View Full Version : Steelers GM in Mock Offseason looking for input...
Hey guys, I'm a Falcons fan participating in an interactive mock offseason where I'm the GM for the Steelers... I've done this for a few years on our message board using various teams and always look to the fans for some input...
We just finished our free agency period, and without delving into all of the specific rules, each team was allotted the same amount of cap space to bid on and sign free agents... It started on the 22nd so anyone not signed by then was fair game... I used the "team needs" section of various draft sites as well as perused some Steelers' message boards to figure out who I wanted to target in free agency, and am now looking for input on who I should target in the draft...
During the FA period, I tendered Kemoeatu and Essex, and signed DE Justin Smith, C Jeff Faine, FS Chris Crocker, FB Leonard Weaver, OG Jamar Nesbit, and QB Tim Rattay...
Now I don't know if you guys even care (I've had varying levels of interest throughout the years when I look to the fans, from complete disdain from Iggles fans to complete support from Panther fans) but I'll be looking to you guys for input on who to draft in the upcoming weeks...
So how do you think I did in free agency, and who are you guys targeting for your first round pick?
Thanks, and good luck to you guys next year... My college roommate was a Steeler fan and kinda got me hooked into them... I'll always be a Falcon fan first, but I root for Pittsburgh on Sundays as long as they're not playing Atlanta... :D
Quick Draw
03-01-2008, 01:45 AM
Don't ask us. We wanted to franchise Faneca.;)
steelberger1
03-01-2008, 07:03 AM
I'm not sure Justin Smith is really a 3-4 DE, but what do I know?
And what the hell makes you think that we needed Faine!?!?! lol. Mahan sucks.
As for Tim Rattay, not sure about that one. How much did you pay for what will be a 3rd string QB?
Tim Rattay was a waste - Batch is solid #2 and we signed Zabransky as #3. He may compete with a rookie for #3 or we may ony keep 2 this year.
As noted, J Smith is not a 3-4 end.
Faine is a slight upgrade, but Tampa overpayed for him, so it depends on how much cap you used on him.
I'm not sure why you tendered Essex, but not Nate Washington. I guess you let both Faneca and Starks go as well?
The Steelers 1st round pick will ideally be one of the top OT: Long and Clady will be gone, but C Williams or S Baker could be there. Most of us don't want Otah in the 1st. If both OT are gone, then maybe a WR like Hardy or Sweed. A guard like Albert or a strong DL could also be a possibility.
Welcome to the Nation.
I kept Starks, he was hit with the tag before our thing started... Yeah Faneca walked; he got a huge contract and I was at a disadvantage in re-signing him from the getgo because our commish used him as an example of a player who didn't want to re-sign with his current team... Got a solid veteran starter in Nesbit to replace him and plan on drafting a guard as well...
As far as Justin Smith, I wasn't too sure about him in the 3-4 either but a few guys on another Steeler board were talking about how he could fit there... And the 49'ers just gave him $45 million to be their RDE in a 3-4 scheme, so apparently someone thinks he can do it... :D
I got Rattay on the cheap to be the backup; I guess I figured Batch was getting old but you guys seem to be pretty high on him...
And a couple of the guys you mentioned (specifically Williams, Hardy, and Albert) are guys that I've got my eye on in the draft...
Parasite
03-01-2008, 10:21 AM
Justin Smith doesn't really fit our defense but I would laugh if we signed him because it would make Bungles' fans heads explode.
Should've tendered Nate Washington.
Supersteeler
03-01-2008, 10:24 AM
Justin Smith doesn't really fit our defense but I would laugh if we signed him because it would make Bungles' fans heads explode.
Should've tendered Nate Washington.
Smith is a 49'er.
Parasite
03-01-2008, 10:25 AM
Smith is a 49'er.
I know, I was just going by what WTA did. No way in hell we were signing Smith. Too expensive and doesn't fit the scheme.
Still, if we somehow had, that would have been comedy gold right there.
Stlrs4Life
03-01-2008, 10:28 AM
Sounds like fun, good luck. Draft a Center!
