Behind the Steel Curtain - Everything you need to know about Steelers first round pick Ryan ShazierA level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and communityhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47293/steel_curtain_fave.png2014-08-02T08:50:05-04:00http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/rss/stream/54617192014-08-02T08:50:05-04:002014-08-02T08:50:05-04:00Packers had eyes on Shazier in NFL Draft
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It wasn't just Dallas who wanted the guy the Steelers selected with the 15th pick. According to a report, the Packers wanted Shazier to hunt down 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick. </p> <p>Reports immediately following the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft <a href="http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/latest-news/2014/5/9/5698064/agent-of-ryan-shazier-was-on-the-phone-with-cowboys-when-steelers/in/5461719" target="_blank">had the Dallas Cowboys primed to select Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier</a> with the 16th overall pick. The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> prevented that by taking him at 15.</p>
<p>Along with the Cowboys, another NFC team had their eyes on the uber-athletic linebacker.</p>
<p>According to Charlie Campbell of Walter Football, the <a href="http://walterfootball.com/nfldraftrumormill.php" target="_blank">Green Bay Packers wanted Shazier at 21,</a> if he was available, with the hopes of combating San Francisco's mobile quarterback <span>Colin Kaepernick</span>.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.ninersnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">49ers</a> have bounced the <a href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Packers</a> from the playoffs in consecutive years, the first of which exposed a Packers run defense that allowed Kaepernick to run free, gaining an NFL-record 181 quarterback rushing yards. He didn't quite have the same impact in a frozen day at Lambeau Field in the 2013 season playoffs, but Green Bay remembered what Kaepernick is capable of if a defense doesn't have the outside speed to stop him.</p>
<p>Shazier fits that profile well, and Green Bay would have been wise to take him.</p>
<p>Writes Campbell:</p>
<blockquote>The Packers felt that the lightning-fast Shazier could be the answer to the riddle of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick. With Kaepernick's scrambling threat and ability to make throws on the run, the Packers felt that Shazier would be a perfect spy. He has the speed to chase down Kaepernick when he breaks out of the pocket. As Packers source explained, "It takes a wolf to catch wolf."</blockquote>
<p>The wolf that is Shazier has been impressive so far in training camp, more for the brawn he's displaying than the speed he possesses. The former was a question mark while the latter was well-known. The question for Shazier now is whether he can put it all together along with learning the nuances of the Steelers defense. If he can, you're looking at a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-draft/2014/8/2/5961993/green-bay-packers-2014-nfl-draft-ryan-shazier-steelers-49ersNeal Coolong2014-06-05T18:10:48-04:002014-06-05T18:10:48-04:00Steelers sign Ryan Shazier
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<p>Terms of the deal were not immediately released. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> announced they signed first-round pick linebacker Ryan Shazier to a four-year contract Thursday. Terms of the deal were not immediately released.</p>
<p>From the team:</p>
<blockquote>Shazier (6-1, 237) played in 39 games, starting the final 29 contests at weak-side outside linebacker at Ohio State. He recorded 316 tackles, 14.0 sacks, 44.5 TFLs, nine quarterback pressures and forced nine fumbles in his collegiate career. In 2013, Shazier was named first-team All-American by The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL Draft</a> Report, the Associated Press, ESPN, Sports Illustrated and the USA Today. He added All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors and was twice named the Lott IMPACT Trophy national player of the week, along with tying a Big Ten record with three conference defensive player of the week honors.</blockquote>
<p>According to Over The Cap, Shazier's total value on his four-year deal is around $9,507,108 with a $5,234,328 signing bonus.</p>
<p>Shazier was the second linebacker the team has taken with the 15th overall pick in the NFL Draft. They selected Lawrence Timmons at 15 in 2007. The pair are expected to start as the Steelers' inside linebackers in 2014.</p>
<p>The Steelers have signed their first round pick (Shazier), two fifth-round picks (Wesley Johnson and Shaq Richardson), two sixth-round picks (Jordan Zumwalt and Daniel McCullers) and seventh round pick (Rob Blanchflower). The remaining three picks - second-round defensive end Stephon Tuitt, third-round wide receiver Dri Archer and fourth-round WR Martavis Bryant - should be signed shortly.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/6/5/5784054/steelers-rookie-contracts-signing-ryan-shazier-first-round-terms-moneyNeal Coolong2014-05-14T08:04:06-04:002014-05-14T08:04:06-04:00Tomlin's Run and Hit Linebackers becoming standard
