Welcome to the newest Steeler, Artie Burns.

[Vis]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/artie-burns?id=2555344

Burns has been as successful a two-sport athlete as any football player has been in the last 20 years. He came to "The U" with a pedigree on the football field and the track, earning four-star recruit status while winning a state title in the 110 meter hurdles three times during his high school career (he had the top 110 meter and 300 meter hurdles times in the nation in his junior year). Burns translated that dual success in high school to the Hurricanes, winning All-American and All-Conference honors as a hurdler for the track and field squad and becoming one of the top corners in the ACC. Burns played in a reserve role as a freshman in 2013 (17 tackles, two sacks, three pass breakups) before becoming a starter in his sophomore year (40 tackles, six pass breakups). He flourished in 2015, intercepting six passes (most by a Miami player since Sean Taylor had 10 in 2003) and breaking up five others on his way to consensus second-team All-ACC honors.

[BlackAndGold]

It's been talked that he could go late in round 1 for a few weeks now.

He's one of those raw prospects the team likes to mold.

[Vis]

It's been talked that he could go late in round 1 for a few weeks now.

He's one of those raw prospects the team likes to mold.

Speed.

[BlackAndGold]

Hopefully they coach him up.

And too all the fans that are pissed, calm down. The guy has yet to play a down and you guys/gals are acting like he's an awful pick. Trust the team that's built Super Bowl winning teams.

[fansince'76]

And too all the fans that are pissed, calm down. The guy has yet to play a down and you guys/gals are acting like he's an awful pick. Trust the team that's built Super Bowl winning teams.

A voice of reason. The pick is made. All we can do is hope for the best.

IMO, the draft is a giant crapshoot anyway.

[Vis]

25. Pittsburgh SteelersArtie Burns (http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/550044/artie-burns), CB, Miami | Highlights (http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=15291106)
The Steelers desperately needed corner help, so they made it happen with a long, athletic player many evaluators considered a top-three corner in the draft. His technique is an issue at times, and he’ll face questions about whether he can handle the Steelers’ zone-heavy coverage, but he had six interceptions last year in the ACC. The Steelers can utilize a deep defensive tackle class later in the second round. Thumbs up. -- Jeremy Fowler

[BlackAndGold]

His 33 inch arms really makes him an interesting prospect. He should push Cockrell for PT.

Daniel Jeremiah, Mayock & Bucky Brooks all had Artie Burns going in round 1 in their mock drafts....

[Steelermania]

Interesting article on Burns.

http://nflspinzone.com/2016/03/24/2016-nfl-draft-artie-burns-underrated-prospect/

[Shoes]

Sounds like a good kid, I wish him all the best.

[steelerkitty]

Interesting article on Burns.

http://nflspinzone.com/2016/03/24/2016-nfl-draft-artie-burns-underrated-prospect/




That was interesting. Want another interesting article on Burns ?



http://www.tmz.com/2016/04/28/nfl-draft-jewelry-artie-burns/

[teegre]

Burns covers your tall WRs.
Golson covers your shifty WRs.
Gay covers the slot.

Compare that to last season. Yep, I'll take it.

[steelreserve]

Well, I hope he turns out to be awesome. What are we going to do, hope he sucks so we can say I told you so?

Still, most of the time they have gone with these fringe-of-the-radar or off-the-radar guys when players we all like are available ... the correct pick turns out to be one of the other players.

[fansince'76]

What are we going to do, hope he sucks so we can say I told you so?

Some people are going to do just that. I know you're not one of them, SR, but there are people out there who will.

[teegre]

these fringe-of-the-radar or off-the-radar guys when players we all like are available ...

Shazier is the perfect example of this.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Hopefully they coach him up.

And too all the fans that are pissed, calm down. The guy has yet to play a down and you guys/gals are acting like he's an awful pick. Trust the team that's built Super Bowl winning teams.

Burns is obviously a bust, notice how both words start with the letters bu?

[steelreserve]

Shazier is the perfect example of this.

Shazier was more of a guy it seemed like we weren't going to get, but would've been on the radar if people had thought so. IIRC, some were calling him a top-10 kind of talent. Whereas Burns is off the radar in the other direction. More of the Jason Worilds type of WTF pick. Oh well, I hope it works out for us.

[Texasteel]

That was interesting. Want another interesting article on Burns ?



http://www.tmz.com/2016/04/28/nfl-draft-jewelry-artie-burns/

Wow. He is about to become an NFL play, and he spent a bunch of money on a watch and a couple other things. You've convinced me. The kid is a bust.

[teegre]

Burns is obviously a bust, notice how both words start with the letters bu?

AB on offense.
AB on defense.

It's science.

[Texasteel]

Shazier was more of a guy it seemed like we weren't going to get, but would've been on the radar if people had thought so. IIRC, some were calling him a top-10 kind of talent. Whereas Burns is off the radar in the other direction. More of the Jason Worilds type of WTF pick. Oh well, I hope it works out for us.

Actually, I think Shazier was figure to go much later than the point we took him. I remember several saying that we could have traded down and still get him.

[Steelman]

I liked Burns as a prospect, but not at #25. So many other good players available there... I woulda taken Billings, Spence, Jack, Alexander, Butler, Kenny Clark. Hell, I woulda drafted Nkemdiche there over Burns.

But oh well. Hopefully the staff knows what they're doing here, because I don't foresee this guy seeing the field this year.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Wow. He is about to become an NFL player, and he spent a bunch of money on a watch and a couple other things. You've convinced me. The kid is a bust.

on a watch and also a cross.

what a terrible guy...

[fansince'76]

Wow. He is about to become an NFL play, and he spent a bunch of money on a watch and a couple other things. You've convinced me. The kid is a bust.

:lol:

[Mojouw]

That was interesting. Want another interesting article on Burns ?



http://www.tmz.com/2016/04/28/nfl-draft-jewelry-artie-burns/

Don't believe everything you read. Multiple reports say this story is utter garbage. Personally, who cares? It is his money he can do whatever he damn well pleases with it.

[teegre]

Actually, I think Shazier was figure to go much later than the point we took him. I remember several saying that we could have traded down and still get him.

Yep. That is sort of what I was alluding to.

When Shazier was picked, similar comments were made (as the comments about Burns).

[Mojouw]

I love this talk every year about who could've traded down and still got such and such prospect. Who has a better read on where guys will go in the draft - Mel Kiper and other dudes in fancy suits on TV or the 32 NFL GM's and FO staffs? Does anyone really believe these guys don't talk shop with their peers?

Keep in mind that if Mayock and Kiper and others were the scouting genius that ESPN would have us believe, they would be running and NFL team - not talking about it on TV.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Actually, I think Shazier was figure to go much later than the point we took him. I remember several saying that we could have traded down and still get him.

the Cowboys planned on taking Shazier with the next pick...

[teegre]

Does anyone really believe these guys don't talk shop with their peers?

True

Denver contacted the Steelers, but a few teams were slotted to take Burns before 31. Ergo, the Steelers opted to stay put (and take their guy).

[fansince'76]

True

Denver contacted the Steelers, but a few teams were slotted to take Burns before 31. Ergo, the Steelers opted to stay put (and take their guy).

Nope, panic pick. They freaked when the Bengals took a CB the pick before. :panic:

:chuckle:

[Mojouw]

True

Denver contacted the Steelers, but a few teams were slotted to take Burns before 31. Ergo, the Steelers opted to stay put (and take their guy).

