Was it Marvel Smith? Or was he a second rounder?
Jarmain Stephens?
Najee Harris vs. Titans Breakdown
Smith was from Arizona State. I know he was a 2nd rounder like 20 years ago. I was happy they took him as I saw several of his games in college. Not sure on Stephens but he was also a couple decades ago and sucked. If I remember correctly he was a high pick they knew needed "development" and took him anyway.
Howard Griffith had to resort to chop-blocking him during the 1997 AFC Championship Game. An incredulous Kirkland asked Griffith, “Why do you have to use cheap tactics like chop-blocking?” Griffith replied “Why do you have to be a 300-pound linebacker?”
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bradshaw2ben
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Offensive tackles drafted in Round 1 by the Steelers:RemoAZ wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 1:11 amSmith was from Arizona State. I know he was a 2nd rounder like 20 years ago. I was happy they took him as I saw several of his games in college. Not sure on Stephens but he was also a couple decades ago and sucked. If I remember correctly he was a high pick they knew needed "development" and took him anyway.
Jamain Stephens in 1996 1.29
Leon Searcy 1.11 1992
Mike Taylor 1.10 1968
Frank Varrichone 1955 1.6
That's it. that's the list.
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
Wow! No wonder it's hard to remember any tackles worth a damn. I looked up Decastro and he was 2012. So that's the last time they took any olineman in the 1st. No wonder Ben got sacked so much in his career and they can no longer run and barely protect. The only thing they did to Save Ben's career after seeing him take shot after shot was to fire the OC. Obviously they don't think oline is a priority position.bradshaw2ben wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 2:13 amOffensive tackles drafted in Round 1 by the Steelers:RemoAZ wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 1:11 amSmith was from Arizona State. I know he was a 2nd rounder like 20 years ago. I was happy they took him as I saw several of his games in college. Not sure on Stephens but he was also a couple decades ago and sucked. If I remember correctly he was a high pick they knew needed "development" and took him anyway.
Jamain Stephens in 1996 1.29
Leon Searcy 1.11 1992
Mike Taylor 1.10 1968
Frank Varrichone 1955 1.6
That's it. that's the list.
Howard Griffith had to resort to chop-blocking him during the 1997 AFC Championship Game. An incredulous Kirkland asked Griffith, “Why do you have to use cheap tactics like chop-blocking?” Griffith replied “Why do you have to be a 300-pound linebacker?”
Jamain Stephens was a massive disaster, steam arose from Cowher's chin every time his name came up. Tried to move the bloater over to D line, failed there just as bad. Can only imagine the internal struggles...lol.
Najee Harris looks like Franco Harris, when he played for the Seahawks at the end of his career. His legs are gonna be shot if Coach Mike Tomlin can't figure this out, and he won't, cuz he can't, so save that money Najee.
So much bad coaching on this team. Whole organization is fucked.
Went and watched some John Riggins highlights...that's who Najee should be, but he has no idea what the hell he's doing and no one to help him.
Damn!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibbRcuVhf4o
Riggins ran downhill, amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbQ4d3aum_Q
Najee Harris looks like Franco Harris, when he played for the Seahawks at the end of his career. His legs are gonna be shot if Coach Mike Tomlin can't figure this out, and he won't, cuz he can't, so save that money Najee.
So much bad coaching on this team. Whole organization is fucked.
Went and watched some John Riggins highlights...that's who Najee should be, but he has no idea what the hell he's doing and no one to help him.
Damn!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibbRcuVhf4o
Riggins ran downhill, amazing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbQ4d3aum_Q
"I'm institutionalized, man," he joked. "I gotta have it. I just love the challenges week in and week out that this job provides: the growth in it, the collective growth, the individual growth."
Jeez…bradshaw2ben wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 2:13 amOffensive tackles drafted in Round 1 by the Steelers:RemoAZ wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 1:11 amSmith was from Arizona State. I know he was a 2nd rounder like 20 years ago. I was happy they took him as I saw several of his games in college. Not sure on Stephens but he was also a couple decades ago and sucked. If I remember correctly he was a high pick they knew needed "development" and took him anyway.
Jamain Stephens in 1996 1.29
Leon Searcy 1.11 1992
Mike Taylor 1.10 1968
Frank Varrichone 1955 1.6
That's it. that's the list.
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AirRescueFF
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Jamain Stephens...
