Reasons Why the Steelers will Draft a TE

by 13thieves on Feb 12, 2009 5:36 PM EST Comment 15 comments

Blitzburg has a great analysis about Heath Miller and how much it might cost the Steelers to resign him. As great as Miller's been here are some reasons why they won't resign Miller.

1. Matt Spaeth has been fine in limited playing time and comes at a cheaper price than Miller. In 09 we should see him get a little more playing time before he takes over in 2010.

2. The Steelers drafted Heath Miller in 05 (first round) and Matt Spaeth in 07 (third round). If you're wondering if they drafted a TE in 03 they didn't, but they did sign one, Jay Riemersma to split time with Tuman who they drafted in '99. So since 2005 we've taken one year off between drafting a TE.

Interestingly enough, looking at pre-draft rankings Spaeth was ranked all over the place from a late 7th round pick to the third. He was the third TE taken (after Greg Olsen and Zach Miller). Apparently the Steelers saw something they liked. Another note: the NYG drafted Kevin Boss in the 5th round (the 6th TE taken).

3. Taking the first three rounds of the drafts from the last six years we see that the number of TEs drafted goes up and down. In 2008 seven were drafted. In '07, three. In '06, eight. In '05, three. In '04, five, and in '03, seven. Outside of 2003 we see this up/down pattern. Assuming this has more to do with the needs than overall talent, in 2009 we should see fewer TEs drafted in the first three rounds. Few teams take the best overall player like the Steelers do.

Of the 33 TEs taken over the last six years, 8 have been in the 1st round, 12 in the second, and 13 in the third. I see us taking a TE in the third round, possibly the second if one of the elite TEs in the draft falls to us.

4. There are 4 top ranked TEs in this years draft: Brandon Pettigrew (Oklahoma State) Jared Cook (South Carolina), Shawn Nelson (Southern Miss), Chase Coffman (Missouri). Drafts never go the way people think they'll go (just spend some time looking at mocks from a few years ago like I did), but it seems like that at the very least we'll get the fifth best TE in the draft in the third round, and perhaps one from the top four will fall to us. But as we learned from Spaeth, pre-draft rankings don't always tell the whole story.

Looking at various mock drafts there seems to be 5 teams that need a TE (NO, Phi, Atl, Car, and SD) and there isn't much in the free agent market (Scaife, Daniels, LJ Smith, Kleinsasser), so assuming a couple of these sign TEs (therefore knocking TE priority down a few notches) that leaves three teams in the hunt for a 1st or 2nd round TE.

Few teams have been as successful as the Steelers in drafting talent. It looks like the strategy for the Steelers is to draft and develop a TE rather than spending the big bucks. I love Heath, but I expect this pattern to continue. Draft, develop, and draft again.

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Spaeth -- not the final frontier

Spaeth’s blocking leaves a lot to be desired. Instead of being the final barrier for blitzers, he often proved to be a speedbump. I like him as a receiver, but the Steelers need their tight ends to be blockers.

by TURFgeek on Feb 12, 2009 5:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Heath Miller

The Steelers have to extend Miller. He is Bens go to guy when he is in trouble. If they don’t I will be pissed. Besides I don’t think Miller will comand big money.

by loggy02 on Feb 12, 2009 6:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

We need to keep him. He has provided excellent play at this position, and we havent had that in a while.

Plus, you are right he wont cost as much. You figure most teams look at TE from a pure “How many yards/catches” standpoint and that factors into his money.

Granted if he got thrown to as much as Jason Witten, there is no doubt in my mind he would be better.

by Mechem on Feb 12, 2009 9:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

1. Matt Spaeth has been fine in limited playing time and comes at a cheaper price than Miller

If your idea of “fine” is adequate at best as a receiver and a horror show as a blocker, then yes, he has been fine.

He does indeed come at a cheaper price, I can’t argue with that fact. But the dropoff in quality of play is dramatic.

by worldtrip on Feb 12, 2009 7:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not likely

that they give up Heath.

There are a lot of quality TE’s in the NFL. I’d say it’s one of the deepest positions, overal, in the league. As good as Heath is, it’s unlikely another team is going to offer him enough more money to justify him leaving Pittsburgh. Except, maybe, Pittsburgh West.

