2011 - where's your head at currently

[LLT]

I admit I haven't watched Love all that closely but I don't think he's much of a prospect. Got mauled by Heyward in the bowl game and looked bad this week. He doesn't look quick enough laterally. Not sure how much of a run blocker he is, too. I know Arkansas would always put him against a defenses best pass rusher.

If you can't pass block or run block....

He is getting the same bad press that Bulaga was getting at this time last year.

Some of the experts want to say he is slow...but then turn around and say that he is a solid 2nd round pick. Its about that time for the team scouts to start their smoke screens. I am VERY leary at this time of year about reading anything that contradicts the eyeball test. He looked bad this week...but that was not typical of what I saw all year. I have mentioned it before...but he reminds me A LOT of Marvel Smith. He might not draw Ooh's and Aah's...but he will be a solid and dependable OT.

In regards to Guard prospects...if we go that route in the first round, we HAVE to start thinking about Danny Watkins. I thought he looked great playing OT this year and it looks like his skill set has translated well to OG. He is a little older but might be a good LG prospect...allowing us to move Kemo over to the right side.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Thanks Aussie,


In my last draft...I thought that DeMarcus Love might be our 1st round pick....check this out!!!

Yeah, but you know what I said about Love after looking at him in the bowl game...that he looked sloppy and at times looked like a real waist bender. Here is what Tony Pauline posted after Senior Bowl week.

DeMarcus Love/OL/Arkansas: Love entered the season with a grade that placed him among the top senior offensive linemen in the country. That assessment plunged after his performance this week. His technique was pedestrian and opponents took full advantage of the situation. Love was often run over by defenders and left to pick himself off the turf on several occasions. Once considered a possible first-round pick, Love could fall out of the draft's initial 75 selections.


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1CXX9DyId

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

He is getting the same bad press that Bulaga was getting at this time last year.

Some of the experts want to say he is slow...but then turn around and say that he is a solid 2nd round pick. Its about that time for the team scouts to start their smoke screens. I am VERY leary at this time of year about reading anything that contradicts the eyeball test. He looked bad this week...but that was not typical of what I saw all year. I have mentioned it before...but he reminds me A LOT of Marvel Smith. He might not draw Ooh's and Aah's...but he will be a solid and dependable OT.

In regards to Guard prospects...if we go that route in the first round, we HAVE to start thinking about Danny Watkins. I thought he looked great playing OT this year and it looks like his skill set has translated well to OG. He is a little older but might be a good LG prospect...allowing us to move Kemo over to the right side.

Smith was agile and a technician. Love looks like he might be better to push inside. He honestly reminds me of a stronger, but more clumsy Tony Hills...not as good of an athlete, but a better mauler inline blocking. Love could still be there at #64 as a RT prospect.

[LLT]

Smith was agile and a technician. Love looks like he might be better to push inside. He honestly reminds me of a stronger, but more clumsy Tony Hills...not as good of an athlete, but a better mauler inline blocking. Love could still be there at #64 as a RT prospect.

Totally agree...but that was the finished product. Smith had the same criticisms as Love coming out of college....he dropped into the second round because scouts thought he was a waist bender and too slow for LT (even though he allowed very few sacks his senior year). He played RT for us for 3-4 years before they thought his agility and technique were ready for a move to the left side.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Totally agree...but that was the finished product. Smith had the same criticisms as Love coming out of college....he dropped into the second round because scouts thought he was a waist bender and too slow for LT (even though he allowed very few sacks his senior year). He played RT for us for 3-4 years before they thought his agility and technique were ready for a move to the left side.

I disagree on the Smith eval. I believe that he played RT because Wayne Gandy was an experienced LT and the Steelers didnt want to throw him in the deep end right away. Pretty standard for OT prospects on good teams.

I really dont know if Love will work out as a LT in the NFL. He's a mauler, but not a technician or gifted athlete. Lots of coaching, but at the worst a RT at pick #64 with decent value. I just think Flo Adams, Chris Scott or Jon Scott can all handle the RT spot now. I'd rather take a chance with Brewer than Love at OT.

[LLT]

I disagree on the Smith eval. I believe that he played RT because Wayne Gandy was an experienced LT and the Steelers didnt want to throw him in the deep end right away. Pretty standard for OT prospects on good teams.

I really dont know if Love will work out as a LT in the NFL. He's a mauler, but not a technician or gifted athlete. Lots of coaching, but at the worst a RT at pick #64 with decent value. I just think Flo Adams, Chris Scott or Jon Scott can all handle the RT spot now. I'd rather take a chance with Brewer than Love at OT.

I used to be high on Brewer...but he seems to be too passive. He also has a history of injuries but I wont hold that against him.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I used to be high on Brewer...but he seems to be too passive. He also has a history of injuries but I wont hold that against him.

Sure. My thinking is that Brewer has more upside than Love IMO because of his athletic ability. Love doesnt look that agile or have good technique.

Carimi on the other hand impressed me by being efficient in his technique, kind of like Bulaga did last year. Both I think can play LT in the NFL, but their footwork looks like they could end up staying on the Right side.

[Texasteel]

I've reworked my top three a little. What I would like is to move back into the 2nd round or move up with our 2nd round pick and end up with Pinkston. I still like that kid, I have all year.

