Secondary is Primary !

by tdbragg66 on Mar 26, 2011 6:18 AM EDT

For all the masses out there screaming , offensive line with the first pick , you'd better think again . By no means , am I saying ignore the line , but definitely not with the first pick . This team has to get a quality cover corner even if it means trading up a few spots to land one . The Steelers have went to the Super Bowl twice in the last three years with a subpar offensive line so they've shown they can win with a sub par line . Tom Brady , Aaron Rogers and Drew Brees have shown quite convincingly that the Steelers cant win with with their present secondary . All three QB's proved the way to beat the Steelers is spread them out . They did it , and the Steelers had no answer for it . The result , three losses , including a Super Bowl loss . This team can no longer ignore what has become a glaring weakness and the rest of the league knows it . Ike Taylor is a proven veteran that must be resigned , Hes consistently matched up with the other teams go to guy and hes more than handled himself . Mcfadden on the opposite side is average at best . William Gay needs to be gone , period ! Hes beaten like a drum every time he lines up in pass coverage . After that we have Keenan Lewis and Crezdon Butler , two complete unknows that havent done anything . Thats it folks , after that the cabinet is pretty bare . This is why its critical that the team land a quality corner in the 2011 draft . The secondary has been ignored for far to long and if the Steelers want to compete with the Tom Brady's and Peyton Mannings of the world then the time to fix this is now .

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i agree wholeheartedly

when we got beat last year, it wasnt because of our offensive line. it was because a good QB picked our secondary apart. until we have an elite (or even above average) secondary, the superb owl will not be ours

by hasay on Mar 26, 2011 6:22 AM EDT reply actions

Our offense outscored the GB offense in the SB, the winning points were given up by our O line (Kemo). They also blew their blocking assignments which led to Mendenhall fumbling.

No DB we draft this year will get any significant playing time his rookie year, an O line prospect will be starting. O line is a safer pick, especially with the depth at CB in this draft and the fact that there isn’t a clear cut value at 1.31.

by alistar7 on Mar 26, 2011 8:29 AM EDT reply actions

Since when has immediate impact ever been an issue with colbert?

and if you think our offensive line hurt us more than our secondary did in the super bowl, I’m sorry, but you’re crazy. i will concede to your point about there being no clear cut value at 31, but if someone like brandon harris falls to us, i will be angry if we pass him up.

by hasay on Mar 26, 2011 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

i’m with you on the line not losing that game. even after mendenhall’s fumble, our defense should have been able to step up and stop them. on third and ten with the packers deep in their own territory, after we lowered the gap to three points, our offensive line didn’t let up a 30+ yard play. defensive back needs to be our biggest priority. if not, we’ll be seeing the same thing i’ve seen a lot since i’ve been watching the steelers in non-ring-earning years. we’ll get to the doorstep only to be locked out of the house.

by jd5757 on Mar 26, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Our offense outscored theirs, we lost by 6 points. How many points did we give up when Kemo got blown back into Ben, 7.

The line missed TWO blocks on the Mendenhall fumble, he got sandwiched between two guys before he could secure the ball. That TO killed a dominating drive and ended up in 7 more points for the Pack.

Our secondary did enough to win and neither Troy nor McFadden were 100%. Our O line gave up two of the biggest 3 plays in the game, including the game deciding 7 points.

We need both OL and CB early in this draft, but judging from the quality of each in this class I believe we will wait until the 2nd to address CB, and most likely it will be Burton.

by alistar7 on Mar 27, 2011 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Troy and Mcfadden not at 100%?

what about Maurkice Pouncey, Willie Colon, and Max Starks being at 0%? and if my memory serves me right Flo wasnt himself either that day.

but aside from that, youre using 2 freak plays to back up your argument. We have shown on a consistent basis that any team with a decent O-line and a good QB can pick our secondary apart and tear us to shreds any day of the week.

by hasay on Mar 27, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions

alistar is right

the secondary didn’t lose the game. Turnovers did, GB scored 21 points off of turnovers. If we take care of the ball; we win, period. I can’t remember the third turnover, but two of them came directly because our offensive line failed to make their blocks or hold their blocks.

