Guards that the Steelers are showing interest in at the NFL combine

[Smidrow]

from the DraftDaddy blog

The Pittsburgh Steelers, who need help on the offensive line, really like several prospects. The Steelers were impressed with U.S.C. guard Chilo Rachal, who never wanted to leave U.S.C. but had to because his parents suffer from Diabetes and need medical coverage. Pitt loves his character and work ethic.

Also, Western Michigan guard/tackle James Blair is getting a lot of attention from Pittsburgh. He's a bowling ball right tackle that projects as a guard. The reason they like him is his brute strength, especially against the best monster defensive tackles.

In addition, potential small school gem Heath Benedict looks fit -- he's completely recovered from a 2005 knee injury. This is another player getting a ton of attention from the Steelers. Heath thinks Pittsburgh wants him to play Alan Faneca's spot and not tackle because he is the draft's best trap blocker and they believe he will make the ideal replacement for Faneca.

[Vader]

Chilo Rachal, who never wanted to leave U.S.C. but had to because his parents suffer from Diabetes and need medical coverage

Heavens don't let coach here that... Maybe they will do a blood test of something...

[the Bubster]

I could very easily see the steelers draft a G rather than a T, for the simple fact G's command less dollars. I aint opposed to that idea, as long as they land a player who is ready to start on day 1.

Ben Grubbs would look a whole lot better in a steeler uniform than timmons.

[t-bone]

woulda, shoulda, coulda....

[Steeltime]

Rachal is a guy who will probably last until the Steelers third round pick. It is difficult to imagine the Steelers using as high as a second round pick on him.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

So, lets say for the sake of discussion, the top 4 O-Tackles are off the board when we draft(Long, Clady, Williams, and Otah), Do we take a DE and hope we can pick up a guard in the 2nd round, or do we reach in the first with the left over tackles. In a perfect world my first 3 picks would go like this:
1. Otah
2.a Albert
2.b Rachal
Then we go out and sign Odom from the Titans to help the DL. Fuck Starks for big money.
P.S. These rankings are from Football Future, so if they don't match up with your rankings, blame them.

Tackle

1. Jake Long, Michigan
2. Ryan Clady, Boise St.
3. Sam Baker, USC
4. Jeff Otah, Pitt
5. Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
6. Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
7. Tony Hills, Texas
8. Anthony Collins, Kansas
9. Barry Richardson, Clemson
10. Kirk Barton, Ohio St.

Guard

1. Eric Young, Tennessee
2. Oniel Cousins, UTEP
3. Roy Schuening, Oregon St.
4. Branden Albert, Virginia
5. Jordan Grimes, Purdue
6. Shannon Tevaga, UCLA
7. Kerry Brown, Appalachian St.
8. Chilo Rachal, USC
9. Will Arnold, LSU
10. Andrew Crummey, Maryland

[kurtistb]

I could very easily see the steelers draft a G rather than a T, for the simple fact G's command less dollars. I aint opposed to that idea, as long as they land a player who is ready to start on day 1.

Ben Grubbs would look a whole lot better in a steeler uniform than timmons.

actually draft pick contracts are more about where you are drafted then what position you play. If we stay at number 23 we pay the same amount regardless of whether we draft a tackle, guard, receiver or even quarterback. Its still gonna be around 9.5 over 5 years

[BLITZ 43]

I could very easily see the steelers draft a G rather than a T, for the simple fact G's command less dollars. I aint opposed to that idea, as long as they land a player who is ready to start on day 1.

Ben Grubbs would look a whole lot better in a steeler uniform than timmons.

Oh my this is the first thing you have said that I have agreed with. It isn't because Timmons didn't play much but I wasn't high on him to begin with and we need oline help last year and even more this year. I hope Timmons will make us forget about this and we all say good job Tomlin/Colbert nice pick.

[Avoid Lloyd1975]

I'd rather see a guard picked ahead of a tackle as well. Especially with Big Red gone. Kemo could fill in as a spotter but I don't think he will ever be a top tier starter. Our guard and center position's I believe are worse off than our tackle position.

[Steeltime]

So, lets say for the sake of discussion, the top 4 O-Tackles are off the board when we draft(Long, Clady, Williams, and Otah), Do we take a DE and hope we can pick up a guard in the 2nd round, or do we reach in the first with the left over tackles.

