Shaq Lawson

Shame on you for mentioning LW!!!!!!

I feel the same way about Dodd who I think would be the perfect bookend to Dupree... Would give us a 4-3 look when needed and and could standup and drop of needed.

Problem is it doesn't work out, the quality of CB drops off in the 2nd & 3rd rds more than the DL so CB 1st then DL 2nd ... As far as safety 4th rd talent isn't much different than 2nd & 3rd rd... In fact there isn't a safety I'd take in the 1st rd over the other talent.

I do agree that OLB is a need with Harrison departing SOON and JJ not really living up to his billing. In fact ILB is getting thin with both Timmons & Williams entering into the end of their contracts. Ragland 1st RD anyone??

Decisions decisions!!!!!

Trade back from the 1st and trade up into the 4th/5th

Cajun

 

Pass rusher is definitely in play. I guarantee if Lawson is around at 25 he will be at least considered. There really aren't any safeties I'd be okay with at 25, and there's no guarantee any of the corners worthy of pick 25 will still be available. If that's the case come draft day, I wouldn't be at all shocked to see us go with an edge rusher or a guy like Billings. We can't get locked in on a certain position. Let's see how the draft unfolds and take the best player still available to us come play DL 25.

 

whomever it is has to start. i don't want a pass rush specialist to only come in on passing downs. that guy would have to replace JJ or don't pick that spot. then we have to figure out what to do with JJ. we wouldn't have a 1st round backup i wouldn't think. now if we go OLB, then we go for a guy that can play on the edge or move inside if needed. (if shazier or timmons gets injured) maybe a guy like lee. this way i think it would be more justified getting that type of player that could give us a replacement or eventual starter at any LB'er spot. maybe lawson or dodd could be that guy at OLB and DE if tuitt or heyward goes down. i'm just not sure they are that versitile.

 

I think with them not re-signing McClendon and Big Dan not really a starter, if Billings is there at #25 that's their pick.

 

I just don't see Lawson as an OLB in our 3-4 base. He is much better suited for DE in our nickel/4-3 looks, which is good because we are moving toward that anyway. He shouldn't be asked to drop in coverage as an OLB. He should definitely be in consideration for our first rounder imo. He will improve the pass rush, he sets the edge well and is good in run support. The only stickler would be his options in the base defense. At 280 or whatever he weighs now, DE may not be an immediate option but with time and strength training it could happen down the road as a rotation.

 

I see Dodd in the same way as I see Lawson and would also consider him in the first. He is an older prospect and we know the Steelers usually don't go that way, but you never know. Could they both play OLB in a pinch, yes I'm sure, but they're much more suited for DE imo. Dupree had a lot more experience dropping into coverage at Kentucky.

 

I totally understand what your saying. I've watched Lawson the entire year and you know I've dreamed of him in black & gold. Everyone knows what I want to do with our first round selection but I know exactly how you feel.

 

Lawson seems like a brick wall against the run. The type of guy who could return us to our run defense stoutness of yester year.

 

Now you' ve got wanting to go back and watch more plays to focus on Dodd. LOL.

But you think Lawson is lacking in quickness and technique? I see a guy who diagnosis plays and knows where the ball is going to be to make plays. I see plenty of quickness. Or is it anticipation? I'm not familiar with Bullard; going to have to do more homework because I'm definitely interested in doing something in the 3rd round to address the OLB/DL positions.

 

Gotcha!

 

I guess I just don't see either as a fit for the PGH Steelers.

 

i think the old way of the blitzburgh 3-4 is going away quickly. these guys fit in the mold of the new sub package that we are transforming towards. not a true 4-3 but not a true 3-4 either. big guys that can run on the edges. big guys that can run not necessarily 300+lb'ers from the interior. fast ilb'ers that run like safeties and big good tackling corners at safety might be the new normal.

 

I never said that these 2 ball players weren't good, can they drop back in coverage on a RB/TE?

 

they shouldn't be asked to do that in this defense. they are almost exclusively run stuffers and pass rushers. the rb's and te's are left to the ilb'ers and safeties.

 

Not to mention Lawson is a pain bringer.

 

I think it is pretty hard to change a leopards spots.

 

it started before DL left and butler took over. the league has forced it. if they are going to pass 65% of the time, you better be able to play pass 65% of the time.

 

I agree.

 

I think the consensus is going to be in the secondary in this draft at least according to art rooney, I think a DT will be drafted after round 2 but probably not before then, I think the logical move to address the secondary would be a corner or a safety in round 1 and round 2, the window of opportunity for the steelers to win another lombardi is now, so we must fix the weakest link on this team to make it happen.........

 

What your saying is logical; and that's what worries me. LOL. I'd still like for them to sign a veteran safety (Nelson) to help groom the youngins and also allow Mitchell to go down in the box and play SS some; which I think he's more suited for. Let Nelson and Mitchell start at the safety positions and because their veterans, they should be able to get on the chemistry faster then if there was a rookie safety starting.

 

I'd like for them to sign a vet safety too, but I don't think it's happening. Plus moving Mitchell to SS would worry me a bit because he has proven over his career that he is a much better FS in Carolina and here in the Burgh than he was a SS in Oakland. Maybe just playing for Oakland explains the struggles, but there's no doubt that the switch to FS in Carolina jump started his career.

It's starting to look more and more like a SS and a CB early in the draft. Golden and the rookie compete for the starting job and the rookie corner sits until he's ready to contribute. Gay Cockrell and Golson will start at corner. It wouldn't even surprise me if Golson got a chance to start outside too. We don't have to wait much longer to find out tho. Less than a month away