Steelers sign LB Cole Holcomb

[Stillchest]

Mike Paras, Washington Commanders beat writer was on 93.7 The Fan. Regarding Cole Holcomb said, “he’s an average starting NFL LBer, who struggles against the pass, and works better on the outside.” Also, discussed his foot Injury.

Seems like this guy is just a hole-filler for whoever they snag in the draft, likely Trenton Simpson who lacks everything an NFL LB needs but speed.

[DP39]

I've watched him play and like his game. He's average to above average when healthy.

I hope his contract is in the 3yrs/$13M/$6MG or less range. I guess I could live with that.

Sucks that Lavonte David just resigned w/ the Bucs for $7m! That's $1m less than the cap savings we would have if we signed him just to replace Jack -- and he is SO much better than jack.

I've seen all of these guys play plenty and my eyes don't lie.

Just doesn't make sense.

[bradshaw2ben]

I like the 4.5 40 times! But did you read he had foot surgery in November. Hope that doesn’t mean Lis Franc and 4.5 + baby grand piano!

Sounds good on paper…but under the knife on his giddy-up-stick is concerning. Almost sounds like the Jackson trade again; Lis Franc?? instead of bulging disc!

Was described as a foot sprain.

And the lack of TFLs may have something to do with him being their coverage LB, with Jamin Davis being the downhill guy.

[RemoAZ]

I really don't care if this guy sucks and never plays a down. If it keeps them from resigning Bush so that they have to try other guys in that spot, I'm all for it.

[bradshaw2ben]

I really don't care if this guy sucks and never plays a down. If it keeps them from resigning Bush so that they have to try other guys in that spot, I'm all for it.

I'm not going to believe Bush is gone until he signs with some other team.

[Stillchest]

I really don't care if this guy sucks and never plays a down. If it keeps them from resigning Bush so that they have to try other guys in that spot, I'm all for it.

I get that and agree.

However, wouldn’t it make more sense for the Steelers, to put their money into two premium players, as opposed, to numerous mid-jags, who take up cap space too?

They need to cut and restructure regardless, and signing these players don’t necessarily make the team better.

[Jobu]

I really don't care if this guy sucks and never plays a down. If it keeps them from resigning Bush so that they have to try other guys in that spot, I'm all for it.

I'm not going to believe Bush is gone until he signs with some other team.

Ditto

[Ice]

I really don't care if this guy sucks and never plays a down. If it keeps them from resigning Bush so that they have to try other guys in that spot, I'm all for it.

I'm not going to believe Bush is gone until he signs with some other team.

This. He's like the B.O. in that Seinfeld episode.

[955876]

Ha. Wasn’t the BO stinking up his Saab?

[Jobu]

I really don't care if this guy sucks and never plays a down. If it keeps them from resigning Bush so that they have to try other guys in that spot, I'm all for it.

I'm not going to believe Bush is gone until he signs with some other team.

This. He's like the B.O. in that Seinfeld episode.

Yeah, but I’m pretty sure that no one has ever referred to Bush as “ The Beast”.

[steelmann58]

Think this addition is good but still was going to have a draft choice added

[Ice]

I'm not going to believe Bush is gone until he signs with some other team.

This. He's like the B.O. in that Seinfeld episode.

Yeah, but I’m pretty sure that no one has ever referred to Bush as “ The Beast”.

He's an entity!

[Stillchest]

I like the 4.5 40 times! But did you read he had foot surgery in November. Hope that doesn’t mean Lis Franc and 4.5 + baby grand piano!

Sounds good on paper…but under the knife on his giddy-up-stick is concerning. Almost sounds like the Jackson trade again; Lis Franc?? instead of bulging disc!

He was cheap and the Steelers painted themselves into a corner…because they’re cheap.

All the monies that could be available with cuts and restructures but nope….trash bin diving, again.

[langer]

Is this guy related to Kelly Holcomb?

If so, bad signing.

He looks like Zach Thomas, same blockhead.

[RemoAZ]

I really don't care if this guy sucks and never plays a down. If it keeps them from resigning Bush so that they have to try other guys in that spot, I'm all for it.

I get that and agree.

However, wouldn’t it make more sense for the Steelers, to put their money into two premium players, as opposed, to numerous mid-jags, who take up cap space too?

