They are clearly drafting physicality

[pczach]

The one thing that seems apparent so far in the drafting process is that every player selected to this point plays with physicality. Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr, Keanu Benton, and Darnell Washington are all big, athletic, and physical.

If I had to pick one defining attribute of the players taken to this point, it would be how physical they all are. I think the organization is clearly making a statement on how this team is going to go about things and that becoming bigger and more physically dominant is a priority. They are big and they are nasty. It's not just how they play, it's who they are on the field.

The physical traits of the players drafted so far clearly points to having men in the building that can impose their will on opponents.

I know that there is much work to be done and nothing is guaranteed in football. It looks great on paper but we won't know until it all unfolds in front of us. But all I can say is.....I like the direction they are taking.

[fansince'76]

The one thing that seems apparent so far in the drafting process is that every player selected to this point plays with physicality.

Wonderful. So I guess I can expect even more yellow laundry to be flying on game days, then.

Particularly the really annoying "penalties" that get called a good 5-10 seconds (or even longer) after the conclusion of a play when an opposing player whines to the refs that the Steelers are playing "too rough."

Physicality is NOT rewarded in the "modern" NFL, particularly on defense. Even less so for teams that have a history of playing smashmouth football.

[pczach]

Wonderful. So I guess I can expect even more yellow laundry to be flying on game days, then.

Particularly the really annoying "penalties" that get called a good 5-10 seconds (or even longer) after the conclusion of a play when an opposing player whines to the refs that the Steelers are playing "too rough."

Physicality is NOT rewarded in the "modern" NFL, particularly on defense. Even less so for teams that have a history of playing smashmouth football.

You can be physical and still play within the rules. The Eagles and 49ers are basically beating everyone up and dominating people with physicality and winning tons of games. The running game has been becoming a bigger part of offense again. I don't see this as a bad thing. You can't win if you are losing at the line of scrimmage. Even the Chiefs got rid of most of their offensive line and retooled with better, more physical players. They won the Super Bowl again this year because they got more physical and they beat a team that has the best, most physical roster in the NFL.

Even at the cornerback position, being physical doesn't mean that there has to be more penalties. A corner that can get up in a receiver's face and disrupt the pass patterns and the timing with the quarterback give pass rushers more time to get to the quarterback and make it more difficult for the quarterback to get the ball to his targets.

I understand your concerns that neanderthal ball could mean a flagfest. But if coached properly and players stay disciplined, it can be a path to great success.

[Moose]

A GREAT THREAD and gives alot to think about. I'm 73 yrs old and I love 'old time' football when tackling was key and the whole idea was 'kill'' the QB. But with all the new rules because of safety made the game SOFT and sissified. QBs could play in shorts and T shirts now. So, if this was 'old times' I would think we are building another STEEL CURTAIN philosophy, which is my style and love, but the rules stat otherwise. So, the big man antics could be useless. But I still like the big, kick ass, kick you in the mouth, ass in the dirt football. With all the SOFT rules, to me it looks like the NFL wants fast, high scoring, running style QBs, and no physical games. Anymore I turn off alot of games because I'm sick and tired of seeing great tackle get flagged and the other team gets rewarded with yards and possibly 'give points'. Just my opinion. GO STEELERS

[pczach]

A GREAT THREAD and gives alot to think about. I'm 73 yrs old and I love 'old time' football when tackling was key and the whole idea was 'kill'' the QB. But with all the new rules because of safety made the game SOFT and sissified. QBs could play in shorts and T shirts now. So, if this was 'old times' I would think we are building another STEEL CURTAIN philosophy, which is my style and love, but the rules stat otherwise. So, the big man antics could be useless. But I still like the big, kick ass, kick you in the mouth, ass in the dirt football. With all the SOFT rules, to me it looks like the NFL wants fast, high scoring, running style QBs, and no physical games. Anymore I turn off alot of games because I'm sick and tired of seeing great tackle get flagged and the other team gets rewarded with yards and possibly 'give points'. Just my opinion. GO STEELERS

I don't think physicality ever gets old or outdated. Being physical doesn't mean that teams are going to get penalized at a much higher rate. In fact, I believe that playing with physicality draws more penalties as you wear other teams down or get opposing players out of position so they are reaching to make tackles or holding dominant defensive front 7 players.

The best teams in the NFL are the most dominant physically.

Give me the offensive line that is just mauling the other team and taking their hearts. Give me the DL that is playing on the other side of the LOS and controlling play. It is still how games are won, and if you can still have the skilled parts of the game and explosive plays, you are a very difficult team to beat.

[86WARD]

I don't think physicality ever gets old or outdated. Being physical doesn't mean that teams are going to get penalized at a much higher rate. In fact, I believe that playing with physicality draws more penalties as you wear other teams down or get opposing players out of position so they are reaching to make tackles or holding dominant defensive front 7 players.

