall of Famer
                          • May 2008
                          • 2755

                          #13
                          Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at Senior Bowl

                          [quote=Dee Dub]
                          Originally posted by "Mister Pittsburgh":fv5xdot8
                          Only way I could see them taking Blount is if every other team was scared off and he was sitting there in the 6th or 7th round. They did draft Kemo and he had issues where he kicked another player in the head so it wouldn't be totally impossible they show interest in him.

                          I would love Gerhart in the black and gold. Definitely worth a 3rd round pick in my mind.
                          I dont really get the bad character thing here with Blount. I'm sorry but if an oppossing player comes and grabs me while talking out the side of his neck after my team just lost a game...I'm straight clockin him too.

                          I guess I'd have to be just a bad character guy too then.[/quote:fv5xdot8]

                          it was a straight up sucker punch though. you would sucker punch another guy after a game? man thats pretty low. i hate blunt he is a punk for what he did and the freshman that replaced him is better imo

                          Comment

                          • feltdizz
                            Legend
                            • May 2008
                            • 27532

                            #14
                            Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at the Senior Bowl

                            The Blount character issue is a joke. I have more issues with the players who laugh and joke after half azzing in a loss...

                            Look at James Harrison. Does he have character? Albert Haynesworth? Joey Porter?

                            It's a shame a guy let his emotions get the best of him after a loss but c'mon. It's football and we have seen much worse then a lazy punch while backpeddling.

                            The fact it took so many guys to get him in the locker room was impressive.

                            In his interviews all he needs to say is... "I hate losing" and it should move him up a few rounds. It's Football not Golf and if you tap a guy on the shoulder talking trash after a game you better be ready for the response.
                            Steelers 27
                            Rats 16

                            Comment

                            • feltdizz
                              Legend
                              • May 2008
                              • 27532

                              #15
                              Re: Steelers met with Gerhart, Blount at Senior Bowl

                              [quote=frankthetank1]
                              Originally posted by Dee Dub
                              Originally posted by "Mister Pittsburgh":p5vz0gxa
                              Only way I could see them taking Blount is if every other team was scared off and he was sitting there in the 6th or 7th round. They did draft Kemo and he had issues where he kicked another player in the head so it wouldn't be totally impossible they show interest in him.

                              I would love Gerhart in the black and gold. Definitely worth a 3rd round pick in my mind.
                              I dont really get the bad character thing here with Blount. I'm sorry but if an oppossing player comes and grabs me while talking out the side of his neck after my team just lost a game...I'm straight clockin him too.

                              I guess I'd have to be just a bad character guy too then.
                              it was a straight up sucker punch though. you would sucker punch another guy after a game? man thats pretty low. i hate blunt he is a punk for what he did and the freshman that replaced him is better imo[/quote5vz0gxa]

                              I don't think it was a sucker punch... It was a Jack Lambert moment.

                              It's not like Blount didn't know he lost the game... The player taunted him for a reaction and he got one.
                              Steelers 27
                              Rats 16

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