Vikings Phil Loadholt vs Texans MNF

[tony hipchest]

my question is how come this 2nd round rookie is able to come in and start (and spring AP for a 75 yd td run on the 1st play of the game, yet it takes our linemen 2-3 years to even sniff the starting line-up.

wtf.

[RoethlisBURGHer]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

my question is how come this 2nd round rookie is able to come in and start (and spring AP for a 75 yd td run on the 1st play of the game, yet it takes our linemen 2-3 years to even sniff the starting line-up.

wtf.

Because he's better than any of our offensive linemen.

I was really hoping we would take him in the second round.

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by RoethlisBURGHer

Because he's better than any of our offensive linemen.

I was really hoping we would take him in the second round.

nope. i dont think its that simple. chargers started mcneil as a rookie and i believe he was a 4th rounder (???) who made the pro bowl on one of LT's best seasons. the year the saints made the nfcc game and were an offensive juggernaut, they did it with a rookie 4th round starter on the line.

the steelers just seem to be afraid to start a rookie at any position. hell, cowher would probably STILL be grooming big ben, had maddox stayed healthy.

im not complaining. our system is proven. just sayin though...

[MACH1]

Its Arians fault. Fire the bum.

[fansince'76]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

the steelers just seem to be afraid to start a rookie at any position. hell, cowher would probably STILL be grooming big ben, had maddox stayed healthy.

That was more a Cowher thing than a Steelers thing, IMO, which Tomlin has perpetuated to this point. I believe guys like MJG, Lambert, Harris, Ham, etc. all started as rookies.

[RoethlisBURGHer]

Originally Posted by fansince'76

That was more a Cowher thing than a Steelers thing, IMO, which Tomlin has perpetuated to this point. I believe guys like MJG, Lambert, Harris, Ham, etc. all started as rookies.

They all did.

I agree it's a Cowher thing. But he did start Heath Miller in 2005, Miller's rookie year.

But honestly, it's not like we've needed rookies to start much in the recent past.

And the last offensive linemen to be named a starter (not step in due to injury) was Allan Faneca back in 1998.

If we would have drafted Loadholdt in the second round, I think he would be the starter.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

nope. i dont think its that simple. chargers started mcneil as a rookie and i believe he was a 4th rounder (???) who made the pro bowl on one of LT's best seasons. the year the saints made the nfcc game and were an offensive juggernaut, they did it with a rookie 4th round starter on the line.

the steelers just seem to be afraid to start a rookie at any position. hell, cowher would probably STILL be grooming big ben, had maddox stayed healthy.

im not complaining. our system is proven. just sayin though...

RT is an easier position to come in and start than LT. Loadholt was a guy that I liked a lot because of his size, experience and other highschool sports background(basketball and track) showed he is an athlete for a big man.

He's gonna be a good RT, that may have the ability to play LT if he drops some lbs and improves his technique.

[fansince'76]

Originally Posted by RoethlisBURGHer

But honestly, it's not like we've needed rookies to start much in the recent past.

Exactly - excellent point. In most cases, we have a quality incumbent veteran at most positions. It's HARD to crack the Steelers' starting lineup as a rookie.

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by RoethlisBURGHer

If we would have drafted Loadholdt in the second round, I think he would be the starter.

i thought the same about urbick in the 3rd round. he was a top guard prospect entering the draft.

i have a feeling if loadholdt were drafted by the steelers he would be sitting behind colon for atleast a year (especially being that he would be getting his ass kicked by woodley every day in practice).

[RoethlisBURGHer]

Originally Posted by tony hipchest

i thought the same about urbick in the 3rd round. he was a top guard prospect entering the draft.

i have a feeling if loadholdt were drafted by the steelers he would be sitting behind colon for atleast a year (especially being that he would be getting his ass kicked by woodley every day in practice).

Haha, good point.