UPDATE: Steelers sign Calgary DE/LB Shawn Lemon [Archive]

KeiselPower99

01-17-2015, 02:47 PM

The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin to rebuild their defense not through free agency, re-signing current players or the NFL Draft, but by looking north to the CFL for talent. Shawn Lemon, a member of the Grey Cup Champion Calgary Stampeders will sign with the Steelers, according to Scott Mitchell of the Calgary Sun, as well as Sports Illustrated.

Lemon racked up 13 sacks and forced eight fumbles in 2014 for the Stampeders, the latter of which was a CFL record.

This isn't Lemon's first tour stateside, as the Maryland native was a standout for the Akron Zips, starting for three seasons and earning all-conference honors.

Listed at six-feet-two and 250 pounds, Lemon almost certainly will line up as an outside linebacker rather than a defensive end, and as Neal Coolong pointed out last week, Lemon is an explosive player who possesses the athleticism for a potentially successful position switch.

Still only 26-years old, Lemon is still a young player with room to grow. Although Lemon bounced around the Arena League and the CFL, playing for a total of six teams in his short career, Mitchell reported as many as 14 teams were interested in Lemon's services, indicating his game tape was worth a shot.

With Jarvis Jones currently the only outside linebacker under contract, the Steelers needed to make a move to bring depth to the position, and Lemon seems to fit the bill.

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait for Lemon to be formally introduced, as CFL players are unable to officially sign with NFL teams until Feb. 10th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzOprc6GVGM

st33lersguy

01-17-2015, 03:08 PM

I like this signing. Hopefully he pans out

Mach1

01-17-2015, 03:46 PM

Hopefully this signing doesn't turn into a lemon.

stillers4me

01-17-2015, 03:54 PM

Hopefully this signing doesn't turn into a lemon.

:hmm:

Psycho Ward 86

01-17-2015, 03:55 PM

Meh.

Bluecoat96

01-17-2015, 06:43 PM

Hopefully this signing doesn't turn into a lemon.

Boo...lol

GoSlash27

01-17-2015, 06:59 PM

I draw 2 conclusions from this video:

1) He finishes strong
2) Canadian o- lines really suck

Craic

01-17-2015, 07:24 PM

I like the fact that, despite being a DE, it looks like he often lined up with a hand in the grass. Maybe the change to 3-4 outside LB won't be as difficult for him.

steel9guy

01-17-2015, 09:36 PM

I was excited and then I saw the olines he was going against in the video. Hopefully it works out.

Dwinsgames

01-17-2015, 09:45 PM

his tape is leaps and bounds better than I anticipated by the talk in the other thread ... may be some hope for this kid yet

- - - Updated - - -

I draw 2 conclusions from this video:

1) He finishes strong
2) Canadian o- lines really suck

probably something to the latter part ... that being said those are not a bunch of fat guys he is getting around , could take that two ways .. the guys he is beating should be faster than most he will face , but they do not have the lockdown power of the ones he will face ...

6 of one , half dozen of the other = wait n see

GoSlash27

01-17-2015, 10:09 PM

probably something to the latter part ... that being said those are not a bunch of fat guys he is getting around , could take that two ways .. the guys he is beating should be faster than most he will face , but they do not have the lockdown power of the ones he will face ...

6 of one , half dozen of the other = wait n see

No disagreement with any of this, but that's not what I was referring to. I'm talking about the poor technique, body control, and blocking schemes.
This definitely isn't pro level o-line play.

On further inspection, I'm not so keen on *his* technique either. He's got a good motor and what looks like poor fundamental habits. It'll take some practice squad time to set him straight. Hopefully not too much.

Psycho Ward 86

01-17-2015, 11:03 PM

I draw 2 conclusions from this video:

1) He finishes strong
2) Canadian o- lines really suck

strong? he just finishes fast. he looks like vernon gholston on that footage. little irked that a good bull rush is nowhere to be seen on his highlight footage

steelerdude15

01-18-2015, 05:06 PM

Some things I noticed from the film in this thread:

He's explosive off the line
He's patient
Has good vision
Good rush technique that allows him to get off blocks to make a play
Good tackling fundamentals
He's fast.