But i think Ben would have quite a lot to say about the idea of being without Miller. Heath might not catch a lot of balls, but he makes vital, key receptions in just about every game. He is, IMO, the most important unsung cog in Pittsburgh’s passing offense. And since we’ll likely see a lot more passing in years to come, i can absolutely see Heath getting Mark Bruener-esque money(comparitively, Bruener was one of the leagues highest-paid TEs for several years. In Pittsburgh!).

by tobiathan on Feb 12, 2009 7:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

Spaeth is below average. He CAN NOT replace Heath, not even close.

It seems from some of the comments in other posts as well people expect in 2010 for Limas Sweed to replace Hines and Spaeth to replace Miller. Sounds great from a monetary perspective and I know Ben is Superman but come on…he can’t block for himself, throw it, and catch it…he needs a little help!

by SteelerMike on Feb 12, 2009 8:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Actually he probably could

I betcha ben could air one way up into space, pancake a guy, catch the ball again, and run into the EZ.

by Mechem on Feb 12, 2009 9:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

by Blitzburgh on Feb 14, 2009 4:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heath Suffers on the Steelers

Heath SHOULD command big money… but he is under-utilized in PGH, and that will cost him on the open market. No one has really seen what he can really do in an offense like SD runs… or he would be a very hot ticket.

[Note: I remember years ago listening to Myron call a game, and when we threw to Cuningham for a first down, Myron went nuts: “Yoi! Look at that, the Steelers called a gadget play! They threw to their Tight End! It’s a gadget play I tell you!”

I think we can, and will, pay to keep Heath.

BTW, you missed one… rumour has it that Gonzales — of Kansas City — will be free to pursue other teams this year. He’ll be the big toicket item…

by MarkJoel66 on Feb 12, 2009 8:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Miller will remain a Steeler

Take a look at the first scoring drive in the Superbowl… At the 1 on first down Willie gets blown up…Who’s the culprit? Spaeth completely wiffs on his block allowing the defender deep into the backfield. He cannot block anywhere near the capacity that Miller can block. Miller is a young talented TE who is just coming in to his prime. This is the type of signing that the Steelers covet. He will be cap friendly because he doesn’t have the numbers of Witten,Gonzalas or Gates. I believe he is one of the most complete TE’s in the league. Heath can run block and has excellent hands. His demeanor and presence in the locker room make him a perfect fit for our team. You will never have to worry about off the field issues with this consummate pro. I say that he will definately resign with the Steelers because he completely fits within our organization.

by Dr Del on Feb 12, 2009 10:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What about FA

If we are looking for a pure blocker, I’d rater pick up someone like Mark Campbell on the cheap than spend a pick on someone who hasn’t shown they can block NFL players. Anyway I think McHugh sticks and if that’s the case we really don’t have a roster spot for another, we may draft one but he’ll have to beat out McHugh to get on the active roster.

by SteelerFan Ben on Feb 13, 2009 12:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Powdrell

Was undoubtedly added to the roster to challenge McHugh.

by TURFgeek on Feb 13, 2009 1:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I’m glad Colbert is our GM.

The Steelers may in fact draft a TE this year, but it won’t be in the first round, second round, third round, or probably even the fourth. And, this TE will not be drafted to replace Heath (who will be resigned) or even to supplant Spaeth…if they draft a TE, it’s because they currently only have two on the roster (I don’t count McHugh).

Heath fits in better than just about any TE in the league with our offensive scheme. He is an above average blocker for a TE, and he is an outstanding receiver when his number is called. The Steelers will keep him around for a few more years.

Why should I change my name? He's the one that sucks!

by NoCal-SteelCity on Feb 13, 2009 12:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If we go TE

Got to take Shawn Nelson. Great hands, good speed, and an aggressive blocker.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Feb 13, 2009 8:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Right on about Heath

I agree that Heath is great and underutilized and I’d love to resign him. If he doesn’t command high dollars then the Steelers would be wise to resign him. I think he will get more money elsewhere and I’m counting on losing him. I might be wrong.

What we might see in 2010 is a split like we saw in 2003 with Riemersma and Tuman. Bring in a cheap blocking TE and use Spaeth as our passing TE. So in no way do I think Spaeth is an equal replacement for Miller. But I think Spaeth isn’t as awful as he’s being portrayed. It’s his second year and he was a third round draft pick. I’m not convinced that his talent has been fully realized yet.

This is a business and sometimes in the NFL that means letting quality but pricey players go when there’s an adequate player available.

by 13thieves on Feb 13, 2009 1:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs