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View Full Version : 3rd-rounder Spence eager to soak in Steelers’ system



stillers4me
05-07-2012, 04:45 PM
Sean Spence grew up in Miami, but the Steelers were always his favorite NFL team. As such, he needed anything but a history lesson after the team issued him No. 51 last week.

“I understand James Farrior wore this number,” Spence said. “He’s a great linebacker, but I’m not James Farrior. The things he did I may not be able to do.”

Comparisons to Farrior, who was released earlier this year, are more than just premature, and that explains why Spence was one of the Steelers’ more curious draft picks.

The former Miami Hurricanes standout is not playing Farrior’s old position, and his selection didn’t address a glaring short- or long-term need. But as Hurricanes defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio said: “I think the Steelers looked at it and thought they were getting a good football player. I think he’ll be a good fit.”

The question is where. ..........

read more @ http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/1293740-85/spence-steelers-miami-farrior-linebacker-inside-linebackers-minicamp-nfl-practices

GBMelBlount
05-07-2012, 05:47 PM
With Farrior, Foote & Timmons between 235 & 243 lbs. I can not understand the apparent concern about Spence coming out of college at 230.

This guy should be quite good.

Psycho Ward 86
05-07-2012, 06:56 PM
With Farrior, Foote & Timmons between 235 & 243 lbs. I can not understand the apparent concern about Spence coming out of college at 230.

This guy should be quite good.

Farrior frequently played lighter than 235. He even said so himself.

tube517
05-07-2012, 07:29 PM
Farrior frequently played lighter than 235. He even said so himself.

Under 220 by the end of the year

steelerdude15
05-07-2012, 07:29 PM
I honestly am excited to see this guy. I hope he becomes a starter and tears it up.

sgtrobo
05-07-2012, 07:43 PM
I absolutely hated this pick at first, but the more I thought about it, the more it occurred to me that the guy is smart, instinctive, hard working, and aggressive. He's not exactly the ideal size, but we've had LBs who were able to excel despite not being "ideal size".

I just hope he doesn't try to play at 230 lbs. I'd like to see him back at his seasonal playing weight, around 218ish.

steelreserve
05-07-2012, 11:32 PM
Didn't fit a glaring short or long-term need? I'd definitely call ILB a long-term need. Beyond this season, we don't know who the hell will be playing there other than Timmons, and even that might be in doubt if we can't find somebody decent to replace Harrison on the outside. I am never surprised to see us pick a linebacker in the first two or three rounds. Except for Bruce Davis, because he didn't really fit the mold of, well ... anything we could use.

Steeldude
05-08-2012, 03:33 AM
With Farrior, Foote & Timmons between 235 & 243 lbs. I can not understand the apparent concern about Spence coming out of college at 230.

This guy should be quite good.

Farrior has played at 218lbs

steelreserve
05-08-2012, 03:42 AM
Farrior has played at 218lbs

I thought it was more like 215 for the last few years of his career, sometimes 210.

suitanim
05-08-2012, 05:28 AM
Troy weighs 218 and plays up on the line 3-4 plays a game. We've all seen him penetrate the backfield, too. Spence's weight isn't a concern.

Count Steeler
05-08-2012, 05:35 AM
From what I have seen (limited, of course), Spence looks like a ball hawk and a good tackler. 2 strong qualities to have.

Pristas
05-08-2012, 08:10 AM
Don't count the Steelers out in terms of coming up with a new defense for the NFL. A smaller backer can be disguised more easily and this certainly has it's advantages. Heck, when Timmons is in "raoming" mode, we are more of a 3-3-1-4. Maybe the goal here is to not do the taditional thing at the position.

El-Gonzo Jackson
05-08-2012, 10:20 AM
With Farrior, Foote & Timmons between 235 & 243 lbs. I can not understand the apparent concern about Spence coming out of college at 230.

This guy should be quite good.

There is no concern as he should play the weakside ILB in the 3-4. Only thing that was confusing is that is where Timmons currently plays. So the question will become...is the long term plan for Timmons to move over and Spence to play in Timmons position??

The hopeful emergence of a young 340 lb NT to take up 2 blockers will help our LB's to be able to flow to the ball. I think Hampton's age and injuries have finally caught up to him and his declining play is the reason we became worse vs the run last season.

Edman
05-08-2012, 11:30 AM
Guys in the NFL get passed over all the time because of their size, and that can be an issue when you're in a 3-4, but any guy can beat his size by playing above and beyond. What matters is if this guy can play football.