As most of us unfortunately remember, Miller’s career-year ended when he tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL on a routine-play late in that game.  Tearing three knee ligaments is downright scary, and many have recently questioned whether or not Heath will be ready to line up and start for the Steelers in Week 1 this September.

Even if he somehow returns for “Opening Weekend,” the tight end’s injury and lack of offseason reps could still limit his productivity over the course of the 2013 regular season.  Thus, if Miller is hobbled or even forced to the bench, then Pittsburgh will need their depth at the position to find ways to help to replace him in the aggregate through their run-blocking and pass-catching.

So like it or not “Steeler Nation,” but at least two of these three players will need to pick up the slack if Pittsburgh’s Pro Bowl tight end is not 100% this fall.

Matt Spaeth

As a blocker, I am not too worried about Spaeth stepping in for Miller for an extended period of time.  The veteran has the size (6’7″ 270 lbs.) and experience to capably fill in for the Pro Bowl tight end in that area of the game.  Unfortunately, Spaeth has never been an effective weapon as a pass-catcher at the professional level.

During his first stint in Pittsburgh, Spaeth snagged only 36 catches for 275 yards and five touchdowns as he played second-fiddle to Miller over that span.  Overall, the 2007 3rd round pick averaged nine grabs for 68 yards during his first four years in the league before he signed with Chicago as a free agent in the spring of 2011.

With Chicago, Spaeth was used as more of a “tackle eligible” than a tight end as he was more or less a non-factor in the Bears’ passing attack.  Matt recorded a total of 13 catches for 78 yards and three touchdowns during the last two seasons, and the Bears eventually made him expendable after they inked Martellus Bennett this past spring.

I am fine with Spaeth as a number two/blocking tight end in Pittsburgh’s offense who can chip in during red zone and short yardage situations. But if his career-production (or lack thereof) is any indication, Matt is not the type of pass-catching threat for an offense to rely on and target heavily on a week to week basis.  Nevertheless, the former Golden Gopher’s experience, as well as the lack of experienced depth behind him, will probably give him an inside track to step in for Miller if the Pro Bowler is unable to play.

David Paulson

Paulson, Spaeth and Johnson must play well if Miller cannot suit up for an extended period. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

David Paulson definitely intrigues me as he heads into his second year in the league, and I am interested to see how well that he challenge Spaeth for playing time this summer.  The 2012 7th round pick was considered by many to be a bit of an afterthought behind Miller, Leonard Pope and Weslye Saunders, and it looked as if the former Oregon Duck was headed to the practice squad for the entirety his rookie campaign.

Paulson however played well enough to force the team to release Saunders, but he even made his way onto the 53-man roster last year.  Heck, by the end of last year, the then-rookie had eclipsed Pope as the team’s number two tight end on the depth chart.  Overall, David made seven catches for 51 yards and gained much more experience than most people thought that he would have during his first year in the league.

Pleasant surprise last season notwithstanding, Paulson is still a bit skinny for the position (6’4″ 246 lbs.) and his blocking at the point of attack definitely needs work.  Nevertheless, he does have the hands and athletic ability to be a threat in the passing game, and that is definitely something that the Steelers will need more of this year if Miller is unable to suit up for an extended period.

Even though Paulson will likely make the 53-man roster again this fall, the pressure will now be on him to improve and beat out the veteran Spaeth for playing time behind and alongside Miller.  With Miller unfortunately sidelined for now, David has a perfect opportunity to play his way into more time on the offensive side of the ball.

David Johnson

David Johnson is a bit of a “wild-card” at the tight end position for the Steelers.  Although Johnson (6’2″ 260 lbs.) was more or less of a tight end during his first three years with Pittsburgh, he was working as the team’s fullback last year until an ACL injury ended his season during the first week of the preseason.

