Tomlin spits wisdom

A week before the NFL draft I wrote an article on why the Steelers needed to draft LB John Simon out of Ohio State. I presented many reasons why he was the one player I felt the Steelers not should, but needed to draft after round 1.  Before rounds 4-7 last Saturday I wrote about the absolute failure the Steelers have had for over 20 years drafting quarterbacks past round 3. On Wednesday Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette went one step further and covered the last 25 years of the entire NFL. Only 7 of 125 quarterbacks drafted in 25 years after round 3 have had moderate success as starter for more than one year.  Two turned out to be true success stories: Tom Brady in 2000 and Matt Hasselbeck in 1998.

After selecting Shamarko Thomas with their first pick in round 4 (#111) I was hoping the Steelers would take Simon with their second pick (#115) of the 4^th round. The Steelers did have Simon in for a visit, they typically draft OSU players and he was now a value pick since he had a third round grade. I was starting to get excited with the thought of Jarvis Jones, Shamarko Thomas and Simon who could have been that linebacker that could have played either inside or outside. But then the Steelers took Oklahoma QB Landry Jones and worlds were about to collide.

Why pass up on not only Simon but there were many other outstanding players who were available that early in the 4th round who  can possibly start in a year or two and contribute on special teams immediately? I have read varying opinions on the Landry Jones pick from love it to hate it but all of the Steelers fans that I have spoken with have expressed anger or dismay at the selection. If the Steelers were so dead set on drafting a “developmental” quarterback why didn’t they take Tyler Bray out of Tennessee later?  Is there really that much of a gap between Bray and Jones?  The knocks on Bray who came out a year early are his immaturity and decision making. Landry Jones knock is his inability to handle pressure or chaos in the pocket. In fact at Oklahoma last year Jones was removed from the game whenever Oklahoma entered the red zone. Oklahoma did so because they felt Jones  replacement gave them a better opportunity to score. Does this sound like a quarterback who should have been taken in the 4^th round?

Most of the analysts on ESPN and NFL Network did not like the Landry pick and none had much good to say about Landry Jones last 2 years at Oklahoma stating to “throw away” his senior year tape. The analysts said Jones  looked like a first round prospect after his sophomore year but got progressively worse because he couldn’t handle pressure or chaos in the pocket. Trent Dilfer went on a tirade trashing Oklahoma and the downward slide of Landry Jones. Only ESPN analysts Bill Polian former Colts GM and Todd McShay liked the Steelers pick of Jones.

It has always been said that because the Steelers have Roethlisberger they will always be in contention and that has proven to be true. What is bothersome about these reports on Jones is that he has not been capable of raising Oklahoma’s level of play. As the team declined so did he or was it the other way around? What Jones’ play has showed is that he is no better than the team surrounding him. Everyone who feels negatively about this pick might be wrong about Jones but the problem is we may never find out. That is what is so bothersome. With so many needs to fill coming off of an 8-8 season why take a player who Steelers GM Kevin Colbert acknowledged in post draft interview, may never see the field?

Huddle up guys!
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Good Morning Steeler Nation!  If that may be too perky for your taste at this hour you might want to take another sip of your coffee.  There’s plenty to be excited about as a Steelers fan now that the dust has settled from the draft.  There are offseason workouts, minicamp, and training camp just around the corner.  Can almost smell that freshly cut grass at Saint Vincent’s huh?  This morning the mood is hopeful from the local media outlets regarding the Steelers draft picks and their abilities to contribute in the upcoming season.

Meanwhile, on the South Side, the Steelers have already begun Phase II of the offseason workouts per Teresa Varley of steelers.com.  This phase of the workouts includes position meetings between players and coaches for the first time this year.  Players will get their first opportunity of the season to get into the playbook along with the coaches in those position meetings.  Veteran CB Ike Taylor, who normally works out on his own in Florida, joined the group to encourage the younger players to get in gear for the OTA’s which will begin May21.

“It’s good for them to get a feel for each other on the field, get to know each other and see how they move.  You can do that stuff early, do it now.  When you get on the field for the OTA’s, coaches will be telling you what to do, but this is a stepping stone.  You want to know what to do without the coaches telling you.  It shows the coaches you are willing and capable and you are being responsible.”

