Third Day Recap Proves that Steelers will Draft for Need

The Pittsburgh Steelers have long claimed that they do not draft based on need, thus the "best player available" term that we all know so well. Their stance is that they draft according to their overall ratings of players. 

This is what Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said at the NFL Combine regarding drafting for need:

"We will never go into a draft saying we have to address that area, because if we do, we are going to over-evaluate a particular position and probably make a draft mistake."

This, now, is what Colbert said at the pre-Draft press conference last Monday:

"[We never look to] draft for need....If you pass up a great player at any position, you're making a mistake that you'll regret at some point."

Sound fairly similar, don't they? It's basically a script he and head coach Mike Tomlin follow. And while I believe that to be true to an extent, it does seem, when broken down per year, to be more the exception than the rule. 

This is especially so in the first round, but found itself being true in most of the this weekend. The third day of the NFL Draft filled needs from the very first selection of the day. 

ROUND 4 -
DORAN GRANT, CB, 5'10" 200LBs; 4.44/40 

The Steelers' pass defense was 27th in the NFL last season, plus they lost two CBs (one to free agency and one to retirement). Enter Grant. With 30 starts in his career, he recorded 146 tackles, 20 passes defended, nine interceptions and one sack. 

He is a very tough player who is also versatile as he excels as much in run support as he does shadowing receivers. Because of that, he had been looked at as a possible free safety option before the Draft, but defensive backs coach Carnell Lake has already made it clear where he will be used, saying that he is a "solid, physical corner that has decent speed." -  http://tinyurl.com/mps3xkc 

The drafting of Grant makes it five of the past six years that the Steelers have drafted a player from Ohio State.

ROUND 5 -
JESSE JAMES, TE, 6'7" 261LBs; 4.66/40 (Pro Day)

With Heath Miller aging and no true  backup designated as of yet, there was a need to get a tight end with upside to eventually take over the mantle. The Steelers like Rob Blanchflower, but more was needed. 

James has the functional athleticism to be a Move TE, but more could have been seen from him, especially with his lackadaisical approach to blocking. But the Steelers really like him.

"We feel like he is a young man who can come in and add something to the Pittsburgh Steelers next season," per tight ends coach James Daniel. "....He has enough talent to be good in all phases of the game." - http://tinyurl.com/kphtgt6

ROUND 6 -
LETERRIUS "LT" WALTON, DT/DE, 6'5" 319LBs

Hm...I can't think of any another 6th-round player from Central Michigan to ever be drafted by the Steelers. Can you?

Brett Keisel was released due to his injury having yet healed and Cam Thomas was worthless, that created the need to get depth. L.T. Walton is a massive man who's a 5-technique type who will be put at defensive end in the Steelers 3-4 scheme. Because of his balance and because of how thin they are at DE, Walton will have a chance to actually make the 53. 

Steelers defensive line coach John Mitchell alluded to that balance at the press conference when he said, "He stays on his feet and that is the most important thing for a defensive lineman." - http://tinyurl.com/p9wepen

ROUND 6 (COMP) -
ANTHONY CHICKILLO, DE/OLB, 6'3" 267LBs

The Steelers lost one OLB and another is 37 years old, so they needed depth and to get younger at the position. Despite playing more with his hand on the ground at Miami, Fl., outside linebacker coach Joey Porter said that the Steelers will use Chickillo as an edge rusher.

"[Chickillo] adds depth to our pass rushing situation. ... He's always showing up on the field, he has a live motor." - http://tinyurl.com/ouc74r6

Porter also said that he told James Harrison that he will be limiting him to 25 snaps per game next season, and that there will only be four or five OLB spots. That's Jarvis Jones and the Silverback on the right, and Arthur Moats and rookie Bud Dupree on the left who are guaranteed. 

That likely leaves only one more spot to fill. But by whom? Howard Jones? Shawn Lemon? Jordan Zumwalt? Terrance Garvin? Chickillo? Time will tell, but that player will need to wreck shop in order to do so, and will have to excel on special teams as well. 

