Steelers Morning Huddle 5/1/13

Dec 30, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau talks with safety Troy Polamalu (43) and linebacker Larry Foote (50) against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of the game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning Steeler Nation.  There is still plenty to talk about and speculate on with the draft and the UFDA signings and the Steelers continue to address to make moves to put the team together for 2013.

The Steelers added punter Brian Moorman to the roster, according to the blog Steelers Gab.  The signing was also tweeted by Bob Labriola, the editor of Steeler Digest:

Drafting a quarterback for any team is always big news and articles and blogs continue to discuss the Steelers acquisition of Landry Jones and what it means for Ben Roethlisberger.  Jamison Hensley, who blogs on the AFC North for ESPN.com, concluded the move was about replacing Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich, not a long term replacement-in-waiting for Roethlisberger:

"It’s hard to accuse the Steelers of thinking about life after Roethlisberger when they’re doing so many things to extend his career. They’ve invested two picks in the first and second rounds into their offensive line to better protect him. They’re also trying to go to a more short passing game to limit the amount of hits on him.”"

Ed Bouchette looks at Le’Veon Bell and what he can contribute to the Steelers.  According to Bouchette’s assessment of quotes from Colbert and Haley, Bell has more durability and utility.  Haley called him a “three-down back.”   I hope that is true.  The Steelers need options and variety.  Once the teams figured out the “dink and dunk” plays last year, the Steelers had very little to fall back on and once Roethlisberger was out, the options declined further.  I am not a fan of “prima donna” WR and RBs and I was afraid that by drafting a WR out of the SEC, we would get attitude about what the WR thought he was entitled to.  We had enough of that with Wallace and Mendenhall in the last couple of years.  Bouchette is upbeat about Bell’s chances to be a starter and I am hoping for some new energy too.

Jamison Hensley also agrees that Bell has the makings of a starter.

Alan Robinson, of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, writes that the Class of ’13 will be asked to do more sooner than previous draft classes, possibly since the days of Coach Cowher.  They need to be fast learners.  I have to agree.  The Steelers need some youth and energy to combine with the veteran experience.   Things need to be shaken up and the veterans need to step outside themselves and teach and lead the younger ones.  They have the making for a very dynamic team and locker room and I hope they can figure out how to do it.

OK, Steeler Nation, what do you think?  Does this draft class have potential?  Will the veteran plays take a teaching role along side of actively playing?  Who’s ready for August?