Re: Smash Mouth Football Baby - Pittsburgh Style

[mvp18]

basta vincere la division no?  :gazza:

Eh si.
Mi dimenticavo che quando si vince la division,nonostante sia facilissima, si va ai PO  :D
Sorry  :sbadat:

[pandu86]

Steelers have no major holes to fill, yet have workman-like needs everywhere
Type they've made habit of filling during that annual spring job fair, the NFL draft

Sunday, April 20, 2008
By Ed Bouchette

The day the Steelers hired Chuck Noll in 1969, a philosophy change took place in their organization that they have followed the past 39 years.

They build, rebuild and replenish primarily through the draft. Even when free agency took hold in 1993, that belief did not waver. It has modified out of necessity because of free agency and the reduction to seven rounds of the draft. But other than signing a veteran free agent or two each year and the occasional trade, the Steelers stock their roster through the draft and signing rookie free agents when it's over.

The opportunity to do so Saturday and Sunday, however, won't be as strong for them as in the past. They have only six draft choices, one in each of the first six rounds. They traded their seventh-round choice for Allen Rossum, a player they released this year, and they received no extra compensatory picks from the NFL.

Unless they make a trade, they will have two picks on Saturday, starting with the 23rd in the first round, and four more on Sunday.

And while they have no major holes to try to fill in their starting lineup, they have needs everywhere. Kevin Colbert, their director of football operations, sees that six pack as a way to help his team.

"I think it can help it greatly," Colbert said. "There's no question. If we have six picks at our disposal, there's certainly six picks in this draft that definitely can help our team at all levels. I wish we did have more picks, but we'll make the best use of those six."

Their needs outnumber their draft picks.

The Steelers have an obvious job to fix their offensive line. That line was neither strong nor consistent last season, then it lost one of the best linemen in team history, seven-time Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca. Their top move in the offseason was to sign Justin Hartwig, released by Carolina, to help them at center.

Chris Kemoeatu is the assumed replacement for Faneca. It appears Max Starks, who carries their $7 million transition tag, will return and compete with Willie Colon at right tackle. If Colon does not keep his seat, it's possible he will get a chance to compete with Kemoeatu as well.

The starting defensive line remains strong, but it's getting older and there's little depth at end. If they did not know already, the Steelers discovered just how valuable Aaron Smith is to them when a torn biceps ended his season four games early, a period that included the playoff loss to Jacksonville.

"We need to strengthen ourselves in our lines, of course," coach Mike Tomlin said, listing a priority shortly after last season ended. "I talked about offensive and defensive lines ... you always need big strong men in the interior on the rise. We're older in those positions. We are. That will be our intentions, along with all areas, of course. But, in terms of having the personality that we want to have, there is no secret that we want to run the football and run it big time. We want to smash the run, so it starts inside and up front."

Many of the mock drafts have an offensive or defensive lineman going to the Steelers in the first round, for obvious reasons.

But it does not mean that's what they will do. Colbert called this draft the deepest for offensive tackles he has seen in 25 years. Also, a bunch of wide receivers and defensive backs have come through the Steelers' facility the past several weeks as they take closer looks at some of the college prospects.

Ben Roethlisberger's wish for a tall wide receiver aside, they need another at the position. Cedrick Wilson's release means they have just three experienced wide receivers. Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are a good tandem; Nate Washington needs to turn his promise into consistency. After that, there's not much there.

Their secondary could use a boost. They worry about free safety because Ryan Clark lost his spleen, and Anthony Smith has yet to show he can play the position adequately. Their corners are solid, if not spectacular, but, if they found another, they might consider ultimately moving Deshea Townsend to free safety.

There's also a glaring need for a banger at running back behind Willie Parker. When the Steelers needed the tough yards last season, oftentimes they weren't able to get them, and leads and games were lost because of it. Someone to take some of the carries off Parker and do it off tackle would be a welcome sight at Heinz Field against the toughest schedule in the NFL.

