Good Article on Justin Gilbert First Practice

[Legacy User]

Sounds like he is thrilled to be out of Cleveland and in Pgh -- no surprise there. Let's hope he shows up for work on time everyday:

http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/110 ... elers-didn

Minutes after completing his first practice with the Steelers, Justin Gilbert didn't want to talk about what went wrong in Cleveland. The cornerback largely had polite but short and succinct answers concerning his past two seasons playing for the Browns.

Looking forward was a different story. Gilbert opened up most when talking about his impressions of his new teammates, about his new team's high expectations and about how he plans to fit in.

There was one Steelers-related question, however, in which Gilbert didn't have much to say.

His feelings on joining the Steelers?

“Words can't even explain,” Gilbert said, “how excited I am now.”

Wearing the No. 24 most recently of Doran Grant, who signed Monday with the Buffalo Bills after being cut by the Steelers two days prior — but that also was donned by the Steelers' most accomplished cornerback since the turn of the century (Ike Taylor), Gilbert didn't trash his former employers.

But he also didn't sound disappointed to go from the perennially bottom-dwelling Browns to join the Super Bowl-contending Steelers, who swapped a sixth-round pick for him Saturday.

“It's a lot different,” Gilbert said of the atmosphere at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in comparison to the Browns' facility in suburban Cleveland.

“It's a little bit more laid back, I would say, but I think everybody here knows what this team is capable of. When we went onto the practice field, it was a whole different level. So I'm excited (to experience) that every day.”

Because it was his first practice with the team and Gilbert has a crash course in learning the defense ahead of him, his participation Monday was vanilla, teammates said. With William Gay and Ross Cockrell entrenched as outside cornerbacks, and rookie first- and second-round picks Artie Burns and Sean Davis also part of the secondary, Gilbert figures to be starting from the bottom in earning playing time.

But with a pedigree that includes being the No. 8 overall draft choice just 28 months ago, Gilbert has a ceiling that remained attractive to the Steelers, despite two years of mostly disappointment in Cleveland.

“We're happy to have him, no doubt,” starting safety Robert Golden said. “He's pretty cool. He's been laid-back for this first day, but I'm sure once he gets around us and we get around him, he'll get more comfortable and open up with us. But right now he's trying to learn how to adapt to this defense and get out there and help us the best way he can. And we know he can help us.”

Gilbert has the size (6-foot, 202 pounds) the Steelers covet in their cornerbacks and the speed (4.3 seconds in the 40-yard dash) that everybody in the NFL covets.

That's what made him such a valued commodity in the 2014 draft. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin visited Gilbert in Stillwater, Okla., for his pro day workout at Oklahoma State early that year — a sign of serious interest.

“We had a good conversation amongst ourselves,” Gilbert recalled.

Gilbert was long gone by the time the Steelers chose Ryan Shazier with the 15th pick. The Steelers have chosen four cornerbacks since (five if you count Davis, who is listed as a safety but played corner at Maryland and will begin this season as the slot corner).

They also traded for one (Brandon Boykin) and claimed one off the waiver wire: Cockrell, who similarly joined the Steelers the week prior to the regular-season opener last year. Though Cockrell did not play in that first game at New England, he was starting within a month.

“Ross was in the same situation last year,” Golden said, “and we all saw what he did. Hopefully, we can bring (Gilbert) along just as fast.”

[Joe Steeler Fan]

I'm rooting for this kid. I think a change of scenery is EXACTLY what he needed. He's finally playing for an NFL team!

[Ice]

Interesting that he describes the Steelers facility as "a little more laid back" than the Browns. I don't know whether it's a good or bad thing, just interesting, considering the expectation levels for the two teams.

[Steelafan77]

The way I interpreted that ice is Steelers players are more confident and at ease practicing. #swagg

[Ice]

I was going to, gulp, credit Tomlin. Though I guess the sheer weight of all those losing seasons in Cleveland could be a little puckering.

[tbsteel]

Kind of crazy to get a top 10 pick two years after he was drafted for basically nothing.

Would be hilarious (and freaking awesome) if he somehow turned it around in Pittsburgh and he and Burns grew to be a lethal duo. I guess it's that time of year for wishful thinking..

[Legacy User]

I like this more and more for a few reasons.

2016 cap hit is @ 800k
2017 is @ 2.2M

Thats gonna be less than 1.5 percent of the cap in 2017. Not bad.

If he does well he will undoutedly get a big payday somewhere and youd like to think thats at least a 4th rd comp and maybe a 3rd both of which would more than make up for the 6th in 2018 we gave up, and of course we want him to do well, however even a middling to disappointing performance probably nets a 6th or 7th comp pick for a former top 10 draft pick.

The only real issue is 2.2M in 2017.

[jeemie]

I like this more and more for a few reasons.

