Steelers Draft Buzz
The Pittsburgh Steelers in Round 1 stuck to their ‘need board’ with the selection of outside linebacker T.J. Watt, while Rounds 2 and 3 of the draft saw Pittsburgh go with a mix of taking the best player available as was the case with wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and needs in adding cornerback Cameron Sutton and running back James Conner in Round 3.
Drafting 30th overall is always unpredictable but the Steelers, notably head coach Mike Tomlin, were keen on adding a pass rusher whether they stood at 30th or moved back.
Even with the likes of Takk McKinley off the board, Steelers coaches loved McKinley, it was no surprise the Steelers selected Watt.
“He’s worthy of the pick,” Mike Tomlin said of Watt at No. 30. “Boy, we are excited about the potential upside and growth given the short length of time he’s played the position,” said Tomlin.
Tomlin called Watt “inexperienced” not “raw”, saying it’s an exciting element about Watt.
The questions with Watt who has a great work ethic and great bloodlines, is whether he was more of a scheme product at Wisconsin (some evalutors believe he is) than someone who’s going to be a special pass rusher at the NFL level.
“No reason he can’t be a significant player,” Colbert said. “He beats people with his upper body just as much as with his lower and usually you don’t see that type of hand usage and ‘know how’ in a one year player. That part was very attractive, and he’s a longer guy, so you have the hands and the feet and the length together, plus he’s pretty tenacious about it as well. It all worked for him last year and we just think it’ll work again.”
JuJu Smith-Schuster a Jarvis Landry Type?
In Round 2 the Steelers had USC wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster as their top rated player on the board and they stuck to their philosophy of taking the best player available that they like to do after Round 1.
The noise has been there for days that the Steelers would consider a receiver early and the more intriguing development with the Smith-Schuster selection is the Steelers going with a more all-around receiver than a one trick pony who can run like with a Sammie Coates who coming in had trouble making 50-50 catches in college and a high drop rate when the Steelers took him in the third round in 2015.
Speaking of Coates, Mr. insecure Martavis Bryant didn’t take it well that the Steelers drafted a wide receiver in Round 2 as pundits were saying the selection was insurance for Bryant.
Smith-Schuster is a do it all receiver who caught 213 passes for 3,092 yards and 25 touchdowns at USC.
We hear that @steelers fans like wide receivers who block. @TEAM_JUJU9 doesn’t hold back. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/eGdge9N20S
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) April 29, 2017
One Steelers source called Smith-Schuster a Jarvis Landry type receiver the Steelers lack but with better size than Landry. There’s also Anquan Boldin type comparisons out there.
Steelers coaches determined after the New England game, what this receiver group lacked most was players who could make combative 50-50 catches outside of Antonio Brown.
“He can play inside and outside,” Todd Haley said of Smith-Schuster. “If you had to say what he excelled at, I’d say his ability to catch the ball in combative situations, 50/50 balls as we call them and he usually comes down with them. He’s a really exciting guy and we are excited to get him here to work on.”
Haley also raved about Smith-Schuster only being 20 years old and there’s so much room to grow for him.
A common denominator with all four selections through the first two days is that the Steelers added guys who are regarded as having great character and who love the game.
“We’re talking about a young player who is just starting his career. I will say he is into football. He plays with great passion,” Haley said of Smith-Schuster. “He’s not a guy that’s afraid to stick his nose in there and block safeties and even some linebackers. He plays with a great passion, which is one of the exciting things about him,” said Haley.
Needs/High Character in Round 3
In Round 3, the Steelers went with two need positions, adding Tennessee cornerback Cameron Sutton and Pitt running back James Conner.
You always need cornerbacks in this league and Sutton while undersized a bit, at 5-11, has great cover ability that the Steelers are very excited about.
“Cameron is a press corner and plays close to the line of scrimmage but can also play off,” defensive backs coach Carnell Lake said. “He does a good job of mirroring the receiver. He stays close and that shows in his productivity as a corner for Tennessee over the years in his career. He is the all-time leader in passed defensed for Tennessee.”
Sutton a four year starter at Tennessee, had 37 passed defensed and 7 interceptions in his career. He also adds an option as a punt returner at the next level.
Another attribute the Steelers like, Sutton brings high leadership abilities to the table. He was a team-captain at Tennessee.
“Leadership is big,” said Lake. “We’re always looking for that. That means if he thinks of himself as a leader, he probably takes pride in his preparation and his communication skills, so that’s always helpful in the secondary.”
Is this selection bad news for Senquez Golson who the Steelers are said to not be counting on again?
The team wants to add more talent and competition to the cornerback group this summer. That has them also mulling the possibility of signing [hide] Keenan Lewis to a one year deal who is coming to town this weekend to be evaluated and could sign today.
— The big news for the Steelers at the end of Round 3 was selecting Pitt running back James Conner. It is something from a movie that Conner goes in the third round and to the Steelers of all teams.
