Steelers Move Colon to Left Guard
Gayle Saunders
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With the Steelers addressing the offensive line during the draft this off season, they have now moved Willie Colon to left guard.
Pittsburgh most likely felt that Colon was better suited to play inside versus outside with his size. Colon is 6’3 and weighs in around 315 pounds.
“I’ve made the transition to left guard,” he confirmed. “I like it. It’s just a matter of learning the verbiage.”
The Skinny: By moving Colon on the inside they will probably utilize his athletism for pulling purposes. Expect to see Colon and Decastro get their “pull” on. The Steelers’ starting O-Line will probably look like this as of now LT Mike Adams, LG Colon, C Maurkice Pouncey, RG David DeCastro, and RT Marcus Gilbert. I believe the Steelers O-line will be a force to be reckoned with if this unit stays healthy.
Steelers: Meet The 2012 Draft Class
ROUND 1: David DeCastro, G, Stanford
DeCastro is ideal for an offensive line that has problems protecting QB Ben Roethlisberger. He will play at right guard next to All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey, giving the Steelers a pair of athletic and tenacious blockers on the inside. What’s more, the Steelers liked the way he was typically the lead blocker in Stanford’s run game.
The Steelers have juggled a lot of different players at both guard positions and DeCastro is an immediate upgrade as a Pouncey-like player — tough, smart, dedicated and athletic.
DeCastro has a chance to start right away because the incumbent starters at guard are Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster, players who were undrafted free agents several years ago and have never gone to training camp as a starter. DeCastro played in a pro-style offense at Stanford, which will make the transition easier.
More important, he might be a better pass protector than run blocker, something the Steelers were seeking to help lessen some of the hits on Roethlisberger, who has averaged 43 sacks a season since 2007. Pouncey started as a rookie in 2010 and DeCastro will probably do the same thing.
ROUND 2: Mike Adams, T, Ohio State
The team has made a strong commitment to upgrading its offensive line by taking guard David DeCastro and Adams with its first two picks. In the past three years, the Steelers have used two No. 1 picks and two No. 2 picks on offensive linemen. Adams has long arms and good length—which helps him in pass protection.
Adams gives the team a young talent to use at right tackle if Willie Colon has problems coming back from another season-ending injury. Otherwise, Adams will back up on both sides until the team determines where he fits best. Adams, though, has a chance to become a starter by 2013.
Round 3: Sean Spence, OLB, Miami (Fla.)
How he fits: Spence played outside in a 4-3 front in college, but he will play inside linebacker in the Steelers’ 3-4 front. Spence is not very big, but the Steelers like to keep blockers off their inside ‘backers to let them run to the ball. Spence is very instinctive, quick and smart and is able to run with tight ends and H-backs.
Spence will not be a starter and will back up Lawrence Timmons at the Mack LB spot and play mainly on special teams. Veteran Larry Foote will step in and replace departed James Farrior, but that probably won’t be for more than one year. Still, Spence provides depth on the inside and gives the team an extra body to replace Farrior on the roster.
ROUND 4: ALAMEDA TA’AMU, NT, Washington
Ta’Amu is exactly what the Steelers need at nose tackle—a massive, powerful player who is hard to move and often forces double teams to create space for the linebackers to make tackles. Five-time Pro Bowl NT Casey Hampton will come back for one more season, but he is coming off ACL surgery. Ta’Amu is the long-term replacement who has a chance to move into that role earlier than anticipated.
ROUND 5: CHRIS RAINEY, RB, Florida
Rainey gives the team the type of running back they don’t have—a breakaway threat who is tough to tackle in space. He ran a 4.37 at the combine and will be used mainly on special teams as a return specialist. But new offensive coordinator Todd Haley can also use him as a situational, change-of-pace third-down player who can run and catch.
ROUND 7: TONEY CLEMONS, WR, Colorado
The Steelers were interested in adding a bigger receiver on their roster, but they also got a player who ran an unofficial 4.36 at his pro day. Clemons walks into a good situation because with the retirement of veteran Hines Ward, he has a chance to win a roster spot as the fifth receiver.