We need help in the secondary. But I think with the deep secondary class this year we’ll do good with a second round DB. The offensive line class this year isn’t as deep. I say you go there first. And Alistar does make a point, not many CBs could start day one in our system and we’re picking low enough to where we most likely won’t get a DB that can start day 1. But we’ll have a chance to get a guard that can start day 1. Thats why I think they’ll try to trade up for Pouncey if they can.

"Did you really expect Joe to have it as easy as you think it would be against James "I want to stomp of your children’s testicles" Harrison and Lamar "I’ll kick your grandmother" Woodley? I sure as hell didn’t." - Malor

by tannofsteel84 on Mar 27, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

He is

is usually contracted to he’s.

"They timed it perfectly, they just went too soon." - Darrell Waltrip

by alfresco on Mar 26, 2011 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

I say break from tradition this ONE time

Eat from the tree of life….

Sign asognmawa : )

by Steelchamps !! on Mar 26, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

id love that

if we didnt have to resign woodley and ike (if we sign asognmawa and get rid of ike we still have no no.2 corner) and timmons pretty soon.

by steelerintexas on Mar 26, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

why not

just cut McFadden or Gay and sign Namdi. If he’ll take a pay cut.

by tannofsteel84 on Mar 27, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

No complaints here

The secondary is poor. They definately need upgrades at CB and FS. To me that is the priority followed by OL.

Proud fan of Pittsburgh's professional sports teams and the Pirates too.

by Black&GoldTrain on Mar 26, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

The issue is Value

I agree that the cornerback position is indeed the biggest weakness on this team, but at the end of the first round (even if we move up a couple of spots) there really isn’t a guy who’s going to step in early that we can’t get in the second round. Brandon Harris is the closest thing to that and there’s no guarantee that he’ll even be available. Even if he is, there are a lot of people within the NFL who are doubtful he could be anything more than a nickel corner in this league. I hope they are proven wrong as I’ve been a big supporter of Harris, and I still think he has a high upside, but there’s is a considerable risk at taking him in the first. I trust Colbert’s judgment so if we do end up taking Harris in the first than I’ll rest pretty easy, and I’ll start regaining that confidence in Harris that I had before the Combine. The only other options in the first are as follows

1. Peterson-No way this happens
2. Amukamara-Would be a dream come true but highly unlikely he falls to a realistic trade up position.
3. Jimmy Smith-One of the few guys in the draft I can easily say that the Steelers won’t be taking. Though he looks decent in coverage there are too many character concerns, and he looks shaky at best against the run.
4. Aaron Williams-I’m not a big fan of Williams if he can only play safety, which is what some people are saying about him.
5. Ras-I Dowling-From what I’ve heard and read his draft stock is anywhere between rounds 1 and 3 right now, but as I wrote earlier in the week I wouldn’t mind adding him in the first round if the Front Office believes that he can stay healthy.

Ultimately I believe that we’ll be adding at least one DB in the first 3 rounds-my guess being in the second, and hopefully third.

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 are said to have been "MALOR CAN SUCK IT!!!". Like friends and family, we can only guess what this could mean.

by Tim Mullhaupt (HSS) on Mar 26, 2011 6:07 PM EDT reply actions

I agree with everything here

CB’s are ridiculously boom or bust in the 1st round. Amukamara and Peterson are the only 2 who look like sure things in this league. Jimmy Smith is my #3 CB in this draft but I think he will be gone, and like you say, character issues have me concerned too.

Brandon Harris I dont think is a fit for the Steeler D, not a fan of Aaron Williams either, I do like Dowling however, but think we will need to trade down to the 2nd, or move up from 63 to realistically get him.

Then theres guys like Burton, who looks like a career nickel/#2 corner to me.

Put this way, everyone is clamouring for a #1 corner in this draft, you cant just draft one of those. They are developed. In saying that, I only expect 2 cornerbacks of this draft class to emerge as true shutdown cornerbacks, and neither of them will be at 31

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Mar 26, 2011 11:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

But if our previous corners would have panned out; we wouldn’t be having this conversation.So I say spend a little more money and get Asomougha and resign Ike . Then BMac will be our 3rd.DB and Butler can be 4th. and move Keenan to FS . to back up Ryan Clark. Clark may have lost a step but he knows our defense like the back of his hand and coach trusts him out there, so that should say something. So we can draft BPA, if not Pouncey in the 1st.rd. and DB after that.

by Al Love on Mar 26, 2011 8:32 PM EDT reply actions

Theres no realistic way of getting Asomugha

Without cutting out other major pieces of our team. Ike still has a few years as our #1 corner. I am hoping that somehow Gay and BMac will handle the #2 role between them, and Butler at number 4.

