Steelers trade for TE Vance McDonald

[Kodiak]

JJ and Grimble are young guys who, IMO, cemented their roster spot last year with their play. Maybe their potential is only average/borderline starter, but they are CLEARLY depth you want to have on the roster.

We had Green last year, now we have McDonald. This changes nothing. You guys are gnashing teeth over which CB/RB should be sent home to sit on the coach.

[Kodiak]

AB, Bryant, Rogers, Bell, 2 x move TEs...Hoodie might implode.

Well, that would be 12 men on the field, so Hoodie would be justified in imploding.

[Legacy User]

JJ as a #2 has value as a #1 he is someone other teams can basically ignore. They can't ignore McDonald because he can hurt you badly if you do.

exactly and McDonald on the field will also help JJ

So do you give up on Grimble?

I wouldn't...but the Steelers value the matt spaeth type and JJ is more Spaeth than Grimble, even taking into account last weeks shitty performance by JJ... remember when getting 1 athletic move type TE on this roster seemed impossible? Now you guys want 2 and on the field at the same time? hey we can hope and dream

[bradshaw2ben]

[steelclan]

AB, Bryant, Rogers, Bell, 2 x move TEs...Hoodie might implode.

Well, that would be 12 men on the field, so Hoodie would be justified in imploding.

Indeed. Maybe I stumbled on way to beat the Pats?

[bradshaw2ben]

Greek's right about one thing, though-- the only way we're ever getting two move TEs on the field at the same time is if we send out 12 by accident.

[Legacy User]

Greek's right about one thing, though-- the only way we're ever getting two move TEs on the field at the same time is if we send out 12 by accident.

[jeemie]

I bet even if we had 12 on the field the entire game, the Patriots would beat us.

[bradshaw2ben]

Didn't they recently score a TD against our defense when we had 12 on the field?

[Kodiak]

Didn't they recently score a TD against our defense when we had 12 on the field?

To be fair, 2 or 3 of our guys usually run into each other, so it's more like we had 10 on the field.

[Jobu]

I have a hard time imagining James going from starter to cut in a little over a week. I think they're keeping 4...

[bradshaw2ben]

I have a hard time imagining James going from starter to cut in a little over a week. I think they're keeping 4...

I can imagine James and Grimble being in a 2 dogs, 1 bone thing for the #2, though.

And, besides, Cockrell is about to pull that trick... Gay might, too.

[R_S]

If JJ wasnt 1. A white guy 2. A Penn Stater 3. Comically named

No one would give 1.5 fucks about him. The fact that the Heinz Field crowd yells Heath when he makes a 7 yd catch....is just....wow....Confederate much ? Lol

Most here seem to agree that James is a #2 TE. In my opinion Grimble is also no better than a #2 ceiling. That actually seems to be the consensus so what is the argument?

I think JJ is a slow uncoordinated unmotivated at a professional level 6'7 guy who got by to this point on being 6'7 and having enough natural athleticism to not have to work too hard at the lower levels of his craft.

As much as I kinda agree with cutting DJ instead of JJ....at least DJ does 1 or 2 things real well ...block and STs...

JJ doesnt seem to do anything real well in his 3rd year in the league.

I suspect hes not a big time hardcore practice or workout guy like Deebo. I suspect hes not a huge effort or playbook guy like Ward.

Those more than anything and particularly when combined with the fact he has no real skill at anything...

I wont miss him if hes cut to give McDonald a shot

Your assumptions are idiotic because you just invent stuff. JJ is actually known for his work in the weight room. He was one of the strongest guys in the room at psu.

[Lynch]

I think it's gonna be James, McDonald, McGee.

[R_S]

If JJ wasnt 1. A white guy 2. A Penn Stater 3. Comically named

No one would give 1.5 fucks about him. The fact that the Heinz Field crowd yells Heath when he makes a 7 yd catch....is just....wow....Confederate much ? Lol

One could just as easily say if Grimble was identical but white, few would think he better than James or that he has more upside. Maybe we just don't get into race?

Then X would just be known as a try hard, ham 'n egger.

[955876]

He was one of the strongest guys in the room at psu.

And in a room full of dudes with micro pee pees the one guy "packin" five inches looks like a porn star.

I kid. I'm in favor of moving on from DJ. He seems at least a lil less sloth like than Johnson does.

I'm also of the opinion if we need DJ'd blocking to make this offense go we have bigger issues.

[steelmann58]

i think Gimble is the guy on the hook can't see the Steelers letting James go

[R_S]

He was one of the strongest guys in the room at psu.

