Monthly Archives: April 2014

Report: Steelers Showing Interest In RB Andre Williams

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The Steelers are reportedly one of four teams who are showing the most interest in former Boston College running back Andre Williams, according to the National Football Post.

Williams is an extremely productive runner, who hits the hole hard. You won’t see him leaving yards on the field. The Eagles senior was a rotational back his first 3 years at BC, but was basically the team’s entire offense last year. He had more rushing yards than any back in college football in 2013, finishing with 2,177.  Plays like the one below demonstrate how he manages to find extra yards.

Andre-Willams-Steelers

He was almost never targeted in the passing game at Boston College, but he’s an effective blocker. He shouldn’t need as much work in that regard as most backs do coming into the NFL.

The Heisman trophy finalist weighed in at 5’11”, 231 lbs at the combine. You’re probably saying, “…but, the Steelers signed Blount. They’re not going to draft a running back!” You don’t really think that…do you? If the right back falls, you can bank on them taking him.

Here are a couple of his games from last year. Thanks for stopping by and sharing on the interwebs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBLPvUDJkKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATTpEi_mOeQ

le'veon Bell

Kevin Colbert Subpoenaed In Mike Adams Stabbing Trial

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Defense attorneys for the alleged attackers of Mike Adams have subpoenaed Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. Alan Jennings of WPXI reported the news via Twitter this afternoon.

Apparently, defense attorneys want to see Mike Adams’ personnel file, in hopes that something within the file will harm the victim’s character. Attorneys previously claimed that Adams wasn’t being truthful, and that he “instigated” the attackers. Jerrell Whitlock, Dquay Means, and Michael Paranay were all charged with attempted homicide last year, on top of other charges.

The attack occurred last June, which led to Mike Adams needing surgery to repair a lacerated colon. He needed 33 staples in his stomach, but made a full recovery.

It remains to be seen whether or not the judge will allow any personnel files into evidence. During the pretrial, the judge seemed concerned about protecting the victim’s rights. Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for sharing on the interwebs.

steelers draft

Steelers Draft Visits Today: DE Hageman, CB Gaines, And TE Blanchflower

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The Steelers draft visits continue today as they host three more prospects. Minnesota DE Ra’Shede Hageman, Rice CB Phillip Gaines, and UMass TE Rob Blanchflower are all visiting the south side today.

The prospect who receives top billing out of that group is obviously Ra’Shede Hageman. Many Steelers fans will salivate over the visit, considering the depth at defensive line. Some analysts have suggested that Hageman could go as high as the middle of the first round, but that would be a reach in my opinion. As I’ve said before, I don’t see any 3-4 defensive end prospect in this class that would warrant the #15 pick.

Hageman is 6’6, 310 lbs and has some of the longer arms out of this year’s defensive line class. When I watched Hageman’s film, I saw flashes where he was a difference maker, but much more film of him looking average. When he’s cranked up, he can be a beast to block. He has an inconsistent motor though, which I would imagine would be a concern for scouts. He uses his long arms very well though, and had 8 pass broken up/batted down last year. He also blocked two kicks. Here he is against Wisconsin and Penn St.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHAXRtGJYU8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-Z-W_uxSHE

Former Rice CB Phillip Gaines is 6’0″, 193 lbs. He ran a 4.38 official 40 at the combine. In the 4 Rice games I watched, Gaines lined up almost exclusively in man to man near the line of scrimmage. He has really good ball awareness, which led to 9 passes broken up and 4 interceptions last year. He was targeted 40 times last season and allowed 13 receptions. He would be a great mid-round addition. Here are a couple of his games from 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_RCHLwMqns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q24dEr-UTFc

Rob Branchflower is 6’4, 256 lbs. Blanchflower had 313 yards on 27 receptions last year at UMass. The red shirt senior missed much of last year due to a bilateral sports hernia. The injury also kept him from participating in combine drills. Branchflower is considered a tough, hard worker on the field. Watching his film, you’ll see that he usually lines up with his hand in the dirt, and is an aggressive run/pass blocker. He could be a great late round/UDFA pick up. Here are a couple of his games. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, thanks for sharing on the interwebs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X0iewQ3cK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUFp6Wg1Sto

steelers draft

Report: Steelers Hosted Safety Brock Vereen Last Week

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The Steelers had former Minnesota Gopher safety Brock Vereen in for a visit last week according to ESPN radio. The 5’11”, 199 lb SS put on a good display at the combine, running a 4.42 40 yard dash (4.47 official). Vereen had 59 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, and 1 interception last year.