The ultimate “insult” to Johnson’s injury was the fact that his replacement, Will Johnson, performed quite well during his rookie campaign.  In fact, the starting fullback job should be Will’s to lose over the summer, and I for one am excited to see how well that the former West Virginia Mountaineer can play in year two of his career.  If the Steelers elect to go with only one fullback during the 2013 campaign, then David’s best chance of making the team could be as a backup tight end once again.  And with only Spaeth and Paulson in front of him, the task is definitely doable for the soon-to-be fifth-year h-back.

David showed marked improvement over his first three years in the league, and he finally appeared ready to break-out in 2012 after a career year (12 catches, 91 yards, one touchdown) in 2011.  Of course for Johnson to leap-frog over Paulson and Spaeth at tight end, he will have to hold his own as an “in-line” blocker.  Still, Johnson could be a “wild-card” to make the roster this fall, and he will definitely be someone to watch during the preseason period to see exactly where he fits in Haley’s offense.

Final Thoughts

Many believed that Pittsburgh’s brass would target a tight end in April of this year’s draft.  But Colbert & Co. elected not to take one in the draft’s seven rounds, and they did not sign one as a UDFA either.  Thus, it certainly appears that Steelers’ brass either have confidence that Miller will return to the team at 100% by the time the season begins, or they are just that confident that one or more of the trio of Spaeth, Paulson and Johnson will be able to step in and help for an extended period of time.

I for one question how well that Pittsburgh’s offense can function without Miller.  If he is sidelined, Ben Roethlisberger will be without his most sure-handed receiver, his safety-valve, and number one red zone pass-catching threat.  And that’s just what Miller can do as a pass-receiver!  Heath is one of the league’s most underrated tight ends when it comes to his ability to “in-line block” and even pass-protect as a side-car.

As much as I would like to see Miller in the lineup as soon as possible, his health is just too important for him to be rushed back before his knee is fully healed.  I just hope that one or two of Heath’s three backups can play well enough if he is forced to sit for an extended period.  Replacing 71 catches, 816 yards, and eight touchdowns in the statistical aggregate is a tough order for any offense to do.  But replacing solid blocking, a professional attitude and a veteran presence in addition to those numbers are entirely different matters altogether.

Otherwise, Pittsburgh’s offense will probably sputter even more than they did last year.

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Players Stats Provided By: ESPN.com & Steelers.com

Players Contract Info. Provided By: Spotrac.com

The return of Max Starks teeters on a wing and a prayer.
Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Since the draft ended I had been finally calming down from the Steelers off season moves that started with the release of James Harrison as free agency began in March 2013.  Then this week the Steelers signed Tackle Guy Whimper and my head exploded. I don’t understand the perceived dislike of Max Starks? I don’t understand the slamming of the door in James Harrison’s face when he came crawling back despite the opinion of most he would never do so. I, like many Steeler fans, don’t get a lot of things the front office has been doing this off season.

However these are just two examples of many questionable decisions that can be traced all the way back to personnel decisions made right after the Steelers 5^th game in the 2012 season. It all started with the release of TE Weslye Saunders after the Titans game in favor of 7 year veteran Leonard Pope who clearly had no long term future in the Steelers organization.  Saunders appeared to have upside as he was young, athletic and had good hands. Saunders only in his 2^nd year looked like a solid back up to Heath Miller with the potential to replace Miller when the time came. The Steelers traded youth for age. It was not a season-altering move, but the first in a long line of problematic decisions.

Next was the move to cut Brian Hoyer who they had signed on November 20, 2012 after injuries to starting Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (week 10 Chiefs) and backup Byron Leftwich (week 11 Ravens) in back to back games. I was excited that they had finally gotten a younger back up QB with NFL experience that had been successful in his limited playing time with the Patriots. Hoyer served as the backup in Weeks 12 and 13 and was released on December 8, 2012 in a move to add CB Josh Victorian to the roster a day before the San Diego Chargers debacle. Hoyer did not make it through waivers and was claimed by the Cardinals.  It was a foregone conclusion that Byron Leftwich was done in Pittsburgh and possibly Charlie Batch as well. Why the Steelers did not put an injured Leftwich on IR and keep Hoyer is another mystery. Leftwich never played another down for the Steelers. Particularly even more alarming is it was widely reported after the season ended the Steelers really wanted Hoyer to be the back up QB in 2013.

