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1) Troy Polamalu
2) Alonzo Jackson
4) Ike Taylor
5) Brian St. Pierre
7) J.T. Wall
Depth
Chart |
The 2003 Steeler draft was like none other
in team history. Never before had the Steelers traded
up in the 1st Round, and for the first
time, no offensive linemen were drafted (this proved to
be a big mistake!). The Steelers only had 5 five choices
whom they used to draft two big, fast Defensive backs,
a pass-rushing Linebacker, a Quarterback and a Fullback.
The 2003 draft revealed two things: 1) the Steelers needed
and got speed on defense; 2) the team was happy with its
Offensive Line, even with the loss of OLT Wayne
Gandy in free agency. In hindsight, not drafting
an offensive tackle crippled the team for many games.
A lot is riding on the shoulders of Troy
Polamalu, the young, new Steelers Strong Safety
who is expected to contribute immediately, if not start.
He certainly is capable of carrying the load. He was captain
of his team at USC, a 2-time All-American and voted Most
Inspirational Player by his teammates.
Still, the Steelers
gave up a 3rd and 6th Round pick to get him. Pro Bowlers LB Jason Gildon ('94) and WR
Hines Ward ('98) were once 3rd Round picks. For
the lack of players, this draft gets a B minus, but has
the potential to be much better.
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Strong Safety,
USC, 5'10, 207#
2005 Season review: The Steelers have to be thinking about extending this guy's contract way out into the future. He is such an important part of their defense. Without him, they would be an average Defense. He plays the ball well in pass defense, blankets Tight Ends, is a great tackler in run support and has a rare nose for the ball. Trend: Up
2004 Season review: Polamalu
had a great season by all accounts. He had 5 interceptions,
supported the run well and made his first Pro Bowl. Cowler
was effusive in his praise and he is as humble a person
you will ever see. He will be a rock of the new young
secondary as it grows. He is fulfilling his promise
as a linebacker who can run with receivers. His only
weakness at the moment is playing the deep middle, which
the Patriots successfully exploited in the AFC Championship
game. Trend: Up
2003 Season review: Troy
started the season really slowly. He looked completely
lost in coverage at times and he was thinking more
than playing. In the first Cleveland game, he let a receiver
blow by him for a TD in the Red zone. In the Rams game,
he was in perfect position to intercept a pass at the
goal line, and he let the ball slip between his hands
that set-up a Rams TD. Then, in the Arizona game, he
tuned himself loose, running harder and not being afraid
to make mistakes. From that point onward, he was a
force
as a blitzer and excellent covering TE's. He never
broke the starting lineup in 2003, but played a lot in
the
Nickle (5 DBs) and Dime (6 DBs) defenses as well as
goal line defense. In 2004, he should be the starter.
Overall,
an excellent year of growth for Troy as he adjusted
to the Pro game and the complicated Steelers D. Trend:
Steady / Up
Draft
Day Impressions: Just what the Doctor ordered! The Steelers had been drooling
over
getting Polamalu since they lost out to Arizona in
signing Dexter Jackson. It was clear that Sammy Knight
would have been no improvement over Lee Flowers
at Strong Safety. Last year, they targeted Miami Safety
Ed
Reed in the 1st round
only to have the Ravens snatch him away. Not this
year. The Steelers
did what it took to get their man by trading with Kansas
City to move up to #16 in the 1st Round. Polamalu
will compete
with Mike Logan for the starting SS
job, and by mid-season he will be starting. He immediately
improves
the position with the ability to play all 3 downs as
a run stuffer, blitzer and coverage man in the Steeler
schemes.
Flowers was mediocre at blitzing and coverage due to
his slow foot speed. Polamulu brings speed, enthusiasm,
hard
work and ferocity to the Steelers Defensive backfield
which should improve the play of Cornerbacks Washington
and Scott who are high quality players,
despite popular opinion. It will take Polamalu time
to learn
the Defense, but no one needs to teach him how to run
as fast as a Cornerback or hit like a linebacker.
My only concern
is his history of injures. With so much riding on this
pick, if he gets hurt a lot, the high expectations
won't be met.
