Taking A Look At The Steelers Pre-Draft Visits

"Draft visits: OLB Jarvis Jones, Ga; OLB Jamie Collins, S. Miss; LB Khaseem Greene, Rutgers; S Jonathan Meeks, Clem; S Phillip Thomas, FresSt" - Tweet from Bob Labriola from his Twitter feed.

Labriola revealed Tuesday morning the draft visits the Steelers have welcomed, including Jarvis Jones of the University of Georgia.

Mike Tomlin was at the Georgia Pro Day on March 21, with Jarvis Jones being center stage. Reportedly, he had an unimpressive showing with a 4.9/40. The 6'3", 240-pound Jones didn't do well in the linebacker drills, either. His draft stock has dropped because of the spinal stenosis with which he was diagnosed, though he has since claimed that he was misdiagnosed. If so, good for now. - http://tinyurl.com/cpetcqy

But even if not, NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt says he has glaring weaknesses. - http://tinyurl.com/bvjvuja

As for the other college players who'll be wandering around the South Side on Tuesday, all were defensive players and some of whom were ones If It Ain't Steel has highlighted before. Let's run them down.

JAMIE COLLINS - OLB:
6'4", 250 lbs., 4.64/40-yard dash (best unofficial time being 4.59) and bench pressed 225 pounds 19 times. Collins has good flexibility when rushing the edge, and turns hips well when changing direction in pass coverage. Knows how to use his length to his advantage. - http://tinyurl.com/c9a9645

KHASEEM GREENE - OLB:
6'1", 241 lbs., 4.71/40-yard dash, and bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times. The safety-turned-wheel outside linebacker has had 25 tackles for a loss, including nine sacks, in his last two seasons. - http://tinyurl.com/d3ap2jf

JONATHAN MEEKS - SS:
6'1", 210 lbs., 4.55/40-yard dash and bench pressed 225 pounds 23 times. The strong safety had 62 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions (one for a touchdown) and five passes defended. - http://tinyurl.com/cu9tnuz



PHILLIP THOMAS - FS:
6'1", 215 lbs., 4.53/40-yard dash and bench pressed 225 pounds 14 times. Thomas would be a great pick up in the third round and is a walking triple threat: he is a good blitzer who had 12 tackles for losses and four sacks, a hard hitter who forced four fumbles, and a ballhawk who had eight interceptions.

He has his drawbacks too, though. He needs to learn read offenses better, misses tackles at times because he sometimes takes bad angles and doesn't have the best instincts in coverage - all of which can be learned with the right teacher. - http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/phillip-thomas?id=2539667

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Wednesday arrived and so did more players, both free agents and draft hopefuls. According to several beat writers, UFA visitors were guard Antoine Caldwell, inside linebacker Tavares Gooden and running back LaRod Stephens-Howling.

"@McClain_on_NFL: Texans G Antoine Caldwell is visiting the Steelers." - John McClain of the Houston Chronicle had reported this information on Tuesday.

Caldwell has played in 39 games since drafted in 2009, and has started 19 of them. He can play both guard and center, and the Steelers need depth on the offensive line at both positions if guard/center Doug Legursky leaves as an unrestricted free agent.

Gooden, entering his sixth season, was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens and played his last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. The 6'1" 240-pound ILB is a special teamer and reserve linebacker who could fill a vital role for the Steelers. It is less likely now, though, since Stevenson Sylvester was just signed Wednesday morning to a minimal contract.

Stephens-Howling is a 5'7" 185-pound running back who provides a pop and spark the running game needs. While the Steelers are still interested in Ahmad Bradshaw, he's still healing from his surgery and the team is doing their free agent doe diligence. Last season, Stephens-Howling accumulated 405 yards on kickoff returns, ran for 357 yards on 111 carries as a running back and also caught 17 balls for 106 yards. LSH would be a good fit in the Black and Gold. - http://tinyurl.com/cm683bp

Malliciah Goodman - DE/OLB
6'4", 273 lbs., 4.70/40-yard dash and bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times. The defensive end/outside linebacker out of Clemson, according to CBSSports.com "isn't the quickest or most explosive rusher off the edge, but he works hard to the pocket and has the strength to handle blockers in one-on-one situations." - http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1664260

Another who is visiting the Steelers Wednesday is Penn State inside linebacker Michael Mauti. Mauti was on 93.7 The Fan on Sunday and talked about what he's doing and what he'd like to see happen.

"I've been in a different city every weekend for the last five or six weekends, he said. "It's been hectic, but you only go through this process once. I'm just rehabbing and getting my leg right after that surgery. It's been going well. I'm ahead of schedule right now. I went to the Combine and did that process, and now I'm visiting with some teams."

Which teams?

"I think I would look great in a Pittsburgh Steelers uniform," Mauti said. - http://tinyurl.com/col7fv9

Because of multiple knee surgeries, the Steelers would have to be careful when considering Mauti. If his rehabilitation is completely successful and he is able to perform near to where he was, the Steelers would have a steal in the fifth or sixth round and would have found their Buck linebacker to be groomed by and to replace Larry Foote.

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TIDBITS: STEELERS NUMBER CHANGES: DVD changes from #30 to #23;
Matt Spaeth takes #87;
Bruce Gradkowski will wear #5; and
John Parker Wilson gets #3.