The defensive back was named to the All Big-Ten First team by coaches in 2013, and is the younger brother of New England Patriots running back Shane Vereen. Brock is considered a high character prospect, and has a high football IQ. He’s played both safety positions, and played cornerback until 2012. Here is his combine video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkVMH7iBPy0

Here are a couple of his games. Take note of where he lines up most of the time. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opk8yJZ2MnU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp2uU_KWZ6g

220px-Jack_Lambert_in_December_1975

DVR Alert: Steelers 1974 Draft Special On NFL Network Tonight

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The NFL Network will be airing a special on the Steelers 1974 draft class tonight titled “Caught in the Draft – 1974: The Future is Now”. The program airs from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm est, and replays at 1:00 am. The show is described as a behind the scenes story of how Pittsburgh drafted four future Hall of Famers in one draft.

The 1974 Steelers draft was not only the best draft class the Steelers ever saw, it was the best by any team ever. With the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th picks the team landed future hall of fame inductees Lynn Swann, Jack Lambert, John Stallworth, and Mike Webster.

In between Stallworth and Webster, UCLA DB Jimmy Allen was selected with the 100th pick and went on to have a very productive career with the Steelers, and later the Lions through 1981. He had 31 career interceptions.

Also noteworthy- Donnie Shell was signed as an UDFA after the draft, and went on to be a finalist for the hall of fame nomination. Playing for the Steelers through 1987, he totaled 51 career interceptions. Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

 

 

practice squad rules

[Rumor] NFL Expected To Announce Steelers Schedule On April 22nd

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According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk, sources tell him that the NFL is planning on announcing the 2014 schedule on April 22nd. His sources seem somewhat less confident in the article than in the headline, as he adds that the dates may shift to “Wednesday, April 23 or Thursday, April 24”.

We already know that the Steelers will face the Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Texans, Colts, Chiefs, Saints, and Buccaneers at home, and the Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Jaguars, Titans, Jets, Falcons, and Panthers on the road. Hopefully we’ll know the dates by the end of next week.

Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

238px-Adam_Podlesh

Steelers Sign Punter Adam Podlesh To One Year Deal

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The Steelers have signed veteran punter Adam Podlesh to a one year deal.

Podlesh was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 4th round of the 2007 draft. He signed a $10 Mil deal with the Bears in 2011, but was a cap casualty 10 days ago. His performance in Chicago last year left much to be desired. The former Maryland standout finished 29th in the league with his 37.9 net average in 2013.

Look, I know most people aren’t going to do cartwheels over this signing, but it’s risk free, and Podlesh will add a leg in camp competing with Brad Wing this summer. His base salary will be for the minimum of $855,000, but will count only $570,000 towards the cap due to the veteran minimum benefit.

After displacing a low $495,000 salary from the top 51, his signing could potentially move the salary cap needle by as little as $75,000. That number could go up as much as $65,000 depending on the signing bonus. The signing will leave the Steelers with roughly $305,000-$240,000 in cap space.

Thanks for stopping by, and as always, be sure to share with your friends.

practice squad rules

Report: Steelers Schedule Will Not Be Announced This Week

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It was widely believed that the NFL would be releasing the 2014 schedule at the end of this week. This assumption was based mainly on the fact that the league announced the 2013 schedule on Thursday, April 18th of last year. Well, NFL PR man Brian McCarthy announced via Twitter today that the schedule would not be released this week.


