CBs...

I think we all believe that the Steelers must come out of the draft with 2 CBs. I have been looking a LOT at Gilbert thinking he could be an option. After looking at a bunch of the new mocks...I have a question.

Would you be okay with coming out of the draft with Desir and Purifory? I think with our 3rd comp pick and 4th pick they may both be options. Thoughts?

 

If we end up with Evans and Hagaman (or Nix, even) in Rounds one and two, I'd be okay with it.

 

I like Gilbert too Tarheel. I think if he is there at 15, he has to be the pick regardless of who else is there. Desir and Purifoy are both pretty good options though. With Ike signed for one more year, it would give our CB's a year where they don't necessarily HAVE to contribute right away... However, I'd rather snag one of the top tier guys in the first two rounds (Gilbert, Dennard, Fuller, Roby) and just plug them in at #2 and let Gay play Nickel CB. I think the top tier guys are capable of being starters right away. Desir and Purifoy might need a little time. JMO.

 

Just as an opinion, Gilbert is the ONLY CB who I think has a chance to start year 1 for us. I really like him, but I don't think he is going to be there. To me the option of these 2 guys may be a good fall back plan.

 

i could see several of the top guys being good enough to start for us. we have that luxury of ike, gay and lake helping them out which bodes well for us. thats alot of teaching knowledge of this defense around them. i like watkins over purifoy too. they want to add speed for sure so desir may be a stretch with the imminant need we have. i think it will take him a little longer in the system. similar to cortez coming out of the citidel. gaines is definately a sleeper under the radar guy that is quite good at the position. there was always talk about the pouncey brothers playing here together, i wouldn't mind the watkins brothers either.

 

Gilbert & Dennard are day one starters. We MUST take whichever one of these are there @ # 15.

A debate will ensue on the next 3 top CBs but I feel Roby,Verrett & fuller should be there. Verrett is too short to play Megatron and other # 1 WR but I believe he'll shut down every slot WR in the league.

Now that we're in a passing league, so to speak and with the AFCs giants in NE & Denver loading up we must be prepared to pressure the QB and cover multi WR.

If Verrett's size drops him to rd 2 for us we'd be set for years.

Gilbert/Dennard Rd1 & Verrett Rd 2 would absolutely solidify our secondary for years. Then Gay could move safety and we can move forward from Golden.

OLB & DL & WR could be addressed in Rds 3,4,5 with RB & ??? coming in 6th & 7th rds.

Cajun-

 

With our defense, I'm not sure ANYONE is a day one starter for us. Even if they are capable, I doubt even Gilbert would start.

 

Probably not over Gay and Allen, especially at first. But I think Dennard would be the best choice for potential year-one starters on our D later down the road. Coming from Mich State and their ferocious, prideful defense he may have the wherewithal to understand his role and the "team" concept more than others.

 

No way they can't wait until the 3rd to pick a CB, they would miss out on the top tier CB's. They need to draft one in either the 1st or 2nd.

 

I agree with that on the surface, but the reality may be something different. So Gilbert and Dennard go before pick 15. Fuller, Roberson, and Roby go before our 2nd round pick...now what?

 

watkins. he's the better pick of the florida boys. keeping an eye on phillip gaines too later.

 

seems they are looking at speed too, and the injury thing has got to weigh in. hawthorne last year. mcfadden. they may be a little gun shy. the speed thing may weigh in too. ike was fast, but since slowed down. cortez and gay were not burners by any stretch of the imagination. mitchell and thomas are burners picked up as safeties. we do need some speed added at the corners. i think roby fits the bill. DL's played there too, if that factors in.

 

There will be other CB's available in the 2nd besides those guys. You have to remember if we get a 3rd that's at the end of the 3rd compensatory, they need to get a CB before then.

 

Concerning Dennard I respectfully disagree. He is not a miss tackle machine.

Here's what I've seen from watching his game film and NOT highlite reels.

In coverage- he's good, very good in either press or off-man. He'll get in the WR hip pocket and gets his head turned around quickly to play the ball. He uses his hands a lot and will get some pass interference calls in the NFL until he learns how NFL reps calls the game.

Blitzing- Off the corner he's quick and effective and a willing blitzer, shows no fear or hesitation but can get caught up by a good blocker.

Run support- He quickly recognizes the run and comes up quickly to make the tackle. Now in this is where I see the weakest part of his game. Again he's a willing tackler and hitter. In fact he's more of a hitter than tackler and instead of wrapping up more often the attempts to lay the wood. Some success and some failures.

Dennard is NOT a Safety or LB but a solid cover corner with great hands ( former WR ) but he has the heart of a safety. Its much easier to teach an aggressive and willing tackler/hitter better tackling techniques than it is to teach cover skills. He'll come in here and they'll work on and focus on his wrapping up the runner and then you'll have a pro-bowl corner. Looking down the road he's the type of Corner when his coverage skills start to diminish he'll shift to safety and still be a solid valuable member of your defense. ( Ike won't make that transition like woodson & Lake did ).

If we pass on Dennard @ #15 ( assuming Gilbert is gone ) we'll live to regret it.

Cajun-