Grade: A-, predicted grade after 3 years: A- |
Other players the Steelers could
have drafted instead in round 1: QB Kyle Boller
(Bal 1st Round), QB Rex Grossman (Chi 1st
Round), RB Larry Johnson (KC 1st Round) |
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Outside Linebacker, Florida
St., 6'4, 255#
2005 Season Update: Was cut in preseason. Biggest Draft bust in years. trend: down and out
2004 Season review: It seems to have
gotten worse for poor 'Zo. At the end of the season, James
Harrison (who was never drafted) was starting
at outside linebacker and thriving! He seems
to try hard, but he just doesn't know where the ball is
going in the passing game and he isn't strong enough to
hold his ground in the running
game. The guy can't even
play special teams. A MAJOR disappointment for sure. He
probably won't make the team in 2005 provided the Steelers
can find some young
LB's in the 2005 Draft.
2003 Season review: Unfortunately,
Jackson never really played much. He got a few snaps
as a rush end, but never made an impact. He wasn't good
on coverage teams and therefore was inactive for much
of the season. A real disapointing season for him and
Steeler fans. In 2004, he will compete for the strong-side
LB position.
Trend: Down
Draft Day Impressions: I
had 'Zo Jackson on radar since the end of the season as
a great OLB prospect for the Steelers. He dominated
the
Hula Bowl and yet didn't get much hype before the draft
because of his mediocre 40 times: 4.73. However, Jackson
put on weight (up to 266 pounds) in order to appear beefier
to NFL teams who look for >260 pound linemen. His
more natural playing weight will be 255#. He has very
long arms
and uses them well to throw linemen off balance. Although
his 40 times aren't great, his first step and his first
10 yards are extremely fast and quick. A true "Tweener" -
not quite a Lineman, bigger than most Linebackers, Jackson
will fit in nicely as the heir apparent to OLB
Jason Gildon and will see playing time in passing
situations. He should replace OLB Clark Haggans as
the rush end by mid-season. He follows in the mold of
other
recent top Steeler picks: very good players from big time
college programs who were productive and good citizens.
He also is very enthusiastic about playing the game which
is another trend. The only knock on this pick is that
the
Steelers took him higher than conventional wisdom said
he would go. There were many quality players available
that
the Steelers passed on to get 'Zo. I suspect the Steelers
had targeted him for their 3rd Round selection, but when
that pick went to the Chiefs to acquire Polamulu, they
had to grab their man in the 2nd round instead. Grade:
B-, predicted grade after 3 years: A-
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Other players the Steelers could
have drafted instead in round 2: LB Atwan Peek
(Hou 3rd round), TE Jason Witten (Dal 3rd
Round), OT Wayne Hunter (Sea 3rd Round),
RB Musa Smith (Bal 3rd Round), DL
Kenny Peterson (GB 3rd Round) |
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Cornerback, LA-Laffayette 6'1,
191#
2005 Season review: Ike finally put it all together in 2005. His great speed was finally used to his advantage and he developed a reputation as a physical corner who could support the run. He opened the season as the starter and never looked back, eventually making a huge 4th quarter interception in the Super Bowl. Ike still needs to develop better ball skills - he dropped as many as 15 potential interceptions in 2005 - but the season was an indicator of great progress. Besides thebad game Monday night in Indy, he consistently matched up against the opposing teams #1 receiver. With his great speed and long arms, Ike is particularly well suited to convering Cincy's Chad Johnson which is an excellent sign for the future. The Steelers are looking at him as one their starting corners for many years to come. Trend: Up
2004 Season review: Taylor
seemed to take a step back in 2004. He fell behind Colclough
on the depth chart and it seemed to affect his play. He
has great speed and ball skills, but he is lacking toughness.
He gets pushed around - particularly on special teams and
he isn't a sure tackler. Curtis Martin put
a Hall of Fame straight arm on him in the playoffs. Still,
with the renewed emphasis on no-contact after 5 yards,
Taylor could thrive covering on an island. He has to get
more physical and aggressive in his play to become a good
player in 2005. Trend: Down
2003 Season review: Ike
really looked great in the Pre-season, breaking up several
passes. As the 2003 season wore on, he got more playing
time in the Dime, especially with D. Washington on the bench.
