2009 Steelers Draft and Mel Kiper Sucks Thread

So the glorified track meet starts in full swing tomorrow (saturday) ..   Yep and I'll be watching - some of it anyway...  Saw an interesting comment last night - I forget who - but basically saying the teams use the combine as a way to separate players more than anything - that their board is pretty much already set and they use the combine for the mental side as well as maybe watching to guys thet have rated real close together to determine which one they'd take - the example was comparing a couple of first round OT.. 

Found an interesting post on the nfl draft site on here cbssports.com..  and lists the top performers from 2000-2011 - go down the list and look at the names - some you will recognize - others - I was like who the heck is that?

http://rob-rang.blogs.cbssports.com
/mcc/blogs/entry/13682485/34964121

also - the game tape is the biggest piece of the eval...  so when are watching the combine over the next couple days - remember - It's pretty much as I stated before - a glorified track meet...  guys aren't going to jump mulitple rounds on players boards - but they may move up or back a spot or 2 based on some of the results, eye test and mental extraction that comes out of the next 4 days...

enjoy,

bb

Well, now I'm a bit skeptical, just herd Peter Konz has never played a full season in college due to injuries. I dont the Steelers need another injury prone OL. Ok, so now what ? Back to Glenn,Hightower, Poe ? 

Rarebreed and all,

Here is some stuff I found on the 2 Wisconsin interior O-linemen - from nfl.com combine...

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Konz is the premier center in this year's draft, and his selection will likely be solely based off team needs towards the end of the first round. He has a massive frame for the center position but has impressive knee bend, which allows him to play the position effectively. He made all the calls at the line and was the centerpiece of a dominant Wisconsin line loaded with NFL size and talent.

Analysis

Strengths

Konz looks natural sitting in his stance and swiveling his head to make all the line calls, which is impressive given his uncommon height. He is a smooth athlete who has demonstrated the ability to uncoil his hips into defenders and blow them back to create quick holes in the run game. Konz is a smart player who picks up stunts well and uses his strength and anchor to sit and stall any oncoming bull rushers. He is comfortable to work in fluid motion with his guards when pulling and sealing. He has all the tools to be an elite center for years to come.

Weaknesses

Even though Konz has good flexibility, defenders will be able to out-leverage him at the point given his size. He can get stunned by quick bull rushes at the point and has a difficult time resetting his feet afterwards. While he is an effective short-area mover he looks limited and rigid when moving in space or downfield.

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Zeitler has been a regular starter when healthy over the past three years on extremely productive offensive lines at Wisconsin. All of his linemates have been considered professional run blockers with the size to match, and he is no different. Zeitler is well coached and technical in his pass set. He has second- or third-round value due because of his experience playing on a productive line and being polished enough to play early.

Analysis

Strengths

Zeitler displays very quick movement off the line and gets into his blocks quickly. He can blow a defender back and also drive his legs to sustain throughout run plays. He stands out in his work at the second level, where he has the ability to bend his knees and engage linebackers. He can quickly pull from his spot off the line.

Weaknesses

Zeitler is a big man with heavy legs who at times labors to get moving when he needs to get out of his set and pull. His body control can be inconsistent at times, as he occasionally will whiff on linebackers. He is slower than desirable and is better off working in close proximity to his man to control the block.

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In Zeitler's anaysis.. there appears to be a contridiction..  Strength - can pull from his line spot.. Weakness - you can read it..

Like I said - I beleive Zeitler to be a good value in round 3 - I would not take him at #56.... 

Konz just doesn't seem to grade high enough to warrent the #24 pick - I think we can get a better valued player there..  my opinion.

enjoy,

bb

Hers's a kid I like as a 3rd round pick:

James Brown OT/OG Troy

 

Strengths

Brown has the initial quickness to move inside to guard and jolt defenders back off the snap. He is a solid run blocker who can clear gaps and keep his man near him once engaged. Defenders rarely fall off his blocks, and he is a rather effective athlete moving up field and can sink his hips to fit on a block, which would serve him well when pulling.He is a competitive blocker who always works until he hears the whistle.

Weaknesses

Brown didn't play inside at guard in college, so there will be a learning curve in his transitional phase. He is only an average pass blocker. His footwork is effective but he can often get beat by falling forward and being too aggressive once in his set and losing his balance. These attributes would support a move inside because of the trouble he could face going up against bigger, more athletic ends at the tackle position.

enjoy,

bb

Well, now I'm a bit skeptical, just herd Peter Konz has never played a full season in college due to injuries. I dont the Steelers need another injury prone OL. Ok, so now what ? Back to Glenn,Hightower, Poe ? 

Maybe, maybe not, that is OUR board, not Colberts. They may really like Ruebin Randle, me pesonally Muhammid Sanu does not have elitie speed and is a second rounder. Beach just took Nick Perry in his exercise, great value at 32. What Colbert is looking for, along with other teams, LB's who can drop. I am telling you right now, Luke Keuchly will be burned by the TE all game long, Hightower is a much better athlete who can play in space. But by all means I hope the BC LB runs a 4.6. 