ROUND 7 -
GEROD HOLLIMAN, FS, 6'0" 218LBs

The least of the needs, but a need nonetheless. The winner of the Jim Thorpe Award led the FBS with 14 INTs last season at Louisville. He also recorded 63 tackles, six pass defenses and a sack.

Holliman's ball hawking skills are undeniable, and he has a good chance of making the team if he learns to do just one thing. What's that? Let me give you a hint: he got his contact skills from the Deion Sanders School of Tackling. Like Yoda said, he must unlearn what he has learned. If he does, he has a good chance to stick. 

So, two edge rushers, two CBs, a prime candidate for the No. 4 wide receiver spot and the possible future at TE? Funny how "the best player available" and team needs keep overlapping...

~

TIDBITS:
"@drinelli: @steelers have agreed to terms with 12 rookie free agents following the 2015 NFL Draft. Full press release & list: http://t.co/xjgAHxuYll/s/al1X

Hey, Pittsburgh! This Bud's For You! - Steelers Select OLB Alvin Dupree in 1st Round of 2015 NFL Draft

"I think when you make that ['drafting for need'] comment, you're not doing your due diligence," Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said on Monday. "....Invariably it takes care of itself."

At the 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago on Thursday night, it did just that. 

Especially regarding the first round, the Steelers grip as tightly to their "best player available" philosophy as Gollum did to The Ring. So it should be no surprise that they remained cool under fire as potential prospective choices were taken in front of them. Yet, they were true to themselves and fulfilled need at the same time when they selected Kentucky edge rusher Alvin "Bud" Dupree with the 22nd pick.

Nonetheless, that isn't to say they weren't pleasantly surprised when the projected left outside linebacker 'fell into their laps' as he did. 

"We’re really excited. The other day during the press conference we talked about the outside linebacker position being very deep with several impact players,” said GM Kevin Colbert, “and we believe we got an impact player in Bud Dupree. It’s really exciting that he was able to be there for us at No. 22. Quite honestly that was something we didn’t expect to happen." - http://tinyurl.com/nktysw9

Invariably it takes care of itself.

The senior DE/OLB ended his Wildcat career starting 35 of 47 games where he recorded 23.5 sacks (half of a sack per game played), 38 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles and an interception for a touchdown. Dupree also ranked in the top three among LBs in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and the broad jump at the NFL Combine. - http://t.co/xDImanPC4l 

Per Mike Prisuta of the DVE Morning Show, a "scout from a team not drafting Dupree on Dupree said: 'Has it all, quickness, power, intangibles. Will play well first year. He's going to be good.'" -  http://tinyurl.com/qzeb2bs

Dupree is not without his flaws, either, though. He is very raw and sometimes he looked better with his hand on the ground than he when he was standing up. 

He can at times be an inconsistent pass rusher who doesn’t always exhibit good hand use. His speed rush can also be a little out of control, he doesn't have a great array of pass rushes/pass rush moves in his repertoire, and has trouble consistently anchoring against the run. 

The overall body of work, though, paints a portrait of a player who has loads of upside and the potential to one day enter the pantheon of great Steelers linebackers. 

For now, though, he's only asked to learn the system and to eventually contribute with the starters and the rest of the team in the push for another Ring. And the rest of it, my 'great linebackers' comments...? 

Invariably it takes care of itself.

Dri Archer: Speed Kills - Is the Third Time the Charm for the Steelers?

"When you're a fast guy you must always play fast, that's your advantage. I can be quick and I can be fast." - Dri Archer at Steelers minicamp. 

We've all heard the famous words by the late ultimate Raider Al Davis, "Speed kills," and "You can't teach speed." They are idioms by which Davis lived (and figuratively died), and by which NFL coaches and owners still often live today. Including those of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

With their third pick on the 2014 NFL Draft, the Steelers selected Dri Archer, running back out of Kent State. He was a player I had wanted going into the draft, but I felt he could be gotten in the fourth or even fifth round. But, as I alluded to earlier, teams fall in love with speed, and a 4.26/40 - also having an "unofficial" 4.16/40 - is easy to fall in love with. 

