Linebackers in the draft?

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Originally Posted by DACEB

I'm starting to wonder about your love for Moses LLT

Just kidding, you have to wonder why Moses has dropped off the radar so to speak. Whether we take him or not I'm curious to see what number he's drafted at and how he makes out in the pros, simply because he was so highly touted and now has dropped off. Maybe his dropping down on the charts plays out well for us!

You and I have mentioned Bradley numerous times. I have read scouting reports that say he's hands down the best cover LB in the draft, even without the stellar speed to show for it. I guess you could question his past injuries, but hell anybody that plays rugby is tough as nails in my book. I think even if he does'nt get on the field as a starter this year he would be a great addition to special teams.

As far as how many LB's we draft, maybe it's just because I love and want to stay with the 3-4, I would hope to see at least two drafted. I would like to see an ILB and an OLB for the 3-4 whether it's an OLB or DE/OLB.

And by the way, I'm not LOL at M. Church, I hope the kid is a baller and is able to come back from his injury and play at a high level for us. I also have high hopes for Wallace, the guy has the physical tools now let's see what he can do.

I think your right..I have developed a serious man-crush on Moses!!!!!LOL!!!

He had Lamar Woodley on the opposite side side for two years....Teams began to plan around Moses..using stunts and schemes to negate his ability....so his production dipped but it opened up Woodley who benefited by seeing his stats double from the year before....Here is what PFW says about Moses:

Quentin Moses
Georgia defensive end
Ht: 6-4 7/8 | Wt: 249 | 40-time: 4.7

Has natural pass-rush ability and athleticism and has shown the ability to come off the ball low to the ground and bend off the edge. Shows a nice burst on the outside. Can make plays to the sideline. Plays with good balance in his feet and plays under control. Secure wrap-up tackler. Good leaping ability. Smart and learns quickly. Good career production. Good football character. Hardworking.

The way we see it: Did not live up to expectations as a senior and underachieved on an underachieving defense. A love-or-hate type of talent whom some scouts see as strictly a pass-rush specialist. Evaluators who go back and watch Moses early in his career will be able to see beyond his average senior production. Similar to former Troy DE DeMarcus Ware, Florida State DE Kamerion Wimbley and North Carolina State DE Manny Lawson, all of whom fit into the first round but elicited widely divergent grades from scouts. Moses fits the bill as a rush linebacker or finesse speed rusher and is too smart, too athletic and has been too productive in a big-time conference over the span of his career not to develop into a solid pass rusher in the pros.

In Regards to Bradley..I mentioned before that he is a two year Rugby champion....This dude is TOUGH

[DACEB]

LLT, a little missprint on your part. Moses played opposite Charles Johnson at Georgia. Woodley played at Michigan. At this time Johnson is rated higher than Moses but as you stated Moses received the majority of double teams and IMO is much better suited for the Steelers and the switch to 3-4 OLB. That is quite a group that the scouts at PFW are comparing Moses to, he would be a welcome addition to the team at OLB.

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Originally Posted by DACEB

LLT, a little missprint on your part. Moses played opposite Charles Johnson at Georgia. Woodley played at Michigan. At this time Johnson is rated higher than Moses but as you stated Moses received the majority of double teams and IMO is much better suited for the Steelers and the switch to 3-4 OLB. That is quite a group that the scouts at PFW are comparing Moses to, he would be a welcome addition to the team at OLB.

Thanks...your right...I have the right info and wrong guy....Check out Johnsons stats from last year compared to the year before....I think You will see alot of draft boards start dropping his value

Excellent pickup on the comparisons......I gotta tell you if he is there at #47....I am going to crawl through my television if we pass on him!!!

[tony hipchest]

i dont mind loading up on lb's. but is gaines adams the only edge rusher projected to come in and have an immediate impact like a dmarcus ware or s. merriman?

steelers have taken the #1 safety, #1 wr, and #1 te off the board in 3 of the last 4 drafts. do we do that with cb and if so is there a cb out there who will have the same impact as deangello hall or d. robinson? could the 3rd DT on the board actually have more impact than any of these options?

im thinking if tomlin drafts a DT, LB, and DE/OLB convert in the 1st 3 pick it would be pretty easy for him to run a hybrid and make a transition to a 3-4 pretty easy. it would make switching it up that much easier.

but then i look at players like s. smith, or a. gonzales there in the 2nd or a quality back in the 3rd and start to waffle.

were either much better off than our 8-8 season, or much worse off than our SB season. i really hope to see the steelers just take the best player on the board cause that will go a long way in showing us what tomlin believes we got.

[GBMelBlount]

This thread is a defense love fest (which is obviously the topic.) I am OK with mostly D in draft but really feel we have as much need on O-line as linebacker or anyone else. Just hope it is not overlooked in draft by a defensive coach.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Originally Posted by GBMelBlount

This thread is a defense love fest (which is obviously the topic.) I am OK with mostly D in draft but really feel we have as much need on O-line as linebacker or anyone else. Just hope it is not overlooked in draft by a defensive coach.

offense wins games....defense wins championships....just thought i'd through that out there..but anywho i think much of the D lovefest stems from the lack of impact D players in the last few years. we have troy and.....hampton to show for....5 yrs of picks? we as steeler fans are used to being tops in the league in D which has kept us competitive despite mediocre O's soooooo.....

[DACEB]

Originally Posted by GBMelBlount

This thread is a defense love fest (which is obviously the topic.) I am OK with mostly D in draft but really feel we have as much need on O-line as linebacker or anyone else. Just hope it is not overlooked in draft by a defensive coach.

Your absolutely right GBMB. The thread is on LB's and the glaring hole due to Porters departure and the age and lack of depth make LB a must, but O-line is just as needy. We need help on the O-line for alot of the same reasons. With the retirement of Hartings and Fanecas age and probable high price we need to sure up the O-line as well.

We have alot of cap money on the front five on offense and the front seven on defense, and how much are we really getting for our money. With the exception of Hampton, Smith and Faneca (who will probably be gone next year) I think it's time to get some new blood in and start to trim the fat and the cap. Players like Okobi are getting good money to be a backup and we're not even sure if he can step in and start after all this time. Haggans contract will be up and his play although solid is less than spectacular, he is not a playmaker.

I think that process starts this year and if you look at the roster we need to inject some youth and playmakers at the LB's position.