he and alonzo jackson/bruce davis are "worilds" apart in terms of play.

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This post consists solely of the opinions of the author, and should in no way, shape or form be interpreted as an assertion of fact.

By that logic just about anyone is better in the big nickel then a NT
I don't dislike the idea of a hybrid player or more flexibility
I don't doubt the steelers kNow their LBs
I don't understand or really agree with the conclusions being reached about his ability to cover

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“White collar conservative flashin down the street, pointing that plastic finger at me, they all assume my kind will drop and die, but I'm gonna wave my freak flag high.”
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he was deemed good enough to be drafted in the 3rd RD by the Pittsburgh Steelers

still need more?

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Colbert on the #Steelers RB situation: "Where we were in running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position.''

I tend to think that he's more equipped to defend running plays out of passing sets ... he hits the holes and closes quickly ... and to cover RBs out of the backfield; basically to spy RBs in our big nickel. They may have him watching TEs in short zones, but I really don't see what he'd bring by covering a guy downfield that is 7 or 8 inches taller than him. What his presence will hopefully bring to the big nickel packages is that it will free up Troy to play a little more centerfield than he has recently. I'd still expect that Cortez Allen would line up across a Gronkowski type.

Z

True. and who are you gonna sub in on 3rd down and long against the Ravens 2 te sets? Spence I'm guessing or a nickel back of some sorts that can potentially tackle or cover ray rice before he can get a 1st down. There was a shortage of 3 down ILB for the 3-4 in this year's drraft. The steelers will use a nickllebacker and a 2 down run stuffing NT to cover all 3 downs & distances, basically using those two players to fulfill what one Patrick Willis can do. That's my guess at least.



Remember this is based on a projected skillset. I doubt we have anything set in stone. But, if you read the article the giants masked their zone coverages by using middle linebackers to cover the deep zone in cover 3 and then the safeties doubled up on some underneath stuff. This is all to confuse the QB who can't determine who the safeties are(I'm thinking).
Presnap they showed 2 deep safeties. After the snap a linebacker went to the deep middle and the 2 safeties cheated up to play in the box.

A few things --

- This is the year when we'll see what we've got in Worilds. By the third year, the light should have turned on. I don't really have much of an opinion of him based on his first two years. But I do know two things -- he's been a very good ST player and he's been steady, if unremarkable, in his spot duty for Harrison and Woodley.

- If I had to guess, I'd say the burst is lacking because he's still learning what he needs to do. He's thinking and not playing. Like I said, I think another year of experience will only help him in this respect.

- I think your expectations are a little high if your bench mark is an All-Pro player drafted in the second round. Sure, it happens, and it could happen with Worilds. But it's not realistic. If Worilds ends up just being a good player, or even a solid, reliable back up and special teamer, it's a decent pick. He's probably not going to step in for Harrison when he retires and not miss a beat.

As a frame of reference only 25% of 1st rounders make a pro bowl. Getting a long term starter from 2nd round is success and as you noted a long term back up/STer is still a solid pick.

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I occasionally go to Steeler Depot as their podcasts have interviews with players and other folks with interesting takes. Today they had Miami play by play guy on, he likes Spence a bunch, said his instincts are fantastic and sees him with potential to be a Zach Thomas type (that would be outstanding). He also commented on Rainey and really focused on the fact kid produced in best conference in college football, week in week out against top notch talent. Believes if kid can keep his act together Steelers have a special player on their hands that projects to slot one day and all around returner, jack of trades type. It was interesting interview, if you can stand to listen to the hosts it is worth the wait to hear Miami guy.

ttp://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/05/the ... s-episode/

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i heard his D-coord from the U talking him up today.

said spence was always a 4.5s guy whenever they ran. seems like good news.

said spence had added a good amount of weight since the season. seemed like good news...and then. wait.

he was a 4.5s guy in the fall, then put on a bunch of weight and was a 230# 4.7s guy by the combine?

people say his tape shows a guy a lot faster and more athletic than his combine numbers imply. i believe them.

but if fast-athletic-as-seen-on-tv-spence weighed 215-220 when he was making those plays, things start making sense in a way that concerns me about him as a long term starting ilb. that said, 220/4.55 etc. are nice splits for a SS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhu1SAboTwU

Yes he isnt perfect but consider Spence played on mediocre Miami team. He makes plays all over the field. Yes he misses some plays, gets caught in the wash and swallowed by big tackles. So what? So does Patrick Willis without protection from dline. What I see is a kid with outstanding instincts, no fear and ability to make plays. I saw Qb pressures, forced fumbles, great coverage, goaline hits, blowing plays up in backfield, tackles preventing big plays and stops. Kid does get washed and shoved out of plays, newsflash so do all ILBs. I believe you can clearly see Spence is far and away best player on Miami's D and despite fears of his size kid is a playmaker.

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