What team picks in the late teens, they might move on a QB, pushes a player back. You can look at hundreds of mocks, (been there), and very few if any involve trades. The best guys at mocks and predicting who picks who (naturally eliminating ESPN), are the guys who think like a GM, and can view tape objectively. BTW Kiper got caught with his shorts around his ankles with ties to a sports agent, he inflated his ratings of that agents clients. You know ESPN if full of sellouts, jeebus look at fatass Berman. Applebees eating good in the neighborhood, try our 5 ounce sirloin. Yeah about that most 5 oz. sirloins I eat come on a stick or between buns. And then he is in a Toyota Camry ad wiith an American Idol winner singing "Stronger", good God what a money grubbing no-talent buttclown.

I think a player who moves up if he runs well is Andre Branch, this kid can cover, he's not a one trick pony. In fact I think all 3 Clemson kids go within 10 picks of each other, late first to early second, that is how I see it unfolding.

Did we miss this kid?

Marcel Jones OT Nebraska?     Anybody have intell on him?   RT only?  

enjoy,

bb

Did we miss this kid?

Marcel Jones OT Nebraska?     Anybody have intell on him?   RT only?  

enjoy,

bb


not sure bb, I honestly looked past  him, I though Kieth Williams looked better as a mauler, and we cut him.... I would rather roll the dice with Rishaw Johnson, reminds me of Willie Colon, something to prove with a chip on his shoulder.

RE: Marcel Jones OT Nebraska?     Anybody have intell on him?   RT only?  
6-6 320 coming off of back surgery also missed time because of an ankle injury, estimated 6-7th round draft pick and played as a RT.

rarebreed

 thanks...  coming off those injuries.. sheez..  I have not watched any tape on him nor remember him standing out watching a couple of Nebraska games this year...

so I'd say we didn't miss him...

enjoy,

bb

I have another one for you, Tony Bergstrom RT,Utah  6-5 313. He has a 85% overall grade winning 491 of 579 assignments.
With Gilbert moving to the left side and Colon's health could be an issue the Steelers could get this guy in the 4th. He is considered a 3-4 round pick.He did have a knee injury in September but was back starting in December during the 2011 season.

Rarebreed,

Bergstrom is a kid I posted in the round 4 vote on here..that I liked   - But since then read something about him being weak.... and will need time in the weight room - probably a backup player for a year or 2..  until he develops the stength..  He is a very good technician and has good feet.  I'd be interested in the 4th round.. no earlier..

enjoy,

bb

Browns Coach Pat Shurmur: "We don't really need a scouting department.  We just go to the Mel Kiper sucks thread and pick whoever the Steelers are targeting..."

Browns Coach Pat Shurmur: "We don't really need a scouting department.  We just go to the Mel Kiper sucks thread and pick whoever the Steelers are targeting..."

In that case I think we are targeting the kid from Faber College with 2 broken knees, benches 25 lbs once and runs a 7.1 40...

enjoy,

bb

WHY DOES NO ONE WANT TO THROW AT THIS DAMN COMBINE...BUNCH OF PUCKING FUSSIES.

also im gonna say this one last time then hopefully not say it again therefore not jinxing it but, i really want the Ravens to take burfict...

2k

R2k, you've done it now......the Ravens now are going to select Agbe Iguanadu ILB Zimbabwe Lions with their first round pick  coming out of left field with this one!!

Really disappointed I can't watch the combine on here. Hopefully you guys will be able to keep us updated on here.

Just saw a number from the combine - now I usually dont make a big deal out of this.. BUt this player is an OT.. 320+ lbs.. projected 1st round pick...  (or early 2nd...)  puts up 19 on the bench?  You have got to be kidding me....

the player:

Mike Adams OT Ohio State

enjoy,

bb

Just to compare...

Cordy Glenn - 31
Dave DeCastro - 34

enjoy,

bb

Another interesting number...

Tony Bergstrom  - 32

enjoy,

bb

Konz just put a a whopping 18 reps...... 

(Marcus Gilbert 30 reps last year)

enjoy,

bb

Mike Adams, the winner of the Max Unger Award. No thanks.

Konz just dropped to second place for the Felix Unger award...

Matt McCants OT UAB - 17 reps..  I knew the kid was weak... but g-sus....

enjoy,

bb

Kelechi Osemele got 32 and also has the longest arms out of every lineman available. This got definitely help his stock.

Osemele put up 32 reps and has the longest arms in this group of OLmen...

enjoy,

bb

Kevin Zeitler - 32
Amini Silatolu - 28

enjoy,

bb

"Weak" center class now I know what they mean! Ten years ago early to mid forties I put up 225 fifteen times and I weighed about 210.

Osemele put up 32 reps and has the longest arms in this group of OLmen...

some TE bench press numbers:

Dwayne Allen - 27
Charles Orson - 35
Coby Fleener - 27
Michael Egnew - 21
Ladarius Green - 16

enjoy,

bb