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RT @BobLabriola: Draft visitors {Thursday}: UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin; TCU WR Josh Boyce

Addressing Steelers Free Agent Linebacker Rumors And Draft Possibilities

The annual NFL free agency period tends to bring about more rumors than a high school girls' locker room. This year has been no different. And the Pittsburgh Steelers have definitely had their share, including a couple this week that wouldn't be so bad if were they to come true.

The whispers heard were that the Steelers will meet with former Chicago Bears middle linebacker, Brian Urlacher. Supposedly, the five-time All-Pro linebacker and former University of New Mexico safety says he is to meet with the Steelers to discuss possible contract negotiations.

There haven't been any confirmations as of yet.

Of the five main free agent rumors that surfaced, Urlacher is one who would seem to be viable. The 13-year veteran is still a good player who could definitely help in the middle. Though he's had some injuries (arthritic back, broken wrist, sprained MCL and pulled hamstrings) and has missed 19 of a possible 64 games in the last four years, it isn't as if the injuries are literally piling up. In fact, 15 of those 19 games were in 2009. So he could still be a contributor to the inside if he could make the transition.

The biggest obstacles to a possible signing are his pride and also his cost vs. his value. The Steelers let go of a player for just those reasons, as was Urlacher himself released from the Bears. As ESPN reported, though, when talks with Chicago started to break down, "Urlacher countered with a one-year, $3.5 million offer with incentives that would have allowed him to make an additional $500,000..." - http://tinyurl.com/d9oty8j

In order to be signed by the Steelers, something similar would have to be penned. That would be the case, however, with whomever the Steelers may choose to sign.

*FREE AGENT RUMORS - INJURY REPORT VERSION:
IN: Elvis Dumervil (As in "in play" for him - this is the viable move, and one I could see the team make and believe they did try to make);
PROBABLE: Ahmad Bradshaw (Probably a good pick up IF he's healthy, comes with his own insurance and can be obtained at a good price);
QUESTIONABLE: Brian Urlacher (He could help in the middle, yes, but pride and cost vs. value are biggest issues here - they let go of James Harrison for those very reasons);
DOUBTFUL: Dwight Freeney (He struggled last season as a 3-4 OLB. Sure, he terrorized QBs for 10 years prior to that, but as a 4-3 DE. Very little chance of this one happening);
OUT: Beanie Wells (If you kicked the tires on this one, they'd fall right off).*


But the potential is there as the Steelers have definite need for depth, if nothing else, at the position. Thus Foote's being re-signed. He knows system and he wanted to stay.

As for the others on the roster (besides Lawrence Timmons) there are Sean Spence, Stevenson Sylvester, Marshall McFadden, Kion Wilson and Brian Rolle, with only Sylvester and Rolle having real game experience.

Spence, a third-round choice in 2012, dislocated his patella, tore multiple ligaments including the ACL, and sustained peroneal nerve damage (located behind the knee leading to loss of movement or sensation in the foot and leg). The Steelers do not know whether Spence can return in 2013, or ever, because his ability to play depends on the recovery of that nerve. - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000791.htm

Sylvester has yet failed to show any discernible improvement and subsequently wasn't tendered. If he returns, and unless he makes a quantum leap forward, will only be a backup linebacker.

McFadden is currently under a Reserves/Futures contract. After being buried on the depth chart in training camp last season, the South Carolina State graduate only saw playing time in the preseason late in games. Played both Buck and Mack positions and also played on special teams and led the Steelers in preseason tackles with 15 total. He didn't make last season's final roster, but he was signed to practice squad. All of that should give him a solid shot at making the Steelers 53 man roster in 2013.

Wilson went undrafted out of South Florida in the 2010 NFL Draft, and was a part of the San Diego Chargers and Carolina Panthers practice squads before signing a Reserves/Futures contract with the Steelers.

Rolle spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and, according to rotoworld.com, "failed miserably when asked to serve as a starting weak-side linebacker. He does have some range as a nickel 'backer and is a special teams candidate." In the limited action he had in 2011 he had 40 tackles, one sack, one interception, one forced fumble and recovery and one touchdown. He could seen as a backup to Timmons.

If in fact the Steelers do look to free agency and sign a veteran inside linebacker, they won't have great need for a high draft pick at the position. If not, there are a few choices in the middle and lower rounds where good players can still be found.

Jonathan Bostic - ILB, Florida, 6'1" 245 lbs., 4.61/40
Projected Round: 4th
Bostic had 68 tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 2012. He was a core player in the Gators' tough defense, though he might need to be covered up in the 3-4 scheme and would be relegated to the Mack 'backer position.

Nico Johnson - ILB, Alabama, 6'2", 248 lbs., 4.86/40
Projected Round (2013): 4-5.
Johnson had 55 tackles and two forced fumbles, but had no sacks or interceptions. He is a good run-stuffing, but struggles in pass defense as his speed isn't stellar. However, that's also partly because of all of the talent surrounding him, causing him to have to do less. Has talent that can be coached up.

Michael Mauti - ILB, Penn State, 6'2", 243 lbs., 4.79/40
Projected Round: 5-6
Mauti suffered a knee injury late in the year. Natural leader, wrote a letter to every NFL GM about his love for the game, and would be a steal if found still around in the sixth round...if rather extensive medical information on his knee can be attained. Mauti finished 2012 with 97 tackles, four tackles for a loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks. - http://tinyurl.com/cmdyl5t

UPDATE: And just like that, Dumervil is off the table as he has signed with the Baltimore Ravens.