Did Rainey Pay For Ta’amu’s Mistakes?

The two off field incidents involving DT Alameda Ta’amu and RB Chris Rainey should have played out one of three ways: Both players permanently released; both players remained Steelers; Ta’amu permanently released with Rainey remaining. The Steelers front office baffled everyone by coming up with a 4^th way.

Alameda Ta’amu was arrested after a drunken rampage through the streets of Pittsburgh during the season. Ta’amu was sentenced after pleading guilty to 3 counts of recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest and drunken driving. He also was ordered to pay nearly $11,000 in damages that he caused. County prosecutors withdrew felony charges of aggravated assault with a vehicle. Ultimately and for some unbelievably, Ta’amu remained a Steeler.

Shortly after the season ended Chris Rainey was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery following an argument over a cell phone with his girlfriend where he was alleged to have “slapped” her. Rainey was cut from the Steelers almost immediately. His girlfriend did not follow the Steelers lead as she was the leading advocate for the charges against Rainey to be dropped.  Rainey later pleaded no contest to disorderly conduct, was ordered to pay a $200 fine and imposed court costs of about $300 and is still with his girlfriend according to the latest reports. Disorderly conduct is the lowest form of a misdemeanor one can be charged with. The two incidents don’t compare.

December 30, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley (left) talks to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) on the sidelines against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 24-10. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL Draft is officially in the books. After mock drafts are put to shame, we all reflect on the additions each team has made. The Steelers did not disapoint, like usual. Jarvis Jones was dead on when he was quoted saying that he wouldn’t get past the Steelers. Like most mock drafts predicted, Jarvis Jones was a Steeler at the end of Day 1. From the selections of Le’Veon Bell, Markus Wheaton, Shamarko Thomas, Landry Jones, Terry Hawthorne, Justin Brown, Vince Williams, and Nick Williams, the Steelers added a variety of youth to their aging team. Here is an early look at the Pittsburgh Steelers offense 2013 starting lineup.

Another member of Pittsburgh’s 2007 Draft Class is set to return to “The Steel City.”

Spaeth spent two seasons in Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, Pittsburgh’s Front Office signed Tight End Matt Spaeth to provide the franchise with some insurance at the position while Heath Miller is on the mend.

Rarely utilized in Pittsburgh’s passing-attack during his four years with the Steelers, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher was not much of a pass-catching threat as a member of the Bears either.  Overall, Matt caught only 13 passes for 78 Yards and 3 TD’s, and was more of a “Tackle Eligible” than a Tight End in Chicago’s “Matt Forte-centric” Offense.

At least to me, the biggest thing that I can take away from the Spaeth signing is that it basically seals Leonard Pope’s fate with the franchise.  At one time, Pope was thought to be a solid pickup for Pittsburgh due to his familiarity with Todd Haley from his days in Arizona and Kansas City.

Unfortunately, Leonard was less than stellar as a run-blocker, almost non-existent as a Red Zone target, and eventually passed on the depth chart by Rookie David Paulson towards the end of last year.  Thus, unless more injuries occur, Pope is likely one-and-done as a member of the Steelers.

Until Miller can return to the lineup healthy, Pittsburgh will likely line up with Paulson and Spaeth as #1 and #2 on their Depth Chart.  Behind those two, I would have to think that David Johnson would be utilized in some type of flex-FB/TE backup role.

Regardless of how the Depth Chart shakes out between those three players this Summer, the onus will be on them to “hold down the fort” until the the Steelers’ Pro Bowl Tight End comes back from his knee injury.