Plus, he also has size. I'm interested to see what this guy can do.

Steeldude

01-19-2015, 06:59 AM

IMO, it looks more like an average player vs a poor O-line. The Steelers need starting caliber OLBs, not more mediocrity.

GoSlash27

01-19-2015, 04:54 PM

IMO, it looks more like an average player vs a poor O-line. The Steelers need starting caliber OLBs, not more mediocrity.

Well... I wouldn't say "average". You don't set records by being merely average.
He looks like he's got potential, but it's going to take a lot of work for him to get to the point where he can have an impact in the NFL.

As an aside, I think we can set aside the notion of the Steelers switching to a 4-3. We wouldn't be looking at guys like this if we were planning on doing that.

KeiselPower99

01-20-2015, 04:29 PM

Lemon does not have to be a starter or an all pro just a guy who gets pressure and proves he can play.

Godfather

01-21-2015, 06:38 AM

I like it. There's no downside here.

salamander

01-21-2015, 01:49 PM

As I do with all players we bring in, I'll wait and see how he actually plays before I make a verdict either way. If he ends up contributing, then that's great. If not, we dump him and move on - his contract can't be TOO bad.

Count Steeler

01-21-2015, 02:34 PM

Camp body and special teams at the very least. Depth and maybe a pass rusher on 3rd downs.

86WARD

01-21-2015, 07:45 PM

I'm not excited.

Psycho Ward 86

01-21-2015, 11:26 PM

I like it. There's no downside here.

Vernon Gholston. Theres your downside.

slashsteel

01-22-2015, 07:59 AM

Some good players have come out of the CFL.

yeah sometimes you get a Lemon

and sometimes you make lemonaide

:smoker:

cost the team next to nothing for a look-see.

Mojouw

01-22-2015, 08:57 AM

Vernon Gholston. Theres your downside.

No draft pick used. Little cap ramifications if cut.

Top end of the scale is that you have the next Cameron Wake on the cheap. Bottom end is you cut Vernon Gholston 2.0 during the off-season with no harm to your balance sheet.

I really hope they bring the corner from the CFL in as well.

Psycho Ward 86

01-22-2015, 12:34 PM

No draft pick used. Little cap ramifications if cut.

Top end of the scale is that you have the next Cameron Wake on the cheap. Bottom end is you cut Vernon Gholston 2.0 during the off-season with no harm to your balance sheet.

I really hope they bring the corner from the CFL in as well.

just being cautiously pessimistic on this one haha. and whats all the fuss about this corner? i cant find much on him

Mojouw

01-22-2015, 01:12 PM

just being cautiously pessimistic on this one haha. and whats all the fuss about this corner? i cant find much on him

Tall, fast, "top corner in the CFL" (whatever that means). Apparently held Chris Carter's kid (a hot CFL propsect in his own right) in check in their one head to head past season.

Here is a bit: http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/10332/delvin-breaux

Another decent lottery ticket to collect.

Pappy

01-28-2015, 02:03 PM

Hopefully this signing doesn't turn into a lemon.
Even the greatest scouts miss players and overestimate the potential of others. Remember, Joe Montana and Tom Brady were late round picks. Donnie Shell was a free agent. Etc.,etc. Until they figure out how to measure a person's heart, projecting the play of any player is just an educated guess.

Texasteel

01-28-2015, 02:23 PM

Tall, fast, "top corner in the CFL" (whatever that means). Apparently held Chris Carter's kid (a hot CFL propsect in his own right) in check in their one head to head past season.

Here is a bit: http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/10332/delvin-breaux

Another decent lottery ticket to collect.

We worked Breaux out, but I don't know if they offered him a contract. None the less, Breaux is on his way to NO.

KeiselPower99

01-31-2015, 11:44 AM

We worked Breaux out, but I don't know if they offered him a contract. None the less, Breaux is on his way to NO.

