Pittsburgh Steelers
 |
NFL Team Column Matt Pawlikowski 2009 Draft Review |
Playoff Hopes Dim for Steelers
The Colts lost a shot at duplicating the feat of the 1972 Dolphins. They lost a shot at history all because head coach Jim Caldwell decided to pull his starters with 5;26 left in the third quarter of their game against the Jets on Sunday.
Because of it, the Steelers may have lost its biggest shot at the post season, because up to that point all the stars were aligned the Steelers way, as both Jacksonville and Denver had lost. Now it appears it will take a holiday miracle to allow the Steelers a shot at defending its title.
Here's the scenario.
1) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + NYJ loss or tie
2) PIT win + HOU loss or tie + BAL loss or tie
3) PIT win + NYJ loss or tie + BAL loss or tie + DEN loss or tie
Considering what happened this past weekend in Indianapolis what happens the final week of the regular season could be interesting. That's because come Sunday the team needs help from two rivals, New England and the Bengals.
More than likely the Patriots win.
It's the Bill Belichick way. He doesn't like to lose, and will keep his players in till the end. The Bengals game is more interesting, as they play a night game in the Meadowlands against the Jets. Should New England win, the seedings will be set and it will basically be meaningless.
The question also arises - does Marvin Lewis want to see his old team a third time? Chances are no, so don't expect to see the Bengals regulars in there long.
The Ravens also come into play, but play Oakland, who just got clobbered by the Browns. So of the three scenarios, No. 2 and No.3 are least likely.
But when it comes to post season hopes, the Steelers don't have the Colts to blame, even though it would have been a much easier path. Instead they can look at the loss to the Browns or the one to Kansas City, two games they should have won with ease.
"Hopefully, we'll have a couple of other things go our way and we'll make it to where we want to be," Steelers linebacker James Harrison said. "We can't fix anything we did the previous six weeks. We put ourselves in this position."
Yet while it appears other teams hold the key to the Steelers 2010 destiny, they still have to win the season finale against Miami to even have a shot.
"There’s a different sense of urgency, but it’s one we’ve placed on ourself," Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said. "We’re not looking to blame anybody, we’re just dealing with it the best way we know how. They’re staying together, they’re working hard during the week and they’re making enough plays to get out of stadiums with W’s and that’s what it’s about."
News and Notes
TOMLIN'S TALKING- The Steelers won, so not much will be made of the onside kick call Mike Tomlin made in the fourth quarter. But it did make Bill BelichIck's blunder early this year look genius.
To call an onside kick after your team takes a three point lead, with time waning in the fourth quarter and momentum back on your side, made no logical sense.
Yes all seven defeats this season have been by seven points or less, but the message Tomlin sent, not only to his team, the fans and the world is obvious. He seems to have lost confidence in a defense, that last year was the best in the NFL.
Tomlin had another take on the play, here's his synopsis.
"I’ll be very bluntly honest with you, based on the way the game was going in the second half, first of all I thought with the element of surprise we had a chance to get it, but if we didn’t get it and they were to score, then we would have necessary time on the clock to score or match their score.
"Plan A didn’t work, we got the ball but we were illegal, that was the correct call, but it kind of unfolded the way you envisioned it. We had 30 minutes of evidence that we could drive the ball on them, we also conversely had 30 minutes of evidence to show they could also drive the ball on us. That’s why we took the risk when we did."
That was after the game. On Tuesday during his press conference he basically admitted he had lost confidence in the once vaunted defense' ability to stop the Packers.
Can you blame him though? Thus far in 2009, the Steelers have allowed121 points in the fourth quarter. Just two teams have allowed more passing yards against them in the fourth quarter too. It's been the reason the Steelers have had trouble closing games.
"I make no apologies," Tomlin said. "What I told you after the game really was the thought process, really, in the latter part of the third all the way through the fourth quarters that I felt like both offenses were capable of moving the football. We had 30 minutes of evidence to show they could also drive the ball on us," Tomlin said. "That's why we took the risk when we did."
IMAGINE THIS - Without Ben Roethlisberger, Bruce Arians would have been gone long ago. Imagine this too. Had Arians let Roethlisberger manage the offense more during the losing streak, the Bengals might not be leading the division. Just a thought.
STEELERS ADD GALLOWAY TO ROSTER
Earlier this year most thought the former Buccaneer was heading to Pittsburgh. Instead he chose to go to New England, and was cut in mid October.
