FEEDBACK WANTED!!!

I feel there are numerous untapped and hard to find statistics in football that should be more available to the public.  Below are what I consider “tops” on my list and I would appreciate if you would vote on which you would like to see more readily available.

The Voting Booth is listed at the right!

 Player Participation

This is just a simple number that would show how many plays a player is on the field for out of the total offensive or defensive plays in the game.

Team Formation Log

A simple count of how of how often teams use personnel groupings like 3 WR/1 TE/ 1 RB or 2 WR/2RB/1TE, etc.  And for defenses how often they are in 3-4-4 or 2-5-4 or 2-4-5 or 4-1-6, etc.

Success Rate

This is a simple percentage (like a batting average) of when a team is successful on a play or not.  A simple formula like 40% of 1^st down yardage, 60% of 2^nd down yardage and a conversion on 3^rd or 4^th down would equal a “successful” play.  I would think this could be expanded for run plays, pass plays and for both offense and defense.

 Team Situation Stats

Again, I don’t know why this isn’t around, but how about team offense and defensive stats for certain situation (like they have for individual quarterbacks).  What is a team’s stats on 3^rd down?  1^st down?  Red Zone?  Trailing?  In the lead?  If all this is available for players, why can’t we find it for teams?

Please cast your vote on the right.

Steelers Draft Analysis (Archive)

Here are my previous Steelers Draft Analysis starting in 2006.  I will try to keep these files updated to include 1-year, 3-year and 5-year updates of each draft class.

Steelers 2006 Draft Analysis

Steelers 2007 Draft Analysis

Steelers 2008 Draft Analysis

Steelers 2009 Draft Analysis

Steelers 2010 Draft Analysis

Steelers 2011 Draft Analysis


Thanks again for reading.

Steelers 2011 Draft Summary

My entire 2011 Draft Analysis is available HERE


OVERALL 2011 DRAFT GRADE (INITIAL):                      2.90 GPA (B-)

OVERALL 2011 DRAFT GRADE (1-YEAR):                     

1-Year Update:

Analysis & Comments:

I would consider this a good, not great, draft for the Steelers.  I see a lot of serviceable players that should see considerable playing time over the course of their careers.  This is a low ceiling, high floor draft as I think Heyward, Gilbert and Brown will definitely provide much needed depth at their positions and see the field sooner rather than later.

What really dictated how this draft progressed all came down to the Heyward vs. Sherrod vs. Ras-I Dowling selection at pick #31.  If we select Sherrod, then many picks after are effected by that decision, as evidence by what I would have done in the Steelers’ draft slots:

1-31            Derek Sherrod, OT

2-63            Davon House, CB

3-95            Curtis Brown, CB

4-128          Marcus Cannon, OG/OT

5-162          Chris Carter, OLB

6-196          Jarrell Powe, NT

7-232          Deunta Williams, S

Note, I am not saying this is a vastly superior draft, just a different way to prioritize needs and value.  This draft above also highly overdrafts Davon House (by two rounds), but he is a player I have high confidence will turn into a very decent cornerback.  Note if I had known House would be available in round 4, maybe I go Sherrod and Gilbert back-to-back (and put House in for Marcus Cannon), but I would not have risked waiting on cornerbacks like that real-time.

As with later round picks, I also have my differences - especially with position and where I think competition on the roster is more needed (NT and S).  I have consistently emphasized these positions often the last couple of seasons.  My draft also fails to really provide more depth at DE, which could be a risk (but I didn’t know Aaron Smith was still hobbled either).

Overall, I think the 2010 short term goals are primarily if we see snaps from Heyward early, Gilbert flashed starting ability somewhere on the right side and fits embraces the "Florida" them with Pouncey/Starks, and Curtis Brown quickly passes Gay and Mundy for snaps in our nickel defense personnel (let’s say by mid-season).

What could turn this draft from good to very good this season is if Cortez Allen or Chris Carter flash real NFL starting talent.  We all know those selections need time and work, but if we can see the tip of the iceberg at some point then this draft class has a lot of potential.  However if Allen fails to beat out Lewis or Carter doesn’t impress enough to keep nine linebackers and both are cut, I would be disappointed with those selections.

