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| Michael Milliron. 26th April, 2011 - 3:12 pm
 The Pittsburgh Steelers surprisingly found themselves playing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy last February, despite having played through a soap opera of an offseason and a season filled with a myriad of injuries to key personnel. The Green Bay Packers prevented the Steelers from reaching “Seventh Heaven,” the franchise’s seventh Super Bowl.
Mike Tomlin had his best coaching season to date in his young career, the 2008 Super Bowl season, not withstanding.
Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for the first four games of the season for his well-known alleged transgressions in Georgia.
Wide receiver and 2008 Super Bowl hero Santonio Holmes was traded away before the 2010 NFL Draft, as a transgression in Orlando was the last straw for the Steelers, especially after already reeling from the Roethlisberger incident.
The Steelers were out their starting offensive tackles for the year by Week 9. Right tackle Willie Colon, arguably the team’s best lineman tore his Achilles tendon in June and left tackle Max Starxs missed Week 2, then was out for the year after Week 8. Oh, and they also had to start a rookie center…so, you get the idea as to all of the Steelers 2010 offensive woes.
To compensate for the lack of offense early in the season without Roethlisberger, the defense picked it up from 2009 and dominated throughout the season. The horrid special teams breakdowns of 2009 that cost the team two to three games became a bad memory as free agents and rookies remedied the unit’s previously lackluster play.
Not that there were not issues with those units, too, as defensive end Aaron Smith was out after Week 6, safety Troy Polamalu missed games towards the end of the year, came back for the season finale and playoffs, but clearly was not his usual playmaking self. There was yet even more drama, as the special teams lost kicker Jeff Reed who was cut after missing some kicks and then taking some shots at the “Steeler Nation” to boot. Punter Dan Sepulveda was also lost for the season with an injury in Week 12.
The 2011 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and it is even a more welcome event than usual among NFL fans this year, as the owner’s lock out of the players continues with no clear resolution in sight. The free agency period has yet to begin, as there is no certainty as to what CBA rules will be in place that could greatly affect the signing and trading of players. Outside of draft preparation, the work of NFL front offices is much different this spring. Pittsburgh has never been a big player in free agency, outside of resigning their own players, so to a certain degree, it’s business as usual for the Steelers.
Coming off of a Super Bowl appearance, Pittsburgh surprisingly has a lot of needs, but such is life in the NFL during the free agency era. There are glaring needs at cornerback, offensive line, and defensive line. The team could use another good running back, a big wide receiver, a tight end, a safety, and pass rushers are always welcome in “Blitzburgh.”
The question is where do the Steelers go in the first round to address a need this year? Pittsburgh always gets a very productive player in the first round " that is almost as certain as death and taxes. However, despite their recent success, the Steelers have missed on players in the middle rounds, which is why there are so many needs for the team right now.
Cornerback is a high need area, even if free agent to be Ike Taylor comes back, which is very problematic. The franchise tag is not an option as outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley has been given that designation. The Steelers should have exhausted all avenues to get a long-term deal done with Woodley last summer, so the franchise tag could be put on Taylor this year.
Taylor is an excellent all-around corner that would be considered among the elite if he could catch all the interceptions he has dropped over the years. Opposite Taylor, Bryant McFadden and Willie Gay were heavily targeted by opposing QBs last year. Recent draft picks Keenan Lewis (D3 " ’09), Joe Burnett (D5 " ’09), and Crezdon Butler (D5 " ’10) have yet to pan out. Burnett was cut last year; Lewis often times does not even “get a hat” (dress on game day) as they do not have him on special teams. Butler is coming off his rookie season, so there is still hope for him. If Taylor leaves, the position goes from “high need area” to “total desperation.”
The offensive line is criticized even when the team reaches the Super Bowl, or even wins it. That has not changed. Part of the line’s problem is the perception of poor pass protection, but some of that is Roethlisberger’s holding on to the ball too long at times as the game’s top improvisational artist. Even though the pass protection is better than perceived, the running game has not been efficient or consistent, let alone dominant over the last several seasons. New line coach Sean Kugler did a remarkable job last year amid all the injuries, but what can he do for an encore? At tackle, Colon is a free agent and coming off injury, as is Starks. Jonathan Scott is a free agent and Flozell Adams is 36-years-old. Tackle is high on the checklist of Director of Football Operations Kevin Colbert and Tomlin.