SteelerFan448
03-01-2008, 06:15 PM
You signed over our limit of one midlevel FA per offseason.
Sluzilla
03-01-2008, 07:18 PM
i take it you didn't extend Ben with your cap space?...
i take it you didn't extend Ben with your cap space?...
The mock isn't as detailed as that... We basically had 12 million to spend for the first year portions of the FA contracts (first year base plus prorated signing bonus)... Kemo and Essex took up roughly a million apiece with their tenders, Smith got 3.75, Faine 1.5, Rattay and Nesbit a million each, Crocker 2 million, and Weaver 750K...
BLITZ 43
03-02-2008, 01:55 PM
WTA, well welcome to the nation and thanks for asking for our input. As for Rattay and Nesbit they are wasted moves like others have said we have Batch and Zabransky and we are more loaded at guard. Some here want to move Mahan and Colon to guard and we have Kemo and Simmons so we are pretty loaded at OG. As for the draft I would think if Williams is there thats our guy, thinking Long and Clady are gone. I also like DRC and McKelvin if either falls you would have to consider them also. Also WR's Sweed, Hardy and OT Baker are guys I am looking at in the 1st. Good luck and have fun and keep us posted on how we do, you can post a link so we can view it if you don't mind. Hey if you ever need anybody to fill in for the Steelers there are a ton here that would love to do it myself included.
Thanks, Blitz... The draft starts tomorrow morning, I'll post a link once it gets going...
I could possibly trade the 1st round pick for DeAngelo Hall... He's a headache but a damn good young CB...
BLITZ 43
03-03-2008, 08:53 AM
Thanks, Blitz... The draft starts tomorrow morning, I'll post a link once it gets going...
I could possibly trade the 1st round pick for DeAngelo Hall... He's a headache but a damn good young CB...
Hey man your welcome as for Hall I would wait and see if Williams, Baker, DRC, McKelvin, Sweed or Hardy are on the board I think that is where I would go. Also there is a lot of depth this year in WR and RB so you could really get a bargin there on day 2. Here are some guys if you don't mind I would like you to consider in the later rounds:
WR
Avery- Hou 3rd
Monk- Ark 4-5th
Nelson- K-St 6-7th
Rivers- Hawaii 7th
RB
Smith- UCF 3-4th
Choice G-tech 4th
Forte- Tulane 4th
OT
Hills- Tex 3rd
Cousins- UTEP 3rd
Rinehart- N. Iowa 7th
DB
Bowman- Neb 5th
Lowery- San Jose ST 5th
Just a few guys I am interested in with the rounds I would like to take they but not limited to that round, good luck have fun and keep us posted.
3 picks to go before mine in the 1st round... Williams is gone, as are DRC, McKelvin, Sweed and Kelly... Mendenhall and Stewart are both still on the board, as are Hardy, Baker, Cherilus, and Otah... Kentwan Balmer is another possibility...
Slaine
03-05-2008, 04:59 AM
I'd take Mendenhall every day at 23. He will be a monster for someone.
It would be hard to pass up Mendenhall. Hardy would also be great. Is Merling still around?
Merling is gone... I would assume Tampa Bay will take one of the RB's before I get a shot, but I like Stewart just as well if not better than Mendenhall, so right now those two are #1 and #2 on my board...
I'd be hard pressed to not take Otah.
I like Otah alot as well but I've been told Steeler fans for some reason aren't high on him at all... I might take him anyways though... IMO he's worth the 23rd pick...
Sluzilla
03-05-2008, 11:25 AM
i actually don't like Otah...especially in the first...
Vader
03-05-2008, 12:56 PM
I like Otah alot as well but I've been told Steeler fans for some reason aren't high on him at all... I might take him anyways though... IMO he's worth the 23rd pick...
6-6 322lbs
27 reps
5.56 40-yard dash
This is why we are down on him. He looks unathletic and doughy.
BLITZ 43
03-05-2008, 01:00 PM
I would go in this order: Baker, Hardy, Stewart, Mendenhall. Ot is the spot we need but I wouldn't be upset with Hardy either.