Exactly. I suspect, based on nothing other than my own random opinions, that the logic is about like this:

1. Burns was the favorite of the remaining CBs.
2. A ton of the big name DT's are viewed in the scouting community as big ugly run pluggers. Classic 2 down guys. We all may not agree, but doesn't change the perception. At least from what I can tell from a tour around the Google machine.
3. In the 2nd or 3rd round you are going to be able to get a guy like Hargreaves, Sheldon Day, or Nassib.

Long story short, I am starting to think that the Steelers are not in the market for a top 3 round DT. They are going to get a "rush" DE like Day or Nassib. Deploy McCullers as the classic 2 down NT and back him up with a later round pick. Maybe Henry?

[BlackAndGold]

the Cowboys planned on taking Shazier with the next pick...

That's correct, they were even on the phone to pick Shazier until we picked him.

It's really simple folks, if you have a player, and you want him, you take him.

[teegre]

Nope, panic pick. They freaked when the Bengals took a CB the pick before. :panic:

:chuckle:

People complain about Pittsburgh's futility at drafting CBs, but at least they are usually R4/R5 picks.

The Bengals have missed on a couple of R1 picks on CBs: Kirkpatrick, Dennard... WJIII???

[BlackAndGold]

People complain about Pittsburgh's futility at drafting CBs, but at least they are usually R4/R5 picks.

The Bengals have missed on a couple of R1 picks on CBs: Kirkpatrick, Dennard... WJIII???

WJ3 will probably be a bust too now lol. It's like Cleveland when they draft QB's.

[teegre]

Long story short, I am starting to think that the Steelers are not in the market for a top 3 round DT. They are going to get a "rush" DE like Day or Nassib. Deploy McCullers as the classic 2 down NT and back him up with a later round pick. Maybe Henry?

Maybe. I do feel that they're definitely looking for a pass-rushing specialist (Nassib).

Oh... and Hargrave can rush the passer, from the nose.

[Mojouw]

Maybe. I do feel that they're definitely looking for a pass-rushing specialist (Nassib).

Oh... and Hargrave can rush the passer, from the nose.

And Hargrave fits the recent Steelers defensive profile - freak athlete. I really think they learned their lesson from Jarvis Jones. Sure he had great college production, but little athletic upside for the next level.

Shazier, Golson, Dupree, Burns. All raw to different degrees, but they can all fly. Will be interesting to see if the rest of the 2016 class sees a continuation of that mini-trend.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Steelers select CB Artie Burns at No. 25

Posted by Zac Jackson on April 28, 2016

https://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/487817922-e1461898735337.jpg?w=230

The Steelers selected Miami (Fla.) cornerback Artie Burns with the No. 25 pick in the first round.

Burns was also a college track star and is an early entry to the draft. He was a two-year starter at cornerback who had six interceptions last season.

The Steelers did not hide their interest in many defensive backs but saw Karl Joseph, at No. 14 to the Raiders, and Keanu Neal, at No. 17 to the Falcons, come off the ahead of most projections. Then the Bengals took cornerback William Jackson at No. 24.

Burns ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at the Scouting Combine. Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin called Burns “a good piece of clay to mold in 2016.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/04/28/steelers-select-cb-artie-burns-at-no-25/

[Steelerette]

I like the kid. You can question his value at 25, but I don't think you can do it relative to the other available CBs. From the team's POV, he was the best corner available, because he fits the profile of what they want on defense, people who can make turnovers. He also fits the profile of an outside corner and not one of the excellent nicklebacks they could have gotten later. For better or worse the league is Goodell Ball now, so I can't really get upset with the attitude of creating a defense that will jack up your chances of taking the ball away. He's still an improvement over what we have now, and what we have now was good for a playoff run. Adding Burns and Golson into the mix this season is fine by me.

Now let's hope a pass rusher or nose tackle falls to us in the second.

[Psycho Ward 86]

I like the kid. You can question his value at 25, but I don't think you can do it relative to the other available CBs. From the team's POV, he was the best corner available, because he fits the profile of what they want on defense, people who can make turnovers. He also fits the profile of an outside corner and not one of the excellent nicklebacks they could have gotten later. For better or worse the league is Goodell Ball now, so I can't really get upset with the attitude of creating a defense that will jack up your chances of taking the ball away. He's still an improvement over what we have now, and what we have now was good for a playoff run. Adding Burns and Golson into the mix this season is fine by me.

Now let's hope a pass rusher or nose tackle falls to us in the second.

see thats the other thing i dont understand. artie is great at press coverage. he's supposed to be shaky at zone coverage and thats all we ever do. more man coverage in our future maybe?

[hawaiiansteeler]

how Mike Mayock had the CBs ranked:

Mike Mayock's 2016 NFL Draft position rankings 3.0

By Mike Mayock
NFL Media draft analyst
Updated: April 27, 2016

Cornerback

1. Jalen Ramsey, Florida State
2. Vernon Hargreaves, Florida
3. Eli Apple, Ohio State
4. Artie Burns, Miami (Fla.)
5. William Jackson III, Houston

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000651172/article/mike-mayocks-2016-nfl-draft-position-rankings-30

[NCSteeler]

I'm not a fan of players who's game is "predicated on speed" . It never seems to work out, but hopefully the kid has what it takes to develop skills to go with all the speed and talent.

[steelreserve]

see thats the other thing i dont understand. artie is great at press coverage. he's supposed to be shaky at zone coverage and thats all we ever do. more man coverage in our future maybe?

One thing I've really noticed with Butler is that he's willing to adapt the scheme to fit the personnel, not try to jam the personnel into the scheme. So in that respect you could very well be right.

I guess Burns is not necessarily a bad pick; he may well turn out to be a great player for us. But MAN, thinking about the other opportunities we passed up really stings.

[ALLD]

I liked Burns as a prospect, but not at #25. So many other good players available there... I woulda taken Billings, Spence, Jack, Alexander, Butler, Kenny Clark. Hell, I woulda drafted Nkemdiche there over Burns.

But oh well. Hopefully the staff knows what they're doing here, because I don't foresee this guy seeing the field this year.
Reached for an unknown 2nd round pick.

[fansince'76]

see thats the other thing i dont understand. artie is great at press coverage. he's supposed to be shaky at zone coverage and thats all we ever do. more man coverage in our future maybe?

God, I hope so. That "tackle the catch" crap is a very big part of why we get toasted continuously, by good QBs as well as scrubs alike. Hell, we gave up almost 400 yards to Johnny Rehab, for crissakes. If I never see another 10-yard cushion on 3rd-and-7 again it'll be too soon.

No, it's well past time to start trying to PREVENT the catch to begin with.

[Vis]

I liked Burns as a prospect, but not at #25. So many other good players available there... I woulda taken Billings, Spence, Jack, Alexander, Butler, Kenny Clark. Hell, I woulda drafted Nkemdiche there over Burns.

But oh well. Hopefully the staff knows what they're doing here, because I don't foresee this guy seeing the field this year.

If you want to feel better about him seeing the field this year just pull up the roster and look at the other corners. This kid could start in a wheel chair over his competition on the team.

[Vis]

Getting excited about Artie Burns

Burns’ six interceptions in 2015 were the most by a Miami player since Sean Taylor had 10 in 2003.

Draft analyst Dane Brugler doesn’t believe it’ll take Burns long to begin to realize his obvious upside. “Burns has the requisite play-speed, competitive toughness and budding ball-awareness to develop into a starting press-corner in the NFL _ will contribute on special teams as an NFL rookie before becoming a regular starter by year two.”

http://www.steelers.com/news/draft/article-1/Getting-excited-about-Artie-Burns/85d96725-21f4-4501-afc5-6622bb7eddf0

[Steelermania]

And Hargrave fits the recent Steelers defensive profile - freak athlete. I really think they learned their lesson from Jarvis Jones. Sure he had great college production, but little athletic upside for the next level.

