Steelers Get A Little Secondary Help And Big (Play) Receiver Help Friday

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." - Mark Twain 

Fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have been clamoring for a cornerback since the season's end, and for good reason considering how porous the secondary was at times. Well, the Steelers provided them a little good news in the second round.

With the 56th pick of the NFL Draft, the Steelers selected 5'8" 178-pound CB Senquez Golson out of Ole Miss.

Yes, Golson is diminutive, but don't tell him that. He's smaller, but plays much bigger and isn't afraid of challenging bigger adversaries.

Still, 5'8" is 5'8" and many will look down (no pun intended) on him because of it. Even Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake said of Golson's facing tall WRs: "He's going to be challenged. He's going to have to prove he can play in this league."

My immediate response to that is, ask 6'4" former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Harold Carmichael about what it was like to battle 5'7" former Washington Redskins CB Pat Fischer. Or, more specifically, just ask Alabama's 6'6" O.J. Howard about Golson out jumping him for the game-winning interception that sealed Ole Miss' 23-17 victory in 2014.

Lake did go on to say, though, that Golson has unusual ball skills and that, "If he were taller, teams would've jumped on him right away."

Golson's speed, a 4.47/40, was a factor also: "I like speed. You can't cover if you don't have speed." - http://tinyurl.com/mkc9fdj

The explosive Golson is very athletic, very fluid, very confident and very, very competitive - he plays with such a chip on his shoulder that it seems surgically implanted.

He's an artisan honing his craft when on the field, yet even the greatest artists still need to be able to reach the easel. And even with his leaping ability, he is going to be mismatched at times. That will necessitate his refining his techniques and not simply relying on his God-given talent. That's where coaching will come into play. -  http://draftbreakdown.com/players/senquez-golson/

For a franchise, however, that for so long endured a CB who couldn't catch at all, Golson and his ball-hawking abilities will be a welcome change.

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Sammie Coates came with the Steelers third-round selection, no. 87 overall. The Auburn product is a physical specimen (6'2" 212LBs) with a very athletic skill set and big-play ability (21.8 yards per catch in 2014). - http://tinyurl.com/nhmozqc

He isn't lacking in the speed department, either, as he ran an official 4.43/40 at the NFL Combine, but has supposedly run in the 4.3/40 range.

The NFL Network's Mike Mayock even commented on said speed when the Steelers made the selection saying, "This guy is pure speed. He's big bodied and takes the top off of zones. He is a height-weight-speed specimen. The only question is how natural are his hands."

In fact, he did have a high drop rate - a problem stemming mainly from needing to maintain his concentration through the process of the catch. If he comes in ready to work, though, these are things that can addressed via coaching. Things that also include how to better use leverage and improving his route running.

He doesn't have too much wear and tear on his body, though, has very good quickness plays in a physical way and can move himself through holes in the defensive backfield.

He can be the No. 4 WR that the Steelers needed and provide a competitive push to Markus Wheaton and Martavis Bryant, but he's also a big play waiting to happen, an extra threat to an offense that still may need to outscore it's opponents until the defense gets to a point where it can once again hold its own.

Addressing The Secondary: Post-NFL Combine Look - Safety

In our last piece, If It Ain't Steel began covering the positions the Pittsburgh Steelers are in greatest need of filling as the new NFL year approaches, as well as the players likely to fill those positions. Though free agency will play into the equation, the NFL Scouting Combine gave us the first offseason look.

Speaking of which, and in no particular order, those needs going into March 11 are cornerback (covered in previous blog), safety, wide receiver, defensive line and linebacker.

Last Sunday during the Combine, ESPN NFL Draft analyst and commentator Todd McShay football in shorts is "never a replacement for tape." While this is basically true, the annual Beefcake Bonanza does, however, bring insight into things that might otherwise go under-evaluated.

