In yesterday's Post-Gazette, Gene Collier dissected the Pittsburgh Steelers 2005 draft.In a nutshell, he gave them a B-. That's about 4 letter grades higher than I'd give their collective 2006 to 2009 drafts.
Living near Pittsburgh, it's accepted that Kevin Colbert dominates the NFL draft every April. But in an age of what have you done for me lately, the N.F.L. can stand for--say it with me, Jerry Glanville--NOT FOR LONG if you begin to show a pattern of ineffectiveness. Colbert is the poster-child for that pattern.
In 2006, the Steelers drafted 9 players. Only 4th rounder Willie Colon remains on the team today. Almost impossibly bad.
In 2007, the team inexplicably fell in love with Lawrence Timmons and took him in the 1st round. He's so good that they needed to go resign the aging Larry Foote this past off-season. They did hit on Lamar Woodley in the 2nd round, but of the remaining draftees that year, only Daniel Sepulveda is likely to start on the team this upcoming season. He's a punter. Yikes.
In '08, Pittsburgh drafted Rashard Mendenhall in the 1st round. He did nothing as a rookie, but was productive in his second year. He also got benched for not studying his play book so the jury's still out on him. 2nd rounder Limas Sweed has been a colossal bust, and 3rd rounder Bruce Davis didn't even make the team last year. Did they forget to scout that year?.
Last year, the Steelers drafted 9 players. Of the 9, it appears that the only guy with pro-bowl capabilities is 3rd Rounder, Mike Wallace. Atrocious.
It's too early to predict the success or failures of the 2010 draft class, but based on the trend developing, I wouldn't go buy your Maurkice Pouncey jersey just yet.
Kevin Colbert drafted very well his first few years in Pittsburgh. But his last 4 gradable drafts have been pretty awful. If Bill Cowher really is actively recruiting Colbert to join him wherever he ends up coaching, I--for one--will pitch in towards a one-way plane ticket.
If I told you the Steelers drafted a pro-bowler, three starters and two more who contribute regularly in the 2010 draft, I think you'd be pretty happy. That's what the Steelers got in 2007 with Woodley, Timmons, Sepulveda, Spaeth, and Billy Gay. That's an excellent hit rate.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the jury is still out on Mendenhall, but it is still out on Ziggy Hood. And you're conveniently leaving out Santonio Holmes. A mixed bag, sure, but he's been productive and a super bowl MVP, which is not bad for 25th overall. Also, to get your backup QB - one that can beat out Leftwich and Batch - in the 5th round is good value. Willie Colon (4th round 2006) started 54 games, as much as I hate to remember it.
Not great, but an "F" is WAY overreacting. I give them a "C."
Timmons (15th overall pick) is about to become a platoon ILB in his 4th season. Sepulveda's production has been average, or below avg if you consider his injuries. Spaeth is below avg and Bill Gay was the worst CB in the league last year.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that they are contributers doesn't imply good things about Colbert's 07 draft, but rather, speaks volumes about how poorly he's done recently. Our roster is so depleted and our depth is so bad that these guys are needed to contribute. Woodley would start on most other NFL teams...the other 4 you cite might not even dress on Sunday for most other teams.
As for Dixon, they have so much faith in him that they went and traded for Byron Leftwich and resigned Charlie Batch for 2 more years. You sure he's going to beat those guys out? Betchya Leftwich is the starter in week 1. So, Dixon is a 3rd or 4th stringer--is that really good value in the 5th round?
Sure, my glass might be half empty. And yours is half-full--but I'm guessing yours is filled with Barcardi 151. How else can I explain that you'd give Colbert a C since 2006?