Incredible story but this selection is all about Conner as the football player. That’s not to say the character he brings to the table wasn’t a factor but the Steelers are not taking him this high if they didn’t believe he couldn’t be an asset to their football team as a No. 2 back.
The guy can play and should give the Steelers a nice bruising type of element as a runner.
“What he does as a football player is what we want,” RB coach James Saxon said of Conner. “He runs the football downhill. He can bend, Obviously he can catch the football. He’s tough, he’s smart and he’s type of a guy that’s going to want to come in here and learn every day.”
The Steelers believe there’s also a lot of potential from Conner as a pass catcher out of the backfield. They took him in Round 3 because they project Conner being a very complementary to Le’Veon Bell and also someone who can handle a large work load if Bell gets injured or gets in more off field trouble.
Some believe Conner went a little too high but running back depth was a need and this is a safe pick. Someone the Steelers are really comfortable with and the tape shows, Conner is not likely going to be a great football player at the NFL level but he has a chance to be a good one.
The Steelers also considered QB Nate Peterman in Round 3.
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Crosby and Fleury both playing out of their minds right now. Credit to them both, they deserve it.
Let’s hope it continues
D still got Caps in 5. Fleury meltdown coming.
Pens would already be up 3-0 if it wasn’t for Malkin, Hainsey and “midget.”
Think how much you’ve learned this year BoxScore. Goaltending matters. Power plays matter. And umbrance isn’t a word.
He should rewatch couple more times mighty ducks movies
How is that possible, they’ve only played two games. I don’t get it. Please explain yourself.
The Pens just won the Stanley Cup tonight!!!! I can’t believe how easy it was!!!!! Back2back baby!!
Whoever wins game three wins this series. Mark it down.
Pens have the best home record this season and fleury plays even better at home so theoretically this series should be over
So bold.
Nice call Pepper.
Think the Blues are missing Shittenkirk?
Nope and neither backes
They had more than one?
I remember when BoxScore’s pantries were in a bind when the Caps picked up Shittrrkick.
NPL, did you watch the entire game in your pants suit ?
Npl and stain learned their hockey by watching mighty ducks movies and the rest they learned on this site that’s why they are plugged in on this site every second
D any news about Murray since fleury’s victory doesn’t matter
Goaltending matters.
Once again I don’t think what you Bandwagons think without fleury pens shouldn’t be here every game fleury bailing team out while they are asleep in the first period
Sleep tight Sam
See you Thursday mstartari
What’s Thursday?
Jee Bettman won’t let them lose.
You think JeeJee Smith-Schuster will be in town for game 3?
Sure hope so.
Ovi definitively shot that puck at hainsys head on purpose.
https://media.giphy.com/media/SleotgmotWahW/giphy.gif Because he knew he didnt have a chance against Fleury
I wish Ovi would shoot a puck at you on purpose.
It did look that way
Are you guys trying to jinx the situation. STFU and don’t let your karma start the meltdown. If the karma of yoda is causing the Saint to play well, let us rejoice and be glad. All hail!
Fuckoff you dumbass
https://media.giphy.com/media/SleotgmotWahW/giphy.gif Lol
Silly pincushion. You know we e all shitt things not quite as dumb as you.
Sam one more horrible post then right to bed.
Hahaha
Yoda once again no where to be found. C U N T!!!!!!
Another win despite Fleury. Allllll hail!
Lots of metalurgy saves tonight.
“Caps in 5” – BJ DePaoli
Lots of empty seats. Looks like a Montreal playoff game.
Only difference you get empty seats in Pittsburgh while they are ahead 2-1 and 6mins to go in third period must be the passionate side of the fans or maybe half the fans have to go dodo since they have school the next day
I’ve asked this before… who is the worst Penguins fan you’re aware of? Sammich or yoda?
Honestly, i think its Maloni. Sam and Yoda clearly have a mental disability, Maloni is just stupid.
All 3 are horrible excuses for human beings.
Settle down nobody.
It’s Yoda. He acts like he likes the Pens and he roots for them to lose. Sam hates the Pens and he’s a rascist.
Refs pitty Russian so they gave him that goal so he has 5v5 goal
Was that interference? No it wasn’t you dumb fuckk… you’re everybit as pathetic as yoda
He only started watching hockey after the Crosby lottery. Hes still learning.
The sammich bitches about Malkin and Cole 30 minutes ago… they may have iced this one lol
Incredible shift by the Pens third line.
Sam was that on the power play? Please help.
And where was Sid?!
Wow. Good for you NHL
That’s a good fucjing goal
This is a good goal, but its the NHL…
Waived off? Fuck off!
Fleury the Vezina goalie killer
Good news guys our power play specialists are on board
Phil Kessel is a Stanley Cup Champion
You understand how important those goals are right? Never mind your a fucken idiot lol
That’s why we have players that pens paid top dollars just to show up on pp and once game is out of reach then they show up 5v5 too once sid carries the team on his back
Problem is none of that is true, you just don’t give the guys credit where it’s due because you’re a bigoted xenophobic queeb
Sam’s hubby. Another one.