ROUND 7: DAVID PAULSON, TE, Oregon
He has a chance to be the third tight end because Weslye Saunders, who has to serve a four-game suspension to start the season, may not be back. Paulson is also the type of tight end the Steelers don’t have—a player who can flex, play H-back or do in-line blocking.
ROUND 7: TERRENCE FREDERICK, CB, Texas A&M
The loss of nickel back William Gay could create a roster spot in the slot for Frederick, who does not have the size and speed to play on the outside. Frederick will be limited to zone coverage, though, because he is not very good in man coverage.
ROUND 7: KELVIN BEACHUM, OT, SMU
Played left tackle in college but will be used at guard with the Steelers. Has the position flexibility the team desires. Either way, he is probably slotted for the practice squad because he needs to develop more size and strength. But he is athletic, smart, has good feet and could develop into a nice backup in a couple years.
Pre Draft Visits: Pittsburgh Steelers
By Gayle Saunders
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League rules allow each team to bring in 30 players for predraft visits. No on-field work is allowed. The visits are simply an opportunity for the players to sit down with the coaches, as well as the personnel people, for any additional questions, football or otherwise.
Not every player accepts every invitation he receives, so teams don’t always get the first 30 players they requested. But coaches often will look at video with players to get a sense of their football awareness, or put them to work, marker in hand, on the dry-erase board to see how they dissect certain game situations.
One important fact to note from last years draft is, 21 of the NFL’s 32 1st round selections had confirmed pre-draft visits and/or workouts with the NFL teams they were selected by. So there is a good shot that he players below will get drafted if they’re on the board during the teams draft selection.
Below we’ll be updating the chart of pre-draft visits, if you have a player visit you’d like us to add to the chart leave a comment and I’ll add it. Thanks for your help in advance!
LAST UPDATED 4/20/12
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Pittsburgh Steelers
Isaiah Pead – RB from Cincinnati
LaMichael James – RB from Oregon
Stephen Hill- WR from Georgia Tech
Toney Clemons – WR from Colorado
T.Y. Hilton – WR from Florida International
Keshawn Martin – WR from Michigan State
Toney Clemons -WR from Colorado
Greg Childs – WR from Arkansas
Ladarius Green – TE from Louisiana-Lafayette
Adrien Robinson -TE from Cincinnati
David Paulson – TE from Oregon
Michael Egnew – TE from Missouri
Mike Adams – OT from Ohio State
Bobby Massie – OT from Ole Miss
Mitchell Schartz -OL from University of California
Lucas Nix – G from University of Pittsburgh
Amini Silatolu – G from Midwestern State
Brandon Brooks – G from Miami
Kelvin Beachum -G/T from SMU
Dontari Poe -DT from Memphis
Trevor Guyton – DL from University of California
Akiem Hicks – DT from Regina
Hebron Fangupo – DT from BYU
John Hughes – DT from Cincinnati
Nick Perry -DE from USC
Olivier Vernon – DE from Miami
Derek Wolfe – DE from Cincinnati
Andre Branch – DE from Clemson
Cam Johnson – DE from Virginia
Dont’a Hightower LB from Alabama
Mychal Kendricks – LB from California
Jerrell Harris – LB from Alabama
Keith Tandy – CB from West Virginia
Jeremy Jones – DB from Wayne State
Zach Nolan – Long Snapper from Stanford
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Mike Wallace Planning to Skip out on OTAs
Gayle Saunders
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Bad news for Steelers fans as Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday that Mike Wallace will not sign his tender for $2.742 million tender.
Wallace is basically willing to miss all off season workouts, because without signing his tender he can’t even participate. Wallace is focused on working out a long term deal with the Steelers and is not flinching. The problem with Wallace and the Steelers is getting the numbers close enough for a deal to happen.