Because the group of running backs in this draft is so deep, they likely can get a good one in the third or fourth round. It's unlikely they will get a good offensive or defensive lineman there. It's imperative they get their linemen high and then go for a back, a wide receiver and a defensive back later in the draft.

There's also the matter of quarterback. It would seem the Steelers do not need a quarterback. They certainly don't need a starter. The question becomes, how long will Charlie Batch be No. 2? He's 33 and has not had to take a beating in a while, so perhaps he can play another five years. On the other hand, is it time to groom someone to become No. 2 down the road?

If the Steelers had a seventh-round draft pick, that might be a logical move. They've shown an affinity for Penn State's Anthony Morelli, who could be drafted in the sixth round.

And don't forget outside linebacker. Even though the Steelers used their first two draft picks last season on Lawrence Timmons and LaMarr Woodley, they still have little depth at the position. They said Timmons was an outside linebacker when they drafted him, but he'll compete on the inside this year. Woodley will become their starter on the left side, but, with the departure of Clark Haggans, team MVP James Harrison is the only outside linebacker with much experience.

Colbert has stated the Steelers could draft a player at any position in the first round except quarterback and tight end. It's easy to see why.

[pandu86]

Eh si.
Mi dimenticavo che quando si vince la division, nonostante sia facilissima, si va ai PO  :D
Sorry   :sbadat:

disse quello che vince la South da 5 anni consecutivi :roll:

[Rocky]

Starks signs $6.9 million tender contract with Steelers

no comment

Pazzesco, non ho veramente parole. Si rifiutavano anche solo di parlare con Faneca per rinnovargli il contratto e alla fine han deciso di dare questi soldi a Starks (facendolo diventare il secondo giocatore più pagato della squadra, o giù di lì)? Assurdo, veramente, ora il cap è veramente fottuto "for good". Adesso cosa facciamo? Di sicuro Starks non farà panchina, l'OLineman al primo giro salta quasi sicuramente a questo punto (o meglio, come dice Whata spero non facciano passare un altro anno sulla sideline alla nostra prima scelta).

Boh, no comment veramente. Aspettiamo sabato và...

[Paperone]

Pazzesco, non ho veramente parole. Si rifiutavano anche solo di parlare con Faneca per rinnovargli il contratto e alla fine han deciso di dare questi soldi a Starks (facendolo diventare il secondo giocatore più pagato della squadra, o giù di lì)? Assurdo, veramente, ora il cap è veramente fottuto "for good". Adesso cosa facciamo? Di sicuro Starks non farà panchina, l'OLineman al primo giro salta quasi sicuramente a questo punto (o meglio, come dice Whata spero non facciano passare un altro anno sulla sideline alla nostra prima scelta).

Boh, no comment veramente. Aspettiamo sabato và...

secondo il vostro sito sul cap, sì :D
e sempre secondo lo stesso sito, siete sopra di 1.6 circa. :sticazzi:

[Whatarush]

secondo il vostro sito sul cap, sì :D
e sempre secondo lo stesso sito, siete sopra di 1.6 circa. :sticazzi:

come sopra?
sotto di 1.5, ma senza il contratto di Eason

non direi che il cap è fottuto...è possibile che con quel che resta si riesca anche a firmare le sei scelte; e non credo sia intenzione di Colbert e soci fare altro in free agency - quello che volevano fare l'hanno già fatto e poi in giro non è rimasto praticamente nulla - salvo forse riconsiderare le condizioni di MacFarland quando saremo più prossimi al training camp: pare che Tomlin gli stia tenendo un posto, a patto che dimostri di aver pienamente recuperato

poi c'è gente in odore di taglio...il primo della lista, soprattutto in caso di WR al draft, è Willie Reid; uno tra Eason e Kirschke potrebbe non sopravvivere agli ultimi tagli: hanno contratti di uno/due anni con un garantito ridicolo, cioè sono stati firmati per portarli al camp e dare filo da torcere ai rookie

infine resto convinto che Starks non giocherà il 2008 a quella cifra...mi viene quasi da dire che sarebbe vergognoso
però non sono di quelli che l'hanno data su sul ragazzo, ritengo solo che non meriti quelle cifre, ma un contratto onesto di tre/quattro anni