Stats Courtesy of: Pro-Football Reference and ESPN.com

Players Contract Info. Provided By: Spotrac.com

ILB Lawrence Timmons

Now that we are less than a month away from the 2012 NFL Draft, speculation is running wild on what players the Pittsburgh Steelers will be targeting when the draft begins on Thursday, April 26.  After an offseason of massive changes on both sides of the ball, the Steelers are in a position where they need a good draft to fill depth that has been lost over the last few months.

In order to understand where we are heading, it is imperative that we understand the past.  Over the next few weeks here at NPC, I will be reviewing the past five Steelers draft classes in detailed fashion.  Then, as we hit draft week 2012, I will give my predictions for the 2012 Steelers draft class.  Pittsburgh has always been a team that has used the draft to build from within, as opposed to the teams that build through free agency.  The strategy has worked well, leading to more Super Bowl victories than any other franchise in professional football.  However, even the Steelers are not above criticism when it comes to the inexact science that is NFL drafting.  We will start tonight by reviewing the 2007 Steelers draft class – a class that produced no less than three defensive starters, along with a Tight End who contributed to the Steelers Super Bowl XLIII win and a Punter that for a short time was considered one of the best in football.

The 2007 Steelers draft was the first for head Coach Mike Tomlin, and set the tone for his very successful first five years in the Emperors Chair.  The Steelers were coming off an 8-8 season in Bill Cowhers final season as head coach, as speculation was that massive changes would be in store for the team under their new head coach.  That speculation was squashed when Tomlin announced that longtime Defensive Coordinator Dick LeBeau would be retained, allowing the team to continue utilizing the 3-4 defense that had been so successful.  The offense was handed over to new Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians, who had served under former OC Ken Whisenhunt and seemed to have a desire to maintain consistency on that side of the ball as well.  The Steelers would head into the 2007 Draft looking to enhance a team that had Pro-Bowl talent all over the field and was looking to return to the Super Bowl.

The Steelers had the 15th pick in Round One of the 2007 Draft, a relatively high pick for a franchise used to picking in the final five picks year after year.  The stage was set for an exciting draft for the Steelers, and fans anticipated the possibility of Pitt CB Darrelle Revis becoming the next great Steelers defensive back.  The New York Jets would end that dream when they traded up to the 14th overall slot with Carolina to select Revis.  Without a defensive back on the board that they felt was worthy of the 15th overall pick, the Steelers went to their roots and selected the best linebacker available.

Lawrence Timmons, Florida State Seminoles

Round One – 15th Overall – Lawrence Timmons – Linebacker – 6’3″, 232 lbs. – Florida State

Possibly one of the most athletic players in the 2007 Draft, Lawrence Timmons would become the first draft pick of the Tomlin era when the Steelers selected the Florida State product with the 15th pick of round one.  Timmons would begin his Steelers career as a backup to the ILB combination of James Farrior and Larry Foote.  In his rookie season, Timmons played in all 16 games for the team, recording 13 tackles.  After another season as the backup and winning a Super Bowl ring in 2008, the stage was set for Timmons to take over for Foote in 2009.  The Steelers made that move official when they released Foote in May at the veterans request, and Timmons went into the season with his first starting role on the team.  After a 2009 season full of highs and lows for Timmons, he firmly established himself as a key piece of the Steelers defense in 2010 – leading the team with 135 tackles and adding 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 interceptions.  The team rewarded his progress in August 2011 with a six-year, $50 million contract extension.

Lawrence Timmons has proved to be a valuable player for the Steelers.  Besides a natural ability to get to ball carriers, Timmons has spent considerable time in his career playing in pass coverage against athletic tight ends and running backs.  While accolades have been short in his five-year run, Timmons has played in two Super Bowls and established himself as a perfect fit in the Steelers 3-4 alignment.  Still just 25 years old, the best could very well still lay ahead for Timmons.

