OT: The Pittsburgher Thread: Super Bowl? Thats like a giant pot of chips or popcorn right?

[JTG]

Which people where?

It seems a case of what you want and where you're picking. Top five and you want an elite defensive player? You're happy. Top five and you want a QB? Maybe neither that happy or unhappy. Not the year I'd want for picking DL or ILB. WR doesn't seem much either. But TE and RB look strong. As long as you don't mind the absence of a true elite guy, CB and IOL look kinda good.

Many draft pundits. Top 5 you are fine, but I know Kiper and McShay were talking about how there are really only 15 legit first round talents if you compare across other drafts. Many other pundits are saying how the prospects this year are going to be graded all over the place - that a lot of these guys will have grades across 3-4 rounds.

 

[Peat]

Many draft pundits. Top 5 you are fine, but I know Kiper and McShay were talking about how there are really only 15 legit first round talents if you compare across other drafts. Many other pundits are saying how the prospects this year are going to be graded all over the place - that a lot of these guys will have grades across 3-4 rounds.

Fair enough. I hadn't really got that impression from what draft stuff I read, but then based on that I stop finding guys I really like after about 15 picks, sooo... maybe they're right?

 

[JTG]

Fair enough. I hadn't really got that impression from what draft stuff I read, but then based on that I stop finding guys I really like after about 15 picks, sooo... maybe they're right?

The theme for this draft is that guys aren't really nailed down by rounds where you can safely say, "This guy is a 1st-2nd round pick." Grades seem to be much more spread out on guys, which I am finding with a lot of the things I read. For example, some places you look, Drew Sanders is a top 32 pick. Other places you look he's a 3rd-4th round guy. His name pops in my head because he's a Steelers fan favorite, but that's kind of the theme of this draft, which sort of makes it fun. I just hope we have the scouting staff that can play this type of game and we haven't skimped there also.

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

Most drafts classes get murky after the first 15 picks, and each individual class has their strengths and weaknesses for each position group.

Last year WR and Edge were deep, while QB was weak, yet Steelers found who I strongly believe is their QB of the future.

I honestly haven’t seen anything but positive comments on this class.

I can only assume RB being the strongest position is likely skewering some of the negative comments as it’s a devalued position.

One of the Steelers biggest needs is one of this classes’ greatest strengths - corner.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

Pretty weird story

A wolf suit, big bets and an alleged robbery: The mystery of a Chiefs superfan

ChiefsAholic, a superfan in a wolf suit, was a beloved fixture of Kansas City Chiefs games. Then he turned up in an Oklahoma jail. The mystery around him only deepened from there.

www.espn.com

 

[JTG]

Beat Writer Points Out One Way Andy Weidl Scouts Differently From Steelers' Past

Although it was never the focal point of his job with the Pittsburgh Steelers, new general manager Omar Khan often gets falsely pigeonholed as a ‘numbers’ guy, a ‘cap’ guy, or a ‘contract’ guy. Yet in spite of that fact, the organization still felt they would be best served by adding Andy Weidl...

steelersdepot.com

I like this approach.

 

[Josey Wales]

Sources: Steelers inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky will not return

Jerry Olsavsky, who has been a member of the Steelers organization as a player and coach for 22 seasons, will not be retained after the team hired Aaron...

www.post-gazette.com

 

[Monkey D Luffy]

Thinking now about the draft quite a bit and will be doing a lot of research coming up but I did a few mocks this morning.

I'm no college football expert but I would be happy in theory with something like this.

Also, I would be a huge supporter of trading Dionte Johnson and acquiring a first plus.

If the first was in the top 15 ideally and replace him with Jordan Addison.

 

[Pens1566]

Thinking now about the draft quite a bit and will be doing a lot of research coming up but I did a few mocks this morning.

I'm no college football expert but I would be happy in theory with something like this.

Also, I would be a huge supporter of trading Dionte Johnson and acquiring a first plus.

If the first was in the top 15 ideally and replace him with Jordan Addison.

Wow, that's a big slip for Ringo. Doubt it really happens ...

 

[Monkey D Luffy]

Wow, that's a big slip for Ringo. Doubt it really happens ...

Definitely, based on everything I read. I think the smart move is to go get a top-end LT with the 17th. It seems there are quite a few long cornerbacks and quality interior OL/RT prospects in the middle rounds.