The Skinny: I really see Wallace holding ground for a long term deal, and if the Steelers saw what happened with the Eagles and Desean Jackson last season they’ll come to terms sooner versus later. But most importantly Wallace is going to have to budge on the numbers for this contract to get done.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Team Needs and Draft: Look for the Steelers to look at bringing in quality depth on the defensive line. Nose tackle is a concern with Hampton being injured. You might see the Steelers look at bringing in a running back to challenge Mendenhall perhaps the early rounds. With Safety’s Ryan Clark and Troy Polamalu are getting up there in age, looking for their replacement wouldn’t be a bad idea. Pittsburgh will probably look at the offensive guard position to solidify the offensive line, because guard is an issue.
2012 Draft Picks
1.24, 2.24, 3.24, 4.24, 5.24, 6.24, 7.24
2011 Draft Results
1st: Cameron Heyward, DE, Ohio State
2nd: Marcus Gilbert (OT) Florida
3rd: Curtis Brown (CB) Texas
4th: Cortez Allen (CB) The Citadel
5th: Christopher Carter (OLB) Fresno St
6th: Keith Williams (OG) Nebraska
7th: Baron Batch (RB) Texas Tech
Panthers Shopping Jonathan Stewart
Gayle Saunders
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Len Pasquarelli of The Sports Xchange is reporting that Panthers will in fact be listening to trade offers for Jonathan Stewart services.
When the Panther signed Mike Tolbert, it was only time that one of the previous Panther backs would be up for grabs. Its funny how the Panthers shot down the idea that Stewart was on the block. Looks like they were only trying hold on to what little leverage they had.
The Skinny: Pasquarelli believes the Steelers could jump into the mix and make a play for Stewart. Is it possible that Stewart makes a reunion with his former coach John Fox though? The Broncos are in need of a back with Stewarts abilities, and at age 25 with his versatility, it could be a good fit.
Hines Ward to Retire
Gayle Saunders
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After 14 years with the Pittburgh Steelers the long time fan favorite will retire from the NFL.
Ward had an outstanding career hauling in 1,000 catches for 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns. along the way Hines went to four Pro Bowls and collected two Super Bowl rings and a Super Bowl MVP award.
In 2017 Ward will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Steelers to Release Hines Ward
By Gayle Saunders
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Sad day in Steelers land as the franchise has finally decided to release the 36 year old Hines Ward.
Ward was no ordinary veteran reciever, as he played 14 years for the Black and Yellow. Under his time in Pttsburgh he was a four-time Pro Bowler and is the Steelers all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. (Not too shabby folks)
Even though Ward was willing to restructure his contract, its hard to see Ward competing for a special teams role. The Steelers will focus on paying Mike Wallace rather than putting extra money else where.
The Skinny: At Hines age the problem was getting separation in the slot. When you play in the slot its all about being able to get open and that just wasn’t happening anymore. When you have a guy like Antonio Brown and Jerricho Cothcery in the mix for the Steelers, its easier for them to make this decision. Look for Ward to find a one-year opportunity at a veteran’s minimum in 2012.
Don’t sleep on Ward’s resume folks
Steelers will let Wallace test Free Agency!
The Pittsburgh Steelers fastest weapon and one of the most dangerous deep threats in the NFL might be hitting the open market. According to the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, the team is willing to allow Mike Wallace to test the open market.
At 25 he still has a long football career ahead of him and a major upside. The Steelers will likely tender Mike to a 1st Round Restricted status to ensure compensation should they not get a deal done that is within their team budget.
Steelers’ scared they may lose restricted free agent Mike Wallace
According to NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, there is “real concern” in the Steelers’ front office that they may lose restricted free agent Mike Wallace.
The Steelers are in a tough spot because they’re so tight up against the salary cap. They’ll place a first-round tender on Wallace, but a franchise tag isn’t financially doable, and the tender would leave Pittsburgh vulnerable to teams willing to surrender a first-round pick. La Canfora mentioned the division-rival Ravens and Patriots as teams potentially interested in Wallace. Baltimore drafts at No. 29, and New England has two first-round picks.
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