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<p>It used to be the 250-pound linebacker vs. the equal weight fullback. Now, the lighter, athletic linebackers are being employed to counter four receiver offenses. Mike Tomlin's Run and Hit Linebackers are becoming the standard. </p> <blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"I think this kid is the new prototype for LBs in the NFL."-<span>Tedy Bruschi</span> on <a href="https://twitter.com/steelers">@Steelers</a>’ first-round pick Ryan Shazier <a href="http://t.co/fWKBAjT2zg">pic.twitter.com/fWKBAjT2zg</a></p>
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/statuses/466250473608314880">May 13, 2014</a>
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<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> linebacker Ryan Shazier played his last year at Ohio State at 225 pounds. He bulked up top 237 in the offseason, preparing for the draft and subsequently, his first year in the NFL. He went in the opposite direction the past few months as future Hall of Fame LB Ray Lewis did in 2012. Lewis typically played around 250 pounds throughout the majority of his career, but dropped down to 235 for the 2012 season - one that ultimately resulted in a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/super-bowl">Super Bowl</a> championship for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/">Ravens</a>.</p>
<p>"The game is changing," <a target="new" href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-ray-lewis-on-weight-loss-its-awesome-i-feel-great-20120822,0,4328199.story">Lewis told reporters at the time.</a> "The game isn't any more (about) 250-, 260-pound fullbacks," he said. "You don't have the offenses running the ball 25-, 30-, 40-plus times. Passing is just happening more."</p>
<p>The Steelers have surrendered more completions in each of the last three seasons - 289 in 2011, 299 in 2012 and 329 in 2013. While none of those figures put them outside the top 10 for least completions allowed in the NFL, the 329 total last year would have been the 14th most in the NFL in 2011, and 10th most in the NFL in 2008.</p>
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<p>The answer isn't categorically the complete shift to lighter linebackers, but the Steelers clearly see a different direction for the position. The same year Lewis was mixing in a few salads to his menu, the Steelers drafted <span>Sean Spence</span> in the third round. Spence measured in at 5-foot-11, 231 pounds - which is a big safety in today's game, and could have passed for a small defensive end a generation ago. They added <span>Terence Garvin</span> as an undrafted free agent last year, he weighed in at 221 pounds.</p>
<p>When rookie <span>Vince Williams</span> (241 pounds) wasn't cutting it, the Steelers moved strong safety <span>Troy Polamalu</span> (220 pounds) into the inside linebacker position on passing downs. Garvin would move into that role toward the end of the season.</p>
<p>Lewis vs. <span>James Farrior</span> as a match-up in the Steelers vs. Ravens rivalry is over. Perhaps Shazier vs. <span>C.J. Mosley</span> will replace it to some degree. Mosley weighed in at 234 at the Combine in February. It would seem both teams subscribe to the lighter theory.</p>
<p>They'll test it out against each other in Week 2 in Baltimore.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/5/14/5716320/steelers-ryan-shazier-weight-size-2014-nfl-draftNeal Coolong2014-05-12T09:54:25-04:002014-05-12T09:54:25-04:00Steelers 'planned to select' Gilbert or Beckham
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<p>The Steelers didn't likely have Ryan Shazier as the best player in the draft, so it isn't unreasonable to think other players were rated higher. Neither Gilbert nor Beckham were available anyway.</p> <p>NFL.com Around the League writer Chris Wesseling buried an interesting bit in a recent report about the <a href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cowboys</a> being ready to select Ryan Shazier at 16 if he was available. The <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> drafted him instead, and according to Wesseling, <a target="new" href="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000349573/article/shazier-camp-talked-to-cowboys-before-steelers-pick">Pittsburgh would have gone a different direction if two other players had been available.</a></p>
<blockquote>The Steelers, on the other hand, had planned to select cornerback Justin Gilbert (No. 8, <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Browns</a>) or LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham (No. 12, <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>). Once those players were gone, general manager Kevin Colbert said it was "an easy evaluation" to switch gears and grab the best player on their board.</blockquote>