Personally, I think this needs to be a big OL draft, and let them fight it out in camp. I'd like to see us bring in another receiver, corner, and interior DL as well.

Quite a few times I have had Kancey/Bresee fall to me at 17 which would be interesting.

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Thinking now about the draft quite a bit and will be doing a lot of research coming up but I did a few mocks this morning.

I'm no college football expert but I would be happy in theory with something like this.

Also, I would be a huge supporter of trading Dionte Johnson and acquiring a first plus.

If the first was in the top 15 ideally and replace him with Jordan Addison.

I don't see how anyone would trade a top 15 pick for Johnson. AJ Brown, Marquise Brown and Davante Adams didn't get a top 15 pick. Now, this year's draft WR class and FA class is down compared to last season, so maybe that helps but I still don't see a top 15 team knocking on the door.

I happen to like Johnson and I feel he can be a productive player. And he has shown he can be a productive player. When I think of a 11.6 mil dead cap hit and then having to replace him, I just don't think it is worth the 4.6 mil cap savings plus the draft pick they will most likely get for Johnson. I would rather not take players away from Pickett even if he drops a ball every once in awhile.

I would rather go into next season with him and when he plays better and returns to what he has done the previous seasons with a capable QB, which he should have this next season; then his production will go up, he will help the team be successful, help Kenny be successful and it will raise his value.

 

[JTG]

Thinking now about the draft quite a bit and will be doing a lot of research coming up but I did a few mocks this morning.

I'm no college football expert but I would be happy in theory with something like this.

Also, I would be a huge supporter of trading Dionte Johnson and acquiring a first plus.

If the first was in the top 15 ideally and replace him with Jordan Addison.

We would maybe get a 2 and a 5 for Johnson.

Though I will say, if any team thinks about drafting any of these WRs in the 1st round, Johnson is better than all of them.

 

[Pens1566]

We would maybe get a 2 and a 5 for Johnson.

Though I will say, if any team thinks about drafting any of these WRs in the 1st round, Johnson is better than all of them.

I'm not sure about that last part. I think either of Addison or Smith-Njigba could at least come close to his stats last year. Wouldn't shock me if they exceeded either. Avg 50yds/game and they're right on it. Score a TD and it's a bonus ...

 

[xlm34]

I’m can’t see him actually having any desire to come back to Pittsburgh, but trading or releasing Trubisky and bringing back Rudolph would be a no brainer imo.

 

[JTG]

I'm not sure about that last part. I think either of Addison or Smith-Njigba could at least come close to his stats last year. Wouldn't shock me if they exceeded either. Avg 50yds/game and they're right on it. Score a TD and it's a bonus ...

Eh...Last year was a different type of season with a rookie QB. I'll give Johnson that much. I don't think any WR, especially a rookie WR, comes in and does much better than Johnson did, aside from having a few more TDs.

I don't see a differentiation between any of them - specifically he and Addison. They are identical players in my opinion.

What I could see us being able to do is packaging 32 with Johnson and maybe getting up into the 1st again.

 

[Pens1566]

As of now, I think I'm hoping that Gonzalez is still around @17.

 

[The Old Master]

I’m can’t see him actually having any desire to come back to Pittsburgh, but trading or releasing Trubisky and bringing back Rudolph would be a no brainer imo.

he's no dummy. he's not going to bite off his nose to spite his face. he wants to play somewhere.

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

I’m sure it’s lip service and doesn’t really make a ton of sense for him. But I guess if they cut Trubisky there are worse places for Rudolph than the Steelers. Pickett wasn’t super durable, is only gonna be a sophomore and Rudolph is familiar.

Idk what team is signing him to start, so he’s probably looking for a no clear cut 2 role behind a weak starter.

 

[Double-Shift Lasse]

Despite the popularity of the journeyman backup story, I feel like most of those guys only play one place and are dumped at the end of their first or second contract and seen as replaceable. Gotta figure he sees his opportunity on a Mitch-less Steelers roster as good as anywhere. To whatever degree, he has some standing here that he won’t anywhere else.

 

[Buddy Bizarre]

I’m sure it’s lip service and doesn’t really make a ton of sense for him. But I guess if they cut Trubisky there are worse places for Rudolph than the Steelers. Pickett wasn’t super durable, is only gonna be a sophomore and Rudolph is familiar.