And in a room full of dudes with micro pee pees the one guy "packin" five inches looks like a porn star.

I kid. I'm in favor of moving on from DJ. He seems at least a lil less sloth like than Johnson does.

I'm also of the opinion if we need DJ'd blocking to make this offense go we have bigger issues.

i looked it up to make sure i wasn't full of shit. He was he 2nd strongest in bench and vertical at his combine. 26 reps and 37.5. 26 reps would have been the strongest in 2017. Sounds like a guy that doesnt work hard.... eh Chef?

[Kodiak]

He was he 2nd strongest in bench and vertical at his combine. 26 reps and 37.5. 26 reps would have been the strongest in 2017.

Wow.....he must eat a lot of ham 'n eggs!

[Lynch]

I remember a play towards the beginning of last season where he took two for sure, and I think 3 dudes out on one play. Was either a Bell run or Brown screen, can't remember.

[JackLambert58]

If JJ wasnt 1. A white guy 2. A Penn Stater 3. Comically named

No one would give 1.5 fucks about him. The fact that the Heinz Field crowd yells Heath when he makes a 7 yd catch....is just....wow....Confederate much ? Lol

[Legacy User]

the one guy "packin" five inches

*raises hand*

[Steelafan77]

Vance McDonald and the myth of “bad hands.” http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/vance-mc ... bad-hands/

[Legacy User]

="GreekSteel"]

JJ as a #2 has value as a #1 he is someone other teams can basically ignore. They can't ignore McDonald because he can hurt you badly if you do.

exactly and McDonald on the field will also help JJ

So do you give up on Grimble?

I wouldn't...but the Steelers value the matt spaeth type and JJ is more Spaeth than Grimble, even taking into account last weeks shitty performance by JJ... remember when getting 1 athletic move type TE on this roster seemed impossible? Now you guys want 2 and on the field at the same time? hey we can hope and dream[/quote]

Josh from SoCal: Good morning, Gerry. Your thoughts on V. McDonald? Do they keep 4 TEs now? If not, who's the odd man out?
Gerry Dulac: A fourth-round pick sounds like a lot for a guy who has a history of dropped passes. But the Steelers like to use a lot of two tight-end sets and this move helps them be more flexible. I think to start the season they will keep 4 tight ends, at least until McDonald gets up to speed. But the 53-man roster they pick to start the season is always ever-changing, and I think the odd man out among the TEs will be Xavier Grimble.

[R_S]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO Not "X man" He could be the next Antonio Gates!

[Steelafan77]

I think it would be dumb to keep Johnson over Grimble. Grimble is still developing and has a much higher upside than Johnson. He has proven he can block and catch passes (combat catches). Grimble in addition to James and now McDonald make the offense much more threatening than it was with Johnson, James and Grimble. JMO

[R_S]

DJ = Carey Davis A Herm Tomlin favorite.

[955876]

So let's assume they cut Grimble because they feel he and McDonald are too similar and they just can't part with their blocking only security blanket.

What happens when a TE is hurt? What if one is to miss several weeks or rest of season?

DJ is now a starter.

I suppose that's what not "living in your fears" gets you.

Hoping Tomlin eats right the next couple of days so as not to get any difficult to read signs from his tummy.

McDonald, JJ, Grimble is the best group.

If you wanna ground n pound run Nix out there to lead the way.

Matter of fact, Nix clearing a hole for Watson should be the obvious power package.

[bradshaw2ben]

So let's assume they cut Grimble because they feel he and McDonald are too similar and they just can't part with their blocking only security blanket.

What happens when a TE is hurt? What if one is to miss several weeks or rest of season?

DJ is now a starter.

I suppose that's what not "living in your fears" gets you.

Hoping Tomlin eats right the next couple of days so as not to get any difficult to read signs from his tummy.

McDonald, JJ, Grimble is the best group.

If you wanna ground n pound run Nix out there to lead the way.

Matter of fact, Nix clearing a hole for Watson should be the obvious power package.

ICYMI: Lev'eon Bell was #1 in the NFL in short yardage last year.

[955876]

How many times has he been absent when needed most?

Also, later in games it'll be nice to have a guy who's main purpose is to run hard & violent between the tackles. That's not Bell. And not sure we want that to be Bell.

I just hope Tomlin recalls 1st & goal from the 1 when he's cutting RBs.

Instead, he will likely focus on who in the world can possibly field a kick & take a knee if he cuts Touissant...