Breaux is from the New Orleans area so he took their offer. We did sign LB/S Ian Wild yesterday. He played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and is from Pittsburgh. 6'0 205, will be a safety with us and does long snap, so there is position flexibility if he is able to make the roster. Here is tape of Wild's special team highlights.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjyA8qtqaY0

Personally I love the fact we are looking outside the box for guys right now. These are low cost high reward signings.

Mojouw

02-02-2015, 12:05 PM

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/pittsburgh-steelers-roster-nfl-depth-chart/2015/1/10/7524425/steelers-roster-offseason-signings-transactions-2015

Some intriguing signings recently. Nix looks interesting - man w/out a position, but supposedly possesses an amazing step off the line and I believe there are reports that he broke blocking sled with the Falcons.

http://backgrinder.com/2014/08/20/hard-knocks-atlanta-episode-2-1st-game-1st-cut/

Shoes

02-02-2015, 02:16 PM

Steeldude

02-02-2015, 03:01 PM

Roosevelt looks like an intriguing addition. I hope he can turn some of the flab into muscle. If Harrison returns maybe be could mentor him in the importance of getting strong.

Shoes

02-02-2015, 08:41 PM

The Steelers must have other ideas about Egnew playing TE because he can't block, but does look like a decent receiver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diclp2_25ys

Nix pro day info

Roosevelt Nix, DL (5-foot-11 1/4, 248) — Nix ran the 40 in 4.79 seconds on both attempts. He had a 28-inch vertical and 9-foot-2 broad jump. He did the short shuttle in 4.39 seconds and the three-cone drill in a remarkable time of 6.90 seconds. He performed 22 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press. Nix is a really good football player — he is the first player in Kent State history and fifth player in MAC history to earn first-team all-conference honors in four seasons — and a team will have to find a position for him. Some people think Nix might be a fullback, others think he might be a linebacker. At 248 pounds, he won’t be a defensive lineman in the NFL, but he has tremendous ability and a team will have to find a position for him to play. He is likely a priority free-agent pickup following the draft.

Mojouw

02-05-2015, 12:07 PM

Another take on all these guys:

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2015/2/3/7972519/top-15-prospects-for-15-amongst-the-futures-contracts

Shoes

02-05-2015, 01:54 PM

Another take on all these guys:

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2015/2/3/7972519/top-15-prospects-for-15-amongst-the-futures-contracts

Should be be some good competition in Training camp. I'm really hoping Blanchflower pans out and stays healthy.

Mojouw

02-05-2015, 02:05 PM

Should be be some good competition in Training camp. I'm really hoping Blanchflower pans out and stays healthy.

Assuming some of these off-season pieces are close to the mark, I am really excited to see what Branchflower and Engrew can do at TE. On that note, whatever happened to the young guy in camp this season who seemed to be an athletic marvel, if really raw at TE...Waters I think was his name?

Yes. I know. I could Google it, but I'm waaaayy too lazy for that!

Shoes

02-05-2015, 02:11 PM

Assuming some of these off-season pieces are close to the mark, I am really excited to see what Branchflower and Engrew can do at TE. On that note, whatever happened to the young guy in camp this season who seemed to be an athletic marvel, if really raw at TE...Waters I think was his name?

Yes. I know. I could Google it, but I'm waaaayy too lazy for that!

I'm not sure what happened to Waters. I think Blanch picked it up after recovering from his injury. I read a few reports that he was doing very well by the end of the season. I'm not sure what the Steelers have in mind for Engrew because he can't block, but does seem to be a good receiver.

It will be interesting to see if Munch can make a LT out of Villanueva

hawaiiansteeler

05-09-2015, 09:21 PM

Shawn Lemon grateful, but ready, for his chance with the Pittsburgh Steelers

By Dale Grdnic on May 9, 2015

https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wldWsIPT8rplMj9ge-9pvEDNX08=/0x0:2690x1793/500x333/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46305316/GettyImages-457815196.0.jpg

Shawn Lemon had a successful career in the CFL, and although grateful for his chance in the NFL, he is ready to prove his worth to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

PITTSBURGH -- Outside linebacker Shawn Lemon knows all too well that a football career is difficult to get and even more fleeting once it's obtained.

