Flipping the clip + 2 Mocks

by Steely McSmash on Jan 26, 2012 11:43 PM EST

We're all familliar with the mantra that "we don't rebuild, we re-load". It's a nice thought along with "the standard is the standard". I think it's a good idea to have pervasive ideas that sucking as a team is in no way shape or form acceptable.

via upload.wikimedia.org

In light of the salary cap issues, I took a little time looking at what kind of changes are necessary this spring. The team needs to shed something like $25M before march and will need to free up another $10-15M to get the roster ready for camp. The first $25M is basically cuts of guys with a single year left (so multiple years of bonus proration don't land in 2012) and restructures of contracts. The second chunk can include those but also cuts of guys with multiple years left after June 1 when the proration left will land in 2013.

via www.imfdb.org

So back to the reloading and to why I've attached photos of guys holding machine guns here. There's a lot of reloading to do. Starting in WWII when a big firefight was expected, troops taped machine gun magazines together back to back "jungle style". When the first was spent, they simply flipped the clip around and kept at it. It's done a lot in Hollywood moves. (stills from Full Metal Jacket and DieHard 2 here)

via www.imfdb.org

This year on the south side the clip is being flipped. The hot brass of Aaron Smith, Casey Hampton, Chris Hoke James Farrior, Larry Foote, Will Allen, Bryant McFadden, Chris Kemoeautu, Hines Ward, and Arnaz Battle are more than likely headed to the ground. Between this and the OC change, this is looking like the closest you'll see to a rebuilding year in Pittsburgh. We're all busy speculating on what bullets Kevin Colbert has in that second clip. Some are in house, some might be free agents and many are readying for the draft.

I thought it might be helpful to take a look at the roster with all these guys missing to inform the draft postings a little. If you think Casey Hampton will be back in 2012 coming off an ACL and with a $8M cap hit, think again...

NT (1/2) Mclendon the lone man in the middle. Ziggy may be worth a look. - high draft need.

DE (3/4) decent shape here with Al Woods and Corbin Bryant in the wings. - Late round/UDFA need.

ILB (2/5) Morty Ivy might be worth a look. Possibly take a look at Chris Carter here? Really need a thumper to complement Timmons - High draft need.

OLB (4/4) late round/UDFA practice squad type would be ok here unless they see value and want to move Carter to ILB. I think this draft looks pretty good for OLB prospects.

S (3/4) DCS probably has the inside track. Anthony Madison might be an option. Both starters are over 30 so this is an area to have young guys with upside though it's hard to argue for it in this draft.

CB (4/6) good young guys here finally. Roll the dice in the later rounds and re-sign Gay.

QB (2/3) Ben and Troy Smith holding down the fort. Byron probably to re-sign after June. 5th round or later guy to compete might not be a bad idea.

C (2/2)

OG (1/3) Foster is the only true G with any experience - most glaring need,

OT (3/4) (Gilbert, Colon, C. Scott) There are a couple other bodies on the roster who might shine in camp. Could use another young guy with LT potential. maybe 3-5th round.

TE (3/3)

WR (3/5) Hopefully the team will re-sign Cotchery or Ward and draft a mid-late round guy.

FB (0/1) !!!!!! maybe 4th-5th round

RB (5/4) more injured backs than you can shake a stick at.

ST(3/3) Swish or Warren might be replaced for cap savings. possibly with a 7th.

With those needs in mind, Here's a couple mocks that address the needs.

1.24 Keleche Oselme OG - ISU

2.24 Josh Chapman NT- Bama

3.24 Audie Cole - ILB - NC State.

4.24 Don Barclay - LOT - WVU.

5.24 Case Keenum - QB - Houston

6.24 J.R. Sweezy - DE - NC State

7.24 Tashaun Gipson - CB - Wyoming

7 Comp 1 Derek Moye - WR - PSU

7 Comp 2 Emil Egwenagu - FB- UMass

1.24 Donta Hightower ILB Bama

2.24 Kevin Zeitler OG Wisconsin

3.24 Nate Potter OT Boise St

4.24 Delvin Johnson NT Marshall

5.24 Cody Johnson FB Texas

6.24 Kyle Wilber DE Wake Forsest

7.24 Patrick Edwards WR Houston

7 Comp1 Gary Gray CB Notre Dame

7 Comp2 Dan Persa QB Northwestern

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Comments

Umm...

Why do you have Troy Smith as a QB??

And I very much dislike draft option #2, along with the fact that Gary Gray might be the worst cornerback ever.

"Leave the gun. Bring the Canolis."

by Paulie58 on Jan 27, 2012 10:25 PM EST reply actions

Because...

1. The Steelers signed Troy Smith on Jan 20, and he’s a QB….
2. I don’t watch ND if I can help it but I picked Gray based on his WalterFootball capsule. Seems like he’s produced some interceptions but is a project. That’s what I’m looking for in the 7th round. ST player who might develop.

by Steely McSmash on Jan 28, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

wow

had not heard that news…. sorry for questioning it, haha. I didn’t even know he was in the league anymore, hadn’t heard his name in a while.

"Leave the gun. Bring the Canolis."

by Paulie58 on Jan 28, 2012 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

he wasn’t in the league anymore. He played for Marty Schottenheimers Omaha Nighthawks.
I don’t see him making it through camp next year. He is awful.

Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?

by FrankWyt on Jan 28, 2012 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

in the few chances he's been given

what has he done to be so awful that he can’t be our 3rd stringer?

by hasay on Jan 29, 2012 8:57 AM EST up reply actions

well for starters

He’s been cut from every team he’s been on.