LaMarr Woodley, Michigan Wolverines

Round Two – 46th Overall – LaMarr Woodley – OLB/DE – 6’2″ 265 lbs. – Michigan

With the 46th pick in the draft, the Steelers landed perhaps their best value draft pick of the Tomlin era.  With defensive ends such as Jamaal Anderson, Jarvis Moss, and the late Gaines Adams off the board in the first round, the Steelers were able to steal LaMarr Woodley in the second round.  Sticking to a tradition that had worked for the franchise so many times in the past, the team viewed Woodley – primarily a defensive end at Michigan – as a perfect candidate to move into the outside linebacker slot in the 3-4 alignment.

After playing in 13 games and recording four sacks in his rookie season, Woodley secured a starting slot opposite James Harrison to begin 2008 – creating one of the most prolific outside linebacker combinations in NFL history.  He immediately established himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the league with 11.5 sacks in his sophomore campaign.  In 2009, Woodley earned a Pro Bowl nod with a 13.5 sack season – the second of his three consecutive double digit sack seasons.  In his five years with Pittsburgh, Woodley has accumulated 48.0 sacks, 4 interceptions, 7 forced fumbles, and 3 defensive touchdowns.

One of the most popular Steelers players both on and off the field, LaMarr Woodley has been nothing short of integral to the Steelers dominating defense.  The team rewarded him in 2011 with a six-year $61.5 million contract extension.

Matt Spaeth, Minnesota Golden Gophers

Round Three – 77th Overall – Matt Spaeth – TE – 6’7″ 270 lbs. – Minnesota

The Steelers dove right back into the Big Ten Conference pool in round three, selecting huge tight end Matt Spaeth from the University of Minnesota.  With Heath Miller firmly established as the teams starter and longtime backup Jerame Tuman on the roster, Spaeth was considered a luxury pick for a team that had few legitimate needs in terms of depth.  The 2006 winner of the John Mackey Award as the top college tight end, Spaeth made his presence felt on his first professional reception – a 5-yard touchdown pass from QB Ben Roethlisberger in a week one victory over the Cleveland Browns.  Once Tuman was placed on injured reserve, Spaeth took over as the Steelers primary backup to Miller – a spot he would fill for the next four seasons.  Spaeth would leave the team as a free agent after 2010 to sign with the Chicago Bears, closer to his home in St. Michael, Minnesota.

In terms of the service provided to the Steelers, Spaeth gave the team a reliable backup to Heath Miller, caught five touchdown passes, and played on a Super Bowl winning team in 2008.  Playing behind Miller – arguably the best tight end in team history – did not offer many opportunities to stand out.  Considering the lack of talent the third round of the 2007 draft produced, Spaeth was a solid selection for the Steelers.

Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor Bears

Round Four – 112th Overall – Daniel Sepulveda – P – 6’3″ 230 lbs. – Baylor

The Steelers shocked many of their fans when they selected Sepulveda – a highly-decorated college punter – in the forth round.  Sepulveda was considered one of the top collegiate punters in the country, a winner of two Ray Guy Awards (2004,2006) and a first-team All American.  A former walk-on linebacker to the Baylor football team, he had earned a scholarship after a switch to punting – despite having not played the position since his junior high school days.  In his first NFL training camp, he won the Steelers job by beating out veteran Mike Barr.

While it is extremely hard to value a punter on statistics alone, the difference Sepulveda brought to the team was evident right away.  His ability to boot the ball downfield with ease was a sight for sore eyes in Steeler Nation and his athletic ability kept opposing teams on their toes with the potential for fake punts.  In Week 16 of his rookie season during a game in St. Louis, Sepulveda completed a 32-yard pass to RB Najeh Davenport, helping the team to a 41-24 victory.  His solid rookie season would be the highlight of his Steelers career, as injuries limited him to only 221 punts over his five-year stint with Pittsburgh.