Shazier, Golson, Dupree, Burns. All raw to different degrees, but they can all fly. Will be interesting to see if the rest of the 2016 class sees a continuation of that mini-trend.

Jarvis has single handedly shown us why coaches often go for guys who shine at the combine, as opposed to guys who were productive in college, but lack athleticism. Of course, I'd take Jarvis every day of the week over Huey Richardson.

- - - Updated - - -

[pczach]

God, I hope so. That "tackle the catch" crap is a very big part of why we get toasted continuously, by good QBs as well as scrubs alike. Hell, we gave up almost 400 yards to Johnny Rehab, for crissakes. If I never see another 10-yard cushion on 3rd-and-7 again it'll be too soon.

No, it's well past time to start trying to PREVENT the catch to begin with.


They have been using more and more sub packages where they are rushing four. I think the end game of the players they are taking is to be more multiple and more versatile. It makes sense to have secondary people that can play zone, press coverage, off man coverage, etc. When you give quarterbacks the same look every time, they have a better chance of chewing you up. If they can find a way to get consistent pressure on the quarterback without having to blitz, and mix up the coverages in the secondary, they will really be on to something.

Let's hope they continue to add defensive talent in this draft. I'm curious to see what they do from here.

Everyone has to remember that there is going to be a serious run on defensive tackles very early in the second round. There is no guarantee that Hargrave will be there at #58. All you need is one team to be in love with the player and he's gone.

The good news is that the draft is deep in DL talent.

Who knows, they may draft a quarterback next.

[SteelerFanInStl]

I like this pick more now than I did last night. Thinking about it, it makes sense. He's big and fast, with long arms and good ball skills. As others have said, he fits the mold of what we've been doing for the last couple of years.

We can't think of this pick in terms of who we passed up. I would've loved to have grabbed Myles Jack but I think that there was just too much risk there. A DT would've been great, but what CB is going to be still around in round 2? No one with the physical skills of Artie Burns.

I'm confident that we're going to get a stud DT with our next pick.

[GBMelBlount]

AB on offense.
AB on defense.

It's science.

The bling brothers.

- - - Updated - - -




Everyone has to remember that there is going to be a serious run on defensive tackles very early in the second round.

There is no guarantee that Hargrave will be there at #58.

All you need is one team to be in love with the player and he's gone.

The good news is that the draft is deep in DL talent.


My concern as well.

[ThorndikeFFA]

I think that Burns was a moderate reach...but I'm ok with that. For years we've had to sit back and listen to the BPA rant after each perplexing first round pick. "Can't reach! Must pick BPA regardless of position!" Bunk! Meanwhile we hadn't addressed corner in the first round since...Chad Scott!!!!???!!!! That was 20 NFL drafts ago (1997), kids.

So, reach,damn it! When you pick in the mid twenties every year you're not going to get a top three corner. And when you wait until the end of the second or third round you're not going to get a top 15 corner. I'm happy with the pick...I'm happy they 'reached' a little.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Burns! Work your ass off and let's get dirty!

[Shoes]

I honestly didn't know a thing about Burns last evening, but I like what I've read since. I like the pick....and he can cook! :chuckle:

[Born2Steel]

It's about getting players that fit what YOU do. Not necessarily the top rated at their position according to 'prospects are us' sites. I think we would have gone with JacksonIII, but we had an equal grade on Burns. Had the situation been reversed, we may very well have taken JacksonIII. I was expecting to see a DL pick. All the guys we, on the forum, had picked as the top defensive guys, are pretty much still available. We just selected a project of a CB over Myles Jack. Not suggesting this was a bad pick, just pointing out what we know vs what the FO knows.

[tube517]

His name is Art Burns. Not Artie. 3 letter first name rule.

Art Burns
Wil Gay
Sen Golson
Coc Kring
Dor Grant

[Texasteel]

What most of you may not know is that Burns is relatively new to football. I believe I read early this year that he didn't start playing football till he got to high school. Till then he was just another track star. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, I really can't remember where I saw this.

[Mojouw]

Not sure I get the "project" stuff. Stick this guy in single man coverage and he starts day 1 in the NFL. Now, zone...not so much. But as was mentioned, who says Butler stays married to all zone concepts?

No reason that Burns can not be deployed as a man coverage player his rookie year and then play zone around him. Basically what they did with Ike Taylor. I seem to remember that working.

[Born2Steel]

We can only go on what we do know. We have not been a man cover defense, traditionally. Would be the wiser move, IMO, to use his strengths rather than force a transition to a role he's not comfortable, or productive with. I like the pick, just not in love with the pick yet.

[lipps83]

Was more shocked last night than disappointed. My shock showed as disappointment because I really didn't know much about this kid.

From what I have read, reviews are mixed but there appears to be a tremendous upside with this kid.

Not the player that I wanted, but starting to get excited with the pick. We will see how it all plays out, but nonetheless welcome to the team, Mr. Burns.

http://images-cdn.moviepilot.com/images/c_scale,h_438,w_438/t_mp_quality/gmfsrnxfn7ua31qdza6z/stop-panicking-mr-burns-is-not-leaving-the-simpsons-excellent-495170.jpg

[Mojouw]

We can only go on what we do know. We have not been a man cover defense, traditionally. Would be the wiser move, IMO, to use his strengths rather than force a transition to a role he's not comfortable, or productive with. I like the pick, just not in love with the pick yet.

Couldn't agree more. I still don't know how I feel about the pick, but there is definite cause for excitement/optimism.

I think most of my responses have just been because of the "desperation/panic" narrative that is driving most of the instant analysis of the pick. It is one thing to react emotionally on a MB another in a blog or analysis post in the larger football media. The desperation or panic thing is kind of just silly to me. It involves accepting a scenario that the Steelers (and by extension other NFL teams) do not mock out multiple 1st round scenarios. I suspect there was no panic when the Bengals took Jackson. If that was their "guy" in the 1st round, they had to have a scenario planned out where he wasn't on the board at 25. Likely multiple scenarios. Jackson goes, pivot to Burns. Both are gone, pivot to X, Y, or Z.

If everything that is whispered on the internet is to be believed, the Chiefs executed their back-up plan when Burns was gone and backed out of the round. I am by no means arguing that anyone has to believe it was a good pick or even the right pick. But to envision a scenario where the draft room explodes in to panic and chaos with some intern desperately floating the name "Burns?" to restore order is a bit far-fetched for me.

[Born2Steel]

I think the grin on Tomlin's face suggests there was no "panic" in that warroom. They got a guy they wanted. Whether he was 1st choice, or tenth, is not important. They picked Artie Burns because they wanted Artie Burns at that pick. I wanted Andrew Billings. I was not allowed into the warroom.

[Rotorhead]

Stupid Tapatalk wouldn't let me post last night . . . anyway, like most I am not in love with this pick, but he is one of the top 5 CB's in the draft and it is a position of need. Remember Golson will be playing this year also and Cockrell and Gay were our top 2 CB's from last year. If Burns can pick up the def and get some good PT this year and move to starting next, I think we are seriously better in the backfield. Yeah, I probably would have preferred some of the other picks more, but we will see how today pans out, we still may get the guys we want with our pick. The ONLY thing that annoys me is not taking the trade (either from Denver or SF) if there was a trade offered. Picking up an extra 3rd, or an extra 3 picks (what was SF thinking?) would have been ideal. Also, think about it this way, at least we don'g have SF's front office, again giving up 3 picks to pick a guy that would have been there in the 3rd most likely . . . morons!

[GBMelBlount]

Our Super Bowl window is closing.