<p>It's not entirely clear where Wesseling is getting that information. Certainly, arguments can be made - and have been made, to the point of vertigo-induction - that Gilbert, the athletic corner from Oklahoma State and Beckham, the versatile receiver from LSU, merited a selection with the 15th pick. Gilbert went to Cleveland at eight and Beckham to the Giants at 12.</p>
<p>If the plan was, all along, to take one of those two players, it would have confirmed the consensus opinion of fans that the Steelers would go with one of those positions in the first round.</p>
<p>Then again, it could be one of the outlets that reports such things frequently passing off fiction as fact.</p>
<p>We might be able to put this in the "things we'll never know" file, and it'd be hard to argue with the Steelers' decision. It doesn't seem reasonable to believe the Steelers really considered Shazier the best prospect in the draft anyway.</p>
<p>Just another log on the ever-interesting but rare glimpse behind the door on the Bill Nunn Room.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-draft/2014/5/12/5709514/steelers-draft-2014-justin-gilbert-ryan-shazier-odell-beckham-browns-giantsNeal Coolong2014-05-11T08:24:00-04:002014-05-11T08:24:00-04:00Steelers meet goal of becoming more versatile
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<p>The Steelers clearly wanted to become a more versatile football team by the end of the 2014 NFL Draft. They succeeded in that plan. </p> <p>PITTSBURGH -- From first-round pick Ryan Shazier to final selection Rob Blanchflower during the past three-day <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft">NFL Draft</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> recurring theme was to secure players with size, speed and versatility.</p>
<p>Not every player was big or fast, but they all were versatile. Many had two of those characteristics, and some even had all three.</p>
<p>"If you look at the men that we had an opportunity to select this weekend, you look at their size, their speed and their versatility,'' Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "Obviously, those are things that we value. We look to the upside of these young men and look forward to put them into the group that's already here.</p>
<p>"I think you covet speed, obviously, but it's football and not a track meet. And if you can get a capable football player who happens to be fast, it's an asset. And the speed players that we were able to acquire in this draft fit the bill in that regard. They are football players first who happen to be extremely fast.''</p>
<p>Shazier, the former Ohio State linebacker, has all three assets and immediately makes the Steelers a faster, more athletic defense. Second-round pick Stephon Tuitt has size and versatility, while Kent State running back Dri Archer is extremely fast and versatile. He can run the ball, catch passes and return punts and kickoffs. The Steelers already are designing packages for him.</p>
<p>"Return guys change games, and in my mind return guys are starters,'' Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said. "(And) when you can get a guy like that who can change a game, his kick-return ability is unique. It's really special. And whatever he can add to us offensively, we see some value there.''</p>
<p>Archer was highly productive on offense overall in 2012, Tomlin added.</p>
<p>Former Clemson wideout Martavis Bryant, according to Tomlin, wasn't just selected for his size. He was taken because he's a good, all-around talent.</p>
<p>"I didn't necessarily buy into the fact that a tall receiver was necessary,'' Tomlin said. "He's a capable receiver, one that's capable of producing big plays and proved that at Clemson. (And) he's a guy with some up-side.''</p>
<p>Tomlin also noted that there's an opportunity for some of these draft picks to crack the starting lineup. Shazier, Tuitt, Bryant and cornerback Shaquille Richardson could be in that group.</p>
<p>"I'm open to it, obviously, but that's not something that's going to given to them,'' Tomlin said. "They'll be given an opportunity and will have to earn it. But I do believe that within this group, there are guys who are capable of doing just that.</p>
<p>"(And) there have been some years where we've had an extremely strong (defensive) unit, and that made it a tough nut to crack (for rookies). So, we'll see what this group is made of, but I'm not going in what any preconceived notions about them.''</p>
<p>The Steelers get their first look at this year's rookie group, the draft picks and undrafted free agents, next Friday through Sunday at rookie mini-camp.</p>
https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-draft/2014/5/11/5706532/2014-steelers-draft-recap-review-resultsDale Grdnic2014-05-10T14:22:27-04:002014-05-10T14:22:27-04:00Shazier, Bryant teammates after Orange Bowl duel
