Our newest olb

I read recently that Demarvin Leal was being permanently moved to OLB.... Word is that he has added muscle and has slimmed down to 275 lbs....
This definitely looks like a reclamation project, and that the coaches have given up on him playing anywhere on the D-line....
I personally don't see this move as being productive.. Leal, while athletic, lacks the closing speed needed to be effective in the pass rush.. while the weight loss may help in that regard (and i believe he really needs to lose at least10 more lbs), I'll have to see it in action first... he may be better at setting the edge in run defense, but I don't think he's ever done anything in coverage in his entire football career....
This is clearly a make or break move, and if it doesn't work, his time in black and gold will be over.....
On the other hand, if it does work, our rotation will be incredible with Watt and Highsmith starting (High Wattage anyone????) and Herbig, Leal, Golden coming in would be literally unblockable...
Stay tuned

 

I had hoped that Leal would turn out to be a game-wrecking, hybrid like Terrell Suggs who could play OLB and DE. It never materialized.

 

Agreed.


That said, me, @mac daddyo, @mikeyg and others wanted that transition done after his Rookie Campaign. If anything, that is when the transition should have taken place for it has become even more clear that Leal has been playing out of position.



As for the likes of the weight loss (if true), 275 is way too much unless the team wants him that way. Generally speaking, Pittsburgh usually has their 3-4 OLBs no more than 265 historically; Bud Dupree and Taco Charlton both being outliers at 275 and 270 respectively. If he is actually going to be a permanent switch, losing more weight will be key.

 

The last stop to salvage his statis. Really has been a disappointment and still don't know what Colbert and Tomlin were thinking when they drafted him.

Could be a cut or practice squad bound.

 

Where did you hear this? I hadn't seen anything regarding this move.... TBH the only thing I have seen on Leal so far this year is that he is playing well. Maybe I missed something in between all the Aiyuk speculation?

 

It was reported on NBC sports, with quotes from Leal

 

Same here. The only thing I head about Leal was that he was having a great camp.

If this report is true, my guess is he will end up cut. There is no way I can see Leal being a productive OLB in this defense.

 

https://steelersdepot.com/2024/08/h...-that-he-understands-the-playbook-a-lot-more/

 

I understood from what I read Leal will play OLB in tonight's pre-season game. I haven't seen anything that says permanent move to OLB. Not saying he's not, just I have not seen that.

 

They thought he would break out in the system. I think having him split time OLB and DE the first year hampered him though. I whish they would stop doing that to these guys and have them play their best position. I get looking for guys that "can" adapt, but at what expense? They did it with every OL they drafted as well and we see how that turned out!

 

He really never fit the system. Now they are giving it the college try to see if something sticks with the OLBer nonsense. He will be the odd man I believe.

Your right just get players that fit the system and I do believe that Khan and Weidl are doing just that.

 

https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-p...-on-reserve-retired-list-after-51-sack-career

Markus Golden retired. I don't know if that has anything to do with Leal.

 

I just read where Golden retired, so they are still searching for a compliment to Nick Herbig on the Bench. Herbig gets a big knock for not being able to defend against the run, and I would think Leal could be an upgrade over Herbig in short yardage run situations.

 

They have some injuries at OLB, and Watt isn't going to play and they need Leal for depth tonight.

 

Leal has done a decent job tonight. Mostly the errors are making Pittsburgh look like crap. Herbig or Fields or both sucked. Quez dropping a punt and fumble. Austin should have caught that ball.. It was not too high.

 

I would argue that said performance was Leal's best to date honestly. Seemed much more relaxed and confident than he was last preseason. However, it is important to note that it does take Interior Defensive Lineman three years to get the hang of things.


Not every one of them can be like a Jalen Carter or a Keeanu Benton.

 

Tomlin and Colbert made a mess of this roster , for many years. a real mess....