Ryan McBean, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Round Four – 132th Overall – Ryan McBean – DT – 6’5″ 305 lbs. – Oklahoma State

Despite having on the top defensive lines in football, the Steelers continued to spend mid-round draft picks in an attempt to build – resulting in such draft failures as Nathaniel Adibi (2004) and Orien Harris (2006).  The team went after another defensive lineman with their second pick in the forth round, selecting Ryan McBean from Oklahoma State.  McBean would have a short career in the Steel City, playing in only one regular season game before being released during the final round of preseason cuts in 2008.  He would re-emerge with the Denver Broncos in 2009, becoming a starter at left defensive end and playing in 14 games.  He has remained with Denver and played in all 16 games in 2010 and 2011, recording 54 tackles and 4.0 sacks.

McBean was arrested in October 2011 for allegedly stalking an ex-girlfriend.  This past March, it was announced that he had been suspended for six games in 2012 due to a failed drug test.  The status of that suspension remains in question due to a lawsuit filed by McBean and a fellow teammate D.J. Williams over the manner in which the urine samples were collected.

Round Five – 156th Overall – Cameron Stephenson – OG – 6’3″ 326 lbs. – Rutgers

The Steelers made an attempt to build offensive line depth with the selection of Stephenson, the only player in the teams 2007 draft class to never suit up for a regular season game with the franchise.  Stephenson was released during training camp of his rookie season.  He has since been part of practice squads in Green Bay, Philadelphia,and New Orleans.  He played in two regular season games with Jacksonville in 2008.  Stephenson is currently out of football.

William Gay, Louisville Cardinals

Round Five – 170th Overall – William Gay – CB -  5’10″ 190 lbs. – Louisville

The selection of Gay would round out a defensive draft that would include three future starters for the team.  Primarily used on special teams and occasionally in nickel coverage during his rookie season, Gay started four games for the team in 2008, contributing to the Super Bowl winning Steelers.  He would take over the role opposite CB Ike Taylor in 2009, replacing the departed Bryant McFadden.  Despite losing his starting job to the returning McFadden in 2010, he played in all 16 games.  He would once again emerge as the starter in 2011, his final year with the Steelers.  Overall, Gay tallied 193 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles in his Pittsburgh career.

A polarizing player that has been both criticized and praised during this time with the team, Gay was signed as a free agent by Arizona on March 25.

Dallas Baker, Florida Gators

Round Seven – 227th Overall – Dallas Baker – WR – 6’3″ 206 lbs. – Florida

With their final pick in the 2007 Draft, the Steelers opted to select a player with a solid big-college resume.  Dallas Baker had been such a major piece to the Florida Gators 2007 BCS National Championship team that he was nicknamed “Dallas Baker, Touchdown Maker” by the ESPN College Football analysts.  A big game player, his senior season included touchdown catches in wins over rival Florida State, as well as a score in the BCS Title game rout of Ohio State.  All told, he tallied 151 catches for 2,236 yards and 21 touchdowns in his four-year college career.  With the Steelers in need of a large receiver in the passing game, it was hard to argue with the selection of Baker in the seventh round.

As many players have proven over the years, college statistics are not always indicative of professional results.  Baker played in eight games for the Steelers, catching one pass.  He failed to make the active roster in 2007, but was signed to the practice squad – where he spent the majority of his black and gold career.  After his final release from the team in September 2009, Baker spent time in both the Arena Football League and Canadian Football League.  He is currently on the active roster for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL.

2007 Draft Summary

The first Mike Tomlin-led Steelers draft included three future defensive starters, a tight end who contributed to four playoff teams, and a punter who was considered one of the best in football before injuries sidelined his career.  While containing some obvious misses, only three picks in this draft failed to make an impact with the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The choices of Timmons and Woodley were integral to two AFC Championship winning teams and the teams sixth Lombardi Trophy.  Although this draft could not be considered one of the top all-time classes for the team, there is no doubt that it can be considered a success.

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