That's not just fast, that's "Oh, sh**!" fast. 

Speed is coveted, yes. Speed can be the X-factor that can make the difference over the course of a game or an entire season. Just ask the Seattle Seahawks. But, speed alone won't get Hermes to Mount Olympus. Nor does it get an NFL player gridiron success. 

Just consider names such as Jimmy "Oops" Hines, Johnny Lam Jones, Renaldo Nehemiah, Ron Brown...all of whom had numerous World and/or Olympic speed records between them, yet few receptions, touchdowns or years in the NFL. 

Archer worked strictly with the running back group in the few minicamp practices so far, but has changed his number from 34 to 13 - a wide receiver's number. He did play a lot of WR his last year at Kent State, though, and has said the Steelers have told him they plan on using him "creatively." - http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2014/5/22/5741166/steelers-dri-archer-offense-wide-receiver 

Recent words by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin seem to echo that sentiment. 

"Is he a running back? Is he a wideout? Regardless of position," Tomlin said, "I think he’s a playmaker. He's a guy that gets yards in chunks and rings up the scoreboard."

Point blank, Archer has more tools than Black & Decker. Over his career, he had 325 rushes for 2,342 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and 24 touchdowns. He also caught 99 passes for 1,194 yards (12 yards per reception) and 12 scores.

He was also a return man, returning 51 kicks for 1,436 yards (28.2 yards per return) and four touchdowns, positions which Steelers GM Kevin Colbert says in his mind "are starters," and saying of Archer specifically that "his kick return ability is unique. It really is special." - http://youtu.be/9ILPHki7-Ww

When you watch the tape on Archer, you can see him read his blocks as he turns it up the field. Upon getting out of the backfield, you even see him breaking some tackles proving he more than just speed. There's a reason he played running back and rushed for all those yards, including despite battling ankle injuries in 2013. The tape does not lie - get him the ball in space and let him use his awesome lateral athleticism to play a life-size game of Madden with 11 grown men. 

Because of his size, however, Archer won't be on the field on every down. When he does take the field on offense, though, you will see him get the ball on draws, sweeps, screens and from the slot. Add the return game to that and his vision, athleticism and speed will make him a nightmare to tackle.

Though his touches may be limited, especially early on, because of the talent around him at running back and wide receiver, defenses will have to prepare for him any time he is on the field. 

The Steelers have been down this road before, however, as they attempted to get a Dexter McCluster-like player for offensive coordinator Todd Haley whom he coached with the Kansas City Chiefs. Another small, versatile and fast X-factor player who added another dimension to the Chief's offense. 

In 2012, they drafted RB Chris Rainey (lasting just one season after 14 receptions and 26 rushes), who was let go because of gambling and assault allegations. 

In April of 2013, they picked up unrestricted free agent RB LaRod Stephens-Howling, or LaSH, on a one-year deal with the Steelers from the Arizona Cardinals. He accumulated only six rushes, two catches and one return before being injured and lost for the year. 

Aside: being that LaSH was "only" a 4.48/40 guy, the other most recent diminutive speedster to be considered would be Reggie Dunn. At Utah's Pro Day, Dunn ran a 4.22/40. But, not having enough versatility, he never made the final roster.

Now, the third is hopefully the charm for the Steelers. Being that he's faster - he was also clocked at an "unofficial" 4.16/40 - and stronger than both Rainey and LaSH, he could ultimately prove to be better for the Steelers than they could have been and easily as good of a weapon as McCluster was. 

All of this is encouraging as we move forward into OTAs, which begin Tuesday of this week, but his speed and college stats will not matter if he isn't ready mentally also. 

“I think I made a pretty good impression. Learning the playbook. A lot to think about.” 