The best teams in the NFL are the most dominant physically.

Give me the offensive line that is just mauling the other team and taking their hearts. Give me the DL that is playing on the other side of the LOS and controlling play. It is still how games are won, and if you can still have the skilled parts of the game and explosive plays, you are a very difficult team to beat.

100%

[Mojouw]

The nature of what "physical" looks like changes from era to era as the rules force players and schemes to adapt and shift focus.

But there is still room for simply being meaner and stronger than the dude across from you. Despite their offensive wizardry and schematic brilliance....many of the recent playoff teams also feature traditional ass kickings as well. Chiefs rebuilt both their lines to maul you. Iggles are mean as heck up front on both sides of the ball. 49ers entire thing is that Shanahan is a wizard but they also just straight maul you all over the field.

Personally, I have my doubts about a team that seems to want to play 12 personnel all the time but it isn't like they don't have the guys to go play 11 or even 0 RB all WRs and TEs....

[Edman]

I think there going to be very angry people on this board this season when see the offense and how slow and deliberate it is and blame Canada (obviously), and while that it true, its just the makeup of the team and how it's currently built. This Steelers team is being built to win in the trenches. Not win score fests with Lamar and Mahomes and the rest of the league. Put up long drives, take up time of possession and win in the red zone.

Najee Harris is our first "bruiser" back the Steelers have had since the Bus. He's big and powerful and fast. Maybe being behind a physical line will give him holes instead of trying to make his own.

It's going to be interesting to see this season. I'm intrigued.

[pczach]

The nature of what "physical" looks like changes from era to era as the rules force players and schemes to adapt and shift focus.

But there is still room for simply being meaner and stronger than the dude across from you. Despite their offensive wizardry and schematic brilliance....many of the recent playoff teams also feature traditional ass kickings as well. Chiefs rebuilt both their lines to maul you. Iggles are mean as heck up front on both sides of the ball. 49ers entire thing is that Shanahan is a wizard but they also just straight maul you all over the field.

Personally, I have my doubts about a team that seems to want to play 12 personnel all the time but it isn't like they don't have the guys to go play 11 or even 0 RB all WRs and TEs....

I don't know that they are going to solve everything this year. What I do know is they are going back to drafting players that look like they're going to kick your ass getting out of the bus. They are acquiring bigger, more physical players through the draft. Even the free agents like Peterson and Robinson are veteran, physical players. Even the WR and TE's are built to overpower people and help the run game.

I don't know that it will work immediately, and we all fear the Canada factor......but the direction of the way they are going to build the roster seems clear.

[Dwinsgames]

thats why we need to take a flier on Jason Taylor II ( not that Jason Taylor) he will hit you but can make you pay in the passing game as well .... its round 7 not much to lose he gets a knock from Zeirlan for not being fast but damn man he is being really nitpicky the dude ran a 4.5 that is plenty fast for a safety and boasts a 43" vertical 10'9 broad jump .....

[Mojouw]

I don't know that they are going to solve everything this year. What I do know is they are going back to drafting players that look like they're going to kick your ass getting out of the bus. They are acquiring bigger, more physical players through the draft. Even the free agents like Peterson and Robinson are veteran, physical players. Even the WR and TE's are built to overpower people and help the run game.

I don't know that it will work immediately, and we all fear the Canada factor......but the direction of the way they are going to build the roster seems clear.

All true.

I’m encouraged because several of their picks are physical AND football smart.

I’ve always felt that’s been the missing piece in some of their misses - football saavy.

Devin Bush played like a guy who never got past “run to the ball fast” as an understanding of the game.

Dotson is a physical nightmare but on the field he’s an idiot. I can’t count the times he just mentally locks up and stands around doing nothing. He’s one of the first guys I’d pick to go start a fight with but he’s a liability on the field.

Every player they brought in as a FA and a draft pick is noted for both being physical AND understanding football at a deeper than run fast score points level.

[Edman]

All true.

I’m encouraged because several of their picks are physical AND football smart.

I’ve always felt that’s been the missing piece in some of their misses - football saavy.

Devin Bush played like a guy who never got past “run to the ball fast” as an understanding of the game.

Dotson is a physical nightmare but on the field he’s an idiot. I can’t count the times he just mentally locks up and stands around doing nothing. He’s one of the first guys I’d pick to go start a fight with but he’s a liability on the field.

Every player they brought in as a FA and a draft pick is noted for both being physical AND understanding football at a deeper than run fast score points level.

I think Devin Bush understood the run to the ball fast part perfectly. He just didn't want to be touched while doing it.

