Does Anyone know?

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Does anyone know anything about two of our rookie undrafted free agents?

I am VERY intrigued about Mike Kudla (6'3 265lb LB from Ohio State)...because I keep hearing that he was one of the strongest players out of this draft class...and also Grayling Love (6'3 296lb C/G out of Arizona State) because he played center in college and I know that this is going to be a position of concern VERY soon.
I do know that Love didnt play much his senior year due to a foot injury, and that may be why he wasnt drafted..but how was he before the injury? Is he a possible replacement for Harting or is his potential below the other options we have on the roster?
Any information will be appreciated. (Just for fun..is there any other rookie free agents that are interesting to you guys?)

[83-Steelers-43]

The drafting and signing of Marvin Philip and already having Okobi may have knocked Love out of the picture.

For the most part, Kudla is the only RUFA I'll be paying close attention to.

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Originally Posted by 83-Steelers-43

The signing of Philip and already having Okobi may have knocked Love out of the picture.

Kudla is the only UFA I'll be paying close attention to.

I noticed on the roster they have him listed as a Guard...But was Love good enough to push either Okobi or Phillip ar center?...Im not sold on Okobi..and Phillips size concerns me a bit.

[83-Steelers-43]

Philip = 6'2 305
Hartings = 6'3 299
Love = 6'3 296

They were quick to get Philip's signed and they reworked Okobi's contract not too long ago. I think the Steelers plan on bringing in Okobi after Hartings calls it quits.

I just don't see Love cutting it on a team who has Okobi waiting in the wings and recently drafted and signed Marvin Philip.

If your interested, here's a little backround info on Philip...........

OVERVIEW

Philip has been the anchor of Cal's offensive line the last two years and was largely responsible for the team producing a 2,000-yard rusher in 2004 (J.J. Arrington) and two 1,000-yard runners in 2005 (Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett)…He was a welcomed addition to the team, having played with the Bears in 2000 before leaving for a Mormon Church mission that kept him away from the game of football for two years…Philip started on both sides of the ball at Oak Ridge High School…He registered 60 tackles, including three sacks as a senior…Philip earned Super Prep All-Far West honors as the No. 78 prospect in the region and also garnered first-team All-County recognition in 1999…He was also a superb rugby player who earned team MVP accolades…Philip enrolled at California in 2000, starting several games at center before he was sidelined late in the year by a knee injury, missing the final three contests…He then left for a Mormon mission and did not return to the team until 2003 spring drills…Having reclaimed his starting job in 2004, Philip earned All-American honors from Sports Illustrated…He registered 67 key blocks for an offense that averaged 492.42 yards per game, ranking fifth nationally…He was named All-Pac 10 Conference in 2005 and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy…Philip recorded 57 key blocks with twelve touchdown-resulting blocks as the team ranked ninth in the nation with an average of 235.25 yards per game rushing.


CAREER NOTES

Led the team in key blocks/knockdowns in each of his last two years, earning All-American recognition twice…Was twice a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's premier center.


2005 SEASON

All-American first-team selection by the Associated Press, earning third-team honors from The NFL Draft Report…All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice…Finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the best center in college football…Named team MVP…Started every game at center, helping the offense rank ninth in the nation in rushing, averaging 235.25 yards per game…Rated the best center in college football by The Sporting News…Posted a team-high 57 key blocks/knockdowns.


2004 SEASON

Earned All-American honors from Sports Illustrated…All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice…One of seven finalists for the Rimington Trophy…Recipient of the Brick Muller Award as Cal's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman...Led the team with 66 key blocks/knockdowns, paving the way for a team that ranked fifth in the nation in total offense (492.42 ypg), sixth in rushing (256.75 ypg) and seventh in scoring (36.75 ppg).


2003 SEASON

Bestowed the Bob Tessier Award as the team's most improved offensive lineman...After serving as Nolan Bluntzer's understudy at center for the first nine games, Philip reclaimed the starting job he held as a freshman before leaving on his mission, after Bluntzer suffered an ankle sprain, staring the final three contests...Led all Cal linemen in pancake blocks and knockdowns during the season (47).


2001-02 SEASONS

Served on a Mormon church mission.


2000 SEASON

Started several games as a true freshman, gained his first starting assignment just three games into his career at Fresno State...Also started vs. Arizona State.


HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Oak Ridge (Eldorado Hills, Cal.) High School, playing football for head coach Mark Watson…Started on both sides of the ball, registering 60 tackles, including three sacks as a senior…Earned Super Prep All-Far West honors as the No. 78 prospect in the region…Also garnered first-team All-County recognition in 1999…Superb rugby player who earned team MVP accolades.

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Originally Posted by 83-Steelers-43

Philip = 6'2 305
Hartings = 6'3 299
Love = 6'3 296

They were quick to get Philip's signed and they reworked Okobi's contract not too long ago. I think the Steelers plan on bringing in Okobi after Hartings calls it quits.

I just don't see Love cutting it on a team who has Okobi waiting in the wings and recently drafted and signed Marvin Philip.

If your interested, here's a little backround info on Philip...........