A lot indeed. Because, remember Renaldo Nehemiah mentioned earlier in the article? He lost his job to some slow WR who ran a 4.71/40. I think his name was Jerry Rice or something...

~

TIDBITS: The Steelers begin OTAs Tuesday, May 27. The specific dates for the Steelers’ 10 OTAs are May 27, May 28, May 29, June 3, June 4, June 5, June 9, June 10, June 11, and June 12.

There will also be a mandatory three-day minicamp June 17-19. Then an approximate month will pass before Latrobe. 

Steelers Draft Speed And Power - Did They Get Better? Day 1 & 2

Do you know who Bizarro is? He is a sometime-super villain in DC Comics who was created as a "mirror image" of Superman, does and says everything in an opposite or backwards manner and even lives on the cube-shaped planet Bizarro World. To bring it into more of a pop culture light, the t.v. show Seinfeld, which inserted some kind of Superman reference into every episode, even popularized the term "Bizarro World" to mean a situation or setting that is weirdly inverted or opposite of expectations.

That's what the three days of the NFL Draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers felt like. 

Everyone just knew the first and second day would bring a cornerback and a wide receiver, and the third day defensive linemen, offensive linemen and maybe a running back or tight end or both. 

Everyone was wrong.

Going in to round one Thursday night, the consensus was that the Steelers would take either WR Mike Evans (if he was still there) or one of three cornerbacks, Darqueze Dennard, Marcus Gilbert or Kyle Fuller. Though, even with Dennard falling right into their lap at #15, much as another cornerback did in 1987, they passed on him and selected Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier instead. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2014/05/steelers-draft-ryan-shazier-in-first.html

To be clear, Shazier IS a good pick. He's fast. He has great "see-to-do" allowing him to get to the ball carrier quickly. He's fast. He has very good tackling technique which allows him to wrap up so that he misses few tackles. He's fast. His speed and power make it so that he stops the ball at the line of scrimmage or in the backfield a lot. Just ask former Wisconsin back Montee Ball (2012) - http://t.co/5wOlAq6TtV

And did I mention he's fast? He ran an "unofficial" 4.36/40 at his Pro Day. He ran an official 4.38/40 at the NFL Scouting Combine. Steelers GM Kevin Colbert, though, said they themselves clocked him at 4.4/40. But what's a few centiseconds between friends?

"I think he's going to be a problem (for offenses)," Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said of Shazier. "He's going to get on people quicker than they know."

LeBeau further offered, "He's probably the fastest linebacker in this draft and he will instantly become one of the very fastest in the league....He has as much range and intuitive reaction as any of the great Ohio State linebackers."

Then, in the second round, they took Stephon Tuitt, defensive tackle out of Notre Dame. He has defensive end speed with defensive tackle size, 6'5" and 304 LBs, and strength, 31 reps on the 225-pound bench press. He notched 21.5 sacks in three seasons with the Fighting Irish, including 12 in his 2nd-team All-America year of 2012. - http://youtu.be/v8xFIkZtGX0

He definitely looks the part and also has prototypical dimensions for a five-technique DE with long arms to ward off blocks. He holds his ground at the point of attack, can stack and shed and has excellent movement for his size.

The drafting of a second defensive player in as many picks is a nod to the Steelers knowing that the reality was that they must get younger on defense. With longtime starter Brett Keisel being an unrestricted free agent, Tuitt, as well as Shazier, could possibly compete for reps right away. 

"Both of these players, if all develops as anticipated, are going to get a whole lot of playing time," LeBeau said in an interview after Tuitt was drafted. 

“Sometimes in the past, we've been in a position where our draft picks don't necessarily have to play for a year or so," LeBeau continued. "This is definitely not the case in this situation. Our depth is a challenge....We are getting quality players and quality depth. Both of these players, if all develops, are going to get a lot of playing time."

Specifically of Tuitt, LeBeau said, "You always have to have a big guy on the field and Tuitt suits that no matter what the down and distance is."

