Herman Johnson, Tom Pestock and Cody Brown cut!!!

[Duckjake]

Isn't that what I said? I've been yelling for some elite edge rushers for many, many years!!!

Come on Duck you must be Horns drunk & it's not even Sat yet

Sorry phrased it wrong. People weren't saying OLB is easy to fill but WILB is if I remember correctly.

 

[Stout]

Herman would have been dropped regarless IMO. To nonchalant about his weight.

Lyle, Claxton, Faneca, Lutui, Bridges, Hadnot, Bridges, Brown. That is only 8 OL that looks worth keeping. We have always kept 9 under coach Wiz does that change this year, or is there something up sleeve?

You missed Keith. I think he's still our starting RT.

 

[Longcolts]

Herman would have been dropped regarless IMO. To nonchalant about his weight.

Lyle, Claxton, Faneca, Lutui, Bridges, Hadnot, Bridges, Brown. That is only 8 OL that looks worth keeping. We have always kept 9 under coach Wiz does that change this year, or is there something up sleeve?

Sendlein isn't included in being an O-lineman?

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Sendlein isn't included in being an O-lineman?

Lyle = Sendlein

 

[Longcolts]

Lyle = Sendlein

Ahh ok..all the others were last names so I didn't even notice the Lyle!

 

[cardsfanmd]

Brown was a horrible pick from the beginning. He was projected as a 3rd-4th rounder at best by most but there was a run on 3-4 OLBs right before he and we reached so that we weren't left with nothing. Obviously that was a futile attempt.

 

[Duckjake]

Brown was a horrible pick from the beginning. He was projected as a 3rd-4th rounder at best by most but there was a run on 3-4 OLBs right before he and we reached so that we weren't left with nothing. Obviously that was a futile attempt.

It wasn't right before him, Sintim went about 20 picks earlier and Krueger was the only guy I remember being selected close to Brown, but all the name guys were gone.

We do have to remember that year our selection was at the bottom of the round. So essentially our 2nd was = to what used to be our third round.

For instance Dansby and Branch were taken at Pick 33. Brown at 63. Adub and 9-0 were both 3rd round selections taken at pick #64.

 

[Mitch]

Brown was a horrible pick from the beginning. He was projected as a 3rd-4th rounder at best by most but there was a run on 3-4 OLBs right before he and we reached so that we weren't left with nothing. Obviously that was a futile attempt.

It was a classic case of drafting (reaching) for need...and if you recall, md, pass rushers were flying off the board in that round and the cupboard was getting bare by the time the Cardinals picked at #63.

The interesting thing is many of those 2nd round pass rushers have been struggling. The Ravens moved Paul Kruger inside...David Veikune has been reportedly on the bubble in Cleveland and Connor Barwin hasn't been a sensation yet in Houston.

 

[kerouac9]

This is a good thread, but I'm not sure why Tom Pestock's name made the title. Did anyone think he was going to make the roster?

Surprised on Brown but I do agree he didn't do much last night to make his
case.

Won't be surprised if he makes someone else's roster and winds up a good player at some point but it's a sign that we're talented that he didn't make our roster.

We'll see. I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up a pass rush specialist in the mold of Travis LaBoy in a year or so. If I were a Tampa 2 team, I'd be looking at him in that role.

What is concerning is that for a 3-4 team, being able to gauge a college players ability to make this transition is a necessity. If we continually fail to identify college rushers who can make a transition to playing outside at a linebacker spot, our pass rush will never be good enough to support the d line and secondary.

Even more concerning is that the heart of Pittsburgh's success has been using late-round picks and undrafted guys to transition from college DE to NFL OLB. James Harrison is a perfect example. That we haven't been able to identify a single OLB who can contribute in a meaningful way (nothing I've seen from Will Davis--a player I like--has shown me that he's going to be an effective starter) is going to be a problem sooner rather than later.

Of course, we could just sign LaMarr Woodley next offseason and be done with it.

With the number of DBs that we're keeping and the lack of LB depth that we're keeping around, it seems like the plan is going to be that we're not going to be able to stop anyone on defense so we better score a lot of points. I'm not sure how this jibes with our new run-blocking offensive line.

 

[Duckjake]

This is a good thread, but I'm not sure why Tom Pestock's name made the title. Did anyone think he was going to make the roster?



We'll see. I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up a pass rush specialist in the mold of Travis LaBoy in a year or so. If I were a Tampa 2 team, I'd be looking at him in that role.



Even more concerning is that the heart of Pittsburgh's success has been using late-round picks and undrafted guys to transition from college DE to NFL OLB. James Harrison is a perfect example. That we haven't been able to identify a single OLB who can contribute in a meaningful way (nothing I've seen from Will Davis--a player I like--has shown me that he's going to be an effective starter) is going to be a problem sooner rather than later.

