mesaSteeler
03-31-2008, 08:53 AM
Pittsburgh's draft options at guard
Posted by: Robert Rousseau on March 31, 2008 12:12 AM
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/21684.html
Many believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will choose an offensive tackle with their first selection (No. 23 overall) in April's NFL draft.
But what happens when you lose a perennial All-Pro guard like Alan Faneca?
You replace him. Kind of, anyway.
When the longtime Steeler signed with the New York Jets in free agency, it was a big-time loss for Pittsburgh. In all likelihood, the Steelers will have an incredibly difficult time trying to replace Faneca; it will probably take a long time for the team to find another guard like Faneca.
But you do have to move on, and what better place to do that than the draft?
There are five guards, all of whom are profiled below, in this draft who should interest Pittsburgh.
Branden Albert (Virginia): Albert is the best guard available in this year's draft. He stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 315 pounds, so he's big. In addition, he's extremely smart -- an underrated skill in offensive linemen -- and moves well (5.17 in the 40 on top of good agility). Beyond that, Albert started all 37 games at Virginia and has very long arms.
Getting Albert would be a great move for the Steelers. He has the stuff to make an outstanding guard in the NFL. Moreover, he possesses the athleticism and size to play tackle in the pros as well.
Thus, he represents the best of both worlds for the team. But if the Steelers want Albert, they'll have to use their first-round pick on him.
Mike McGlynn (Pittsburgh): It's hard to ignore the fact that McGlynn is a Pittsburgh Panther who has already spoken with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. We're talking proximity here, folks.
The 6-3, 311-pounder has a lot of power (put up 30 reps on the bench), and he's a versatile performer who might be able to play every O-line position.
"I would love to play for the Steelers, stay close to home," Glynn has said.
That's got to mean something too.
Chilo Rachal (USC): Rachal had to leave school early because of family needs; nevertheless, he's a big, powerful mauler (6-5, 315) who was able to put up 225 pounds on the bench 28 times. When he locks on it's over. On top of it all, Rachal has some speed.
The thinking is that Rachal's best-case scenario is as a second-round pick; the latest he'll go is Round 4. He would make a great early to mid-round selection for the Steelers.
Donald Thomas (Connecticut): Thomas, a 6-4, 303-pounder, is lightning fast for a lineman (has run the 40 below the five-second mark), is very strong (put up 28 reps on the bench), and played very well in both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game. Thomas didn't start until his junior season and is therefore somewhat raw, which could be a good thing in terms of his upside.
The negative is that Thomas has had some injuries throughout his career. But he'd be an interesting pick for Tomlin and the gang in the mid rounds.
Eric Young (Tennessee): Young suffered a torn quadriceps this past season. The bottom line on him is this: He's being projected as a guard right now but started the Volunteers' first eight games at left tackle before going down with injury. He's got the size and athleticism to be an excellent guard in the NFL, though, but he could end up at tackle.
So if the Steelers get a chance at Young early on Day 2, he could be a steal because he has the versatility they desire. They'd be gambling on his rehabilitation, however.
In the end, the Steelers will more than likely grab a guard in this year's draft. When is hard to say.
But it's quite possible that it will be one of the above five when all is said and done.
Life after Faneca will be difficult, but the guard cupboard will hardly be bare at the draft.
Posted by: Robert Rousseau on March 31, 2008 12:12 AM
http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/21684.html
Many believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will choose an offensive tackle with their first selection (No. 23 overall) in April's NFL draft.
But what happens when you lose a perennial All-Pro guard like Alan Faneca?
You replace him. Kind of, anyway.
When the longtime Steeler signed with the New York Jets in free agency, it was a big-time loss for Pittsburgh. In all likelihood, the Steelers will have an incredibly difficult time trying to replace Faneca; it will probably take a long time for the team to find another guard like Faneca.
But you do have to move on, and what better place to do that than the draft?
There are five guards, all of whom are profiled below, in this draft who should interest Pittsburgh.
Branden Albert (Virginia): Albert is the best guard available in this year's draft. He stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 315 pounds, so he's big. In addition, he's extremely smart -- an underrated skill in offensive linemen -- and moves well (5.17 in the 40 on top of good agility). Beyond that, Albert started all 37 games at Virginia and has very long arms.
Getting Albert would be a great move for the Steelers. He has the stuff to make an outstanding guard in the NFL. Moreover, he possesses the athleticism and size to play tackle in the pros as well.
Thus, he represents the best of both worlds for the team. But if the Steelers want Albert, they'll have to use their first-round pick on him.
Mike McGlynn (Pittsburgh): It's hard to ignore the fact that McGlynn is a Pittsburgh Panther who has already spoken with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. We're talking proximity here, folks.
The 6-3, 311-pounder has a lot of power (put up 30 reps on the bench), and he's a versatile performer who might be able to play every O-line position.
"I would love to play for the Steelers, stay close to home," Glynn has said.
That's got to mean something too.
Chilo Rachal (USC): Rachal had to leave school early because of family needs; nevertheless, he's a big, powerful mauler (6-5, 315) who was able to put up 225 pounds on the bench 28 times. When he locks on it's over. On top of it all, Rachal has some speed.
The thinking is that Rachal's best-case scenario is as a second-round pick; the latest he'll go is Round 4. He would make a great early to mid-round selection for the Steelers.
Donald Thomas (Connecticut): Thomas, a 6-4, 303-pounder, is lightning fast for a lineman (has run the 40 below the five-second mark), is very strong (put up 28 reps on the bench), and played very well in both the Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Game. Thomas didn't start until his junior season and is therefore somewhat raw, which could be a good thing in terms of his upside.
The negative is that Thomas has had some injuries throughout his career. But he'd be an interesting pick for Tomlin and the gang in the mid rounds.
Eric Young (Tennessee): Young suffered a torn quadriceps this past season. The bottom line on him is this: He's being projected as a guard right now but started the Volunteers' first eight games at left tackle before going down with injury. He's got the size and athleticism to be an excellent guard in the NFL, though, but he could end up at tackle.
So if the Steelers get a chance at Young early on Day 2, he could be a steal because he has the versatility they desire. They'd be gambling on his rehabilitation, however.
In the end, the Steelers will more than likely grab a guard in this year's draft. When is hard to say.
But it's quite possible that it will be one of the above five when all is said and done.
Life after Faneca will be difficult, but the guard cupboard will hardly be bare at the draft.