The Steelers third selection, a compensatory selection, was running back Dri Archer. He was one I had wanted after doing my due diligence earlier in the offseason, and he is one who could be used in various ways. - http://youtu.be/uX4IAY3d2io

"Steelers plan to use Archer at RB and WR, will move him around everywhere," said Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette from his Twitter (@EdBouchette) account. "Plus, he will return kicks and plan to work with him on punts."

He is only 5'7 3/4", 173 LBs, but had some of the best numbers in NFL Scouting Combine history, including a 2014 Combine best 4.26 in the 40-yard dash: 

40 Yrd Dash: 4.26

20 Yrd Dash: 2.34

10 Yrd Dash: 1.47

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 20

Vertical Jump: 38

Broad Jump: 10'02"

20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.06

3-Cone Drill: 6.86 

The number that stands out even more so than the 40 time was the 20 reps on the 225-pound bench press. A number that prompted Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to say that "he's not small, he's short." - http://tinyurl.com/kjcj86e

The Kent State product often lined up as a slot receiver for the Golden Flashes and could do the same for the Steelers. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry at Kent State. 

According to Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly, Archer was clocked at 4.16 "on one official handheld Combine watch." Steelers RB coach James Saxon said the team had Archer timed at a sub 4.2 also. 

That's fast. In fact, that's "Oh, sh*t!" fast. 

According to DraftNasty.com, and something fellow WVU fans will appreciate, Archer is “even more naturally explosive and elusive than...Tavon Austin.”

If Archer is even as explosive and elusive as Tavon Awesome, the Steelers will have found someone who can play human ping-pong with NFL defenses.

Hopefully, therefore, after Chris Rainey and LaRod Stephens-Howling, the third time's the charm. 

The question remains, then: did they get better? The round one results would seem to suggest yes. Though the position of cornerback wasn't addressed, there were areas of need that were. Though Archer could easily have been found in the next round, he's a playmaker that the Steelers can and will make use of sooner rather than later. As is the case with all three of the first three draft picks. 

Steelers Draft Ryan Shazier In First, Miss Out On Biggest Need

"You never pass up a quality player with the hope that you are going to get someone else in the sixth round." - GM Kevin Colbert

Yet, that is essentially what they did. More on that in a bit.

In Thursday night's first round of the NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted linebacker Ryan Shazier out of Ohio State. 

Shazier was definitely a great player in college. The 2013 First-Team All-American is credited with 259 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles over the past two seasons. Shazier is a game changer and a playmaker from his linebacker position. Exactly what Colbert likes about him. Not surprising after visiting his Pro Day and bringing him in for an official visit. - http://ifitaintsteel.blogspot.com/2014/04/catching-up-with-chronicling-steelers.html

"You need speed in secondary and linebacker. He can make plays laterally and we are super excited. ... Each and every year his production increased. His biggest asset is speed. This guy can flat-out run."

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin echoed Colbert's words more succinctly at the post-selection press conference: "The young man has no holes. ... What we needed was a defensive playmaker and he fits the bill." 

Shazier played at both inside and outside linebacker positions, depending on their alignment, although the majority of the time he was the WILL (weakside) linebacker. So he definitely fills needs. - http://t.co/Y0fW2pKHYS 

Two of those needs, as Colbert alluded to, are playmaking ability and speed. The former was touched on, but the speed aspect is summed up thusly: when asked at what speed did they clock him, Tomlin quipped, "Fast."

His "unofficial" speed at his Ohio St. Pro Day was 4.36 in the 40-yard dash. Colbert also pointed out that Shazier's "burst is unique."

Filling such needs spells the end for Vince Williams as a starter. He may have gotten better as the season went along, but that isn't enough when it was basically an improve my from nauseatingly bad to mediocre. I like Williams as a backup, but not at all as a starter. Enter Shazier. 

Shazier will play the MACK in the Steelers 3-4 alignment, moving Timmons to the BUCK. 