On the defensive line, all the Steeler starters are over 30 years of age " that is when they are all actually playing. Smith (35) missed 10 games and all the playoffs last year. Fellow defensive end Brett Keisel (32) missed five games, as well. Nose tackle Casey Hampton (33) will be in the second year of his three-year contract, but by all accounts, the contract was really set up as a two-year deal, so 2011 could be his last as a Steeler. Backup nose tackle Chris Hoke (35) and defensive end Nick Eason (30) are very capable rotation players, but their best football is behind them. The only young player on the d-line who has a bright future is 2009 first rounder Ziggy Hood, who came on later in the year as he got more game experience with Smith and Keisel being out. So, the Steelers need to get and develop a good lineman or two, as any or all of their veterans could hit the wall at any time.
Even though the Steelers have a lot of areas to address this year, they will not reach on a player just to fill an obvious need. The Steelers can also use players at a number of other positions. If there is a playmaker they like at running back, wide receiver, or linebacker in the first couple of rounds, they will draft them without hesitation. Rashard Mendenhall has been a good, not great back and could use a legitimate running mate to back him up and push him. Hines Ward will “dance” off into the sunset sometime in the near future and while the Steelers have done a phenomenal job of finding downfield, speedy threats at wide receiver, there is no heir apparent to Ward, who provides that intermediate and go to target for Roethlisberger. Woodley is their franchise player, James Harrison is 33, Lawrence Timmons will be a free agent after 2011, James Farrior is 36, and last year’s second round pick, Jason Worilds is yet unproven.
In lieu of the Pittsburgh landscape and the talent available this year, the following is the Steelers Fantasy Draft 2011:
Round 1., pick # 31 " Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor " The Steelers needs at cornerback and offensive line may be greater, but nose tackle is the most important position in the 3-4 defense. A nose tackle must demand a double team and stuff the run, or a 3-4 will not work. The key to the Steeler defense is not all the sacks and big plays, it is the ability to shut down the run first and make an offense one dimensional, where the pass rushers can then attack with aplomb and the defensive backs only play pass " then the turnovers and big plays follow.
Taylor has the look of a dominant nose tackle, at 6’4”, 337 lbs. He has surprisingly nimble feet and uses his hands really well. A year as Hampton’s understudy would do him well and put him in a position to carry the torch that Casey Hampton took from Joel Steed over a decade ago.
There are questions about Taylor though, as he transferred to Baylor from Penn State having been dismissed by Joe Paterno. The Steelers have had Taylor in Pittsburgh for personal interviews; however, there is yet even another angle: Dr. Jim Bradley, the Steelers orthopedic surgeon. Bradley’s brother, Tom, just happens to be the defensive coordinator for " yes - Penn State. So, the Steelers should have all the inside info they would need to determine whether or not Taylor is right for the team. Taylor’s draft stock seems to be up as of late, with so many teams now running a 3-4 scheme. Pittsburgh may even have to trade up to get Taylor, but if he anchors against the run for a decade like Hampton has, the price will be well worth it.
Round 2., pick # 63 " Chimdi Chekwa, CB, Ohio State " Pittsburgh could very easily take a corner in the first round. However, at pick 31, LSU’s Patrick Peterson and Nebraska’s Prince Amukamara will be long gone and at that point the cornerback depth is good and the next echelon of players fairly equal, allowing the Steelers to do the Taylor pick and still get a good corner in Round 2. Texas’ Curtis Brown and Virginia’s Ras-I Dowling could also be considerations for the Steelers. Brown is extremely athletic and quick, but a little on the smaller side at 6’0”,180 lbs. Dowling is bigger at 6’2”, 200 lbs., but doesn’t have Brown’s freakish athleticism. Chekwa is a combination of the two at 5’11”, 190 lbs. Pittsburgh’s pass defense certainly needs improved, but their corners must still be able to play against the run. He is a good cover corner who is an excellent open field tackler " something the Steelers really need. Chekwa will also play the run well and is a tenacious player that will fit in well with the Steelers defense.
