Nose Tackle a priority

I probably will get a huge negative response from this post, but I think going into next year, we need to draft a stud nose tackle (ala Casey Hampton). I know many feel that DBs are top priority for next year's draft, but trying to draft a shutdown CB like Rod Woodson or Mel Blount is a crapshoot. I think picking up as solid NT can be achieved if we're picking around the middle (15th) pick in the draft (assuming we go 8-8).


In the last draft, people were upset that we didn't take Darqueze Dennard. But I noticed that Dennard is 3rd team on the bengals depth chart. I think CB is the 2nd most difficult position to draft (after QB). Even picking up a CB in the top 5 picks is not a sure thing. Sometimes it is all luck (Richard Sherman in the 5th round).

I think pickup a stud NT is more of a sure thing. I would have loved to have gotten Dontari Poe of the Chiefs. I think we missed him by couple of spots ahead of us couple of years ago. I would have give up our 1st and 3rd to move up couple of spots get him. he is a stud.

After watching Saints run all over us, I like sure up the run defense. I think this can be fixed sooner than the DBs.

 

i like Terry Williams, NT, East Carolina
Height: 6-1. Weight: 353.

possible 3rd round

 

perfect size

 

I agree with you on drafting a NT high. If we are going to draft a position high it needs to be OLB. We need pass rushers in the worst way. I don't have any hope for Jarvis Jones. I know he was playing well before he got hurt but he doesn't WOW me. Maybe he will but we need another two pass rushers because Worilds and Harrison won't be back next year.

 

i agree on the need just i don't see who can be picked and be a sure thing at olb

fowler maybe ?

 

Yeah maybe but we need to draft at least two, sign two undrafted free agent OLBs and sign a free agent OLB. Out of the five it gives us more chances to find a gem.

 

we can put eleven pass rusher on defense someone should get to the qb

 

I wonder if there is a NT, CB, or LG who is sitting on a practice squad somewhere that the Steelers could pick up now. If, they are going to make a run, something needs to change.

 

It is time to scrap the 3-4 we just dont have the personnel for it. When a 36 yr old can come out of retirement and be your best pass rusher you are in trouble. Harrison will most likely be gone,Worilds isn't worth the money. Who does that leave us a unproven Jones and a journeyman in Moats? The strength of the 3/4 is supposed to be OLB pass rushers and that is a weakness. So.....it's time for Tomlin to put his stamp on this team ,actually its overdue. We all know the definition of insanity.....time for a change. All good things come to a end. Problems aren't solved by the same level of thinking that created them.

sure would of been nice if we didn't just let two of our promising young guys walk.

 

I am still of the belief that our first priority in the next draft is cb, followed by ot.. the first 2 rds., should give us a great choice on both...... i'd like to see what McCullers brings with a yr. under his belt

 

BUT if there's a sure fire Casey Hampton type of guy available would you think it was still a reckless pick? I would like to have a NT too but I think the first is probably high. I've actually, in moments of frustration, said I wish we would take one in the first but I know it would be a little odd. I do miss Casey though as I'm sure most people do.

 

I would not be against switching to the 4-3.

Ron Cook on Pittsburgh's 93.7 indicated today that LeBeau will retire, or be asked to retire after this season. Time for a fresh approach. His scheme is not effective anymore. He can't adjust to the personal or scale down his complicated scheme. That's why old vets are held on to. It's just time to go Coach LeBeau.

 

Is he a "reputable source"? Did he indicate who might replace him?

 

Lebeau might retire, but Butler will be the defensive Coordinator, unless Tomlin is given free reign to go with Tampa 2, assuming he wants a Tampa 2, Steelers will stick with a 3-4.

There are a lot of defenders for Mclendon here, but the NT position is really important in a 3-4, if he isn't all-world I can't see how you can have a good defense.

We have a lack of talent all over the place. Worlids is not earning his paycheck, Jarvis is a huge question mark, and have little to no depth at OLB.

Spence and Williams are average at best.

Our back up developing DE's on the PS got raided, and our safties and CB's stink.

Only bright spot looking into the future is Tuitt and Heyward IMO.

 

if we switch to 4 -3 who are the d.ends ?.. we still don't have pass rushers ...

 

to me the choices for the first rd pick are only 3 : olb cb ot in this particular order

 

HoJo looked like he at least had technique on the edge and he was always around the ball. Why do you cut these types of guys and then rationalize that they aren't on another team yet as to why they aren't good enough?


The guy was a rookie and 6'4" at 234 maybe a little light at OLB, but he has room to grow.

 

at olb you go with hojo and jj and maybe moats +an eventual draft pick .. ok (they have to be tested but you have personell). but if we switch to 4.3 as the poster suggest , who are the d.ends ?

 

I can't see that anyone else signed him. He's still out there, when do you bring him back?

 

True we have oversized DE's to play the 3-4. Heyward weighs in at 288 a little weighty but I can see him being a pass rushing DE.

McClendon NT and Tuitt DT can handle the middle then look to the draft and FA for DE's. McCullers will be used in rotation for NT or DT .

Any switch will take at least 2 years. Anything can be better then what is on the field now.

I'm not pushing for the change to 4-3, but this team needs a fresh approach. It's not going to come with LeBeau.

 

sorry i don't understand you

 

Yes he is a Sport Columnist for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and does sports radio for Pittsburgh's 93.7

He mentioned no replacement but feels that LeBeau will be asked to retire or be made to.

 

That is what you call getting "BA'd" LOL.