I would have preferred someone who was more ready to play NOW as opposed to someone who is arguably a project.

[Born2Steel]

We are the Steelers. Our Super Bowl window is always wide open.

[Vis]

Grade: B

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2634146-2016-nfl-draft-grades-round-1-report-card/page/26

[polamalubeast]

We are the Steelers. Our Super Bowl window is always wide open.

agree.

[GBMelBlount]

We are the Steelers. Our Super Bowl window is always wide open.

You mean like the 25 years it was wide open between Bradshaw and Ben?

[polamalubeast]

You mean like the 25 years it was wide open between Bradshaw and Ben?


The steelers were often a superbowl contender in the first 10 years with Cowher.(4 AFC Title games)

[steelreserve]

You mean like the 25 years it was wide open between Bradshaw and Ben?


Did you or did you not see how we actually went to the Super Bowl and came close to winning - or the multiple times we were in the conference championship?

[BlackAndGold]

The armchair GM's still haven't calmed down lol. Still believe the Steelers panicked :sofunny:

[polamalubeast]

Did you or did you not see how we actually went to the Super Bowl and came close to winning - or the multiple times we were in the conference championship?

Too many have the Super Bowl or bust mentality, unfortunately.

It's always a very good season in the NFL when you compete for a championship.

[GBMelBlount]

Did you or did you not see how we actually went to the Super Bowl and came close to winning - or the multiple times we were in the conference championship?

Do you feel our chances of winning a Super Bowl for the next few years after Ben retires are likely as good?

[polamalubeast]

Do you feel our chances of winning a Super Bowl for the next few years after Ben retires are likely as good?



I believe that Roethlisberger can have at least 4 other good seasons if he avoids serious injury.

With the rules now, it's easier for the QB to have a very long longevity.

[GBMelBlount]

Too many have the Super Bowl or bust mentality, unfortunately.

It's always a very good season in the NFL when you compete for a championship.

If you are happy with playoff wins and Super Bowl losses that is fine.

I prefer Super Bowl wins.

[teegre]

I think that people would not be freakin' out if Mike Mayock had been allowed to finish his analysis of Artie Burns.

Rich "Googell's toady" Eisen cut Mayock off, before Mayock could tell everyone how much he liked the pick.

[steelreserve]

The armchair GM's still haven't calmed down lol. Still believe the Steelers panicked :sofunny:


Not panicked - they knew exactly what they were doing, but had the wrong idea. We could've picked worse players, but I think we could've picked several better ones too. Including better players at the same position, or equally talented players at the same position for a lower pick.

But wait - what do I know, I'm not an NFL head coach, and therefore have no business holding an opinion about the draft, or about football. We'd better go and delete all the draft threads before all this peasant-speak pollutes the sacred football mindshare. </forum>

[BlackAndGold]

And one thing to remember, The Miami Hurricane's are just bad at developing talent. Awful coaching down there.

[teegre]

Including better players at the same position

Alexander... maybe/maybe not (it depends on who you ask).

What other CBs would you have taken at 25???

[polamalubeast]

If you are happy with playoff wins and Super Bowl losses that is fine.

I prefer Super Bowl wins.


Everyone prefers a Super Bowl, I never say otherwise, but win the super bowl is very hard and it often takes the luck.

If Neil O'Donnell would not have choked against the Cowboys, Cowher would have a ring after his 4th year.....

[BlackAndGold]

Not panicked - they knew exactly what they were doing, but had the wrong idea. We could've picked worse players, but I think we could've picked several better ones too. Including better players at the same position, or equally talented players at the same position for a lower pick.

But wait - what do I know, I'm not an NFL head coach, and therefore have no business holding an opinion about the draft, or about football. We'd better go and delete all the draft threads before all this peasant-speak pollutes the sacred football mindshare. </forum>

Lol

From some comments(not here) some fans opinions should be deleted ha. The madness will blow by, this is the same reaction when the Steelers picked Shazier over Mosely.

[teegre]

this is the same reaction when the Steelers picked Shazier over Mosely.

Spot on.

I posted the exact same thing elsewhere.

[steelreserve]

Do you feel our chances of winning a Super Bowl for the next few years after Ben retires are likely as good?

It depends on who we get as a quarterback after that. A lot of the issues we had at the position in the '80s and '90s were from lack of even trying to find one. We passed over several good ones. I don't think we went through that experience without learning anything.

Of course you want a franchise QB, but as currently constituted, I think this team could compete for a title with a merely good QB. Although only as a dark-horse candidate, not a favorite.

[SteelerFanInStl]

I think that people would not be freakin' out if Mike Mayock had been allowed to finish his analysis of Artie Burns.

Rich "Googell's toady" Eisen cut Mayock off, before Mayock could tell everyone how much he liked the pick.

Yea, I thought that was incredibly lame. They did come back to Mayock after the draft was finished and he finished what he was saying.

[BigNastyDefense]

My opinions:

1. I like Burns. The kid lead the ACC in picks. There was talk that he would be a late first round pick.

2. I've heard a lot of talk about not trading up or down. Up to get a better player, back to take this guy a few picks later. The problem is, there's no guarantee that the player you want will be there if you trade back...and trading up you need a partner willing to trade back and you have to be willing to give up what that team wants to move up. The Steelers don't have 12 picks in this draft, so they don't exactly have a ton of amunition to move up even if they wanted to.

3. The talk of Burns not being a good zone defender and that's all the Steelers run - guess what, this could be signaling a change in that. What was the biggest complaint about LeBeau? That he refused to change. Maybe Butler is willing to change things, maybe he WANTS to change things but has to get players that can play that way.

4. I trust the Steelers coaches, front office, and scouting department more than I trust the guys on TV talking about these players. If these guys were so good, why aren't they working for NFL teams? And why don't they predict every pick correctly? Hell, didn't one of those bozos call Jamarcus Russell a can't miss prospect who would dominate the NFL?

[polamalubeast]

4. I trust the Steelers coaches, front office, and scouting department more than I trust the guys on TV talking about these players. If these guys were so good, why aren't they working for NFL teams? And why don't they predict every pick correctly? Hell, didn't one of those bozos call Jamarcus Russell a can't miss prospect who would dominate the NFL?



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

[teegre]

They did come back to Mayock after the draft was finished and he finished what he was saying.

Thanks for letting me know; I'll have to check my DVR (I sort of half-listened after Pittsburgh's pick).

[steelreserve]

Lol

From some comments(not here) some fans opinions should be deleted ha. The madness will blow by, this is the same reaction when the Steelers picked Shazier over Mosely.


You do know that Mosley wasn't a bust, right? In fact, accounting for availability, he's been the more productive player so far. But I guess unless Shazier was a kill-yourself obvious bust, nobody with a different preference had any clue.

Laugh if you want; I guess if you're looking for a reason to look down your nose at people, you'll find one. Just know that it makes you look like a condescending prick while everyone else is, you know ... actually TALKING about the good and bad, like normal fans. You're aware that other people are allowed to do that whether or not you play the Superfan card, aren't you?

[teegre]

My opinions:

1. I like Burns. The kid lead the ACC in picks. There was talk that he would be a late first round pick.

2. I've heard a lot of talk about not trading up or down. Up to get a better player, back to take this guy a few picks later. The problem is, there's no guarantee that the player you want will be there if you trade back...and trading up you need a partner willing to trade back and you have to be willing to give up what that team wants to move up. The Steelers don't have 12 picks in this draft, so they don't exactly have a ton of amunition to move up even if they wanted to.