BLITZ 43
03-05-2008, 01:02 PM
6-6 322lbs
27 reps
5.56 40-yard dash
This is why we are down on him. He looks unathletic and doughy.
Yeah I agree and I like Baker much better too.
bearcatsno69
03-05-2008, 01:05 PM
6-6 322lbs
27 reps
5.56 40-yard dash
This is why we are down on him. He looks unathletic and doughy.
I think he stopped for donuts with that time.
Well, I took Otah... Mendenhall was off the board, and I actually have Otah rated higher than Williams... I know you guys don't like it, but I think he's gonna be off the board way before that in the real draft... We'll see...
And I promise I'll get one of you guys' favorites in the next couple rounds... :D
BLITZ 43
03-06-2008, 12:43 AM
Well, I took Otah... Mendenhall was off the board, and I actually have Otah rated higher than Williams... I know you guys don't like it, but I think he's gonna be off the board way before that in the real draft... We'll see...
And I promise I'll get one of you guys' favorites in the next couple rounds... :D
Oh man thats sucks I like Baker much better, anyways at least it's a lineman. A fat lazy one but a lineman.
Slaine
03-06-2008, 04:35 AM
I'd have taken Dan Connor, Stewart or Williams before Otah.
Connor and Williams were both gone... Came down to Stewart and Otah; I went for the greater need... I think there's good RB value in the 3rd and 4th rounds - I'll probably pick one up then...
8 picks to go before mine in the 2nd round, and Baker is still on the board... Right now I've got my eye on him, Red Bryant, Trevor Laws, DaJuan Morgan, Roy Schoening, and Dre Moore... Surely one of them will fall... Still some top CB's available as well as Felix Jones and LB Erin Henderson, so I should get pretty good value out of this selection...
BLITZ 43
03-08-2008, 07:07 PM
8 picks to go before mine in the 2nd round, and Baker is still on the board... Right now I've got my eye on him, Red Bryant, Trevor Laws, DaJuan Morgan, Roy Schoening, and Dre Moore... Surely one of them will fall... Still some top CB's available as well as Felix Jones and LB Erin Henderson, so I should get pretty good value out of this selection...
I say take Baker cause Otah is going to be a 1st round bust, so at least we will have a chance at a starting LT in the future. I also like Bryant and Laws what CB's are there?
Tracy Porter, Terrell Thomas, and Brandon Flowers are the CB's...
I doubt Baker will still be around by the time I pick, but if he is then he's gonna be the choice... Right now I'm hoping for one of the D-linemen...
We're at pick 46 right now... If Baker is still on the board at 48 I may trade up to grab him... The guy at 48 wants to trade down and I'd give up my 5th rounder... Baker at that spot would be a helluva steal IMO... Otah at RT and Baker at LT would anchor you guys' line for years...
But I hate trading up in these things... Takes the fun out of it when you have fewer picks...
BLITZ 43
03-08-2008, 11:35 PM
Not sure I would trade up there is a lot of talent out there and we already don't have a 7th so we need all the picks we can. If Baker is there I would go him but if not then Bryant, Laws, or Moore in that order would ne nice. What OT's are lefte Cousins, Nicks and Hills are good ones too. Right now if I were you I would keep my eyes on Baker or Bryant.
Nicks and Collins are gone; they're the only other ones I have rated high enough for a 2nd round choice... Hills, Benedict, and Cousins are guys I'd target in the 3rd if I don't get Baker here... Which I probably won't... But yeah, the order of the d-linemen that you have is the exact order I have them ranked as well... I'd bet that I'll end up with one of them...
And as of now I'm not gonna trade up... There's now 6 picks before mine, and there's exactly 6 guys (Baker, Bryant, Laws, Moore, Morgan, Schuening) who I'd be happy with at this pick... It would be an absolute miracle if those 6 guys are the guys taken right before my choice...