So, as a 26-year-old in his first NFL camp after going undrafted from Akron in 2011, the 6-foot-1, 235-pound Lemon had some advice for the younger players attended rookie mini-camp this weekend with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"If you ever want to get into the NFL, play football somewhere,'' Lemon said. "Go to Canada, an indoor league, anywhere professionally to work on your game. Someone will notice you and hopefully take a chance on you. An opportunity is all you need. Then, it's up to you to do something with it.''

Lemon must heed his own advice with the Steelers, who signed Lemon to a reserve-future contract after this past season and will give him a chance to make their roster after bouncing around between seven teams in the Canadian and Arena football leagues.

to read rest of article:

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/nfl-pittsburgh-steelers-news/2015/5/9/8578285/shawn-lemon-grateful-but-ready-for-his-chance-with-the-pittsburgh

GBMelBlount

05-09-2015, 10:10 PM

"If you ever want to get into the NFL, play football somewhere,'' Lemon said. "Go to Canada, an indoor league, anywhere professionally to work on your game. Someone will notice you and hopefully take a chance on you. An opportunity is all you need. Then, it's up to you to do something with it.''

Lemon's Law for Football Success?...

Never give up.

hawaiiansteeler

05-15-2015, 12:47 AM

Steelers' Lemon hopes to put squeeze on opposing QBs

By Mark Kaboly
Thursday, May 14, 2015

http://triblive.com/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=LAzCw rlZnuSTLaXb2dZemc$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYsCAIiilPct5nk _6_lYaQOAWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4 uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_C ryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg

Linebacker Shawn Lemon visited 14 teams after the CFL season ended before choosing to join the Steelers.

Shawn Lemon is a big fan of Cameron Wake.

Wake wasn't drafted out of college and spent two years in the Canadian Football League, collecting 39 sacks. Wake, a former Penn State linebacker, was then signed by the Dolphins and made four Pro Bowls in six seasons.

“He has opened a lot of doors for us,” Lemon said. “I watch a lot of film on Cameron Wake, and I try to do some of the things that he does and some of the things I do and put it into one. What keeps you motivated every year in the CFL is knowing the NFL is looking for pass rushers.”

For Lemon, that door swung open in January when the Steelers signed the former Calgary Stampeders pass-rushing specialist to a 3-year deal worth $1.582 million. This after a breakout season in Canada in which Lemon had 13 sacks and a team-record seven forced fumbles.

Just like Wake, Lemon was in demand.

Lemon, who will turn 27 in August and who never has participated in an NFL camp, visited 14 teams in the month after the end of the CFL season.

Lemon (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) ultimately chose the Steelers because of the opportunity. At the time, the only experienced linebacker the Steelers had under contract was Jarvis Jones. Since, they re-signed Arthur Moats and James Harrison and used their first-round pick on Bud Dupree, but that hasn't changed Lemon's mindset.

to read rest of article:

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/8364354-74/lemon-cfl-steelers#ixzz3aBP5WwtN

86WARD

05-15-2015, 05:58 AM

It would be nice to see him contribute, maybe even start...would take a little sting out of the possibility of Jones not working out...

SteelerFanInStl

05-15-2015, 07:14 AM

If he's good enough, he'll make his way onto the field. I think it's a long shot though.

tube517

05-15-2015, 09:31 AM

If he can play Special Teams in addition to competing for an OLB spot, he'll be more valuable. Maybe another Terence Garvin?

st33lersguy

05-15-2015, 09:35 AM

Hopefully he can contribute. We need pass rushers

Steeler_Dynasty

05-17-2015, 02:56 PM

Will be an interesting training camp this year. As for Jones, I hope Lemon or HOJO beats him out if he doesn't have a really good camp. #1 pick or not we need guys who can play. I'll take an UDFA who works his azz off over a #1 pick who's a slacker.

hawaiiansteeler

05-25-2015, 01:30 AM

Alex Kozora @Alex_Kozora -

Shawn Lemon has worn a lot of jerseys. He's hoping Pittsburgh is his last. #Steelers

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2015/05/well-traveled-shawn-lemon-hopes-to-find-home-in-pittsburgh/

TeeTee

05-25-2015, 06:17 PM

Lemon's Law for Football Success?...