They need to cut and restructure regardless, and signing these players don’t necessarily make the team better.

Sure but when have the ever done that? They also drafted a QB in the first round last year that had 2 concussions. Before that they had brought back an old QB that was a statue. Their plan for both was to run the ball and they desperately needed to protect both guys. Who's the LT for those two? Did they ever draft a LT in the first round for Ben? When's the last time they drafted any OL in the 1st round? The also gave the god awful Bush comeback player of the year. We can go on and on with the head scratching decisions if you want.

[bradshaw2ben]

Is this guy related to Kelly Holcomb?

If so, bad signing.

He looks like Zach Thomas, same blockhead.

He is not related to Kelly Holcomb His sister is a gymnast though.

[SteelerDayTrader]

This guy…… Pickett…..probably some others soon…..

Steelers are gonna be THE mullet team

Lolololz

[Steelperch]

This guy…… Pickett…..probably some others soon…..

Steelers are gonna be THE mullet team

Lolololz

[Pabst]

His sister is a gymnast though.

Go on.....

[DP39]

I like the 4.5 40 times! But did you read he had foot surgery in November. Hope that doesn’t mean Lis Franc and 4.5 + baby grand piano!

Sounds good on paper…but under the knife on his giddy-up-stick is concerning. Almost sounds like the Jackson trade again; Lis Franc?? instead of bulging disc!

He was cheap and the Steelers painted themselves into a corner…because they’re cheap.

All the monies that could be available with cuts and restructures but nope….trash bin diving, again.

That's the part that bothers me. I keep saying they should've cut Jack and Mitch, saved $16M, and signed better players (or equal even) with that money and still had some left over to better other positions, too!

I watch a ton of football and my eyes show me that there are better players available to us at a much lower AAV cost than Jack and Mitch.

For example, Jack has the 10th highest ILB AAV and there are at least 12-15 ILBs that played better football than him last year and ALL of them come with a lower (some, much) AAV than he does. Many were signed yesterday to a new contract that are still lower than his.

Same goes for our BACKUP QB Mitch. He has the 23rd highest (Yes, as a BACKUP) QB AAV. There are at least (per my eyes) 15-18 other QBs that are better than (or even to what) he is right now AND ALL of them come with a MUCH lower AAV.

All I want is for my team's FO/HC to put in the work and get the most talented player on our field/roster for the best price they can. I don't think it's too much to ask, but I don't think our FO/HC works that hard or with that mindset. Look, I'm not naive and think that's all that goes into finding the right player at the best price, but our FO/HC has shown me time and time again that the simple, smart, and logical formula I think they should follow isn't what they do -- whatever their reasons.

It is frustrating to say the least.

[COR-TEN]

His sister is a gymnast though.

Go on.....

I'm listening. . .

[anpsteel]

I like the 4.5 40 times! But did you read he had foot surgery in November. Hope that doesn’t mean Lis Franc and 4.5 + baby grand piano!

Sounds good on paper…but under the knife on his giddy-up-stick is concerning. Almost sounds like the Jackson trade again; Lis Franc?? instead of bulging disc!

He was cheap and the Steelers painted themselves into a corner…because they’re cheap.

All the monies that could be available with cuts and restructures but nope….trash bin diving, again.

That's the part that bothers me. I keep saying they should've cut Jack and Mitch, saved $16M, and signed better players (or equal even) with that money and still had some left over to better other positions, too!

I'm in agreement on this...

but

I suspect they didn't have confidence they could land some of those other, better, players, for less.

and

IF you think that an individual is likely, or even just potentially, important to the upcoming season, do you really want to haggle down their price, and create a disgruntled player?? Like they did with Vince Williams, who was pissed off, and quit rather than play for less...

They are going to need Jack this season, or someone like him, no matter what happens in the draft.

And they absolutely need a viable backup QB given Pickett's tenuous grasp on the position, along with his concussion history.

So, you over pay for a player or two, rather than risk the downside.

[DP39]

He was cheap and the Steelers painted themselves into a corner…because they’re cheap.

All the monies that could be available with cuts and restructures but nope….trash bin diving, again.

That's the part that bothers me. I keep saying they should've cut Jack and Mitch, saved $16M, and signed better players (or equal even) with that money and still had some left over to better other positions, too!

