ILB speculations

[Born2Steel]

Holcomb is out for the rest of the season.

Although I think the ILB corp as a group has played well this season, I’ve read how many do not. Maybe I am seeing upgrade over the past 2-3 seasons from the position as playing well, instead of judging them alone?

Trade deadline is past. We did not bring in anyone though I think we tried.

While hopeful Holcomb makes a full recovery and comes back ready, I’m interested in a backup plan. This offseason I think a major move or two should be made with the ILB room. I feel very good about the OLB situation. Not so much at ILB.

Curious if others are thinking about this. What are your thoughts?

[Mojouw]

In this scenario, the Steelers feel comfortable with their QB situation and are not making a move there.

So...I would address ILB like they did CB this off-season. A draft pick, a recognizable FA, and then another dart throw via either FA or a lower draft pick.

While they still haven't said what happened to Holcomb specifically, if it is a knee ligament thing...I would not count on him playing well in 2024. If he just broke some bones....then maybe he can still take on a central role.

[Born2Steel]

In this scenario, the Steelers feel comfortable with their QB situation and are not making a move there.

So...I would address ILB like they did CB this off-season. A draft pick, a recognizable FA, and then another dart throw via either FA or a lower draft pick.

While they still haven't said what happened to Holcomb specifically, if it is a knee ligament thing...I would not count on him playing well in 2024. If he just broke some bones....then maybe he can still take on a central role.

The hope is this is not a big thing. But even if Holcomb comes back at 100%, I’m still looking at bringing in a blue chip rookie, or making a splash move in FA. For now, this injury has left us paper thin at ILB.

[Mojouw]

The hope is this is not a big thing. But even if Holcomb comes back at 100%, I’m still looking at bringing in a blue chip rookie, or making a splash move in FA. For now, this injury has left us paper thin at ILB.

Agreed. Especially at the more coverage oriented aspects of the position. Robinson, if he ever takes another step, is basically a version of Elandon Roberts. More of a run stuffing LB. Holcomb and Alexander are more of your coverage guys.

And, honestly, based on how he has played, I would be okay with Alexander coming back to pair with a big time draft pick at the position.

For FA's....no idea if there will be anyone who represents a big improvement. I think FA helped the Steelers go from awful to competent at the position group. I don't know if FAs are available to move from competent to really good. That might have to be the draft...

[Born2Steel]

Agreed. Especially at the more coverage oriented aspects of the position. Robinson, if he ever takes another step, is basically a version of Elandon Roberts. More of a run stuffing LB. Holcomb and Alexander are more of your coverage guys.

And, honestly, based on how he has played, I would be okay with Alexander coming back to pair with a big time draft pick at the position.

For FA's....no idea if there will be anyone who represents a big improvement. I think FA helped the Steelers go from awful to competent at the position group. I don't know if FAs are available to move from competent to really good. That might have to be the draft...

I have wondered if the move from awful to competent has got me thinking we were doing well at the position. Or maybe still not good, just moved the needle positively enough to notice it.

Unless we play someone out of natural position, Alexander will see a lot of snaps in the next 9 games. Did we bring someone in to the PS on deadline day? Or was there a swing and miss on someone?

[tube517]

They picked up a LB for the practice squad. Played in Atlanta last year. Forgot his name and know nothing about him

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[Mojouw]

Looks like they have this guy: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/10/st...caleb-johnson/

And Johnson is more of OLB that has a connection to Wiedel: https://steelersdepot.com/2023/10/pe...ractice-squad/

However, this points to Johnson moving inside at the NFL Level: https://www.nfl.com/prospects/kyron-...1-e9248bbfbea0 and this as well: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/e...as-linebacker/

[BlackAndGold]

I'm excited to see if Robinson has taken any progress in his consistency as a tackler and coverage. His play style can be a legit tone setter for the defense as Robinson looks to destroy anything in his path.

[Born2Steel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag83-s3VAnk

Mykal Walker...Yes these are highlights. BUT, dude looks fast, good in coverage, and tackles well. Obviously more to it or he wouldn't be on PS in the first place.

[Mojouw]

https://steelersdepot.com/2023/11/ta...-new-position/

Apparently we all forgot about this dude. Steelers have not. Seems he's got first shot at the 53 man roster spot at ILB.

I guess at some point one of these safety to LB transitions will actually work.

[Dwinsgames]

just for Mojouw

thought you would like this

[Mojouw]

just for Mojouw

thought you would like this

Yup. And with all the injuries and problems right now....Spillane would be nice to have....but I am not going to think twice about moving on from him. Ever. It was the right move when they did it and it is still the right move in hindsight.

For the defense to take the step to the level they and fans want them to get to....they need Smith, Queen, Milano, Warner, Greenlaw, etc playmakers at the ILB position. Every dominant 3-4 defense in the league is putting out at least one ludicrously skilled ILB as the beating heart of the defense.

Unfortunately, Steelers are still on a never ending side quest to find theirs.

[Dwinsgames]

Yup. And with all the injuries and problems right now....Spillane would be nice to have....but I am not going to think twice about moving on from him. Ever. It was the right move when they did it and it is still the right move in hindsight.

For the defense to take the step to the level they and fans want them to get to....they need Smith, Queen, Milano, Warner, Greenlaw, etc playmakers at the ILB position. Every dominant 3-4 defense in the league is putting out at least one ludicrously skilled ILB as the beating heart of the defense.

