Defensive Line Dilemma

The Steelers quite often keep Six DL, occasionally they keep Seven. I’m struggling to figure out ( guess) who stays and who goes!!!

We have solid vets, players still on there rookie deals, FA signings , And a Rookie.

Can Loudermilk make it? Can Fehoko make it onto the 53 being a smaller zero-tech.?

What say you Steeler Nation!!!

Cajun

 

In my pre camp 53 prediction, I had us keeping 7 along the d-line, and I see nothing yet to make me change that prediction

http://thesteelersfans.com/forums/t...ion-yes-im-upsetting-the-natural-order.30803/

 

I won't answer until I see a bit preseason action

 

The depth is something we have not seen for a while. Fehoko has been having a fantastic camp (according to some reports), but is it enough to warrant a spot. One report had him being double teamed and taking command of the situation, which is something I do not think we have seen consistently since Hampton. If they go 6 I think Loudermilk may be on the bubble.

 

You have Loudermilk over Armon Watts. I don’t think the Steelers cut FA they have signed in the off-season very often, if ever. If they were to cut an off-season signee I would think it would instead be Fehoko.

Cajun

 

SAY IT!!!
SAY IT!!!

 

Not D line but Nick Kwiatkoski might be in danger. Just going by some of the YT reporters (which means nothing, really), but he has not looked impressive, will likely come down to sp team play. if they keep 5, it will likely come down to Muse, Russell and Nick..Muse and Russell both having decent camps, so who makes the plays on sp teams might get the nod.

 

May as well wait until opening day in that case

 

No big loss if Kwiatkoski doesn't make the team, once they signed Alexander his fate was probably sealed.

 

From what I've been hearing fehoko's been pretty much unblockable, and Loudermilk has been making plays as well....nothing but crickets chirping where watts concerned

 

I like Fehoko ( probably due to being a Pacific Islander ) but he’s limited scheme wise. We play sub-packages so much more than base 3-4.

I don’t see them cutting the FAs or giving up on Loudermilk this year.

Cajun

 

That's one thing that may be against Fehoko, we have seen the middle in our D kind of being a blight for several years. Seeing a guy who can seal that up and give the DE's more freedom is exciting, but alos seeing the decrease in the time they actually use a true NT may make it harder for him to make the 53.

 

Well there’s 4 locks

DE - Heyward, Ogunjobi, Leal,
DT - Benton,

which means there are 2-3 positions open to the following

DE - Loudermilk, Watts
DT - Fehoko, Adams

it’s really going to depend on what they want to do. Who will they start at DT in base? What types of players will rotate in during sub packages? Heyward kicks in during subs at times, Leal can kick out. What are the PS options?

I’d bet we carry 7. Fehoko slots in… Loudermilk, Watts, and Adams fight for 2 spots. Preseason games will likely dictate a lot.

 

Louder milk better get on his pony, time is running out

 

I haven't been impressed with Loudermilk and I think he regressed last year. He needs to step up now.

I'm curious to see Fehoko play. I know they use a pure nose tackle less, but I still think they need one and Adams seems to be too inconsistent.

 

I read an article that they have been using Loudermilk at OLB

That could indicate he is a great athlete so let’s expand on his versatility

It could also indicate he has no chance of making it as DL so let’s see if he has any other value

 

And Loudermilk would have a better chance of sticking against Watt, Highsmith, Golden, Herbig, and Roche? The Steelers have a bunch of depth. There will be free agent signings that are cut and there will be recent draft picks that are cut.

 

Pretty much all of this is spot on. Loudermilk SHOULDN'T be a roster bubble guy at this point of his career, yet here we are. It at least shows that he hasn't progressed as hoped. There's still a role for a pure NT, even if its a smaller one. If Fehoko can prove to be good at it, he probably finds his way on the roster. He has impressed a bit at camp. Let's see if he can translate that into Pre-Season success and find his way onto the 53.

 

If Loudermilk is cut then signed to the PS it Should be a wake-up call. To me he seems to be just coasting so far in his career. He has the tools, if he had the desire to dominate and be great he could.

Heyward didn’t have the best 1st couple years, But he had the desire !!!

Cajun

 

Idk vox, I see it as the opposite. We need better play from the nose and we have two guys that can help in fehoko and benton. Benton can also play the two down linemen role and I think fehoko could too. If our base can get it done they may play it more. I also think with the talent we have at DE and outside LB, it will make our nose better. Where fehoko didn't show with the chargers I think he could be much better here with our talent around him.

 

I hope you are correct, the NT is often unheralded, but with the talent surrounding this could really be a fun unit to watch.

 

Did I miss an injury to Fehoko? I don't remember seeing him last night.

Loudermilk seemed to already get his wake-up call. He looked good last night.

 

I'm not saying He didn't play , but I don't remember seeing Him.

 

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/08/d...efensive-lineman-we-know-can-play-in-the-nfl/

The game Starts in the Trenches!!! Larry O in a boot, Fehoko limitations, Milk’s slow development overall, Cam can’t last forever……

Who stays?? Who goes??

Cajun

 

a good prob to have, move others to the PS?