Ed Bouchette of the PG breaks down the “New Young Money Crew” that were drafted this weekend in Markus Wheaton and Justin Brown in the third and sixth rounds respectively.  The drafting of the wide receivers was identical to the 2010 draft in which they picked up Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown.  Between the group of the new and the old, Ben Roethlisberger might just have some new and dare I say better options on offense this season.  This might provide a more productive offense than the “dink and dunk” that Ben lovingly criticized last season but also produced MVP-like numbers for him before his shoulder injury sidelined him.

Alan Robinson of the Trib explains how some of this year’s Steelers draft class could be entering training camp with a chance to start at their respective positions.  The number one overall pick Jarvis Jones will most likely enter camp as a “starter in waiting” behind Jason Worilds.  Just how well Jones competes in camp and preseason might determine how long he has to wait.  The only confidence this coaching staff has exhibited, in my opinion, in Worilds as the heir apparent to James Harrison is the fact that they dug in their heels and refused to give Harrison a chance to come back after initial talks failed and Harrison’s test of the market failed as well.  Handing over the linebacker tradition to Worilds by default, if you ask me.  Le’Veon Bell also looks to be a draft pick with a better opportunity to start as a rookie than the remaining class, explains Robinson.  Because the running back corps is, um, well let’s just say it is what it is, I agree with Robinson on this one.  I’d say that any of the RB’s that enter camp have the opportunity to separate themselves from the herd and emerge as the starter, just all about the work they’re going to put into it.  Mike Tomlin explained that all players must earn their jobs, but we all know what opportunities lie out there.

“I think it’s a daunting task for rookies to start in any system and play and perform well.  But we’re not going to close the door on anyone earning an opportunity.”

What do you think, Steeler Nation?  Who out of the draft class do you think can start right away?

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Huddle up guys! Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

The Steelers are gearing up for the 2013 NFL Draft Week starting with the Pre-Draft Press Conference held yesterday by Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Kevin Colbert.  Colbert started the presser off by quickly reviewing the departures and arrivals to the team from the 2012 squad as well as explain that the roster stands at 65 players now and will increase to 90 after the draft so there will be 25 guys added to the Steelers roster over this weekend between draft picks and undrafted free agents.

Watch Tomlin and Colbert’s Pre-Draft Press Conference Here

It’s been said over and over again how this particular draft is not stacked with the kind of talent we have been seeing with young super stars like Cam Newton, RGIII, and Andrew Luck but is deep with talent across the board.  Colbert stated that he doesn’t expect the Steelers to attempt to move up from their first round pick at #17 and is confident that whoever is available at that spot will be a talented player.

“There will be a good player at 17.  There’s no question about that.” – Kevin Colbert

Colbert and Tomlin went on to say as well that they are not ruling out a return for veterans Max Starks and Casey Hampton, who are still unsigned FA’s.  There also has been speculation that the Steelers will look to add QB depth in the draft pointing to the idea that Charlie Batch will not return this year.

I, for one, cannot friggin wait for the draft.  I think that we all feel like Tomlin and Colbert have a very important draft ahead of them making up for the fact that their 2008 draft is entirely gone and their draft last year resulted in more offseason arrests and injuries than any substantial contributions.  I think overall DeCastro and Adams are going to be good for the O-line but I think we can’t overlook the fact that they drafted Ta’amu and Rainey and probably shouldn’t have.

After ending the season 8-8 and missing the playoffs Steeler Nation has spent the entire offseason stressing over what could be the problems and where the team could be headed.  I’m not saying that I haven’t been stressing myself, but it is nice to know that with the draft comes a fresh crop of talent to the team and that there’s no use trying to predict what direction a team is going when the roster is nowhere near being set yet.  We’ll see what the roster looks like after this weekend and what they look like in Latrobe in August.

What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation?  What are your impressions of Tomlin’s and Colbert’s Pre-Draft Press Conference?

