State Of The Steelers Roster: The Defensive Line

….and we all know that Aaron and his wonderful families are Steelers for Life.

The key to your Hampton question – of course – is your assumption “that he shows up to camp in much better shape than last year.” I don’t think any of us expect a repeat of last year, but I’m not sure how much of an improvement we can expect.

If Tomlin is able to get Big Snack to show up at camp in playing condition, it’ll be a miracle. Two more, and MT will be eligible for sainthood. Pax vobiscum.

Blitz,

I wouldn’t be surprised if Hampton and Kiesel were extended two years. The cap hit for both are pretty big this year so I think that the team would look seriously at giving them some of that in a bonus and extending their deals by a year or two. The same could go for Hines Ward, too. I think Kendall Simmons could be cap cut, especially if he is slow to heal and doesn’t play better than he did before he got injured.

This team has a great window and getting some young depth on the DL (hitting in the draft or free agency this year) will be great for Smith, Big Snack and Kiesel. I do think that Kirschke might not be around next year. This team is going to need some spots for its young DL that it take in this year’s draft.

Thoughts?

i don’t know if this jives with the CBA or if such a clause is legal, but it would be interesting to see if the brass would ask Snack to take lower base pay in return for bonus incentives tied to his weight. again, i don’t know if it can be done, but that would seem to benefit both parties in the sense that the Steelers can get a lower cap number and Snack can get fair market value so long as he pulls his weight (so to speak) in the off-season…

Met Bmac family at the SB and they were made cool. I saw Snack take at least 4 or 5 centers in push them 5 yards in the backfield with their backs not face mask facing him. He pushed the AZ center to the ground on his needs.

FYI, I can’t see Snack being tired since he only plays 1 or 2 downs every 4 downs. If we stop them and put them in 2nd and long, he comes out of the game. He comes out every 3rd down anyway. I still think he has a lot in the tank.

I’m on the fence with Bmac since we have Gay, who’s performed well. Concerned about him getting beat by Marvin (who dropped it) and Armani. However, I’m not sold on Ike and would like Dmac as insurance. Ike is turning into Deion Sanders, all pass defense and poor tackling.

Blitz,

J. Reffett is acutally 6’6’’, 295. He flashed some in the preseason, but I guess he didn’t do enough for them to keep him. He’s athletic and have decent feet for his size. I remember one play in the preseason where a blocker on the line tried to cut him and he leaped over him, landed on his feet and showed some burst trying to get to the QB. I mentioned him to Dale Lolley during the preseason to get his thoughts and Lolley said he seemed like “a big kid with a good motor.”

K. Clement had micro-fracture surgery this past year. If and when he recovers fully, the team might give him another look. Those type of surgeries are normally 2-year injuries as far as a player getting back to where he was before he got hurt. They thought enough of him to have him on IR this past year before releasing him a few weeks ago.

Having seen only glimpses of Reffett and Scott Paxson in the preseason, I was more impressed with Reffett. With them adding Paxson to the roster earlier in the season, I guess that meant they may have future plans for him. That’s all I got on that.

By the way, how come no one is talking about that LT from Penn State, Gerald Cadogan. He looks like a good candidate for a swing tackle/guard that could pay big dividends in two years. He held up pretty good at LT during the times I saw Penn State play this year. Thoughts?

Guys, check out what former Raiders GM and NFL.com analyst Mike Lombardi said about the current crop of 2009 free agent offensive tackles. He wasn’t that complementary of Starks or Marvel Smith. Check it out:

Notes From Lombardi: Free Agent Tackles
FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

The free-agent signing period begins soon and with that in mind, the National Football Post continues its daily breakdown of the 2009 free agent class. Today, the NFP breaks down the offensive tackle position.

OFFENSIVE LINE REMINDERS

1. Must be smart to learn and respond to a fast-changing game. He has to be quick-minded along with book smart. Mental mistakes kill the QB. A test score of 20 is the average in the NFL.

2. Mental toughness is key. Can he play with pain? Can he practice with pain? Does he miss practice? How many practices has he missed in 4/5 years?

