BTSC Steelers Daily Six Pack- Two Days Away Edition
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Sep 8, 2009 4:43 PM EDT
40 comments
IX-Tennessee Titan reciever Nate Washington is currently unsure if he will be able to suit up for Thursday nights season opener against his former team, despite being so excited he is losing sleep. Even if Washington doesn't play he is finding ways to help his current team game plan and scheme against the defending world champion Steelers. It also is looking more and more like Lawrence Timmons will miss his first scheduled start and will be replaced by Keyaron Fox, who had a beastly preseason.
X-The New England Patriots signed veteran offensive lineman and former Steeler Kendall Simmons last week. The Patriots are in need of depth on an offensive line that allowed more sacks that the Steelers offensive line did last season. The Patriots also made a savvy move with defensive end Richard Seymour by trading him to the Oakland Raiders in the last year of his contract. The Patriots need to sign nose tackle Vince Wilfork and likely would of allowed Seymour to walk regardless of his performance with the team in 2009. Many in Steelers nation have questioned why the Steelers wouldn't try a similar move with Casey Hampton, and Ed Bouchette weighs in with his feelings why.
XIII-In a somewhat surprising roster move former Steeler Anthony Smith was cut by the Green Bay Packers during the process of trimming their roster to the mandatory 53 players. In the reports from Packers training camp I had heard previously I was under the impression that Smith was a key piece in thier transition to the 3-4 defense. I guess the Smith has caught on with the St. Louis Rams and perhaps is Smith can finally put together his talent and find a way to minimize his mental mistakes he could be a steal for either the Rams or whomever he catches on with next.
XIV-ESPN has the most complete season preview for the Pittsburgh Steelers I have seen on the web. I am not going to ramble on about it because the preview has enough content to keep you entertained for plenty of time. If you are looking for a really nice season preview I recommend checking out Maple Street Press Steelers Annual which was edited by BTSC's very own Blitzburgh.
XL-The Steelers filled out their practice squad with former Tennessee Titan and Miami Dolphin, Tuff Harris. If you want you can search the internet trying to find more information this guy, or you could read Steeler.Lifer's summary of the defensive back which is incredibly informative. Many are speculating that the Tuff Harris signing was purely motivated by gaining inside knowledge on our week one opponent but Ed Bouchette said in his chat that the Harris signing was a back-up plan after Roy Lewis was scooped up by the Seahawks.
XLIII-Even though Stefan Logan aka "Joystick" has looked like the key to our return woes this season, Santonio Holmes isn't ready to fully relinquish the duties according to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. If Logan continues to look as good as he did in the preseason I see no reason why Holmes should be out on the field returning punts. What say you Steeler Nation?
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The only time I want to potentially see Homes returning punts
is because Logan is still tired after returning a kick off for a touchdown and the defense got a three and out so quickly that Logan still hasn’t caught his breath.
by worldtrip on Sep 8, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Wow this is the first time my comment got lit up
Wow, I have so many people I need to thank. First I want to thank god, seriously big guy, you are the mack daddy. Ummm, who else? Of course, Blitz, without you I wouldn’t have been so inspired. You are the wind beneath my wings. Oh, the music is playing me off, thank you all, I love you, whooooo!
you forgot...
..Shenene man, How could you not give a shout out to Shenene!
by Marvin, The Paranoid Android on Sep 8, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Seymour
In the long run the Seymour trade looks like another typically shrewd move by the NE front office.
In the short run I can hardly believe our good luck. An All-Pro level talent is gone from our main rival for the AFC title, and the Pats have now lost basically half their starting defense from a year ago.
by Steelers in XLIV on Sep 8, 2009 4:54 PM EDT reply actions
First rounder when?
Keep in mind that a future pick has less value than a current one. (Those familiar with accounting understand the “time value of money.”) At the draft, teams routinely swap a second-round pick in this year’s draft for a first-round pick in next year’s draft. Even a high first-round pick in two years is probably worth only a low first or high second today. That’s a reasonable price to pay for an All-Pro DT, although if I were Al Davis, I would not make the trade without first signing Seymour to a multiyear contract.
Even assuming that Pats weren’t going to resign Seymour after this year, the team has now shot themselves in the thigh for this year. And, instead of getting a compensatory pick in the 2010 draft, they don’t get anything until 2011. So yes, they eventually get a high pick, but for the next two seasons, they get bupkis.
