ΑΝΕΞΑΡΤΗΤΟΙ ΠΑΝΑΘΗΝΑΙΚΟΙ
Το blog απευθύνεται αυστηρώςPublished on: 24.04.2012
Colon moving to LG
16 May 2012 13:39:00
In a move that has been talked about for years by fans, the Steelers have told Willie Colon that he will move inside to left guard.
Colon has missed most of the past two seasons with injuries, so the move makes some sense. The team has drafted offensive tackles Marcus Gilbert and Mike Adams in the second round of the past two drafts and with Colon being a question mark in terms of his injury past, they've got to get the young guys as many snaps as possible.
If, for example, Adams doesn't work out at left tackle, they can always move Colon back out to right tackle and move Gilbert over to the left side - though he might not have the feet to make such a move. Last year's starter, Max Starks, is also still a free agent, so there is also the possibility that he could be brought back as well if Adams struggles.
The move of Colon to left guard would give the Steelers a potential line of, from left to right, Adams, Colon, Maurkice Pouncey, rookie David DeCastro and Gilbert.
That line certainly has some pedigree, but it would be foolish not to expect some rookie struggles from Adams, who was inconsistent at Ohio State.
New offseason rules stink
14 May 2012 14:21:00
Last year, we had the lockout, so there was plenty to talk about in regard to the NFL.
But the lockout spawned a new collective bargaining agreement and new offseason practice rules, which we are currently living under. And I've got to tell you, I'm with the coaches on this one These new rules stink.
The new CBA severely limits – compared to the previous rules - the number of monitored practices coaches can have with their players. Thus, young players aren't getting as much face time with coaches as they used to.
In addition, it's also meant less for the media to write about in regard to their respective teams.
At this point in previous years, you could drop in and watch an OTA or two, talk to some players and file away information for future stories. Now, not so much.
The only players the new rules is really hurting are the young ones – the players who need the OTAs to get better.
That's why the coaches wanted more structured practices, not just players working out with team trainers. The players can stay in shape on their own. That's part of their job.
It's the coaches' jobs to get them ready to play. And that has gotten more difficult with fewer offseason practices.
Steelers-Jets talked trade
08 May 2012 14:43:00
NFL Network is reporting that the Steelers had a trade in place with the Jets to move up and get guard David DeCastro - something I tweeted they should do as DeCastro fell past the 15th pick.
The Jets wanted Quinton Coples or Bruce Irvin and when the Seahawks took Irvin with the 15th selection, the Jets decided to stick with their pick and take Coples rather than risk not getting their man in a trade down with the Steelers.
As luck would have it for the Steelers, they were able to stay where they were at and get DeCastro anyway.
Tells you why the Steelers were so excited about getting DeCastro on draft day and wasted no time getting their pick to the podium.
The Steelers also have the Bengals to thank.
Cincinnati, which needed a guard, passed on the chance to take DeCastro not once, but twice, deciding instead to trade back in the first round and take Kevin Zeitler.
I like Zeitler and think he'll be a solid player for a long time in the NFL. But DeCastro has an opportunity to be special.
Rookies complete their first camp
06 May 2012 21:13:00
The Steelers rookies completed their first workouts with the team over the weekend. I'd love to report more, but the team has restricted what the media is permitted to report from the workouts and, I took a well-needed week of vacation last week and skipped the workouts.
What gives?
How can I take a week off when the team is working?
Honestly, we won't know a thing about these rookies until we see them interacting with the veterans and where the team lines them up when everyone is present.
We all know that David DeCastro, Mike Adams and Alameda Ta'amu are big. We know that Sean Spence is short.
Outside of that, there isn't a lot to be gained from these kind of workouts - media wise.
OK, there are a couple of things. David DeCastro lined up initially at right guard. Mike Adams at left tackle. They will likely both swap sides at some point before it's all said and done.
The players are having the playbook thrown at them for the first time. Outside of that, until mini-camp later this month, we really won't know much.
@ One thing we do know is that the new rookie salary cap rules are having the desired effect. The Steelers have begun signing their draft picks and given the new rules, there's a good chance everyone could be signed by the time mini-camp opens up May 22.
Day three of the draft
28 April 2012 15:22:00
The Steelers finished off the draft today by taking six more players, bringing their total to nine in the draft.
Pittsburgh began the day by trading a fourth and sixth round pick to Washington to select nose tackle Alameda Ta'amu.
Next came Florida RB/WB Chris Rainey, Colorado WR Toney Clemons, Oregon TE David Paulson, Texas A&M CB Terrence Frederick and SMU G Kelvin Beachum Jr.
In the hours following the draft, the team signed 12 rookie free agents. Included in that list were Pitt LB Brandon Lindsey, Duquesne WR Connor Dixon, punter Drew Butler of Georgia, CB Terry Carter of Louisiana Tech, safety Robert Golden of Arizona, defensive end Ikponmwosa Igbinosun of Southern Connecticut, offensive lineman Ryan Lee of Furman, WR Marquis Maze of Alabama, placekicker Grant Ressel of Missouri, LB Adrian Robinson of Temple, OT Desmond Stapleton of Rutgers and DE Jake Stoller of Yale.
I loved the move up to get Ta'amu. He's a big nose tackle who fits right into their defense as a guy who can occupy two interior linemen and keep the inside linebackers clean.
Rainey should also be able to make this team as a PR/KR while also offering competition for a fifth WR spot and change-of-pace running back.
Clemons has an outside shot to make it as well if he proves he can play special teams and be the fifth wideout.
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