Clowney or Bridgewater

So let's just say for the heck of it the Steelers end up with the #1 pick next April (or May now, whatever). I know they won't, and if anyone tries to start some argument about how that won't happen I might leave the board forever!

What would you want them to do?? Here's my thoughts on both...

Clowney is being called the Andrew Luck of defensive prospects, and many GM's agreed that he's the best defensive prospect in the past 10 years, with Mario Williams and Suh being the only ones close. He would obviously be an OLB in our scheme, and while he'd definitely have to learn to drop back, he's a freak athlete that I think would have no issues. We're obviously pretty set at the position, but maybe you let Woodley walk, or you move Jarvis Jones inside? I think Jones is a lot like Timmons early on so it doesn't seem crazy to me.

Bridgewater, while not one of the best prospects in a while, has a lot to like, and the looks of an NFL franchise QB. He reminds me a little of Donovan McNabb (moreso later in his career when he became a pocket passer). He has good (not great) size, a strong arm, he's smart, and he can move well enough. Obviously we have Ben, but I'm argued on here MANY times, that just taking a later QB to coach up for several years doesn't work. I think you have to get your QB in the first round, and with so many teams reaching, the top half of the first round. We don't pick high often, so do you grab that next stud QB while you can and let him sit behind Ben for a year or two? Or trade Ben?

 

I'm not advocating doing this, but trading Ben might provide the fastest return on investment. Assuming that Bridgewater is a legit franchise qb then the return from trading Ben would do three things. First off it would provide immediate cap relief. Secondly the king's ransom ofdraft picks would allow them to really address major areas of concern. Last, but not least they could use some of the cap savings to further address areas of concern via free agency. With all of that being said it's never gonna happen.


[video=youtube;0E_zkH1CMe0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E_zkH1CMe0&noredirect=1[/video]

 

I guess it's... Do you try to you blow it all up and take the QB for cap relief and draft picks... Or do you grab a stud defender to try and win another ring before the end of Ben's career.

I think I'd go Clowney and either move Jones inside, or use the 3 OLB's in a rotation. Clowney could probably play some DE in our scheme... He's huge (6'6 274)

 

If you're in a position to get clowney, then you would be an absolute fool not to take him..... any gm that passes on clowney, I can all but guarantee will unemployed after said season.... offenses change their schemes to account for clowney .... such a qb, doesn't exist inthis upcomming draft......


That said, words would not be able to express my dissapointment if we were in a position to draft clowney without a trade ......

 

Positional value though.

Would you rather have a Brady, Manning, Brees, Ben, Ryan, Stafford... Or a Mario Williams, J.Peppers, D.Ware, J.Allen?


I agree with you, just devil's advocate. I go with Clowney because I think there's a better chance he turns out like one of the above names, than Bridgewater does... I'm just saying if the ceiling is there to have an elite QB, you gotta think about it.

 

To me drafting anyone on defense at this point is just spinning our wheels. We have to fix the oline or having a great defense is pointless. We're paying a qb $100,000,000 if we don't give him some protection than his abilities and the team's dollars are wasted. I don't care how many high draft picks we've used in the past it's still broken and has to be fixed.

 

i'd draft neither. I draft Cameron erving from florida st. as my new LT. whatever we have to trade, give up, barter, steal or cheat it needs to get done.

gilbert is one of the biggest mistakes we have made. foster is not LG material.

when you want to rebuild a line in the pro's you start with a LT. who uses a first round pick on a right guard to rebuild a line? Colbert only.

 

How about trading the #1 pick to someone else and getting their first round pick in the 2015 draft in that trade deal? I don't know much about college football, but is Manziel as good as the hype (and assuming he comes out as a junior)? Use the rest of the 2014 draft to fix the offensive line, and grab a corner.

Then again, I don't know nearly as much as most of you guys do about college football. My idea might seem really dumb.

 

Didn't Cooper and Warmack go in the top ten to teams that needed OL help?

 

you've missed the point. RG is one of the least first round worthy need on any O-line. not just a guard is a guard is a guard.

they are mobile picks those two. very LG capable in the right system. warmack was one of the top guards but as advertised, not a good candidate for a mobile zone blocking scheme that a team is trying to install. he would be fine in our older set as a mauling guard able to pull in a short area on traps.

again it's matching up player to player and those players to the system you want to run.

 

I think we still need to address the oline. Again. But if Clowney is there you have to take him.

 

and play him instead of who? we are trying to cut down some of the money being paid at OLB. so now we want two first rounders and Woodley and one of those would be a backup. not going to happen. it's the offenses turn anyway. i'd be all about kyle van noy in the 2nd maybe to replace worilds.

 

If DL is truely turning our d-line loose I don't see why we couldn't leave Clowney as DE in our scheme.

However I do agree that we need to fix our offense. Just don't know that any of the LT prospects are the right guys.

 

I like Cameron erving a whole lot. he could fit the bill.

 

Just read a quick bio on him. He is a converted DT? Not saying he wouldn't be a good fit since I still haven't seen him play but I would think he lacks the experience and the technique to really come in and help. and just based on what we've done recently with offensive linemen in "coaching them up" (Gilbert, Adams Pouncey and even Decastro) I would think we would need someone that doesn't need a whole lot fixed.

 

you will enjoy watching him play. yes he was converted from DL. as a freshman he played DL and was moved to LT as a sophomore. he played LT all last year and so far this year. usually when converted they don't usually go right to the LT spot. he's that good though. not much to fix with him. strong, great feet, mirrors his man the whole way and can run block just as well. he has that nasty DLineman temperament too. i'd take two of him.

 

I'd probably soil myself if we got Clowney...

 

Me neither. Whether it's fair or unfair I just consider them gimmicky.

 

You wouldn't want to do that. It's NOT all it's cracked up to be.

 

Defense, defense, defense.......... Clowney all the way.......

 

With the way this team is looking... This is looking more and more like a possibility.

 

I think I would be in the minority here.

First, I don't think we need the QB yet. Ben has another 4-5 years in him, at least I hope. If I am wrong....well we will be back drafting someone again anyway.

Second, as much as like Clowney (and being in Charlotte I hear A LOT about him) I think he isn't a good fit here in Pittsburgh and his natural skills would rot away. He can't stand up as an OLB and is not suited to play a DE in our system. Unless we switch to the 4-3, which is the perfect defense for him, than I don't see him fitting here.

As things stand right now, my position would be to move down a couple of spots after creating a bidding war and add some additional high picks to the team. The cost to acquire a top 5 pick in the draft is crazy. Don't rock the boat by trading Woodley or Ben, trade the pick and add a stud LT and other things as well, like maybe a Big WR and a 2nd TE for this team.

In addition, I think it is important to point out, that picking in the top 5 impacts more than just the first round. The other rounds are going to get you higher talent in addition.