[Paperone]

come sopra?
sotto di 1.5, ma senza il contratto di Eason

non direi che il cap è fottuto...è possibile che con quel che resta si riesca anche a firmare le sei scelte; e non credo sia intenzione di Colbert e soci fare altro in free agency - quello che volevano fare l'hanno già fatto e poi in giro non è rimasto praticamente nulla - salvo forse riconsiderare le condizioni di MacFarland quando saremo più prossimi al training camp: pare che Tomlin gli stia tenendo un posto, a patto che dimostri di aver pienamente recuperato

poi c'è gente in odore di taglio...il primo della lista, soprattutto in caso di WR al draft, è Willie Reid; uno tra Eason e Kirschke potrebbe non sopravvivere agli ultimi tagli: hanno contratti di uno/due anni con un garantito ridicolo, cioè sono stati firmati per portarli al camp e dare filo da torcere ai rookie

infine resto convinto che Starks non giocherà il 2008 a quella cifra...mi viene quasi da dire che sarebbe vergognoso
però non sono di quelli che l'hanno data su sul ragazzo, ritengo solo che non meriti quelle cifre, ma un contratto onesto di tre/quattro anni

il mio sopra era in realtà sotto :sbadat:

[Rocky]

Direttamente da Kevin Colbert:

Some of the players who could be on the Steelers' first-round wish list include North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer, Boston College tackle Gosder Cherilus, Auburn defensive end/linebacker Quentin Groves, Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart and Oklahoma receiver Malcolm Kelly.

Leggendo le ultime interviste di Tomlin sono convinto che prenderemo un DL al primo giro (a meno che ovviamente Albert non sia ancora disponibile), sperando sia Balmer. La classe della OL è sicuramente più profonda, qualcosa lo troviamo sicuramente anche al secondo giro.

PS L'alternativa Jonathan Stewart comunque è intrigante anzichenò... Il problema è che abbiamo un paio di needs su cui sarà difficile passare.

[Whatarush]

Direttamente da Kevin Colbert:

Leggendo le ultime interviste di Tomlin sono convinto che prenderemo un DL al primo giro (a meno che ovviamente Albert non sia ancora disponibile), sperando sia Balmer. La classe della OL è sicuramente più profonda, qualcosa lo troviamo sicuramente anche al secondo giro.

PS L'alternativa Jonathan Stewart comunque è intrigante anzichenò... Il problema è che abbiamo un paio di needs su cui sarà difficile passare.

Ok lo confesso...io vorrei proprio Stewart, perchè Albert e Merling dovrebbero essere andati da parecchio e JS, anche se il RB non è avvertito come un need evidente, sembra proprio un bel talento, nonchè il tipo di giocatore che può portare a casa le yards che servono ad addormentare le partite.

C'è da dire che non scegliamo un RB al primo giro da...manco mi ricordo quanto!!!

[pandu86]

Ok lo confesso...io vorrei proprio Stewart, perchè Albert e Merling dovrebbero essere andati da parecchio e JS, anche se il RB non è avvertito come un need evidente, sembra proprio un bel talento, nonchè il tipo di giocatore che può portare a casa le yards che servono ad addormentare le partite.

C'è da dire che non scegliamo un RB al primo giro da...manco mi ricordo quanto!!!

17 anni 

[pandu86]

Steelers have to be quick on the draw

PITTSBURGH - Since Kevin Colbert took over as director of football operations in 2000, the Steelers have had success in the first round of the draft, acquiring six starters in seven seasons, with Lawrence Timmons (2007) being the only exception.

It has been on the draft's second day where Colbert and his scouting department have had more misses than hits. Just six starters from last year's team were selected in the fourth round or later in the past eight drafts.