Cut Keenan Lewis and continue developing Ryan Mundy as our backup safety. I like the progress hes made.

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Mar 26, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions

We don’t have to cut major piece to get Nnamdi, I detailed our salary cap and possible cuts we could make to offer him up to 15 million a year. Guys like Larry Foote, ARE, Bmac, etc. That’s half of what it right there, and I think Nnamdi is a ‘slight’ upgrade over Bmac.

I’m pretty high on Burton myself, and the Steelers had him in for two interviews at the combine.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/635460-nfl-draft-5-corners-the-pittsburgh-steelers-should-be-looking-at#page/5

“Brandon Burton has all the tools to be the steal of the NFL draft, and the Steelers would be crazy not to take a good hard look at him in the second round.

With high-end speed, tremendous length and quick feet, Burton has been turning some heads amongst NFL brass, and moving himself up the wish lists of GM’s whose teams are running predominantly zone schemes.

With tremendous closing speed, Burton has not only shown the ability to deflect passes on a regular basis, but he has also shown the ability to effectively trail receivers down field if beaten off the line.

If Burton is coachable at the next level, and by all scouting reports seems to be, the elimination of sloppy footwork and a slightly high backpedal will in turn eliminate the limited change of direction Burton has displayed at times in coverage.

While Burton will need some coaching in certain areas like footwork, staying lower in his backpedal, and how to read receivers off the line, his pure instincts and athletic ability will allow his transition to the NFL to be a quick and successful one. "

by alistar7 on Mar 27, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Like your analysis on Burton

He’s TOP on my list for Steelers 2nd round pick. I would prefer Curtis Brown, but I know he wont be there at 63.

Stay thirsty my friends.

by SteelerMessican on Mar 27, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Youre forgetting we have Woodley to sign

And other potential guys in the next couple years too.

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Mar 27, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

No, Woodley and Timmons notably would still be signable. Hampton will be retiring in two years as will other players, the future leeway is there as well.

But even if it wasn’t, down the road if had to choose between losing a top LB or a CB like Nnamdi, which would you choose? I see us replace LBs all the time.

by alistar7 on Mar 27, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Thats a good point. I still struggle to see a scenario where Asomugha takes a pay cut to come to the Steelers, not when there are other “championship hopeful” teams out there who can throw a lot more money at Asomugha

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Mar 27, 2011 9:46 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he might take a marginal cut to come to a solid contender, but it would still take a minimum of 12-15 million a year.

His last contract was absurd and he knows Davis will pay him similar money again, he still wants out. That to me says he values winning more than top dollar at this point in his career.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2011/02/steelers-2011-salary-cap-total-current-roster/

Larry Foote – 3 million (Farrior will only make 3.8)
ARE – 2.3 million
Bmac – 2.7 million
Arnaz Battle 1.4 million

That’s almost 10 million right there. I would also let Farrior go, if absolutely needed, and take my chances with Sylvester. Timmons can handle the calls and by seasons end I think it would be an overall upgrade at ILB, especially on passing downs.

5 million this year is going to Flozell, that would be available down the road for Nnamdi and signing our other big FAs in Timmons/Mendenhall. Farrior will retire clearing another 3 million for future use, 6 million from Aaron Smith, 7 million from Starks, 4 million when Ward retires :(

That’s 25 million in future money that would be available, and that cap as shown already included Woodley at 10 million a year. What it doesn’t include is Ike, but if given the choice between keeping Ike or getting Nnamdi, I think we both would make the same call.

I think we could keep Ike and still get Nnamdi, but it might take some vets, Smith/Ben/Ward/Starks etc, giving some $ back. Not our normal way of doing things with a big FA but imo he is one of the rare ones who deserves courting. He is exactly what we need on the field, and everything we covet off of it as well.

