Shazier and Thomas

I know our team is having their best season in years so not the greatest time to be thinking of next year. But, I can't help but worry or have concerns about our Secondary heading into the playoffs. I know some have brought this up and I really do not see the organization/coaching staff doing this but could or should Shazier be moved to safety? Kam Chancellor is similar in size and Shazier is actually more athletic. What would everyone think about a Shazier/Thomas combo at safety?

 

When was this mentioned to Lake? I hadn't heard about that.

 

Hm I never heard that.

 

canchellor is two inches taller .. but i could see shazier at safety ..

 

Thank you for the WELCOME Admin.!! I guess I should have introduced myself......always come here and read everyones posts so I didnt consider this as my first time on this board? I am a High School Teacher in Washington State. I have been a Steeler fan from the day I started watching football as my dad became a fan watching the great 70s Steelers.

I do not want to sound like I think Ryan Shazier wasn't a good pick as a Inside Linebacker. I do have concerns already about his durability at that position though. The way I see it....he either needs to put on some weight to withstand the typical wear and tear a ILB takes (much like Timmons did) or keep the same body type and become a real THUMPER at Safety. Thought?

 

we will se on the draft day .. if they don't look at ss could be a signal

 

Welcome aboard steel curtain. I kinda of like the idea because we are week at safety and we have Timmons, Williams and Spence who could handle the middle linebacker position. Although I don't think they will do it I think he could be good at it.

If he stays where he's at, he definetly needs to bulk up along with Jones.

Question of the year???? How good is Shamarko at safety???? Nobody outside of the coaching staff knows because we haven't seen him play!!!!!

 

He has the straight line speed , not sure about the change of direction or agility. Maybe in a Troy type safety role...I see both Mitchell and Shamarko the same way,more in the box. Which still leaves us a glaring hole in the ball hawking FS department.

I whole heartedly agree on your second point. I think we should be using Shazier's versatility more including bringing him off the edge. I brought up the point in the "Timmons to OLB" thread from a couple of weeks ago and was met with some "differences of opinions". Like you said though the key to our success and the best chance we have to make some real noise the rest of the way is to pull out all the stops.

 

I missed that and could very well be just the move for him . I am not sure Shamarko is going to cut it . Maybe we can move Shazier and Allen to the Safety spots ?

 

I thought he'd done ok up to now, given the limited playing time - what are your main worries about him?

 

Just doesn't seem physical enough for my liking and of course staying hurt has knocked a many a good player out of a nice career . Not convinced of his Football IQ either , he has been a healthy scratch a lot .

 

Shazier and Thomas are both injury prone, and no I don't see him moving to safety he probably needs to get stronger to play ILB though.

 

Interesting point about the football smarts. Can't comment on that, but it would explain the healthy scratches given out problems at DB.

I'd not noticed a problem with his physicality. Of course, we need to see him on the field a bit more to tell...

 

Did Shazier miss a lot of time in college too?

 

As a Buckeye fan who watched almost every game he played at OSU, I can't recall a game he missed due to injury. If he did it wasn't more than a half or a single game. I don't get how he is "injury prone" as a rookie. Bell was labeled the same way last season too. I don't get it.

 

Shazier is a next generation LB. With all the receiving TE's and the pass happy rules, LB's are going to get smaller and faster. He will stay at ILB and be a good one.

 

Good point. In the Liars pass happy fantasy land this is the truth. Thomas should be taking Troy's spot next season but Will Allen could be the starter. Mitchell needs to cover better.

 

will allen is going to be 34 years old. time to move away from him also.

 

Good luck convincing Tomlin of this. LOL!