On Tuesday, the Steelers signed him to the active roster and just in time as not only is Li mas Swede done for the year, but Hines Ward has an injured hamstring.
"He was available to us," said Tomlin. "He's a veteran player whose resume speaks for itself. He's one of those unique guys in that he's in great physical condition for a seasoned veteran. He can run. He's done just about all there is to do in this business other than win in the postseason, which is what he told me, so hopefully he can provide a little energy and spirit for us in that regard, some veteran-savvy leadership in a position that's been depleted a bit."
SECONDARY TO NONE
Troy Palatal has been out for most of the season, but one man is not supposed to make up an entire unit. Against the Packers, the Steelers secondary was just awful. First an 83 yard pass play for a touchdown. A number of Chalk part of it up to the fact that all week in practice GB goes against former Steeler coordinator Dom Capers unit. But while Ryan Clark says not to point fingers, Tyrone Carter was burned a number of times and looked like a rookie on the field.
After the game Ryan Clark, who spoke his mind about the media and fans had this to say.
WHAT A PLAY
On a second and 18, Hines Ward made a 53 catch which put Roethlisberger over 400 yards against the No. 2 ranked defense in the league. Ward set a team record for eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark a sixth time in his career. But it was Roethlisberger's scrambling and ability to buy time that enabled Ward to get open.
WHAT A CATCH
Heath Miller's grab with just over 30 seconds left in the game not only put him over 100 yards for the game, but was an incredible display of athleticism.pulling in a ball to keep the Steelers final game winning drive alive.
NEEDING TO WIN OUT
What needs to happen for the Steelers to make the playoffs (this is the best case scenario):
1) Steelers win final two games (Baltimore, at Miami)
AND
2) Jacksonville loses one of final two games (at New England, at Cleveland)
AND
3) Jets lose one of final two games (at Indianapolis, Cincinnati)
AND
4) Denver loses one of final two games (at Philadelphia, Kansas City)
OR
Baltimore loses their final game (at Oakland)
** The other 7-7 teams (Miami, Tennessee, Houston) have no bearing on the Steelers playoff hopes if the Steelers win out.
Steelers frustrated, but not throwing in white flag just yet
The Holiday season in Pittsburgh usually means getting prepared for the second season of Steeler football.
Not this year. Instead the Steelers lose two games to teams that boast a 2-7 slate (Kansas City) and one with a 3-8 slate (Oakland) and suddenly questions abound.
Has age caught up with them, are they suffering the Super Bowl hangover, have they hung it in for the season?
“There’s been some unusual things happen, last year the ball bounced our way and things happened good for us and we went on and won the Super Bowl," Ben Roethlisberger said. "This year the ball isn't bouncing our way, we're not getting those lucky breaks that sometimes are involved in a football game. But it doesn't mean good things can't come, we just have to fight through everything."
The more glaring picture in all this is what Farrior stressed. In both games the Steelers squandered fourth quarter leads, mainly because the defense was unable to come up big. Both games had potential game ending/.tying interceptions dropped.
"We have some things from a personality standpoint that are occurring continuously that are not acceptable,” Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’re not making plays at the end of games, particularly defensively on the back end – opportunities to close games out from an interception standpoint, allowing people to get big plays on us."
In the current four game losing streak, the longest for the Steelers since 2003, The Bengals had two late long drives to seal the victory. The Chiefs were able to drive 91 yards to force overtime and then Ike Taylor missed a potential game ending interception in OT. The Ravens got to overtime where they won on a field goal via a 10- play 84 yard drive with 1:51 left.
"We're not finishing," cornerback DeShea Townsend said. "We're not doing what it takes to make plays when it’s needed and when you don't execute our defense the way you are supposed to you find yourselves in losing situations. We’re doing it good for about 45 minutes, but it seems when it is time for us to step up and finish games, we’re not doing it."
Last year the ability of the defense to do just that, along with the offense ability to rally the team back from deficit was a huge reason the Steelers won the Super Bowl. True they have lost two key starters in Troy Polamalu and Aaron Smith, but following the loss to Kansas City, it now seems to be a mental thing, which some players have admitted.
"You have to acknowledge the potential that this can be kind of a shaken group," Tomlin said. “We’ve swallowed a lot here of late. We’re going to have to become one with ourselves, if you will; individually and collectively. I’m going to be looking very closely at these men. It’s going to provide quality information for me, in terms of who, legitimately, is mentally tough and who can stand the test of adversity."
