maybe someone will say something to put me at ease one way or the other..
Sorry, I'm also in that boat with ya. When you like the Day Two picks over the Day One picks, that ain't good.
Woodley is the only guy I'm happy with, but I'll admit I'm a little biased there. Still think he's going to be big for them down the road. I'm guessing that Haggans (UFA) may not be back next year and LaMarr takes his spot.
Timmons? Still don't see it. But, to be fair, he hasn't really had much of a shot outside of special teams. It's no secret I would've preferred any number of players there (O-line being near the top of the list), but he's here now so let's see what he can do. Hopefully, we don't see him much this year. That would mean that the LB group remains relatively healthy for the remainder.
Spaeth?
No comment.
From the little I've seen, draft seems to be loaded at OL, and we need to stock up. And I believe we need to get at least one FA OL--I'll be angry and disappointed if we don't do one or the other or both.
Co-sign. Draft OT and OC. Buy an OG.
I am absolutely sick of Mahan and that's all there is to it.. The Simmons deal looks suspect but with a guy like Mahan beside him i'm not sure what to think..
You know, the problem is I don't think Mahan is really cut out to be a C. IIRC, he played mostly OG in Tampa and only spot duty at OC. Maybe that's his problem? Dunno.
I wanted Simmons
cut before the season started; then, he played well in pre-season; then, they extended him. I was fine with it because I thought he turned the corner, but it seems like he's gone steadily downhill since the ink dried on the contract. If he even mildly turns it around and plays average to good, he'll be a decent bang for the buck OG. Maybe if they upgrade the guy to his left, his play would improve.
In all honesty, I think the problem with the line itself (other than the too long to develop downfield plays and Ben's propensity to hang onto the ball too long) is that it's a group whose identity is a little in flux. Guys like Simmons and Smith are road graters; much better at run blocking than pass blocking. Faneca can kinda do it all, but he lacks some in pass blocking as well. Colon was taken over Starks because he's supposedly a better pass blocker than the massive run blocker in Starks, but that hasn't really shown through much yet this year.
I know we'll keep hearing that Pittsburgh is "not going to abandon the run" and "will continue to be a run first team," but I don't buy that mantra. Pittsburgh will go as far as Ben's arm will take them. The running game is just along for the ride and help to keep defenses honest. With that said, IMO, Pittsburgh needs to focus on drafting/signing versatile linemen that can at least pass and run block, but their forte should be on the former.
In the past, the Steelers went after big bastards that could pave the way for the running game. Now, I think they need to focus more on guys that excel at creating a wall for the QB to do his job. Until they do that, the group they have will continue to look like a band-aid for a broken arm solution.