[polamalubeast]

Bush was soft like crazy....Not the only reason but he was a major reason why the steelers were last in rushing defense in 2021

[Craic]

There's a larger pattern here that I don't think we are seeing. It looks like Kenny P. has the potential to be a long-term and possibly even franchise quarterback. In Steelers history, every franchise quarterback started with a power running offense and strong defense. As the quarterback aged and got better, the offense shifted to a passing offense and the defense mostly held on to the same guys, as much as possible. Right now, it looks like we're trying to do the same thing. We're building a power running team again and trying to get a stifling defense, the core of which we can hold on to for the next several years. If they're successful with these draft picks this year, maybe lightning can strike a third time, or should I say a 7th 8th and maybe 9th time.

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Everyone rides on Bush as if that's how he played since his first game in a Steelers uniform. In his first year, he wasn't soft at all. I really think that injury cut down his ability to play the position.

[polamalubeast]

Everyone rides on Bush as if that's how he played since his first game in a Steelers uniform. In his first year, he wasn't soft at all. I really think that injury cut down his ability to play the position.

Yeah,you are right about Bush

[El Kabong]

Good. About time teams feared playing the Steelers again.

[Edman]

The league has gravitated towards smaller and quicker linebackers to keep up with the passing offenses and pass-catching backs. The Steelers instead of chasing trends have built themselves to be a bully. Time will tell how this works out.

[vasteeler]

There's a larger pattern here that I don't think we are seeing. It looks like Kenny P. has the potential to be a long-term and possibly even franchise quarterback. In Steelers history, every franchise quarterback started with a power running offense and strong defense. As the quarterback aged and got better, the offense shifted to a passing offense and the defense mostly held on to the same guys, as much as possible. Right now, it looks like we're trying to do the same thing. We're building a power running team again and trying to get a stifling defense, the core of which we can hold on to for the next several years. If they're successful with these draft picks this year, maybe lightning can strike a third time, or should I say a 7th 8th and maybe 9th time.

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Everyone rides on Bush as if that's how he played since his first game in a Steelers uniform. In his first year, he wasn't soft at all. I really think that injury cut down his ability to play the position.

Agreed, not the same player after the injury.

[Mojouw]

For me, I do not see it as some massive return to drafting physical players. I do not think they ever stopped doing that. They have had some guys not work out. The only really recent draft pick that didn't seem to really like hitting people was Artie Burns.

I think it is more that they are going to shift offensive styles out of necessity. When you have a HOF QB running the show on offense, you are going to line up in 3+ WRs and let that dude drive. Your OL and TE don't really need to run block more than adequate but they do need to keep the pass rush in check. Now....you are developing a new QB. Your OL needs to do everything really well and you are going to run your offense through the RB and the OL rather than the QB.

Total changes what traits you look for in draft picks...dunno....just a few thoughts.

[DuckHodges]

this draft feels different, and i love it. It seemed like before we were drafting undersized guys who were quicker. This time around we got some BIG bodies. Even the DBs we drafted were more of the tall, physical types. Football rules might change, but physicality will always be a part of it. The one constant is winning the trenches usually will = win.

[Dreegking]

they have Najee entering his prime. And he’s the biggest beast at rb in the league. Maximize your best player. They have to go maul ball. They ain’t dumb. I knew they were grabbing more beef in some capacity at TE. Load up. It only makes sense. They want to win. Look At who you got and get to greatness by maximizing strengths. Not hard stuff.

same with Oline. Good finish to the year. I think the line ranked tenth in the second half of the season, despite fans not acknowledging it. lol. But clearly in the run game, Najee was earning yards the hard way and too much on his own. Hard contact and power and lean and squirm for an inch. Now they got some horses on the Oline that will majorly compete. I love it.

I might add that I think heavy bull ball with this type of personnel and Najee’s receiving talent will
go really well with play action and match better with Pickett’s talents and Canada’s true offense. Many think it’s about misdirection. But misdirection and play action works best when one must respect beast ball.

[Dreegking]

For me, I do not see it as some massive return to drafting physical players. I do not think they ever stopped doing that. They have had some guys not work out. The only really recent draft pick that didn't seem to really like hitting people was Artie Burns.

I think it is more that they are going to shift offensive styles out of necessity. When you have a HOF QB running the show on offense, you are going to line up in 3+ WRs and let that dude drive. Your OL and TE don't really need to run block more than adequate but they do need to keep the pass rush in check. Now....you are developing a new QB. Your OL needs to do everything really well and you are going to run your offense through the RB and the OL rather than the QB.

Total changes what traits you look for in draft picks...dunno....just a few thoughts.

I think they clearly got away from drafting physical players. I don’t think it’s a biggee. I just want great players. But it goes well beyond Burns. In fact almost everyone.

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I think Devin Bush understood the run to the ball fast part perfectly. He just didn't want to be touched while doing it.

lol. Well said.