The Pittsburgh Steelers must change their defensive drafting philosophy

The Pittsburgh Steelers must change their defensive drafting philosophy
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...afting-philosophy-tj-watt-terrell-edmunds-nfl

I can't agree more. I have been saying the same thing. The Steelers need to draft athletic football players not just best athlete.
"Edmunds fits the mold of the super athlete, but not the polished football player. Coming out, he tested like a first-round athlete, but his tape surely didn’t look like one. I had Edmunds rated as a mid-third-round prospect entering the draft, and I favored such players as Justin Reid, Jessie Bates, and Kyzir White over him. All of these players have one thing in common — they’re not supreme athletes, but they are polished football players."

"... what can we derive from the past picks at DB? They’ve all been athletes who’ve been pretty raw. The two prime examples of this are Artie Burns and Sean Davis. "

 

You can lead a Horse to water, but you cant make him/her drink it!!!!

 

I saw this article too and it certainly is intriguing. But I can't say they follow this criteria for the entire draft, it just seems more prevalent in the first and second round because that is where you need to hit on some guys. Matakevich, Walton, Sutton, M. Allen, Hargrave, Adams and a bunch of misc. DBs were all pretty established at their position. (Level of competition another story altogether).
Brian Allen and Chickilo being the two guys drafted in the later rounds who were raw and/or transitioning.

The trend really started after Jarvis Jones imo, who had college numbers (but obviously no talent on tape), but just underperformed athletically.
Shazier, Tuitt, Golson, and Watt were all pretty set at their positions.
Dupree, Davis and Burns were all considered raw by most accounts. In Davis' case is was more because he played multiple positions in college. Dupree had no college position coach, and Burns was a man cover guy and not much else.

So really this article is talking about 3 players since the 2015 draft. Granted they were all taken in rounds 1 and 2 on a defense obviously struggling. Allen and Chick taken in rnds 5 and 6 are acceptable, that's where you take guys like that.

You have to leave Edmunds out since its so early imo.

I don't think this is a set philosophy, because it has been reported they do target the guys with a more rounded pedigree.

 

I think think we need a NT/DT and it would cure a lot of ills for us. Brandon Williams and Linval Joseph are difference makers for their team.

And honestly maybe it is time to switch to a 4-3 and get some cover LB's in here?

Burns is more of a man CB, and we are forcing him to play zone... square peg round hole?

I liked Kyzir White's college highlights... I didn't realize the Chargers changed him to a LB?

 

I was saying in the fire keith butler thread, if he is shown the door after this season, the change may happen. What better time when you are changing DCs?

 

I sometimes check up on rookies who I liked in the draft and one of those was DT BJ Hill. So I came across this article and the first paragraph was very familiar...

"It’s no secret the New York Giants, under former general manager Jerry Reese, had some lukewarm drafts, especially when it came to third-round picks. Reese and his staff, particularly Marc Ross, his top college evaluator, were hung up on players with potential and upside which most of whom never developed into viable pros.
Under new general manager Dave Gettleman, the Giants are bringing in less “projects” and more players that are “closer to the field,” meaning ready to hit the ground running."

https://giantswire.usatoday.com/201...-hill-lorenzo-carter-break-third-round-curse/

 

Jack Lambert 6'4" - 220
Jack Ham 6"1" - 225
Andy Russell 6'2" - 225

I believe the average in today's NFL is like 250-260 and those 3 bums listed have a lot of Pro Bowls.

 

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.c...s-head-coach-mike-tomlin-defensive-mastermind

Found this from a while ago. I think it's safe to say we are still waiting for the D to find it's identity.
Maybe what Harrison said has some merit about drafting 4-3 guys trying to make them 3-4. The Tampa 2 seems to be designed for a 4-3 . If coverage and pressure are supposed to work hand in hand the fact we don't get consistent pressure is stressing our secondary. Having to run so much deception to get pressure is increasing the confusion and miscommunication issues IMO. Maybe it is time to consider a switch as soon as our roster allows or at least mix some in sooner than later. I'm pretty sure a DL with Cam,Tuitt,Hargrave and Alualu could be effective sprinkled in....I realize defense isn't being allowed to thrive because of the rules but I feel there is still lots of room for improvement and we should be seeing a defense in Pittsburgh we can be a little more proud of...

 

The defensive drafting is not the issue on its own. The issue resides in the scheme. For that matter, much of the issue is within the game planning.



Drafting 4-3 players for a 3-4 scheme is not doing the players themselves any favors. It is like asking a Civil Engineer to learn and master Chemical Engineering. They both are forms of engineering but they are vastly different from one another. In addition, given the fact that there are either blown assignments and/or blown coverages and you end up with losses such as Jacksonville and Kansas City.



That being said, the drafting itself cannot be forgiven either. As much as I liked Artie, I still wonder, to this day, on what could have been had Myles Jack been selected. I know I have been sounding like a broken record player regarding said player, but I do wonder if we could have overcome the Ryan Shazier incident had he been on the team at the time. Artie was good in his first year but has not been the same since. Sean Davis has not been too much better either. Then againz, him being put in the wrong position did not assist him either. Now that he is at his natural position, he is playing better. However, that does not solve the overall core issue here.


Something has got to give at some point regarding these continual defensive woes. Granted, the entire leagues overall defensive play will simply not be what it once was any more. However, simplistic aspects like communication is one aspect that does not change; fundementals.



In short? Either change the approach towards drafting players or change the coordinator all together.

 

People need to remember that it even took Troy Polalmalu a year to get acclimated to the NFL. People were crying bust just like they are now with Edmunds.

Something fun to think about.. How does Dick Lebeau get the most out of these players compared to what we're seeing now? Sorry but I do believe it'd be in sharp contrast.

The Steelers of new look lost in coverage on defense. I still hold to it being not the players but the coaching and lack of communication among players.

Another thing we do not have on defense anymore is attitude. We use to be a punch you in the mouth exert our will against you type of defense. Not seeing this anymore.

 

Yep.



Not to mention Troy's career changed when Dick LeBeau came onto the scene as well. By his third year, Troy was a household name.



Not saying that Terrell will transform into Troy even barring a coordinator change but a change nonetheless could yield immense growth and development for him. Given the fact that he really is not being utilized the way he should be (i.e. near the line of scrimmage or "floating" around it a la Troy), it does beg the question as to what exactly does Butler ultimatley intend to do with Edmunds.

 

I’m curious what they do with Edmunds too, because I dont really see him as a traditional SS.

 

The difference is Troy's college career showed he was more than a great athlete playing football.
Edmunds has struggled a little but it wouldn't be fair to call him a bust 3 games in. He just needs to keep developing as the season goes on.