Last year’s announcement came a week before the draft. With the draft being pushed back two weeks this year, it seems reasonable to assume that the announcement of the 2014 schedule may follow a similar timeline.

steelers draft

Steelers Hosting CB Verrett, CB Richardson, And LB Crichton For Pre-Draft Visits

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The Steelers are hosting 3 more prospects for visits today. The three prospects are TCU CB Jason Verrett, Arizona CB Shaquille Richardson, and Oregon LB Scott Crichton.

Jason Verrett is a corner who I’ve long thought would be high on the Steelers radar. He’s got excellent coverage skills, he’s really fast, and he’s undersized. I know “undersized” isn’t a valued trait in a cornerback, but the Steelers have a penchant for small, fast corners. I don’t believe Verrett’s name gets mentioned in the top 5 corner discussion much, but it should be. If he were 2 inches taller, I’m sure most would say that he’d be gone before the Steelers pick in round one.

The almost 5’10”, 189 lb corner ran a 4.39 at the combine. He was limited at times during the 2013 season, as he played through a torn labrum. At the combine, Dr.’s said that he would not require surgery, but he elected to have it anyway. Before the surgery, he still managed 19 bench press reps at his pro day. He is expected to be ready by the time training camp rolls around. Here are a couple of his games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShK_qWUGQjU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPcwP2oFOl8

Shaquille Richardson is a mid round prospect out of Arizona. He impressed scouts during East-West Shrine Game practices, but was a surprise Combine snub. He’s 6’0, 194 lbs and runs 4.4x 40 yard dash. Richardson brings a possible character concern, as he was kicked out of UCLA in 2010 after being arrested for theft. He was also one of several players suspended after an on field brawl in 2011. Here are a couple of his games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0NGLGD50Bs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqLEYa0iRZ4

Former Oregon DE Scott Crichton is an interesting prospect. He doesn’t really fit into any specific position in a 3-4 in my opinion. In the games I watched, he was predominately lined up with his hands in the dirt at 5, 6 and 7 technique. He measured in at almost 6’3″, 273 lbs at the combine. The defensive lineman registered 7.5 sacks last year, and 9 in 2012. He also recorded 3 forced fumbles in 2013. It would be interesting to see how he is used in the Steelers scheme, though I imagine they will transition him to OLB. LaMarr Woodley was 6’2″, 266 coming out of college.

I enjoy watching Crichton play, as he has a great burst and can bull rush tackles back fairly easily at times. He will probably be drafted sometime on day 2. Here are a couple of his games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlc7xZetlzY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjnrvhhgl-s

Thanks for stopping by, and as always, share with your friends.

steelers draft

Steelers Hosted CB Roby, LB Pierre-Louis, and LB Bradford For Pre-Draft Visits

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The Steelers had CB Bradley Roby, LB Kevin Pierre-Louis, and LB Carl Bradford in for pre-draft visits today.

Roby is quite likely in the mix for the Steelers first round pick. Aside from a relatively low vertical jump, the former Ohio State cornerback had an excellent showing at the combine. The 5’11, 194 lb defensive back has all the traits the Steelers would covet in a corner- prototypical height, lightning fast speed, good ball awareness, and lots of experience playing zone coverage.

Having said that, if you watch enough of Roby, you’ll likely begin to have some concerns about how he’ll transition to the NFL. While watching him last year, there was one word that would ring in my head from time to time- discipline. Roby can be frustrating at times because he has a tendency to not wrap his man up when making the tackle, and will get overtly grabby when he’s being beat.

Here are two of his games, one good, one not so good.

Bradley Roby

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMjNxhpHFeM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whr1Cr9TW-M

Carl Bradford had 61 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss last year at Arizona State. The 6’1″, 250lb linebacker was a defensive swiss army knife for the Sun Devils. Here’s a couple of his games from last year.

Carl Bradford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b4T7KCuhI0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Y5TuNKh08

Kevin Pierre-Louis is a 6’0, 228 lb late round prospect out of Boston College. He amassed 108 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks last year for the Eagles. Pierre-Louis had the fastest 40 time of the linebacker group at the combine. In an interview after the combine, he told reporters that some teams asked if he would switch to safety- a position he’s never played.

Kevin Pierre-Louis

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HshbfGjDRLg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR0xsexwq-U