Idk what team is signing him to start, so he’s probably looking for a no clear cut 2 role behind a weak starter.

If they axe Mitch, MR is a no-brainer to resign. Don't think we'll see much better in the FA market

 

[Goalie_Bob]

Plus I think they could sign him to a smaller deal than some of the other backups. Like 1.5mil to 2.0mil AAV.

I have no issue with trading or releasing Mitch and taking the 8 mil they save by doing so, then giving a backup say 2.0mil and then they would have 6 mil left over to improve the team.

 

[Monkey D Luffy]

I don't see how anyone would trade a top 15 pick for Johnson. AJ Brown, Marquise Brown and Davante Adams didn't get a top 15 pick. Now, this year's draft WR class and FA class is down compared to last season, so maybe that helps but I still don't see a top 15 team knocking on the door.

I happen to like Johnson and I feel he can be a productive player. And he has shown he can be a productive player. When I think of a 11.6 mil dead cap hit and then having to replace him, I just don't think it is worth the 4.6 mil cap savings plus the draft pick they will most likely get for Johnson. I would rather not take players away from Pickett even if he drops a ball every once in awhile.

I would rather go into next season with him and when he plays better and returns to what he has done the previous seasons with a capable QB, which he should have this next season; then his production will go up, he will help the team be successful, help Kenny be successful and it will raise his value.

I admit I am not the foremost expert when it comes to the cap so you may be right on that front, and I may be overvaluing him when it comes to draft picks. I was reading some things about Tee Higgins and there were some talks about the asking price being a first so that's where I got that.

I would love to see Kenny with a fresh start having Pickens and Addison as his one-two and that seems to be the easiest way to achieve that.

As of now, I think I'm hoping that Gonzalez is still around @17.

I like the top end of the CB class but I also like the middle part. First round CB seems to be one of those boom-or-bust type of picks and I feel like LT would be the safer move while trying to keep our franchise quarterback upright.

 

[Pens1566]

I like the top end of the CB class but I also like the middle part. First round CB seems to be one of those boom-or-bust type of picks and I feel like LT would be the safer move while trying to keep our franchise quarterback upright.

Part of the reason I said Gonzalez is that I don't expect any of the top 3 OT to be there.

 

[Peat]

The most pertinent point of that Rudolph thing is what's provided in the quote from Benz which can be summarised as "he's looking to move but won't close the door on Pittsburgh".

The latter half of that is meaningless as no NFL backup is closing the door on any NFL team. The piece about his primary objective being seeing what else is out there is far more to the point.

Whether that means he'd tell the team no if they said "hey, we're cutting Trubisky, contract for 4m a year, you in" is unclear... but it feels like he'd want to. That if the deals and place in the depth chart are the same, he doesn't want to be here.

And tbh, much as I would prefer to have a QB with experience of the system and players at a time when Pickett will be the team's huge priority, and who isn't Trubisky at 8m, I don't really want Rudolph either. Won't complain if it is him, but not beating the drum it should be him.

 

[bigdaddyk88]

The most pertinent point of that Rudolph thing is what's provided in the quote from Benz which can be summarised as "he's looking to move but won't close the door on Pittsburgh".

The latter half of that is meaningless as no NFL backup is closing the door on any NFL team. The piece about his primary objective being seeing what else is out there is far more to the point.

Whether that means he'd tell the team no if they said "hey, we're cutting Trubisky, contract for 4m a year, you in" is unclear... but it feels like he'd want to. That if the deals and place in the depth chart are the same, he doesn't want to be here.

And tbh, much as I would prefer to have a QB with experience of the system and players at a time when Pickett will be the team's huge priority, and who isn't Trubisky at 8m, I don't really want Rudolph either. Won't complain if it is him, but not beating the drum it should be him.

MT will not be 8 million the organization prefers he accepts he is a backup and is willing to do an extension to get that number down. Darnold Jimmy G made 7 million a year last year Teddy Bridewater got 6.5 million with incentives upto 10 million to be Tua back up. It comes down to does MT accept he is a backup or does he like Baker still think he is a starter in this league.
If they move on from MT it is cause and go Jacoby brisset Mason that still 5 mill a year plus the 2 mill in dead cap from MT cut/trade