You don't have Baker in this group. He is a first-round talent who is falling. He looks like he will be a quality LT in the pros. A team looking for a LT who could start from day one will be interested in Baker. He played 4 years as a starter, in a big-time program, against some very good pass rushers.

A team other than the Steelers could like Baker, and he could go ahead of Otah. Otah's performance in the combine has caused the dreaded "Combine Disease," which is the propensity to put too much emphasis a player's performance running in shorts rather than slamming into people in the cold, on a sloppy field.

Otah could well drop to 23. Steelers could go Otah in the first round, and then Scheuning or quality DE in round 2. They would add quality and youth very quickly.

[Vader]

We need big uglies. If a good OL isn't there in the first then get a good DL. At 23 somebody with some talent is going to be there. This is a deep draft.

[t-bone]

what do yinz think of C Cory Lichtensteiner?

a 3rd?

will he be there?

and "here's the snap from Lichtensteiner to Roethlisberger ' has a certain ring to it.

[TMC]

I would be willing to bet that the Steelers bring Jeremy Zuttah in for a visit and are the team mentioned in the blurb below. He is 6032-303 and ran the fastest 40 of any lineman. He also threw the bar up 35 times and has shown excellent abilities when asked to move (change directions).

Rutgers' offensive lineman Jeremy Zuttah's interviews have also been going very well. One A.F.C. North G.M. who interviewed him Friday night said he specifically asked him a question right at the beginning to throw this kid off. He questioned his ability to play tackle or guard at the next level and told him several reasons why he felt that way and asked him how he could overcome it to make himself a player? Zuttah, without hesitation, said that no offensive lineman in this draft plays with more effort and "want to" than him and that if this G.M. drafted him he'd work extremely hard to become a pro bowl center. His remarks shocked the G.M. and he went on to say it was one of the better interviews he has seen. He also mentioned that he felt Jeremy's best spot may actually be center.

[Spike]

The bottom line is, it don't matter what the guy's name is....we need to get an O-Lineman good enough that he can step in and play right away - no more "projects'.

[Steeltime]

The bottom line is, it don't matter what the guy's name is....we need to get an O-Lineman good enough that he can step in and play right away - no more "projects'.

1st two picks will play a lot if, as expected, those selections are OL and/or DL.

The loss of Faneca, the problems at C, the lack of depth at the T position, the lack of depth on the DL, the need for somebody who can rush the passer from DE mean that top talent players available in this draft at OL and DL will play.

[kurtistb]

You don't have Baker in this group. He is a first-round talent who is falling. He looks like he will be a quality LT in the pros. A team looking for a LT who could start from day one will be interested in Baker. He played 4 years as a starter, in a big-time program, against some very good pass rushers.

A team other than the Steelers could like Baker, and he could go ahead of Otah. Otah's performance in the combine has caused the dreaded "Combine Disease," which is the propensity to put too much emphasis a player's performance running in shorts rather than slamming into people in the cold, on a sloppy field.

Otah could well drop to 23. Steelers could go Otah in the first round, and then Scheuning or quality DE in round 2. They would add quality and youth very quickly.

For me its not about Otah not performing well at the combine its that he looked like he just wasn't that interested in being there. He also skipped the post season all star games. which I thought he skipped to get ready for the combine you add that to him not really having as much of a track record as quite a few other guys and he probably dropped himself from the 3rd ranked guy to 4th or 5th at best and probably worse. He probably lost a couple million dollars yesterday, if I were a scout I can forgive a poor performance but not a poor effort.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

Center can always be addressed later in the draft. From what I've read up to this point, most of theses guys will be around in rds 3-6.
1. Steve Justice Wake Forest 6-4 284 5.20
2. Mike Pollak Arizona St. 6-4 292 5.00
3. John Sullivan Notre Dame 6-4 303 4.95
4. Cody Wallace Texas A&M 6-4 294 5.25
5. Kory Lichtensteiger Bowling Green 6-3 300 5.15
6. Fernando Velasco Georgia 6-4 318 5.15
7. Jamey Richard Buffalo 6-4 301 5.25
8. Matt Spanos USC 6-5 300 5.25
9. Eric Scott Kentucky 6-5 275 4.95
10. Adam Spieker Missouri 6-3 305 5.15

