Steeler RB considerations
NFL Draft Mailbag
February 20, 2004
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Eric Jordan
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 8:02 PM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: steelers question
Hey lou, why is everybody so set on the steelers picking a DE? In the 3-4 a defensive end is actually a defensive tackle. The pass rush comes from the LB's. Joe Gibbs likes power football so Steven Jackson goes to Washington. What would make more sense is 1- OT Shawn Andrews from Arkansas, 2- Greg Jones (a big back with speed who fits the steelers mold) from Florida State and 3- TE Kris Wilson from Pittsburgh. No matter what everybody thinks Maddox had a bad year because he didn't have a running game, any blocking and the Steelers were always behind so he had to throw 30 to 40 times a game. What do you think?
Lou: The Steelers need to improve their pash rush, pure and simple, and with Kenechi Udeze and Will Smith in the draft there are two potential candidates for filling that role. Even in a 3-4, a good DE can demand extra attention from an offensive line, allowing for all sorts of opportunities for linebacker blitzing schemes (in true Steeler style).
If the Steelers go for Greg Jones, I wouldn't expect that to happen until the second round. Jones going at #11 would be a huge shock. If Steven Jackson falls to #11, I could see the Steelers snatching him (which is what our latest Mock Draft predicts). Shawn Andrews' weight problems could cause him to slide, which if so could make for a nice pickup for Pittsburgh at #11 (a Shawn Andrews/Greg Jones draft combo from Pittsburgh would earn high marks from me).
As for Gibbs taking Jackson, it could happen, though the team already has talent in Trung Canidate and major, MAJOR needs on the defensive line.
From: SpeedRacer3201@***.com
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 12:00 AM
To: Lou Pickney
Subject: larry fitzgerald
what do you think it will take in the forty yd dash for Larry Fitzgerald to fall out of the top ten? if someone trades up above the Raiders for Fitzgerald, what do you see them doing? I would like for them to trade down and get Sean Taylor if Larry isn't available. If he is, then look out Jerry Rice!
Lou: The likelihood of a team trading up to #1 to take Larry Fitzgerald is slim. The only real chance of the Raiders missing out on Fitzgerald is if San Diego decides to take him (don't rule out that possibility, with someone like J.P. Losman in round 2), but if that happened I think Al Davis would take Eli Manning without thinking twice.
Jerry Rice is an amazing athlete, someone who continues to amaze me even at the age of 40. His career accomplishments were second-to-none, but his longevity makes his legacy all the more amazing. There is no one greater who has played the game, in my estimation.
But with that said, Rice will turn 41 this season (assuming that he doesn't retire in the off-season). If Fitzgerald is there, I can't imagine that the Raiders would pass on him. One year of the teachers (Rice and Tim Brown) dropping knowledge to the students (Jerry Porter and Larry Fitzgerald), plus the potential fun of some 4 receiver sets... things could be fun in Oakland. Especially if Rich Gannon can stay healthy. Of course, Oakland still needs a QB for the future, but that's a problem that perhaps can be addressed in other ways.
