O-Line and the draft
 

We certainly did very well in terms of athletes in the draft. But what does everyone think of the offensive lineman we did pick up (or decision to not take one early on)? Here's an article on Hills.

Source: http://www.realfootball365.com/index...steelers/11118

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

My guess is that a guy who played TE is athletic enough to play LT...at least ostensibly. We'll see. One of my favorite things to do in preseason games is just zone in on one player and watch him over the course of 20-25 plays. Hills will definitely be one I watch.

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

Other TE's that switched at some point to OT include Trai Essex, Robert Gallery, Jason Peters.

I think Hills is a good prospect that has played LT in his career at Texas, which hopefully will translate into him playing LT in the NFL after 2 or 3 seasons playing at RT first.

Not one of the big names a lot around here hoped for, but still a solid pick.....if he can stay healthy like the article says.

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

I was concerned about the history of his leg/knee/foot....but the more that I read on Tony Hill, the more it seems that:
A) Had it not been for concerns about those injuries, Hill would have gone in the 1st or 2nd round.
B) The injury seems to be healed and/or fixed.

I have read two pre-draft articles that said Hill could be a first day talent that becomes a mid-round steal for the team that is willing to take a chance.

Being a complete Homer and an optimist...I'm gonna hang my hat on that until proven wrong.

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

i said in another thread that gil brandt loves this kid. the monday following the draft pat kirwan and tim ryan stated how they thought it was a great selection. pat seemed convinced we have our future LT.

while many of us were left scratching our heads, they were applauding the steelers selections on their live radio broadcast. (hearing the soundbite of tomlin saying how the war room erupted when mendenhall fell to them was pretty cool too).

i swear, i am never watching the draft with the tv sound on again. the sirius broadcast is so much more informed and without all the fluff. they actually know and talk about the picks as opposed to spending 3 hours on the cowboys wr situation and how pac man jones will not affect their draft.

i cant remember espn or nfl network saying too much about hills other than he was a TE convert who was "injury prone" in HS and college. thanks for the 411 turds.

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

I'm hoping that Hills can be the LT of the future too, which now begs the question.....who do you offer a contract to be the LT for NOW until Hills is ready(in 2-3 years)?? Starks or Smith??

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

Wow...great guestion. I think it might be impossible to answer right now and we may have to wait to see how Smith's back and Stark's ability pan out this season.

(...or draft Oher and say buh-bye to both..LOL)

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

Would love Oher, or Andre Smith, but can't see them being available unless we total fall apart next year.

Thats one reason I am going to watch Loadholt, Boone, and Black closely when the collage season starts.

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

Still some other names of converted TE's:
Joe Thomas
Doug Dieken
Rayfield Wright (HOF)

Re: O-Line and the draft
 

i was really taken aback with the panic and almost disdain from some steelerfans over how the 1st 2 rounds of our draft went, and the lack of drafting a lineman.

some totally forgot about hills and suggested we neglected the position altogether.

well the giants just gave dave diehl and extension for 6 years and $31 million which i hope establishes a ceiling for a potential extension with marvel smith. what is funny is that if the steelers drafted a lineman in the 5th round, they wouldve flung feces at their computer or tv screens.