[Supersteeler]

Center can always be addressed later in the draft. From what I've read up to this point, most of theses guys will be around in rds 3-6.
1. Steve Justice Wake Forest 6-4 284 5.20
2. Mike Pollak Arizona St. 6-4 292 5.00
3. John Sullivan Notre Dame 6-4 303 4.95
4. Cody Wallace Texas A&M 6-4 294 5.25
5. Kory Lichtensteiger Bowling Green 6-3 300 5.15
6. Fernando Velasco Georgia 6-4 318 5.15
7. Jamey Richard Buffalo 6-4 301 5.25
8. Matt Spanos USC 6-5 300 5.25
9. Eric Scott Kentucky 6-5 275 4.95
10. Adam Spieker Missouri 6-3 305 5.15

John Sullivan from ND was pretty impressive yesterday throughout the drills. Looked very agile and brought alot of intensity.

[Steeltime]

[B]Center can always be addressed later in the draft.

No doubt. A player who can compete at C can be picked on the second day.

If that player looks good in practice and pre-season, then perhaps Stapleton is the starter and Mahan is a cap casualty. I can dream, can't I?

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

John Sullivan from ND was pretty impressive yesterday throughout the drills. Looked very agile and brought alot of intensity.

If Sullivan is there in the 4th and we haven't traded away that pick, I wouldn't be against taking him.

[SteelerFan448]

I would be willing to bet that the Steelers bring Jeremy Zuttah in for a visit and are the team mentioned in the blurb below. He is 6032-303 and ran the fastest 40 of any lineman. He also threw the bar up 35 times and has shown excellent abilities when asked to move (change directions).

If that is indeed the Steelers, they sure have taken a great interest in Rutgers linemen over the past two seasons.

[dobre shunka]

For me its not about Otah not performing well at the combine its that he looked like he just wasn't that interested in being there. He also skipped the post season all star games. which I thought he skipped to get ready for the combine you add that to him not really having as much of a track record as quite a few other guys and he probably dropped himself from the 3rd ranked guy to 4th or 5th at best and probably worse. He probably lost a couple million dollars yesterday, if I were a scout I can forgive a poor performance but not a poor effort.

Cant speak for his effort, but if the rest is a factor for you, you might want to wait until his proday before totally writing him off. He backed out of the Senior Bowl with a high ankle sprain. Might not be right yet or set him back on his prep.

That said, I wrote him off a long time ago for other reasons.

[kurtistb]

yeah I was never a huge fan and maybe I'm just looking for a reason to dismiss him completely

[Steeltime]

Otah could be a guy who drops due to problems at the combine, but who has the physical skills to become a big-time offensive tackle. He is not a guy who has the balance and footwork of a Jake Long (who does?), but Jon Runyan is not a ballet dancer and does a damn fine job at RT.

Moving Colon to G, and improving RT, makes 2 positions better.

[LetMePlay]

Otah could be a guy who drops due to problems at the combine, but who has the physical skills to become a big-time offensive tackle. He is not a guy who has the balance and footwork of a Jake Long (who does?), but Jon Runyan is not a ballet dancer and does a damn fine job at RT.

Moving Colon to G, and improving RT, makes 2 positions better.

Off the field Runyan is a great guy in the community but on the field he is just about the dirtiest player in the game. The Eagles also run a primarily man blocking scheme which limits his lateral movement. They just dont pull, stunt, or anything. They generally play straight up. Otah just looked like a tub of lard today. I think he is probably 20-30lbs heavy. He looked worse than Shawn Andrews when he was at like 375lbs.

[omawho]

For me its not about Otah not performing well at the combine its that he looked like he just wasn't that interested in being there. He also skipped the post season all star games. which I thought he skipped to get ready for the combine you add that to him not really having as much of a track record as quite a few other guys and he probably dropped himself from the 3rd ranked guy to 4th or 5th at best and probably worse. He probably lost a couple million dollars yesterday, if I were a scout I can forgive a poor performance but not a poor effort.


