Alex Highsmith...

I covered Highsmith while working for Charlotte sports and he’s a great guy with tremendous talent, he’s just raw. Stick with him because he’s going to be a stud. Seriously.

 

Was Marsh subbing in for Highsmith sometimes? I thought he looked good too...

 

Already looks better than Jarvis did the whole time he was with us

 

He's already shown more moves than Dupree had the first few years. He's got a motor and he's got some speed that sometimes he converts to power.

Once he adds a little more muscle and gets some bullrush to his game...I'm optimistic him and Watt could have some good years together.

 

Steelers Rookie of the year.

 

Dotson could be starting.

 

Claypool is a lock

 

We have one Watt to many right now, don't we?

 

I feel good about Highsmith. He's not near the athlete Bud is(freak), but he's got a great motor and some decent bend. They'll build him into a beast over the next couple years .

 

Highsmith was the top rated defender yesterday, according to PFF.

 

Personally I feel Bend is overrated for some guys. Especially for him. They have him listed at 6'4" he ain't bending that much on the edge. Worked great for Harrison and his 5'11" powerful body, but I don't think that's Highsmiths best option going forward. It also plays into the way they're not calling holds on the O-line this year. Bend all you want, we ain't calling it a hold.

Did you see his spin to the inside that forced the quick throw and INT?

I think he's got a great shot at just converting his outside speed rush into a power/speed rush with his frame and some more strength.

 

Hey steel_ben7.

I agree with all that you stated here. Like you, I think "disruptive" best describes Highsmith's play this past game. I just watched some of the replay of this past game. Again, Highsmith looked good. He was "close" on a number of plays and was constantly getting a push. I liked the pick when we drafted him. If he can keep this up going forward, I am feeling a bit more comfortable regarding the Dupree loss. He did a "spin" move on that one play that I would think has been talked about in this thread. He did not look like a rookie at all to me out there.

If Highsmith can "hold it down" moving forward, like he did today, this is going to be a very pleasant surprise as we move into the playoffs. Spillane has done a good job regarding the Bush situation and now hopefully Highsmith can do the same for the Dupree scenario.

If they can play this next game, I think Spillane and Williams both need to be out there. I would also have Highsmith and Williamson playing as well. Maybe a set count of snaps for all four of these guys. Spillane and Williams need to brush off some rust. Highsmith and Williamson just need to keep getting more and more time under their belts as they continue to gel with our Defense.

I see our Defense starting to come back around to "full-strength" as best as possible given the injuries over the past month or so. The timing of this is going in the right direction.

• The returning of Spillane and Williams is critical.
• We got Haden and Nelson back after a short injury layoff for each of those two. This is great.
• It seems that Highsmith and Williamson are starting to "feel-it" and getting more comfortable in there.
• The others on the Defense may need, and deserve, some rest.

STEELWINDS The East Side Kid

 

Most on here are comparing Highsmith to Bud and I can understand that as he is replacing Bud after he got injured. Compared to most rookie OLB in the Steelers system over the years Highsmith is miles ahead of where we could of expected him to be at this stage. He is after all a rookie third round pick from a small school program being forced into a starting roll on a contending team.
He has already shown he is not a one trick pony( like Bud for 3 yrs) with some nice rush moves and a high energy motor. Yes he has bit on some motion plays by mobile QB's but what rookie hasn't.
Seeing some improvement each game is a very good sign for such a young player put into a pressure situation.
I don't have any concern with him moving forward or replacing Bud full time if we lose him in the off season.

For all the hype around two other pre season all star LB's (UG3 & Adeniyi) Highsmith has actually performed and done it in real games as a rookie.
I don't think we could of asked for anything more at this point.

 

Agreed. I think some people read it as a criticism of Highsmith when I wrote about the loss of Dupree being such a big hit to the defense. It wasn't. He has done well this season, and he stepped up big time against the Colts. That said, it is important to remember he played most of the game Sunday against a third-string tackle. The Colts were already missing their starter, and the backup was hurt during the game. It is still great to see Highsmith generating some pressure. He has a great motor, a variety of pass rush moves, and the size and athleticism to be very good in the job.

He just isn't on the same level yet as Dupree, who has more natural ability and a lot more experience. The hit to the team's depth is also an issue. Starting Watt and Dupree while bringing Highsmith off the bench gave the Steelers a tremendous situation at outside linebacker. Last week, they were forced to give significant playing time to Marsh and Scales. Getting Adeniyi back helps a little, but it is a diminished unit.

 

Hey Kreighoff.

Yes, I do not get the hype around UG3 & Adenyi. Never did. They are B & G so I am down with them. Given that, and the way that some have pumped them up around here, I just do not get it. I liked the Highsmith pick back in the Draft. He has exhibited some top-quality play in the time that he has been given. He only seems to be getting better with each game. He was constantly in River's face this past game. He was very disruptive. If we are going to win it all this season, Highsmith, Spillane and Williamson are going to have to keep up what they have been doing and improving each game. I can honestly say that all three, up to this point, have been doing a terrific job. They understand their roles, play within their assignments and are supported extremely well by the guys that surround them when on the playing field.

I think this is in part to their athletic skill-sets, knowledge of the game, being fundamentally/technically sound and the seamless integration of them with the other members on the Defense when on the field. The supporting cast out there, to assist these three, really is a nice complimentary blend. As I stated back in the pre-season, this is one of the most complete Steelers' Defenses that I have seen in a long time. Especially the Secondary' which has historically been an issue. The time is now for this team. As I also stated back then, with Ben we are righteously in the middle of Super Bowl conversations.

This team can win it all as they are built for it.



STEELWINDS The East Side Kid

 

I was thinking Chase but when you think of Most Valuable Player it has to be HSmith for what he is asked to do.

Chase can take the top off and will be a game changer but if Smoth goes down who is up next? That guy that looks like birdman?

 

It isn't just who matters most to the team at this moment. The award goes to the rookie who contributed the most this season, and that is Claypool.

 

Gotcha..then there is no argument. I dont have the all 22 but I wonder of he is getting the safety to roll over already...

 

whose gonna build him into a beast next couple of years? the coaches or who? let me tell you something. the coaches in pittsburgh dont build anyone ive notice. each player builds themselves and pittsburgh is lucky at that. coaches dont even gameplan or prepare right. pittsburgh wins mostly off od talent and skill and that is why ee lose quite a bit too. talent, skill can only takes us so far. without proper good gameplan and preparation. forget about it.

 

Yeah it's just a coincidence Dupree got better once he got a legit OLB coach.