3. Former shot putters and discus throwers are normally very good linemen. Did he do this in high school?

4. Arm length and hand size are critical. This allows positional flexibility.

5. Can he block on the second level? What fronts does he play against?

6. Does he have an anchor? Can he get an anchor? Who pushes him?

7. Any former DT’S/DE that might be good conversions? Did they play it in high school? Bad programs need all their best players on defense, but they might be better suited for offense. Know what offensive linemen have been all-state defensive linemen.

8. How does he play on the road? Can he hear the count and come off the ball in a tough crowd?

9. Three and four-year starters are going to find a way to play in the NFL at this position.

10. Can he play a second position in the line? Can he snap the ball?

11. What is their main protection in the line? We do more than slide here.

12. Can an offensive guard play on an island in pass protection? Does the center slide to him? Can he protect on a two-way go?

13. What kind of run plays do they run? Can he block our running game?

14. Does he play with a man over his head or in the gap? Can he block one on one?

15. We need competitive players here, on and off the field.

16. Fat guys have short careers. We need big, but that does not mean fat.

17. Pay close attention to his weight progression from year to year. What does he weigh at the Combine? And what does he weigh a week before the draft? We must know what weight we are getting. Fat guys like being fat.

18. Short players need to have long arms and must have an ability to play with power.

19. What is the level of experience of the coach who coaches him? How many years did he have the same coach? What pro players has he coached?

20. An offensive linemen who had a red-shirt year must be able to become a starter. We need to have quality back-ups because they always play.

21. Must evaluate every tight end who is over 6-5 and 270 as a potential OT. Players play positions in college because of a lack of talent, not because it’s the right position for them. Any slow (5.10) tight ends that might be tackles?

NOTE: THERE ARE SOME PLAYERS MISSING FROM THE LIST, BUT THEY’RE PLAYERS WHO HAVE OPTION CLAUSES IN THEIR CONTRACTS THAT ARE VOIDABLE, AND ONCE THEY VOID, THEY BECOME FREE AGENTS. I WILL HAVE THAT LIST AT THE START OF UFA (UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENCY).

STARTERS LEFT OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Name, age; height, weight; speed; agent

Jordan Gross, 28; 6-4, 300; 5.11; Ethan Locke — The prize of the UFA market. Not often do you see a young left tackle make it to the market, and I’m not sure he does. Once the Panthers realize they cannot get Peppers signed, they will turn their attention to franchising Gross.

Khalif Barnes, 26; 6-5, 320; 5.12; Ken Zuckerman — Barnes is a good player, but not a great player, and his contract level will be the most interesting nugget of the UFA market. He can play left tackle but is limited in power and the ability to handle the edge all the time. Part of the key to free agency is to not overpay for this kind of player.

POTENTIAL STARTERS LEFT OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Marvel Smith, 30; 6-4, 320; 5.27; Ken Zuckerman — If his back was OK, he would be signed, but back injuries and tackles don’t mix well. Teams must protect themselves with his contract and not count on 16 games.

Tra Thomas, 34; 6-7, 350; 5.39; Peter Schaffer — One-year player, but he can help a team in transition like the Eagles. Thomas must have a talented player behind him because you can’t count on him being a 16-game starter.

BACK-UPS LEFT OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Kirk Chambers, 29; 6-7, 313; 5.45; Steve Dubin — His value lies in his versatility and ability to play along the line. He’s not a power player and must go to the right team.

STARTER RIGHT OFFENSIVE TACKLE ONLY

Vernon Carey, 27; 6-4, 333; 5.33; Ben Dogra — Moved back to his natural position, and if he doesn’t get signed in the next few days, I expect the Dolphins to place the Franchise Tag on him. They cannot afford to lose a young starting OT.

Max Starks, 26; 6-7, 337; 5.59; Eugene Parker — I know he played left tackle, but watch the tape; the Steelers never left him on an island. He might be able to play left tackle, but the play caller must make sure he is always helped in protection.

