With the #52nd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select Jason Wirlds, DE, Virginia Tech
by Michael Bean on Apr 23, 2010 7:59 PM EDT
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PrintI am most certainly not surprised that the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't select a cornerback in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft. Never made much sense to me. Thought perhaps Pittsburgh would draft a safety in the 2nd round, but a flurry of them were taking early on in the evening, prompting the Steelers to address what I felt was the position that was next in line in terms of need - more youth along the DL.
The Steelers do just that by picking up 6'1" 254 pound DE Jason Worilds out of Virginia Tech. Obviously at that size Worilds might figure to be an outside linebacker. But he's also just a junior meaning he still has some growth to do physically. He could conceivably get up into that 275-285 pound range within a few years and be able to play along the line in the 3-4.
I don't know much about Worilds, but I will say this - if nothing else, this move signals Coach Tomlin & Co.'s seriousness about improving the special teams. There is no better program in America at making plays in special teams than Virginia Tech, so you can expect Worilds will be ready to go hunt heads on coverage units from day one.
More on the most recent addition to Steeler Nation soon.
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Per SteelCage Earlier Today
Jason Worilds OLB/VT 6’1 ¼"/254 lbs 4.67 40 yard dash
and
Koa Misi OLB/Utah 6’2 5/8"/251 lbs 4.76 40 yard dash
Two of the best speed rushers in the draft could be added in rounds 2 or 3 to bolster depths and give us some future prospects once Harrison retires or if god forbid we can’t extend Woodley. I like them both at two and love them at three, but don’t think either will be ours.
When You Run The Ball Good Things Happen
Next pick
will be a RB. Looking at the depth chart, a back up RB is the biggest hole right now.
Worilds will be another DE converted to OLB success story for the Steelers
I have a mag that compares him to Elvis Dumervil… He is a great edge rusher and will be Harrisons replacement in the future
sporting news ?
i got the same one. nfldraftscout.com says he ran a 4.49 and 4.53 40. thats blazing
I hate Hines Ward but I sure wish he was on my team.- ex Ravens head coach Brian Billick
by MAN_OF_STEEL_86 on Apr 23, 2010 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
i dont get it tho
how do we not get Tate. It doesnt make sense to me. we could address the OLB later. Im upset but will get over it soon
I want Holyfield! You've seen what these guns can do in the Middle East. Now I'm gunna show you what they can do in the ring.
-The late and GREAT Chris Farley- RIP
Mike Wallace, Hines, Sweed gets one more shot, and we go out and sign Randle El and Battle in free agency. We’re not going into the season with 6 receivers, so who would we have cut?
by barnerburner on Apr 23, 2010 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Worilds is a work horse
As a Hokie fan, I’ve seen him play countless times. I like the motor he’s got. I see him making a lot of contributions on special teams like Fox and Harrison used to do. Frank Beamer takes a serious interest in his special teams at Tech one of the few head coaches who doubles as the special teams coach. You’ll often find his best players from both sides of the ball out covering kicks and blocking punts because his philosophy is why keep your best guys on the bench when they could be out there making plays and creating turnovers for your team.
If we draft one of his classmate Kam Chancellor at the safety position in the later rounds then we’ll have really addressed some of the holes on our special teams.
HOKIE! HOKIE! HOKIE! HI!!!
Time for Troy's backup.
Or an ILB.
If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.
Not an expert
but I like the fact that he is a junior. We have been taking younger guys. Remember that Timmons came out young and learned on the Steelers bench. By the time this guy matures we may need some help at OLB
I'm no expert either
But I really like what I’ve seen from this kid rushing the passer. Very very quick first step, and great speed off the edge from my opinion.