Long term, where Curtis Brown and Marcus Gilbert end up could be the deciding factor.  Does Curtis Brown develop into anything more than a #3 CB?  Does Gilbert not only win time on the offensive line but excel and improve the group?  Based on Colbert's track record, we all know Heyward will contribute.  It's what the draft offers after that.

The nightmare scenario is the only real player we find is Cameron Heyward.  If Gilbert looks just like all of our other late round right-side linemen, if Brown looks just like William Gay, if Allen/Carter fail to make the roster, then this draft starts to look pretty bleak.

I don’t think that’s the case and see a relatively solid draft just with little upside that reminds me a bit of 2009.  That year Wallace surprised and hopefully someone from this draft will do the same.  This unknown is what makes this process so much fun.

Undrafted Free Agents (2011)

FREE AGENTS AFTER DRAFT:

           

This space is reserved for my analysis of undrafted free agent, which haven't been signed due to the lockout.     

1-Year Update:

Initial Analysis & Grade:                  

Other Options:        Duenta Williams, SS (North Carolina)

                              Steven Friday, OLB (Virginia Tech)

                              Joe Lefeged, SS (Rutgers)

                              Ricardo Lockette, WR (Fort Valley St.)

                              Ian Williams, NT/DT (Notre Dame)

                              Brandon Baire, DE/DT (Oregon)

                              Anthony Gray, NT (Southern Mississippi)

                              Dane Sanzenbacher, WR (Ohio St.)

                              Derrick Locke, RB (Kentucky)   

                              Adrian Moten, LB (Maryland)

                             

Baron Batch

#232-7      Baron Batch     RB     Texas Tech     rSenior

(2 pts)            5095 ~ 207#         4.50                24 ~ 39” ~ 10’-6”                 ” ~ ”                        DOB: 

Initial Grade (Value):          C                            Initial Grade (Potential/Fit/Need):          C

Draft Day Analysis:

I don’t really know how serious to take this selection.  From a paper standpoint, the selection of Bach makes sense.  He’s a very similar player to Mewelde Moore and is ahead of the curve for pass offenses, protection schemes and catching the ball.  He also looks like he could contribute on special teams.

But Batch is also a fairly mediocre talent being ranked the #36 RB in this class by NFL Draft Scout and a non-invite to the combine.  This isn’t a talent like Jonathan Dwyer that dropped.  This is a legit 7^th round talent that fits what we could need or provide pressure to negotiations with Moore and his agent.

How deep is our running back position really?  Do we need depth on the practice squad for this type of player?

I don’t think this is the direction I would have gone, but it’s not the worst pick I’ve ever seen either.

I just caution we can’t assume Batch is a lock for the team or is the guaranteed replacement for Moore like some believe.

Again, my list of alternatives starts with a long list of safeties (Williams, McDaniel, Lefeged) all of whom I would have drafted ahead of Batch to provide competition to both Will Allen and Ryan Mundy in special teams and backup safety.  Deunta Williams in particular I think was worth a draft selection as he was a very productive player before a broken leg sidelined him last season.

Other Options:               Deunta Williams, SS (UNC)

                                    Joe Lefeged, S (Rutgers)

                                    DeAndre McDaniels, SS (Clemson)

                                    Steven Friday, OLB (Virginia Tech)

                                    Ian Williams, NT (Notre Dame)

Keith Williams

#196-6      Keith Williams     OG     Nebraska      rSenior

(14 pts)          6042 ~ 318#         5.28                23 ~ 24½” ~ 7’-9”                32⅜” ~ 10”           DOB: 

Initial Grade (Value):          D                            Initial Grade (Potential/Fit/Need):          D

               

Draft Day Analysis:

This is my least favorite draft selection of the year.  I am just so tired of the same slow-footed, unathletic tackle/guard prospects we seem to bring in every year now.  Whether we talk about Kraig Urbik or Ramon Foster or Chris Scott or Cameron Stephenson or Darnell Stapleton or AQ Shipley or Marven Philip, it’s just a solid list of offensive line prospect you can’t get excited about because there is so little potential in the player.

