Grade the Draft

[Wolverine]

Grade The Pittsburgh Steelers Draft

Sporting News: F

Sporting News Today - April 27, 2009 (http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20090427/?sub_id=DoY7dWGra1dRT&folio=CGI)

[Wolverine]

I think SN is just being dumb.. I didn't agree with a lot of their grades and I find it hard to believe we did worse than the Raiders.

It turns out we tried trading up in the second round to get Max Unger or Trevor Canfield. So then we traded out of the second round instead to grab Urbik who can play tackle and guard, and then get Shipley later.

I'm not disappointed with the draft though. I'd give it a C.. Definitely not the best we've had in some time, but definitely not the worst either.

[Ravenatic20]

"It's hard to have an impressive draft with the 32nd pick"? Then go easy on the grading! I agree with a C, but not a F.

[Texecutioner]

I'm giving it a D-.

Pittsburgh was in a position where they could have traded up to get a really quality offensive lineman, and they didn't do that in the first two rounds even with the picks they had. Their offensive line was atrocious last season and needs to be dealt with. It totally brought their offense down. They'll be fine still, but I think they should have looked for an opportunity to boost up that O line.

I'm sure that BBC will be in here later to FRY me for this post. :)

[Wolverine]

"It's hard to have an impressive draft with the 32nd pick"? Then go easy on the grading! I agree with a C, but not a F.

Yeah that too... Then they didn't say a thing about the Cardinals picking 31st..

[Wolverine]

I'm giving it a D-.

Pittsburgh was in a position where they could have traded up to get a really quality offensive lineman, and they didn't do that in the first two rounds even with the picks they had. Their offensive line was atrocious last season and needs to be dealt with. It totally brought their offense down. They'll be fine still, but I think they should have looked for an opportunity to boost up that O line.

I'm sure that BBC will be in here later to FRY me for this post. :)

no he'll probably agree with you.

I would have loved to see us trade up and get Unger in the 2nd.. But I'm not disappointed with Urbik and Shipley. Shipley could be the future center.. He's a typical steeler player.. Urbik is coming right in to compete for that guard spot and he can play tackle if need be.

I would have loved it even more to trade up and get Michael Oher.. But really, I can't complain. It wasn't spectacular and they certainly didn't get the big names, but I think we got deep and replaced some pieces we lost in Nate, McFadden, and even Gary Russell.

[BigBenCan7]

I'm giving it a D-.

Pittsburgh was in a position where they could have traded up to get a really quality offensive lineman, and they didn't do that in the first two rounds even with the picks they had. Their offensive line was atrocious last season and needs to be dealt with. It totally brought their offense down. They'll be fine still, but I think they should have looked for an opportunity to boost up that O line.

I'm sure that BBC will be in here later to FRY me for this post. :)

Have you never read my posts here?

I wouldn't have been opposed to them spending all 9 draft picks on offensive lineman, I hate the fact that they didn't pick one O-Lineman in the 1st day the past two seasons.

[Texecutioner]

Have you never read my posts here?

I wouldn't have been opposed to them spending all 9 draft picks on offensive lineman, I hate the fact that they didn't pick one O-Lineman in the 1st day the past two seasons.

Well I've heard you express your disdain for the O line and all, but I figured that you would have had some sort of rebuttal to what I originally said and not like the grade that I gave them.

[BigBenCan7]

Well I've heard you express your disdain for the O line and all, but I figured that you would have had some sort of rebuttal to what I originally said and not like the grade that I gave them.

I might not give it a D-, but who cares what "grade" is given to a draft?

Have you ever gone back and looked at draft grades from a few years ago?

[Texecutioner]

I might not give it a D-, but who cares what "grade" is given to a draft?

Have you ever gone back and looked at draft grades from a few years ago?

Nope. I'm not sure why I would do that any way.

It seems to me that you agree with me 100% then.

I can't believe that they didn't trade up to get Oher.

[Wolverine]

Nope. I'm not sure why I would do that any way.

It seems to me that you agree with me 100% then.

I can't believe that they didn't trade up to get Oher.

I can.. they made it clear by not taking a tackle and just a guy who could possibly play tackle, that they didn't think it was a need.

They did want a center and a guard though and were willing to trade up in the 2nd round to get either, but it didn't happen.

I think they really like Tony Hills, mixed into the fact that they have Willie Colon and Max Starks on "extensions".

I'd rather have Oher, but I'm not disappointed they didn't get him.

[jjflr]

i love how 'so called' experts give a team like the steelers a freaking F when this organization year after year drafts well.

maybe that's why they're sports writers instead of sports professionals .....................

[BigBenCan7]

Nope. I'm not sure why I would do that any way.

Because they are never right. Not even close.

[OSU8085]

What do you guys think of Keenan Lewis. He has the size to play corner, he has the talent but he has a tendency to not look back at the ball and get burned, he has gotten a few interceptions and even returned one for a TD last year.

He's started for 4 years here.

[BigBenCan7]

What do you guys think of Keenan Lewis. He has the size to play corner, he has the talent but he has a tendency to not look back at the ball and get burned, he has gotten a few interceptions and even returned one for a TD last year.

He's started for 4 years here.

I actually knew very little about him, other than he filled a need, and was looking forward to hearing what you had to say about him.

A 4-year starter is nice, but I don't like hearing that a corner gets burned. He doesn't need to start immediately though, and he's got a pretty good secondary to learn under and a great defensive backs coach at head coach.

[Wolverine]

Yeah what BBC said.. I was hoping you knew stuff about him.

He'll definitely be battling with the the other CB we drafted, Joe Burnett for some backup playing time/special teams.