Interesting article in the Post-Gazette today caught my eye, and that is about the development about young players in the Steelers system. The quote that caught my eye was from Rooney saying the younger players need to do more:
As Mike Tomlin reshapes his coaching staff for the first time after three seasons as head coach, the team’s president looks to younger players to help keep the Steelers in contention. And he would like to see the coaching staff develop those players more quickly than they have been. Art Rooney II said while he is happy with how the Steelers have acquired talent through the draft the past five-plus years, he’d prefer to see those players contribute more. “I do think that one of the things we have to do is probably get better at developing our younger players,” Rooney told the Post-Gazette. “That’s something we have to think about and make sure we’re doing what we need to do to have guys being able to step in maybe a little earlier. And over the next year or two, there’s no question we have some age on the defense and there’s going to be some turnover. We’ll see in the next year or two how some of these draft choices play out, but we think we have some good young guys on this roster who can step up and make a difference.”
I don’t know, I personally don’t have too much of an issue with the young players. I know that some of the recent draft choices haven’t panned out, with Limas Sweed coming to mind, but what about the development of Rashard Mendenhall, and this season with Mike Wallace?
Your never going to hit on all your draft picks and/or youngsters, but I don’t think that is something the Steelers have lacked over the years. I know that if you think about where this team would be without young players like LaMarr Woodley, Mendenhall, Lawrence Timmons and Wallace, I think Tomlin, the scouts and others have done a good job with getting these guys ready to play. Thoughts?
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George H
January 17, 2010 at 6:31 pm
For years the Steelers have been drafting well. Its quite evident because of our lack of key signings in the FA. The Steelers look to the draft to replace hurt/retiring/UFA players and its working rather well. This off-season however, will be key to our future success due to the aging defense. If the Steelers would of made the playoffs, or the secondary would of had a better year than this wouldnt be up for discussion. Because when I think of young players needing to step up the first thing that comes to mind is the youngsters in the secondary. Linebackers have always stepped in and played at extremely high levels, and our defensive line usually is solid too. I think the key issue to adress this offseason is get younger on defense. CB, Safety, MLB, DL… every postion needs some help or depth.
jay
January 17, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I agree with the post and the post reply. I would only add that our decisions at DB and O-line have been questionable in regards to the draft of late. Either in terms of choosing not to draft those aforementioned positions earlier, seemingly choosing the wrong players at those positions when we did finally choose to draft them (i.e., Gay), or not properly developing the aforementioned positions. I would like to digress quickly in relation to WHO has advanced in the NFL playoffs:
To Bruce Arians who I hate:
The Saints who are perceived as a passing team actually RAN the ball about three more times than they passed yesterday, The lowly Cardinals PASSED a lot; Both the Bengals and Jets RAN the ball but the Jets RAN it better; the hapless Eagles THREW their season away against Dallas who RAN the ball (I told a fellow blogger not to assess anyone based on how they perform against Philly- a PASSING team), Baltimore STUFFED the ball down New England’s throat while Tom Brady CHUCKED the Pats’ season down the drain; Dallas got away form the RUN while Minnesota (listen up Bruce) RAN THE BALL 26 TIMES WITH AD ONLY AVERAGING 2.3 YPC BUT THEY STILL STUCK WITH IT; The Jets just got done SMASHING THE RUN against the overhyped PASS-HAPPY Chargers—Only the Colts, who went up against a team with absolutely no offensive weapons at the wideout position, beat a RUN team. SO, something like 6 or 7 team out of 7 or 8 won RUNNING the ball. I actually rooted for the Ravens against INDY because I can’t root for a team who not only throws the ball all over the field but whose QB ducks and falls down upon being sacked. Call me old school but I would not want Peyton Manning on my team because as a man, I only like pussies when I’m trying to procreate with my wife! Say what you want about Ben, he is a man’s man and I’m proud to have him as a Steeler. All we need to do is get a couple of starters on defense in the offseason and we’ll be watching us at this time next year—if that makes any sense!
Dave
January 17, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Steelers do an awesome job of drafting and developing young talent.Some just need more time to mature.Also the Steelers have great success in hiring Head coaches as well.Great success rate on both subjects in my mind.
tim
January 18, 2010 at 9:09 am
one thing that sticks out to me is 1 interception all yr by a corner, what does that tell you?We need corner help and we need it bad…I think when polamalu is out it really shows how bad are corners are…I think we really need to focus on corners in the draft..you see how the jets corners are…if we had corners like that,when we blitzed and are corners could cover we would be unstoppable…we also need to get back to running the ball more..IMO
George H
January 18, 2010 at 9:46 am
Werent we going to draft Revis but got picked 1 slot before us. Pretty sure we got Timmons that year.
arrow
January 18, 2010 at 3:23 pm
When I look at the draft, I think: round 1 – should contribute rookie year and start by year 2; rounds 2 & 3 – immediate depth and groomed to start in 2-3 years; rounds 4 & 5 – special teams and project players who you may get lucky on. rounds 6 & 7 – probably practice squad.