Considering that all the 1st round OTs are gone, and I'm starting to see Pouncey headed to Philly.

1. Aaron Williams --- CB, Texas. 6'1" / 195 lb / 4.49. With the influx of DEs and CBs I think he makes it to us. If he went back to school I think he could have been a top 20 - 25 pick, and will be the BAP at a position we need. I believe his 2nd position is FS which we could us as well.


2. Marcus Cannon OT/OG , TCU. 6'5" / 350 lb / 5.34.
Benjamin Ijalana OT/OG, Villanova. 6'4" lb / 5.34. I'm giving you two names because I think these two are very close tallent wish and are very similar players. I think there is a fairly good chance one of them makes it to us in the 2nd round. Big bodies, that love to bury people. Both played OT in school, both would have a tough time with that position in the pros. but could make a hell of an OG which I think is our biggest need right now.


3. Jarvis Jenkins DT/DE , Clemson, 6'5" / 310 / 4.98. A kid that as slid a little in the past couple of months, but has the size we like on the line, with the quickness to play DE for us.

No I haven't given up on an OT but think we may have to look deeper in the draft until next year. There are a couple I am looking at for the 5th or 6th round, we do still have one on the PS.

[Texasteel]

Ever year there seems to be a NT that starts to climb in the draft ranking. This year it looks to be Phil Taylor of Baylor, and a great combine may push him higher. I am starting to see a few of mock having us take him at 31. The thought I am hearing is that he can play any position on our 3 man line with a future eye on NT. Hamptons carreer is 10 years old after all. I always liked Taylor but never thought of him as a possible 1st round pick for us.

What do you guys say? You interested in Taylor as a 31st pick?

[Aussie_steeler]

OK Draft geeks

Found some interesting articles that give insight into the process between now and the draft.


Check these out for an interesting insight from an ex GM - Greg Gabriel

1. What scouts do between now and the combine

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...e-Combine.html


2. Scouting the offensive line

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...sive-Line.html


3. Scouting the tight ends and receivers

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...Receivers.html

Enjoy the reads - I know I did.

[Galax Steeler]

Tex I would love to land Aaron Williams I think this is our biggest weakness and it would fill a big void that we are needing in a big way.

[Texasteel]

I think we will likely go CB in the 1st or the 2nd round, 3rd at the latest, I have my favorites in each of those rounds. Personally I like Aaron's size, but not sure he is more phsical that Brown, and I love Browns ability to close on a WR. I do hope one of them is a steeler next year.

[86WARD]

Thinking draft...Pouncey or Williams/Harris/Smith at CB. Thinking Phillies baseball...

[SMR]

On top of my neck.

[Dino 6 Rings]

Henry Hynoski

FB from PITT

6'2" 260

That's who I want us to draft somewhere in this draft class.

[Texasteel]

Henry Hynoski

FB from PITT

6'2" 260

That's who I want us to draft somewhere in this draft class.

That is a very interesting name Dino. OK, he is not going to out run anyone, but is a powerful back that knows how to block, and has the strength to stop a blitzing LBer in his tracks. The thing I find very interesting is that he has twice as many receptions as he has running attempts. I can't remember for sure but I think his one TD was off a catch. This could make him another goal line weapon. How ever, his main job is to be a blocking back. The one thing that I think works against us is the fact that I believe he go's in the 5th round, and I'm not sure we would use a 5th round pick on, primarily, a blocking FB. Thanks buddy, I think this kid is a hell of a call on your part.

[Chidi29]

What about Adi Kunalic? He's the Nebraska kickoff specialist. It looks like he's draft eligible.

Didn't add up his 2010 numbers but in his first three years, 39% of his kicks went for touchbacks. He finished his career with at least 120.

Problem is the lack of field goal tries. Only one attempt in his college career. Most of his experience came in high school and even then, we're talking 20 attempts max.

I'm not a proponent of using a roster spot on a player that is just a kickoff specialist, but if the guy can kick, what's not to love?

[Aussie_steeler]

What about Adi Kunalic? He's the Nebraska kickoff specialist. It looks like he's draft eligible.

Didn't add up his 2010 numbers but in his first three years, 39% of his kicks went for touchbacks. He finished his career with at least 120.

Problem is the lack of field goal tries. Only one attempt in his college career. Most of his experience came in high school and even then, we're talking 20 attempts max.

I'm not a proponent of using a roster spot on a player that is just a kickoff specialist, but if the guy can kick, what's not to love?

If the season is stretched out to 18 games I could see a roster expansion to somewhere around 56. Depending on the number of players who could dress come game day it could be a viable option.

Until then I dont think it would be a viable option

[LLT]

I'm watching some film on OT/OG Clint Boling from Georgia (6'5 310 lbs)...I think he is underrated. He could get deeper into his knee bend but I wouldnt call him a waist bender by any means. Looks agile and has a good hand punch. It seems that everytime I see him having trouble its because he starts to get too high. I think that since he isnt bending at the waist....that might be correctable.

He has a late 3rd round rating...and might be a steal if he drops lower than that. Even if he cant play LT...he might be a very good RT or OG.