Meaning a big shakeup could come in the near future.
"We're frustrated, the coaching staff is frustrated, the fans are frustrated," nose tackle Chris Hoke said. "We have to right this ship. We have four games left, and the thing that is crazy after the four game losing streak we still have a chance if we win these next four games, starting with Cleveland, we have a chance to be where we want to be at the end of the year."
Steelers Benglas Recap
Pittsburgh – If you like defense, it was the name of the game in the Steelers 18-12 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Neither team had more than 235 total yards offense. Neither squad reached the end zone. Then again, it could also be called a case of dropped balls and blunders, or maybe it was just the fact two of the elite teams in the AFC bumped heads with each other.
Whatever the case instead of regaining a hold on the AFC North Central, it will be one of the games people are talking about for a long time, as the Steelers walked off the field pondering what if and where do we go from here.
“That’s a good football team, but as always when we evaluate our performances, we look within,” Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said. “ We were below the line, that’s not winning football on a lot of fronts, specifically when you’re playing a quality team as the Bengals are. When you kick field goals, you potentially expose yourself to losses.”
Although the Steelers couldn’t find the right combination when it came to getting into the end-zone from the Red Zone, once again a special team snafu proved to be the difference maker in a game that saw now offensive touchdowns from either team.
Cincinnati got its only touchdown on yet another special teams blunder by the Steelers. After taking a 3-0 lead on Jeff Reed’s 28-yard field goal with 4:46 left in the first quarter, the Bengals Bernard Scott broke through the coverage unit for 96 yards. The point after attempt was no good, but the damage was done as the score proved to be the difference maker in the game.
It marked the third time in four games that the Steelers have allowed a return for a touchdown. Against the Browns and Vikings, the Steelers were able to overcome them. Against the Bengals defense, they were not.
Asked about the problems with the return unit, Tomlin said he would be exploring all options at this point.
“ I’m open to all considerations at this point,” he said. “ Lets be honest here, we’ve had three returned on us haven’t we? I’d put myself out there if I thought I could do the job.”
Meaning some of the regular starters may see time on the unit in the final seven games.
“It’s something where everybody is going to have to pitch in and do their job to make that part of our game better,”linebacker James Farrior said. “It’s affecting the outcome of the game so we’ve got to get better in that area.”
Stefan Logan, who the Steelers kept open a roster spot open as a return man, and is part of the coverage unit, said its just about making plays.
“People returning kicks on us is pretty frustrating, we just have to go out there and make plays,” Logan said. “Coach is going to go back to the films and look at things and maybe switch some things around. It’s very frustrating to me, and I am not going to point any fingers. It’s the entire kickoff unit and we have to just go out there and make plays.”
As for the rest of the scoring, they all came via field goals. The Bengals led 6-3 after the first quarter, but the Steelers took a 9-6 lead into the lockers after a nine play, 31 yards drive which took 3:52 off the clock made it a 6-6 game, and the final points came with 12 seconds left, when Reed hit a 35 yard field goal.
The Steelers kept the Bengals out of the endzone in the second half, but they got two more Shayne Graham field goals in the fourth quarter. The Bengals were able to hold the ball for nine minutes during the final 11;20 of the game, and that also came into play.
“These things happen, we have some things to correct, but its onward and upward,” defensive tackle Brett Keisel said. “It’s tough when you lose to a division opponent twice, but they are a good football team. We still have a lot of football left to play. We didn’t make plays today, hopefully we can do that next week.”
The Steelers travel to Kansas City Sunday. The Chiefs have been one of the worst teams in the league this year, and won just its second game over the Raiders Sunday afternoon.
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) at Denver Broncos (6-1)
Date: Monday, Nov. 9, 2009
Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. (ET)
Site: INVESCO Field at Mile High (76,125) • Denver, Col.
TV Coverage: ESPN (locally WTAE-TV, channel 4)
RADIO: WDVE
When it comes to the Denver Broncos and the Steelers, there is no love lost between the two teams.
They played to the first overtime tie in NFL history. They have met six times in the post-season splitting the series and overall the Broncos, who have won the last two regular season match ups own a 13-6-1 slate against the Steelers.
Although in separate divisions, it is a rivalry game no if and or buts.
" It's important for us to win this game and keep the momentum going," Steeler safety Troy Polamalu said.
The Broncos are 6-1 on the year under first year coach Josh McDaniels who has them playing like his former team the New England Patriots.
