Steelers sign 13 undrafted rookies

[mesaSteeler]

Steelers sign 13 undrafted rookies
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...s_622681.html#
By Scott Brown, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Last updated: 3:32 pm

Scott Brown is the Steelers beat writer. He can be reached via e-mail. Also check out Brown's blog and Steelers Q&A.

The Steelers have supplemented their 2009 draft class with the signings of 13 rookie free agents, including California (Pa.) quarterback Kevin McCabe and Pitt long snapper Mark Estermeyer.

The Steelers also signed Tennessee offensive tackle Ramon Foster, Georgia wide receiver Cedric Goodman and Clemson wide receiver Tyler Grisham as well as a number of small-school players.

All of the signees as well as the nine players the Steelers drafted last weekend will take part in mini camp, which starts Friday.

Steelers rookie free-agent signings:
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School
Steven Black WR 6-2 202 Memphis
Jeff Bradley DT 6-3 280 Western Carolina
Mark Estermeyer LS 6-1 251 Pitt
Ramon Foster OT 6-5 328 Tennessee
Cedric Goodman WR 6-2 189 Georgia
Tyler Grisham WR 5-10 184 Clemson
Tom Korte LB 6-0 239 Hillside (Mich.)
Kevin McCabe QB 6-2 209 California (Pa.)
Steve McLendon DT 6-3 305 Troy
Isaac Redman RB 5-10 228 Bowie State
Mike Reilly QB 6-3 214 Central Washington State
Derrick Richardson S 5-11 201 New Mexico State
Andrew Schantz LB 6-1 234 Portland State

[KeiselPower99]

Hmm 2 qbs?

[tony hipchest]

this is the only one i know. (and actually had the steelers taking a shot on him in my mock draft).

Derrick Richardson S 5-11 201 New Mexico State

now the nmsu aggies always suck, but he was the leading tackler in the nation (averaging over 12 per game).

ryan clark was an UDFA so its reasonable to think while this guy may have a tuff time making a SB winning teams roster, with a few years and patience could develop into a starter just like clark did.

definitely rooting for him to land on the practice squad, as i suppose mundy will be elevated. mundy may have his hands full in camp, though.

[Steelman16]

Seems like those two linebackers are on the smallish side...but I guess I've been spoiled by Woodley.

[steeltheone]

Richardson is a stud special teams player. That could really help his chances.

[Steely McSmash]

Some research on the guys I could find on CBSSports.com

Mark Estermeyer LS 6-1 251 Pitt
#415 overall
01/20/2009 - 2009 Senior Bowl Monday Practice: Long snapping specialist Mark Estermyer (Pittsburgh) bounced a couple back to Huber and his better snaps usually came between .75 and .78 seconds -- which is about one-tenth of a second too long for scouts' liking. - Chad Reuter, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com [/B]

Ramon Foster OT 6-5 328 Tennessee
#255 overall
Analysis
Positives: Tall, massive prospect with long, strong arms and better initial and short-area quickness than you'd expect for his size. Can wall off tackles inside or get the outside shoulder of his man outside to create running lanes. Not overly quick getting down on the cut block, but his sheer mass makes him effective. It takes ends an extra second to get around his big body to the quarterback, and he's too strong to get bull rushed into the quarterback. Plays through the whistle, and will hit his man two or three times if necessary. Has adequate foot speed to get to linebackers if they are directly in his path. Vocal leader in the locker room and on the field.

Negatives: A bit larger in the middle than scouts like. Might need to move inside because although he has a fair kick-slide in pass protection, he does not have the lateral quickness to stay with the quick outside rush. Hands are not quick enough to reset if he doesn't latch on initially. Waist-bender who loses his balance too often when extending his arms and not moving his feet in pass protection and blocking at the second level. Lumbers in space and does not change directions quickly. Poor recovery speed against twists and quick moves.


Tyler Grisham WR 5-10 184 Clemson
#650 overall Special teams captain

Mike Reilly QB 6-3 214 Central Washington State
#316 overall

Overview
After redshirting at Washington State as a third-string quarterback, Reilly decided he didn't want to bide his time waiting for playing time. Central Washington offered him a chance to start right away, and he never looked back.

The 2008 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year wooed scouts to CWU with his size, athleticism and outstanding production. He completed 64 percent of his passes over his four years as a starter for 12,448 yards, 118 touchdowns and only 40 interceptions. Still, he has some questions to answer about his arm strength and the level of competition he faced before being more than a late-round pick or priority free agent.

Analysis
Positives: Good height for the position with the frame to handle an additional 10-15 pounds of mass. Good timing and accuracy for the short to intermediate routes. At least adequate touch and accuracy for the deep pass. Cerebral. Reads defenses well. Has control of the offense and is allowed to audible at the line of scrimmage. Reads through his progressions quickly and will take the check-down option rather than force the ball into coverage. Has some elusiveness to buy time in the pocket and surprising straight-line speed to generate yardage as a scrambler.

Negatives: Lack of preferred arm strength exposed with a disappointing performance against better competition at the East-West Shrine Game. Appeared to be over-throwing passes in an attempt to quell concerns about his arm strength, and his accuracy -- which scouts had thought of as a relative strength -- suffered as a result. Operates out of a spread attack and his statistics are inflated. Athletic enough to handle the transition, but is used to taking snaps out of the shotgun and will need to work on his footwork from center.

Andrew Schantz LB 6-1 234 Portland State
#295 overall
Overview
Schantz transferred from San Diego State following the 2006 season after being benched during his sophomore season. In his two years at PSU, he accumulated 199 tackles, 23 for loss and 14 pass breakups. In 2008, he earned second-team All-Big Sky and third-team AP All-American status with 114 stops, 14 for loss.

Schantz impressed scouts with his aggressiveness during Texas vs. the Nation All-Star Challenge practices, potentially earning a draftable grade.

Analysis
Positives: Heady, passionate player whose instincts and agility made him a tackling machine at the FCS level. Strong in the upper body, able to shed guards and fullbacks to make tackles inside. Comes hard on run blitzes or when a hole presents itself; willing to take on fullbacks to plug a gap. Solid tackler with good length and the ability to break down and make the play in space. Opens his hips quickly to get into his drop. Reads the quarterback and reacts well to balls thrown in front of him. Could be a very good special teams player because of his toughness and tackling ability.

Negatives: Only adequate size and speed for an NFL linebacker. Thin in the lower body and legs. Rarely blows up ballcarriers when making a tackle. Struggles to beat backs and receivers to the edge, and will really have problems doing so in the NFL. Likes to freelance, often leaving his responsibilities to rush into the backfield.

[T.Richardson]

Originally Posted by steeltheone

Richardson is a stud special teams player. That could really help his chances.

how nice of you to say that!

[Steelman16]

Originally Posted by T.Richardson

how nice of you to say that!

[BIGBENFASTWILLIE]

hopefully we find one to keep

[Galax Steeler]

Most of them will not make the team 1 or 2 might make it to the practice squad.