I'm in agreement on this...

but

I suspect they didn't have confidence they could land some of those other, better, players, for less.

and

IF you think that an individual is likely, or even just potentially, important to the upcoming season, do you really want to haggle down their price, and create a disgruntled player?? Like they did with Vince Williams, who was pissed off, and quit rather than play for less...

They are going to need Jack this season, or someone like him, no matter what happens in the draft.

And they absolutely need a viable backup QB given Pickett's tenuous grasp on the position, along with his concussion history.

So, you over pay for a player or two, rather than risk the downside.

I get what you're saying, but again, I watch a lot of NFL football and my eyes saw players just as good and many better than Jack and Mitch AND those players have already signed for less than the difference we would've saved by cutting those two. So obviously other FOs certainly had the confidence they could sign those players -- why can't ours?

I'm of the opinion that our FO would prefer to take the easy road (less work) and has a mindset of....'we made a commitment to a player and we're "family" so we're going to stick to that'. Forget that the players didn't measure up to their salary; apparently that's not part of our FOs equation it seems.

You do absolutely whatever you can to make your team better every year if/when you can....it's just smart business, so leave most of the personal crap out of it, that's how successful teams do it anyway -- and how I wish we would operate.

But alas, we do what we do....

Just my 2 cents anyway.

[955876]

I'm of the opinion that our FO would prefer to take the easy road (less work) and has a mindset of....'we made a commitment to a player and we're "family" so we're going to stick to that'. Forget that the players didn't measure up to their salary; apparently that's not part of our FOs equation it seems.

When the owner says “I don’t judge Tomlin on anything g other than being happy he’s our coach” that tells a whole lot about the mindset of the org.

There is some value in both QBs already knowing the system and players so that helps if Trubisky is back.

No learning curve for a new guy.

I did think they should move him but maybe after getting paid $10 mil for warming the bench for a year he’ll decide at this point he isn’t starting anywhere else and settles in as a career backup. Signs cap friendly deal moving forward.

Lives the good life as a back-up.

Not the worst option as a vet back-up.

[anpsteel]

Apparently they are about to sign Elandon Roberts, from FA Miami.

He plays like a thumper, which they need.

IF they sign him, I think you can put to rest concerns of re-signing Bush.


Signing Holcomb and Roberts has to put pressure on Miles Jack too.

[DP39]

Apparently they are about to sign Elandon Roberts, from FA Miami.

He plays like a thumper, which they need.

IF they sign him, I think you can put to rest concerns of re-signing Bush.


Signing Holcomb and Roberts has to put pressure on Miles Jack too.

Yep. They did sign him and they cut Jack, too. Never thought (or wanted) they would bring back Bush (except for league minimum, but still 99% he's gone).

Finally our FO is making some sensible moves -- if even a day late.

[anpsteel]

Apparently they are about to sign Elandon Roberts, from FA Miami.

He plays like a thumper, which they need.

IF they sign him, I think you can put to rest concerns of re-signing Bush.


Signing Holcomb and Roberts has to put pressure on Miles Jack too.

Yep. They did sign him and they cut Jack, too. Never thought (or wanted) they would bring back Bush (except for league minimum, but still 99% he's gone).

Finally our FO is making some sensible moves -- if even a day late.

I just saw that Jack was cut

Big move, and a good one.

They still need a couple more players for depth.

You have to assume ILB is a top priority on draft day.

[Pabst]

Sounds like his contract is 3 years, $18m

[franco32]

Holcomb is not going to flash through the line much and get TFL. But that's not his role. He's a tackling machine who anticipates very well and is a good athlete. He's also pretty tough. He's not Ray Lewis but he is an UPGRADE for what we had. I get that the Skins Dline protected him, but he's still going to be pretty good behind ours.

The 8-10 yard gains where Bush is late to a spot or running backwards as RBs drive into him should come to an end. Those should now be more like 3-4 yard runs.

[Deebo]

The group of Myles Jack, Devin Bush, Robert Spillane and Mark Robinson combined only produced 1 sack, 9 tackles for loss and 5 QB hits. This entire MLB core also produced zero interceptions, zero forced fumbles and zero fumble recoveries. I guess you can see why they are revamping that group this off-season