Here comes the cheap shots.
Yeah Oshie is acting like a douche!
I’m pretty sure that’s the direct translation of Oshie
I agree Zero!
For you Samantha! Living in America!
4 for 4! God Bless the USA.
Oh yea, forgot they had Shattenkirk.
I hope Horny is ok. He took that off the skate. Hope he didn’t break it. We need that dude.
Holtbye
See Sam that’s how it’s done. Whammy!
Holtby pulled.
Someone explain line changes to sam. I don’t have it in me tonight.
Someone explains to you hockey you dumb fuckk.
Good one sam. Ba zing.
Sams one liners are legendary.
“Mines one liners are better than your mom. Go get your hot dog cart. #BlackCocksMatter” -sam
“Last i check i jokes alotttt”
Did I even say chub is sids new line member all i said the minute he plays with sid he gets a goal. Now go choke on a hot dog
Your hubby you mean?
You in Vegas Stanchion?
Yep. For about 4 more hours. Assuming no flight delay
Nice! Safe flight!
It’ll be a lot better with a win here. Let’s out the nail in. (Also I have the over wrapped up with a five team baseball parlay so that would also be ok but the win is most important.)
Good one! I assume the Bucs aren’t apart of it.
I took the bucs. That one in the bag. I took sf. They’re down a run. That’s the only one that’s iffy aside from over 5.5 here
Nova was tough tonight.
I was on a flight back from Vegas during Game 5 of the Finals last year. Worst flight of my life.
He is probably buying season tickets for that team and bandwagon there to tell people he is Vegas fan since day 1 and owned season tickets.
How does the ref not see that puck laying there? Amazing.
Sam why did you thumb down my comment? Frog Puzzy!
Another defensive play by sid. Where is Waldo? Oops i meant malkin. Now suckk a dickk stain
They don’t generally play on the same line. Is this the first pens game you’ve watched? He was likely on the bench. Do you know how line changes work? Eat some more poutine fatty mcfatt fatt. Scoopski potato?
Sheary has looked a lot better tonight
Another amazing play by sid making an American look good
You’re the best, fatty. Go have another bowl of poutine.
Trade Crosby.
Great play by Sid to spring them but from the Pens blueline on Crosby had fuckall to do with it
Gett fuckedd you fake Canadian
Snow frog
3 goals, all American
Crosby >>> OV… wow
Sam. Did they move Sid down to the third line wth Kessel for that goal or did Kessel score on the first line. I’ll hang up and listen.
Last I checked Crosby was surrounded by ovechkin, nisky and Backstrom
But you said Kessel only scores because he’s on the third line. Please reconcile.
Thats why Phil Kessel is a Stanley Cup Champion
Thanks to Crosby
Maybe after tonight sid will be first in team with points
Russian been playing with chubby no result sid playing with hubby instant results
Dude are you married to Kessel?!
Fn beautiful all around
It’s the bone heads night orpigg ,malkin, Cole all 3 idiots took their penalties
Cole is one of the best blueliners on this team. He has been steady and adds some meanness missing. You’re a fucken queeb
How is our Russian doing
Radulov? I assume he’s golfing.
Please do not scream all hail after 1 period. The Saint has the horse shoe up his a$$ going right now. It’s a good thing too. The pens took tonight off so far. Zero intensity. That 1st period was a joke.
#Fraud
https://media.giphy.com/media/SleotgmotWahW/giphy.gif
Kill yourself you fucken Caps fan.
Sam sees the score and thinks this was an even period. #boxscore
Fleury letting them down again. All hail!
All hail the saint
Once again bone head Cole with dumb penalty
He’s no Pageau
Letang looks slow out there.
Pageau>ryan
Before today you didn’t even know Pageau was a thing.
He Pageau’d to Db this morning.
Fuckkk you shero
It’s awesome Rostraver won Hockeyville. Had a lot of great times there and it could definitely use the money. Those showers are worse than the ones at the old Neville Southside
that arena needs a lot more than 150k
I dont typically hate a draft pick immediately, but a long snapper? Why?
Been telling you bandwagons for years about LS Colin Holba
James Conner is a Pittsburgh Steeler
Not sure about that Dobbs pick….
I like it a lot. Quick release, mobile in and out of the pocket, rocket scientist, and clutch. Even post-Dak, its not fair to expect a 4th round pick to replace Big Ben, but at the very least, he should be an upgrade over Landry.
I would take that. I honestly don’t think this is a very strong year for quarterbacks. If he can beat out Landry Jones, it’s a solid pick. With Ben getting older and his injury issues, he will probably see game time sooner rather than later.
What I like is that the B&G identified him early and then went and got him in the 4th. It’s their style and I hope they capture “lightening in the bottle,” which is what any QB pick, this late, was about.