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
i like the pick
but i hope hes not nathaniel adibi part 2
I hate Hines Ward but I sure wish he was on my team.- ex Ravens head coach Brian Billick
by MAN_OF_STEEL_86 on Apr 23, 2010 8:26 PM EDT reply actions
Ok
using this thread as a continuation of the last because my computer blows up everytime a thread passes like 600 posts..didn’t really make sense of this pick but we’ll see…would’ve rather seen Sean Lee…but oh well..where do we go next?
by BlackandGoldSSgt on Apr 23, 2010 8:32 PM EDT reply actions
new post up for round 3
Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)
...We passed on Golden Tate...
I don’t know what to say, aside that Seattle is living my dream draft…
BTSC Obituaries
OldManSteeler, ominously died two days before Superbowl 123 where the Ravens are set to attempt their 7th superbowl win, facing the Detroit Lions on Sunday. He was 86. His last words are believed to be "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.
by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Apr 23, 2010 8:38 PM EDT reply actions
Worilds needs to be a hit, otherwise we might begin to doubt...
that the Steelers are truly the best at picking 3-4 OLBs in the draft. I posted this in the open thread, but this past decade the Steelers have had 2 hits and 3 misses with their previous 5 OLB picks.
Busts – Alonzo Jackson, Nathaniel Adibi (also from VT), and Bruce Davis
Hits – LaMarr Woodley, Clark Haggans
With this track record, I can’t say that I am 100% convinced the Steelers own the market in picking 3-4 OLBs….even if Worlids is a hit they’d only be 50/50 at it, which I think almost any team could be
Hard to call Bruce Davis a bust this early in his career…
The glare of the spotlight is harsh, and the pressure that success breeds immense. We revere our heroes, but expect much. And criticism can come as easily as praise.
Davis was certainly a bust pick for the Steelers...
cut in his second year
Call me sentimental
but as a Bama fan I was kinda hoping for Mt. Cody. When the Steelers passed I was okay with that, but for the stankin Ravens to get him….ack, it cuts deep.
Does this mean we don't resign Woodley?
You don’t draft a guy in Round 2 of a loaded draft unless you expect him to be starting within a year or two. The Steelers just paid a bazillion dollars to extend James Harrison at one OLB position. If they pay another bazillion to extend Woodley, where does Worilds play? I don’t think he sits on the bench for years waiting for Deebo to retire.
This really looks to me like they drafted Worilds to back up Woodley this year and take over that position next year.
The Epicness of that stupidity could not be computed.
by Phantaskippy on Apr 23, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
11010001110101101000110100101011010110
"Hey baby, want some Adam West penis?"
- Adam West
by Steel Spike on Apr 24, 2010 12:42 AM EDT up reply actions
from what i'm reading
and i’m no expert on this. worilds (which i have no clue how to pronounce) seems like a project but has a ton of talent. he’ll probably ride the bench for 2-3 years and be an injury replacement in case harrison’s age decides to catch up with him. will probably also help out a lot on special teams like blitz said. he’s harrison’s long term replacement
It's a depth thing and an age thing
I don’t blame the Steelers. LB in a 3-4 run their asses off so much that it’s becoming like RB. You almost have to keep a potential starter as a backup just to ensure fresh bodies at the end of the season.
Looking at the guy’s stump size, I think it’s time to consider this might be the end for Lawrence Timmons. The Steelers management seems to think Timmons just didn’t physically challenge OLs hard enough last season. Hence the return of Larry Foote.
Remember, too, that 3-4 LBs drop off fast after 30. Foote’s 29. Farrior’s 85. Harrison, people always seem to forget, is going on 32.
Woodley and Timmons are the only young guys, and management isn’t too crazy about where Timmons is at development wise. Timmons is clear more of a Tampa 2 style coverage OLB than a 3-4 ILB. The hope had been he’d be a Chad Brown type, but that’s clearly not the case.
Overall a good move. But, it requires some context to understand.
by theobserver on Apr 23, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Ageed
Is it just me, or does this pick seem neither BPA, or need? I’m watching the Ravens get better, and the Steelers just drafted a backup OLB in the second round. Feels like we are treading water here.