Another high pick that made the announcers pause.
Every time that happens that I can remember, the pick doesn't pan out.
I still remember Bettis yelling at him after a play where Stephens got blown right back into Bettis for a loss.
Another high pick that made the announcers pause.
Every time that happens that I can remember, the pick doesn't pan out.
I still remember Bettis yelling at him after a play where Stephens got blown right back into Bettis for a loss.
Finally retired: 31DEC25
He finally quit: 13JAN26
He finally quit: 13JAN26
Those film shots are pretty damning … I had defended him based on poor blocking that but that didn’t look good.
Henry and Taylor didn’t excel immediately so maybe he can figure some stuff out.
It actually seems at times that he is intentionally running into piles and trying to push them ? Maybe the Steelers TOP football demands he gain mo more than 5 yards at a time;)
Henry and Taylor didn’t excel immediately so maybe he can figure some stuff out.
It actually seems at times that he is intentionally running into piles and trying to push them ? Maybe the Steelers TOP football demands he gain mo more than 5 yards at a time;)
Leon Searcy, and Tom Ricketts before him?
Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile...
Glad somebody brought up Tom Ricketts. He did play guard as well as tackle and was a first round pick. That was the second first rounder in 89, the pick we got for trading Merriweather to Minnesota.
Two first rounders that draft, Tim Worley and Tom Ricketts, man what a shitshow!
That second round has been decent for drafting tackles, 2 out of the last 3 tries has produced Marvel Smith and Marcus Gilbert. The third attempt was a player that was too young, inexperienced and had too many issues but they took a swing anyway, Mike Adams.
They should continue to spend multiple picks each draft to rebuild the O-line. In 2012 for example, they took DeCastro in round 1, Adams in round 2 and even though he failed it didn't sting as much because Kelvin Beachum in round 7 was a gem.
Last season, Green in round 3 and Moore in round 4. Maybe both improve into competent starters in year two, maybe both are merely role players, top backups and swing players. If you draft a first round tackle and sign a very good free agent guard, you can improve the line and increase the talent level. In 2023, you do the same, spend another high pick, say a 2nd rounder.
You look at how 3 straight seasons in 2010-2011-2012 the Steelers used that same strategy. Spent a first rounder on Pouncy in 2010, spent a 2nd rounder on Marcus Gilbert in 2011, spent a 1st, 2nd and 7th on DeCastro, Adams and Beachum in 2012.
You can't rebuild the O-line in just one year it takes time, probably a good 3 years. Dotson, Green and Moore are 3 building blocks. The way I look at it, you can't just look at an O-line as just 5 players, 5 starters. No, you have 5 starters, and then you have the interior backup/swing player and the tackle backup/swing player. 7 players, to make up that great O-line.
Maybe Green is a guard and not a center. Maybe Moore can be a starting tackle, but I think worst case he will be a great swing tackle who can backup both LT and RT. I think Dotson is a dominant beast of a RG and they should return him to his natural position. Now in year two of the official rebuild of this O-line they can spend a first round pick at OT or C, and sign a veteran OL. So maybe they get to 5 of those building blocks and then in 2023 they draft and acquire in free agency the final 2 players so that now they are 7 strong and have a dominant line.
One thing that I would like the Steelers to do is give Zach Gentry a contract extension. Don't let him play out his rookie contract and THEN try and sign him, do it now before his 4th season starts. I like how this former QB has put in the time to build up his body, become a real combo TE. The blocking has been getting better and he still has the quickness and movement skills to be a pass catcher. Freiermuth and Gentry is a nice, young one two punch at TE.
Two first rounders that draft, Tim Worley and Tom Ricketts, man what a shitshow!
That second round has been decent for drafting tackles, 2 out of the last 3 tries has produced Marvel Smith and Marcus Gilbert. The third attempt was a player that was too young, inexperienced and had too many issues but they took a swing anyway, Mike Adams.
They should continue to spend multiple picks each draft to rebuild the O-line. In 2012 for example, they took DeCastro in round 1, Adams in round 2 and even though he failed it didn't sting as much because Kelvin Beachum in round 7 was a gem.
Last season, Green in round 3 and Moore in round 4. Maybe both improve into competent starters in year two, maybe both are merely role players, top backups and swing players. If you draft a first round tackle and sign a very good free agent guard, you can improve the line and increase the talent level. In 2023, you do the same, spend another high pick, say a 2nd rounder.