Of course, we could just sign LaMarr Woodley next offseason and be done with it.

With the number of DBs that we're keeping and the lack of LB depth that we're keeping around, it seems like the plan is going to be that we're not going to be able to stop anyone on defense so we better score a lot of points. I'm not sure how this jibes with our new run-blocking offensive line.

Didn't it take something like 4-5 years for Harrison to develop into a top pass rusher?

 

[kerouac9]

Didn't it take something like 4-5 years for Harrison to develop into a top pass rusher?

He didn't become a starter until 2007, his fifth season in the league. He'd appeared in 44 games before that, though.

The Cards should be using the placeholders of Haggans and Porter to develop some players for the future behind them, but it doesn't seem like the scouting staff has been able to identify personnel who are even worth keeping around for another look. It's... concerning.

It also makes us light on special teams, since all of those DBs are going to have to play, but they're going to be significantly lighter than the LBs they'll be trying to run around.

 

[joeshmo]

It also makes us light on special teams, since all of those DBs are going to have to play, but they're going to be significantly lighter than the LBs they'll be trying to run around.

Actually using more DB's/lighter faster guys is actually the trend in special teams the last two years. Ever since they change the rules on the wedge bigger guys to break it up just isn't needed. And its pretty easy to run around larger guys in space if they are faster. Coach Spencer has talked about it multiple times on the radio. Concerning Kickoffs that is.

 

[Duckjake]

Actually using more DB's/lighter faster guys is actually the trend in special teams the last two years. Ever since they change the rules on the wedge bigger guys to break it up just isn't needed. And its pretty easy to run around larger guys in space if they are faster. Coach Spencer has talked about it multiple times on the radio. Concerning Kickoffs that is.

I'd have to agree. It is why you often see offensive linemen running downfield on screen passes and not seem to block anybody. The DBs simply run around them.

 

[Duckjake]

He didn't become a starter until 2007, his fifth season in the league. He'd appeared in 44 games before that, though.

The Cards should be using the placeholders of Haggans and Porter to develop some players for the future behind them, but it doesn't seem like the scouting staff has been able to identify personnel who are even worth keeping around for another look. It's... concerning.

It also makes us light on special teams, since all of those DBs are going to have to play, but they're going to be significantly lighter than the LBs they'll be trying to run around.

He only had 4 sacks though in those first 44 games. But you are right about developing talent.

I still think the Cards are too light at OLB. The 2007 media guide listed Berry at 6'3" 270 and Okeafor at 6'5" 265. Pace was at 6'4" 270. So when the Cards first started talking about going 3-4 I thought they had a great group. Then Pace leaves and Berry and Okeafor both drop down to 255 and they pick up Haggans who is listed at 243. I think that is why our 3-4 outside rush hasn't been as good they just get swallowed up by the 330lb Tackles.

That is also why I like that Davis is 6'2" 260 and not too disappointed that Brown at 244 is gone.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

He only had 4 sacks though in those first 44 games. But you are right about developing talent.

I still think the Cards are too light at OLB. The 2007 media guide listed Berry at 6'3" 270 and Okeafor at 6'5" 265. Pace was at 6'4" 270. So when the Cards first started talking about going 3-4 I thought they had a great group. Then Pace leaves and Berry and Okeafor both drop down to 255 and they pick up Haggans who is listed at 243. I think that is why our 3-4 outside rush hasn't been as good they just get swallowed up by the 330lb Tackles.

That is also why I like that Davis is 6'2" 260 and not too disappointed that Brown at 244 is gone.

Check the weights of the OLB's in Pittsburgh...

 

[Duckjake]

Check the weights of the OLB's in Pittsburgh...

Why? I'm not a Steelers fan.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Why? I'm not a Steelers fan.

Because then you'd note that successful 3-4 OLB's don't have to be massive.

 

[Duckjake]

Because then you'd note that successful 3-4 OLB's don't have to be massive.

Successful? Green Bay has light OLBs as well. The last time we played Green Bay and Pittsburgh the Cards put up 938 yards of offense and scored 68 points.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Never pass up an opportunity to brag about the Cards.

But anyway the Steelers OLBs aren't that small. Woodley and Worilds are both 260 and Harrison is a stump.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Successful? Green Bay has light OLBs as well. The last time we played Green Bay and Pittsburgh the Cards put up 938 yards of offense and scored 68 points.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Never pass up an opportunity to brag about the Cards.

But anyway the Steelers OLBs aren't that small. Woodley and Worilds are both 260 and Harrison is a stump.

Well, we have a 260 in Davis, a 255 in Porter and and a 243 in Haggans.