While Colbert isn't exactly happy about that track record, he'd much rather hit a home run in the first round - as he did by acquiring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, tight end Heath Miller, nose tackle Casey Hampton and safety Troy Polamalu - than miss on those picks and make a couple of better ones late in the draft.

"One, two, three, you can't miss on those kids," said Colbert of the draft's first three rounds, which are considered premium picks.

"If those kids aren't pushing for starting positions at some point while they're here, well, they weren't evaluated correctly."

This year's draft - to be held Saturday and Sunday - will be a little different.

In recent years, the draft's first three rounds were held on the first day. This year, only two rounds will be completed on the first day, meaning the Steelers will make only two picks Saturday.


The NFL also trimmed the time teams have between picks in the first round, from 15 to 10 minutes, and from 10 to seven minutes for the second round. All other rounds have five minutes between picks.

"We're excited because it'll be a lot quicker," said Colbert. "Fifteen minutes is way too long. Sometimes people know what they're going to do and they just wait to see if anybody's going to call (about a trade). That's fine for one or two minutes. If nobody's calling, make the pick."

And with the Steelers having only six picks in this draft - they traded their seventh-rounder to Atlanta for kick returner Allen Rossum last season - Colbert will be listening to offers from teams wanting to move up.

"Being that we only have six picks at this point, trading up in the first round is not a likely scenario," Colbert said.

"Realistically, I don't think we can go up," Colbert said. "Trading down is definitely an inviting option because there are a lot of players in rounds two, three, four that could help this team, and the more picks we can get, the better off we're going to be."
Though they lost guard Alan Faneca and linebacker Clark Haggans, among others, in free agency, the Steelers don't feel like they have many holes to fill.

The Steelers began their offseason training program Monday, giving head coach Mike Tomlin his first look at what he currently has on the roster for 2008. Pittsburgh added center Justin Hartwig and running back Mewelde Moore, and re-signed several of their own players, including offensive tackle Max Starks over the weekend to a one-year deal.

"From my standpoint that's the most important thing, to get some guys that are starter-capable and are going to Latrobe and competing for positions," Tomlin said. "Competition is the thing that makes us all better. ... The moves that we made and the actions we've taken have allowed us to stick to the philosophy that was stated earlier on in that we would be open to (drafting players at) any positions."

Odds and end zones

Colbert said the Steelers have cut their draft board from around 1,000 players to 160. ... In addition to their six picks, the Steelers plan to add 12 undrafted rookies to the roster following the draft. ... Though Starks signed his one-year tender offer from Pittsburgh - worth $6.9 million - the Steeles will attempt to sign him to a long-term contract.

[Rocky]

The answer is... Balmer!

...preghiamo veramente sarà così, Balmer sarà un futuro "stud DE"!  :figo:

[Whatarush]

Sul mio personalissimo draft board ci sono tre nomi: Albert, Merling, Stewart...in rigoroso ordine alfabetico.

Se alla #23 saranno già andati tutti gradirei la trade down.

L'attesa logora abbastanza  :stressato:

[Whatarush]

Nel Carucci versione 6.0 ( :lol2: ) c'è ancora alla 23 

Kirwan invece dopo averlo piazzato ai Lions e ai Patriots, adesso lo dà ai Ravens   

[Rocky]

1. Rashard Mendenhall (RB, Illinois)
2. Limas Sweed (WR, Texas)

Bene, benissimo direi.
Da parte mia non avrei mai pensato di avere la possibilità di scegliere questi due giocatori, invece li abbiamo trovati e fortunatamente non ce li siamo fatti scappare. Nel primo giro mi pare ci sia stata la caccia alla OL quindi alla 23 non c'era nessuno che valesse veramente quella scelta, Mendenhall è un bel complemento per Parker.
Sweed invece è quello che ci serviva in quella posizione, gran pick.

Domani vediamo di prendere qualcuno per le due linee, Dre Moore mi piacerebbe ma non credo lo troveremo ancora disponibile (anche se questo ragionamento ormai non lo faccio più, visti i primi due picks...).