Well, I traded up and got Baker... Trevor Laws went right before then, and I knew for a fact that Baker was gonna be the next pick simply because he was BPA, but the guy didn't really need him so I gave up my 5th rounder to snag him...
My plan now is to trade down once or twice later on (its proven to be pretty easy thus far in the draft) so I can make up for that pick as well as the pick that you guys gave us for Rossum...
And now that I've drafted two tackles I've got Starks on the trading block... Trying to get a 3rd rounder out of him...
Steeltime
03-09-2008, 03:01 AM
And now that I've drafted two tackles I've got Starks on the trading block... Trying to get a 3rd rounder out of him...
Not sure that the Steelers could trade Starks before he signed the transition contract, since he would not be under contract and would therefore not be a player under the Steelers' control.
This is the most unrealistic simulation ever.
For the purposes of this thing Starks is technically property of the Steelers so he is able to be traded...
And pete, yes it's unrealistic, but it's something to do during the offseason and it's a good way to scout and learn about the players in the upcoming draft... But thanks for your input... ;)
BLITZ 43
03-10-2008, 08:26 AM
Well, I traded up and got Baker... Trevor Laws went right before then, and I knew for a fact that Baker was gonna be the next pick simply because he was BPA, but the guy didn't really need him so I gave up my 5th rounder to snag him...
My plan now is to trade down once or twice later on (its proven to be pretty easy thus far in the draft) so I can make up for that pick as well as the pick that you guys gave us for Rossum...
Well I am happy with Baker but not with trading up to get him so if you can unload Starks for a pick or two that would be great especially since he has a large cap number right now. We are you at right now and what picks do we have left?
It's still near the end of the 2nd round right now... For some reason the draft hit a huge stall this weekend... I still have a 3rd, 4th, and 6th round picks left... I'll probably try to trade down a couple spots in the 3rd to pick up an extra 5th unless somebody falls to my spot whom I can't pass up...
5 picks left before I'm up in the 3rd... Red Bryant still on the board and at the top of my list... Other guys I'm keeping my eye on here include Spencer Larson, Beau Bell, Frank Okam, Patrick Lee, Bruce Davis, and Earl Bennett...
Bryant and Lee got taken before my pick; I tried like hell to trade down but didn't get any takers...
Ended up taking Earl Bennett... With me not re-signing Washington and Ward not getting any younger, I figured he was the best fit at this point in the draft...
BLITZ 43
03-14-2008, 12:27 AM
5 picks left before I'm up in the 3rd... Red Bryant still on the board and at the top of my list... Other guys I'm keeping my eye on here include Spencer Larson, Beau Bell, Frank Okam, Patrick Lee, Bruce Davis, and Earl Bennett...
Yeah I would like that, Bryant would be good for us so would Okam and Lee. Is Avery(wr) or smith(rb) taken they would make good picks for us as well.
Avery and Smith are both still available and on my board for the next round...
BLITZ 43
03-21-2008, 04:08 PM
WTA it has been awhile whats going on in your draft?
Took G Drew Radovich in the 4th... Don't have a 5th and waiting on my last pick in the 6th round; might be a couple days before it comes up...
So far I've unintentionally drafted all offense... Two OT's, an OG and a WR... Will be looking DL or CB with my last pick probably...
BLITZ 43
03-22-2008, 09:47 AM
Took G Drew Radovich in the 4th... Don't have a 5th and waiting on my last pick in the 6th round; might be a couple days before it comes up...
So far I've unintentionally drafted all offense... Two OT's, an OG and a WR... Will be looking DL or CB with my last pick probably...
Is Lowery or Molden still there? Looks like we fixed the oline thats a good thing I like Radovich and Baker thats a good combo there and Bennett looks like a good Steeler type wr. So far so good.
They're both gone... CB's still on my board include Castille, Tribble, Ikegwuono, and Darnell Terrell... Lots of d-linemen still there too, like Maurice Murray, Nick Hayden, Iwebema, Jason Shirley, etc...
Also might go LB depending on who's still there... Spencer Larson and Ben Moffitt are possibilities...
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