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<p>After competing against each other in perhaps the best BCS bowl game last year, Ryan Shazier and Martavis Bryant will be teammates in the NFL. </p> <p>Ryan Shazier knows how good Martavis Bryant is. And Martavis Bryant can say the same about Ohio State's standout linebacker. The two played against each other in the final college game of their careers when Ohio State faced Clemson in the 2014 Orange Bowl this past January. In one of the best Orange Bowls to date, Bryant's Tigers overcame a nine-point second half deficit to defeat Shazier's Buckeyes, 40-35.</p>
<p>Both players made significant impacts in the game. Shazier tallied nine tackles for OSU's defense that included seven solo stops. Bryant hauled in two touchdown receptions, his second score giving Clemson a 34-29 lead heading into the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>The Orange Bowl was the culmination of successful college careers for Shazier and Bryant. Thrown into the fire during his freshman year, Shazier played in all 13 of OSU's games that season. Playing on an undermanned Ohio State defense, Shazier made an immediate impact, recording 15 tackles against Penn State and 10 more against Florida in the 2012 Gator Bowl.</p>
<p>Shazier was a tackling machine for OSU down the stretch in 2013, totaling 61 tackles during a four-game span that included 19 against Indiana. His draft bio on NFL.com stated: "Highly productive, disruptive playmaker vs. the run and pass. Shoots gaps and plays behind the line of scrimmage (compiled 39.5 TFL the last two seasons). Agile to slip blocks. Quick, strong hands to shed. Knifes gaps and flows very well laterally. Striking tackler -- uncoils on contact. Excellent speed and range -- opens up his stride in space and really covers ground. Bends naturally. Changes direction and accelerates with ease. Explosive first step as a pass rusher -- shows the ability to dip, bend and run the arc low to the ground. Ample athleticism and flexibility to mark backs and tight ends. Led all players at the combine with a 42-inch vertical jump and blazed a sub-4.4 40 time at his pro day. Four-down utility. Arrow is pointing up"</p>
<p>Shazier solidified his place as one of the premier linebackers in college football in 2012, tallying 115 tackles while recording five sacks for the undefeated Buckeyes. He notched 144 stops last season that included seven sacks as the unquestioned leader of Ohio State's defense. While he's not a big football player, Shazier's speed and ability to cover receivers as well as rush the quarterback will surely help a defense that has been criticized for being on the slow side over the past few seasons.</p>
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<p>Bryant enjoyed a breakout season for himself in 2013. Playing alongside first round draft pick Sammy Watkins, the 6'5'', 200 pound Bryant hauled in 42 catches for 828 yards and seven touchdowns. What should excite <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> fans is Bryant's flair for big plays. He averaged 19.7 yards per catch in 2013 and a staggering 30 yards per catch in 2012. For his Clemson career, Bryant averaged 22.2 yards per reception.</p>
<p>It's no secret that <span>Ben Roethlisberger</span> wanted the Steelers to get him a tall receiver. Well, he got his wish in Bryant, who will vie for playing time among the team's bevy of talented receivers. Bryant's <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL Draft</a> profile stated: "Excellent body length with a long, rangy frame. Very good straight-line, separation speed. Can drop his hips surprisingly well for as tall as he is and is fairly shifty after the catch. Good red-zone target -- effective making back-shoulder catches. Flashes the ability to climb the ladder and highpoint the ball. Has return experience."</p>
<p>While many focused on Clemson's other receiver, the Steelers opted to spend their first round money on other needs and taking a chances on a receiver in the later rounds. It's a low risk-high reward move for the Steelers drafting Bryant in the Fourth Round; and if the raw Bryant improves on several facets of his game (sub-par route running and inconsistent hands were among Bryant's downsides in his draft bio), this pick will be remembered as a steal.</p>
<p>Four months after their Orange Bowl duel, Shazier and Bryant will fight for the same cause as Steelers rookies. Let's hope they continue to stand out among their peers on the next level as they did on that January night in Miami.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/5/10/5703858/shazier-bryant-become-teammates-after-orange-bowl-battleBryan DeArdo2014-05-10T09:19:04-04:002014-05-10T09:19:04-04:00Steelers depth chart: How the picks fit on roster
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<p>All three of the Steelers' picks through three rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft will probably see snaps every game. Here's a rundown of how they will contribute to the current depth charts at each position. </p> <h5><span>After making a surprise pick in the first round of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">2014 NFL Draft</a>, the <a href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Steelers</a> took an obvious one in the second, and shocked their fan base in the third. </span></h5>