I REALLY liked his coverage skills and his tackling ability.
I think Ike could be a starter in 2004, he's that good.
He was a good kickoff returner, too. Trend: Up
Draft Day Impressions: This
pick will make or break this year's draft class. Taylor
has the potential to be a Pro Bowl cornerback. His athletic
skills are incredible: 4.33 speed, 42" vertical, agile,
great hands and a hard worker. He played only one year
of Cornerback but when he went up against WR Bethel
Johnson, New Engand's 2nd round pick this year,
he blanketed him holding him to one catch the entire game.
BLESTO had Taylor ranked as the 5th best athlete in this
year's draft class. He reminds me a lot of Tennesee's 1st
round pick CB Andre Woolfolk who is a
converted Wide Receiver. The Steelers were seriously considering
Woolfolk in the first round at #27 before they traded up
to get Polamalu. In Taylor, they get the same outstanding
athletic ability and potential, but at a much lower cost.
If he doesn't reach his potential, the Steelers didn't
waste a high pick. At the very least, he will be a demon
on punt & kickoff coverages and maybe even as a Kickoff
returner in 2003. I hope to see Taylor starting at Left
Cornerback (replacing CB Dwayne Washington)
and playing in Honolulu in 3 years. Grade: B, predicted
grade after 3 years: A+ |
Other players the Steelers could
have drafted instead in round 4: DL Rien Long (Ten
4th round), OLB Shurron Pierson (Oak 4th round), TE
Aaron Walker (SF 5th round) |
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Quarterback, Boston College
6'2, 220#
2005 Season Update: Was cut in preseason. Is currently on the Ravens practice squad. trend: down and out
2004 Season review: He
was brought back for a few games until Tommy
Maddox was
healed from his injury. He doesn't look like even a competent
NFL backup QB and he probably will be invitied to training
camp just
because he doesn't make any trouble. Trend: Down
2003 Season review: He
did nothing that I could see. Never played a snap in the
regular season. Trend: Steady
Draft Day Impressions: In the mold of Tommy Maddox, the Steelers
drafted their Developmental QB. St. Pierre is not fast
or athletically gifted, but the Steelers like his arm,
intelligence and leadership ability. He likely won't ever
see the field during the next two years since Charlie
Batch and Tommy Maddox are ahead of him. Grade:
B-, predicted grade after 3 years: B- |
Other players the Steelers could
have drafted instead in round 5: CB Shane Walton
(STL 5th round), OT Tony Pashos (Bal 5th
Round), SS Hanik Milligan (SD 6th round),
WR Arnaz Battle (SF 6th Round) |
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Fullback, Georgia, 5'11 255#
2004 Season review: He
was on the Practrice Squad for a while and is currently
on Indianapolis' Practice Sqaud. Trend: Down and Out
2003 Season review: He
was a practice squad player. Never played a snap in the
regular season. Trend: Steady
Draft Day Impressions: The
Steelers have a fascination with Georgia players. This
is their 3rd Bulldog draft pick in the last 3 years after LB
Kendrell Bell in 2001 and RB Verron
Hayes in 2002. Wall is billed as a great blocker
with good hands to catch outlet passes which is what the
Steelers require of their Fullbacks. Dan Kreider is
their current starter, but he will become an unrestricted
Free Agent after the 2003 season. The Steelers don't want
to spend a lot of salary cap space on the position, so
Wall gives them leverage during contract negotiations and
a legitimate backup in case Kreider gets hurt or signs
with another team. In the past, the Steelers used TE
Matt Cushing and sometimes RB Fuamatu-Ma'afala as
the 2nd team FB. My guess is that Kreider will come to
his senses and sign a long term contract for for less money
than he has been asking. Wall will be, over the next 3
years, at best, a good special teams player. Grade:
C+, predicted grade after 3 years: C |
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