3. The talk of Burns not being a good zone defender and that's all the Steelers run - guess what, this could be signaling a change in that. What was the biggest complaint about LeBeau? That he refused to change. Maybe Butler is willing to change things, maybe he WANTS to change things but has to get players that can play that way.

4. I trust the Steelers coaches, front office, and scouting department more than I trust the guys on TV talking about these players. If these guys were so good, why aren't they working for NFL teams? And why don't they predict every pick correctly? Hell, didn't one of those bozos call Jamarcus Russell a can't miss prospect who would dominate the NFL?

Excellent post!!!

[pczach]

Our Super Bowl window is closing.

I would have preferred someone who was more ready to play NOW as opposed to someone who is arguably a project.

The only thing you know about a good press cover rookie corner is that you can put him on the field to play man coverage. If he plays well in that role, you keep trotting him out on the field and use him in that capacity. He can continue to work on the other stuff.

Hell, he may be a third down nickel or dime specialist right out of the gate with very limited responsibility.

The way they stayed put and didn't entertain trades tells me they looked at him as the last upper tier CB on their board, he was one of the players that they targeted as a player they would take at #25 if he was there.

[teegre]

For all of you wanting to bash the Artie Burns pick... blame me.

My son was wearing his Steelers jersey throughout the entire first round (as the picks fell as we wanted them to). Then, as Pittsburgh was about to go on the clock, I asked my wife to get my son in his pajamas/put him to bed (so that I could concentrate).

The rest is history.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Lol

From some comments(not here) some fans opinions should be deleted ha. The madness will blow by, this is the same reaction when the Steelers picked Shazier over Mosely.

I also remember when we picked Le'Veon Bell in the second round and posters immediately lamented how we could have waited until the third round to select him...

[BlackAndGold]

You do know that Mosley wasn't a bust, right? In fact, accounting for availability, he's been the more productive player so far. But I guess unless Shazier was a kill-yourself obvious bust, nobody with a different preference had any clue.

Laugh if you want; I guess if you're looking for a reason to look down your nose at people, you'll find one. Just know that it makes you look like a condescending prick while everyone else is, you know ... actually TALKING about the good and bad, like normal fans. You're aware that other people are allowed to do that whether or not you play the Superfan card, aren't you?

I know Mosely isn't a bust, wasn't my intention to say he was, he's a pretty damn good player. It's just fans had the same reaction that day, and now they're pretty happy with the pick, beside his injuries. (kinda missed my point)

Lmao, I only "look down my nose at the people"(in the most humbled way possible) who act like everyone should be fired or the sky is falling cause they picked a player they didn't want, sorry it's dumb(it is). I've actually have talked about the good and bad's about the pick(high upside player, but very raw, definition of a boom or bust. has very interesting intangibles, height, speed, 33" arms), not sure if I have here though.

CALL ME...
http://www.businessknowhow.com/uploads/superfan.jpg

[Mojouw]

You do know that Mosley wasn't a bust, right? In fact, accounting for availability, he's been the more productive player so far. But I guess unless Shazier was a kill-yourself obvious bust, nobody with a different preference had any clue.

The Mosley-Shazier debate is fascinating. I thought Mosley was the better pick and then as Shazier's games missed counter sky-rocketed, I started to get that sinking feeling. But I just can't shake two images from my mind.

Bell and others beating Mosley like a drum in coverage. Over and Over again. I can't remember what year or game it was, but it was brutal. Haley just basically said - You can't cover our guys and if your DC keeps trying to make you, we are going to expose that decision again and again.

Then the game that Shazier had in San Fran to open the season and in Cincinnati in the playoffs. Assuming he can ever find a way to shake the injury bug, there are no holes in his game as obvious as Mosley's in coverages.

Mosley is a good to really good player. Shazier can be great. Or he can fizzle as his body breaks down. I have no idea, but it is fascinating to watch!

[BlackAndGold]

I also remember when we picked Le'Veon Bell in the second round and posters immediately lamented how we could have waited until the third round to select him...

FIRE EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!

- - - Updated - - -


The Mosley-Shazier debate is fascinating. I thought Mosley was the better pick and then as Shazier's games missed counter sky-rocketed, I started to get that sinking feeling. But I just can't shake two images from my mind.

Bell and others beating Mosley like a drum in coverage. Over and Over again. I can't remember what year or game it was, but it was brutal. Haley just basically said - You can't cover our guys and if your DC keeps trying to make you, we are going to expose that decision again and again.

Then the game that Shazier had in San Fran to open the season and in Cincinnati in the playoffs. Assuming he can ever find a way to shake the injury bug, there are no holes in his game as obvious as Mosley's in coverages.

Mosley is a good to really good player. Shazier can be great. Or he can fizzle as his body breaks down. I have no idea, but it is fascinating to watch!

Agreed on everything.

[Psycho Ward 86]

How would you rank these corners in terms of most raw to least raw, and explain if possible:

William Jackson, Artie Burns, Eli Apple

I'm just worried about the lack of polish factor with the corners early in this draft

[teegre]

I also remember when we picked Le'Veon Bell in the second round and posters immediately lamented how we could have waited until the third round to select him...

I'll add one more...

People saying AB would never be as good as Megatron, because AB is too short.

[polamalubeast]

I also remember when we picked Le'Veon Bell in the second round and posters immediately lamented how we could have waited until the third round to select him...

http://www.steelersuniverse.com/forums/showthread.php/17134-Steelers-Draft-Running-back-gt-Le-Veon-Bell?highlight=le%27veon+bell+draft

[steelreserve]

I know Mosely isn't a bust, wasn't my intention to say he was, he's a pretty damn good player. It's just fans had the same reaction that day, and now they're pretty happy with the pick, beside his injuries. (kinda missed my point)

Lmao, I only "look down my nose at the people"(in the most humbled way possible) who act like everyone should be fired or the sky is falling cause they picked a player they didn't want, sorry it's dumb(it is). I've actually have talked about the good and bad's about the pick(high upside player, but very raw, definition of a boom or bust. has very interesting intangibles, height, speed, 33" arms), not sure if I have here though.


My point is that at this stage, it's certainly too early to call Burns a "bust" or a wasted pick, but it's also way too early to call the pick a smash success. So there are going to be a range of reactions to it, all of which are valid except for the extreme "fire everyone" bullshit. Saying you are disappointed in the pick, or that there are other players you would've rather had, does not make one a knee-jerk hater, especially if you try to explain why. In fact, I would say that kind of thing is what makes debating about sports actually interesting. There's just a lot of that "mere fan" attitude going around lately for some reason. :noidea:

[tube517]

http://www.steelers.com/news/draft/article-1/Burns-thoughts-on-4-topics/fe9afaa2-811e-44a5-84b9-5c5848e401b9

[hawaiiansteeler]

I'll add one more...

People saying AB would never be as good as Megatron, because AB is too short.

or that AB would never make a great #1 WR without Mike Wallace drawing double-teams and taking the top off the coverages...

[polamalubeast]

or that AB would never make a great #1 WR without Mike Wallace drawing double-teams and taking the top off the coverages...


Or even a Good #1 WR.

[Shoes]

I like this kid beyond football. Burns taking on the responsibility of caring for his brothers and own kid(s) tells me loads about this young man. He's raw, but he's got the tools...and the grit. I like this pick more & more.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Or even a Good #1 WR.

yup, there were plenty of geniuses who said we gave the $ to the wrong WR.

but that's exactly what makes message boards so much fun, without diversity of opinion things would be pretty boring...

[Shoes]

yup, there were plenty of geniuses who said we gave the $ to the wrong WR.

but that's exactly what makes message boards so much fun, without diversity of opinion things would be pretty boring...