You are correct that other championship ‘hopeful’ teams can offer more money, but outside of GB I don’t think he can find another team poised to legitimately contend for titles until his retirement.

It will never happen but it’s a nice possibility to dream about :)

by alistar7 on Mar 27, 2011 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Godsend if this happens!!

by ColinP on Mar 29, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions

WHO would you draft at 31?

The only guy who MAY be there at 31 is Brandon Harris, and HSS did a pretty good write up on him. NFL network analyzed him the other day, and some were saying he was a DIME corner at best. Not big, not super fast, doesnt blanket receivers….. Really much upgrade over McFadden???

Rahim Moore is probably the only other DB consideration, but he would be a significant reach at 31, as he is projected to go more in the middle of the 2nd. Unless someone like Sherrod, or one of the DL’s Heyward or Wilkerson falls, maybe there are better off trading down.

Stay thirsty my friends.

by SteelerMessican on Mar 27, 2011 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

Here is the link to NFL newtwork's Miami Pro Day analysis

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d81ef3398/Miami-pro-day-report?module=HP_video

Mayock says Harris will go 2nd, maybe 3rd. In the end of the clip he also refers to this class of corners as “weak”.

Stay thirsty my friends.

by SteelerMessican on Mar 27, 2011 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions

if Pouncey is there at 31 then take him...

If not trade back and get another 2nd and 3rd round pick to land secondary prospects since there will not be a sure thing at 31. Just because we REALLY REALLY WANT ONE, doesn’t make a future star CB available at that pick. Our secondary is weak because we’re always picking in the lower half of the first round and there’s normally only 1 or 2 great CB’s available in a draft. Give Lake our current roster along with a one or 2 picks in rounds 2-4 and see what he can develop.

I only say get Pouncey in the first because of his brother which would guarantee he’d have the chemistry on our line to be a sure pick. Those two can already finish each others sentences, so you wouldn’t have blown assignments like we always have with Kemo the brick head. Maybe I’m biased, but I would love to see Kemo unseated. Most of the truly awful mistakes I clocked this year on the line came from the left side. Foster, Legursky, and Kemo could fight it out for RG.

by lkwdsteel on Mar 28, 2011 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

Brandon Harris if available at #31 if not the bpa if possible at OT position maybe Orlando Franklin or a Muhammad Wilkerson and then take a chance on Dowling as a pick on the 2nd round if he is not available then maybe Curtis Marsh.

by J Lee on Mar 29, 2011 3:43 AM EDT reply actions

Keenan Lewis and Crezdon Butler

These two guys have all but been ignored. We all know that being a DB in Coach Dad’s defense takes time to learn and if I do recall the coaches were really high on both Lewis and Butler. Lewis needs to be more football smart because I think he has the speed and talent to be a good cover guy, Butler I think was closer to competing than we really thought, but that whole rookies not seeing time that Mike Tomlin follows probably tells us that Butler may have been close but just not ready to operate in our defense quite yet. I’m hoping to see vast improvement by both of these guys and maybe our secondary worries can be calmed just a bit. I’d rather see the Steelers take the best available talent when 31 rolls around instead of trying to fill a perceived need.

by Piratefan13 on Mar 29, 2011 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

But we do need a future Ike taylor, not sure if either of those guys are it

by tannofsteel84 on Mar 29, 2011 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Enough about...

“CoachDad’s defense takes time to learn” if you can cover you can cover and any rookie who can cover better than BMac and Gay will and should start. They have experience guys in there to help them on the fly.

by ColinP on Mar 29, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Unfortunately it's not all about man coverage.

It’s learning the appropriate zones and where to be on blitzes that slows the learning curve for rooks.

I have not yet begun to procrastinate.

by NYSteelersFan4 on Mar 29, 2011 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

That is it exactly...

The defense is complex and rookie defensive players aren’t able to use all of their natural abilities because they have to be thinking all the time. We noticed a major difference in Timmons once he was familiar with the defense, his natural speed and ability combined with the knowledge of the defense has given us an outstanding player. I believe that we should see Butler this year starting to make his way onto the field. As for Lewis, I think its a figure it out or he’s gone kinda year.

by Piratefan13 on Mar 30, 2011 7:11 AM EDT up reply actions