Steelers Add 13th Rookie Free Agent, Get Help Along Defensive Line?
by Michael Bean on May 2, 2008 1:27 AM EDT
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PrintPerhaps the diamond in the rough that will cure all of our depth issues on the defensive line will come in the form of Kyle Clement, a Division II product from Northwood University in Michigan. Probably not, but you never know. Not all young kids develop physically at the same pace, so it's not wise to discount his chances alltogether simply because he wasn't heavily recruited at age 17.
Clement really impressed me when I saw him on Saturdays. Scratch that, never seen a game of his or any D-II game, but check out these career stats for Clement, a three-time all conference selection:
33 of 45 games started; 20.5 sacks; 143 tackles (90 solo); 50.5 tackles for losses.
Bet you didn't think there was YouTube footage of him, did ya? There is, check it out. You may need some binoculars to get a good view from the bleachers, but there's a few good shots in there that showcase Clement's size (310 pounds and ability):
Clement threw up 37 reps on the bench during his Pro Day, ran a respectable 5.21 40, and somehow posted a vertical leap of 29.5" despite being a hefty 310 pounds. At 6'4", Clement certainly has the size to be disruptive, and clearly, at least judging from those bench press numbers, that weight isn't all blubber. Color me intrigued.
Clement will get his chance to make a good first impression this weekend during mandatory mini-camp, starting tomorrow and running through Sunday.
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just noticed datruth had mentioned Clement in his post
But regardless, still worth a mention. Definitely shouldnt pigeon hole a guy as a non player just because he went to a smaller school.
HOLY BALLS
That guy goes to/went to Northwood, a D2 school from Michigan. They play in the GLIAC, the same conference my school plays in. In fact, if you go to 7:02 (to 7:42) and watch those highlights, those are against NMU @ NMU in the Superior Dome in Marquette.
Wow, I knew when I was at that game this year that guy was good, but didn’t know he was this good…now, if only we could get an NMU player on the Steelers…;)
you're up late dawg
Man, to be in college. Love it.
Seriously, perhaps this is just 2 am fantasizing, but Clements could be good. Those strength numbers tell me he isnt just some slovenly behemoth. That’s some legit strength.
That’s wild you were at that game.
Wow
First, that guy looks much faster then the 5.21 40 time would suggest. Maybe he isnt fast but he seems quick with great explosion.
Second, 37 reps is ALOT.
37 is a famous number
Jake Long – 37 reps at Combine
Vernon Gholston – 37 reps at Combine
Anybody seen the movie Clerks? We’ll a couple is in a gas station, where the guys works behind the counter. They are talking about how many people they have been with before they got into their relationship. They guy proudly says he’s gone down on something like 6-7 women, kind of thinking that his girl might be mad. She’s not at all. He’s surprised that she’s not so he asks her how many guys she’s been down on. Needless to say the number is 37! It’s so funny. It become a running joke on the guy and all his friends find out and make fun of him. Like, is he 37 or 38? It’s a movie by Kevin Smith (Mallrats, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Dogma) If you like those movies, it’s pretty funny.
About the video: Guy definitely dominated at that level. Interesting to see how he is against guys as big and as strong as him.
Tony - Stillers Fan in Raleigh
Congrats Blitzburgh
Blitz, congrats on the grad school acceptance. If you handle your business there like you handle it here, you will graduate summa cum laude. DaTruth finished his graduate degree in May 2006, and the only book he’s wanted to crack since has been The Sporting News. (By the way, Datruth didn’t graduate summa cum laude, he graduated just plain old "thank you Lordy".
I’ll take Rucker’s measurables, attitude and game tape over what a scout by the name of Tom Marino says. The Steelers scouts are the best in the business and have proven time and time again that they can find a diamond in the rough. It just so happens that this diamond is 6’ 5’’, 217, runs a 4.47 and thew up 225 lbs. 20 times, the same as some offensive lineman in this draft, and is coming in with a MAJOR chip on his shoulders. We’ll see.
I also like the the numbers on Clement and feel that the Steelers will give him and the other 3 free agents a legitimate shot to make the team. I do believe a reason why they didn’t reach on lineman in the draft is that I think Booger will be signed when healthy. If he can get back to the form, he could have more impact on this team’s defense than almost any lineman they would have selected in the draft. He’d be a good fit with our sub package defenses, being able to rush the passer from the DT position.
I think this team will be more in the image of Tomlin this year than it was this past year. I really believe he’s going to be looking for his type of player on special teams. And I also believe there is no way the team will pay Max Starks almost more than $7M this year to sit the bench. He will be starting at RT, hopefully with Willie Colon moving to RG. I am officially down on K. Simmons.
Take care, SN.
Clement
Most of those early plays, it looked like he wasn’t even blocked. If he can bring that kind of explosiveness to the NFL, this guy would be a real find.
by WolfpackSteelersFan on May 2, 2008 10:47 AM EDT reply actions
looks good
We’ll see how he fairs against guys who actually attempt to block him. Looks like he could be a solid though.
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