Steelers Digest's Bob Labriola recently explained how this could be when wrote that the "Combine can be a big help in the evaluation of defensive backs for this specific reason: when watching the player in a game, you never can be sure what he’s being coached to do. .... Maybe a safety is playing too deep, or not attacking the line of scrimmage. Whatever it is", the Combine helps to filter it out. - http://tinyurl.com/kxerr6u

That said, who are those safeties whose intangibles backed game film? And how do they potentially fit into the Steelers draft plans?

Calvin Pryor, Free Safety, Louisville: 5'11", 207, 4.58/40, 75 Tackles, 3 Interceptions, 4 Passes Defended, 2 Forced Fumbles* (1st round) - Draft analyst Mike Mayock calls Pryor: "a bigger, stronger Bob Sanders....flies around, hits people, a little better in box than back end."

NFL.com calls him a "big, physical, hammering run defender brings an enforcer mentality to the box and an intimidating, punishing presence to the back end. Is arguably the most violent hitter in this year's draft class..." - http://youtu.be/Io0tKa1cCeU

Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, FS, Alabama: 6'1", 208 LBs, 4.58/40, 51 Tckl, 2 INTs, 4 PD (1st round) - The 2nd-team All-American and first-team All-SEC free safety has good size and length (32 3/8" arms). Had surgery in December, 2013 for a torn meniscus, but rebounded well at the Combine.

Has what Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin would call "good see-to-do" speed, is an effective run supporter and isn't afraid of contact. Mayock describes Clinton-Dix as "better range [than Pryor], more of a deep third or half guy, covers well, complete player." - http://youtu.be/_PWWf12zHeo

Free agency likely dictates whether either of these men will be taken in the first round. With free safety Ryan Clark likely leaving, a big hole will need filling. Would cornerback Ike Taylor be the short-term solution there? - http://tinyurl.com/krlvz8v

But being thin all over the secondary, the Steelers may also want to bring in a veteran who can complete to start rather than to have a rookie playing free safety next year.

If they do go with either of these two, however, we lean toward Clinton-Dix because, as Mayock pointed out, he has the better range of the two. The Steelers already have a hitter in the box and slot cover guy in last year's strong safety draft pick, Shamarko Thomas.

Dion Bailey, Strong Safety, USC 6'0", 201 LBs, 4.66/40, 62 Tckl, 5 INTs, 6 PD, 1 FF (2nd-3rd round) - Bailey is a classic tweener who started off playing linebacker in college before moving to strong safety. His best shot in a hybrid role (think Myron Rolle). Though he compares himself and his game to Troy Polamalu, he won't play that role in Pittsburgh. - http://tinyurl.com/mc4al6h

Terrance Brooks, FS, Florida State: 6'1", 211 LBs, 4.49/40, 56 Tckl, 2 INTs, 5 PD, 2 FF (4th round) - The former cornerback took over the starting FS role the last two seasons using his range, athleticism and ball skills to make him a truly viable option for the Steelers. Has good vision and that see-to-do thing mentioned earlier. Good tackling and jumping ability (38" vertical) has others believing the senior graduate would be a fit for the Black and Gold as well. - http://tinyurl.com/mtzukt8

Possible late-round gems -

Kenny Ladler, FS, Vanderbilt: 6'0", 207 LBs, 4.7/40, 91 Tckl, 5 INTs, 4 PD, 5 FF (5th-6th round) - A three-year starter who has experience at both safety positions. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau does at times use his safeties interchangeably, so that could work in Ladler's favor. His penchant for turnovers does also - he had 10 in 2013 alone. - http://youtu.be/i8zx3OgsOog

Brock Vereen, S, Minnesota: 5'11", 199 LBs, 4.47/40, 59 Tckl, 1 INT, 6 PD, 1 FF (6th-7th round) - Per GopherSports.com, he has extensive experience starting in the Golden Gophers' defensive backfield, so that versatility should help him. (See Ladler) - http://youtu.be/Ql5BpFzjK_M

While there are actually a few others who might be on the Steelers' radar, these here are the ones we feel could find themselves in the Steelers' Training Camp on the roster next season. By May 10th we'll know whether that will be the case.