:poker:

[teegre]

I like this kid beyond football. Burns taking on the responsibility of caring for his brothers and own kid(s) tells me loads about this young man.

Spot on.

I stated weeks ago that is be rooting for him, even if he became a Raven. He's the kind of person that one hopes finds success.

[GBMelBlount]

My point is that at this stage, it's certainly too early to call Burns a "bust" or a wasted pick, but it's also way too early to call the pick a smash success.

So there are going to be a range of reactions to it, all of which are valid except for the extreme "fire everyone" bullshit.

Saying you are disappointed in the pick, or that there are other players you would've rather had, does not make one a knee-jerk hater, especially if you try to explain why.

In fact, I would say that kind of thing is what makes debating about sports actually interesting.

There's just a lot of that "mere fan" attitude going around lately for some reason. :noidea:

This.

[hawaiiansteeler]

I like this kid beyond football. Burns taking on the responsibility of caring for his brothers and own kid(s) tells me loads about this young man. He's raw, but he's got the tools...and the grit. I like this pick more & more.

what really impresses me about this kid is he played for his college team the week his Mom died suddenly of a heart attack.

this is a guy you can always count on...

[polamalubeast]

I feel it's going to be ugly in this forum if Burns gets burned on a big play in his first preseason game!

[SteelerFanInStl]

http://www.steelersuniverse.com/forums/showthread.php/17134-Steelers-Draft-Running-back-gt-Le-Veon-Bell?highlight=le%27veon+bell+draft

LOL! Always fun to look back at the old threads.

I'm just glad that I wasn't the one who said this: "Bell appears to be no different than the RBs(Dwyer, Redman) on the roster at the moment."

[teegre]

I feel it's going to be ugly in this forum if Burns gets burned on a big play in his first preseason game!

Yeah, but his game-sealing pick-six in next year's SuperBowl will wash away that bitter taste.

[Rudy was Offsides]

At first the Burns pick shocked me and I was kind of disappointed, but after some reflection and thought I like the pick and what else did you expect them to do?

Once the Bengals selected William Jackson the Steelers had to change their game plan because their guy was gone (I do believe they would of selected him if he was there). Artie Burns was next on their board for CBs. Weather or not he was the next highest player we will never know. But the days of BPA are about over I believe, you have to take in account the holes you have in your team. BPA plus holes and your looking at Burns. Now the Steelers probably had options here...trade back with Denver but have a chance of losing Burns (Chiefs wanted a corner and probably would have selected Burns, once he was gone they traded back). I do not agree with many peoples opinion of taking Billings, ill say it once and I believe this is the only thing I have to say but he will only play 25-35% of the time - no no for a first round pick (2nd round and I'm happy).

Burns is someone with raw Talent that they can mold into a Steelers Corner Back.

Looking at Round 2 - take Billings or a Safety.

[Psycho Ward 86]

At first the Burns pick shocked me and I was kind of disappointed, but after some reflection and thought I like the pick and what else did you expect them to do?

Once the Bengals selected William Jackson the Steelers had to change their game plan because their guy was gone (I do believe they would of selected him if he was there). Artie Burns was next on their board for CBs. Weather or not he was the next highest player we will never know. But the days of BPA are about over I believe, you have to take in account the holes you have in your team. BPA plus holes and your looking at Burns. Now the Steelers probably had options here...trade back with Denver but have a chance of losing Burns (Chiefs wanted a corner and probably would have selected Burns, once he was gone they traded back). I do not agree with many peoples opinion of taking Billings, ill say it once and I believe this is the only thing I have to say but he will only play 25-35% of the time - no no for a first round pick (2nd round and I'm happy).

Burns is someone with raw Talent that they can mold into a Steelers Corner Back.

Looking at Round 2 - take Billings or a Safety.

Youve said about 100 cliches here and i dont even know where to start

[Mojouw]

I am well aware that I am totally rationalizing the pick at this point, but leaving aside other positions, I feel like I can easily see Burns being the best CB in the class not named Ramsey or Hargreaves III.

Saying it as quickly as possible, if he is within shouting distance of Apple, Jackson, and Alexander while being younger and less experienced at footballing - then what could he look like when he gets "coached" up?

Kind of what I was talking about in another thread a couple of days ago. Burns might not be the most ready to help you in 2016 - but he can't hurt you and by 2017 or 2018 maybe he can really make an impact.

I don't really know. I never thought they were taking a CB before the 4th round anyway.

[Psycho Ward 86]

I am well aware that I am totally rationalizing the pick at this point, but leaving aside other positions, I feel like I can easily see Burns being the best CB in the class not named Ramsey or Hargreaves III.

Saying it as quickly as possible, if he is within shouting distance of Apple, Jackson, and Alexander while being younger and less experienced at footballing - then what could he look like when he gets "coached" up?

Kind of what I was talking about in another thread a couple of days ago. Burns might not be the most ready to help you in 2016 - but he can't hurt you and by 2017 or 2018 maybe he can really make an impact.

I don't really know. I never thought they were taking a CB before the 4th round anyway.

which leads to the question, who is the most raw in order: Jackson, Apple, and Burns?

[teegre]

which leads to the question, who is the most raw in order: Jackson, Apple, and Burns?

WJIII isn't raw; he just doesn't tackle.

Apple is still raw, but he's played football for longer than Burns. Apple has already shown proper technique; whereas, Burns will need more coaching.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Nope, panic pick. They freaked when the Bengals took a CB the pick before. :panic:

:chuckle:

https://media.giphy.com/media/NHrsn15JJqPNS/giphy.gif

[steelerkitty]

Opinions and Grades.




http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2016-nfl-mock-drafts-profiles-video-clips-highlights-steelers-analysis-breakdowns-news/2016/4/29/11537894/2016-nfl-draft-expert-grades-for-the-steelers-selection-of-cb-artie?utm_campaign=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

[BlackAndGold]

726142472582254592

[Psycho Ward 86]

WJIII isn't raw; he just doesn't tackle.

Apple is still raw, but he's played football for longer than Burns. Apple has already shown proper technique; whereas, Burns will need more coaching.

So Burns is the most raw....great. The fact that zone coverage is supposed to be a weakness makes me very nervous.

Even if we switch to more man coverage this pick just makes me nervous about the Golson pick because he's all about zone coverage

Im going to continue to not like the pick, yet be cautiously optimistic until ive seen what he can do

[BlackAndGold]

Burns live press conference at 5pm today

Right here: http://www.steelers.com/

[GBMelBlount]

Burns live press conference at 5pm today

Right here: http://www.steelers.com/

Hope he wears his bling.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Opinions and Grades.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2016-nfl-mock-drafts-profiles-video-clips-highlights-steelers-analysis-breakdowns-news/2016/4/29/11537894/2016-nfl-draft-expert-grades-for-the-steelers-selection-of-cb-artie?utm_campaign=behindthesteelcurtain&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

take those opinions with a grain of salt, I remember all the draft "experts" raving about our A+ draft in 2008 after we picked future Hall of Famers Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed.

[teegre]

So Burns is the most raw....great. The fact that zone coverage is supposed to be a weakness makes me very nervous.

Even if we switch to more man coverage this pick just makes me nervous about the Golson pick because he's all about zone coverage

Im going to continue to not like the pick, yet be cautiously optimistic until ive seen what he can do

Play Burns in man (Ike used to follow the opposition's best receiver).

Play everyone else in zone.

[Mojouw]

which leads to the question, who is the most raw in order: Jackson, Apple, and Burns?

Burns, Apple, Jackson.

Where does that leave things?

[polamalubeast]

726153558698106880

[lipps83]

Play Burns in man (Ike used to follow the opposition's best receiver).

