Peter King, my favorite football writer (cough), put out an "informed mock draft" yesterday. He has the Stillers taking OL Branden Albert with their 1st round pick.....as do a lot of other draft "experts". We'll see. With the addition of Justin Hartwig and the signing of Max Starks - I hope to see blood and guts on the floor for the starting five to unfold in camp. I want Kemoeatu and Colon in there battling all these guys. In the end, I want the five best performers from camp to start....I don't care about names, I don't care about draft position, I don't care about history....I want the five hungriest guys to play. Amen.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Branden Albert
Peter King, my favorite football writer (cough), put out an "informed mock draft" yesterday. He has the Stillers taking OL Branden Albert with their 1st round pick.....as do a lot of other draft "experts". We'll see. With the addition of Justin Hartwig and the signing of Max Starks - I hope to see blood and guts on the floor for the starting five to unfold in camp. I want Kemoeatu and Colon in there battling all these guys. In the end, I want the five best performers from camp to start....I don't care about names, I don't care about draft position, I don't care about history....I want the five hungriest guys to play. Amen.
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5 comments:
I hope we do draft this guy. I also feel that all Starks needs is a little motivation and if he has competition it's gonna make him get off his lazy ass and be a better player. I'm all for us having a completely different line from last season. That's a no-brainer;-)
I don't care who we get. Albert would be fine. We need offensive linemen the most. Defensive linemen second most. That's pretty much widely acknowledged here and around the country.
But I will not be surprised if Tomlin drafts two more pass rushing college DEs in the first 3 rounds to play some sort of hybrid LB/DE position. I am fairly certain he has been masterbating to the thought of pressuring the QB like the NY Giants did to Tom Gay-dee in the Super Bowl.
Matter of fact with what I've seen of the way Tomlin's brain works I would not be surprised to see 5 or 6 potential linebackers drafted. Fortunately they have a GM and owners who can reign him in. Even Chuck Noll wanted to draft Robert Newhouse instead of Franco Harris.
But basically I am not going into this draft with any preconceived notions. Draftees league-wide do not have the immediate impact they once did. So if we get a few good players who can contribute for years to come I'll be happy. Only problem is I won't know to be happy until I've celebrated a few more birthdays. Just hope we get enough O-line help so Big Ben can do the same.
Last year we had absolutely no pressure on opposing QB's and could not stop the run for most of the season. Sad. I can deal with teams like New England and the Jags manhandling us, but when Arizona, Denver, and the pathetic J-E-T-S bully our defensive line you know we're in deep trouble;-( I never realized Aaron Smith was that vital until he was gone. BTW what is up with Timmons? Can't remember a more recent #1 pick that was so quiet. Do you guys expect him to play alot this season? Possibly start?
If we get ANYTHING out of Timmons this year I will be pleasantly surprised. He was a stretch as a #1 choice.
I EXPECT a lot out of LaMarr Woodley this year, however.
Troy Edwards was a pretty bad choice in '99. And Jamain Stephens in '96 was nothing to write home about. Actually through the early and mid-90s the Steelers #1 picks were mostly mediocre at best (Mark Bruener, Charles Johnson, Deion Figures et al). Our worst #1 pick was undoubtedly Huey Richardson in '91.
I expect Timmons to be more like a Charred Scott pick at #1. A decent player worthy of a roster spot, but in no conceivable way worthy of a #1 pick.
Just a note to any young 'uns out there. You live in the 7 round world of ESPN. But back in Stilladog's day there were upwards of 20 rounds. Those guys would represent undrafted free agents today (eg. Willie Parker). You say he's the exception? Here's just some of the players the Steelers have drafted in round 8 or beyond:
Rocky Bleier- 16th round
L.C. Greenwood- 10th round
Mike Wagner- 11th round
"Turnpike" Ernie Holmes- 8th round
Loren Toews- 8th round
Frank Pollard- 11th round
Merril Hoge- 10th round
Justin Strzelczyk- 11th round
I am just hoping for a very deep draft. What I mean is a draft that yields 6 guys who win roster spots, 4 who become starters at some point, and 2 who become All-Pro at some point.
wasnt greg lloyd an 8th?
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