"Leave the gun. Bring the Canolis."

by Paulie58 on Jan 29, 2012 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

so..

as I suggested, maybe he competes with a UDFA or late round pick for the 3rd roster spot.

by Steely McSmash on Jan 29, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

I've got no problem

with that. I feel he would be a better 3rd stringer than Haywire Dixon. And competition is always good. Do I think he’s a viable 2nd stringer? not really.

"Leave the gun. Bring the Canolis."

by Paulie58 on Jan 30, 2012 8:53 AM EST up reply actions

So had Debbo

I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.

"It would be tough for me to care less about their opinion, to be honest with you." Mike Tomlin

by Steel in FL on Jan 30, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

A couple of questions

In mock #1 why do you have Case Keenum lasting till the fifth?

In mock #2 How does Delvin Johnson, who is consider by nearly everyone to be lucky to be an UDFA and make a roster, get as high as the fourth round?

Huge fan of the Steelers. (that includes "Steelers West")
"If I could start my life over again, I would be a professional football player and you better damn well believe a Pittsburgh Steeler!"- Jack Lambert

by Steel34D on Jan 28, 2012 3:48 AM EST reply actions

see below

by Steely McSmash on Jan 28, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions

because

1. Keenum is disrespected in my opinion. I think he’s a 3rd round value but he gets slotted in later rounds with the excuses that he’s a product of the system he plays in, he’s a couple inches short, maybe arm strength. I think the accuracy, poise and leadership you can’t teach make him a good value. Here’s where I see him on the net: WalterFootball 4-5, NFLDraftScout 7-FA, CBSSports 260th overall .

2. Who’s nearly everybody? Johnson I took the rankings from WalterFootball.com where he’s a 4-6 round guy. I’m a draftnik not a college football nut — I rely on published evaluations which are all hit or miss at the end of the day. This later pick is under the premise that team feels ok with Ziggy/McLendon as options and they don’t need to pick a starter at NT. Other guys of that caliber maybe Kendall Reyes from UConn. Mike Martin from Michigan and Tydreke Powell from UNC maybe a few rounds later.

by Steely McSmash on Jan 28, 2012 11:43 AM EST reply actions

Yeah sorry...

I spent that day mixing Keenum with Weeden I don’t know why? It didn’t help I posted after midnight pacific time which was after 1am in AZ. Yes Keenum will probably go around the 5th.

2) I don’t like Walter so hadn’t seen that but he isn’t even mentioned on CBS, NFLDraftScout and National Football post as a draftable guy that’s why I am asking. Seeing people put him higher and higher and don’t know why.

by Steel34D on Feb 1, 2012 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

Can anyone tell me

who are the blue chip OLinemen in this draft?

by Bonek on Jan 29, 2012 10:36 AM EST reply actions

Kali

Reiff and Decastro.

I'm getting tired of saying this: Dick LeBeau’s system is so complex very few rookies can make an impact.

"It would be tough for me to care less about their opinion, to be honest with you." Mike Tomlin

by Steel in FL on Jan 30, 2012 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

And 1 more question

Who is better ? Still or Poe?

by Bonek on Jan 29, 2012 10:41 AM EST reply actions

Depends on the position

Still would make a really good DE and would play NT more like a DE. Poe is NT only pretty much.

by Steely McSmash on Jan 29, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

Poe

I don’t think he will be there when the steelers pick

Impose your will.

by ALDOG on Jan 29, 2012 12:10 PM EST reply actions

who will take him that early?

Jets at 16 or SD at 18 are the only 3-4 teams I believe picking in slots 12-23 I believe.

I don’t think NT is one of the top needs for either club.

by Steely McSmash on Jan 29, 2012 9:41 PM EST up reply actions

If he is there they will be tempted.

The jets might go with an lob but if they don’t sign Pouha they will get Poe .

Impose your will.

by ALDOG on Jan 29, 2012 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

Olb

Sorry

Impose your will.

by ALDOG on Jan 29, 2012 9:56 PM EST up reply actions

lots of people pre-draft thought phil the toolman taylor was gonna fall to us before being snagged by cleveland. If all the hoopla around Poe is accurate (that he’s a legit 6’5 350 who has good technique and carries his weight well) then any team who runs a 3-4 would be more than tempted to take him…how often does that kind of player come into the NFL?

by NoVAPensFan on Jan 31, 2012 2:53 AM EST up reply actions

Nt is a priority but....

I don’t think we spend another rfirst rounder. We will likely go guard or ilb in the first. NT will likely be addressed in the second round or possibly free agency. I can’t see them bringing Hampton back though. Pua would be interesting.
At ILB I still think Sylvester is the young guy on the inside track.
As for ward I would bring him back if the mula was right.
Colon is a huge question mark as is Starks. The special teams specialists I suspect will all be gone.

Impose your will.

by ALDOG on Jan 29, 2012 12:39 PM EST reply actions

I don't see us getting 1st rd ILB

If we chose ILB with our first pick, it will mean we’d tie up HUGE amount of money on LB position. Consider: Harrison 7 mils a year, Wood 7 mils a year, Timmons 7 mils a year. And you want to beef this up even more? I don’t see this happening.

We have to chose OLineman with the first pick, even if it means trading down a bit. Second and 3rd picks should be OLineman and NT as well. I’d get our ILB with the 4th pick.

by Bonek on Jan 29, 2012 10:12 PM EST reply actions

I could see it

Heyward counts $1.2M against the 2011 cap. Consider also that the team needs to probably cut Foote and Farrior to get under the cap. Those 2 together free up $5.8M.

If you draft a 1st rounder, he could potentially start day 1 or at least be very close should Sylvester not handle the job well. Sylvester struggled disengaging from blocks in 2011 so I think they’ll want to have either a yound stud or a Vet in the wings. The Vet option probably comes with a $1M pricetag.

by Steely McSmash on Jan 30, 2012 12:21 PM EST up reply actions