Play everyone else in zone.

This is probably along the lines of what they are going to try to do.

I like the potential in Burns. He does need coached up, but that leads me to wonder..... the problems the defensive backfield has had is not all just due to a lack of talent. I think some of the issues also may have been due to insufficient coaching.

What can they do with Burns?

[polamalubeast]

This is probably along the lines of what they are going to try to do.

I like the potential in Burns. He does need coached up, but that leads me to wonder..... the problems the defensive backfield has had is not all just due to a lack of talent. I think some of the issues also may have been due to insufficient coaching.

What can they do with Burns?

I think this is because the lack of talent.I mean, before last year, the Steelers had never drafted a CB in the first 2(maybe 3) rounds since 2005 I think.

[BlackAndGold]

Burns wasn't just the first CB they drafted in round 1 since 1997, he's also the first underclassman corner back they've taken in a long time. (gotta recheck but, since 2000 every CB they've drafted was a senior)

[GBMelBlount]

This is probably along the lines of what they are going to try to do.

I like the potential in Burns. He does need coached up, but that leads me to wonder.....

the problems the defensive backfield has had is not all just due to a lack of talent.

I think some of the issues also may have been due to insufficient coaching.

What can they do with Burns?

This makes sense to me.

Haven't they "missed" on like the last 15 secondary picks?

If it is true that CB is one of the hardest positions to draft then that would lead one to believe that there is a better chance of later round picks panning out at DB than at most other positions.

But it hasn't.

At the same time, I have seen both LLT and Tex pimp a number of late round DB picks that went on to do well in the nfl.

So I personally think it is most likely a combination of late drafting, bad drafting AND bad coaching.

...so in this case the possibility of bad coaching + raw player is admittedly a concern to me.

I hope I am wrong.

[BlackAndGold]

http://www.steelers.com/videos/videos/Artie-Burns-introduced-as-a-Steeler/6e6c79ac-bc79-4295-8595-af1d5a6297d0

The press conference.

[Steelman]

Gotta say, seeing some stuff from him on social media, the dude is a total Steeler. I just hope we can mold the clay and turn him into a good corner.

[GBMelBlount]

Gotta say, seeing some stuff from him on social media, the dude is a total Steeler. I just hope we can mold the clay and turn him into a good corner.

Yep. I got that from the press conference too...

[Psycho Ward 86]

Play Burns in man (Ike used to follow the opposition's best receiver).

Play everyone else in zone.

id love to see that happen, find a way to get him on the field faster. ive heard he's at his best in the red zone too so thats good to hear. should be a help with big red zone receivers on an already talented red zone defense i suppose

- - - Updated - - -


Burns, Apple, Jackson.

Where does that leave things?

i was just asking out of curiosity because from what ive read, it seems to be that order as well

[Count Steeler]

Love the name. Art Burns. Lots of headline possibilities.

Art Burns Flacco for pick six

Burns shows the Art of Defense

What struck me is how quickly the Steelers had the pick up to the podium. I'm not really a draft guy, but I seem to remember 1 mock or 1 opinion somewhere that the Steelers were targeting Burns out of Miami. It struck me because I had never heard the name discussed before or since. If the take on Jackson is that he doesn't tackle, he would be another Boykin, mysteriously riding the bench. Something tells me that the Steelers got the CB they wanted, considering where they were in the draft order. Next stop, Lake. Time to develop the kid.

[Count Steeler]

“I’m a long corner with speed,” Burns said. “I try to be the most physical I can be, and that’s something I take pride in. For most corners, the stereotype is they’re soft, and I don’t like the word soft. I try to be physical.”

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2016/04/29/Pittsburgh-Steelers-introduce-2016-NFL-draft-first-round-pick-Artie-Burns/stories/201604290223?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Yup, sounds like a Steeler.

[BlackAndGold]

Btw Burns will wear number 25

[Steeldude]

I read he is more suited for man coverage than zone. He does have the size/build with excellent arm length.

This seems to be a Tomlin kind of guy. Splash plays moreso than consistent, sound football. A cocky attitude to go along with inexperience is not a good combo, IMO. I think this was a reach at 25, but like Fansince76 said, the draft is all a crap shoot. All remains to be seen. Hoping for the best

[hawaiiansteeler]

Keith Butler Talks Cornerback Draft Board And Plan To Develop Artie Burns

BY DAVE BRYAN APRIL 30, 2016

The Pittsburgh Steelers landed a cornerback in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft Thursday night and if you’re still curious as to whether or not they would have drafted Houston product William Jackson III had the Cincinnati Bengals not taken him one pick before their 25th overall selection, there’s indeed a good chance they would have.

During a post Thursday night selection interview with Bob Labriola of steelers.com, defensive coordinator Keith Butler talked about how their cornerback board played out during the first round.

“We had about three or four corners there together, Eli Apple and Artie [Burns], and William Jackson and [Vernon] Hargreaves” said Butler. “All those guys we knew they were going to be in the first round, we just didn’t know who was going to fall to us, but we’re happy with the guy who did fall to us.”

The guy that ultimately fell to the Steelers was of course Miami product Artie Burns and Butler talked about some of the things he will need to work on before he’s allowed to play.

“We know he can bump and run and we know he’s going to be able to do that, but he’s going to have to play some off-man too,” said Butler of Burns. “He’s going to have to learn to backpedal a little bit better, he’s going to have to learn when to come out of his backpedal. He’s going to have to learn how to trust his speed and how he’s covering and stuff like that. All that stuff is going to be a process he’s going to go through before he plays the first game.”

As you can tell and probably expected, Burns certainly isn’t likely to crack the Steelers starting defense come the start of the regular season. Instead, he’ll likely be relegated to being a core special teams player for a good portion of his rookie season with the goal being to start getting him on the field later on in the year.

“We’re going to try to bring him along though,” said Butler. “We’re not going to ask him to just jump out there and do what we would ideally do, it’s going to take a while for him.”

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/04/keith-butler-talks-cornerback-draft-board-plan-develop-artie-burns/

[teegre]

Btw Burns will wear number 25

How about Davis and Hargrave?

[BlackAndGold]

How about Davis and Hargrave?

Not sure yet. May have to wait on them until rookie camp.

[teegre]

Not sure yet. May have to wait on them until rookie camp.

20 & 28 are available in the 20s.

93 is available.

[BlackAndGold]

20 & 28 are available in the 20s.

93 is available.

Could see Davis getting 20 and of course 90 for Hargraves

[Vis]

20 & 28 are available in the 20s.

93 is available.

41 for Davis?

[Cyphon25]

Not like I know anything about Burns so I am not unhappy with the pick. It isn't a name I had been hearing much about leading up to the draft so it is hard to get excited as well.

The one thing that disappointed me was the fact that the Steelers didn't trade back with the Broncos. We are already short a pick or 2 in the draft so why not trade back?

I understand if they wanted Burns but there is a chance they can still get him a few spots later but even if they couldn't there were still a lot of great options available. It is tough to say where they had guys rated on their board but I can't imagine Burns was the last guy they had rated highly before there was a big drop off.

So all that being said, I won't give the player choice a grade because I know very little about Burns but I will give a grade to how I think the team handled the pick.

C-

[stillers4me]

He's here. He's ours. We need him to be a star.

A star is born! Instead of trying to find anything that may or might be wrong with Burns, I wish him the very best. Because that's what he is going to need to be.

Welcome to Pittsburgh, Artie Burns. Your bar just got raised.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/463331/Men_of_Steel.jpg

[86WARD]

IMO, the draft is a giant crapshoot anyway.

This.

