yes, just not my own

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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 remember another small, short LB by the name of Dexter Coakley from Appalachian St who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 3rd round of the 97 draft.

He was only 5'10" but just made play after play and made 3 Pro Bowls. He had 13 INTs and returned 4 for TDs and was very good in coverage. He worked on his strength and put on some weight from his rookie year but I don't think he ever weighed more than 235.

I hadn't read Rang's article but it just seems so obvious to me that this is what the Steelers are doing and why they drafted Spence. Curtis Brown and Sean Spence will play almost as much as the normal starters. So, it is okay to spend a 3rd rounder on Brown the nickel corner but not a 3rd rounder on Spence the nickel backer? With the demands of today's NFL and the RBs, slot WRs and TEs I think you will see more and more teams spending 3rd rounders on a nickel LB like Spence.

I wish I could find the link but I read months ago that Spence had been timed in the low 4.6s (4.62) better than the low 4.7s (4.71) at the combine. We will see when he comes in and in the first preseason games just how fast and quick he really is.

I think the Steelers have to come up with a rotation among their D-lineman and OLBs and just rush 4 consistently. Between Kiesel, Hood and Heyward and Harrison, Woodley and Worilds, they have 6 players that they can platoon in and keep everybody fresh. Taking Sylvester and the NT out and bringing in Brown and Spence for the big nickel looks mighty promising to me.

riddle thinks the combine numbers for spence's height and weight are inflated to make him seem bigger than he really is?

and he's too lazy to look for video of spence because he's afraid it would ruin his "sky is falling" assessment of his coverage ability?

why was he even unbanned?

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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.

The question is : will Spence even get a hat knowing Lebeau can't (or won't ) develop packages for rookies who really can do 1 thing well? I have my doubts ...

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I'm sick of hearing 'bout the have and have-not's
Have some personal accountability
The biggest problem with the way that we are doing things is
The more we let you have, the less that I'll be keeping for me

i fully expect the coaches to flat-out murder spence on day one of OTAs when they see how small and weak he is. they'll probably just drown him in a mop bucket and then beat colbert to within an inch of his life for drafting him in the third round when they could have used that pick for ta'amu.

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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.

Donnie, I would say that LeBeau has no choice. Many of his vets that he has leaned on these past 10 years are gone. He has no choice but to be more flexible this year, he really has no choice.

Aaron Smith is gone.
Chris Hoke is gone.
Casey Hampton may be on the pup list and gone the first 6 games.
Willie Gay is gone.
Bryant McFadden is gone.
James Farrior is gone.

We did not go out and get veteran players to replace these long time starters. No, we are counting on second and third year players like Stevenson Sylvester, Curtis Brown, Cortez Allen, Steve McClendon, Cam Heyward to all step forward. What difference does it make if Ta'ame and Spence are rookies? With last season's truncated training camp and such, I don't see them as being too far behind and Spence is supposed to be a smart, coach on the field type anyway. He may pick up LeBeau's defense faster than any LBer in recent memory.

I love that the Steelers have bitten the bullet and decided to go with a youth movement and play their young draft picks. They could have signed some veteran NTs that were available, they could have signed some veteran ILBs, some veteran CBs but they didn't. Now they have to just ride it out and realize that mistakes will be made and there will be bumps and growing pains but by the time the playoffs roll around we may have a very intimidating, ball hawking defense that plays much much faster due to the young players.

Didn't Duece also say that the coaches weren't doing enough to get the young talent involved? Don't have much of a choice going into next year.

I'm with the Big Nickle crowd. Having more athletic linebackers covering the TEs and RBs makes a lot more sense. Run a big nickle with Foote coming off and Spence in for coverage downs. I expect to see that in pre-season at least, just to see what will happen. What the hell. Can't hurt to try it.

I think the article is brilliant and spot on. We are all tired of seeing big TEs gash us play after play with no apparent answer. This is an example of LeBeau NOT being obsolete and still being way ahead of the curve. I predict that Spence will be a huge success as a nickel LB and will play more snaps than whoever our NT will be.

Of all the footage I have seen of Sean Spence he reminds me of Troy at the line of scrimmage. He blitzes well, shows great instincts and spies really well on qb runs, screens and bubble screens. He does a great job of covering those two players on each and every down. He has good side line to side line speed and instincts and always seems to be around the ball.

To me he doesnt look as good in coverage as he does against the run. Not saying that he cant, but I think he can handle the role that troy had at the line of scrimmage.

With troys penchant for getting head shots / concussions I would be happy for Spence to take some of that load. I bet someone else will have the assignment of covering the TE's.

This almost made me spit out my coffee.