Will Le'Veon Be The Bell Cow For Steelers?

With the 48th pick of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Pittsburgh Steelers select...well, let's allow Merril Hoge to announce it: http://tinyurl.com/ctjnvja

Le'Veon Bell, the 6'1", 230-pound running back, is likely to be the bell cow for the Steelers to start the 2013 season (and f he isn't, it'll be another wasted second-round draft pick). As Mike Griffith of the Lansing State Journal wrote, at 6'1" and 230 lbs., Bell isn't actually a 'power back,' but "has great vision [and] lateral cutting ability." A style that works well with a zone-blocking system.

That vision and cutting ability were points, as seen and heard in the video link posted above, that were addressed by Mike Mayock as the pick was made.

"My concern with him was I thought he ran more east and west than a 244-pound back should,'' NFL.com analyst Mike Mayock said referring to Bell's being heavier in college, but losing weight by his Pro Day to be faster. "However, that's easily correctable. He's got really good feet for a big back, and he fits exactly what the Pittsburgh Steelers are. So, once he gets those shoulders turned and comes downhill, he's a bear, and it's a great fit."

According to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers agree.

"Le'Veon is a guy for all situations,'' said Tomlin. "He ran for 1,700 yards, but he has really soft hands and the way they utilized him in the passing game was really impressive. He's got both youth and experience, but he's still only 21-years old....We're really excited about acquiring Le'Veon."

Offensive coordinator Todd Haley said some telling things about why Bell was chosen over Eddie Lacy, the running back most expected to come off of the board first. Aside from pointing out that they think Bell is "a big back, number one, a three-down back - which is a big thing for us," Haley also talked about his pass-catching ability and maturity. - http://tinyurl.com/cqzufhp

Haley said that 'he's a young kid who doesn't have a lot of tread on his tires'. Not true. With the fact being that he had 749 touches, 671 rushes, in three years at Michigan State, the opposite is true. But, as Tomlin stated, he had over 1,700 rushing yards (1,793 to be exact) and averaged 4.7 yards per carry, including 5.0 YPC for his career.

He's simply a football player. A physical, yet elusive presence who should fit in well with the Steelers. Not that Lacy isn't a baller, but he ran behind an offensive line that was essentially NFL-lite, routinely opening gaping holes for him. Bell? Well, let's just say that Michigan State's OLine was more akin to the Steelers' of late.

One reason the Steelers passed on Eddie Lacy, per Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette, is a toe injury. He said that "one team source said the Steelers would not touch Lacy because his big toe had been fused." But, as Bouchette further said, there was another reason for the Steelers, as well as other 30 other teams, to bypass him.

"There has been concern about injuries to Lacy’s hamstring and what has been reported as turf toe, but nothing’s been reported about a fusion. Either way, teams did stay away from Lacy – considered by many the best talent at halfback in the draft -- until Green Bay made him the fourth back drafted with the 29th pick in the second round."

Speaking of the OLine also, however, according to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in an interview he did on 93.7 The Fan the week before the NFL Draft, the Big Uglies should be a prettier sight next season.

After calling them "young, athletic and talented," Big Ben offered that "if they stay healthy, they could be, you know, something that could really carry us through the season."

A 21-year old running back and an OLine that could be the youngest in the NFL getting endorsement from your star quarterback? To paraphrase Bogie, it sounds like the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

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TIDBITS: According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, former Indianapolis Colts and Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Winston Justice met with the Steelers Tuesday. Justice is a good player who is entering his eighth year in the league, and the Steelers could use additional offensive line depth there.

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The Steelers tried to trade running back Jonathan Dwyer over the draft weekend after signing former Arizona Cardinals halfback LaRod Stephens-Howling. LSH (as we will be referring to him) was signed to a one-year qualifying contract for $715,000, with a $65,000 signing bonus.