[stillers4me]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ChPQz8vUoAA8dCY.jpg:large

[BigNastyDefense]

Not like I know anything about Burns so I am not unhappy with the pick. It isn't a name I had been hearing much about leading up to the draft so it is hard to get excited as well.

The one thing that disappointed me was the fact that the Steelers didn't trade back with the Broncos. We are already short a pick or 2 in the draft so why not trade back?

I understand if they wanted Burns but there is a chance they can still get him a few spots later but even if they couldn't there were still a lot of great options available. It is tough to say where they had guys rated on their board but I can't imagine Burns was the last guy they had rated highly before there was a big drop off.

So all that being said, I won't give the player choice a grade because I know very little about Burns but I will give a grade to how I think the team handled the pick.

C-

Sometimes if you like a player, you just take that player. I've heard that he was the last CB they had with a first round grade, so then why trade back and maybe not get the player you really want and have to settle for another player?

Here's the thing about everyone roasting the Steelers on this pick - you all were doing the same thing I was when we made the pick, sitting on the couch watching on TV. None of us were working for the Steelers or any other NFL team Thursday night. So we have no clue where the Steelers actually had Burns on their draft board and who else they had first round grades on.

Maybe the Broncos didn't offer the Steelers what they wanted to move up. Maybe the Steelers decided Burns at 25 was better than potentially no Burns and didn't want to risk him not being there at 31. Maybe they felt no other DB was worth a first round pick other than Burns, and wanted to bolster their secondary in the first round if a player with a first round grade was there at their pick, so they stood pat.

[Cyphon25]

Sometimes if you like a player, you just take that player. I've heard that he was the last CB they had with a first round grade, so then why trade back and maybe not get the player you really want and have to settle for another player?

Here's the thing about everyone roasting the Steelers on this pick - you all were doing the same thing I was when we made the pick, sitting on the couch watching on TV. None of us were working for the Steelers or any other NFL team Thursday night. So we have no clue where the Steelers actually had Burns on their draft board and who else they had first round grades on.

Maybe the Broncos didn't offer the Steelers what they wanted to move up. Maybe the Steelers decided Burns at 25 was better than potentially no Burns and didn't want to risk him not being there at 31. Maybe they felt no other DB was worth a first round pick other than Burns, and wanted to bolster their secondary in the first round if a player with a first round grade was there at their pick, so they stood pat.

Yeah I get all of that. I just disagree with it. I think there is more value in another pick (was it 3rd round?) and a 1st round talent as opposed to just a 1st round talent. Unless you think said talent is an absolute game changer that you would be willing to trade up for.

And none of this is a knock on Burns. I just think they dropped the ball on making a better move in the draft.

[stillers4me]

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/s480x480/13138753_10154264782279905_7791598735993795197_n.j pg?oh=60f31a7aa37b8c7b670ae385affa1f3e&oe=57A78A65

[fansince'76]

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/s480x480/13138753_10154264782279905_7791598735993795197_n.j pg?oh=60f31a7aa37b8c7b670ae385affa1f3e&oe=57A78A65

MJG is looking really well. Nice to see, since Greenwood, White and Holmes have already passed.

[st33lersguy]

Let's hope the Steelers can turn him into a solid player. The potential is there, and his story makes me want to root for him harder.

[Texasteel]

Let me start with, I've been beating the Burns drum for a long time now, so I am not unbiased.

I thought Burns would go a little closer to the end of the round, but was not disappointed when they took him at 25. The Steelers thought he was well worth the 25 pick, and it sounds like at least one other team had the same opinion. The Steelers though he was the player that had the best shot at fixing a sick defensive backfield, they didn't want to chance loosing him, so they grabbed him when they could. I have no problem with that. We ended with IMO, A good CB, a good S, and a good D-lineman, which is that most of us wanted out of this draft. From this point forward we will see if they were good choices or not.

[Shoes]

Let me start with, I've been beating the Burns drum for a long time now, so I am not unbiased.

I thought Burns would go a little closer to the end of the round, but was not disappointed when they took him at 25. The Steelers thought he was well worth the 25 pick, and it sounds like at least one other team had the same opinion. The Steelers though he was the player that had the best shot at fixing a sick defensive backfield, they didn't want to chance loosing him, so they grabbed him when they could. I have no problem with that. We ended with IMO, A good CB, a good S, and a good D-lineman, which is that most of us wanted out of this draft. From this point forward we will see if they were good choices or not.

agreed

[Mojouw]

i was just asking out of curiosity because from what ive read, it seems to be that order as well

Ok. A couple of days to think on it and I've totally talked myself in to the fact that Burns is raw as a good thing. I know this is totally through the concept that he is a Steeler now and I am bending over backwards to make the pick sound good. But if he can get talked about as a top 5 CB in the class with little to no coaching (many claim Miami just let them play) and not a ton of experience - what can he be if he works at it full time? By all accounts he is a good guy and wants to be coached and work -- I think his floor is lower than most but his ceiling is higher than almost any other CB's in the class.

[hawaiiansteeler]

Ok. A couple of days to think on it and I've totally talked myself in to the fact that Burns is raw as a good thing. I know this is totally through the concept that he is a Steeler now and I am bending over backwards to make the pick sound good. But if he can get talked about as a top 5 CB in the class with little to no coaching (many claim Miami just let them play) and not a ton of experience - what can he be if he works at it full time? By all accounts he is a good guy and wants to be coached and work -- I think his floor is lower than most but his ceiling is higher than almost any other CB's in the class.

I agree, add in that he'll now be able to focus 100% on football instead of dividing his attention on hurdling also and I think his football development will be noticeably accelerated.

[BlackAndGold]

Btw Burns will wear number 25

To update the jersey numbers. By the mini camp roster, Davis is #28, Hargrave #79, Hawkins #65, Feeney #41, Ayers #82 and Matakevich #46.

And btw, Big Dan changed his number from #62 to #93.

[BlackAndGold]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5RU-hsyExI

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2016/05/video-steelers-cb-artie-burns-2015-miami-pass-targets-games-1-4/



Wanted to add a great analysis post I seen in the comment section...


Things I've noticed so far:

1) Artie has great ball awareness. Rarely does a pass come his way where his back is turned to the QB with no idea the ball is coming (like some Steeler CB's in the past who shall remain nameless). This is what all the great CB's do. Revis, Sherman, Norman, etc. They all look back for the ball while still maintaining contact (or at least awareness) of their receiver. This is very hard to teach. And I'm glad Artie has it.

2) Artie breaks well. By that I mean, when the WR stops and turns, Artie is very quick to stop and close on the ball. Even when he doesn't quite get there in time he is usually very close. (How many times have we all seen a Steeler CB five yards away from the WR at the time of the catch?... We had to put a stop to that.) Also I love Artie's long arms, reaching in there like vines, to try and swat at the ball.

3) Artie doesn't have a great backpedal (yet). He is not as comfortable playing ten yards off, pedaling straight back, turning his hips smoothly, and maintaining speed, striding with the WR. It looks like he prefers to "quarter" himself at an angle, so he can see the QB as he's drifting backwards. I actually don't mind this, because I hate pure off coverage. I would much rather the Steelers play a scheme that focuses on press man and jumping short routes (which is the exact reason why I believe Colbert/Tomlin drafted him). I believe a change is in the air.

4) Artie's physicality can be inconsistent. At times he closes hard and hits hard. And then other times looks like he's trying to "drag down" his man. I'd like to see him drop down a little lower and wrap up their legs, and I'm sure the Steelers coaches will be on him constantly until he gets it right. The good news is he has shown that he does have the ability. The bad news is it appears his desire can be a little hot/cold.