Louis Nix-?

I think another Safety is a bigger need than CB.

We have 3 solid guys in Ike, Gay, and Cortez.

 

I bet Ike gets cut this year. Saves us 7 mil in cap space, and he was really bad last year. I love Ike, and he has been a very good CB for many years... but he is done. Honestly we need a CB that can start right away, or play nickel (depending on whether or not he beats out Gay/Allen) AND another CB that can play ST's and provide decent depth as the back up nickel back.

With that being said, we need a Safety really badly too haha Troy is really the only safety worth a damn on the roster., and he might not be here for a whole lot longer. Shamarko will have a chance to prove himself this year, and Golden/DVD are only serviceable as ST players. We would be in trouble if either had to play a significant role on our D. I say CB, WR, and FS should be our first three picks in any order. All three rookies would have a legitimate shot at seeing the field as a rookie.

 

our first round choice could be :

NIX or DIX

 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Ike take a pay cut. He's spent his whole career here, he's like a son to Dan Rooney, he knows he's headed downhill skill-wise, he knows the defense, he knows even if we take a CB with our first two picks, we'll still probably need him for this year while they get up to speed, so he won't see the bench. This place is still a good fit for him, even if he has to take a slightly lesser role. He's simply not worth the money he's due at this point, and he has to know that.

 

What made him special was his speed (gone) and his man cover skills (going). His tackling was talked about, but I always thought it was overrated. A lot of diving at feet and missing. And he's got NO ball skills at all, really. I don't think he'd be a good fit. But I don't really know.

That said, I think the Ike-bashing this year went too far. Yes he was worse, but not so bad that we'd be better off without him. He was still starting over Gay, who everyone is pleased with. The money no longer matches the performance, but he's an asset. Allen-Taylor-Gay make a good group of number twos and threes. I hope we can get him for a cheaper price.

 

if he take a pay cut should be a big one he almost have to play for a vet minumum , did you see his season numbers ?
http://www.steelersdepot.com/2014/02/steelers-end-of-season-player-exit-meetings-cb-ike-taylor/

if he want more i would go out a take a middle class free agent

 

I would at least like to see Ike "consider" moving to safety and taking a look in mini-camp. As of this moment, even taking a step back in speed, he still has more that Clark EVER had. I have to wonder if his hands of stone might be better if he is naturally looking at the QB more rather than twisting around, etc. Can he tackle well enough to be in that position? I don't know.

I think the draft will potentially determine his state. If we end up with 2 solid CBs, I would be surprised to see him stay as a CB. If we get 3 DBs I think he is gone one way or another. If we only get 1 CB, I expect him back.

 

Ike was bad this year. He was worse this year then any year for Gay. Ike will take a pay cut and be thankful or he'll be cut. His drop in play is key to why we need to go CB early in this draft.

Ike can't play safety. His tackling skills stink.

Cajun-

 

Yeah, Ike showed chinks in the armor, but our pass rush stank all season, and he got no help from safties last year. Fix those 2 things and I think Ike could play 3 more years here at a decent level, probably needs to take a paycut though....but I do not see him getting cut unless he is hard headed about taking less pay.

 

Agreed. Ike isn't the shutdown CB we'd like and doesn't (never has had ) hands but improve the pass rush and play at safety his numbers will improve some. Not sure drafting Nix would help him as much as it'll help in the run game.

Cajun-

 

Not sure if it would be Nix, but an elite NT is gonna stuff the run and force 3rd and long.

An elite NT is also going to draw double teams, that means the DE's and OLB's will not be double teamed...so sacks and pressures go up!

 

Ike was worse this year than any year for Gay? I'm sure there's some PFF number to support that, but WOW do I disagree with you there. I'm thrilled Gay has turned into something useful, but that was not always the case.

 

It isn't an exception with the Steelers it is a rule: Yancey Thigpen, Nate Washington, Burress, Charles Johnson, Wallace, Eric Green, ARE are some receivers who found success and left soon after off the top of my head.

Ebron might be a good choice. Steelers should be looking to the future without Miller as sad as that is.

BPA is a good policy because so few draft picks actually work out. You have to take players you think can be effective in the league and the Steelers FO has done that near as well as anyone (especially in the 1st round).

I just really want the focus on a return to defensive football/run game to continue. Those are the Steelers I became a fan of.