John St. Clair, 31; 6-5, 315; 5.46; Ben Dogra — Similar to Starks, St. Clair played left tackle but is more suited to right tackle. Now that Tait has left, look for the Bears to get him signed. They need some stability at the position. St. Clair needs to have the right contract, but the Bears cannot overpay for him.

Jon Stinchcomb, 29; 6-4, 315; 5.11; Pat Dye – A soft tackle and not a bona fide starter, but he can start. He’s a liability against certain levels of competition. Must not overpay.

Mark Tauscher, 31; 6-2, 320; 5.33; Neil Cornich — Injuries are a concern and lack of foot speed is a huge concern. But he does know how to play and will find a way to play if he can pass the physical.

BACK-UPS RIGHT OFFENSIVE TACKLE ONLY

Stacey Andrews, 27; 6-6, 342; 5.11; Rich Moran — Has the skill level to play tackle but does not have the experience to make you feel certain he can do the job. He might be a tease — good talent, no production. Might be able to play guard and fill in some.

George Foster, 28; 6-4, 338; 5.2; Phil Williams — The more he has to play, the less you like.

Daniel Loper, 26; 6-6, 306; 5.38; Leonard Roth — Not sure what to do with him. He’s looked acceptable in the preseason after four years of coaching with Mike Munachek. Need to work him out. He’s young, tough and has great size. Interesting player. He has played right and left guard and tackle. If he goes to the right scheme, he might produce.

EMERGENCY RIGHT OFFENSIVE TACKLE ONLY

Jon Runyan, 35; 6-7, 330; 5.35; Ben Dogra – Had a major knee surgery, and his lower body looks bad right now. Can’t go through camp, so he would be perfect for an emergency role.

For those who want to read about Lombardi’s other position grades and thoughts on the NFL, go to http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/02/notes-from-lombardi-free-agent-tackles/ . He’s always a pretty good read in my book and calls it like he sees it as a former GM.

Thoughts?

I think its a 50/50 proposition that they try and resign Hampton. They got rid of Joel Steed when he turned 30. There is a precedent for the Steelers overhauling the position at the 30 yead old threashhold.

I know the importance of the NG in the 3-4, but can you justify resigning a plus 30 guy who only had 22 (13 solo tackles/9 Assisted) in 13 games started, and who came in camp grossly out of shape.

I think they will be patient and take a wait and see mentatlity. If he doesn’t get an extension, I think it’s a sign that he won’t be with the Steelers in 2010. If they draft, a big boy in the middle, I think he will be gone as well.

I would draft a NG and roll with Hoke in 2010. They did go win about 12 to 13 games with Hoke as the starter.

… one year coming to camp in shape won’t diminish the effects of all the years he didn’t. Linemen (anyone really) who puts their body through that sort of trauma tend to fall off a cliff physically eventually. A renewal here will very likely only replace Jason Gildon as the standard of a bad contract extension.

Keisel on a two year contract extension would be good.

So what if he comes into camp a bit out of shape. They eventually kick his ass all the way through training camp and get him ready to go. I honestly believe he has 2-3 good years left playing on 1st and 2nd downs. I don`t think he is an every down player, but we don`t need him to be. When we are backed up on the goal line and get a huge stop, who do you think makes that possible? That`s right…the big snack attack. His ability to be completely unmovable can not be replaced by a 2nd round or later pick. Yeah it would be nice to get the big NT out of BC but he will be gone. Because we need O-line and DE right now, i think we sign Snack to a 3 year deal and use our first pick on a NT in next years, or the year afters draft.

He perceives himself as effective on the field coming into camp out of shape and thought the whole Tomlin thing last summer was a joke that wasn’t very funny. Many teams are switching to the 3-4 this off season and not many have a quality NT, they’ll realize what they’re missing during the next season. Someone will offer him more $ or more years than he’s worth and I think he has enough bad memories here to balance out the good ones. He is not gonna want a 2 year extension because he is still at an ae where he can get a last big payday. He’s not gonna let that slide out 2 years and miss the window of opportunity. As much as it would work out for our team to get a couple extra years out of him and then dump him, that is the worst possible outcome for him outside of career ending injury this year.