Is Shazier getting a reputation as being soft?

I don't know if he's soft but he has definitely seemed injury prone. I think of "soft" as guys that don't want to go across the middle or make the sacrifice of their body for a big play. Things like that. Some considered Shazier undersized didn't they? Also Jarvis is considered that too right? But Tomlin said that he thinks backers like Shazier are the way of the future because the speed of the game is increasing and maybe an unforeseen consequence of taking these guys that need to "bulk up" and all that is that their bodies can't hold up playing the position they are. Dupree looks much more like a traditional backer to me and he seems to be holding up fine. Maybe Shazier just doesn't have the frame for the game. I hope he's not soft though because for a Steelers lb to be soft would pretty much collapse our whole scheme. We are obviously all about the lb.

 

Dupree seems to take bad angles. There have been multiple times this year that he has just flat out overshot the qb. He has multiple sacks from completely behind the qb. I think when he learns how to best get to the qb they had better look out because he will be lowering the boom.

 

To me the shoulder injury was a freak injury and would have been very tough to play through. Timmons didn't play much when he was a similar size to Shazier so we don't know if he would have got beaten up or not. If Shazier adds another 8-10 pounds again this off season he will be fine. I'm not knocking a guy or holding a concussion against him. 5-10 years I would have held it against him but I guess getting older and knowing a lot more about them it's different. Makes me regret playing through the ones I did. Shazier Will be fine and will grow into a hell of a player soon enough. Didn't Tomlin compare Shazier to Timmons?

 

I don't think he's soft, he might be injury prone though.

 

Am I the only one who thinks that our inside LBs are better when we have Timmons and rotating Spence/Williams? There is no doubt that Shazier has had one or two good games in his short career, but Timmons/Spence/Williams seem to be very good together.

Perhaps Shazier takes over for Timmons in a few years? I am not sure because Timmons is much different and honestly a much better ILB. I know you guys think Shazier is a super start, but Timmons is really underrated. He has been our most essential defensive player for many years and is today. I don't see Shazier as being able to replace or do what Timmons does.

I would see if there is trade potential to possibly land a good corner or safety, or possible a high draft pick for Shazier. I know that the Steelers likely wont do that, but we are honestly loaded at ILB right now, plus Spence/Williams are more durable.

Final thought, can we give some praise to Spence? How many massive injuries did he have and he is still able to play and produce for us? A great story and even better football player. He was drafted to do essentially what Shazier was drafted to do. Although even after major injuries, Spence seems to be much more durable.

Count me in as one who supports Timmons and Spence/Williams as our ILBs for the next few years.

 

Not soft but injury prone. He has big hits and is one of the best in the business when he's healthy

 

Getting??? C'mon Man!

 

Yes, it's a coincidence. Rookies play well all over the league and vets get hurt all the time. Shaz is soft. Hopefully he gets tougher.