WE NEED STARTERS FROM THIS YEARS DRAFT.

Knowing how the Steelers usually redshirt their
draft choices for a couple years, I am afraid this policy
just won't work anymore around here. Our talent level
is just not up to par.Depending on what the Steelers
do as far as purging their salary cap. I could see atleast
3 new starters coming from this draft. Good luck Kevin Colbert
Coach T.Scouting department.You better hit a home run this time
or we are in big trouble of not making the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Here is hoping you draft exciting players, so we are not so boring to watch.

 

I think last year we saw the Steelers having a better interest in utilizing rookies. If the players are ready, I think more will be used than in the past.

 

we are rebuilding will take a couple of draft at least to fill a competitive team

 

Yup freak, you're right... but Steelers fans are spoiled and impatient.

However to keep in line with the original post, I agree. I think other than the Quarterback position, seeing the field early can only be a good thing. I was glad to see DeCastro get on the field last season even if he wasn't all that effective, just because it's good to get him out there early to start working out the kinks... Baptism by fire as they say.

I say start the rookies if they look like the best option, but Steeler nation needs to understand we have to give them time to grow.

 

Dick Lebeau needs to have more faith in younger guys. Cameron Heyward needs to be playing more. Either cut Kiesel and go with Heyward or let Heyward play over Ziggy Hood, because I think Heyward is the best player of the three, but he hardly gets any playing time.

 

living toronto and being a maple leaf fan, I'm trained for this, I can wait lol

 

There is only one way to FORCE DL to play young guys...don't give him other options on the roster. Period. We got maybe a combined 16 games out of our top 4 picks last year. Our 5th round pick was the first one to actually play most games and he didn't contribute but so much. We didn't have a 6th rounder, and 2 of our 4 7th rounders contributed.

In the coming year, Decastro and Adams are probably starters, Ta'amu is in the role McLendon was last year, Paulson will start of the year as the starter, and Beachum may either move to G and start or be the swing tackle. We will start seeing the impact of that draft in the coming year. If we can get contribution from 3-4 guys who we draft this year, we basically we see the impact of 2 drafts in just one season. I am excited about it actually.

 

i still think Hood, McClendon and Hayward should be the starters. Hood seems to play beeter when those other 2 guys are in the game with him.

 

We seem to play the younger guys on offense quicker than the defensive rookies. But I would label myself impatient right now. I understand we need time and a couple drafts to fill our needs and make this team younger, but I'm impatient because of Ben. Not too often where a team has a franchise QB who can win and take us to numerous super bowls. And Ben is not young any more, a couple years to make us competitive is a couple years off Ben's career...

 

You guys are crazy. Kiesel is the only one on the DL that's been producing and you want to cut/bench him?

I have no issue getting the young guys rotated in more, but Kiesel has been great.

 

I'm wondering if we're starting to see a shift. The league is emphasizing youth more than ever before. In the past 3-4 seasons, I think we've seen more rookie QBs and certainly more SUCCESSFUL rookie QBs than ever. College HCs are coming over and starting to win. A lot of these kids are simply stepping in and playing like vets. The Steelers haven't been shy about starting rookies on offense; as for the Steelers defense: it happens rarely.

 

I think I see a thread like this every off-season...

 

Yep. The Steelers are not under anymore pressure to draft starters in this year's draft then in past year's drafts.

 

I think you are sadly mistaken.

 

I don't think Colbert's sitting there every year thinking: "Hmm, well we could draft this guy, but he would be good enough to start straight away. Let's go for a lesser talent, so they can sit on the bench behind our 40 year-old starters for a bit."

Every draft we need to pick starters. Whether they start straight away is down to what happens in camp, not on the big board.

 

I'm pretty sure Colbert et al are looking at the big picture and not just 2013.

 

That is true, but there are a few positions he might do that....usually he has the luxury of filling in some gaps in the team with mid to low tier free agents. This year that will not be possible given the salary cap situation.

 

Haha, we could use a few starters from every draft. It's a very hit and miss science, but we seem to be missing more than we hit lately.

 

I would be happy if we had one starter out of this draft.

 

well i think the jury is still out on last years draft .. tops 3 players lost all, most or part of the rookie season to injury...one was cut for the domestic abuse.. which may be the FO fault.. and another may be cut for off field BS

HINES

 

We play plenty of rookies, it's just some kind of myth that we don't. Besides if every rookie starts then what does that say about the players we have.

 

You keep this guy for another year or two!! And start him!!

 

It's you who is mistaken. Talent wasn't the reason the team didn't make the playoffs. The 2 biggest reasons why the team didn't make the playoffs were injuries and turnovers. The team isn't as devoid of talent as you and others may believe. The team had the opportunity to win almost every game. A play here or there and this team would had made the playoffs.

It's an extreme view to believe that the team better hit a home run this time or we are in big trouble of not making the playoffs for the second year in a row. Fans that believe in extremes are often proven wrong. Oh and the Steelers drafted starters and contributors every year that Colbert and Tomlin worked together.

 

I guess we will have to agree to disagree.