Well, another NFL draft has come and gone and let the analysis begin. Who did well? Who didn't? What team changed its fortunes around? What team left us baffled and wondering if their staff was on crack?
There are no real answers to any of these questions right now (well, the Raiders are on crack, but not just because of any draft) but that doesn't stop people from trying to come up with answers.
The other night, after day-two of the draft, I was listening to some post-draft coverage on the radio and the host and callers were just ripping the Steelers. "What are the Steelers thinking?" "Tomlin doesn't know what he's doing!" "How can they draft an outside linebacker when they have so many other needs at different positions?" "Tomlin won a Super Bowl with Cowher's players!"
I love how these so-called experts break a draft down minutes after it's completed and actually judge it before these new players have even had their first press conference.
I know it's a cliche, but any draft is a crap-shoot and saying that team A did great and really helped themselves and team B set their organization back a decade just hours afterwards is totally irrational.
I know this is what the experts do because it's a way to fill time and stir the pot, and I know this is material that radio talk show hosts use in-order to attract callers, but that doesn't make it any less silly.
Hey, don't get me wrong, it's fun to speculate. Take me, for example. I LOVE Maurkice Pouncey, the center/guard out of Florida that the Steelers drafted in the first round. I was begging for them to draft an offensive lineman high for years and they finally did it. From what I understand, he could probably step right in and play guard and then move to center after Justin Hartwig leaves in a year or so.
He could be an all-pro for years to come and redefine the center position like Mike Webster and Dirt Dawson, Steelers centers from years passed. Of course, he could also be the next Tom Ricketts or John Rienstra.
I was also pleasantly surprised to see that Pittsburgh grabbed Jonathon Dwyer, a running back from Georgia Tech, in the 6th round. It was surprising because he was projected to be a 1st or 2nd round selection. To get him that late in the draft could be a real find.
Of course, we won't know any of this until we see how it actually plays out.
That didn't stop the piling on Friday night or even yesterday when the Steelers continued to make these "puzzling" selections. "Why outside linebacker Jason Worilds from Virginia Tech in round two? Why not wide receiver Golden Tate from Notre Dame?" My brother was one of those people who really wanted to know the answer to that question. "We don't need another outside linebacker. We have so many! We need a receiver!"
People were calling Worilds the next Alonzo Jackson, a defensive end/OLB the Steelers drafted years ago in the second round who was a complete bust. That's kind of ridiculous. People were also calling Lawrence Timmons the next Alonzo Jackson back in '07. That's two times in three years you guys have pulled the "Alonzo Jackson" card. You can't do that for another seven years.
I know the Steelers have two special outside linebackers in James Harrison and Jamarr Woodley, but Pittsburgh runs a 3-4 defense, and a 3-4 defense without great outside linebackers is like a car without wheels. It simply cannot function. Yeah, right now, the Steelers don't really need someone to come right in and start, but what if Harrison or Woodley gets hurt? What if Woodley becomes such a great pass-rusher, that when his contract is up in a year or so, he decides to go to the highest bidder? What if James Harrison, who is 32 years old, loses a step or two or three and is only a shadow of his former self? Who's going to step in and fill the void? I'm not saying this Jason Worilds will be anything, but that doesn't mean you don't draft him. They need depth at that position. Football is a pretty physical sport and quality depth is at a premium. The Steelers also grabbed two more outside linebackers in the 4th and 5th rounds. This led to more speculation, but I think it's pretty clear that the Steelers are trying to beef up their special teams units. Linebackers are perfect for special teams play. Let those guys earn their keep by covering punts and kicks. Hey, maybe one or two of them will become special teams demons and the unit won't give up 4 kick-off returns in 5 games like last year.
And in a couple of years, if one of those above mentioned scenarios plays out, maybe one of these young linebackers will be able to step in and excel.
People were also pretty angry that they drafted wide receiver Emmanual Sanders out of SMU. "He's too small. The Steelers already have too many small guys. They don't need more smurfs!" "Does this mean that Limas Sweed has no chance to make the squad now? Have the Steelers given up on him completely? They re-acquired Atwaan Randle El and signed Arnaz Battle. Where's Sweed going to fit in?" First of all, Arnaz Battle is Arnaz Battle and just because the Steelers signed him doesn't mean he's an automatic to make the squad. The Steelers are going to give Sweed another chance and if he flourishes, do you really think they'll cut him so they can keep Arnaz Battle? Coaches, scouts and general managers do not like to admit their mistakes when it comes to player evaluations and they drafted Sweed pretty high two years ago so I'm pretty sure they're hoping and praying that he makes it.
Besides, Hines Ward isn't getting any younger and who knows when his all-out style of play will finally catch up with him.
In addition to another intriguing draft class, the Steelers also reacquired cornerback Bryant Mcfadden from Arizona. All they had to give up was the 5th round selection they got from the Jets for Santonio Holmes so essentially, they traded Santonio Holmes for Bryant Mcfadden. I was pretty excited when I heard that news. Honestly, I was a little curious as to why they didn't draft a corner back early in the draft, but getting Mcfadden back is way better because he's a proven commodity.
I was sorry to see Mcfadden go two seasons ago. After the 2008 season, it was pretty apparent that the Steelers weren't going to re-sign him. Not because he was a bad player, but because his asking price was going to be too high. Plus, Tomlin really liked William Gay and since he did a great job filling in when Mcfadden was injured, most didn't think it would be a big drop off. However, it was a HUGE drop off as Gay was the target of most offensive coordinators last year. Quarterbacks shredded him to pieces. I think Gay is better suited as a nickle back and that's where he'll probably wind up next season.
Adding Mcfadden to the secondary can only make it better, and if Troy stays healthy next year, I think the defensive backs can go from an area of weakness to an area of strength.
I can't believe this offseason. Even without the whole Ben and Santonio mess, it's been an offseason like none I have witnessed in years. They brought back Mcfadden. Randle El and Larry Foote. Who's next? The Bus? Is he going to be the short-yardage back?
There I go speculating and analyzing. I guess that's what blogging is all about.
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