SB Nation User Blog: NYSteelersFan4

Projected Madden Ratings Anyone?

NYSteelersFan4 — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:14:21 -0000

Projected Madden Ratings Anyone?

So this is what the expected player rankings will be this year. Remember, the player ranking system has been overhauled this year, so don't be surprised by some ower than expected numbers for our favorite guys. Thoughts?

Veteran RT newly on the Market

NYSteelersFan4 — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:43:08 -0000

Veteran RT newly on the Market

The story is unconfirmed, but I hear it has now happened. RT Jon Jansen has been released by the Redskins. An all pro in his prime, injuries have hampered his play in the last few years. Anybody interested? I for one, am not, but what do you think?

This Just In: Tom Brady is dreamy

NYSteelersFan4 — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:18:40 -0000

This Just In: Tom Brady is dreamy

And stretching! He's practicing! The world slows to an almost stop as he takes his helmet off and we can SEE him! God I'm sick of this already. Just wanted to point out how ridiculous this is. We get it he's back, woo hoo. Get over yourself ESPN. And it gives us the oppurtunity to bash him in one consolidated place. Anyone else want in?

Brazil

NYSteelersFan4 — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:56:11 -0000

Brazil

I know we have a small (but growing) and loyal fanbase for BTSC in Brazil. I just wanted to take a minute away from football to say that we are thinking about you down there, and hope that all of you and your's are all doing well in the wake of the flooding that has effected your home land. I know I love the international support for our favorite team, and we are all hopeful you're all safe and that you're back here pulling for the team we all cheer for.

The Fine Line Between "Character Issues" and Youthful Indiscretions

NYSteelersFan4 — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:09:25 -0000

I've read a lot of mock drafts in the last few weeks, and one thing continuously stands out to me as I read all of them. The term character issues is used so much now I think all of us are beginning to grow used to seeing it on a lot of player profiles. I think it's time to take a good look at the facts of the case before we jump on a guy for being a low character individual when in reality some of these cases are really not much more than mistakes made by young men, most age 18 to 21, at a time when for most is thought of as a time to "sew ones wild oats".

I'm 22 years old, I did not go to college, instead took the other route and worked right out of high school. But I've spent my share of time on college campuses, big and small, in the last few years. The things that are being thought of as real character concerns are becoming common place in academic institutions, at least from what I've seen, right or wrong.

Don't get me wrong, crimes are crimes for a reason, and the law should be followed to the best of everyone's abilities. I come from a family of a few police officers, I have friends that work in law enforcement throughout the state of New York, and admire the work they do in keeping us safe.

That being said, I'm 100% sure that quite a few of us when we were in the same place made regretable decisions, odviously some more than others.

I guess the point of my whole post is to point out that not every guy who has had a run in with the law is a character issue type person. Although I'm aware of the trend so many have taken I think it's important to point out that one run in with Johnny Law does not make the man. It's the repeated mistakes and the inability to learn from them and not to make them again that does. Just because someone got caught with a little bud, or drinking a few beers when they shouldn't of, or had a traffic incident (within reason of course) does not mean that this person is automatically going to do it again.

While there are several examples of players just being low life individuals its crucial that we recognize that not all of those who fault are doomed. It is the job of the Kevin Colbert's of the world to understand the problem, and figure out the chances of this person making it again. Just because a player has made one mistake does not mean they are completely hopeless. If we avoided all players with past legal issues we would not have our Defensive Player of the Year, who himself made a SERIOUS mistake in bringing a fake gun to school his senior year of high school.

One legal problem does not warrant the "character issues" label, when in reality for all we know any of these problems could be one time only problems, or youthful indiscretions.

I'm not saying turn your team into recidivists, like one divisional opponent I can think of, but don't totally discount a player for one mistake made at a time in a persons life where mistakes are most commonly overlooked... college.

With all that said, a person who has made mistakes in the past should odviously be given a shorter leash than those who do not. And the ones who make no attempt to correct past mistakes should be looked at in the light they are, as low life, go nowhere idiots, who couldn't man up and get themselves out of a bad situation when the world was presented to them on a silver platter, and given the punishment, by league or court, they fully deserve.

*This post does not condone the use of illegal drugs, breaking the law in any way, or any other improper inferences that you may of thought of. Drink your milk, eat your vegetables and vitamins and stay in school. *

One Sweed Pair of Hands

NYSteelersFan4 — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:46:29 -0000

So we all remember that drop, right? How could anyone forget. He's open (and not that one step on a guy kind of open either) on about the three yard line, the throw is maybe a little bit behind him, he slows up, reaches out, and the ball bounces off his hands, and hits the ground. How many of us were screaming obscenities at our tv's on that one.

All we talked about when it came to Limas was the drops. Would he be reliable enough to be our 3rd guy, can we trust his hands.

Well at least he's man enough to step up and say that what he did last year was not indicative of what he is as a player. And he's not just letting his mouth do the talking, he's decided to bust his you know what, and put in the work it takes to reach the lofty expectations put upon him by a fan base boasting two current Super Bowl MVP's at his position, not to mention a couple of past greats enshrined in Canton, OH. Here's alink to the article on ESPN.com:

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcnorth/0-2-280/Sweed-ready-to-prove-himself.html

Now none of this work means he will be catching everything thrown his way this year, but unlike other players at his position around the league, he's willing to do all he can to put himself in a position to succeed.

Possible Answer to the O-Line Issues?

NYSteelersFan4 — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:25:29 -0000

Pulled from ESPN's Insider. Very interesting.

Will Saturday don the hypocycloid helmet on Sundays?

Jeff Saturday | Colts | Interested: Steelers?