" Just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and then I think you'll finally understand"
" In America" Charlie Daniels Band
Just remember that before all the injuries in the world we were a favorite to win the title. They are drafting guys who will make the team and help. This is our next in a long line of ST demons who become great players a few years later.
by Phantaskippy on Apr 23, 2010 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Are we all so sure that...
Worilds won’t be inside? I read a profile over at Sporting News that has a lot of analysis about specific plays that Worilds was involved in. He sounds like he could be excellent at the Buck. He was already doing a lot of the things that a Buck linebacker must do. Namely, he is really good at absorbing and playing through blocks and thus redirecting run plays into fruitless directions.
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." TR
Sporting News..
Scratch that….. it was Universal Draft
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." TR
by Concomitandt on Apr 23, 2010 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
you could be right
i’m just going by what i’m reading on other sites. they said was an undersized DE in college.
Sounds like "position flexibility" to me
Tomlin LOVES that.
by SteelerMessican on Apr 23, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Has had 3 major shoulder surgeries + ankle problems
Did we reach so that we could have more players in the training room. Once the shoulder goes, it is gone. REACH. BUST mark my words. He will spend more time on IR than the active roster.
by Steeler Nation VA on Apr 23, 2010 10:16 PM EDT reply actions
Michael Fabiano called Worilds one of the BEST VALUE picks of Day 2.
by SteelerMessican on Apr 23, 2010 10:37 PM EDT reply actions
oh god
that made me vomit in my mouth a lil bit. i’m just going by fabiano from fantasy football (i play on nfl.com) and he just seems to say flashy things and never have a complete grasp of the the big picture. i’ve certainly learned the hard way not to trust his advice.
regardless, sounds like this guy has the potential to be a stud in our system a few years down the road. but i’ve also read the steelers could have probably dropped back and still gotten him for less & in the process move up with our other picks.
Gang Green
At least one of the fans at Gang Green kept moaning because we took Worilds so that makes it two people (besides Steelers) who think he was a good choice.
How do I break it to the cat that since he has been declawed, the rabbit he sees in our backyard would kick his sorry butt?
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Apr 24, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Not Fabiano
The other dude the former GM not Casserly. thinking Lombardi something similiar
I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.
We just dumped a problem WR just so we could draft another?
bill pollian in an interview said he thought there was only two elite pass rushers in this draft jerry hughes and jason worilds. i think worilds is gonna be a nightmare for the qbs in our division in a couple years
I hate Hines Ward but I sure wish he was on my team.- ex Ravens head coach Brian Billick
by MAN_OF_STEEL_86 on Apr 23, 2010 10:56 PM EDT reply actions
Definately the kind of pick that has you scratching your head at first.
But, as I do more research on the guy and read the scout reports, he sounds like he’ll fit in nicely in our system.
And to those who think he’ll play inside, remember that Lawrence Timmons was a very similar athlete coming out of FSU when we drafted him. Both players were OLB speed rushers.
Maybe Worilds has the versatility to play the Buck and spell Woodley/Harrison on the oustide.
Good pick.
by iBleedBlack&Gold on Apr 23, 2010 11:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Seriously?
I cant believe anyone can deny that the steelers needed a TOP CB in this years draft.
Mcfadden is certainly not the answer. There is a reason why the Cards parted with him.
The steelers corner issue is really not new, it just manifested itself even more last year. Even during the Superbowl run they got burned alot, but they were able to bend and not break.
The cornerback duo for the black and gold has to be one of the worst in the NFL. Just look at how many leads they blew with their inability to cover. They lack so much quickness that they play 10 yards off on EVERY single play. How many times did we easily see a 3rd and 10 converted against them.
This year, they had a chance for another TOP CB and let him pass in Kyle wilson, who was picked up by the Jets. In a previous draft they let another Top CB get grabbed by the Jets, his name was DARELLE REVIS. Imagine if they had him last year! I doubt throwing would have been so easy.
I think the pickup of pouncy was a good pick, but loading up on so many OLB was garbage.
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