2016 cap hit is @ 800k
2017 is @ 2.2M

Thats gonna be less than 1.5 percent of the cap in 2017. Not bad.

If he does well he will undoutedly get a big payday somewhere and youd like to think thats at least a 4th rd comp and maybe a 3rd both of which would more than make up for the 6th in 2018 we gave up, and of course we want him to do well, however even a middling to disappointing performance probably nets a 6th or 7th comp pick for a former top 10 draft pick.

The only real issue is 2.2M in 2017.

If he sucks this year, we cut him and 2017 doesn't matter.

[Legacy User]

I like this more and more for a few reasons.

2016 cap hit is @ 800k
2017 is @ 2.2M

Thats gonna be less than 1.5 percent of the cap in 2017. Not bad.

If he does well he will undoutedly get a big payday somewhere and youd like to think thats at least a 4th rd comp and maybe a 3rd both of which would more than make up for the 6th in 2018 we gave up, and of course we want him to do well, however even a middling to disappointing performance probably nets a 6th or 7th comp pick for a former top 10 draft pick.

The only real issue is 2.2M in 2017.

If he sucks this year, we cut him and 2017 doesn't matter.

Still on the hook for 2.2 though. I doubt he is cut.

[jeemie]

The only real issue is 2.2M in 2017.

If he sucks this year, we cut him and 2017 doesn't matter.

Still on the hook for 2.2 though. I doubt he is cut.

Ooops- I misread the contract- didn't realize the $2.2 M was guaranteed.

Still...that's not a lot.

[R_S]

Interesting that he describes the Steelers facility as "a little more laid back" than the Browns. I don't know whether it's a good or bad thing, just interesting, considering the expectation levels for the two teams.

Sometimes losing teams have a constant feeling of panic around them, that usually trickles down from the coaching staff as they feel the noose start to tighten and they know if they don't turn things around they'll be looking for a job.

I imagine the Brown organization has been a never-ending cycle of that .

[bradshaw2ben]

Interesting that he describes the Steelers facility as "a little more laid back" than the Browns. I don't know whether it's a good or bad thing, just interesting, considering the expectation levels for the two teams.

Sometimes losing teams have a constant feeling of panic around them, that usually trickles down from the coaching staff as they feel the noose start to tighten and they know if they don't turn things around they'll be looking for a job.

I imagine the Brown organization has been a never-ending cycle of that .

But Kellen Winslow er Johnny Manziel er the new administration is going to change all of that.

[steelmann58]

Hopefully the kid can turn it around and become a very good player for our secondary

[Legacy User]

The back end of this D is gonna really improve.

Burns
Gay
Davis
Mitchell
Gilbert
Cockrell
Golson

Just too much decent talent not to.

[COR-TEN]

Interesting that he describes the Steelers facility as "a little more laid back" than the Browns. I don't know whether it's a good or bad thing, just interesting, considering the expectation levels for the two teams.

Sometimes losing teams have a constant feeling of panic around them, that usually trickles down from the coaching staff as they feel the noose start to tighten and they know if they don't turn things around they'll be looking for a job.

I imagine the Brown organization has been a never-ending cycle of that .

That makes sense, but I still find his attitude troubling. I suggested Johnny M engaged in shenanegans to get released, but later realized he was just a fuck up. Who knows with this gilbert character. He's gonna have to really bust his ass and get demeaned (er, I mean, humbled), in order to change perceptions. At least mine anyway, but mine doesn't count for shit. We'll see how he handles being 'Boykined," if that's the case.

[Legacy User]

I like this more and more for a few reasons.

2016 cap hit is @ 800k
2017 is @ 2.2M

Thats gonna be less than 1.5 percent of the cap in 2017. Not bad.

If he does well he will undoutedly get a big payday somewhere and youd like to think thats at least a 4th rd comp and maybe a 3rd both of which would more than make up for the 6th in 2018 we gave up, and of course we want him to do well, however even a middling to disappointing performance probably nets a 6th or 7th comp pick for a former top 10 draft pick.

The only real issue is 2.2M in 2017.

Let's hope the 2.2 million looks like a bargain next year.

[bradshaw2ben]

I like this more and more for a few reasons.

2016 cap hit is @ 800k
2017 is @ 2.2M

Thats gonna be less than 1.5 percent of the cap in 2017. Not bad.

If he does well he will undoutedly get a big payday somewhere and youd like to think thats at least a 4th rd comp and maybe a 3rd both of which would more than make up for the 6th in 2018 we gave up, and of course we want him to do well, however even a middling to disappointing performance probably nets a 6th or 7th comp pick for a former top 10 draft pick.

The only real issue is 2.2M in 2017.

Let's hope the 2.2 million looks like a bargain next year.

I mean, it's unlikely that every guy will work out, but we could have some real competition in the defensive backfield. Now three 1st round picks, two 2nds, and three other vets with starting experience.

