Top Ten Draft Busts of the Kevin Colbert Era: No. 4 -- DT Kendrick Clancy, 3rd Round, 2000

by Michael Bean on Apr 23, 2011 2:58 AM EDT

Hope everyone had great weeks and have something fun on tap for the weekend. We're less than a week away from the start of the 2011 NFL Draft, so let's continue with our countdown of the top ten draft 'successes' and 'busts' of the Kevin Colbert era with the No. 4 'bust' -- DT Kendrick Clancy, taken in the third round of the 2000 Draft with the 72nd overall pick.

Clancy spent five seasons in Pittsburgh, but only started four games (played in 44) totaling just 22 tackles and zero sacks. To his credit though Clancy managed to bounce around to three different teams since leaving the Steelers, starting 42 games between '05 and '09. He now has a Super Bowl ring to show off to his kids and grandkids after being a part of the New Orleans Saints '09 title run.

Clancy might have had a better future in Steel Town if Casey Hampton hadn't been drafted in 2001. Then again, had Clancy shown more promise or if the Steelers believed in his ability more, they probably wouldn't have used their first round pick on Big Snack the following year. Clancy can thank Hampton for giving him a second chance though because Kendrick was actually cut prior to the 2004 season and was resigned off the street after Hampton tore his ACL eight games into the season.

These lists are hard. Real hard. When you think you have them mapped out, you change your mind after fleshing out your reasoning. New thoughts come to mind, some of which make you wish you had a mulligan. This might be one of those cases. I definitely do think Clancy belongs on this list. I'm just not sure it should be this high. For one, 2000 was Colbert's first year on the job. Obviously when you've only been around the organization and its players for less than half of a calendar year, you're not going to have the same wealth of information at your disposal when making important long-term decisions. I suppose, however, that the fact that Colbert drafted Casey Hampton in the 2001 Draft makes me scratch my head at the Clancy pick in '00. Really ready to give up on the guy after one year? Maybe so. I'll be the first to say that I'm damn glad that the Steelers targeted Big Snack in the '01 Draft. If you have a chance to upgrade in a big way, cut your losses and take that opportunity, don't stubbonrly try to retain your pride for personal validation.

By the way, the example of Clancy/Hampton should be a great reminder that we really have no idea what might be in store in the '11 Draft. That's why I quickly signed off on the idea of the 'Expecting the Unexpected' series from Jay and Tim. Rewind to '01, and I don't think there's too many of us who would consider Hamtpon a likely draft scenario. We just drafted Clancy fairly in the third round the year before! No way that stumpy, ox of a NT is on Colbert's radar!

I'll wrap this up for now, but to conclude, I'll mention that I'm extremely excited to have Dale Lolley writing about Steelers defensive line coach, John Mitchell, in this year's edition of the preseason publication. Lolley wrote an awesome piece on Sean Kugler last year, a piece that solidified in my mind that brighter days were ahead for the Steelers offensive line. And he was right. There's room to improve for sure, but Kugler played a huge role in keeping the ship afloat after the Steelers continued to lose key OL to injuries last season. Now it's time to learn more about Mr. Mitchell. After reading that article from Lolley sometime in the next month or so, I'm confident I'll have a better understanding of what it is he looks for in prospects, why certain DL have developed into mainstay contributors, and perhaps even why guys like Clancy never panned out and weren't worthy of long-term investments.

Kevin Colbert's Top 10 Draft 'Busts'

No. 5: WR Willie Reid, 3rd Round, 2006

No. 6: WR Limas Sweed, 2nd Round, 2008

No. 7: OLB Bruce Davis, 3rd Round, 2008

No. 8: OLB Thaddeus Gibson, 4th Round, 2010

No. 9: WR Plaxico Burress, 1st Round, 2000

No. 10: OG Kendall Simmons, 1st Round, 2002

**********

Kevin Colbert's Top 10 Draft 'Successes'

No. 5: WR Mike Wallace, 3rd Round, 2009

No. 6: OT Willie Colon, 4th Round, 2006

No. 7: LB Larry Foote, 4th Round, 2002

No. 8: OG Chris Kemoeatu, 6th Round, 2005

No. 9: OT Marvel Smith, 2nd Round, 2000

No. 10: WR Antonio Brown, 6th Round, 2010

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Comments

Klancy

Never heard his name before, he must be a bust

by Lamarr56 on Apr 23, 2011 7:57 AM EDT reply actions

Kendrick Clancy a Bust...?

Michael, while I can agree that Clancy might have been a “bust” you expect more production out of a third round pick, no argument, I think he’s too, too high.

The team got more value out of Clancy than it did Willie Reid, for example.

I also would not read too much into the selection of Casey Hampton. While, as Maryrose explained, Colbert/Tomlin do not strictly select the BPA, if they see two players they like they’ll take them. (Think the selections of Timmons and Woodley in 2007.)

by Hombre de Acero on Apr 23, 2011 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

That’s why these lists are so hard to do. I would move him back to around 7 if I had a mulligan. Not tons of difference really between the entries from B. Davis to Clancy. Thanks for the feedback!

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 Apr 23, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

gotta say i don't agree with this one at all

and no offense, i get the impression that neither you do to, mr. bean, since you spend half the article talking about other things than why he deserves the pick.

this is way to high considering he actually was able to stick with the team for 4 years, then most of the later half of a 5th year while earning himself playing time the whole way. i would think this is where anthony smith falls, followed by kraig urbik then alonzo jackson then richardo colcough (colbert’s highest drafted bust ever).

now that there are only 3 spots left, it makes me wonder how thaddeus gibson (who i fully supported being included) could be included on the list but Mathias Nkwenti (drafted 5 spots higher & cut in preseason) or danny farmer (colbert’s highest 4th rd bust) probably won’t be included. i thought you were just leaving out farmer cuz colbert was only on the job for a few months before

by t1mmy10 on Apr 23, 2011 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

position --DT vs. WR

I think it’s harder to make an impact at WR than it is at DT. As for Anthony Smith, he was with the team for a shorter amount of time than Clancy, and of course his infamous ‘guarantee’ was pathetic. But he also helped the 07 defense win a few games when both Polamalu and Clark were out. He was a big contributor to the team making the playoffs that year. Clancy never had that kind of impact.

Anyway, I don’t disagree. He’s probably too high here.

Finally, you are correct that Colclough/Urbik/Jackson are still to come.

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 Apr 23, 2011 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Terrible fit at NT

The Steelers were so desperate for a NT at that time that they took a guy who didn’t fit the system. He was never going to be anything more than a mediocre backup. Fortunately, like you mention, they picked up Hampton and the NT position hasn’t been a problem for a decade now. Clancy was never going to be a run stopping NT in the Steelers scheme which is the most important part of a 3-4 NT.

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

by Black&GoldTrain on Apr 23, 2011 10:29 PM EDT reply actions

I completely forgot about Clancy. I forgot he was a Steeler. Thanks for the refresher.

by Anthony Defeo on Apr 24, 2011 8:58 AM EDT reply actions

This is going back some but

I wouldn’t call Clancy a bust really. Solid NFL Pro, nothing special but he’s played a long time in a mostly reserve role. He just never fit our system. I’d have him more as a poor pick than a bust. From what I recall he was 6’1" and less than 290lbs when he was drafted. I just don’t see really how he’d ever have fitted into our system, except in the 4 down linemen packages. He was always a far better tackle in the 4-3 than either NT or DE in the 3-4. But you don’t have 8 years in the NFL as a third rounder if you’re a bust.

A blown pick by Colbert for sure though.

by KiwiSteelerFan on Apr 27, 2011 2:49 AM EDT reply actions