Unfortunately, Steelers are still on a never ending side quest to find theirs.

he would be nice to have right about now .... and we do need to take one early this next draft ..would have been nice to have finagled Nolan Smith from the last draft BUT ... I like who we got too so there is that

[Rotorhead]

he would be nice to have right about now .... and we do need to take one early this next draft ..would have been nice to have finagled Nolan Smith from the last draft BUT ... I like who we got too so there is that

So ILB, CB and OL for our first 3 picks next draft, and of course a real OC

[tube517]

In other non- OC news....Well, they signed another old fart, Blake Martinez.

But, Shaquille Leonard just got released by the Colts. do the Steelers have interest?

[BlackAndGold]

They could have interest in Leonard but he's not the same player after his back injury. Maybe a change of scenery would help, but I guess he'll be going the Myles Jack route, meaning 'steady decline'.

[Born2Steel]

In other non- OC news....Well, they signed another old fart, Blake Martinez.

But, Shaquille Leonard just got released by the Colts. do the Steelers have interest?

Follow the money. We don’t want Darius Shaq Leonard.

[tube517]

Follow the money. We don’t want Darius Shaq Leonard.

Yep. Just trying to get the conversation off of the former OC. Don't want to see his name anymore

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[Mojouw]

Follow the money. We don’t want Darius Shaq Leonard.

Right? He’s got like $19 million a year cap charges for the next couple of years. And his back sounds like it’s probably made of rotten driftwood at this point.

Shame. He was the best in the game for a brief moment. Seems ILB is the RB of defense. Just get burned up and broken.

[86WARD]

Right? He’s got like $19 million a year cap charges for the next couple of years. And his back sounds like it’s probably made of rotten driftwood at this point.

Shame. He was the best in the game for a brief moment. Seems ILB is the RB of defense. Just get burned up and broken.

He wouldn’t cost the Steelers that much though. He was released. Signing him is a total Tomlin-type move.

[Mojouw]

He wouldn’t cost the Steelers that much though. He was released. Signing him is a total Tomlin-type move.

I read that after he clears waivers you can sign him but if you waiver claim him it’s big ass money.

But I don’t know and am trusting that some puts on Twitter got it right.

[86WARD]

I read that after he clears waivers you can sign him but if you waiver claim him it’s big ass money.

But I don’t know and am trusting that some puts on Twitter got it right.

I think that’s correct. I believe if you pick up on waivers, you have to pay the contract. If a player has guaranteed money and passes through waivers, the waiving team pays that.

I was referring to after he cleared waivers.

[Dwinsgames]

I read that after he clears waivers you can sign him but if you waiver claim him it’s big ass money.

But I don’t know and am trusting that some puts on Twitter got it right.

Players with less than four accrued seasons need to pass through the waiver wire in order to become unrestricted free agents. The NFL defines an accrued season as six or more games on either a team's 53-man roster, injured reserve, or the physically unable to perform list.....Veterans cut with four years of NFL service are not subject to waivers and immediately became unrestricted free agents. Leonard is of this latter group

[BlackAndGold]

Per reddit, Colts fans believe Leonard is on his way to retirement. He had a nerve issue with his back that affected his leg.

He also complained about his lack of playing time with the coaches, though not shocking, star players that decline have a hard time accepting that reality.

So with his health, he's basically Myles Jack 2.0

[Mojouw]

Players with less than four accrued seasons need to pass through the waiver wire in order to become unrestricted free agents. The NFL defines an accrued season as six or more games on either a team's 53-man roster, injured reserve, or the physically unable to perform list.....Veterans cut with four years of NFL service are not subject to waivers and immediately became unrestricted free agents. Leonard is of this latter group

Good to know. Guess Twitter football got all the details wrong. Again.

[HollywoodSteel]

Players with less than four accrued seasons need to pass through the waiver wire in order to become unrestricted free agents. The NFL defines an accrued season as six or more games on either a team's 53-man roster, injured reserve, or the physically unable to perform list.....Veterans cut with four years of NFL service are not subject to waivers and immediately became unrestricted free agents. Leonard is of this latter group

That’s what I thought but all the posts I read said that he was on waivers. He’s been around awhile so I assumed he didn’t have to go through the waiver process and he was simply a free agent.

I’m sure I could figure it out if I did a little research but I probably won’t do it tonight.

[HollywoodSteel]

Okay, I decided to figure it out. Although he’s a vested veteran, he has to go on waivers because the trade deadline has past.

I didn’t realize that any player cut needs to go on waivers after the trade deadline. I learned something new.

[86WARD]

Okay, I decided to figure it out. Although he’s a vested veteran, he has to go on waivers because the trade deadline has past.

I didn’t realize that any player cut needs to go on waivers after the trade deadline. I learned something new.

That is correct.

Now that the trade deadline is over, all players are placed on waivers no matter how many years of service they have in the league. That means veterans may not have a choice where they play if they are released by their current team.

[tube517]

That is correct.

Now that the trade deadline is over, all players are placed on waivers no matter how many years of service they have in the league. That means veterans may not have a choice where they play if they are released by their current team.

So, if he is claimed off waivers, the team who gets him has to take that contract.

If he is not claimed off waivers and becomes a free agent, the team who signs him can get him at any amount, big or small.

If I am understanding everything correctly?

[vader29]

Steelers sign Martinez

The Steelers signed linebacker Blake Martinez to the 53-man roster from the Carolina Panthers practice squad.

Martinez is in his eighth season in the NFL after being drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

Martinez has seen action in 84 games, starting 78, and has 700 career tackles, 437 of them solo stops, 39 tackles for a loss, 13 sacks, 22 passes defensed and four interceptions.

Read more: https://www.steelers.com/news/steele...i1xfopG8HaOulI