Per the NFL's new CBA, a "qualifying contract," is one in which a player is paid in cash at the minimum level but their Salary Cap charge is only that of a player with two years of experience (thus LSH's Cap charge only being approximately $625,000). The contract must be "no longer than one season, contain the minimum salary, a guarantee not to exceed the minimum salary of a player with 2 years experience, and additional bonus money not to exceed $65,000, a number that rises by $15,000 every three years with the next raise coming in 2015," in order to qualify.

Why Manning to Denver Doesn't Mean Steelers Could Lose Mike Wallace

Unless you've been living with those two guys from the Geico commercial, (i.e. under a rock), you should know by now that all is but a done deal between Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. And before the ink from the Mont Blanc is even dry, the speculation machine has started rearing it's ugly head (yes, I said "speculation" because right now that is all it is) that Mike Wallace will soon be joining him.

I, for one, do not believe so. It has been all over the Social Media networks that the Broncos should sign Wallace. Well, why would they? They have two very capable and speedy receivers on their staff as it is.

Jamie Dukes of NFL Network said it best, though: "The Broncos have other issues they need to address besides getting Manning a shiny new toy." The Broncos are giving Peyton a hefty contract that is supposed to be in the area of 5 years for $90 million, which could mean a cap hit of around $20 million.

Why then would they throw another big contract at basically a speedster when they already have that in Demaryius Thomas? He was the one that burned the Steelers secondary to beat them in the playoffs.

One thing also that's still not known is if Peyton is the Peyton of old or not. Yes, he can throw the ball around, but is he truly 100% healthy after four neck surgeries? Time will tell.

There are those, though, who think this is a good idea. That throwing money at Wallace to pry him away from the Steelers would be a good idea. Mike Mayock, for one, is adamant that the Broncos should do it.

“I would make an offer that Pittsburgh would have a lot of trouble matching for Mike Wallace,” Mayock said. “I’d be happy to give up my first-round pick, and I’d make that young man a rich, rich young man. And I’d have a vertical threat to go along with Eric Decker, Demaryius Thomas — I might look at Dallas Clark. You’ve made a commitment to Peyton Manning. Now let’s go get him the weapons.” - http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/19/signing-peyton-manning-makes-mike-wallace-a-possibility-in-denver/

While I can certainly see why Denver would be tempted, again, the Broncos have a promising playmaker in Demaryius Thomas, and they can always bring along a Manning favorite in tight end Dallas Clark. In fact, Mike Klis of the Denver Post said as much on his Twitter account. He said, "@MikeKlis: Expect the Broncos to sign TE Dallas Clark”

But looking at the other options, Eric Decker and Matt Willis, I can see the Broncos being tempted  to go after Wallace. I just don't see the actuality of them doing so. Wide receiver and return man Ted Ginn, jr. might make enough of an impact for them and would be much less expensive.

To be certain, the correct deal for Wallace to be signed away just went up a few million last week. The Broncos, on the other hand, need offensive line help as well as the tight end help mentioned before. Plus, who says Wallace would even sign offer sheet? Just because they may want him doesn't mean they'd get him.

The Broncos have a lot of questions on defense as well. Their secondary is suspect at best. Big Ben basically exposed it while on just one good leg, and Tom Brady shredded it not once, but twice. So, that makes me ask the question, "Why would you give up a first round pick and and another big contract for something that they do not need?"

After a closer look at the Broncos roster, it's clear that they have too many holes to fill to give up a first round pick AND commit $12 million of cap space to get Mike Wallace. Not going to happen.

Let's be real here, Peyton Manning made Austin Collie and Pierre Garçon household names in Indy. No one knew who they were until Peyton did what Peyton does. Peyton can surely do what Peyton does with Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker and Matt Willis too.

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Steelers unrestricted free agent cornerback William Gay visited the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. The Cardinals defensive coordinator is Ray Horton, who once coached the Steelers defensive backs.