The big thing, as XLIV says, is that the Patriots just got weaker for this season. I guess they figure they’ve already got that “Team of the Decade” thing nailed down. :-)
I don't care what year it is...
As long as it’s decided by the Raiders record, regardless of what year the pick is in, it’s worth at least top 10 value, if not top 5. Any comp pick they’d of gotten for Seymour does not have that value, no way. As long as the Raiders are the Raiders, they got a very valuable comodity, now or in 5 years.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Sep 9, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Seven picks in the first two rounds of the next two drafts.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Sep 9, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
The Window in closing in NE
I have heard only praise heaped onto Belichick for this trade, but he is basically conceding this year. They just traded their best defensive player, admittedly to build for the future, but the future is now in NE. Brady and Moss are not getting any younger. In fact, Moss signed a 3 year contract last year, so he has only 2 more years in NE. When NE finally gets to use that pick in 2011, Brady will be 35 and Moss will be 36. Both will be past their prime, and they probably won’t give a 36 year old receiver a new contract, so Moss will probably be gone.
Strategically, I think this is a bad move by Belichick. He is shooting for another super bowl in 2012 or so, but he heart of his team, the offense, will be much less effective by then.
by bleedgoldandblack on Sep 8, 2009 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
dreadful trade by the raiders
if it was fantasy football, the commish would be expected to veto it.
The Raiders are not built to compete now.
agreed it is good for the everyone else in the shortterm.
The one thing about the move that you have to consider is that the Raiders have A LOT of money tied up in first round draft picks that were paid VERY, VERY, VERY high contracts. Darren McFadden, Jamarcus Russell, Darius Heyward-Bey all have really high contracts. At some point they are going to run out of money to pay the high end draft picks.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Sep 8, 2009 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s a great point that I haven’t seen mentioned anywhere else.
Still seems like bad timing and not great value for what will likely be a top ten pick.
by Steelers in XLIV on Sep 8, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Seems dumb from both sides to me...
What are the Raiders competing for this year? Why give up a first rounder (then again if it’s to take a third-rated receiver with a #7 overall pick…)
At the same time, the Patriots aren’t in a win-this-year-or-else but a first rounder for the Patriots is no sure-fire hit. Going back several years:
2009 – no first round pick; 3 second rounders that we’ll reserve judgment on
2008 – Jerod Mayo; looks like a very nice player, but is still an inside linebacker taken 10th overall; but let’s be charitable and give it an A
2007 – Brandon Meriweather; a starter but not making an impact at safety, C
2006 – Laurence Maroney; decent first couple years, but more potential than production; a disaster in ’08, C+
2005 – Logan Mankins; a guard. A very good guard, but still a guard. B
The Patriots get far, far too much credit for being a team that drafts exceptionally well. They certainly have had more than their share of success for drafting gems in mid and later rounds, but have played it overly safe in the first round for quite some time and haven’t drafted a perennial Pro Bowl talent since, well, Richard Seymour.
Fair comments pgh but it’s not easy drafting a perennial Pro Bowler lol . Mankins and 2004 first-rounder Wilfork have both gone to the Pro Bowl and are among the best at their positions. Ty Warren is a very solid DE. A first-rounder is not a sure thing and I agree the Patriots have made a lot of bad picks, but I’m not sure it’s because they have played it overly safe. They’ve been very aggressive in acquiring picks and moving around on the draft board. The 2011 first-rounder may have depreciating value over time as per steelin’s good point, but it is an asset that can be utilized in a number of ways, not the least being that it might give the Patriots another franchise QB exactly when they need to start developing one.
by steeler.lifer on Sep 8, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I think thats the plan
Brady has what 3 more years?
A top pick to get the next franchise QB is what the Patriots are going to need to compete for team of the the next decade.
I liked this move for the Patriots, I just don’t understand the Raiders. A fourth for Moss? Give a first for Seymour? Is Al Davis a secret share holder of the patriots?
Everyone seems to forget that Randy Moss was a bum when the Patriots traded for him. He had basically given up on football in Oakland and was acting like a 12 year old who got picked for the wrong team in a pick-up game and decided to cry in the corner rather than make the best of his situation.
In the three previous season before Moss was traded from the Raiders to the Patriots he averaged 775 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 50 catches. While their are certainly worse receivers with his natural abilities he wasn’t putting his all into it.