<p>The additions of linebacker Ryan Shazier, defensive end Stephon Tuitt and running back Dri Archer fill in a few spots of need in terms of development, or create situation-based advantages.</p>
<h5>Round 1 - 15th overall pick: ILB Ryan Shazier</h5>
<p><b>Current Depth Chart - </b> <span>Lawrence Timmons</span>, <span>Vince Williams</span>, <span>Sean Spence</span>, <span>Terence Garvin</span><br><b>Value - </b>Shazier is a freakishly fast Run-and-Hit kind of linebacker, the one Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was hoping to get when he drafted Spence in 2012. Provided Spence is back to his pre-injury level of speed, the possibilities of what they can do in terms of coverage subpackages is enough to keep defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau in the lab all summer. Shazier can be penciled in as a starter now, but he'll still have to prove himself against the run - an area the Steelers still value as the greatest area of emphasis on defense.</p>
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<h5><b>Round 2 - 46th overall pick: DE Stephon Tuitt</b></h5>
<p><b>Current Depth Chart - </b><span>Cameron Heyward</span>, <span>Cam Thomas</span>, <span>Nick Williams</span>, <span>Brian Arnfelt</span><br><b>Value - </b>There's a huge level of drop-off from Heyward and Thomas to Williams, Arnfelt and now, Tuitt, so as far as competing for playing time, Tuitt is probably a bit ahead of the usual curve for players the Steelers draft at defensive end. He can also help in subpackages, similarly to how Shazier can be used. His position flexibility can be considered valuable in those areas. Moving McLendon and Heyward around to exploit the depth of their physical characteristics will come in handy.</p>
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<h5><b>Round 3 - 97th overall pick: RB Dri Archer</b></h5>
<p><b>Current Depth Chart - </b><span>Le'Veon Bell</span>, <span>LeGarrette Blount</span><br><b>Value - </b>It's tough to see how Archer could fill in as anything but a package player and return man. His biggest attributes are his speed and agility and that's certainly not a bad combination to have. But the real risk is the team will give a game-day helmet to a player who might get two touches a game, and, short of keeping five running backs (including fullback <span>Will Johnson</span>) on the roster, he can't be expected to carry the ball between the tackles. As the Steelers saw with <span>Chris Rainey</span>, it's not exactly difficult to see the 5-foot-8, 175-pound running back entering the game to catch the ball. It can be keyed on very simply without drawing strength away from any other area.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-draft/2014/5/10/5702984/steelers-draft-picks-day-1-day-2-roster-depth-chartNeal Coolong2014-05-10T08:50:55-04:002014-05-10T08:50:55-04:00Shazier lays out Cal quarterback
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<p>It's this kind of vision and explosive athleticism that led the Steelers to take Shazier with the 15th pick. As a stand-alone trait, his speed is beneficial but his biggest value will be what that allows others to do. </p> <p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uwQzkshFkaM" height="315" width="560"></iframe> It appears <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a> first round pick Ryan Shazier can get off blocks. More pointedly, he can get off them, around them, accelerate and squarely knock a running quarterback on his tail.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CHQQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2014%2F05%2F09%2Fjohnny-manziel-champagne-fights-hot-chicks-post-draft-party%2F&ei=jB5uU4bYD9KlyATz4oCQDQ&usg=AFQjCNGmvcdex1q6p2cF8ZED9H24oh8Abg&sig2=eoQFdoTJOkJ8Z04Fe96dsw&bvm=bv.66330100,d.aWw" target="_blank">C'mon out to the edge, Johnny,</a> that's where the players are.</p>
<p>The speed aspect of Shazier's game alone is enough to remain excited 36 hours after his selection. The explosiveness in space the Steelers can now utilize will make other defensive players better.</p>
<p>Attacking the A-gap on a Dick LeBeau staple bliz like the fire zone (ILBs cross and go into opposite gaps) with two players moving as fast as Shazier and <span>Lawrence Timmons</span> is exciting. Add in the element of disguise with a player like <span>Jarvis Jones</span>, who can move well in coverage, and keep the tackle from helping the conflict inside his shoulder.</p>
<p>All of that with a strong safety who's headed to the Hall of Fame, and gets to play his original position again - undefined, roaming the box, making plays on the ball.</p>
<p>Shazier's speed may be his best element, but his best contribution right away will be how that speed will make those around him better.</p>
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https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014-nfl-draft/2014/5/10/5702942/steelers-ryan-shazier-video-highlights-clips-hitsNeal Coolong