Gay has said he wants to stay with the Steelers for next season and the Steelers have also left that option open. If Gay were to come back, he would probably do so on a one-year qualifying contract like he did last year. That contract paid him $685,000 in base salary with a $50,000 signing bonus. Expect a similar deal with the requisite percentage increase.

Gay will also be visiting Tennessee Titans on Tuesday, per Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean

Out With The Old, In With The New

To borrow from steelcurtainradio.com and the movie Cooley High, it's so hard to say goodbye to yesterday. But, that's what Steeler Nation is having to do again today.
The Real Man of Steel yesterday and The Unsung Hero today, including Juicy and, soon to come, Potsie. Yes, Hines Ward and Aaron Smith have been released in successive days as the Steelers remind fans that this is a business. Chris Kemoeatu has been cut also, and very possibly, James Farrior is soon to come. (Am I able to lobby for Jonathan Scott also being cut? Please?)

This blog has spoken at length about the respect for Hines Ward. There are several posts on how strongly he's regarded. He is, quite frankly, loved. Still, this is a business. For details on him and his situation, refer to one of several previous blogs.

Regarding Smith, his release was expected and also predicted by this blog as far back as January. He’s been injured in four of the past five years and himself had pondered retirement, yet had to be cut nonetheless. His missing 33 of the Steelers' last 48 regular-season games should've been enough of a wake-up call to simply take his shoes off on the mat.

I say that with the utmost respect as I have referred to him as "The Unsung Hero" for many years. Because, as a fourth-round pick out of Division II Northern Colorado in the 1999 NFL Draft, Smith only played in one Pro Bowl, but the Steelers always considered him one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league. He finally did get recognition outside of Pittsburgh and Steeler Nation when Peter King named him to his All-Decade Team.

I only want him remembered for his play and his being a gentleman off the field and a gentle giant on the field. Known for being unmovable against the run, Smith is also 10th on the Steelers' all-time sacks list with 46. He's simply a great presence in the locker room and on the field. But, few see that. Unsung Hero.

Peter Schaffer, Aaron Smith's agent said regarding his release, ″No one ever wants to see this day come but we're not focused on that. We're focusing on the last 14 years. Aaron's got nothing but the highest respect for (the Steelers). He bleeds black and gold.″ Gentleman to the end.

On the business side of it, though, by cutting Smith, who's now 35, the Steelers will save around $2.1 million off of the salary cap. He was set to make around $2.9 in actual salary. The Steelers saved around $3 million Wednesday when they released Hines Ward.

That brings us to Chris Kemoeatu and his release. I can't see how this wasn't expected. I don't mean that from a talent standpoint, because he might just be the most talented lineman the Steelers have behind Maurkice Pouncey. But, if that's the case, he may also be, as David Todd said, the dumbest.

As I've stated in previous blogs, WHEN HIS HEAD IS IN THE GAME, Kemoeatu might just be the best pulling guard in the league. The problem is that it seems his head was seemingly rarely in the game. Pre-snap penalties and post-snap penalties and holding calls...oh, my! Tell me if this sounds familiar: "Dammit, Kemo!"

I still think Kemoeatu can be a solid player when not battling injuries. He just, thus far, has never was able to get mental part of it all down well enough. At least at his current price, which is over $4 million and about $3.6 against the cap, less his replacement on top 51 salaries. That, coupled with his playing, as Mike Tomlin once put it, "illegally", made this a somewhat easy decision for the Steelers.

David Todd may have said it perfectly when he said via his Twitter account, @hammerspeaks, "I'll be interested to see what kind of interest Kemo generates in free agent market. Much more likely than Hines to get signed IMO #Steelers." Exactly, "talented, but a head case" still gets looks.

James Farrior's situation differs a little in that he hasn't officially been released yet, though, it's expected that he will be.