Their weren’t a lot of teams that wanted to take on the cancer that was Randy Moss, Green Bay had some interest due to Brett Farve lobbying for him, but overall he wasn’t in high demand, hence the fourth round pick.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Sep 9, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I like the nod to Aaron Smith in the “Fab 5” section on the ESPN article. They have listed as the 4th best player, getting a 90/100 which translates to “Elite”. I’m not used to seeing him get that much love from a national outlet.
charity standing orders
how about Big Snack's blurb:
“a robust body type with an extremely low center of gravity…”
That is some diplomatic praise.
"That is some diplomatic praise."
good point! I’m going to start describing myself the same way!
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
DYMS, that's the Raiders problem
Let those baphoons worry about the hole that they dug for themselves. As a football purish, I am hoping that the owners get the players to adopt a pay structure similar to what the NBA has where a player is slotted and has to prove himself during his first contract to get that big money.
When you are drafting top 5 or top 10 every year, one drafting mistake can set you back years.
I think it’s close to a lock that you will see a new rookie pay structure as part of the new CBA.
Less money for rookies benefits veterans, and veterans get to vote on the new CBA. Rookies don’t so it’s easy to screw them (“screw” being a relative term for 22 year old athletes who will still make seven figures).
I tend to think this will be one of the easiest parts of the new CBA for them to agree on.
by Steelers in XLIV on Sep 8, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not saying they need sympathy, in fact I am saying quiet they opposite. I think while not a great deal on the surface…it might actually be a necessary evil to saving some money to build a decent team a few more years down the line.
I'll drink your Milkshake, I'll drink it up!
by Frank Mineo (DYMS) on Sep 8, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
No problem, lisps are ok with all
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill
Outstanding Preview By ESPN
I gotta give them props, and I completely agree DYM, that is by far the most complete preview I’ve seen to this point. Oh man, can’t Thursday come any faster?
"That Troy Polamaga guy looks like Predator"-A keen observation during Superbowl 43. Thanks to Walterfootball.
by HighSchoolSteeler on Sep 8, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions
Did you see that two of the people on the ESPN preview picked the Steelers to finish second in the division?
Why does the media continue to not give the Steelers any respect?
Because they make bonehead decisions
Like not picking up LeCharles Bentley and having Redman be the starter at every position he is eligible for.
by Chicago Steeler on Sep 8, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Issac Redman for President. Bentley can be the VP!
Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile - Albert Einstein.
lol
Yeah but the ESPN Power Poll lists the Steelers No. 1 … I sense a Lenin-Trotsky type schism within the power elite not respecting us.
by steeler.lifer on Sep 8, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions
NE
another schrewd move…it ticks me off how they keep acquiring high draft picks. I don’t care if it’s not until 2011, a 1st rounder is a 1st rounder!! It gives so much flexibility…you can package both first rounders and move way up in the draft etc
Reportedly, he has been very pleased with rookie DT Ron Brace from BC that helped prompt this trade. No way they got that much weaker by the trade, Bill sees the trade as a way to get better not worse.
Great comment above about NE using the pick on a QB. They drafted O’Connell with a 3rd round pick 2 years ago and just cut him. No need to wait, a player has it or he doesn’t. Bill is always thinking ahead…I just hope they make baad picks.
they've made plenty of bad ones...
in this decade. Some great ones too obviously, but they consistently get high grades post draft simply because “they’re the Patriots and they know what they’re doing” but tons of their draft picks never make it. They’ve very good at scoring good veteran players at reasonable prices though.
by KiwiSteelerFan on Sep 8, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Free Agency
NE has also brought in several key free agents like Moss and Welker. I still think Al Davis should be castrated for giving up Moss so easy. Then again, I sorta like seeing the Raiders suck every year.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
One small correction...
Moss and Welker were both trades, not free agents.
by NYSteelersFan4 on Sep 9, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretty big correction
silly me .. .. ..
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Sep 9, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Scout, Inc. Player Ratings
-Of all the teams, Pittsburgh has the most ranked above 90 with 4.
-Big Ben (92) is the 3rd ranked QB behind Brady (94) and Peyton (93).
-Troy and Deebo (both 93) are tied for 2nd highest rated defensive player with Ed Reed and Haynesworth. Demarcus Ware (94) is #1. I call bullshit on that one.
-Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, and Reggie Wayne (93) are the highest rated WRs. Larry Fitzgerald (92) is next.
-Hutchinson and Joe Thomas (90) are the highest rated OL.
On Ware
he is a beast. It’s not a real stretch I don’t think.
The only managing Ben does is he manages to WIN games
by chewiesteeler on Sep 9, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
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