Steelers Draft Picks Gives The Team A Good Start

Steelers Pleased With Their Picks

Of course, drafting college ball players is not going to take care of every need the Steelers currently have to fill. The team knows that, but they appear to be happy with their draft picks.

Including Jarvis Jones (refer to the previous post for the stats on Jones), the Steelers chose another linebacker, a defensive tackle, a running back, two wide receivers, two defensive backs and a quarterback. That's certainly spreading it around.

Quick Look:

• Second round draft pick Running Back Le'Veon Bell, 224 pounds at 6-1 comes from Michigan State. Carried 671 times for 3,346 yards (4.99 average) and 33 touchdowns. He appeared in 40 games. His rushing attempts rank him sixth in Spartan history averaging 102.85 yards per game. Michigan State went 18-3 when Bell scored at least one rushing TD.
• Third Round draft pick WR Markus Wheaton, 5-11 at 182 pounds comes from Oregon State. He appeared in 49 games. His 227 receptions was Oregon's all time record. He had 16 touchdowns. He gained at least 100 yards receiving 11 times ranking sixth on the school-career record list.
• Fourth Round draft pick QB Landry Jones of the University of Oklahoma. Jones stands 6-3 at 221 pounds. Jones started 50 of 52 games. He set the university record with 48 consecutive starts. His passing yardage total ranks third in NCAA history at 16,646 yards. He averaged 320.12 yards per game.
• Fifth round draft pick DB Terry Hawthorne of the University of Illinois. He stands at 6-0, 190 pounds. Having played in 44 games, he posted 163 tackles, 12.5 TFL's, 1.0 sack, six interceptions and 28 passes defended. He was honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2011 and 2012.
• Sixth round draft pick WR Justin Brown of the University of Oklahoma. Stands at 6-3, 209 pounds. Brown started 39 of 49 games in his career. He joined the Sooners after transferring from Penn State in his final season. He registered 146 receptions for 1,926 yards (13.2 average).
• Seventh round draft pick DE Nicholas Williams from Samford. Stands at 6-4, 309 pounds. He played in 11 games in 2012 and recorded 31 tackles (15 solo). He also registered at least one sack in three consecutive games.

Steelers.com  ESPN

Steelers Pick Jarvis Jones, OL

Steelers Go With Jarvis Jones

"Never ceases to amazes how the Steelers find physical, productive defenders." Bart Hubbuck, NY Post

A look at Jarvis:

• Jarvis is a  245 pound, 6'2" outside linebacker from the University of Georgia.
• All American first team honors (2012 season)
• He was a finalist for the Lombardi Trophy (2012 season)
• He recorded 168 tackles in his college career. Of those, 91 were solo tackles.
• He caused 9 fumbles, ninth best among NCAA players.
• He broke up five passes with one interception (2012 season)
• Averaged 1.21 QB tackles per game, second in the nation. (2012 season).

Pros:

• Good speed who can turn inside to the pocket in a hurry.
• Quick bursts off the snap.
• Outstanding "chase" player who can take the play to the sideline.
• Good wrap tackler.
• Quick speed to drop into coverage.

Cons:

• Needs to develop better strength for his rushes.
• Weak in hand moves. Needs to develop better and quicker spin moves.
• Slow 40 time on pro day but is much faster.
• History of spinal stenosis (stiffness in joints and numbness in neck and may cause weakness in legs) but cleared.

Steelers.com, Yahoo Sports, USA Today, NY Post

Steelers Post Their 2013 Schedule And What Does It Reveal?

Steelers 2013 Schedule

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 8, Titans, 1 PM
Week 2: Monday, Sept. 16, at Cincinnati, 8:30 PM
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 22, Bears, 8:30 PM
Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 29, at Vikings, 1 PM (Game To Be Played In London)

Week 5: BYE

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 13, at Jets, 1 PM
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 20, Baltimore, 4:25 PM
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 27, at Oakland, 4:05 PM
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 3, at New England, 4:25 PM
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 10, at Buffalo, 1 PM
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 17, Lions, 1 PM
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 24, at Browns, 1 PM\
Week 13: Thursday, Nov 28, at Baltimore, 8:30 PM
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 8, Miami, 1 PM
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 15, Bengals, 8:30 PM
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 22, at Green Bay, 4:25 PM
Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 29, Cleveland, 1 PM

 

What Does The 2013 Schedule Reveal?

 

It's much too early to make predictions. I'll leave that to the pros who often get it wrong anyway.  However, even though the Steelers get a BYE after the game in London against the Vikings, the second half looks to be a challenge. In particular, the games at New England, at Baltimore and at Green Bay will be a huge test for the Steelers in the second half of their season.

 

This season would also be a good time for the Steelers to overcome the slow starts they've had the last three of four seasons. In fact, after reviewing that second half schedule, it's a virtual must for the Steelers to get out of the blocks fast, hard and post wins early.



 



Emmanuel Sanders Signs Patriots Offer Sheet; Steelers Still Showing Interest in Former NY Giant Ahmad Bradshaw

Steelers Receiver Signs Offer Sheet From Patriots


The agent for Emmanuel Sanders confirmed today that Sanders signed an offer sheet from the New England Patriots. The offer sheet is a one-year contract for reportedly $2.5 million.

Sanders had career high receptions (44) and yards (626) last season.


Steelers Still Showing Interest in Ahmad Bradshaw

As reported in this Report several posts ago, Ahmad Bradshaw took a physical with the Steelers several weeks ago. However, Bradshaw left without being offered a contract. He's the former running back with the NY Giants.

According to reports, Steelers are closely monitoring Bradshaw's surgically-repaired right foot. This was Bradshaw's third surgery on his right foot since 2009.

It's also being reported the Bengals are showing an interest in Bradshaw.

CBS, PittsburghSteelers.com, USA Today

Steelers 2013 Pre-Season Schedule; Stevenson Sylvester Signed

Steelers Announced Their 2013 Pre-Season Schedule


The Steelers 2013 Pre-Season Schedule was published today.

Steelers will be meeting the NY Giants in week 1 at Heinz Field. In addition, they will be playing the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field on week 3 (this will be the first pre-season meeting between both teams since 1997).

On August 19, week 2, the Steelers will be traveling to Fed Ex Field to meet the Redskins.

The Steelers will conclude their pre-season against the Carolina Panthers.

Times and dates for those three games have yet to be announced.


Steelers Sign Sylvester

LB Stevenson Sylvester was signed to a one-year contract yesterday.

Sylvester was drafted by the Steelers in the 5th round in 2010. He's recorded 23 tackles and two forced fumbles in three seasons.