"When you look at Denver and what they’re capable of doing or how they do what it is that they do, they’re very efficient offensively," Steeler coach Mike Tomlin said. " I think it starts at the quarterback position with Kyle Orton. This guy doesn’t throw interceptions. He’s thrown one this year, he doesn’t get sacked, he’s only been sacked 11 times."
Asked about Orton, who came to Denver in essence for Jay Cutler, Broncos coach Josh McDaniels called him smart.
"He is a player that is very cerebral, very bright, understands defense, can learn quickly, which is important in our system," McDaniels said. " He is accurate with the football and all of those things are good positive traits for a good quarterback to have."
Tomlin, who has always preached an believed a football game is won in the trenches, said Orton's stats this year starts with the Broncos offensive line.
"They’re a very athletic group. Their left tackle, a young guy, [Ryan] Clady, is one of the best in the world. Ben Hamilton is a good player,' Tomlin said. "They have some top-quality linemen who are athletic people, who get after it and hustle, are pretty good at spacing the screen game, really good in the misdirection passing game. They do a lot of things well, and they’re built to do what it is that they’re good at."
Polamalu agrees with his coach that they are a talented group of players, but says when it comes to playing a team like the Broncos, the Steeler have a chip on their shoulders because they want to play better than the opposing defense."
"I think when you prepare for a team like this, it is like playing a division team," Polamalu said. " It’s always defense challenging defense. It’s an important goal in every game for us: As a defense, we always want to outplay the other defense, but its really true in this game."
The Broncos are ranked No. 1 in total defense and have allowed the fewest points (96); the Steelers are ranked No. 1 against the run and haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 29 consecutive games, counting playoffs.
But the fact they are ranked No. 1 in an aspect the Steelers pride themselves in, is something Tomlin has drilled in players heads all week and it seems to have lit a fire under them.
Tomlin also added this about the Broncos.
"They choose to attack people how they choose to attack people," Tomlin said. " They spread the ball around, I think efficiency is their motto. The stats bear that out. They don’t turn the ball over, they don’t get sacked, they’re playing great defense, there’s a formula for winning. And one that they’ve won quite a bit with."
Steelers-Broncos Connections: Several Steelers have ties to
the Broncos and the Denver area. Steelers with connections to the Broncos include tight ends coach James Daniel, who got his first NFL experience through the NFL’s Fellowship Program with Denver in 1992.
Steelers with connections to Colorado include DE Travis Kirschke, who is from Highland, Colo
Notes:The Steelers are 11-1 in primetime regularseason
games under third-year head coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin is 4-0 all-time on Monday Night Football. The Steelers have won 11 straight games in primetime under Tomlin. Pittsburgh is 2-0 this year in primetime games and is scheduled to play a total of five primetime games this season
(Week 4 vs. San Diego, Week 9 at Denver, Week 12 at Baltimore)
Pittsburgh Steelers Travel to Soldier Field
The Steelers haven't had much luck when they have played in Soldier Field over the years. Because of that history, Steeler coach Mike Tomlin had this to say.
“We have a big challenge for us as a football team this week, the first opportunity to go into a hostile environment and play a very good football team in the Chicago Bears,” Tomlin said “They are rock solid across the board, and we excited about getting better this week and going to face those challenges.”
Interestingly, while the Steelers will be without Troy Polamalu, who is a key cog in the play of the defensive unit, the Bears will be without their heart and soul on defense, Brian Urlacher who broke his wrist on Sunday night against the Packers and is out for the year.
The Steelers have had success without Polamalu in the lineup over the years, while the Bears have had problems when their stud player is sidelined. Tomlin doesn't expect things to change even without Urlacher on the field.
“Injuries are a part of football, I'm sure they’d prefer to play with Urlacher, they are going to have to find ways to be successful without him,” Tomlin said. “Similarly we'd prefer to play with Troy, we are going to have to find ways to play without him, but that is the story of the National Football League, I'm sure they will uphold the standard like we intend to.”
While Polamalu said he would not need surgery yesterday, Tomlin confirmed this and also provided an update on Lawrence Timmons, who has been nursing a high ankle injury.
“Troy's knee injury will not require surgery, it’s really a week to week thing as we progress from here on out” Tomlin said. “Then of course the only other injury of note is Lawrence Timmons and we are hoping he is able to get some work here and pushing towards game readiness as we move throughout the week.”