If Shazier turns out to be good, even great, that's wonderful. But the secondary is just bad, plain and simple. A second tier rookie won't help. The Steelers should've taken Darqueze Dennard when they had him in their sights. 

With five CBs taken in first round, the talent pool for what the Steelers want at CB is diluted. These are the best of what remains, with the first three of them being ones who fit the Steelers and their needs at the position. 

Phillip Gaines, Rice - 6'0", 193 LBs, 4.38/40 - Size, speed and length. When we first wrote about him, we erred in saying that "he could be a steal in the later rounds." After deeper research, we realize how incorrect that was and believe he could be a perfect choice at pick No. 46. In many ways, he is another Ike Taylor or Cortez Allen. He and Tez could be one half of a lockdown secondary. 

Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Nebraska - 6'2 1/2", 218 LBs, 4.61/40 - He isn't as fast as some, but uses his length well and also has tremendous instincts and anticipation. He is a mauling, bump-and-run guy who can also play off. A former WR and almost a safety, he is very position - and scheme-specific, which means, if he doesn't pan out at CB, the Steelers would have a fallback plan. If he plays CB he really is a LCB, i.e. who lines up on the Z WR. This will allow him to play an off-man technique which seems to be his best technique. Which, Tez being the No. 1 CB, should work out just fine. 

Keith McGill, Utah - 6'3", 211 LBs, 4.51/40 (2nd-3rd round) - At the Senior Bowl, Mayock said that McGill reminded him of the Seahawks' corners. High praise. Has only one full season under his belt, but made the most of that time with an interception and 12 pass defenses. Has also played safety. (See Jean-Baptiste) 

Best of the rest through the 4th round:

Marcus Roberson, Florida - 6'0", 191 LBs, 4.61/40 (2nd round) - While not as explosive or fast as others, he has good size and versatility, can play both on the outside (is used to being on an island) and in the slot, has an great motor and also plays the run very well.

Loucheiz Purifoy, Florida - 5'11 1/2", 190 LBs, 4.61/40 (2nd-3rd round) - Very athletic, good size for a cornerback with great hips and agility - can turn and run on a dime and is also exceptional in tight coverage. The only two issues may be his ability to play the run and his hands. The former is a must for Steelers CBs, as they are expected to help in run support (see Colbert's quote above). Purifoy may have had only two interceptions and 11 passes defended in his career, one college season for a typical defensive back, but that could be because of the fact that quarterbacks didn't throw his way a lot.

Pierre Desir, Lindenwood - 6'1", 198 LBs, 4.59/40 (3rd- 4th round) - Because of being from a small school, Desir proved that he could do well against a higher level of competition by playing (well) in the both the East-West Shrine game and the Senior Bowl. He intercepted 13 passes in two seasons at Division II's Lindenwood University (Missouri) despite the word being that, like Purifoy, quarterbacks seldom threw his way. Desir projects as a starter on either side, but especially at LCB against the Z WR. His outstanding short-area quickness and speed make him a natural in that off man technique. Very few WRs will outrun him in those first 15-20 yards at LCB. 

Also availabe are Lamarcus Joyner (5'8", 185 LBs) of Florida State and Jaylen Watkins (6'0", 195 LBs) of Florida.

Catching Up With, Chronicling Steelers Visits, Workouts and Pro Days

No, If It Ain't Steel wasn't sold at a fire sale. Close, though. 

As we ease back into this blog thing, we thought it best to catch up on what our Pittsburgh Steelers have done in preparation for the April, er uh, May NFL Draft. 

In addition, in upcoming articles we will cover more pre-draft information, which of these prospects was actually selected and their potential, and the logistics of rookie salary.

Back to the matter at hand... 