Jeff Saturday will become a free agent this Friday, and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that he wants to join the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I talked to Jeff after the Super Bowl, and he said 'if you can get me there, that would be beautiful,' " Saturday's agent Ralph Cindrich told the Tribune-Review. "This is a Rooney-type of guy if ever there was one."

One issue is that the Steelers already have a center, Justin Hartwig, who is entering the final season of his contract and started every contest for the Steelers this past season. Not to worry, says Cindrich, as Saturday is willing to slide over to guard, a position where the Steelers could be short given the uncertain future of Chris Kemoeatu.

Saturday also compares favorably in the leadership aspects of the game, and Cindrich compares him to fellow client James Farrior, who is defensive captain in Pittsburgh. "I believe that James Farrior is one of the best leaders in the NFL. Jeff Saturday is equal to Farrior. He really controls the whole offensive line, makes every call. It's a Farrior-type situation, where age scares teams. Farrior's first four to five years, he didn't get beat up. Jeff is the same way."

The veteran center has started all 16 games in seven out of nine seasons in with the Indianapolis Colts, missing two games in 2008 because of a knee injury and another two due to a calf injury.

If this is true, the FO has to pull the trigger on this one. We don't normally do this sort of thing in free agency, but for some players we have to make exceptions.

This guy was the leader of one of the best offensive lines in football for the past few years, if he's willing to play guard aswell that's just a bonus.

Nasty Nate Update

NYSteelersFan4 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:54:58 -0000

I saw this coming. I didn't see a single scenario where we brought him back, but ESPN is reporting that he will be drawing a lot of interest from the Titans. I was going to post a link but it's Insider and I don't think everyone can get to it so...

Will Titans bait Nate with big offer?

Nate Washington | Steelers | Interested: Titans?

The relationship between the Pittsburgh Steelers and wide receiver Nate Washington is drawing to a close, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and one team who could be taking a hard look at Washington this offseason is the Tennessee Titans.

While Washington will always hold the Steelers in high regard after they nurtured him from undrafted free agent to 40-catch contributor in 2008, it appears that the two parties may be calling it quits when free agency begins on February 27. When asked about the level of conversation the team had had with Washington or agent Thomas Tafelski as of yet, Tafelski told the Tribune-Review, "None. I would have thought they would have reached out. We spoke briefly at the Super Bowl."

While seemingly every potential free agent wide receiver will be linked to the Tennessee Titans in the coming weeks, Washington is an option that could be a great fit for what the Titans are lacking. Michael Lombardi, former NFL team executive and current contributor to the National Football Post website, said, "Nate's talent matches what Tennessee is looking for. They're looking for a guy on the outside who can make big plays. He's got the speed to create problems."

Courtesy of ESPN.

I was never a huge Nate fan, but what are the implications here. He could actually be a number one WR there. Justin Gage may have something to say about that but whatever. THOUGHTS?

Free Agents- Any Possible Targets

NYSteelersFan4 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:53:26 -0000

I was just skimming over the list of free agents on ESPN.com to take a look at what's out there. I know we don't make many moves in free agency, but we do make a few pick ups, normally younger guys with some experience, who are about to enter their "prime". Is there anybody out there you'd like to see in the Black and Gold? Be realistic, as much as I'd like to see Albert Haynesworth at RE next year I think it's safe to say it's not going to happen.

We've talked about this alot with offensive linemen, mostly, but I think there are a few guys we may make offers to, and hopefully can add to the mix somewhere down the line.

A few guys to think about:

Igor Olshansky, from San Diego, who may get a pretty good pay day from someone, but isn't the "house-hold" name we all would recognize. I really liked this guy at Oregon, and he's been better than solid with the Chargers, but maybe a reach for us. He can play all three D-line spots for us aswell.

Eric Green, DB- Arizona- Not a NEED position, but a position we could use someone at with B-Mac looking for the big bucks. Good player, not the fastest guy, but a solid cover guy at nickel or dime (I like William Gay in the nickel spot.)

Jim Kleinsasser- TE- Minnesota- I've always liked this guy. Tough veteren player who can block and catch (most of the time). Also has experience at FB, played there exclusively for a while. I could see him fitting into Sean McHugh's spot very nicely. That TE/FB positon isn't pivotal, but with the right guy there, it's one more player to account for.

Other guys out there I could see as Steelers would be Robert McCune, a Baltimore LB, Darryl Blackstock, Cincy LB, Ruvell Martin ad Robert Ferguson, both WR's that are decent receiving options and solid blockers downfield.

Draft Buzz

NYSteelersFan4 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:40:31 -0000

Alright I know it's not the time to look ahead, but I just saw Todd McShay's mock draft on ESPN.com and he has us selecting DE Tyson Jackson in the first round. I don't know if I'm missing something, or maybe the experts know something nobody else does, but defensive line? Yes we are getting older across the board and with a three man line depth has been a little suspect over the last two years but come on. There is one glaring weakness on this team and I don't even have to tell anyone what it is, we know.

Tyson Jackson has been projected as our pick for a while now (by McShay) and he's a great player, no knock on him. Is it because of the lack of an "elite" tackle prospect where we are projected? I don't get it. I'll take the best guard available if that's the case.

By the way if we do go defensive, big if, would we take him? We do draft for a year or two from now, so maybe. I like two other defensive guys, but they are both projected to go ahead of us so maybe they aren't too realistic of choices (Rey Maualuga ILB and Taylor Mays FS). Both are probably top ten picks, but if I've learned anything about the draft it's that anyone can go anywhere, and we are not afraid to take an outside the box choice, should one happen to fall to us.

ANY THOUGHTS?