Round 3., pick # 95 " Marcus Gilbert, OT, Florida " Gilbert is a huge tackle at 6’6”, 329 lbs. that has some athleticism. The Florida product is a good pass blocker and can be dominant at times in the run game. There is concern that NFL DEs could beat him to the corner, but there is just as much optimism that he can develop well enough in time to become a left tackle. With the Steelers, Gilbert can start out on the right side where his ability to get to the second and third levels can really help the running game. Even if Colon leaves as a free agent, the Steelers would still have Starks and Adams to man the left side. Plus, the Steelers have had good luck with Florida linemen, as Maurkice Pouncey and Starks are former Gators.
Round 4., pick # 128 " Chykie Brown, CB Texas " This is the other Brown from Texas. While he does not possess the elite athleticism of his Longhorn teammate, this Brown is still an outstanding athlete who has Steeler cornerback size at 6’0, 194 lbs. and can still run - clocking sub 4.45 40s. His injured forearm during the 2010 season has lowered his stock somewhat, to the point where he could be one of the steals of this draft. Brown has excellent hips for the position as he can turn seamlessly and run with receivers. Besides the tenuous situation with Taylor, Gay could also be gone and Lewis could be tried at safety if he fails to show progress at corner this summer. Brown gives the team another needed body at corner and a very good one at that.
Round 5., pick # 162 " Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware " Yet another Penn State transfer finds his way onto the Steelers. Devlin is trying to pull a “Flacco” as a former FBS player transferring to the Blue Hens and finding success in their wide open, pass happy attack then moving on to success in the NFL. Devlin is no Flacco at this point, which is why he is going in the fifth round instead of the first. However, he has a lot of NFL qualities at 6’4”, 227 lbs. with excellent touch and accuracy. Devlin does not have a cannon arm and will have to adjust his game to deliver passes into the tighter windows in the NFL, particularly over the middle. He is not a mobile QB, but moves his feet well in the pocket. Devlin also has some of the moxie that makes Roethlisberger a great NFL QB. While the Steelers have a lot of needs and openings elsewhere, Devlin represents a value pick here. Plus, Charlie Batch and Byron Leftwich are at or near the end of their careers and Dennis Dixon will be an UFA in 2012.
Round 6., pick # 196 " Weslye Saunders, TE, South Carolina " Saunders missed the 2010 college season, as it was determined he took improper benefits from and agent. There were also issues with him as a Gamecock as he was in Steve Spurrier’s dog house quite a bit. That said, Saunders is a throwback talent at the tight end position, who is big enough to block defensive ends at the point of attack at 6’5”, 272 lbs., yet is deft enough to get behind linebackers and safeties to make plays in the passing game. He has excellent natural receiving skills, being able to go up and get the ball in traffic and is tough to bring down for defensive backs in the open field. The Steelers already have perhaps the league’s most underrated tight end in Heath Miller, but there is little behind him with Matt Spaeth and DJ Johnson. Spaeth is almost too tall to be an effective blocker at 6’7” and failed to distinguish himself in 2010 with some critical drops when Miller was out with an injury. Johnson plays more like a fullback than tight end. If Tomlin can reach Saunders, his talent will be a welcome addition.
Round 7., pick # 232 " Greg Lloyd, ILB, Connecticut " Lloyd follows in his father’s footsteps as his dad was on his way to a potential Hall of Fame career with the Steelers, as an outside linebacker, before being injured and suffering a terrible staph infection. Lloyd also has had some injury issues at UConn, but has always fought through them to be a playmaker between the lines. Lloyd has good size at 6’2”, 247 lbs. and has good football instincts. The Steelers can use some more youth at the position, despite the addition of Stevenson Sylvester last year. Farrior is 36, Larry Foote’s best football is behind him, Timmons could still wind up back at outside linebacker at some point with Harrison being 33 and Woodley’s contract still not resolved, and special teams captain Keyaron Fox may not be back. If Lloyd is “just plain nasty” anywhere near like his father, he will be a welcome addition to the Steeler linebacking corps.
The Steelers will have their work cut out for them to return to the Super Bowl this season, especially since the Super Bowl losing team typically takes a turn for the worse the following season. However, the draft is the first step to the road back. Pittsburgh always does very well with its first round pick and seems to do okay with its second, but there has been a disconnect in the middle rounds of late, rounds three through five, where teams have to find good players to build depth and have them prepared to take over for aging veterans and departed free agents. The lack of success in that vein has led to the glaring needs in the secondary, and the offensive and defensive lines. The draft is always critical for the Steelers, but even more so this year for Colbert and Co. |