These are the Pro Days that were attended by the Steelers staff:

Auburn - Kevin Colbert;

Duke - Colbert; 

Florida - Mike Tomlin, Carnell Lake and Colbert;

Florida State - Tomlin, Colbert and Todd Haley;

LSU - Tomlin, Colbert and Haley;

Johnny Manziel/Mike Evans - Tomlin and Colbert; 

Michigan - Tomlin and Mike Munchak; 

Michigan State - Tomlin and Colbert;

North Carolina - Colbert; 

Notre Dame - Tomlin, Colbert and Joey Porter; 

Ohio State - Tomlin and Colbert; 

Oklahoma State - Tomlin and Colbert;

Penn State - Tomlin and Colbert; 

Texas A&M - Colbert; and

Vanderbilt - Dan Rooney.

These, now that the period has been exhausted, are the visits and/or workouts held by the Steelers. The visits can serve multiple purposes. Teams can delve further into whatever character concerns or medical issues may exist. The visits can also just be general visitations as teams try to learn as much as possible in order to make informed decisions come draft weekend. 

Or they can also be used as smokescreens...  

There are 30 non-local visits and workouts allowed, which does not include any individual workouts held away from the team's facility. The visits and workouts were:

Beau Allen, DT/NT, Wisconsin (Visit);

Anthony Barr, LB, UCLA (Visit); 

Odell Beckham, WR, LSU (Visit); 

Rob Blanchflower, TE, UMass (Visit); 

Carl Bradford, LB, Arizona State (Visit); 

Martavis Bryant, WR, Clemson (Visit); 

Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State (Visit); 

Scott Crichton, DL, Oregon State (Visit); 

Darqueze Dennard, CB, Michigan State (Visit);

Aaron Donald, DL, Pittsburgh (Visit); 

Bruce Ellington, WR, South Carolina (Visit);

Kyle Fuller, CB, Virginia Tech (Visit);

Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice (Visit); 

Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State (Private workout);

Ra'Shede Hageman, DT, Minnesota (Visit);

Seantrel Henderson, OL, Miami (Visit);

Jackson Jeffcoat, DL, Texas (Visit); 

Wesley Johnson, OL, Vanderbilt (Private workout);

Demarcus Lawrence, LB, Boise State (Visit); 

Donte Moncrief, WR, Ole Miss (Visit);

Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB, Boston College (Visit); 

Calvin Pryor S, Louisville (Visit); 

Shaquille Richardson, CB, Arizona (Visit); 

Allen Robinson, WR, Penn State (Private workout); 

Bradley Roby, CB, Ohio State (Visit);

Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor (Visit); 

Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State (Visit);

Stephon Tuitt, DL, Notre Dame (Visit); 

Brock Vereen, S, Minnesota (Visit);

Jason Verrett, CB, TCU (Visit);

Andre Williams, RB, Boston College (Visit); and

Jordan Zumwalt, LB, UCLA (Visit).

Steelers Talk Free Agency, Lance Moore Signing; Compensatory Picks Awarded

UPDATED: Tuesday, Mar. 25

“We’re right on schedule,” Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Sunday in regard to free agency. 

On Sunday, Colbert and head coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the Pittsburgh media, specifically the Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac and the Tribune-Review's Alan Robinson, with the subject mainly being free agency. According to Colbert, as the quote above states, the team is right where they want to be in free agency. 

This is what has transpired in free agency to this point:

Signed: S Mike Mitchell (Panthers); DT Cam Thomas (Chargers); WR Lance Moore (Saints); Arthur Moats (Bills).

Lost: DE Ziggy Hood (Jaguars); DE Al Woods (Titans); WR Emmanuel Sanders (Broncos); RB Jonathan Dwyer (Cardinals); TE David Johnson (Chargers); WR Jerricho Cotchery (Panthers).

Re-signed: OLB Jason Worilds (transition tender); FS Will Allen; G/C Cody Wallace; LS Greg Warren; G/T Guy Whimper; TE Michael Palmer.

Cut: LB LaMarr Woodley (Raiders); LB Larry Foote; CB Curtis Brown.