Farrior's loss coupled with Smith's affects the Steelers in more ways than just bodies. There is a maturity and leadership loss also. The play calling and experience that they bring to the table is irreplaceable. Farrior is the unquestioned leader of the defense in the locker room and in the huddle. No matter how softly he speaks, his voice speaks volumes. He may be a victim of the money issues surrounding the salary cap, but you can't put a price on what he brings overall.

Would it be jumping the shark to make a Happy Days joke regarding Potsie and...meh, never mind. (I actually had time to erase this, but left it in anyway...sad...please don't stop reading.)

At this point, if they do release Farrior and don't then bring him back at the veteran minimum or at a substantially lower rate, they definitely keep Foote one more year keep and start him. That gives Sylvester the opportunity to see much needed field time on defense. Still, expect to see the Steelers address all of these needs in the draft.

Counting all the numbers mentioned regarding the players mentioned above, the Steelers purged about $41 million in salaries and cleared about $34.1 million in cap space, if my numbers are correct.

It's not a rebuild, either. They're reloading and retooling. This is a business. It's also a youth movement with the Steelers.

Speaking of youth, or draft, considerations, the Steelers have certain basic needs that can be handled in late April. The most glaring needs are nose tackle, offensive line, inside linebacker, safety, wide receiver, and maybe running back. So, I'll discuss a few potential members of a Steelers youth movement, focusing on what I feel are the three most important needs: nose tackle, offensive guard and inside linebacker.

DONTARI POE: Despite being just under 350 lbs, defensive tackle/nose tackle Dontari Poe ran a 4.98 in the 40 time. That was nearly a full second faster than Terrance Cody’s 5.71 two years ago, and just a touch quicker than the 5.03 run by Ndamukong Suh, who worked out at 307 lbs and was drafted No. 2 overall that same year.

To the very fast 40, Poe added a 1.70 in his 10-yard split, showing the short-distance explosion more common to a linebacker than to a nose tackle. But Poe did more: he also pumped off a Combine-best 44 reps of 225 lbs on the bench press, leaped an eye-popping 29.5-inch vertical leap and broad jumped an 8’9”. *whew* I can bench 225 lbs too, it'll just be four reps, not 44, so he is officially Mr. Poe. And I want him in Black and Gold...though, I don't think he'll last to the 24th pick.

DAVID DECASTRO: Offensive guard David DeCastro is 6'4 7/8" and 315 lbs, but with a relatively short wing-span. He is definitely a guard at the NFL level, but could be a very good one. He ran unofficial 40 times of 5.34 and 5.47 and broad jumped 8'2". He started 39 games and was a 1st-Team All-American last year.

Mike Mayock of NFL Network said of him, "Stanford guard David DeCastro isn't particularly long or fast from a Combine measurable perspective, but word out of Indianapolis is that he turned heads when performing more football-related activities on the field. From what I was told, he was highly impressive in on-field drills." I liked the "when performing more football-related activities" part. That's of greater import, especially as his Combine numbers actually somewhat adversely affected his draft status. He could slide to the Steelers.

DONT'A HIGHTOWER: Hightower, 6'2" 265 lbs, didn’t do all the athletic tests at the Combine, but he did run the 40 and clocked an official 4.68. He also clocked an unofficial 4.62, which is impressive at 265 lbs. The 40 time and the reported 1.65 10-yard split are indicators that he has the quick twitch burst necessary to allow him to play inside or outside in a 3-4 defense. Does Hightower have the coverage ability necessary to be a long-term 3 down inside linebacker in a 3-4? That is a question to be considered, but based on the Alabama games I saw and what I hear, I lean toward a yes as an answer. He certainly had impeccable leadership ability enough to be the captain of the defense, and was trusted by Saban to be the playcaller of his defense as well. The same might eventually happen under Tomlin.

We in Steeler Nation tend to hold on exceptionally strong to our favorite players, even regard them almost like family at times. But, much like the circle of life, we must accept that we eventually have to part with those advanced in years and welcome in those young ones who will bring us joy in years to come. Still, it still is hard to say goodbye to yesterday.