One thing that was noticeably absent from the opener against the Titans was the rush attack, which tallied a miserable 36 yards, not exactly Steeler football.
“We have to get better in that area as a football team for one reason and one reason only, that increases our chances of winning,” Tomlin said. “That is what we are about, putting ourselves in a position to win. We acknowledge that we continue along those lines from a run game standpoint that it helps us in that regard.”
Although he did not make excuses for the play of Willie Parker, Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore, Tomlin did offer an explanation as to why it is hard to get the running game going in the early season.
“I believe particularly with September football, people make a commitment to stopping the run,” Tomlin said. "Its easier to make the commitment in September when everyone feels good and you have all the horses in the stable. I think over the course of the long haul you see who is good at it week in and week out.”
So what do the Steelers need to do to beat the Bears in a stadium that over the years has been unkind to the black and gold? Tomlin as usual was political with his assessment and praised the Bears coaching staff in doing so.
“We are just going to play our game and look at what they are providing us schematically,” Tomlin said. “A lot of those guys grew up in the same football school that I grew up in, talking about their coaches over there, Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli and others. They are going to ask those guys to play to standard as well. So they are going to play well, we just have to be prepared to play better.”
To sum up the Steelers play against the Bills, one word comes to mind - stellar.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger showed no ill effects from his injury and posted a 103.5 rating. Hines Ward looked in mid-season form, and the starting defense for a third consecutive game failed to be scored upon.
The Good:
Rashard Mendenhall - Technically this is his rookie season, call it a red-shirt year. Although he had a fumble, he showed the reason the Steelers used its first pick on him. He showed explosiveness and also that he was capable of catching the ball.
"We wanted to emphasize the run tonight," Steeler quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. " Even when I got in the no-huddle I called out a run. It was good Rashard (Mendenhall) did a good job."
James Farrior - It’s the pre-season and already Farrior is in mid season form. He led the starters in tackles with four. Had a sack for a five yard loss, and his interception- a piece of beauty that ended in six.
" Coach gave me some good matchups tonight, and I took advantage of them," Farrior said. "The interception was being in the right place at the right time."
Stefen Logan - He did nothing to hurt his chances of making the roster and Tomlin did not disagree with that.
"He has earned the right to continue to be watched," Tomlin said. "I think he has our attention. We will take him down to Charlotte and see what he has down there."
His first punt return went five yards, he fielded the ball clean and he showed some moves. He used his head on the fair catches, something he wasn’t used to making in Canada and had a nice 27 yard return. Now that we know he can field punts and kickoffs, how about some play at the slot or in the backfield.
"We’ll see how it goes," Logan said. "I don’t know what direction they want to go in. Hopefully a good direction and I’ll be on the team."
Tackle Willie Colon - The line usually doesn't get much credit, but for a second consecutive week Colon looked good on the line. To be blunt the entire line played well. Colon said after the game they have a little chip on their shoulder because of the criticism they took last year, but also told the Examiner that the unit has had a year to jell.
Limas Sweed – He took the No. 2 slot in replace of Santonio Holmes and looked as if he were still taking catching passes from Vince Young and Colt McCoy. Sharp was the best way to describe his play and he looks now to be the lock for the No. 3 slot vacated when Nate Washington left via free-agency. Sweed caught four of the five passes that came his way. Said Mike Tomlin, ‘We put a lot of pressure on those second year guys.”
First unit offense - Three of four on first downs in the first quarter. 11:26 in possession. Then they follow it up by going 3 for 5 on third downs and 10:51 in the second. Not a bad night.
James Harrison – His tackle on Dominic Rhodes was vintage in the second quarter. His play in the first half was right where he left off last season.
Keyaron Fox – Special teams ace once again looked good as an inside backer. While nothing is written in stone, he more than likely knocked Bruce Davis off the roster.
Piotr Czech - Yes he missed a field goal, but his kickoffs were booming, and he did get the team three points off his foot. He's either practice squad bound or auditioning for another team unless Jeff Reed's foot can't heal properly.
THE BAD:
To the fans eye, it was a perfect evening. The Black and Gold dominated the Bills. Offense looked great, defense pitched a shutout, and special teams did a nice job of pinning the Bills deep. So what could have been wrong. We'll let Steeler coach Mike Tomlin dictate that.
"It’s still August football out there in some ways. We had a pre-snap penalty on offense, delay of game, false start," Tomlin said. " We had a pre-snap penalty on defense. We put the ball on the ground, I like the way we’re moving it. I see some good things, but still see some things were the Steelers are still beating the Steelers."