In the past, I believe that the Steelers have drafted exceptionally; but I am not so sure about the last several years (2007-current). There have been glaring need at CB and O-line that the Steelers have not addressed.
My 2007 problems:
1. Timmons (Rd 1) – While not a “bust”; he couldn’t beat out Larry Foote for the #2 linebacker spot. Still has yet to beat out Farrior for the #1 spot and Farrior is starting to show his age badly. Took him way too long to even get on the field. In short, just not worth a 1st round pick.
2. Spaeth (Rd 3) – While Spaeth is a decent player at tight end, he will never start since Heath Miller is exceptional. This pick could have been spent on a position where the Steelers were weak.
3. Daniel Sepulveda (Rd 4) – While I really like him as a player, taking a punter this high makes me think that you are going to do a lot of punting
2007 likes:
1. Woodley (Rd 2) – excellent value that really fit the Steeler’s scheme. It’s no suprise that he was the biggest star of this class.
2. William Gay (Rd 5) – while he definatelly doesn’t have the talent to start, I don’t think he is too bad as a nickle/dime corner who contributes to special teams. (he played nickel during the last Super Bowl).
My 2008 problems:
1. Bruce Davis (Rd 3) – You just used your top 2 picks on a LBs last year? He wasn’t even a good football player and is now out of the NFL.
2. Mendenhall (Rd 1) – I really like his talent set (with the exception of how he holds the ball). I just can not justify spending a 1st round pick on a running back. I’d rather get someone in the later rounds or free agency and run them hard a couple years till their legs go out and then go and get another. Is Mendenhall really so much better than someone like Mewelde Moore or Willie Parker that it justifies a first round pick??????
3. Sweed (Rd 2) – Well, Ben got his tall receiver that he wanted. No one bothered to check his eyesight or hands before the draft. He finally got contacts last year, but that hasn’t seameed to help his hands. It doesn’t matter how tall you are if you can’t catch.
My 2008 likes:
1. Dixon (Rd 5) – They got a steal because Dixon was hurt.
2. Ryan Mundy (Rd 6) – A solid career backup for a 6th round pick isn’t bad.
My 2009 problems:
1. Kraig Urbik (Rd 3) – Someone didn’t evaluate properly here. He rode the bench all year, while an undrafted rookie (Foster) got a couple starts.
2. Joe Burnett (Rd 5) – Another undersized corner. They need someone who can play tall receivers.
My 2009 likes:
1. Wallace (Rd 3) – Added a deep threat to the WR position. Great pick.
2. Hood (Rd 1) – Good pick. Decent player, adding much needed youth to the D-line.
3. Keenan Lewis (Rd 3) – Added some depth at CB. In a couple years, could develop into a starter.
4. David Johnson (Rd 7) – A solid career backup at TE.
DrGeorge
January 19, 2010 at 11:57 am
As usual, I agree with everyone. The commentors on this site are astute and generally get it right. And Mark, I too noted how the winning playoff teams RUN the ball more than those who lose, often a lot more. Due to the pass-happy NFL rules, I’m not arguing for the resurrection of the old run first, pass second philosophy. But the teams that can run the ball well when they need to do it are winning. I also noted that many of the playoff teams have two power backs. We don’t have one.
But the question of the day is development of young players. I wish Art Rooney II had given a few examples. Every manager wishes he could develop his young talent faster. James Harrison is one talented player we let languish way too long. We never could figure out how to use Mike Vrable, while the Patriots had no trouble doing it. Dixon, Foster, Legursky, and many others should get more reps in games. We should find creative ways to use the talent we have. Legursky at FB, for example, worked well, but Arians abandoned the idea after that initial success. I never understood why. Just seeing that guy at FB scares opposing linebackers witless. Dixon in the backfield with Ben offers intriguing possibilities too.
Frankly, the Steelers present problem with depth is due to a sentimental attachment to the guys that helped them win Super Bowls. (C. Noll had the same problem.) It’s tough to cut those guys, and most of them don’t want to sit in favor of a younger guy. It’s a tough balance for any coach to strike.
Teams with no talent develop their young guys quickly of necessity. Fortunately, the Steelers have not been in that position for years. However, we could do better at working the young guys into the rotation earlier, especially at critical positions. Guys can learn only so much by watching and practicing. Game conditions separate the weak from the strong, the wannabees from the players. Sadly, last season, our young guys on defense didn’t step up when given the chance, in spite of LeBeau’s coaching. Did the guys lack talent? Or were they better suited to other positions? Those are questions Tomlin and LeBeau must answer in time for the draft.
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