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View Full Version : Steelers recent drafts paying off in a big — and fast — way



polamalubeast
01-12-2017, 04:20 PM
When the Steelers missed the playoffs in 2012 and 2013 one of the problems pinpointed by scouting and coaching staffs was a lack of speed on defense. The Steelers were a defense in transition as older and slower players were being phased out and new, young playmakers were being sought.

It started in the 2014 draft with the selection of Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt in the first two rounds. It continued in 2015 with the selection of Bud Dupree and in 2016 with the selection of Artie Burns and Sean Davis. All five players are starters in a revamped defense that now features speed and athleticism.

The fingerprints of the impact players from the past three drafts were all over the second-half turnaround and the wild-card victory over the Dolphins. Was there ever a better example of closing speed than on Dupree’s thunderous hit on Miami quarterback Matt Moore?

Sure, Dupree’s hit got attention because it was helmet to chin, and as a result, illegal. But lost amid the controversy that came from the hit was the speed Dupree displayed to level the unsuspecting Moore.


read more


http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2017/01/12/pittsburgh-steelers-nfl-draft-ryan-shazier-stephon-tuitt-bud-dupree-artie-burns-sean-davis/stories/201701130085

GBMelBlount
01-12-2017, 08:08 PM
Reminds me of how our early round draft picks on the offensive line for a few years in a row (Pouncey, DeCastro & Gilbert) are now anchoring a helluva good offensive line.

However this defensive is really coming together quickly.

A lot to be excited about.

JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue
01-12-2017, 08:17 PM
Nice to see the top 3 picks of this draft starting and seeing a lot of playing time and are contributing! Ps. I know Hargrave isn't starting but seeing a lot of playing time and helping the team.

teegre
01-12-2017, 08:31 PM
The 2001-2004 drafts set up the 2005 SuperBowl XL team:

Heeeeeath: first year
Big Ben: second year
Max Starks: second year
Ike Taylor: third year
Troy Polamalu: third year
Antwaan Randle El: fourth year
Chris Hope: fourth year
Larry Foote: fourth year
The Beard: fourth year
Casey the Hutt: fifth year


Likewise, the 2012-2026 drafts have set up this current team:

Artie Burns: first year
Sean Davis: first year
Javon Hargrave: first year
Bud Dupree: second year
Ryan Shazier: third year
Stephon Tuitt: third year
Le'Veon Bell: fourth year
DeCastro: fifth year

polamalubeast
01-12-2017, 08:41 PM
I know that Colbert is not perfect, but in general, he does a good job...Yes, its draft in 2008 and 2009 have been bad but since 2010 it has often drafted one or two great/very good players in every draft that is still with the team.

2010:Brown and Pouncey
2011:Heyward and Gilbert
2012: Decastro
2013:Bell
2014:Shazier,Tuitt and Bryant
2015: Dupree and I think that Coates can be a very good deep threat if he is healthy
2016:3 rookie on defense who contributes right now!

Count Steeler
01-13-2017, 07:40 PM
Too bad we missed on Jarvis Jones.

teegre
01-14-2017, 03:59 PM
As we all know...

https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-the-16-worst-picks-of-the-2016-nfl-draft/

Not only are Burns and Davis playing well, so are Ifedi, Neal, Henry, Ward, Fuller, Apple, & Lee... and, Deion Jones is the DROY.

Magic 8-ball > throwing darts > PFF :lol:

pczach
01-14-2017, 08:13 PM
As we all know...

https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-the-16-worst-picks-of-the-2016-nfl-draft/

Not only are Burns and Davis playing well, so are Ifedi, Neal, Henry, Ward, Fuller, Apple, & Lee... and, Deion Jones is the DROY.

Magic 8-ball > throwing darts > PFF :lol:


That list of "16 Worst Draft Picks of the 2016 NFL Draft" should be such an embarrassment to these people that supposedly know football and comment on football for a living.

Some of the criticisms they list for those players are a complete miss in the evaluation process, and they seem to project these picks without accounting for any improvement by the players. They seem convinced that all of the players on the list were drafted too early, and they have no problem only listing the negatives they see in their games.

It's hard to read that and take PFF seriously on any future evaluations of talent. Just about any of us here on this board that follow the draft and evaluate players could have done better than that.

fansince'76
01-14-2017, 08:14 PM
PFF = fapping material for fantasy football nerds.

86WARD
01-15-2017, 05:03 AM
Not even...