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Tomlin has had varied levels of success with the draft. How will he go this year? Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

In the wake of the Steelers matching the Patriots offer sheet on Emmanuel Sanders and with the NFL Draft looming, pundits across the sports media world are left wondering what’s next for the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Here is what a few reports have been posting about our Black & Gold:

Pro Football Talk has broken down the Steelers needs that are expected to be addressed with the upcoming draft.  Most notably running back.  The Steelers do not have a franchise RB on the roster right now and the time is ripe for them to pick one up similar to how they were in need of a franchise QB around the time of the ’04 draft.  No, there are no Jerome Bettis’ in this year’s draft, but the time is right for the Steelers to find their next star tailback.  Ben Roethlisberger is in the prime of his career, and for the first time in years the offensive line is not a priority or concern as they are the youngest group of the entire team.  They also note that with the signing of veteran backup QB Bruce Gradkowski and the fact that Charlie Batch or Byron Leftwich are still unsigned; the Steelers might be interested in picking up a late-round quarterback to be developed over the next few seasons as Ben’s backup.

John Harris of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review blames Tomlin’s drafts for the Steelers position right now.  The fact that the entire 2008 draft class is now gone makes that a pretty credible argument, but Tomlin’s 2010 draft class still remains strong with Pouncey, Antonio Brown, Jason Worilds, and Jonathan Dwyer still contributing to the team in big ways.  Harris also critique’s last year’s draft class which included players who are quite out of character for the Steelers organization.  Even before their recent incidents Chris Rainey and Alameda Ta’amu both had previous incidents during their college careers the Steelers should have been weary of.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explains how the Steelers decision to match the offer on Sanders could end up costing them in the long run.  The fact that the Steelers initially only tendered Sanders a third-round offer rather than a costlier offer tended to indicate that they didn’t think Sanders was worth that much.  Now they’ve contradicted themselves by matching the $2.5 million offer and must now try to sign Sanders to a deal most likely comparable to Antonio Brown’s deal in order for this move to pay out in the long run.

What are your thoughts, Steeler Nation?  What are the Steelers needs now that the Sanders mess is over with for the moment?

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‘Hey! That’s not what I meant when we made up that rule!!’
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Former Steelers offensive coordinator and Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt played a role on the NFL’s competition committee while he coached the Cards.  Whisenhunt’s out, and Rodger Goodell needed to fill the hole.  Enter Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.  On Tuesday, Tomlin received the call from The Rog that he was invited to be a part of this band of merry men responsible for shaping the ‘improvement’ of the game.

Tomlin joins the committee that consists of fellow coaches and GM’s and team presidents:  Falcons executive Rich McKay (the committee’s chairman), Rams coach Jeff Fisher, Cowboys executive Stephen Jones, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, Giants owner John Mara, Packers president Mark Murphy, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and Texans general manager Rick Smith.  Currently, there are no players on this committee, though players like Troy Polamlu highly suggest that players should become part of decision that affect the way the game is played.

I think Tomlin is a great fit for the committee.  Tomlin is a very smart and cerebral guy.  He seems to fit in well with a group that is of the same ilk – smart gents who don’t get caught up in the emotions of the game.  Even though he gets a bit of criticism to the way he coaches his football team on the field – aka poor game management – his smarts and critical analysis could serve very well on a committee that is in charge of shaping the game of football.  Committees like these need to move slowly and be very calculated, and I think Tomlin can help keep a group like that from jumping the gun on say proposing a rule that disallows ball carriers from lowering their head but continue to allow cut blocks on linemen.  Tomlin certainly is grateful for the nod.

I am humbled and honored to be selected to the Competition Committee by Commissioner [Roger] Goodell.  I am excited for the opportunity to help maintain and strengthen the NFL game, and I look forward to contributing any way that I can.

Could this, however, be a move by Goodell to get the most vocal team in the NFL to shut up when it comes to rule changes and enforcement?  Tomlin has now become part of the ‘establishment’ – an establishment that many Steelers have spoken out against since Goodell’s tenure as Commish.  It’s a pretty bold and brash analysis…. maybe even downright foolish.  But, I think it’s worth pointing out that the leader of Goodell’s biggest critic, the Steelers defense, is now working with and for a governing body in the NFL.  Maybe Goodell hopes the Steelers will be more willing to accept rule changes knowing that their head coach was a part in the change.  Then again, maybe not….

What are your thoughts on Tomlin’s accention to the competition committee?  And, do you think this bodes well or ill for the Steelers?