You look at how 3 straight seasons in 2010-2011-2012 the Steelers used that same strategy. Spent a first rounder on Pouncy in 2010, spent a 2nd rounder on Marcus Gilbert in 2011, spent a 1st, 2nd and 7th on DeCastro, Adams and Beachum in 2012.
You can't rebuild the O-line in just one year it takes time, probably a good 3 years. Dotson, Green and Moore are 3 building blocks. The way I look at it, you can't just look at an O-line as just 5 players, 5 starters. No, you have 5 starters, and then you have the interior backup/swing player and the tackle backup/swing player. 7 players, to make up that great O-line.
Maybe Green is a guard and not a center. Maybe Moore can be a starting tackle, but I think worst case he will be a great swing tackle who can backup both LT and RT. I think Dotson is a dominant beast of a RG and they should return him to his natural position. Now in year two of the official rebuild of this O-line they can spend a first round pick at OT or C, and sign a veteran OL. So maybe they get to 5 of those building blocks and then in 2023 they draft and acquire in free agency the final 2 players so that now they are 7 strong and have a dominant line.
One thing that I would like the Steelers to do is give Zach Gentry a contract extension. Don't let him play out his rookie contract and THEN try and sign him, do it now before his 4th season starts. I like how this former QB has put in the time to build up his body, become a real combo TE. The blocking has been getting better and he still has the quickness and movement skills to be a pass catcher. Freiermuth and Gentry is a nice, young one two punch at TE.
Gentry almighty is a nice piece, no doubt.
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Steeldrama
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The Steelers definitely can’t, but the Chiefs and the Chargers just didYou can't rebuild the O-line in just one year
Nick Markakis on Astros: "Every guy over there needs a beating."
Still ignoring Tom Ricketts, who was our 2nd first rounder the year they picked Tim Worley top 10... for anybody hoping the Steelers end up with two first down picks again.Jobu wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 4:17 amJeez…bradshaw2ben wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 2:13 amOffensive tackles drafted in Round 1 by the Steelers:RemoAZ wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 1:11 am
Smith was from Arizona State. I know he was a 2nd rounder like 20 years ago. I was happy they took him as I saw several of his games in college. Not sure on Stephens but he was also a couple decades ago and sucked. If I remember correctly he was a high pick they knew needed "development" and took him anyway.
Jamain Stephens in 1996 1.29
Leon Searcy 1.11 1992
Mike Taylor 1.10 1968
Frank Varrichone 1955 1.6
That's it. that's the list.
Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile...
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bradshaw2ben
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God I would like to forget RickettsIce wrote: ↑Sat Dec 25, 2021 12:00 pmStill ignoring Tom Ricketts, who was our 2nd first rounder the year they picked Tim Worley top 10... for anybody hoping the Steelers end up with two first down picks again.Jobu wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 4:17 amJeez…bradshaw2ben wrote: ↑Fri Dec 24, 2021 2:13 am
Offensive tackles drafted in Round 1 by the Steelers:
Jamain Stephens in 1996 1.29
Leon Searcy 1.11 1992
Mike Taylor 1.10 1968
Frank Varrichone 1955 1.6
That's it. that's the list.
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
Rhymes with Pickett... just sayin 
Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile...
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bradshaw2ben
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Arrrrrrhhhhhgggggghhhhh
Nightmares
Nightmares
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
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ToddHaleysNineIron
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There are a few of these were everything looks great, but missing the movement removes the context of what Harris was seeing happening as he was running into the hole.
The first one is an example, it looks great "Follow these 2 dudes".
The problem is Joe Leglue disapperas in the hole, you don't see him... where did he go? It looks like he should pull into the second level and take on one of the linebackers. Friermouth breaks down in the hole as well. This looks great, but what the camera isn't showing to me is that those two guys are now filling the hole, probably along with the missing linebacker. So Harris approaches this, and realizes there is no where to go.
You can see Muth's helmet in front of Harris in the final image. Harris couldn't hit this hole any faster, he would have ran right into his own guys. By the time they got threw it, the rest of the blocking had broken down. I think that's what causes him to stutter step.