2009 NFL Draft Analysis
1st Round – Pick 32 = DT/DE Evander “Ziggy” Hood ~ 6’3” 300
College - Missouri
Ziggy Hood was one of my favorite players from the 2009 Senior Bowl and I have felt that he would fit as a 3-4 defensive end better than any other position. He is stout against the run and has good pass rush moves and is more athletic than given credit for. I addressed the Steelers defensive line as a need that had to be addressed due to the age of the group. Every starter is over 30, so Hood will have his chance to start in a year. He may even take snaps away from RE Brett Kiesel this season.
3rd Round – Pick 79 (from Denver) = OG Kraig Urbik ~ 6’5” 328
College - Wisconsin
Urbik was another guy I loved during the Senior Bowl week. Urbik is a very big, very strong guard who played tackle in college. He lacks great lateral quickness but makes up for it with his excellent technique. He is a smash you in the mouth, blue collar blocker who will fit very nicely in black and gold. This pick also addresses the team’s biggest need which was their offensive line. Expect Urbik to compete for a starting spot and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if he was the team’s starting right guard come week one.
3rd Round – Pick 84 (from Denver through Chicago) = WR Mike Wallace ~ 6’0” 199
College - Ole Miss
Once again here is another guy I was lucky to watch all week long at the Senior Bowl. Wallace will come in to replace WR Nate Washington who departed for Tennessee. Wallace is a legit deep threat with outstanding speed & jumping ability (4.33 in the 40 & a 40 inch vertical). He will battle with WR Limas Sweed for playing time as the #3 receiver.
3rd Round – Pick 96 = CB Keenan Lewis ~ 6’0” 208
College - Oregon State
Lewis made 48 starts in his college career and is known for his press man coverage. He has elite size and could fit in very nicely with Pittsburgh’s zone scheme. Lewis is another guy who was at the Senior Bowl. Cornerback was another need for the Steelers who lost starting CB Bryant McFadden to the Arizona Cardinals. Lewis will come in and battle CB’s Deshea Townsend and CB William Gay for the #2 spot.
5th Round – Pick 168 = CB Joe Burnett ~ 5’9” 192
College – Central Florida
Burnett was a great pick by Pittsburgh because of how well he fits into their scheme. He is at his best in a zone scheme because of his lack of top end speed (4.57 in the 40). What he lacks in straight line speed, he more than makes up for with his vision, instincts, strength, and hands. He is a very good kick returner because of these attributes, and can also go up and get the ball at its high point (35.5 inch vertical). He is in the mold of current CB Deshea Townsend and could eventually take his place on the roster.
5th Round – Pick 169 = RB/FB Frank Summers ~ 5’9” 241
College - UNLV
Summers is a guy Pittsburgh drafted to be a short yardage player who will get the tough yards, especially in the red zone. He has the reputation of being very hard to tackle, and also displayed very good hands in private workouts. He was used as a fullback part time in college but prefers to play tailback. Pittsburgh I’m sure will try and convert him to more of a full-time fullback role, but if not, just give him the ball in short yardage situations.
6th Round – Pick 205 = DT Ra’Shon Harris ~ 6’4” 298
College - Oregon
Once again the Steelers go for depth along their defensive line. Talk about the rich getting richer. Harris only started one year in college which could be cause for concern. What he brings to the team is the ability to take on the double team which is what he was known for in college. Playing in the 3-4, this is one of the most important factors in being a successful defensive lineman so the pick makes a lot of sense.
7th Round – Pick 226 (from Bucs) = C A.Q. Shipley ~ 6’1” 304
College – Penn State
Shipley lacks ideal size for the position but had a stellar career at Penn State. As a senior he received the Rimington Trophy which is given to the nation’s top center. Shipley also was a first-team All-American. Shipley is a fierce competitor who plays the game the right way. He was durable during his career and a leader. He also is very strong (33 reps of 225). He has the benefit of not having to start right away, so a few years down the line the Steelers could have a new starter at center.
7th Round – Pick 241 = TE David Johnson ~ 6’2” 260
College – Arkansas State
The Steelers will most likely try Johnson out at fullback because of his very good blocking skills. Johnson could be an H-back for the Steelers and even play a little tight end as well. He has soft hands and could backup multiple positions. This is a very solid pick for the 7th round, especially considering Johnson’s versatility.
Overall Grade - B+