Looking forward at the heaping list of UFA’s that will soon become reality only helps strengthen the argument that this is one of the most important drafts in recent history. The key to this draft and the future success of this team will be Flexibility. Finding players in this draft will allow us to zero in and work on extensions for critical players rather than issuing half-hazard contracts.

Critical Positions of Emphasis

Defensive line – With Kiesel and Hampton’s expiring contracts the B&G will need to land at the very least one quality defensive lineman in this draft. Issuing Casey Hampton C3 could be very costly if the team does not posses any leverage on its roster. I haven’t examined the NT Class of 2010 yet but finding a future NT in the draft would significantly aid the Steelers options. Out of the two, Kiesel appears to be more signable, however the Steelers could upgrade the RDE position in this draft.


Key to the Draft
1. Hampton’s success with the Steelers has allowed them to have one of the most dominant run defenses in the league throughout the past decade. If we can’t find a NT in this draft, resigning Hampton becomes a priority. I’m not the biggest draft guru here but I’ve got a good handle on the draft. There are two players who we have a realistic shot at acquiring in this draft that would provide us a replacement to Big Snack and should be high on the priority list.
1. Ron Brace DT Boston College
2. Sammie Lee Hill DT Stillman
They are two different types of value players. Brace will certainly be a second round pick with Hill’s value could range from late 3 to early 5th. Its imperative in this draft that we walk away with one of these players. There have been other names thrown out there and some are skeptical on Hill but I am a large fan on his size, athleticism, and talents. Brace is a player that I really like. I think he can come in a sit in the middle of defense for many years to come.

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Tradition should be viewed as a guide not a prison

I do not see the Steelers giving a contract 3 to a player who has shown he will not work in the offseason to keep his weight down.

Really think they want to throw big $$ at the guy only to see him show up at 380 lbs.?

Lets see how he looks this year coming into camp. Especially given it is a contract year.

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Mess with the bull, you get the horn....

Brace and Hill both definitely have the size but do they have the aggressive instincts needed to play that position?
PFW on Brace "May be too gentle of a giant to dominate the way his physical ability suggests he should and struggles when everything is not in front of him."
PFW on Hill "A raw underachiever who struggled at the East-West Shrine game against better competition and did not take well to coaching. His motor too often does not run. Average production does not dominate the way he should against lesser competition. Does not play with intensity or any nastiness."

There are other DL prospects in this draft with similar concerns about effort including Jerron Gilbert, Fili Moala, and Terrance Taylor

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"You seem angry, Drama."
"I've always been, Billy. Only now, I'm drunk too."

I like Alex Magee...the thing about scouting reports for linemen is that almost every single one of them either labeled a high potential player but inconsistent/not dominating, or he is a high motor guy with no real potential. Thats obviously not the case 100% of the time in real life, but in scouting reports, its almost always true to non top 10 picks.

I like Magee because hes athletic (ran 5.05 at combine and 4.82 on pro day at 298), he has very long arms (35 inches), and he was versatile enough to play 4-3 end all year last year for Purdue when they needed a pass rusher. He has some good pass rushing ability, but what I like is his ability to chase plays. Keisel has a bit of that ability, and if you're gonna replace him, you want the guy to be at least as athletic. He also had good bench numbers. I'm still a little wary about how he plays the run.

Can Moala play NT?

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"You are freakin' out... man."

Hampton is the ideal tag candidate; no way do you give a player with his issues a long guaranteed contract (especially because it's hard to believe he has more than 3 good seasons left), but he's too valuable to lose.

If we see value at NT, sure, pull the trigger, but we control Hampton for the next three seasons, and good NTs don't take much seasoning to get ready. They also don't provide much help on ST, so there isn't much benefit to taking one before you need him.

Pete Carroll when interviewed during senior bowl week praised Moala for playing out of position at NT so USC could get its 4 talented LBs on the field. Pat Kirwan said Moala "the best 5 technique" in the draft. IMO he has all the measurables to play that 5 technique 3-4 end for the Steelers however he has questionable effort which is a trait I disdain.

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"You seem angry, Drama."
"I've always been, Billy. Only now, I'm drunk too."

I couldn't disagree more. He's currently playing the last year of a 5 year, 25 million dollar contract that was signed when he was in his prime. Yes, that was 4 years ago, but the cap was huge back then too. Casey is in no position for a raise. If you tag him, you give him something like 8 million dollars a year...You can probably sign him for a 4 year-18 million dollar deal. Guarantee 8. Its the same amount of guaranteed money as the tag, but you have him for 3 more years.

I've been a Magee fan for a while. Perfect replacement for Keisel. Can handle backside pursuit and the zone drops required of the RDE in the system the PS run. Him working out in LB drills at the combine just cemented things for me.

Like you said, stoutness against the run is the only question mark. 43 teams might shy away from him as a UT because he didn't have big sack numbers in college, which could help the PS have a chance at landing him.

he'd have to be stark raving nuts to sign that contract.