The goal line carry is another, one, I see Moore(65) in what looks like another pancake block, but in reality the titans defender has pushed his way into the hole... on his friggan knees, Sure Najee could have continued behind the fullback, but his path then takes him into the ass of Dan Moore who got moved into that direction... again this is probably something I think would be better seen in motion - what Harris sees is 65 moving left to right in front of him, toward the hole he's supposed to run through, 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Do I think Harris is absolved in any of this? No... I'd much rather have him trust his line and if they screw up - it's their fault.
I agree with someone else who posted here - he's trying too hard, and he's trying to avoid running into his own guys instead of giving them that little bit of leeway to hold their block - and it's costing him yards. That goal line run should be a touchdown, even if he tiptoes around Dan Moore, the hole is there,
Right now - the best parts of Harris game is that he can be effective in the passing game, can play 3 downs, and hasn't gotten hurt yet.
He's solidified the position - and I think had this front office had a better room of running backs - IE some legit backups, they could have kept Conner and used the pick somewhere else.... the problem is they have absolute trash in the room, and needed a 3 down guy who would stay healthy. I think Harris solved that and has done pretty damn well given the o-line.
I put the failure on this front office - again with a better room of running backs, better mid round drafting there in the past 5 years, they might have been in a better position this past year drafting.
I don't think anyone would have been comfortable resigning conner (even on the cheap) and heading into this season with him and the backups. That's what it was last year, and when he went down it wasn't pretty.
The first one is an example, it looks great "Follow these 2 dudes".
The problem is Joe Leglue disapperas in the hole, you don't see him... where did he go? It looks like he should pull into the second level and take on one of the linebackers. Friermouth breaks down in the hole as well. This looks great, but what the camera isn't showing to me is that those two guys are now filling the hole, probably along with the missing linebacker. So Harris approaches this, and realizes there is no where to go.
You can see Muth's helmet in front of Harris in the final image. Harris couldn't hit this hole any faster, he would have ran right into his own guys. By the time they got threw it, the rest of the blocking had broken down. I think that's what causes him to stutter step.
The goal line carry is another, one, I see Moore(65) in what looks like another pancake block, but in reality the titans defender has pushed his way into the hole... on his friggan knees, Sure Najee could have continued behind the fullback, but his path then takes him into the ass of Dan Moore who got moved into that direction... again this is probably something I think would be better seen in motion - what Harris sees is 65 moving left to right in front of him, toward the hole he's supposed to run through, 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Do I think Harris is absolved in any of this? No... I'd much rather have him trust his line and if they screw up - it's their fault.
I agree with someone else who posted here - he's trying too hard, and he's trying to avoid running into his own guys instead of giving them that little bit of leeway to hold their block - and it's costing him yards. That goal line run should be a touchdown, even if he tiptoes around Dan Moore, the hole is there,
Right now - the best parts of Harris game is that he can be effective in the passing game, can play 3 downs, and hasn't gotten hurt yet.
He's solidified the position - and I think had this front office had a better room of running backs - IE some legit backups, they could have kept Conner and used the pick somewhere else.... the problem is they have absolute trash in the room, and needed a 3 down guy who would stay healthy. I think Harris solved that and has done pretty damn well given the o-line.
I put the failure on this front office - again with a better room of running backs, better mid round drafting there in the past 5 years, they might have been in a better position this past year drafting.
I don't think anyone would have been comfortable resigning conner (even on the cheap) and heading into this season with him and the backups. That's what it was last year, and when he went down it wasn't pretty.
SteelerDayTrader, who is currently on your ignore list, made this post.
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ToddHaleysNineIron
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Looking back at the tackles available, I think the Steelers would have been better to trade down than take one of them later, try to use the extra pick at a better center/guard/rb
One thing that drives me crazy, the steelers are always described as coveting Green's mobility. Why? Can we just have a Center who handles being a Center? Do we have to have a mobile center who pulls all the time?
One thing that drives me crazy, the steelers are always described as coveting Green's mobility. Why? Can we just have a Center who handles being a Center? Do we have to have a mobile center who pulls all the time?
SteelerDayTrader, who is currently on your ignore list, made this post.
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bradshaw2ben
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Fair points @ToddHaleysNineIron
Unfortunately gamepass sucks and all-22 wasn’t available. Will revisit once I see those.
Unfortunately gamepass sucks and all-22 wasn’t available. Will revisit once I see those.
“We are the stupidest fucking franchise ever.” — Smithessmokin