Unsigned: DE Brett Keisel; WR Plaxico Burress; S Ryan Clark; RB Felix Jones; P Mat McBriar; RB LaRod Stephens-Howling; LB Stevenson Sylvester; C Fernando Velasco; LB Jamaal Westerman; C Eric Olsen (ERFA; no tender).

Colbert spoke on several issues, including the loss of veteran wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery and the subsequent gain of former New Orleans receiver Lance Moore. 

Of Cotchery Colbert said that "other people saw in him what we did," but that the Panthers offered more than the Steelers could. 

They still lost valuable experience and a valuable role player when Cotch left. Fortunately, they found another on Friday in the form of Moore, signed to a two-year deal, whom Colbert described as a "very smart, experienced receiver...who knows how to work in the slot" as Cotch did. - http://tinyurl.com/lywo8y5

The 30-year-old Moore was released by the Saints last season. After just 37 receptions last year when injuries slowed his production, he had averaged 61 receptions per year the previous three seasons.

Colbert also said something to which all Steelers fans should pay attention - there is no need "to panic" about lack of running back depth behind Le'Veon Bell. 

A point which Tomlin reiterated when he spoke with the media Sunday for the first time since the season ended. He was asked about the team's running back situation, specifically Le'Veon Bell and their recent meeting with free-agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew.

"I felt good," Tomlin replied. "We are open to it. I'll stop short of saying 'have to,' but we need to add quality depth to that position, whether it's through free agency or the draft."

Tomlin then elaborated on what he wanted to see happen regarding Bell.

"Le'Veon Bell is a talented player but a young player. It would be good to get a been-there, done-that type of guy in the room to maybe help him with growth and development. But I don't view it as a necessity, quite honestly, because Le'Veon is a very grounded and humble young man and is open to getting better, and is a good listener." - http://tinyurl.com/kafllcp

MJD could definitely be considered to fit the bill as he has been the feature back for most of his eight years with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not to mention being somewhat in Bell's position early in his career when was being mentored by running back Fred Taylor.

However, he isn't the only RB who'll be on the South Side this week. The Steelers will also meet with LaGarrette Blount on Friday, after the NFL Meetings end.

The 6'0", 250-pound Blount would seem to fit with the Steelers better than MJD. At least in financial terms. In terms of style, though, Blount fits the what Steelers fans prefer to see. He is a battering ram, a true Blount force object (sorry, couldn't resist).

UPDATE: Speaking from the NFL Meetings again on Tuesday, Tomlin reiterated that the team would be getting depth to complement Bell. Though the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Alan Robinson tweeted (@arobinson_Trib) that the "Steelers likely to have deal with experienced running back by end of week," Tomlin has a broader timetable.

"We need to have depth in that area and we will in the not-too-distant future, whether it's in free agency or the draft." - http://tinyurl.com/mayj8s4  

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It was announced Monday that the Steelers have been awarded three Compensatory Picks - in the 3rd, 5th and 6th rounds - in May's NFL Draft. This is one more than we had been led to expect, which includes the highest Comp Pick, No. 97 in round three. They now have nine total selections. 

Teams can't receive more than four compensatory picks in a year, as did the New York Jets this year, and the picks cannot be traded.

The formula the NFL uses is a closely guarded secret, but it can be extrapolated based on given data. 

As Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly tweeted Monday (@MarkKaboly_Trib), "Compensatory free agents are determined by formula based on salary, playing time, postseason honors. Not every FA lost or signed applies."

The Steelers lost several free agents in 2013 who factor into the NFL’s compensatory formula. As Steelers PR man Burt Lauten tweeted (@SteelersPRBurt), "Players the @steelers lost as FAs last year that factor into compensatory picks: Wallace, Lewis, Allen, Mendenhall, Mundy & Legursky.”

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TIDBITS: Steelers attending North Carolina, Duke, Texas A&M pro days this week. Were at Florida St., Notre Dame and Michigan St. last week. Colbert, Tomlin will likely both be on A&M trip.