Never give up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNLUS0o69wQ

- - - Updated - - -

Will be an interesting training camp this year. As for Jones, I hope Lemon or HOJO beats him out if he doesn't have a really good camp. #1 pick or not we need guys who can play. I'll take an UDFA who works his azz off over a #1 pick who's a slacker.
:clap2:

Mojouw

05-25-2015, 06:32 PM

TeeTee

05-25-2015, 06:52 PM

I don't think Jones is a slacker, I just think he isn't very good at playing in the NFL. The SEC, sure. The NFL, not so much.

As to Canadian Lemon, he has a pretty hard road to make the team. Dupree, Harrison, Moats are locks for the final roster. The Steelers will likely only keep 4 OLB on the 53 man roster. That means he has to get past Howard Jones, Jarvis Jones, Jordan Zumwalt, Anthony Chickfilleto, and someone I'm forgetting to make the roster.

Practice squad might be more realistic, but I don't see the Steelers sticking a 26 year old on the PS, not their style.

The only thing that makes me wonder about how committed JJ is, is the fact that after his rookie year, he said, "I know I need to get bigger and stronger." OK, so he KNEW what he needed to do. But then, he promptly shows up in 2014 not looking any bigger or stronger, and not playing like it either, from what I could tell. But he was in Harrison's LB training thing, so maybe he is gonna hit the weights more now, we can only hope.

tube517

05-25-2015, 08:39 PM

Lemon's camp with the Steelers automatically gets him looks from other teams *cough* Arizona *cough* Titans

hawaiiansteeler

07-12-2015, 07:07 PM

Getting To Know: Shawn Lemon

Posted Jul 11, 2015
By Mike Prisuta

http://www.steelers.com/assets/images/imported/PIT/photos/2015-Photos/2015_Centerpiece_Misc/07_July/GTK_Lemon_CP_2015.jpg

Shawn Lemon
Linebacker
Akron
6-1, 235
1st year

Who is your football mentor or inspiration?
My parents.

What motivates you?
People telling me I can’t do something. My whole life I’ve been told that I can’t do stuff and I continue to prove people wrong.

What is your football mindset?
Sack the quarterback. I take a lot of pride in my pass rush.

Why do you play football?
To sack quarterbacks.

to read rest of article:

http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Getting-To-Know-Shawn-Lemon/dc859b29-bde4-45ba-bfbf-e03afcb2bae4

hawaiiansteeler

07-30-2015, 12:13 AM

James C Wexell retweeted
Burt Lauten ‏@SteelersPRBurt -

The @steelers have signed DB Jorden Sullen & waived LB Shawn Lemon from the PUP/Active List.

https://twitter.com/jimwexell

- - - Updated - - -

Steelers waive former CFL standout Lemon

JULY 29, 2015

LATROBE, Pa. — The Achilles’ injury suffered by outside linebacker Shawn Lemon was serious enough to derail his Steelers career before it started.

He was waived from the PUP/Active list Wednesday, according to the team, never having suited up for a practice. The former CFL player signed a contract with the Steelers this offseason amid offers from multiple other teams. He arrived to Latrobe with the injury, having been placed on the PUP list before the team’s first practice.

The Steelers announced they signed defensive back Jorden Sullen, a Tulane product and former Steelers practice squad member, to take Lemon’s roster spot.

Lemon won a Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL last season, a year in which he was among the best defensive players in the league. A journeyman since leaving the University of Akron in 2011, Lemon played for multiple teams in the CFL as well as the Arena League before getting an NFL contract.

Sullen, a 200-pound cornerback in his days at Tulane, spent time in training camp with the Broncos and on the practice squad of the Bears. He joins a defensive backfield with a possible opening, or at least an opportunity, with the current injury to rookie Senquez Golson, as well as the release of Jordan Dangerfield right before camp.

to read rest of article:

http://dkonpittsburghsports.com/2015/07/29/steelers-waive-shawn-lemon/