[Louis Lipps Service]

We gave up almost nothing to get him, so I'm certainly not mad at the trade.

But I'm not expecting much, either.

Heard an interview on the radio this morning with a writer from Ohio who has covered the Browns. He said Gilbert was lazy as hell from the get-go in Cleveland, both on the field and off. Hates tackling (a huge no-no for a Steelers DB), constantly late to meetings, very unsocial around teammates. He also said that in his opinion, the only way the Steelers were going to turn him around was to try and reintroduce him to his love for football. That's a pretty deep cut that's not going to be easy to fix.

Maybe he got Kessel'd in Cleveland and got a bad rap by the media there, maybe getting cut and playing for chump change in a new place changes his outlook, I dunno. But I haven't heard a single good thing about the guy, yet. So, for me, he's kind of an "icing on the cake" guy...if he pans out and turns into a solid contributor, that's awesome. But I'm not expecting it.

But again, we paid pennies for him. So I'm fine with all of that.

[Legacy User]

I like this more and more for a few reasons.

2016 cap hit is @ 800k
2017 is @ 2.2M

Thats gonna be less than 1.5 percent of the cap in 2017. Not bad.

If he does well he will undoutedly get a big payday somewhere and youd like to think thats at least a 4th rd comp and maybe a 3rd both of which would more than make up for the 6th in 2018 we gave up, and of course we want him to do well, however even a middling to disappointing performance probably nets a 6th or 7th comp pick for a former top 10 draft pick.

The only real issue is 2.2M in 2017.

Let's hope the 2.2 million looks like a bargain next year.

I mean, it's unlikely that every guy will work out, but we could have some real competition in the defensive backfield. Now three 1st round picks, two 2nds, and three other vets with starting experience.

Agree, if even 2 of these guys (Burns, Davis, Golson,Gilbert) hit the secondary will be vastly improved.

[Baltostiller]

It sounds to me like the Browns facility has everyone on edge, worried that if they don't turn it around, they will be canned. 4 coaches in the past 6 years, no one lasting more than 2 years. Forget about he head coach, think about the assistants. Each one of them is probably wound tight as hell, hoping they succeed and don't have to look for another job and relocate (again), etc.

Contrast that with the Steelers. Coaches are confident, have been successful and pretty much know they will be given the chance to succeed and won't be following another head coach out the door in a year or two. It has to be a completely different environment. Not saying that they don't expect a lot and work their asses off but and expect to win but I would imagine that it is a completely different vibe.

That's my take on the comments.

[steelmann58]

I thinking the change of teams will do wonders I think the steelers got a steal here.

[Thrillsseeker]

Interesting that he describes the Steelers facility as "a little more laid back" than the Browns. I don't know whether it's a good or bad thing, just interesting, considering the expectation levels for the two teams.

Sometimes losing teams have a constant feeling of panic around them, that usually trickles down from the coaching staff as they feel the noose start to tighten and they know if they don't turn things around they'll be looking for a job.

I imagine the Brown organization has been a never-ending cycle of that .

That makes sense, but I still find his attitude troubling. I suggested Johnny M engaged in shenanegans to get released, but later realized he was just a fuck up. Who knows with this gilbert character. He's gonna have to really bust his ass and get demeaned (er, I mean, humbled), in order to change perceptions. At least mine anyway, but mine doesn't count for shit. We'll see how he handles being 'Boykined," if that's the case.

Time will tell. I'm not holding my breathe but will root for this kid to get it in gear and turn it around. Would be hilarious if he excels with us at some point. The Browns. What a joke that place. The factory of sadness and as Joey put it, "I laugh at their sorrows!"

COR-TEN: Love it: "Boykined"
I'm not sure what the masses think, but I think this should be added to the SteelerFury lexicon.

[R_S]

Interesting that he describes the Steelers facility as "a little more laid back" than the Browns. I don't know whether it's a good or bad thing, just interesting, considering the expectation levels for the two teams.

Sometimes losing teams have a constant feeling of panic around them, that usually trickles down from the coaching staff as they feel the noose start to tighten and they know if they don't turn things around they'll be looking for a job.

I imagine the Brown organization has been a never-ending cycle of that .

That makes sense, but I still find his attitude troubling. I suggested Johnny M engaged in shenanegans to get released, but later realized he was just a fuck up. Who knows with this gilbert character. He's gonna have to really bust his ass and get demeaned (er, I mean, humbled), in order to change perceptions. At least mine anyway, but mine doesn't count for shit. We'll see how he handles being 'Boykined," if that's the case.

Oh I am far from sure that he'll turn it around in Pittsburgh. If he was missing meetings and practice I'm going to guess that he doesn't need to be any more "laid back" than he already is.

But, I think it's a good gamble. Now if he was 25 lbs overweight and facing his second drug suspension of 4 games I wouldn't be all about it.