View topic - Draft Question

[indysteel Profile]

Looks like the board is a bit negative on the draft. I don't follow college football at all (shame, I know) so here is what I am hopeful someone will know....

The players we drafted --- can they PLAY FOOTBALL AT A HIGH LEVEL? I could care less about 40 time, vertical leap, Wonderlic scores, bench reps......can they PLAY and PLAY WELL.

Rice was "slow".....no one was high on Webster when they picked him....Montana was a 3rd round pick......so, pedigree and draft slot really is meaningless.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

At a High Level in the college game - yes
At a high level in the pro game - ????

The PSU center is a fine example - he may simply not have th physical skills (short arms) to ever amount to anything in the NFL. We'll see.

[deltadweller Profile]

At a High Level in the college game - yes
At a high level in the pro game - ????

The PSU center is a fine example - he may simply not have th physical skills (short arms) to ever amount to anything in the NFL. We'll see.

Good point, but in the 7th round you have to think it's a good risk with the way he plays the game. Either he overcomes the physical challenges and you have a real steal, or you only spent a 7 on the guy. I think this was a well placed pick at this spot.

[thesteelhammer Profile]

Yeah, not disagreeing.
He was just the easiest example.

[deltadweller Profile]

Yeah, not disagreeing.
He was just the easiest example.

No I wasn't disagreeing with you. lol Just supplementing.

[indysteel Profile]

But can any of them play? Who gives a damn about anything else if it cannot be translated onto the field at the pro level?

Look, Sanchez started what? One-year?! And look where he got drafted? Are you kidding me? That is a reach -- particularly when you consider the talent he had around him.

So....just because our fellas don't have the highlight reels don't mean shit. The draft is littered with players who didn't do squat...and that's just the first round!

Only someone who closely follows college would be able to tell who can play -- I don't so I asked.

[First to Six Profile]

I have typically been a hand-wringer over the Stiller's picks ever since I started watching the draft.

2 Super Bowls in the past four years and I've learned to put my faith in Colbert. This team has been built through the draft with strong day-two picks contributing.

So, big picture -- who cares if player X has short arms or Player Y has a slow 40. The results are on the field in late January or early Feb.

No flash, just smart, tough Steeler players. Guys who can be coached and who have character.

Better Colbert and Tomlin and their picks than any joker the Browns' or Bengals' brain trusts pick.

[finesward Profile]

f26 took the words right out my mouth. great post. the great thing about the steelers is they (being careful not to use the proverbial "we") have a system that wins, and the best part about having that system is it doesn't require us (i mean them) to have top draft picks, which coincidentally goes hand and hand with winning. so far colbert has been pretty good in identifying the players that will be cornerstone players and reaching out to get them if the conditions are right, troy and tonio come to mind. who knew hines was going to be the beast that he is today back when he was drafted? He's smart, hardworking, and tough which is the type of player you pick up in the later rounds. Not the fastest, flashiest player from the best colleges that have tons of talent around them, but little gems in the rough. Sometimes those picks don't work out (willie reed) but at least you have a system that gives you the luxury of not having to start these project guys right away. We won superbowls with a UFA running back, a UFA who just put out a career year (and a superbowl td return), and a no-name offensive line. I think we have been doing just fine in the draft, and this year was no different. I mean come on... FRANK THE TANK!?! how could this guy NOT be the next bettis with a nick like that...

[steelcitymetal Profile]

At a High Level in the college game - yes
At a high level in the pro game - ????

The PSU center is a fine example - he may simply not have th physical skills (short arms) to ever amount to anything in the NFL. We'll see.

maybe his short arms will keep him from holding in the endzone.