Steelers' assistant lauds defensive line

John Mitchell talking D-line. Note that he talks about Eason still being part of the rotation moving forward.

almost 2 years ago barnerburner 12 comments 0 recs |

Comments

I like the fact Ziggy has improved

not too keen on Eason though, he is solid but I had hoped that a guy like Worthington or Harris might be able to push him out of the rotation, we need the youth on the DL to step up.

"If that boy billionaire thinks he can shut me up, he should stick his head in a can of paint." Myron Cope, after Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder sent someone into the broadcast booth during a game to tell Cope to stop referring to his team as the "Wash Redfaces."

I will no longer use my sig as a way of predicting things as I seem to be a kiss of death to the poor kids I big up so much.

by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Jun 21, 2010 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

Don't rush them, youth needs to be ready to step up first

Ziggy’s leading the charge, but while Harris comes along Eason is a capable and necessary safety net (or will hopefully still be after regaining the weight he lost)

by barnerburner on Jun 21, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, but honestly

Eason isn’t a good player, he is efficient at blocking a space and that is about it. I look for a young guy to try to beat him out of the team, Harris is the most likely candidate but if Eason is best then why not play him?

I will no longer use my sig as a way of predicting things as I seem to be a kiss of death to the poor kids I big up so much.

by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Jun 21, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Would Mitchell play a guy if he didn't think he was a good player?

by barnerburner on Jun 21, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions

quite simply, yes

he is not a good player he is just an adequate backup, these guys who are up around 300lbs can’t play every snap and for a few plays here and there what Eason does is good but I don’t like seeing him as a starter and would rather see a better player there, which is why I hope Sunny or Doug become that.

I will no longer use my sig as a way of predicting things as I seem to be a kiss of death to the poor kids I big up so much.

by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Jun 21, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Rest assured you're probably never going to see him as a starter

He’s just a rotation guy. But his type is nonetheless necessary to the team. In a hockey comparison he’s like a Craig Adams for the Pens – a gritty blue collar 4th liner who’s primary job is spelling the stars/starters, and he does it well. He’ll make an occasional play here or there, but can never take over a game and carry the team. He’s the type of guy that you want on your team even though he’ll hardly generate a feeding frenzy if he hits the free agent market. He’s reached his ceiling for development and it might not be very high, but you can’t just swap him out with a rookie or second year player and expect them to fill in without missing a beat.

by barnerburner on Jun 21, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

not saying to cut him or anything

Just looking at ages across our D line it would reassure me to see the youngsters making strides, hence the happiness for Ziggy. However with a guy like Eason not being passed by Harris that isn’t the development I want from him.

I will no longer use my sig as a way of predicting things as I seem to be a kiss of death to the poor kids I big up so much.

by Josh Roberts (ESGB) on Jun 21, 2010 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

at the end of the season, eason had quite a few memorable sacks i remember

by klompus on Jun 23, 2010 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions

i would have agreed two years ago

But a few years with Mitchell has done wonders for Eason. He’s not nearly the slightly overweight, unimpressive specimen he was when he arrived here from Cleveland. Give the guy some credit; he showed some good motor and strength last season in a reserve role.

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)

by Michael Bean on Jun 28, 2010 3:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Not sure why you dislike Eason so much

I think he was great for us with the much maligned DL we had last year. Worthington is way too young to push out Eason. Look at Ziggy, way more potential and a #1 pick, only saw 3rd string snaps and some 2nd string toward the end of the year. He is still developing too. There is no way Worthington can step up faster than Ziggy.

"I'm from Maryland, and no one can beat me!"

by John Stephens on Jun 23, 2010 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions

obviously there will be some instances we'll need eason

but id like to see him on the field as little as possible. if ziggy can take 20-30% of smith and keisel’s snaps that should be enough to keep them fresh. a 3 man rotation for 2 positions is good enough for me

by steel.curtain.number2 on Jun 22, 2010 12:28 PM EDT reply actions