Steelers Comments On Ziggy Hood

[Rek]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d810140cb&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true

Pittsburgh Steelers

The world champion Steelers under the direction of GM Kevin Colbert always face the challenge of drafting young players who can make the roster and contribute on such a good team. Last season, only one rookie -- first-round running back Rashard Mendenhall -- had a single start for the whole season. Otherwise there were zero rookie starts. That's not a problem, because they employ Principle No. 1 -- eyes on the future. They do not expect rookies to start or even contribute that much in their first season.

I like to describe being drafted by the Steelers as getting accepted in a graduate school program. They are going to teach you how to play the "Steeler way" before they ever ask you to perform. The previous three drafts have put six starters and seven key backups on the roster.

Clubs love to say how much they love the guys they picked this year, which is fine, but I had to laugh when the Steelers were asked about their first-round draft pick this year, Missouri defensive tackle Ziggy Hood, the day after the draft. They described him as "light years away from being ready to play."

[bigjamesharrison2]

I wonder who "They" are.

[Psyychoward86]

Being a blue collar worker, i think he'll take it all in stride. Those kinds of comments can really motivate a guy.

[Rek]

I wonder who "They" are.

Not sure...But "light years" could be maybe one season tops. Look at Sweed. He was real green last year, seemed to be out of his element, but this year, a lot of people are saying he will be much better. Just takes a little time for them to get their feet wet.

[bigjamesharrison2]

Not sure...But "light years" could be maybe one season tops. Look at Sweed. He was real green last year, seemed to be out of his element, but this year, a lot of people are saying he will be much better. Just takes a little time for them to get their feet wet.

Exactly. I don't think anyone is expecting anything incredible from this season, just like Sweed last year. :tt:

[rich4eagle]

The Steeler way, draft big guns and train them to shoot

[Give It To Abercrombie]

The Steeler way, draft big guns and train them to shoot

I like that, going to remember that one.

[Vincent]

I had a friend years ago that started as a safety on Bama's '65 National Championship team. Before he came to his 1st camp he thought he was the greatest football player that ever walked the Earth. Until he got there and realized that Bama had recruited a bunch of other "greatest football players that ever walked the Earth". Then came the hard realization that while you are "the greatest football player that ever walked the Earth", you're going to learn and assimilate the things that will actually transform you into a National Champion.

We have a similar program.

[Psyychoward86]

The Steeler way, draft big guns and train them to shoot

What a great way to sum it up.

[BlastFurnace]

I wonder who "They" are.

Defensive Line Coach John Mitchell was the one who said that he was light years away from playing. He said it because he said they have so many good players in front of him already.

[tyler289]

I'd rather have a guy who starts and blossoms in year 4 and is then fantastic for his career than a guy who starts too early and peaks at year 2.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

OK, I will step in and say the unpopular thing ............almost none of the drafted rookies will be major contributuors to their teams this year.

Pat Kirwin will write an article saying that statistically documents about 2% of all rookies will start on opening day and most of them are on bad teams. That number will increase as the year goes on and mostlly due to injury.

So, to most of the fans that think our rookies will contribute to improving the team greatly....its just not gonna happen for a year or two. Maybe that is what "light years" means. :noidea:

[Steely McSmash]

The light year is a measure of distance by the way. Metaphorical distance to travel, learning the system etc. [/dork]