OVERVIEW

Philip has been the anchor of Cal's offensive line the last two years and was largely responsible for the team producing a 2,000-yard rusher in 2004 (J.J. Arrington) and two 1,000-yard runners in 2005 (Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett)?He was a welcomed addition to the team, having played with the Bears in 2000 before leaving for a Mormon Church mission that kept him away from the game of football for two years?Philip started on both sides of the ball at Oak Ridge High School?He registered 60 tackles, including three sacks as a senior?Philip earned Super Prep All-Far West honors as the No. 78 prospect in the region and also garnered first-team All-County recognition in 1999?He was also a superb rugby player who earned team MVP accolades?Philip enrolled at California in 2000, starting several games at center before he was sidelined late in the year by a knee injury, missing the final three contests?He then left for a Mormon mission and did not return to the team until 2003 spring drills?Having reclaimed his starting job in 2004, Philip earned All-American honors from Sports Illustrated?He registered 67 key blocks for an offense that averaged 492.42 yards per game, ranking fifth nationally?He was named All-Pac 10 Conference in 2005 and was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy?Philip recorded 57 key blocks with twelve touchdown-resulting blocks as the team ranked ninth in the nation with an average of 235.25 yards per game rushing.


CAREER NOTES

Led the team in key blocks/knockdowns in each of his last two years, earning All-American recognition twice?Was twice a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation's premier center.


2005 SEASON

All-American first-team selection by the Associated Press, earning third-team honors from The NFL Draft Report?All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice?Finalist for the Rimington Trophy, given to the best center in college football?Named team MVP?Started every game at center, helping the offense rank ninth in the nation in rushing, averaging 235.25 yards per game?Rated the best center in college football by The Sporting News?Posted a team-high 57 key blocks/knockdowns.


2004 SEASON

Earned All-American honors from Sports Illustrated?All-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice?One of seven finalists for the Rimington Trophy?Recipient of the Brick Muller Award as Cal's Most Valuable Offensive Lineman...Led the team with 66 key blocks/knockdowns, paving the way for a team that ranked fifth in the nation in total offense (492.42 ypg), sixth in rushing (256.75 ypg) and seventh in scoring (36.75 ppg).


2003 SEASON

Bestowed the Bob Tessier Award as the team's most improved offensive lineman...After serving as Nolan Bluntzer's understudy at center for the first nine games, Philip reclaimed the starting job he held as a freshman before leaving on his mission, after Bluntzer suffered an ankle sprain, staring the final three contests...Led all Cal linemen in pancake blocks and knockdowns during the season (47).


2001-02 SEASONS

Served on a Mormon church mission.


2000 SEASON

Started several games as a true freshman, gained his first starting assignment just three games into his career at Fresno State...Also started vs. Arizona State.


HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Oak Ridge (Eldorado Hills, Cal.) High School, playing football for head coach Mark Watson?Started on both sides of the ball, registering 60 tackles, including three sacks as a senior?Earned Super Prep All-Far West honors as the No. 78 prospect in the region?Also garnered first-team All-County recognition in 1999?Superb rugby player who earned team MVP accolades.

I didnt think Marvin Phillip is that big...all the draft magazines and the official steeler roster show him as 6'1..(but then again..its only an inch)...I do like some of the things I read about him..and appreciate all the info you posted..thanks!!

[83-Steelers-43]

http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-fo..._marvin00.html

They have him as 6-2....

Who knows, maybe Love will make a good impression. I've never seen the guy play, I'm just basing my opinion on past transactions (with Okobi restructure and drafting of Philip).

Ya never know brother.

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Originally Posted by 83-Steelers-43

http://calbears.cstv.com/sports/m-fo..._marvin00.html

They have him as 6-2....

Who knows, maybe Love will make a good impression. I've never seen the guy play, I'm just basing my opinion on past transactions (with Okobi restructure and drafting of Philip).

Ya never know brother.

I just keep thinking..what if Harting went down with a injury....Center is the ONE position that worries me Greatly

[tony hipchest]

Originally Posted by lamberts-lost-tooth

(Just for fun..is there any other rookie free agents that are interesting to you guys?)

not a steeler but i really wanted the steelers to pick up wr hank baskett out of unm. vikings got him and traded him to the eagles. ive heard 2 recent interviews with him and he has his head on straight. he was all the rave the 1st day of eagles camp and could possibly be their #3 wr. i think he will prove to be a steal.

[83-Steelers-43]

Originally Posted by lamberts-lost-tooth

I just keep thinking..what if Harting went down with a injury....Center is the ONE position that worries me Greatly

In the case of Hartings going down you have Okobi with Philip backing him up. I have faith in Chucky to hold us over if Hartings goes down.

[Haiku_Dirtt]

Originally Posted by lamberts-lost-tooth

I noticed on the roster they have him listed as a Guard...But was Love good enough to push either Okobi or Phillip ar center?...Im not sold on Okobi..and Phillips size concerns me a bit.

I'm wondering about Okobi too. He's inching closer and closer to the starting lineup. He makes about $2 million a year. It's hard to be sold or not sold - haven't seen enough. I'm expecting that will change in the next 4 weeks.