They are all exactly what you think they are.  And we are 2-3 deep right now on the roster with exactly the same type player and talent.

What might frustrate me the most is the comparisons of Keith Williams down the line vs. Marcus Cannon.  Williams obviously isn’t going to play this year.  If he makes the team at all, he’s going to red-shirt and see little (if any) time on the active roster.  If you wanted another guard in this draft (after getting Gilbert), why not find a way to get Cannon and put him on IR for his rookie season?

Is it really THAT important a rookie go through the abbreviated camp (because of the lockout) vs. being placed on IR while he recovers from a very non-lethal form of cancer?  Isn’t the risk/reward of a guy most consider a day-1 talent vs. Williams (who everyone pigeon holed as a later round or undrafted player) worth it sometimes?

There were even other prospects at other position that I consider much better talent/risk selections.  Someone like Jerrell Powe might be highly needed if we don’t re-sign Chris Hoke at nose tackle.  Isn’t it time we started grooming someone for that position?  Every year we pass on that position and it’s going to bite us soon.

A strong case can also be made for the athletic tight end, Virgil Green from Nevada.  This team appears to have some room for competition at the #3 TE or H-Back position.  Maybe someone with a bit more speed and athleticism would be good for Arians’ offense.

Even the list of safeties looks tempting:  Tyler Sash (Iowa), Deunta Williams (UNC), DeAndre McDaniel (Clemson) or Joe Lefeged (Rutgers)

Overall, I just see no upside or reason for this selection.  Not when you look at his talent level, who we have on the roster, what else was available and what other positions of need could be open on the roster.

Other Options:              Jerrell Powe, NT (Mississippi)

                                    Virgil Green, TE (Nevada)

                                    Deunta Williams, SS (UNC)

Chris Carter

#162-5      Chris Carter     OLB/DE     Fresno State     Senior

(27.6 pts)      6011 ~ 248#         4.58                27 ~ 36” ~ 9’-6”                   33” ~ 9¼”              DOB:  4-6-89

Initial Grade (Value):          A                            Initial Grade (Potential/Fit/Need):          C+

Draft Day Analysis & Grade:

Chris Carter was a surprise value selection in round five that I am extremely happy the Steelers pulled the trigger on.  I had him ranked a solid 3^rd round prospect and think he is equivalent to 4^th round value draftees like Eric Norwood, Thaddeus Gibson and O’Brian Schoolfield from last season.

Carter is the perfect “Steelers” find and again proves we know how to scout and evaluate the linebacker position for our system (not counting Bruce Davis).  It is the bread and butter of the Colbert and Company evaluation process.

Carter looks to have exceptional burst and a solid 72 on Kirwin’s Explosion Index.  He obviously will need adjustment to zone coverages and working in space, but if we can keep the roster spot Gibson had a while for Carter, I would expect an opportunity to contribute on special teams and graduate into a potential backup.

Another great positive about Carter is his intelligence.  He comes from a stable home, has a brother who plays for UCLA and studied philosophy and pre-law.  He was also tutored by Willie McGinnest during the pre-draft workout phase to help him transition to OLB and those drills.

I can’t really think of a negative about this selection except when considering the context of how we handled Thaddeus Gibson last season.  Obviously, if we had kept Gibson instead keeping the injured Aaron Smith on the 53-man roster, this selection in unneeded.  So in some respects we used a 4^th round selection on an OLB, only to lose him to an error in judgment, then used a 5^th round selection this season to replace that same OLB on the roster.

Not really the ideal way to build a roster or use resources.

But I still have pretty high hopes for Carter making the team and maybe providing some solid depth at the OLB for years to come.

Other Options:              Demarcus Love, OT (Arkansas)

                                    Quan Sturdivant, ILB (UNC)

                                    Byron Stingily, OT (Louisville)