DeSean Jackson, Jeff Otah See Draft Stock Slipping at NFL Combine
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 by DanZinski

A pair of potential first-rounders has seen their draft stock take a hit after shortcomings revealed during the NFL combine.

First off, DeSean Jackson. The speedy Cal receiver was listed at 5-11, 185 lbs in college. That must’ve been his larger identical twin however, because when Jackson weighed-in at the combine, he was found to stand only 5-9 and weigh a mere 169.

And then you have Pitt offensive tackle Jeff Otah. Mr. Otah is just as large as everyone thought he was, but unfortunately, with his largeness comes incredible slowness. Otah ran the 40 at the combine Friday and clocked a 5.55 - which even for an offensive tackle is not impressive. This time may cause Otah to slip out of the first round altogether.

I told him not to have that last seven pork chops.

[Mike64]

I am not too concerned about his 40 time. What I am concerned with is his dedication to offseason training as well as athleticism. You are about to earn millions upon millions of dollars. Why would you not train/workout to make yourself look good as well as potentially helping your draft status? Him being out of shape is a stop light for me.

[Steeltime]

Otah weighed in at 322 lbs. and did 27 reps. Those do not indicate that he was lazy in the weeks leading up to the draft.

I get that players begin dropping because they have "limitations on lateral movement, in the shadow drill, wearing shorts, after not playing football for nine weeks."

Otah is going to be a very good RT for somebody. If he is there at 23, then I hope it is for the Steelers.

And this idea that the Steelers tackles need to have great lateral quickness to implement a zone blocking scheme ignores the fact that the Steelers like Starks at LT, and his lateral movement sucks, and Colon at RT, and his lateral skills are so good that he almost blocked Mike Vrable, once.

Almost.

[Vader]

Otah weighed in at 322 lbs. and did 27 reps. Those do not indicate that he was lazy in the weeks leading up to the draft.

I get that players begin dropping because they have "limitations on lateral movement, in the shadow drill, wearing shorts, after not playing football for nine weeks."

Otah is going to be a very good RT for somebody. If he is there at 23, then I hope it is for the Steelers.

And this idea that the Steelers tackles need to have great lateral quickness to implement a zone blocking scheme ignores the fact that the Steelers like Starks at LT, and his lateral movement sucks, and Colon at RT, and his lateral skills are so good that he almost blocked Mike Vrable, once.

Almost.

So you want to replace our RT who has terrible lateral movement with a 1st rounder with terrible lateral movement?

[Mike64]

After reading various posts, I just don't think that Otah is worth the hassle. Accoring to posters on this board, he is unathletically gifted. To be a good offensive lineman, you have to have some athletecism. If the guy is not looking good in drills against fellow rookies, how do you think he is going to do against superstar defensive ends? If available in the second, maybe I take him. But it is a big maybe.

[leftcoaststeelerfan]

The Steelers and Otah have a plan....poor performance at the combine and he will fall to them;)

[TheStoneMan]

After reading various posts, I just don't think that Otah is worth the hassle. Accoring to posters on this board, he is unathletically gifted. To be a good offensive lineman, you have to have some athletecism. If the guy is not looking good in drills against fellow rookies, how do you think he is going to do against superstar defensive ends? If available in the second, maybe I take him. But it is a big maybe.


I'm gonna wait til after his proday before i sell him off, I still think he has potential

[BermudaSteel]

Hmmm....Otah w/ problems and dropping...

PASS.

As was stated earlier - no more "project" guys needed.

[Achie D]

Center can always be addressed later in the draft. From what I've read up to this point, most of theses guys will be around in rds 3-6.
1. Steve Justice Wake Forest 6-4 284 5.20


If Justice is there in the 3rd we should take him. He blocks. Period.

[Super Dave]

If Justice is there in the 3rd we should take him. He blocks. Period.

I love Wake players because they are fundamentally sound and they are smart.

But 284 is Waaaaaaaaaaaay to small.

[Steeltime]

I love Wake players because they are fundamentally sound and they are smart.

But 284 is Waaaaaaaaaaaay to small.

Exactly. He would be outweighed by 50 lbs. when the Steelers played a team running the 3-4 defense.

He would be so small that Vince Wilfork might not be able to fit his finger into Justice's eye socket.